Guest Blogger: Molly Killien, Chamber Staff Member

Let’s be honest. I had a feeling that the Brent Rowan & Friends Acoustic Concert on Saturday, December 19th at the Steamboat Grand was going to be really good. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was really great. I did not however think that a holiday concert would ever move me to tears, give me goose bumps or literally be one of the best acoustic performances I have ever witnessed. Yep. It was that amazing.

The holidays have always been really special to me. There is something so magical about Christmas songs, the idea of spreading joy and reconnecting with loved ones near and far. What I experienced on Saturday night was not just amazing, heartfelt music but it was truly a collaboration. Stories were told, a love of Steamboat Springs was shared and a non-profit like Lift –Up of Routt County was helped in the process.

Brent Rowan is a musical genius. His extraordinary talent, humility and grace were all apparent. His musical guests or “friends” included Grammy winners Lang Scott and his wife Linda Davis, along with their eldest daughter Hillary Scott. Pre Saturday I didn’t know Hillary’s name, but I sure knew her music. Hillary is part of the country music trio Lady Antebellum, know for country hits such as “I Run to You” and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” Hillary and her parents were breath taking.

My advice now? Check out these artists. I was so proud to be apart of the wonderful evening and spread the joy that Steamboat Springs has to offer. What fun!

Guest Blogger: Meagan Coates, Chamber Staff Member

Frosty the Snowman had some magic in his old silk hat and I’m certain I’ll find that same kind of holiday magic downtown on historic Lincoln Avenue this Saturday at the Merry Mainstreet event. Our normally busy street closes and downtown merchants and restaurants will have their holiday wares on display including gingerbread houses, twinkling window displays and special sales for shoppers to enjoy.

I plan to pick up those last few gifts for my loved ones and celebrate the season with my friends and neighbors at this hometown holiday event. Hey, I might even take the chance to tell Santa I’ve been good this year (as if he doesn’t already know)!

Girls covered in feathers and flowers, on bikes and in cars are just some of the fabulous shots you will see in Skitown Calendars’ inaugural project, Girls of Steamboat. The 2009/2010 Girls of Steamboat calendar is the first of a series of Skitown Calendars, a business founded right here in Steamboat Springs with the proceeds of each calendar supporting the communities, the arts and the subjects behind each month.

This year’s inaugural project will culminate with a release party benefiting the Steamboat Springs Arts Council this Friday, December 11, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at the Depot in downtown Steamboat. Festivities include food and drink, dancing , introduction of each Girl of Steamboat, a presentation from the Arts Council, a movie and slideshow on “The Making Of the Steamboat Calendar”, cake cutting and major celebration for a great cause. Attire: Evening-Wear/ Cocktail. There will be a sash bar with passed appetizers. Come out and support the Steamboat Arts Council and Skitown Calendars at this not-to-be-missed event.

 Click here  for a video to learn more about Skitown Calendars and the making of this year’s Girls of Steamboat Calendar.

To find out about more upcoming events visit the Steamboat Chamber Events Calendar.

If you would like to become a guest blogger for the Steamboat Chamber Daily Blog, please contact Courtney Allen at 970-875-7006 or courtney@steamboatchamber.com.

John Fielder, renowned Colorado nature photographer, is bringing his recently released Ranches of Colorado slide show presentation to the Steamboat Springs Community Center.  On Monday, December 7 doors will open at 7:00 pm with the slide show beginning at 7:30.  Join John Fielder and experience his journey to some of the most beautiful ranches in Colorado.

The slide show will include over 250 of the project photographs and John will tell stories about his experiences working with these remarkable ranchers and exploring their ranches…all enhanced with the inspiring symphonic music of Aaron Copland.  Both book and slide show will be used to rally support for ranchland conservation, and to raise funds for conservation efforts so that these lands can remain in ranching in perpetuity.

Guest Blogger: Rachel Radetsky, Steamboat Arts Council

In its 25^th year, Holidays in the Rockies was the first winter artisan market in Steamboat Springs. Still the biggest, we invite you to join us and get your holidays shopping done without even having to leave the valley!

Holidays in the Rockies features unique holiday gifts from 50 artisan vendors, bbq lunches for sale, live entertainment by the Jewel singers at 1pm, the Yampa Valley Boys at 1pm, and a great wreath raffle with beautiful holiday wreaths. Held at Christian Heritage School, 27285 Brandon Cr. 9am 0 4pm. Call 970-879-9008 for more information.

Family, friends, turkey, stuffing, corn pudding and pumpkin pie are all reasons why Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. When you really think about it, it is a great excuse to spend time with loved ones and reflect on the many wonderful reasons to be truly thankful. At Thanksgiving there is no pressure of exchanging gifts and the timing is perfect because the Steamboat Ski Area opens their doors for the winter season.

My Thanksgiving 2009 was spent in Seattle, Washington with friends and family and was followed by a family wedding in Denver on Sunday, November 29th. Two big events back to back made it easy to reflect on why I am thankful. I am thankful for genuine friends, a supportive family, my wonderful Chamber team and above all…legendary Champagne Powder® snow.

If you would like to become as guest blogger and share your own unique experiences about visiting or living in Steamboat Springs, contact Courtney Allen, courtney@steamboatchamber.com.

Guest blogger: Court Allen, Steamboat visitor, avid skier & family man

Family time, mountain time, and ski time… as the years have gone by, Thanksgiving week has ushered in the holiday season for our family. Having traveled the country and world as a military family, the mountains and skiing on Thanksgiving have not always been an option, but have certainly been the objective.

Having passed through Steamboat Springs in fall ’76 on a quest to the West and subsequently a number of times in the summer, amazingly this week is my first time skiing Steamboat . After canvassing the mountain for Ski Time Square we soon realized it had succumbed to the base area renovations. So much for dinner at the old Mexican restaurant but cheers to looking forward to the future.

Withstanding the 35 years of skiing, stepping into my skis for the first run of the season, has always been met with some anxiety…why didn’t I train more, should I have tuned my skis, is my trick knee going to last another year, can I still “turn and burn” like days gone by? I was excited to board the “six pack’ and take in the mountain air. After hitting the mountain “top”, of course we are talking the top of Christie, taking in the view, and buckling in, I felt the familiar sensation as I made those first turns down Sitz and See Me.

Fittingly as my son and I clicked out of our skis there was the iconic Billy Kidd posing for a picture as he helps a young potential Olympian with his first steps on his skis. It was a great start to another ski season…can’t wait for many more days of the famous Steamboat powder.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to dance? Or did you dance in your past and want to start up again remembering how fun it was?  Well you are in luck, because Steamboat’s Northwest Ballet Studio offers a variety of classes for adults from hip hop, modern, ballroom, belly dancing, Zumba, and hoop dancing. They also offer series workshops for beginning salsa, hip hop, country swing and the lindy hop.

One of our staff members loves going to Zumba, a dance-based exercise class with a Latin flair. In addition to weekly classes at the studio, belly dancing was also a popular workshop offered in this past summers All Arts Festival. If you are visiting for the weekend drop in to one of the Friday evening classes with a friend or try out Hip Hop/Yoga on Saturday mornings at 9 A.M. It’s never too late to stretch your limbs and express yourself.

Check out more fun activities to do in Steamboat at steamboatchamber.com.

Check out the Alpenglow on Mt. Werner! It’s time to get ready for ski season.

Saturday night was full of great ways to have fun and make a difference. HBA Steamboat joined together with Toys for Tots for Beer, BBQ and Bowling at Snowbowl bowling lanes. The $25 entry fee and generous donations of toys by attendees help to fill boxes of toys for kids in need throughout Routt and Grand counties. The night also included a chance to win one of the numerous raffle prizes. An autographed baseball signed by Colorado Rockies player, Troy Tulowitski, and a two night, three day stay in Las Vegas topped the list! My roommates, who made up one of the teams for the event, had a fantastic time and thought it was a great way to support an important cause for the holiday season.

On the other side of town Token Threads, Waterside Day Spa & Salon and bistro c.v. teamed up for the second annual Fashion for a Cause. Drinks were flowing and good conversation was abundant among guests, many of whom took the opportunity to “dress to the nines” for this hip evening. I definitely had fun stepping out in a dress and high heels, something ladies don’t often get the opportunity to do here in Steamboat. Locals modeled clothes from Token Threads and BAP. All proceeds from the $10 door cost and donation jars around the restaurant went to the Boys & Girls Club of Steamboat Springs.

To check out more events around town visit our calendar.

If you would like to become as guest blogger and share your own unique experiences about visiting or living in Steamboat Springs, contact Courtney Allen, courtney@steamboatchamber.com.