Pedal Power and Christmas Carols

Winter Race Series Kicks off Saturday

The first race of the Pedal Power Winter Race Series will take place this Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center.  The Tennessee Pass 5-Miler Kickoff Classic is one of the oldest races in the series, now celebrating its 23rd year of adventure racing. Racers should be prepared for a generous mix of challenging uphills and gentle downhills that wend their way along interconnected Nordic and biking trails through the pine forests and meadows that blanket this scenic pass straddling the Continental Divide.

The Tennessee Pass venue is one of the most anticipated of the winter race season because its location on the Continental Divide provides ample course setting options even with minimal coverage.  The variety of challenging terrain along the Tennessee Pass track makes it one of the top snowshoe courses in the country.  This event attracts some of the best local, regional and national Nordic and endurance competitors as well as recreational racers out to challenge themselves amidst the beauty of the surrounding peaks.

Pedal Power Winter Race Series Schedule:

• December 9 @ 10 a.m. – Tennessee Pass Kick-Off Classic 5 Miler Snowshoe at Tennessee Pass Nordic Center @ Ski Cooper.
• December 29 @ 10 a.m. – Pazzo’s/K.O. EagleVail Holiday 5K/10K at               EagleVail Golf Course & Pavilion.
• January 19 @ 10 a.m. – Aria Athletic Club & Spa Winter Triathlon at CMC Timberline Campus, Leadville.
• February 23 @ 10 a.m. – Vail Nordic Center Winter Triathlon at Vail Nordic Center @ Vail Golf Course.

Registration for this first event is $20.  Participants can pre-register directly online at pedalpowerbike.com or with forms from Pedal Power Bicycle Shop in Eagle-Vail or by calling 970-845-0931. Participants may also register ($25) on the day of the event at the race start. For more information and a complete series schedule, go to pedalpowerbike.com. The Center for this Saturday’s race is located at Ski Cooper on Highway 24 between Minturn and Leadville.

Holiday Merriment and Music

The holiday party season continues this weekend with a number of festive events that should be considered for your entertainment.   It’s time to break out your Aunt Betty’s offensively bright green and red, glitter-ridden holiday frock – it’s Ugly Holiday Sweater season! So don your favorite offender and hit up Periodic Brewing for their Ugly Sweater Party on Friday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m. Last year’s competition was pretty “ugly,” and the smack talk is already underway for this year, so show them your best sweater and don’t worry if you spill a bit of beer on it!

The Ugly Sweater merriment continues with this week’s competition being held at Periodic Brewing on Friday. Photo: Leadville Today/Diana Lange

Encore! Christmas Carols and Holiday Favorites

The mountain music continues this Saturday, Dec 15.  Join the Old Church Singers as they make their musical debut at “An Evening with Celesta, Donna, Scott, and Friends: The Christmas Edition.” With a 7 p.m. curtain call, the performance will get your hands clapping and your feet tapping to all of your holiday favorites as well as a few surprises! This musical group of troubadours has been entertaining local crowds for years and always put on a good show. The night’s entertainment will also feature a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as some Holiday readings.

This event is being presented by the Lake County Civic Center Association (LCCCA) with all proceeds going to the operations and renovation of the Old Church located at the corner of W. 8th Street and Harrison Avenue in downtown Leadville. General Admission at the door is $10.

This season the LCCCA is inviting people to become a patron of the Old Church.  The “purchase” of a seat in the center will establish donors as a patron and will assist with the restoration of the building. Their current effort is to raise funds to reestablish the kitchen area. This will make the building more useful for events. As a patron, you may have your name, family name, the name of a group or organization, or if you chose the name of a loved one engraved on a brass plate and permanently placed on one of the auditorium’s 158 seats.

The Lake County Civic Center Association accepts donations for the Old Church Arts And Humanities Center at P.O. Box 962, Leadville, CO 80461. Or contact Carl Schaefer at 719-486-2148.

If your plans include skiing at Cooper this weekend. Be sure to catch their first Apres Ski set by Todd Johnson at Katie O’Rouke’s in the Lodge. The live music will be from 3 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Leadville Musician Releases New Music

In other entertainment news, local musician Ned Warner has some new tunes to check out. His recently released solo album “All That I Can Give To You,” speaks to hope, compassion, and commitment. In addition, Warner has invited some of his favorite Leadville people into the studio to make their contributions to his latest release.  Fans can expect to hear the musings of Sam Galey, Josh Alford, Ryan Ruegg, and Baron Collins-Hill on the new disc. You can pick up a copy of the CD at City On A Hill in downtown Leadville, or digitally download a copy for the music lover on your shopping list.

Warner’s video from his single “Strange Light.”