2009 Events & Programs

                           
 
 

Regularly Scheduled Summer Programs 

 

Children's Program Learn and Grow - Wednesdays 10:30 am, Free of Charge.

 

Horticulture Programs - Tuesdays 10:30 am, Free of charge 

 

 

Garden Volunteer - Mondays & Thursdays 9:00 am

 

Guided Tours - Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10:30 am, $5 donation suggested.

 

Yoga in the Gardens – Monday & Fridays 9:00-10:15 am, $12

 

 

May

4   Garden Volunteer General Orientation\

9am in the Gardens

For both new and experienced garden volunteers at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.  Educational topics will continue through the summer.

 

 

14   Docent Training

Required for new and returning docents10 -10:30am

Required for docents with experience one year or less, 10 -12:00pm

 

18   Butterfly Launch: Volunteer Meeting, 10-11am

 

20   Butterfly Launch: 11:30-2pm

 

 

27   Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season. 

 

 

  

June

3   Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season.

 

 

4   Grow your Mind - Green your World: Age Old Organics

Free of charge, 12-1pm

When it comes to gardening, what’s the difference between using natural vs. organic materials? Come find out why using organic practices are good for your garden and the environment. Learn about challenges we face with our native soil and what you can do to organically enhance the soil nutrients that are crucial to plant survival.

 

 

10   Art in the Gardens: Watercolor Workshop

Instructed by Cheryl St. John

$50, 9-3pm
Register for one or all three, it’s up to you. This one day workshop will begin at 9 am and end at 3pm with a noon time break for a picnic lunch in the Gardens. The Alpine Garden is a perfect place for a plein air workshop as there are many compositions all ready to paint. There will be crimson pathways to lead the eye, blue spruce and aspen trees for accents and of course whatever is in bloom at the time. This workshop is for artists that have done some plein air painting previous to this. Beginners to advanced students are welcome. This class is also offered July 22nd, August 12th, & September 9th.  Call Cheryl at 303-425-8820 or email at  cheryl@cherylstjohn.com to register or for more information. This workshop should fill up fast so register soon!

 

 

10   Champagne Tasting

$25, 5-6:30pm, Age restricted 21+

For those of you who want an event with a bit of sparkle, we offer this specialized tasting of Champagne and Sparkling wines. This fantastic program will be instructed by local expert, Michael Weiler.   Not only will you get to taste fantastic wines, you'll also learn how to taste Champagne, what to look for when evaluating a Champagne, about the differences in production, and about the different mixes of grape varieties.

 

 

17   Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season.

 

17   Volunteer Wildflower Horseback Ride
If you are a Betty Ford Alpine Gardens volunteer you have the opportunity to join us on a three-hour guided horseback ride and picnic. Starting at Beaver Creek Stables we will ride through the mountains and look at wildflowers.  After making a stop at the top of the mountain to enjoy a catered deli lunch in a meadow we will continue the ride back to the stables to end the day.  Beaver Creek Stables is giving our volunteers a discounted price for this special fieldtrip. $105 per person. Please call Kimber at x3 to RSVP.

 

 

20   Summer Solstice Event:

1-4pm Family Activities

5-7pm Garden Reception for members and volunteers

A fun-filled afternoon of art, music, butterflies and garden tours in Vail’s Ford Park, in partnership with the town of Vail’s Art in Public Places, Schaefer/Miles, the Nature Center, Bravo, and other local non-profit organizations.

 

 

24   Art in the Gardens: TBA

 

 

26   Chef’s in the Gardens: Restaurant Avondale, 12-1pm

This is one of our new and exciting programs this season. “Chef’s in the Gardens” is a live cooking demonstration featuring a variety of popular restaurants throughout the summer. Avondale opened September 2008 at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain in the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, Colorado. The restaurant features a West Coast inspired, seasonal menu and utilizes time honored cooking methods, such as slow roasting and braising, to create simple dishes rich in flavor.

 

 

29   Grow your Mind - Green your World: Tour of Rare Plants

Free of charge, 12-1pm

Join us for a special guided tour of the rare plants at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The tour will be led by Nicola Ripley, our Director of Horticulture and Research. Enjoy this opportunity to learn about our unique and extraordinary collection of plants from around the world. You’re sure to set your eyes on many plants you’ve never seen before. 

 

 

July

1    Art in the Gardens: Plein Air Demonstration

Featuring Cheryl St. John, 10-3pm

Cheryl St. John will demonstrate plien air painting techniques in the Gardens.

 

 

1   Bravo Performance Prelude – A pre-concert talk

In cooperation with the Vail Symposium, Music Critic Marc Shulgold will provide an intimate perspective into the evening's composers and repertoire beginning at 5:00 p.m

 

 

7   Volunteer Field Trip: Filoha Meadows Firefly and Rare Orchid Walk

Fireflies in Colorado? You bet! Join Lisa Tasker, a plant biologist with E.M. Ecological LLC, and staff from Pitkin County Open Space & Trails and Roaring Fork Conservancy for an evening guided walk on this amazing property! Filoha, the Ethiopian word for hot water, includes hot springs that host one of the few firefly populations in our valley. Please dress appropriately; walks will happen rain or shine. This walk is free to our volunteers, however, space is limited and registration is required. Sponsored by Pitkin County Open Space & Trails, E.M. Ecological LLC, and Roaring Fork Conservancy.

 

Please register for this fieldtrip by May 22nd with Kimber at x3 to confirm your participation. Transportation will be arranged once we confirm the number of participants.

 

 

8   Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season.

 

 

9   Eagle Valley Alliance: Green Drinks

 

 

10   Bravo Performance Prelude – A pre-concert talk, 5-7pm

In cooperation with the Vail Symposium, Flutist Eugenia Zukerman, Artistic Director for Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival will join chamber musicians Stefan Jackiw, Violin; Maria Bachmann, Violin and Sohpie Shao, Cello to discuss the evenings program.

 

 

14   Music in the Gardens: Young Artists-in-Residence

Vuillaume String Quartet

Presented by Bravo

11-12pm

 

 

14   Wildflower Hike with CO Mountain Club

Time TBA

Volunteers have the opportunity to join us for a special guided hike led by Nicola Ripley, our Director of Horticulture and Research.


15   Art in the Gardens: Watercolor demonstration

Featuring Patricia Barr-Clarke, 10-3pm

Denver artist Patricia Barr-Clarke will paint with watercolors and offer a plein air painting demonstration.

 

 

20   Grow your Mind - Green your World: Birds and Declining Habitats

Presented by Colorado Bird Observatory, 12-1pm

You don’t have to be a serious birdwatcher to enjoy the birds in your own backyard. Learn about Colorado’s bird ecosystems and the declining habitats with an emphasis on the rare habitat of the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo. We will discuss topics such as climate change, migration, egg laying, distribution patterns, and the importance of monitoring bird populations. Colorado residents and tourists can learn how to help sustain our surrounding environments. You can also hear helpful tips about what to plant to attract more birds into your backyard.

 

22  Art in the Gardens: Watercolor Workshop

Instructed by Cheryl St. John

$50, 9-3pm
Register for one or all three, it’s up to you. This one day workshop will begin at 9 am and end at 3pm with a noon time break for a picnic lunch in the Gardens. The Alpine Garden is a perfect place for a plein air workshop as there are many compositions all ready to paint. There will be crimson pathways to lead the eye, blue spruce and aspen trees for accents and of course whatever is in bloom at the time. This workshop is for artists that have done some plein air painting previous to this. Beginners to advanced students are welcome. This class is also offered June 10th, August 12th, & September 9th.  Call Cheryl at 303-425-8820 or email at  cheryl@cherylstjohn.com to register or for more information. This workshop should fill up fast so register soon!

 

 

25   Bravo Performance Prelude – A pre-concert talk

In cooperation with the Vail Symposium, Bramwell Tovey, Conductor for the New York Philharmonic, provides an intimate perspective to the evening’s composers and repertoire. 

 

 

25   Alpine Treasures Trunk Show: Featuring Cheryl St. John, 10-5pm

Cheryl will be displaying her art to sell at the Alpine Treasures Gift Shop in Vail Village.

 

 

26  Gore Range Science School- Bee’s

Please visit www.gorerange.org for more information.

Gore Range Natural Science School operates under a special use permit from the White River National Forest and is an equal opportunity service provider.

 

 

27   Music in the Gardens: Young Artists-in-Residence

Vuillaume String Quartet

Presented by Bravo

11-12pm

 

28  Chef’s in the Gardens: Larkspur

This is one of our new and exciting programs this season. “Chef’s in the Gardens” is a live cooking demonstration featuring a variety of popular restaurants throughout the summer. Larkspur is located at the base of Vail Mountain. The restaurant features a contemporary American cuisine that begins with premium products and culinary imagination.

 

 

29   Art in the Gardens: Watercolor demonstration

Featuring Patricia Barr-Clarke, 10-3pm

Denver artist Patricia Barr-Clarke will paint with watercolors and offer a plein air demonstration.

 

 

29   Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season.

 

 

August

1   Alpine Treasures Trunk Show: Featuring Patricia Barr-Clarke, 10-5pm

Patricia will display her art to sell at the Alpine Treasures Gift Shop in Vail Village.  

 

 

3   Spirits Tasting

$25, 5-6:30pm, Age restricted 21+

This tasting will examine five different types of spirits to include brandy, vodka, grappa, bourbon, and gin.  You will have the opportunity to learn proper tasting techniques, focus on flavor and aromas and learn pairing of foods for each spirit. This unique event is presented by Colorado-based, Peach Street Distillers.

 

 

5   Art in the Gardens: Elaine Kuntz Art Demonstration, 10-3pm

Elaine’s water color painting style incorporates a realistic approach to location and feeling of atmosphere. She will demonstrate watercolor technique and how to make note cards.

 

 

8   Alpine Treasures Trunk Show: Featuring Elaine Kuntz, 10-5pm

Elaine will display her art to sell at the Alpine Treasures Gift Shop in Vail Village.

 

 

10   Grow your Mind - Green your World: Backyard Composting 101

Presented by High Country Conservation Center, 12-1pm

Learn about simple ways to reduce waste right in your own backyard! Compost experts will teach you the basics of backyard composting for high altitude and cold weather climates.  Find out which compost “recipes” work best, how to select the right compost bin and location, the secrets of collecting food scraps in your kitchen for composting, the best ways to turn and mix compost, and finally, how to put your compost to good use.


12   Art in the Gardens: Watercolor Workshop

Instructed by Cheryl St. John

$50, 9-3pm
Register for one or all three, it’s up to you. This one day workshop will begin at 9 am and end at 3pm with a noon time break for a picnic lunch in the Gardens. The Alpine Garden is a perfect place for a plein air workshop as there are many compositions all ready to paint. There will be crimson pathways to lead the eye, blue spruce and aspen trees for accents and of course whatever is in bloom at the time. This workshop is for artists that have done some plein air painting previous to this. Beginners to advanced students are welcome. This class is also offered June 10th, July 22nd, & September 9th.  Call Cheryl at 303-425-8820 or email at  cheryl@cherylstjohn.com to register or for more information. This workshop should fill up fast so register soon!

 

 

13   Spirit of Betty Ford Award

This is our not-to-miss annual fundraising celebration to honor someone in the community who exemplifies Mrs. Ford's fine community oriented strengths. For ticket information please contact the Gardens. This year’s award recipient is Dr. Richard Steadman. For ticket information please contact the Gardens at 970-476-0103 x3.

 

 

19  Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season.

 

 

25    Chef’s in the Gardens: Lord Gore Restaurant

This is one of our new and exciting programs this season. “Chef’s in the Gardens” is a live cooking demonstration featuring a variety of popular restaurants throughout the summer. The Lord Gore is located in Manor Vail Lodge near Vail Mountain's Golden Peak. Executive Chef Richard A. Bailey, C.E.C., brings his culinary vision to the Vail Valley. Mastering his craft via stops around the globe, Richard is at home crafting everything from "sushi to schnitzel". Learn how to create delicious items from this diverse and contemporary chef.

 

 

26    Art in the Gardens: Photography workshop and demo

Instructed by Jon Sheppard

Free of Charge, 3-5pm

This workshop is designed for the amateur to experienced photographers who want to use our Gardens in capturing original images of nature and flowers. The class will emphasize creativity through composition, the use of light and background control, close-up photography, and photo enhancement software. Class time will include instruction, instructor critique, and shooting time in the Gardens. Participants who are taking this class will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the instructor for a personal critique of their images. The instructor will also select photos to be displayed in the Vail Library for the 2009-2010 winter season.

 

 

September

2    Art in the Gardens: TBA

 

 

4-5    Art in the Gardens: Field Sketching Workshop

Instructed by Cynthia Padilla

$150, 10-3pm

During this two day class you will observe and sketch an astonishing array of the world's most unique and beautiful high elevation plants and flowers with other beginners. Drawing will be used as a tool for observation. No previous art training is necessary. By the end of this class you will come away with a sketchbook journal of careful studies, convincing renderings, measurements, notations and confidence to continue this beloved tradition on your own.  To register please call Cynthia at 214-549-0888 or email at botanicalart@peoplepc.com.

 

 

9    Art in the Gardens: Watercolor Workshop

Instructed by Cheryl St. John

$50, 9-3pm
Register for one or all three, it’s up to you. This one day workshop will begin at 9 am and end at 3pm with a noon time break for a picnic lunch in the Gardens. The Alpine Garden is a perfect place for a plein air workshop as there are many compositions all ready to paint. There will be crimson pathways to lead the eye, blue spruce and aspen trees for accents and of course whatever is in bloom at the time. This workshop is for artists that have done some plein air painting previous to this. Beginners to advanced students are welcome. This class is also offered June 10th, July 22nd, & August 12th.  Call Cheryl at 303-425-8820 or email at  cheryl@cherylstjohn.com to register or for more information. This workshop should fill up fast so register soon!

 

TBA Schoolhouse Gift Shop closes
 
TBA Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event

 

November

TBA Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Party

Please contact the Gardens for more information.


Vail Valley Calendar of Events

 


Call the Garden office at 970-476-0103
for further information on any of the listed events.