AVON, Colorado - Owners of Traer Creek Plaza, a shopping center adjacent to Wal-Mart, want to divvy up some the plaza into individual units that could be sold, but are meeting with resistance from town officials. The change would give Traer Creek Plaza the option of selling units within the shopping center, Traer Creek LLC spokesman Michael Lindholm said. Traer Creek Plaza LLC is appealing the town clerk's decision to exclude Traer Creek's condo map application from the Feb. 9 council agenda, town attorney Eric Heil said. That appeal is set to come before Avon town council Feb. 23, he said. Heil declined further comment. Town Clerk Patty McKenny explains her reasoning for not placing the application on the agenda in a Jan. 3 letter. She wrote that the application failed to comply with the "standards of the applicable regulations" set forth by the town's community development director, nothing "Traer Creek Metropolitan district is effectively a co-applicant of
EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado - Combining certain schools could save the Eagle County School District more than a half million dollars in operational costs each year, new estimates show. Today, school officials plan to revisit talks on what to do with the old Battle Mountain High School in Eagle-Vail. That discussion will include whether the district should reconfigure schools on its east side. The meeting is set for 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the district office, 757 E. Third St. in Eagle. By pooling students at Minturn Middle School in Minturn and Meadow Mountain Elementary School in Eagle-Vail at the old Battle Mountain high building, the district could save about $512,000 per year in operational costs, according to estimates the district's staff prepared. Savings include things like snow removal, equipment rental and electricity bills the district could shed by meshing the schools, along with staffing positions the district could combine or eliminate. By combining students from Minturn Mi
AVON, Colorado - The first draft of the town's revised land use code is nearly complete and the zoning advisory committee will resume its review of the document beginning Feb. 17. The meeting is set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Avon's town hall. The discussion will cover development and design standards, the development bonus process and the plan unit development regulations. The code will replace the town's 25-year old zoning ordinance. The revision will address community needs, simplify the land use process and provide for clear and predictable outcomes consistent with Avon's comprehensive plan. "The revised land use code will make Avon a better place to live and do business, preserving what is best about Avon while allowing the town to change with the times," said Sally Vecchio, assistant town manager, community development. Community involvement is important to the success of this process. To learn more about the process and the new code provisions, visit t
EDWARDS, Colorado - The 10th annual Mardi Gras Ball, a cocktail dinner dance and auction to benefit Vail Christian High School and St. Clare of Assisi Elementary School in Edwards, is Friday at the Vail Christian High School Performing Arts Center. Co-hosted by the two Christian schools to help offset operating costs, the event supports the education of over 250 Eagle County students. Attire for the celebration is "festive formal" or "mountain elegance" and organizers are encouraging guests to don silver and gold in honor of the event's 10th anniversary. Auction items include a week at Hawk's Cay near Key West, Florida, a week at St. Barth or Isla Mujeres, a luxurious fur coat, an apres ski party for 25 at Beaver Creek's Dusty Boot, a handmade kindergarten quilt and a $5,000 road bike. Tickets to the Mardi Gras Ball are available for $100 each. Tickets and tables are still available for purchase. Tickets will also be available at the door, unless th
EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado - The Vail Valley isn't known for its beaches, but a pair of its athletes have landed some pages in a winter classic - the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn, 25, and local snowboarder Clair Bidez, 22 are both featured in various combinations of jackets, ski/snowboard gear and bikinis in this year's issue. The Vail Valley pair is joined by snowboarder Hannah Teter and aerial skier Lacy Schnoor. Vonn and Bidez were both photographed by Warwick Saint in Whistler several weeks ago. Both were occupied Tuesday with parties to unveil the magazine, and were hard to contact. But Bidez's mom and brother were happy to talk. Patty Bidez was on hand for the photo shoot, but sworn to secrecy until she sent out a blast e-mail Tuesday, the day the issue hit the stands. "The people were fantastic," Patty Bidez said. "I think it's great, and they're great pictures, but (Clair's dad) Earle's jaw dropped when he fi
VAIL - Sports programs for kids and adults start in the coming weeks in the Vail Recreation District. The rec district's Youth Services begins a new indoor archery program on Thursday and there is a Parent's Night Out with the Vail Gymnastics Center on Saturday. Feb. 22-27 is the gymnastics center's Bring a Friend Week during which members can bring a friend to any class for free. Another new program is women's ice hockey clinics, which are taking place on Sunday mornings at Dobson Ice Arena. Indoor archery will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning this week in the Red Sandstone Elementary School gymnasium. The program will be open to all ages, with those ages 13 and younger requiring adult supervision. Costs are $5 for a range fee and $5 for equipment rentals. Parent's Night Out is an opportunity for parents to treat themselves to a night out on the town while children treat themselves to fun and games at the Vail Gymnastics Center. The p
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado - During his first year in Congress, Rep. Jared Polis, the Vail Valley's congressman, showed he could raise money like a House veteran, writing checks for fellow freshmen representatives at a rate that rivals the fundraising clout of even Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Polis' political committee last year doled out more than $400,000 to Democratic members of Congress in swing districts and national political campaign groups.
Now he is branching out.
Polis said he will accelerate efforts in his second year on Capitol Hill by forming another joint fundraising committee to help Democrats willing to challenge incumbent Republicans.
Analysts said Polis - a millionaire in a safe district with access to lots of money - is in a good position Extras
* Keep up with the latest political events and opinion at The Spot politics blog. * Full political news coverage at denverpost.com/politics.
EAGLE COUNTY - Choir students from Eagle Valley High School in Gypsum performed at Carnegie Hall in New York last month. Here, students and staff share their impressions of the trip:
Ashley Winsor New York was just amazing. I've wanted to go there all my life and to have it finally happen was just a dream come true. This city is so big. The Empire State building was amazing. The views were beautiful. It was such a great experience, especially at night. Another great experience was the Statue of Liberty. I had no idea it was that big and that detailed. Each day was breath taking. The city never sleeps which was so different but awesome. Getting ice cream at midnight in Times Square was a new experience that will not be forgotten, just like the rest of this trip. I also had a great time in China Town. It's not everyday a girl gets to bargain a price down for her yellow New York sweat shirt. Carnegie Hall was so beautiful. As soon as you walk in you're amazed and breathle
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado - The Valentine Season is upon us in Colorado's Vail Valley - thoughts of sweethearts, love and caring come to the forefront of our minds. An exceptional sweetheart with a difficult job has blessed countless people for half a decade. Nurse Willie Benway has been that angel to the nursing profession and to our mountain community. We are extremely grateful for her selfless efforts all these many years. How many people stick with anything for 50 years? She graduated from nursing school in 1959, and continues to work as a registered nurse at Colorado Mountain Medical, caring for the community of which she has been such an integral part. She was born and raised in Nebraska, became a nurse, and began a series of adventures in medicine which took her to cities in Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. "There were all sorts of opportunities for nurses," says Willie. "We could work anywhere, and have a good time as well."
EAGLE COUNTY - Eagle County School Officials last month looked at a variety of options for what to do with the old Battle Mountain High School in Eagle-Vail, as well as all schools on the east side of the district in Colorado's Vail Valley. Board members, district staff and people in the community contributed to a list of "pros" and "cons" for each option last month. The board reached no decisions. The discussion continues Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the district office, 757 E. Third St. in Eagle. Here's a look at the "pros" and "cons" list:
Option: Leave current configuration of schools as they exist. POSITIVES - school board member comments
* Every community existing today remains somewhat happy *Avoids staffing relocation issues * Small community schools, each town has a school * Easier for principals and teachers to connect with every kid * It's easy
