Mountain and Frontier West, By Elana Andersen
Idaho
Arts programs have been an important component of community
downtown revitalization programs across the country, but Idaho
Falls has taken its commitment to new heights. It started seven
years ago with the opening of the city new public library in the
historic district and has expanded to now include the Willard
Arts Center and Colonial Theater, the Museum of Idaho, Eagle
Rock Art Museum and the Actors Repertory Theater of Idaho. These
five arts organizations venues are neighbored with several
commercial art galleries, glass and ceramic studios, dance
studios, a movie house, public art displays and Chesbro Music,
the largest wholesale sheet music company in the West. There are
also several restaurants located in what is now referred to as
the Idaho Falls Cultural District.
Colorado
Clear Creek County, just 30 minutes west of Denver, is a place
for visitors to have both a glimpse of the states history and
breathtaking views of the scenic majesty of the Rocky Mountains.
North Americas highest road, the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, is
located here along with the historic narrow gauge Georgetown
Loop steam train and the Argo and Phoenix Gold Mines, treasure
troves of mining history. This region is also home to the small
town of Empire and the Peck House Hotel. This 10 room bed and
breakfast has been in continuous operation by the Peck family
since 1862 and they welcome the opportunity to greet visitors,
sharing their family history and that of the region. Many groups
stop here for lunch or dinner to enjoy the property gardens and
its sweeping views of the valley. Empires main street is dotted
with interesting curio and antique shops. The Miners Cemetery
has some of the regions best-preserved headstones, bearing
distinctive and elaborate creations that were popular with the
early settlers. 87-889-6454, www.clearcreekcounty.org
Kansas
The four corners of Kansas offer a traveler dramatic and
changing landscapes and an introduction to numerous
Around The Jazz Internet: Sept. 10, 2010
News and notes from around the web, including Newk at 80, surviving the jazz business, Vijay Iyer makes a beat, Twitter makes for a band, Kit Downes on the Mercury Prize, a cornetist touring by bike and the reference guide to grunting pianists.
Jazz At Lincoln Center Plans Cuba Visit
The in-house big band led by Wynton Marsalis heads to Havana in early October for a series of concerts, workshops and demonstrations. The invitation comes from the Cuban Institute of Music, and will be paired with New York events later in the month.
historic
events. There are five designated scenic byway routes and the
Route 66 corridor, each offering an opportunity to discover the
diversity and heritage of this state. The Kansas Getaway Guide
outlines these routes with information about sights, history,
contacts and other information needed to plan an itinerary that
travels along the Glacial Hills, Gypsum Hills, Frontier
Military, Flint Hills, Post Rock and Smoky Valley Scenic Byways
or Route 66. For a copy of the guide, contact: 800-252-26727
Texas
The Transportation Wing of the Petroleum Museum in Midland
features Jim Hails famed Chaparral racing cars. The main gallery
displays all seven of the 2 series models, plus there is an
operating maintenance garage and auto shop. Interactive exhibits
explain the aerodynamics of racecar design and auto racing.
Other exhibits tell the story of Hails contributions to the
sport. Contact: 432-683-4403
Oklahoma
Alabaster Caverns State Park near Freedom will reopen its main
cave this October with a new state of the art light system that
greatly enhances visitor viewing and more accurately reflects
the caves natural colors. The new lighting system creates less
heat, thereby avoiding disturbance of the caves bat population.
It also stops algae growth and helps to preserve the caves
delicate ecosystem. The park office has added a new exhibit that
gives visitors an up close view of live bats and has a video
showing the main cave and the Selman Bat Cave. Program options
for visitors include a one hour guided walk through Owl Cave, a
guided nature walk of the park grounds and visits to the nearby
Selman Bat Cave, which has Mexican free-tail bats. 800-654-8240,
580-621-3381
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