Vail Trail Staff
November 23, 2005

While world-class skiers are hitting the slopes for the Birds of Prey World Cup event next week, you can hit the sidelines in the style.

The races will be Nov. 30 – Dec. 4. The festivities will officially kick off at 6 p.m. at Check Point Charlie in Vail Village on Nov. 30, with a free concert courtesy of the James Cotton Blues band (and the Vail Valley Foundation, which is hosting the event).

The races begin on Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. If watching men scream down steep slopes at alarmingly fast speeds doesn’t float your boat, check out the Argent Aprey Tent, located adjacent to the Centennial Express Lift. There will be daily music, games, prize give-aways, food and drink specials. The tent will be open 2 to 7 p.m. on race days. Uncle E will be the official ringmaster of the week. The Lech Band from Austria and the U.S. Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps will play daily.

The U.S. Ski Team will be on hand at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 for autographs. Head to the Argent Aprey Tent. The evening will conclude with a performance of “The Dead Guy,” a reality-television-based play presented by the Curious Theatre Company. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Vilar Center. Tickets are $20.

Popa Chubby will play for race fans on Dec. 2 at the Aprey Tent. The show starts at 2 p.m. and is free.

Starship – remember them? – will play at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3. That evening, the focus will go back to ski racing with a 7:30 special screening of the film, “Bode Miller-Flying Downhill.” The show will be at the Vilar Center and tickets are $10. Afterward, head to a party hosted by Ski Racing magazine and ski star Daron Rahlves. The party is from 8 p.m. until closing at Rocks Modern Grill at the Beaver Creek Lodge.

For more information about Birds of Prey events or race start times, call (970)

Million-dollar baby
There will be a familiar face on the TV in December.

Dano Beal, a Vail native who lives in Seattle, will be a contestant on the game show, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” Beal, who teaches gifted and talented students at Lafayette Elementary in Seattle, is the son of Monie Beal.

The shows were taped at the ABC studios in New York City on Oct. 24 and will air the week of Dec. 5. It’s all part of “Teacher Week” on the show.

Visions of sugarplum fairies dance in your head
It’s that time of year again, when nutcrackers come alive and even men enjoy ballet.

Locals and guests can enjoy the favorite Christmas holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Vail Youth Ballet Company. The Vilar Center will host this Tchaikovsky production Dec. 9 – 11 at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Call (970) 949-1999 for tickets and information.

Don’t drink and drive, crawl
In Vail visit Vendetta’s, the Tap Room, the Red Lion, The George, the FuBar, and Samana (all your Bridge street favorites). Collect a punch card at the first bar you go to on Wednesday nights and at 12:30 a.m. enter the grand drawing. Promo Girls galore with t-shirts and shots.
If Edwards is more your style, on Thursdays start at Main Street and make your way to Mustangs, Marko’s, Fiestas, Full Belly, and the Brewery. No drawing here but there are a few promo girls.

Whispering in the library
Charmayne Thevenet Bernhardt displays her Whispering Without Words collection of watercolors and oils at the Vail Library from Nov. 15 – November 30. Also check out some of her Trailhead ‘signs’ that illustrate fun, outdoor activities for the Forest Service.