GIVE it UP

Anticipation

The John Denver tribute was SRO & ran an hour longer than scheduled. The team from Crystal Palace Grill relaxed prior to an onslaught of over 300 JD fans. From left, sweet pouring bar -man, Chet, the unknown wino, VIP, Vince Lahey, Challenge Aspen's event exec. Geneva Templeton and Adam the bartender. Chef Brad Smith held court in the back row.

Challenge Aspen

Challenge Aspen does some incredible on -mountain stuff with disabled vets. This dream-team of ladies helps to make it all happen. Geneva Templeton, Amy Brodsky and Allison Levy kept the party atmosphere rockin'.

Denver's Girlz

A group of John Denver fans letting their hair down at the VIP after-party benefiting Challenge Aspen. The Denverista's are an unusual group for Aspen. We can't quite figure it out, but there seems to be a religious over-tone, hence WWJDD---what would John Denver do? We know this----they do love dem sum JD.

Crazy

Jim Connor (center) played with JD back in the day. He wrote the famous song "grandma's feather bed". We were looking for a money shot from Connor and pals Mary Ledford and Karen Tupak--this is what we came up with. Crazy.

All the fixin's

After a kick-a$$ John Denver show---what better than a slider buffet with all the fixin's from Crystal Palace Grill.

All spell check team.

Pictured on the right is John Denver's Mom, Erma Deutschendorf, she's with her pal Susan Juergensmeier at the after party at the Crystal. Try spell checkin' these ladies-----help. JD's Mom was havin' a blast late-night.

The Star

Jim Salestrom was the lead performer in the JD tribute. He's flanked by his wife Pam and their pal Marsha.

Meeting the Challenge

Challenge Aspen Executive Director Houston Cowan (center) huddled up with a bevy of CA beauties. Tracey, Allison , Geneva and Amy. Click Challenge Aspen to learn more about their good work.

After, After Party

The late night after, after party included an appearance from Vivian Blizzard, Aspen Andy and Lynne Rosenfield.

Spring Board

Spring Board's leadership group includes board members Katie Frank, Jamie Bethell and board chairman Dylan Hoffman posing with philanthropist Ellen Winter.

Hand's on Management

The Crystal brought out it's top management to "celebrity bartend" at the Spring Board event. CPG's top dogs Vince Lahey and Stowman Stines II kept the drinks flowing fast to the delight of the masses.

Burger Time

CPG's executive chef Brad Smith made sure that the burger bar was fully stocked. A-spin estimates that the Spring Board crowd ripped through about 400 sliders per hour. Brad and his kitchen staff kept pace.

Fourth Estate

There's plenty of media in Aspen besides Aspen Spin. Tedre Bates and Heather Rousseau both sling ink at The Aspen Daily News, Heather as a top photo journalist, Teddy as biz manager. Steffanie Rousseau (right) is visiting her sis from Michigan. She'll be moving to Aspen soon ( just a prediction).

Glamour Shotz

Johnny Aspen is attracted to our lens like a moth to a flame. Here, flanked by rookie of the year candidate Karlee Kuhlmann, JA attempts to get a modeling contract from High Society.

Holding Court

Pontificating in the VIP area is none other than Berky. When asked about the volatility in world financial markets, Berky responded "i'm dominating it" The best part about Aspen is when people ask about "the market"---they usually mean City Market.

The Yang Gang

Ginny, Bodhi and Peter Yang, a.k.a the Yang Gang , enjoying the festivities. Both Ginny and Peter served previously on Spring Board's board---Peter as chair. Tonight they socialized, Give Some / Get Some style.

Cover Boyz

Did you see extreme athletes Aaron Berne and Chase Dillion on the cover of the Aspen Times? They rode the gnar and got big air on Independence Pass on MONDAY. Chase' big sister Linda visiting from Kansas kept clicking her heels together and saying " I want to stay here, ...I want to stay here".

The Board of Spring

Spring Board board members and good time aficionados Spencer McKnight and Meredith McKee are joined by rookie phenom Elyse and all around good guy, Michael Rapetti at Give Some / Get some. By all measures, the event was a huge success.

High Society

Aspen Daily News publisher , Dave Cook joined up with the High Society Freeride team. HS team owners Reggie Charles and Jason Flynn showed off a pair of their 2008/09 POW stix that were auctioned off for big bucks.

Later in the night

Later in the night things got a little rowdy at Crystal Palace Grill. Chef Brad Smith looks on as Andy-Party, one of the most technically proficient skiers in history, checks the flex on a sweet pair of High Society POW boards. Jason Flynn shows why he's a boarder, by testing the edge sharpness with his tongue. Photo: Eliza Mercanti.

Look Sharp

The boyz straightened it up for the money shot. Jason Sterner (left) from Grape and Grain added to the excitement by flashing his vanilla gorilla pose. Photo: Eliza Mercanti

Real World

It's not easy to forge out a real world type career path in a ski town like Aspen,---- especially with all those POW days. 3 who have found success; Damian Williamson works the entertainment and sports beat for the Aspen Daily News, Eliza Mercanti handles marketing duties for Aspen Mag. (put us on the list) and James Scott is a banker with Alpine Banks.

RMI in da house.

Kelly Sweitzer and Tripp Hyde took time off from their duties at The Rocky Mountain Institute to support Spring Board, Carolyn Hurley joined them to enjoy the festivities. Sorry about that bogus red-eye.

Security

The open bar @ Spring Board led to some high level partying from Curtis, Mark and Mitch. We're not sure, but we think they stayed out of trouble. In the background---thats the Dodger's gettin ready to shut it down for the year. Go Phils!!

Air it Out

Mitch felt the need to air out his hairy pecs while Carolyn Hurley and Ryan smiled sweetly for their media moment.

Closing Time

Spring Board board members Katie Frank and Jamie Bethell handled the exit interviews as frequent A-Spin contributer and lens pro Jordan Curet remains on the mend with a severely broken shooting arm.