AS WE LOOK toward winter, an optimistic breeze has rustled Aspen’s autumn leaves. It’s time to take stock of our resilient mountain town. Our retail and tourism sectors are upbeat, high-end properties are moving again and our philanthropic community remains resolute. This summer flocks of visitors bustled in Aspen’s downtown core. Families returned, bike riders made their rounds, ladies lunched and Aspen Music Festival and School shuttles were packed.

Speaking of the tent, this year’s music soared. Deborah Voigt swooned to David Zinman on the conductor’s podium after her third ovation, singing “I Could Have Danced All Night” as a final encore. Classical bassist Edgar Meyer played with bluegrass virtuosos Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas in a torrent of blazing passages. Each shared memories, compositions and tales about Aspen’s preeminent stage.

An event dubbed “What’s Your Story” at Aspen’s Theater in the Park turned local humorist Barry Smith into an impresario. Similar in format to “The Moth” in New York, personal life stories were told in 10 minutes, sans notes. Featured locals included Sheriff Bob Braudis, who, to a sold-out house, performed a story that appeared in the premiere issue of Aspen Peak.

On our fashion front, New York meets LA during the second annual Aspen Fashion Week, starting March 14, 2010. We can’t wait for a sneak peek of what’s in stores and on runways.

And lastly, a medley of notes: Our new section, “Peak Places,” guides you to Aspen’s coolest addresses; Jason Binn welcomes our newest partner, Microsoft’s Bing; and with more direct flights into Aspen, winter promises to be even livelier than summer. Perhaps, as we once boasted, Aspen really is (almost) recession-proof.

Cheers!

ALEXANDRA HALPERIN	JASON BINN

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