Around Aspen: ACES 40th

One recent, enchanted summer evening, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) held its 40th anniversary celebration on the picturesque grounds by Hallam Lake, with more than 500 people attending. ACES was founded in 1968 by Elizabeth Paepcke and she gave the Hallam Lake property to the new wildlife preserve. Jody and Tom Cardamone were the first resident naturalists, and over the years they have added and incorporated all kinds of nature studies and workshops for adults and schoolchildren throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. The 40th Anniversary Celebration truly was an Aspen family affair, with some people sitting around the fire circle and others sitting at tables or on blankets all around the property.ACES has expanded over the years and now has learning centers not only at Hallam Lake but at Rock Bottom Ranch downvalley and at Toklat in Ashcroft. ACES also oversees the North Star Preserve at the east end of Aspen.On July 22, the Aspen Clubs Tuesday Night with Michael will benefit The Chris Klug Foundation. Former Aspenite Nancy Dick will be honored for introducing a bill to the Colorado General Assembly to start the states organ donor program … the second state in the nation to have such a program.News of other former Aspenites. Eric Calderon is now the chief operating officer for Auberge Resorts, a collection of exceptional hotels, resorts and private clubs, each with a unique personality. Among the properties are Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley; Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas; Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley; The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, S.C., and Encantado, opening this summer in Santa Fe, N.M. Eric, former general manager of Aspens The Little Nell hotel, is surrounding himself with other former Aspenites at Auberge Resorts. Chefs Charles Dale and George Mahaffey have already joined the organization and the latest to join the team is Coni Thornburg, who has been named by Auberge Resorts to be general manager at Calistoga Ranch, the award-winning Napa Valley resort and lodging club. In her new position, Coni will oversee all operations for the 46-room resort including a restaurant and full-service spa, and the 27 owner lodges all situated on a 157-acre site marked by ancient oaks, majestic hills, a rock-strewn stream and private lake.Said Eric, We are honored to welcome Coni to Calistoga Ranch. We pride ourselves on hiring the best in the business. Most recently Coni served as general manager of The Lodge at Pebble Beach, a position she assumed after six years as general manager of Hotel Teatro, the premier boutique hotel in Denver. Prior to that she was director of food and beverage for 10 years at the Little Nell, where she played a key role in helping the hotel achieve Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Status. A native of Montana, Coni gained much of her formative background with the Four Seasons Hotels, primarily at their property in Seattle.Receiving national exposure in the August 2008 issue of Town & Country magazine is Dennis Basso, who has an Aspen boutique in The Little Nell and has sponsored the Aspen Art Museums holiday gala and style show the past several years. The article, titled In His Prime, relates how Dennis climbed to the top of the fashion world, first with his fur coats and now with his stylish fashions as well. Included in photos with the article is Ivanka Trump, who recently was part of a benefit for The Childrens Health Foundation in Aspen. The article tells one of Dennis secrets to success. Nowadays Dennis befriends the children of his original clients, such as Ivanka, the daughter of Ivana Trump and Donald Trump.On July 3 at the Maroon Creek Club, Marcia Jobe gave an engagement party celebrating the engagement of Gail Stanger to John French. Ladies in attendance included Gail, Paula Loud, Christi Pope, Pat Peterson, Nancy Snell, Lori Winnerman, Diane Anderson, Ann Miller, Sandy Herron and Judy Bleiler.Undercurrent … The song of the lawnmower is heard throughout the land.