Last Saturday, The Metropolitan Opera – in New York City – blasted its production of Don Giovanni on to a HD screen 2100 miles away in Teton Village on a blustery fall day. About 200 opera fans packed the center seats at Walk Festival Hall with their warm coffee, lunches and even of few Snuggies (why didn’t I think of that?). The three-hour-plus live silmulcast performance was one of the most compelling Don Giovanni productions this opera fan had ever seen and may have convinced me that seeing opera in …

You’re all clear, kid, now let’s blow this thing and go home! – Han Solo

On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was asleep in a cozy little cabin in the beautiful high country region of Yosemite National Park.  Giant redwoods loomed nearby.  My world was serene and revolved around climbing massive granite blocks when not working as the “maintenance guy” at an environmental education center.  Frantic knocks on the door raised me from bed followed by the entry of a close friend and cups of hot coffee.
“I’ve got good …

About 30 people showed up on the Town Square today to represent the 99% who would like to wrest more money and power from the 1%.  Protesters were polite and well spoken.  Their wide ranging concerns included the undue influence of lobbyists and money on politics, concern that the rich and corporations aren’t paying enough taxes, the need for healthcare reform, the need to protect the environment, and the need to create more jobs.  They all seem to agree that capitalism and democracy are not working correctly for the benefit …

 
The University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra performed at Walk Hall last night (http://www.uwyo.edu/music/ensembles/symphony_orchestra.html).  They are good!  I was impressed with the skill of the players.  The orchestra nearly outnumbered the audience. I hate all the phony baloney formality of classical music: goofy tuxes, applause upon the entering of the soloist and the conductor.  They did a modern classical piece that was quite charming.

The Powder Puff football game sounds like a good idea, but in reality is quite a bore.  The game took place on 10/5/11.  I dropped in for about 20 minutes to see what was up.  I imagine that the girls got a kick out of preparing for the game, planning what socks they were going to wear and how they were going to do their hair.  Some of the kids were good athletes.  The problem is that football is a complicated game that is difficult to play.  Watching people play …

Travis Rice has finally hit the big time on the point of purchase display at the pumps at Loaf and Jug.  How glamourous! The king of big mountain cool is now rotating with rotisserie hot dogs and breakfast muffins.

A huge amount of hail fell on Lost Creek Ranch on Monday night.  Afterwords it felt like the first November snow.
 
 

At 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Teton County Fire EMS and Forest Service first responders work to contain fire.

View of the Red Rock Fire on Thursday night.  Red Rock Ranch is functioning normally.  It’s quite entertaining to watch the fire flare up and die down from the valley floor.  Kind of like being next to a volcano.
We could use a volcano in Jackson Hole to attract more tourists.  It works great for Cost Rica.  I think a zip line from the top of the Grand Teton to the Top of Sleeping Indian would be a big hit as well.

The Harry Potter fanatics are going nuts at the Teton Theater.  They started lining up in the morning on Thursday, and now they have reached a frenzy.