Aspen goes GREEN for AREDay.

AREDay 2011 in Aspen with Ted Turner. Click for more pixThe 8th annual AREDay Summit and Expo took place in Aspen, Colorado this past weekend. The theme for  AREDAY 2011  (American Renewable Energy) is Putting the GREEN back in GREEN: Monetizing carbon in the Global Economy. Over 100 environmentally savvy speaker, presenters and panelists discussed a wide variety of topics at the historic Hotel Jerome.   There was not a plastic bottle in site as environmental visionaries, educators, politicians and business leaders gathered to address the world-wide problem of climate change and America's dependency on foreign sovereignties for our energy. 

See pix ASPEN GOES GREEN

This was AspenSpin's inaugural coverage of ARE Day and the message being sent from the conference is staggering.  The environmental issues that face the world today have reached the point of crises.  AREDay was founded to promote leadership and cross-sector collaborations and there were plenty of tremendous ideas exchanged.  Big name AREDay supporters like TED TURNER, T. BOONE PICKENS,  Gen (ret.) WESLEY CLARK, Actress DARYL HANNAH and former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter addressed the eclectic, but obviously passionate crowd.

The planet's environmental issues present a complex set of problems and encompass a myriad of public and private agendas.  With no clear leadership, the pro-earth message often gets jumbled.  It's difficult for regular people to understand what the real facts are.  Attempting to grasp the conundrum at hand AspenSpin will attempt to present a simple set of take home points.  

Click for pix.  ASPEN GOES GREEN

AREDay 2011. It's a battle for planet earth. Click for pix.We are experiencing a WORLDWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISES.  This is not a blip on the radar.  Abuse of our earth and it's natural resources cannot continue at the current pace or we will lose our environment. According to Ted Turner..."when we lose the natural world we've lost everything".  For those that don't believe there is a climate problem...have you noticed the surge in natural disasters?  Did you know that nearly 250,000 people died from weather related events in 2010.  Losing people to "freak storms" is not a good way to combat overpopulation...which is part of the problem for the 7 billion citizens of Earth.

We must ACT LOCALLY and Regionally to fight climate change.  This was a new revelation for us, but it makes perfect sense.  Citizens of the world must protect their own.  There is no centralized organization that is implementing an effective plan for environmental improvements.  Federal Governments (including the U.S.) are not successfully battling climate change.  We must do it ourselves to protect what is ours.  Grassroots programs at the local and regional level must continue.  In Aspen, we are fiercely proud and protective of our home.  Kansas may have a different set of environmental issues... each region must protect their own...worldwide.

We must ACT NOW.  Climate change, over population, dependency on fossil based fuels...these are real problems that are effecting the way our Earth functions.  This is bigger than politics, bigger than the economic crises, bigger than Jersey Shore...and its real...real serious.  We must make drastic changes immediately or the environmental health of the world will be in critical condition...soon.

Every little bit helps. AREDay 2011 in Aspen.FOLLOW the MONEY.  Investments are being made in renewable energy, conservation efforts, green technology and more that can help reverse our world's decline.  Getting Wall Street and the Venture Capitalists behind the green movement is imperative.  Not only can big business help protect our natural world, they can create jobs, earn profits and satisfy shareholders.  Efforts are being made by the business community...let's hope it's not to little to late.

It's a sports analogy, but it rings very true here.  TEAMWORK WINS GAMES.  All earthlings must work together to effect worldwide change, and leadership is crucial.  Somehow all of us who reside on earth must find a way to rally around our environment if the world as we know it is to be saved.  That sounds drastic, but unfortunately it's true.   We all need to join forces ASAP.  Forget party afflation, forget your country of origin, we've all got to band together and work towards a common goal...or the natural world as we know it will be gone.

We hate to say it, but TALK is CHEAP.  The time for talk is over.  Action is required, from everyone. AREDay speakers are preaching to the choir.  We need to expand our efforts...every one of us.   It's easy to bounce ideas around a ballroom full of interested dilettantes with the A/C blasting and their private jets idling.  WE NEED ACTION and we need it now.  So find a way to pitch in.

AREDay was informative, educational, interesting and provocative, but most of all it was scary.   We all must act now and act together before it's to late.   Our consumption based society cannot continue at it's current pace or else we'll lose everything.  Your children and your children's children will not be safe.  As an individual its very difficult to know what steps to take.  The problems are complex, the facts unclear, the message is mixed and the ultimate solutions are not yet formed...but we must band together and work diligently or else all will be lost.  If this sounds drastic or alarming...coming from a ski bum /blogger...it is.  Every one of us must find a way to pitch in to SAVE the ENVIRONMENT before its to late.  It's a fight that the human race cannot afford to lose. 

Click for Pix ASPEN GOES GREEN

Go Green...or Die. Thats the message that AspenSpin took home from AREDay

Ocean Dog / Mountain Dog

Ocean Dog / Mountain Dog Click to enlarge.Carmelo is a Mountain Dog, digging the POW as much as her old man, but she's also an Ocean Dog.

The best part about spending the summer in Southern California is the early morning walks on a deserted Windansea Beach with my dog.  Carmelo and I have settled into a daily routine that we both enjoy immensely.  You may have heard that costal California is densely populated...that's very true, but we love to get up early to enjoy the freedom and independence of an empty beach. Iconic Surf Shack at Windansea.

Dogs are only allowed at Windansea before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. and according to the numerous signs, leashes are ALWAYS required.  This may surprise a few people...but we regularly break the rules.  The lifeguards begin their morning patrol around 7...so we've made it our practice to get out there around 6 a.m.  Our beach is not wide open like some you've been to.  It's not like Santa Monica or Del Mar with a wide flat expanse of sand.  Windansea is famous for it's picturesque rock formations, it's intimate coves and it's pounding surf.  When the tide is up there is only a very narrow strip of sand to work with, but that doesn't bother us, getting wet is part of our program.   Carmelo and I have traversed every nook and cranny at Windansea, we've learned all the secret paths through the rocks and climbed on every bit of the awesome sandstone architecture that is continually re- shaped by the pacific.Windansea can get crowded.

Carmelo and I are both quite aquatic and very comfortable in the Ocean, but we've both learned that Windansea is a heavy wave that rolls in from the deep sea. Windansea is not the most user friendly beach...plenty of rips and crazy currents exist and the aforementioned rocks can make getting in and out of the water a dicey proposition.  Carmelo has gotten completely rolled by unexpected "big ones"  crashing into the shore.  She has learned to pick her spots when swimming.   Given Carmelo's propensity to sniff EVERYTHING we have discovered all kinds of wildlife.  Snails, crabs, urchins, starfish and more.  

We play ball together, we chase seagulls together, we run barefoot in the sand and we love the quiet time alone on the coastline before the beach comes alive with tourists, surfers, joggers and fisherman.

Zuke's dog Treats. Fuel the Love.Ironically we always bring a little bit of Colorado with us to the beach... and it's absolutely Carmelo's favorite part.  I always carry a supply of ZUKE's Mini Naturals when we go rogue (off-leash).  Zuke's is based in Durango, Co. and they make a full line of all-natural dog and cat treats that are sold nationally at better pet stores. Click the logo/link to save $$.   I use mini naturals as a reward and sometimes as a necessary enticement for Carmelo to behave. Fuel the Love as the Zuke's package says.  The moist and healthy mini's are my secret weapon...she loves them.  It's amazing how obedient Carmelo becomes when I have a fresh supply of Salmon mini's at the ready.  With Zuke's on board...all I have to do is make a move towards my pocket and Carmelo is sitting, shaking and laying down like nobody's business.  Zuke's treats have come in handy a few times when Carmelo is running around like crazy and I see the lifeguard approaching in the distance.  With a $250 ticket at risk, the Zuke's are like daddy's little helper;  hand-in-pocket results in dog-on-leash. 

Windansea Beach at Golden Hour. La Jolla, California.

Early Morning is the best.High Tide at Windansea

Sweet Home Colorado

My name is AspenSpin and I'm a ski-a-holic.  It's been 120 days since my last confession. 

Southern California has plenty of positives, but soon the A-Spin mothership will be packing up and heading back to Colorado to prepare for the upcoming ski season.   Summer has flown by.  Aspen Spin's self imposed ski-hab visit to La Jolla is almost over. 

We look forward to returning to Aspen.  The Rocky Mountains, the roaring rivers, the lush greenery, the crisp alpine air, the wide open spaces, the crystal clear bluebird skies and even the afternoon showers.  While Summer is waning, it's not over yet and we are gonna get our Ya Ya's out at 3 HUGE events coming up in Aspen.

USA PRO CYLING CHALLENGE. 

128 of the world's best pro riders will be tooling through Colorado for 6 stages of racing. The second stage, the Silver Queen Stage...will finish in Aspen on August 24 after 131 miles and a vertical rise of more than 9700 feet. You can watch live TV coverage on Versus and NBC..but there's nothing like being there in person to see the peloton thunder through town.  There are plenty of activities, parties and events planned around the Challenge.

 Click to learn more about the USA PRO CYCLING CHALLANGE

MOUNTAIN SUMMIT. 

One of our favorite events of the year.  The 3rd annual Mountain Summit Film Festival is a unique collaboration between Teluride's Mountainfilm and Aspen's historic Wheeler Opera House.  Four days of painstakingly selected films that reflect Adventuring and Advocacy. These films are passionate stories that don't show up at the multi-plex.  It's an intimate festival with many of the filmmakers in attendance and free coffee talks and sessions relating to the films.  Do not miss Mountain Summit.

 Save the dates August 25-28.  Click for schedule and tickets;   MOUNTAIN SUMMIT

JAZZ ASPEN/SNOWMASS.

3 days of fun and music, and nothing but fun and music...."yeah New York stay thruway is closed man"....ooops wrong festival....and it's 2011, so join thouands at the Snowmass Town Park for 3 days of fun and music at Jazz Aspen/Snowmass's annual Labor Day Festival on Sept 2,3,4.   Big names on the docket include Thievery Corporation, Steely Dan and The Zac Brown Band. 

Click for LINEUP and Ticket info.  JAZZ ASPEN/SNOWMASS

Kelly Slater Wins the U.S.Open of Surfing.

39 year old Kelly Slater captured the U.S.Open of Surfing title in Huntington Beach. Slater pocketed the $100,000 first prize at the event sponsored by Nike 6.0, Hurley and Converse. Slater last won in H.B. in 1996. He bested Aussie Yadin Nicol who barely registered a wave in the final due to a flawed strategy. Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus), 20 topped the ladies field. Brazillian unknown Felipe Toledo won the Jr.Open Men's and 16 year old Cali Girl Lakey Peterson won the Jr. Women's. See Kelly's winning waves in the vid. below.

U.S. Open of Surfing, it's GINORMOUS

Huntington Beach is Surf City.  For 50 weeks out of the year HB is a pretty quiet Orange County burg with a super-phat beach vibe, perfect weather and plenty of surf.  During the first 2 weeks of August, HB is transformed into the center of the surfing universe as over 500,000 (most in bikini's) people hit the beach to join in on the action.  It's the biggest event in surfing.  All the athletes and all the brands are here to shred, to floss and to recreate.  It's all good clean fun.

The U.S. Open of Surfing occurs hot on the heels of X Games.  It's a 10 day celebration of surfing that takes over Huntington Beach. The whole thing is sponsored by Nike and their sister companies Hurley and Converse. International Management Group (IMG) organizes the show.  Additionally there are skate contests, BMX sessions, fashion shows, movie premiers and a full schedule of free music.   All this take place at the Surf Stadium near HB Pier.  The entire industry converges on HB for the biggest event in surfing.

We are sharing these photos courtesy of  U. S OPEN of SURFING.  Click to watch the live-stream.  Photos: Derek Bahn.

Local Talent. HB homie Brett Simpson shoots for a 3 peat in the 2011 U.S. Open of Surfing

 Surfing Legend Rob Machado still ripping at U.S. Open of SurfingBeach Babes dominate Huntington Beach for the U.S. Open.The Crowds are huge in HB. Sensory overlode..Friends on the beach.2010 Champ Carissa Moor looks to repeat last year's glory.