Fundraiser set for Aspen fire victims

ASPEN The Wheeler Opera House and the Aspen Music Festival are teaming up to throw a fund-raising event for the victims of Tuesdays fire at Aspens Castle Ridge Apartments. The event, set for Wednesday, June 18 at the Wheeler, will be a free show, and contributions will be taken. In addition, the Wheeler will donate all proceeds from the nights bar sales to a fund administered by the Red Cross for residents displaced by the fire.Among those scheduled to perform are Woody Creeker John Oates, of the pop-soul duo Hall & Oates; local Irish band the Crowlin Ferlies; comedian Beth Brandon; and vocal and instrumental students from the Aspen Music Festival and School. The event will also include a silent auction two tickets to the July 26 talk at the Benedict Music Tent by the Dalai Lama will be offered.

Donations of clothing and other items are being accepted at the North 40 Fire Station, next to the Airport Business Center on the outskirts of Aspen. Call the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department at (970) 925-5532 to find out whats needed.To make a financial contribution, contact the Red Cross regional office at (888) 545-7800 (or online at http://www.redcrosswesterncolorado.org) and specify that the donation is for the Castle Ridge Apartment incident.Red Cross officials also confirmed that executives at Alpine Bank are setting up a relief fund for victims.