This is surely the year for bears!

A friend called me to get the phone number of the Wildlife Officer who deals with bears. I went to their home down in the Highway 34 canyon on the way to Loveland. A bear had tipped over a birdseed container they had chained to the tree and he was feasting. I got there just as the Wildlife Officer fired a shot of rubber pellets from her shotgun. The bear, very black and bigger than the bears we have had right in Estes Park, took off running and she fired a second shot at him. Boy, he was running fast. It is amazing to see them waddling along on their slow walk and then trying to realize how fast they can really move. So we spent a half an hour cleaning up birdseed, and then pepper sprayed the area around the container in case he comes back. We warned the family to not go near that area for at least a couple of days until the residual of the pepper spray wears off or a good rain washes it off. That is nasty stuff!

Being out in the dark with a flashlight checking to make sure the bear was gone - one does not have any trouble staying alert! Every little night sound of the forest sounded like the bear was right there. In truth he was probably a mile away and still running… but the mind is not ready to accept that.

What's happening in RMNP and Estes Park around Labor Day weekend!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Evening Programs: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - features a different program every night. 7:30 p.m.
Ranger-Led Programs. Rocky Mountain National Park offers a variety of great ranger programs. These programs are free and include diverse topics like nature walks, talks about wildlife, and autumn bird walks. For more specifics about dates and times of programs call 970-586-1206.
Then after Labor Day: Beaver Meadow Evening Program. Saturdays. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium. 7 pm


In ESTES PARK

Events
August 28: National Park Conservation Family Day. Fall River Hydroplant Picnic Grounds. Noon. RSVP for this free event at 801-521-0785
September 4-5: Estes Park Alpaca Market. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. 9 am
September 4: John Denver Tribute Concert. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. 5 pm
September 4-6: Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show. Bond Park. 9 am
September 4-5: Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. Noon on Saturday; 9 a.m. on Sunday.

On The Calendar
August 27: Cool Nights Cruz-In Car show. Visitor Center Parking Lot. 5 pm
August 27: Astronomy in the Park. Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park. 8 pm
August 27: Hike with a Naturalist to Ouzel Lake. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
August 27-29: Landscape Photography Seminar. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
August 28: What’s Wrong with this Picture? George Hix Community Room in US Bank Building. 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
August 28-29: What’s New with Astronomy Seminar. Estes Park Observatory. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
August 29: Public Stargazing Night. Estes Park Observatory. 8 pm
August 30: Hiking the Colorado Trail. Estes Valley Library. 7 pm
September 3: Loch and Sky Pond Hike. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
September 4: Public Stargazing Night. Estes Park Observatory. 7:30 pm

Theater
September 5: Murder at Marys Lake Lodge. Marys Lake Lodge. 6 pm. Call 877-254-0112 for ticket info

Exhibits
Opening August 27: Celebration of Rocky Mountain. Reily Fine Art. 6 pm. Through September 30
August 28: Plein Air Rockies Quick Draw & Auction. Watch artists paint live models and scenery. Sponsored by Estes Park Cultural Arts Council. Riverside Plaza. 8:30 am
Opening August 28: Plein Air Rockies Exhibition Opening. Cultural Arts Council Gallery. 4 pm
August 29: Artist Exhibition. Old Gallery in Allenspark. 1 pm
Continuing: The Way I See It. Art Center of Estes Park. Through September 12
Continuing: Western Light – Fine Art Painting Show. Earthwood Collections. Through October 31
Continuing: In the Footsteps of Isabella Bird. Estes Park Museum. Through January 17, 2011
Continuing: Stirling Legacy Exhibit. Estes Park Museum. Through April 10, 2011

Nightlife
August 27: Elizabeth Rose. Lake Shore Lodge. 6 pm
August 27: The Elktones Reunion. Brad Doggett, Brad Fitch, Mark Rashid, Jimmy Sferes, Jennifer White & Dick Orleans. Marys Lake Lodge. 8 pm
August 27: Dennis-Tobias Band. Rock, pop, classics. Chipper’s Lanes. 9 pm
August 28: Stevie Doyle. Bluegrass, jazz, rock, country. Marys Lake Lodge. 8 pm
August 28: Bettr than Bacon. Funky folk ‘n’ roll. Chipper’s Lanes. 9 pm
August 28: Kip Yager & Friends. Lonigans Saloon. 9 pm
Aug. 29: The Dennis-Tobias Band. Aspen Grill & Ten Bears Saloon. Aspen Lodge. 8 pm
August 30: Scott Von. Acoustic rock, country. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm
August 31: Dennis-Tobias Band. Rock, pop, classics. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm
Sept. 4: The Hippogriffs. Aspen Grill & Ten Bears Saloon. Aspen Lodge. 8 pm
Sept. 4: Tony Rosario Band. Rock, blues, soul. Chippers Lanes. 9 pm

Events in and near RMNP from August 12th and beyond...

Events
August 13-15: Hunter Jumper Festival III Horse Show. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. 8 am
August 14: Auto Extravaganza. Bond Park. 10 am
August 15: Span the Rockies. Benefit Bike Ride. Estes Valley. 6 am
August 22: Draft Horse Show. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park.

On The Calendar
August 13: Bob Flame: Rocky Mountain Ranger. Book signing. Rocky Mountain National Park Beaver Meadows Visitors Center. 7:30 pm
August 13: Astronomy in the Park. Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park. 8 pm
August 13: Estes Valley History and Historic Sites Seminar. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
August 14: Geology of the Western Slope Seminar. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
August 14: To Infinity and Beyond Astronomy Seminar. Estes Park Observatory. Register with Rocky Mountain Nature Association at 970-586-3262
August 16: Isabella Bird Impersonation. Elkhorn Lodge. 7 pm
August 18: Stanley Steamer Talk by local expert. Stanley Museum. 10 am. Every Wednesday
August 19: Plein Air Rockies Kids Paint Out. Performance Park. 10 am
August 19: Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House. Estes Valley Library. 3 pm

Theater
August 13-14: Seven Keys to Baldpate. Baldpate Inn. 6:30 pm on Friday; 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm on Saturday
August 18: Murder at Marys Lake. Dinner Theater. Marys Lake Lodge. Doors open at 6 pm; show begins 6:45 pm. Every Wednesday through September

Music
August 13: Nancy Cook in Concert. Barlow Plaza. 5:30 pm
August 13: Stars Over the Rockies musical review. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. Call 970-586-3450 for tickets. 7 pm
August 13: Shanta Performance. Hempel Auditorium-YMCA of the Rockies. 7:30 pm
August 14: Gospel Bluegrass Festival. Performance Park. 4 pm
August 14: Birgit in Concert. Barlow Plaza. 5:30 pm
August 15: Christian Bluegrass Concert. Performance Park. 2 pm
August 15: Dick Stenbakken Performance. Hyde Chapel-YMCA of the Rockies. 7 pm
August 18: Dennis-Tobias Band Concert. Performance Park. 7 pm
August 19: Estes Park Village Band Concert. Performance Park. 7 pm

Exhibits
August 14: Plein Air Rockies National Paint Out. Throughout Estes Park. Through August 27
Continuing: The Way I See It. Art Center of Estes Park. Through September 12
Continuing: Plein Air Rockies Prelude. Cultural Arts Council Gallery. Through August 26
Continuing: Western Light – Fine Art Painting Show. Earthwood Collections. Through October 31
Continuing: In the Footsteps of Isabella Bird. Estes Park Museum. Through January 17, 2011
Continuing: Stirling Legacy Exhibit. Estes Park Museum. Through April 10, 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Evening Programs: Every night features a different program in the park.
Wednesday: Artists.
Thursday: Science and Research.
Friday through Tuesday, varied topics. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park. 7:30 pm. Through Aug. 21. 970-586-1206

Ranger-Led Programs. Rocky Mountain National Park offers ranger programs seven days a week. Free programs include tundra nature walks, talks about wildlife, children's programs and wildflower walks. For more specifics about program dates and times call 970-586-1206.

Nightlife
August 13: Friends of Folk. Dick Orleans hosts Brandon Sipes. Marys Lake Lodge. 8 pm
August 13: Vandelay Industries. Chipper’s Lanes. 9 pm
August 13: The Honey Gitters. Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. 10 pm
August 14: Mostly Joe Hawkins. Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. 6 pm
August 14: Peace & Love & Jigs & Reels. Marys Lake Lodge. 8 pm
August 14: DJ Dance Night with DJs Justin Faye & Bard Griffin. Lonigans Saloon. 9 pm
August 14: David Dardin Project. Chipper’s Lanes. 9 pm
August 16: Ash Ganley Duo. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm
August 17: Dennis-Tobias Band. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm
August 18: Landon Smith. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm
August 19: Laurie Demeron. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm

Weekly
Sunday: Elizabeth Rose. Lake Shore Lodge. 11 am
Sunday: Justin Faye & Mark Pack. The Tiki Room. 6 pm. Through August
Sunday: Dick Orleans. Marys Lake Lodge. 7 pm
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday: Cowboy Sing-Along. Cowboy Brad & Kathy Fitch. Bond Park. 7 pm. Through August 17
Monday & Tuesday: Dick Orleans. Crags Lodge. 6:30 pm
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: Karaoke. Lonigans Saloon. 8 pm. July & August
Tuesday: Free Texas Hold ‘em. Wheel Bar. 7 pm
Tuesday: Open “Mic” with Host Mike Roe. Lonigans Saloon. 9 pm
Wednesday: Slight of Hand Magic. Twin Owls Steakhouse. 6:30 pm
Wednesday: Summer Enchanted Evening. Natural history show. Baldpate Inn. 7 pm
Wednesday & Thursday: Jerry Barlow. Celtic guitar. Crags Lodge. 6:30 pm
Wednesday & Thursday: Gerry Valero. Nicky’s Restaurant. 7 pm
Wednesday & Friday: Karaoke Nights with KJ Bard. Lonigans Saloon. 8 pm
Thursday: Dick Orleans. Aspen Lodge. 7 pm
Thursday: Acoustic Bluegrass Open Jam with Garth Lewis & Greg Glasgow. Rock Inn Mountain Tavern. 7:30 pm
Friday: Dennis-Tobias Band. Tiki Room. 7 pm. Through August
Friday & Saturday: Ray Young. Jazz piano. Nicky's Restaurant. 5 pm
Friday & Saturday: Elizabeth Rose. Lake Shore Lodge. 7 pm
Friday & Saturday: James Davis. Marys Lake Lodge. 6 pm
Friday & Saturday: Gerry Valero. Nicky’s Restaurant. 8 pm
Saturday: James Moellers & Mark Pack. Tiki Room. 7 pm

At The Movies
Call for current shows and times
Historic Park Theater. 970-586-8904
Reel Mountain Theater. 970-586-4227

Admittance is free at Rocky Mountain National Park this weekend, August 14 and 15

Perseus Meteor Shower in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

Shooting stars will appear to come from the constellation Perseus on the horizon in the Northeast sky on Tuesday, Aug. 12, midnight to dawn. The best vantage points are free of city lights. Find a place in the Park where your night vision will not be ruined by oncoming headlights. Treat it like the Fourth of July: bring blankets seats and snacks. No need for binoculars.

Drawing from the museum collection

Lecture: Historic sites Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain August 2 and beyond...

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Evening Programs: Every night features a different program in the park.
Wednesday: Artists.
Thursday: Science and Research.
Friday through Tuesday, varied topics. Beaver Meadows Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park. 7:30 pm. Through Aug. 21. 970-586-1206
Ranger-Led Programs. Rocky Mountain National Park offers ranger programs seven days a week. Free programs include tundra nature walks, talks about wildlife, children's programs and wildflower walks. For more specifics about program dates and times call 970-586-1206.