Ear to the ground

“We were obviously concerned. The cat was missing, and there was a strange smell coming from the back of the garage.”

– A Durangoan relating a recent feline false alarm

Armstrong’s Aspen

Colorado has captured the yellow jersey. One of the most visible names and faces in sports recently put down roots in Aspen. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong now calls the chic resort home, and his fourth child, Max, was born at Aspen Valley Hospital on June 4.

“Lance Armstrong can finally call himself a local,” announced theAspen Postfollowing the birth. Anna Hansen, Armstrong’s girlfriend of just 11 months, is the newborn’s mother. Miraculously (or accidentally), the pair conceived without medical help in spite of Armstrong’s 1996 bout with testicular cancer.

“Wassup, world? My name is Max Armstrong and I just arrived,” Lance posted on his Twitter site after the birth. “My mommy is healthy and so am I!”

Armstrong and Hansen fell in love with Aspen last fall and purchased an unfinished $9 million trophy home. The five bedroom estate is now complete, and Armstrong jetted back through for his son’s birth immediately after his 12th place finish at the Giro d’Italia

While in Aspen, Armstrong will be bottle-feeding, changing diapers and training for his attempt at an eighth yellow jersey. Then it’s back on the private jet and off to Monaco, where Lance will line up at the July 4 start of the Tour de France.

A classic chef

Speaking of Aspen, Durango grub will be making an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic this weekend. Dave Cuntz, the Mahogany Grille’s executive chef, has been selected as one of this year’s exhibitors at the annual classic in Aspen.

“In its 27th year, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is the epicurean magazine’s signature event, bringing together 50 of the world’s foremost authorities on wine and food at 80 sold-out cooking demonstrations and wine seminars,” Food & Wine Magazine stated.

Chef Dave will be serving the Mahogany Grille’s famous Pepper Steak Herbert at the Grand Tasting alongside stars like Mario Batali, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay. The event starts June 19.