Ear to the ground

“Shiva, everyone in this town is self-centered and going to hell.”

-Young, healthy Main Ave. panhandler speaking to her dog after being refused a hand-out

Let the games begin

Silverton Mountain employees may have been basking in pow 12 days ago, but Joe Public got his first turns of the season last Friday. On Oct. 14, Loveland Ski Area fired up the lifts and became the first ski area to open for the 2005-06 season in North America. Last week’s winter storm combined with snowmaking efforts enabled the Front Range ski area to kick off the season a week earlier than usual.

A dozen skiers and riders camped out in the Loveland parking lot to ensure they rode one of the first chairs of the season.  However, Nate “Dogggg” Nadler and friends beat them to the punch as they had been camping out since Oct. 12. Hundreds of first-day enthusiasts cheered on as Nadler and two friends rode up the Loveland’s Chair 1 for the eighth year in a row.

Don’t turn green with envy quite yet. The ski area opened with only one 1,000-vertical-foot, top-to-bottom groomed run. The snow base was between 18 and 21 inches, depending on which end of the groomer the measurement was taken. A small but crowded terrain park also was set up near the base of the mountain.

Local residents should have a crack at a more enjoyable opening day in coming weeks. Wolf Creek Ski Area has been taking advantage of the recent series of storms and is prepping for an opening in early November. Conditions remain uncertain, but Durangoans can bank on more than one groomer and a small terrain park. Not far behind, Durango Mountain Resort will open with $10 lift tickets for Benefit Day on Nov. 23. And Silverton Mountain opens for its final season of guided-only skiing Dec. 15.

Follies Lite on order

Tired of lewd jokes and potshots at prominent Durango personalities? A new version of the popular Snowdown Follies will make an appearance this February. The first-ever, Kids Only Snowdown Follies premieres Feb. 2 at the Durango Arts Center. The Durango Arts Force is currently seeking actors between the ages of 8 and 18 to pull off the show.

“All acts must be age- and audience-appropriate for a quality family show,” the group advises. Entertainment ranging from theatrics and comedy to instrumentals and performance art will be considered. Auditions will be held Dec. 12 & 13. For more information, call 259-2606.