Aspen has long been a popular spot to transition from one year to the next as evidenced by the slew of New Year's Eve events staged around town. From ZZ Top live at the Belly Up Aspen to a festive fireworks show over Aspen Mountain to invite−only house parties, there wasn't a lack of action or options for how to spend the evening in '07.

A stop on the celebrity path this year was the Aspen Peak party at the St. Regis where the likes of Barry Bonds and Denise Rich made the rounds. Niche Media CEO Jason Binn was the consummate host for the annual event, which is always worth a visit to see how those on the eclectic guest list dress.

The Regal Watering Hole also hosted a gala on the 31st in their recently remodeled space. Formerly Bar Aspen and, prior to that, Shooter's, the club's face lift offers a fresh perspective with leather floors, a lounge, plenty of room to dance and DJs spinning on a nightly basis. New Year's Eve was no exception with the crowd poised and ready to party like it was 1999.

In Aspen, private parties took place at The Sky, Bruno's, Cantina, Elevation, Pacifica and beyond. Eric's, The Little Nell and Bar Aspen opened their doors for a cover charge including complimentary Champagne toasts at the midnight hour. Aspen Peak hosted their annual New Year's Eve bash at the Sundeck for Heidi Klum, Seal and a few hundred of the magazine's closest friends and associates. Guests likened the lift line that snaked through the gondola plaza that night to one found first thing on a powder day.

From Christmas parties at private homes to special events at shops and establishments around Aspen, the surge of activity on the social front stretched throughout the month of December.On Christmas Eve, Mike and Lisa Haisfield of Aspen hosted their annual holiday party. Family members arrived early for dinner; friends dropped by throughout the night for cocktails and appetizers. Since two little children were fast asleep upstairs in anticipation of Santa's arrival, most guests politely left before midnight.

Vogue's Editor at Large Andre Leon Talley and Aspen magazine's Editor in Chief Janet O'Grady. The stars came out in droves for private getaways as well as public engagements over the holidays. Aspen Peak magazine hosted a reception at the Hotel Jerome on Wednesday, Dec. 28, celebrating its fall/winter issue with the community. Jason Binn, Chairman and CEO of Aspen Peak and five other magazines within Niche Media's portfolio, floated around the room as the consummate host. Aspen Peak Publisher Alexandra Halperin and Account Manager Cheryl Foerster welcomed guests at the entrance. Cover stars for the current issue, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, were guests of honor. Local band Take the Wheel played an opening set, followed by a DJ who kept guests on the dance floor. The following night, Vogue's Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley appeared in PRADA for his second visit, this time presenting images and anecdotes from his new book "A.L.T. 365+." Paying tribute to icons in his life such as Rosa Parks and Oprah Winfrey, Talley also spoke of his fashion inspirations including Karl Lagerfeld, Miuccia Prada and the late Diana Vreeland. Recalling interesting scenes from his colorful life, Talley kept the audience rapt for over an hour. He reminisced about his first job in New York City working as Andy Warhol's assistant in the 60s.

For a mere $25/week, Talley "swept floors and answered phones by day and went to the best parties at night." Crediting Warhol for launching his career, Talley deferentially described the eccentric artist's impact on his life. Through "A.L.T. 365+," Talley introduces readers to the extraordinary people and places he has encountered around the world through candid snapshots. Talley's new coffee-table book is essentially about style and how it transcends fashion every day. "Presentation is everything in life," Talley noted. "The most important advice I can give is to be who you are and full of grace."Also that evening, Grand Classics presented their debut screening in Aspen.

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn hosted the critically-acclaimed film, "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Wheeler Opera House. The Grand Classics film series, launched by Katrina Pavlos and Vanessa Wingate of Indyssey Entertainment in the spring of 2002, features a selection of the world's most renowned filmmakers and actors who present the films that have inspired them. The series originated after September 11 as a way to bring creative minds together to celebrate the power of motion pictures. The series also benefits motion picture preservation through contributions to the American Film Institute (AFI) and the British Film Institute (bfi). Both organizations play an important role in raising awareness and supporting film preservation. Sponsored by Infiniti, J Mendel and The Week, the screening of "To Kill a Mockingbird" starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, also benefited Hawn's Bright Light Foundation charity. Grand Classics films are currently showcased in New York, London, Los Angeles and now Aspen and will soon include Miami and Paris. Grand Classics hosts have included Michael Caine, Kevin Costner, Jude Law, Alec Baldwin, Natalie Portman, Luke Wilson, and many more. Most recently, Gwyneth Paltrow hosted a London Grand Classics screening of "Annie Hall." For more information, visit www.grandclassics.com.

Whose to blame?

Dear Editor: What a great answer Jill St. John had when asked by Aspen Peak magazine, "Having been famous residents (with Robert Wagner), for so long, would you say you're partly responsible for Aspen's celebrity reputation?"

Jill St. John: "Count the movie stars and then count the nouveau riche in town, then you tell us!"I will tell you - you are not, and you are right on the money (if I may use the term loosely!) about the nouveau riche!

Ruth Harrison Aspen

The publisher of magazines in Manhattan, the Hamptons, Los Angeles and Miami will bring his concept to Aspen this spring.

Aspen Peak should hit newsstands with 40,000 copies on Memorial Day, said publisher Jason Binn and owner of Niche Media LLC. Niche publishes GOTHAM magazine in New York City, LOS ANGELES CONFIDENTIAL, and HAMPTONS in New York's summer resort community on Long Island. "I've been looking at the Aspen Market for the last six or seven years, but there's always a time and place for everything," Binn said on Thursday. "It's going to be a lifestyle publication as a whole, with culture, fashion, art, entertainment, and business." Binn launched OCEAN DRIVE magazine in Miami in 1993, and now co-publishes it with Jerry Powers. In 1996 Binn took over then 20-year old HAMPTONS magazine. GOTHAM was launched in 2001 and LOS ANGELES CONFIDENTIAL in 2002. Missouri Heights resident Leigh Jude Vogel will be the magazine's executive editor. Vogel has been a resident in the valley for two years, free lance writing, editing and working in public relations. "I am thrilled that via ASPEN PEAK I can contribute to celebrating and highlighting our community for reader in the valley and throughout the country," she said.