ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK HOSTS “ALL FOR LOVE,” A GROUP CIVIL UNION CEREMONY

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 Organizers Aim for Highest Elevation and Largest Group Civil Union Ceremony in U.S.

Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, will celebrate equality with “All For Love,” a group civil union ceremony in downtown Aspen, on January 18, 2014. Organizers hope the event will be the largest same-sex ceremony in the U.S. and also the highest elevation group ceremony at Aspen’s 7,908 feet above sea level. 

“Colorado recently passed a law in May, 2013, recognizing civil unions, and it’s only a matter of time before gay marriage is legal as well,” remarked Todd Heimel, board president of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund, the beneficiary of Aspen Gay Ski Week which promotes tolerance, understanding and diversity through education, community action and service. “We want to celebrate the progress that has been made and continue to promote equality for all.”

The group ceremony, open to all same-sex couples, will be held at 11 a.m. in Wagner Park (300 S. Monarch St.) amongst the iconic surroundings of the quaint town of Aspen. In addition to couples willing to make the commitment officially, other same-sex couples are encouraged to participate ceremonially in order to show support for marriage equality.

For those wishing to make the union legal, partners should visit Pitkin County Clerk’s office for official paperwork. Learn more by visiting http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Departments/Clerk-Recorder/Civil-Union-Licenses/.

A champagne and cake reception will follow the ceremony at The Limelight Hotel, a partner in the event and the host hotel for Aspen Gay Ski Week. A honeymoon package is available from the hotel, which includes a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, as well as complimentary lift tickets up the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of iconic Aspen Mountain to take stunning photo shoots overlooking the Elk Mountain Range—and the option to ski or snowboard down this legendary mountain.

One couple will receive a dream honeymoon at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (Ojai, CA), including a three night stay with breakfast daily, dinner one evening at Maravilla and a couples’ massage.

To learn more about “All For Love” and Aspen Gay Ski Week, visit www.gayskiweek.com. 

About Aspen Gay Ski Week

Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) is the oldest annual, week-long gay ski event in the nation. A model for other gay ski weeks, AGSW offers a unique vacation experience in the scenic and historic mountain town of Aspen, Colorado. AGSW visitors enjoy four mountains of varied skiing and snowboarding terrain, as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoe and winter hiking trails in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. For more information, visit www.gayskiweek.com.

About the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund

With a mission of promoting tolerance, understanding and diversity through education, community action and service, the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF) has been serving the GLBT community of the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond since 1996 as a non-profit organization.  The RFGLCF produces many events throughout the year, including Aspen Gay Ski Week each January, which brings thousands of GLBT skiers to the mountains of central Colorado.  RFGLCF has partnered with the TEACH program in the Roaring Fork School District to help fund training for children and adults who are learning the principles of diffusing situations of racism, sexism, ageism, bullying and homophobia.  Visit www.rfglcf.com to learn more. 

About The Limelight Hotel

The Limelight Hotel is Aspen's newest hotel, offering guests the best of mountain adventure in a contemporary and relaxed atmosphere. The property offers more amenities for skiers than any other Aspen hotel, including free lift tickets, ski area transportation, boot dryers/lockers, ski valet and more. It is the official host hotel for Aspen Gay Ski Week. Visit www.limelighthotel.com for details.

About Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Since 1923, vacationing guests have sought the tranquil pleasures of the historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, a AAA Five Diamond property located on 220-tree shaded acres, located just an hour and a half north of Los Angeles and half-hour south of Santa Barbara. Affirmed by its many prestigious awards, the legendary Inn is one of the nation's unique hidden treasures. Learn more at www.ojairesort.com.

Warwick Denver Hotel Names Three New Team Members

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Neville Erasmus

Wyatt Fee

Jesper Jonsson

General Manager, Neville Erasmus

 

Joining the Warwick Denver from Thompson Hotels, Erasmus is a seasoned hotel manager with 17 years of global experience, holding a diverse range of positions, such as Director of Rooms, Director of Revenue, Director of Operations and Interim General Manager. Previous to Thompson, Erasmus was with Intercontinental Hotels for nine years. Holding degrees in hotel and restaurant administration, as well as a certificate in human resources, he was educated at Cornell University, University of Birmingham (UK) and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (South Africa).

Director of Food & Beverage, Wyatt Fee

Bringing nearly 15 years of hospitality experience to the Warwick, Wyatt Fee has held a variety of hotel management positions, including Director of Operations, guest services, restaurant manager and conference services.  Most recently with Loews Hotels, Fee also worked with Miraval Resort (Arizona) and Marriott. Fee holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University.

Executive Chef, Jesper Jonsson

Jesper Jonsson, a native of Denmark, joins Warwick Denver Hotel as Executive Chef. Schooled in France at Auguste Escoffier and Lycée Paul Valéry, Jonsson acted as Executive Chef for the Danish Ambassador to the United Nations, Consul General Hans Grunnet of Denmark and Paavo Turtiainen Catering in New York. In Colorado, his culinary resume includes Buffalo Horn Ranch, Bistro on Park Avenue and Blue Mountain Inn—all located in Northwest Colorado.

Tenth Annual Stonewall Sails Regatta Returns June 29

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Northeast’s Only Gay and Lesbian Regatta Coincides with NYC Pride

Knickerbocker Sailing Association (KSA) today announced that the 10^th Annual Stonewall Sails Regatta, the Northeast’s gay and lesbian regatta, will be held on Saturday, June 29. Coinciding with New York City’s Pride festivities, the regatta will take place at Hudson River Community Sailing (Pier 66 Boathouse, W. 26^th St. & 12^th Ave.). Funds raised will benefit Hudson River Community Sailing, which provides sailing education to underserved youth of New York City.

The regatta will begin with a breakfast at 9:00 a.m., followed by the boat launch at 10:00 a.m. Boat racing will take place from 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the Hudson River, between 20^th and 29^th Streets. The day will culminate with an awards ceremony and dock party at 7:00 p.m. at Newport Marina (500 Washington Blvd., Jersey City, NJ). 

“In this 44^th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which New York City Pride celebrates, the Stonewall Sails Regatta still remains a unique and exciting spectator event, now in its tenth year,” commented Michael Christl, regatta chairman.   

The regatta will utilize up to eight J/24 sailboats, which will be assigned by a lottery at the skipper’s meeting that morning. Defined by the International Sailing Federation, the J/24 is an international “one-design” keelboat, which recreational sailors use for cruising, day sailing and racing.

“Our organization has become well known, especially in the GLBT community, as we have been represented at Gay Games in Chicago and Australia,” finished Christl. “We will also participate in the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland.”

The number of races will be determined by weather conditions on the day of the race. Attendees can sponsor boats that compete in the regatta; those funds will be donated to Hudson River Community Sailing. To sponsor a boat, visit http://hudsonsailing.org/2013stonewall. 

About Knickerbocker Sailing Association

Established in 1994 by 13 friends from New York City, KSA is a non-profit gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender and their friends sailing club. Members do not need sailing experience to join, as KSA promotes sailing and boat safety. With over 200 active members, the organization also sponsors special events, such as Flotillas, and other charitable events throughout the year. Follow @KSAsailing on Twitter and on Facebook or visit www.ksasailing.org to learn more. 

About Hudson River Community Sailing

Hudson River Community Sailing, a non-profit organization, develops academic success and leadership for underserved New York City youth through sailing education and providing maritime recreation to the community at large. Visit http://hudsonsailing.org/ .

Woody Creek Bakery & Café Announces New Caribou Coffee Licensed Location in Boulder

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Woody Creek Bakery & Cafe, known for its made-from-scratch baked goods, announced a new Caribou Coffee licensed location in Boulder at 1207 Pearl Street, opening on May 23. Woody Creek Bakery & Café now has its own Caribou Coffee inside the restaurant; this is the second Woody Creek location to open a Caribou Coffee store.

“We are excited to offer our customers this co-branded experience,” commented Bruce Pelligra, Director of Operations at Woody Creek Bakery & Café. “Our guests can now enjoy fresh salads, savory sandwiches, baked items and the highest quality handcrafted beverages from Caribou Coffee.”

Woody Creek now operates seven locations, stretching from Boulder to Denver International Airport, and Caribou Coffee recently opened its 11^th retail location in Colorado—on Denver’s 16^th Street Mall.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to expand the Caribou Coffee experience in Boulder with Woody Creek Bakery & Cafe,” said Alfredo Martel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Management at Caribou Coffee. “Our mission aligns perfectly with that of Woody Creek, as we aspire to be the community place loved by guests.”

Woody Creek plans to gradually open Caribou Coffee stores in its other locations. Woody Creek’s parent company, Skyport, is also a franchisee of four Caribou Coffee locations inside Denver International Airport. 

“As a Colorado company, Woody Creek has become known for our famous chocolate chip cookies, delectable sandwiches, salads and soups, and now, our guests will also know us for Caribou Coffee’s unique line handcrafted and innovative of beverages,” finished Pelligra.

For more information about Caribou Coffee, visit Caribou Coffee’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cariboucoffee or follow Caribou on Twitter at @Caribou_Coffee.

About Caribou Coffee

Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multi-channel approach to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. The Company’s coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better. Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee’s unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee web site at www.cariboucoffee.com.

About Woody Creek Bakery & Café

A Colorado company, Woody Creek offers made-from-scratch baked goods and utilizes the freshest products available. We stand out from the rest by providing extraordinary guest service and a wide variety of seasonal menu items—all served with a small town, neighborhood feel. With seven Colorado Front Range locations, our stores pay it forward through community activism and knowing our neighbors. Learn more at www.woodycreekcafe.com.