Its UP! Thank you Mason, Lonnie, Shannon, Debbie, Bonnie, Claudia, Suzanne, Ginger, Ginna, Maggie and Claudia!

Here it is! Its a terrible picture taken off my phone at 2am, but this is the gist of it. nearly 400ft. long, it is hanging from the ceiling at Pierce flooring. I could NOT have done it without the help of everyone listed above, collectively we put in over 130 hours into the fabrication and installation of this piece in the last three days.

Thanks for making it happen, everyone!

xoxo
Kate

PS, see you tonight at the show!

Training Log: Nov 15: Who says making art isn't a workout?

Oh, MAN, my legs are SHOT! Haven't been to TKDall week, but building my sculpture has certainly been a workout! Spent all day Tuesday in a forward fold, gluing the strips together, consequently, my hamstrings are SINGING today!

Can you believe the SAW in this photo? The guys from Big Timberworks in Gallatin Gateway cut the Marmoleum for me on their giant saw. There were like five guys, the whole yard crew came over and got involved to make it work. They completely saved my life, I was five minutes from doing it by myself in the snow in the driveway with a skillsaw and a sawsall! YEAH! Thanks, guys!

Anyhow, just a quick post to say: I eat much better when I am working out than I do when I am making art, and I am going to strive to change that today. I hope to get all three paintings hung and the sculpture (well, I have to finish one of the paintings) before 3:40 so I can take Ethan to HIS Taekwondo class, and etc, and then get to mine tonight. Its not likely, but its a goal!


Check out these hard working women! It was a crew of six volunteers, two giant tubs of glue, and 1300 feet of Marmoleum (helped along by two bottles of wine, salad and some Pizza... thanks, Claudia!) Yes, it took seven hours to glue the entire thing together, and then five hours yesterday to apply electrical tape along the edges to clean them up. (Which, by the way, started to come off when we rolled it up, thats what we are going to tackle today...)

Don't forget to come to the show and see the finished product!

See you there,

Kate

Training Log; Nov. 12: TaeKwonDo is Fun!

Here is the problem with going to a really awesome workout about an hour and a half before bed. I am SO jazzed! I am so amped! I have SO MUCH FREAKIN' energy! I feel like putting on my headlamp and going for a hike. Seriously. Wow.

Tonights TKD workout was great, it was much more tame than Thursday's workout (from which I was STILL SORE this morning!) It was a bit more technical, and I tried my hand at counting in Korean, and I did allright until the last three numbers, which almost EVERYONE says differently! WHAT is THAT all about?

Turns out one of the awesome hardcore female black belts in my class is a PEDIATRICIAN! YES! So, that's cool. Because we need one, and if Ethan won't take his medicine, she can just threaten to kick his ass. Just kidding. But I bet they will bond well and he will trust her because he ALSO takes TKD at the same school.

I had forgotten about Martial Arts calluses... the bottoms of my poor little feet are sore. Poor baby. But I remember how good it felt when I finally had thick soled feet when I did this before. Tonight we did one of my favorite drills in the world, the extended roundhouse kick. This is where you kick out, then leave your leg out there in space, with your body in balance for a count of two seconds, then you pull your foot back in and switch legs. I adore super specific drills like that, I love the challenge of getting the pose JUST SO and of how it gets harder and harder as you do it more, because your muscles fatigue. And then when you do it next week, you can do it better, longer, because you are growing your strength, your stamina, and your body/spatial awareness.

One of the best parts of class? I love it when Master Saltz comes down the row as we move across the mat and our kicks end up in unison. He is really powerful, so its cool, because I get a power boost from syncing up with him. Plus, it drives me to do it well, to copy his form. Sweet. Its cool, because he does it with everyone, from the high level belts to us lowly white belts, and me, the lowliest of all, with no stripes.

I still don't have any stripes on my belt, I am not to worried about my belt, I guess, but the only reason I'll test up is so that I can learn more advanced moves, because the forms and the spinning kicks look really FUN!

Tired out my entire legs tonight, its great, (as I found out because I could barely walk on Sunday) the TKD work out does not just thighs, but hams, adductors, calves and glutes. Plus you get a mini core work out from the balance.

Alright, I gotta calm down and get some sleep, I have to build a huge sculpture tomorrow!

PS, if anyone wants to see a blackbelt test, go to TaeKwonDo West this Saturday the 17th at 2:30, two people are testing for their black belts. And NO, these are NOT the suburban black belts we are familiar with that you can earn in a year. These guys had to work for it.

Green Culture at Pierce Flooring Nov. 16 featuring art by Kate Howe

What a great party it will be! I hope to see you all at the Pierce Flooring Green Culture show on Friday, November 16th!

2-5 pm Speakers on Green Materials
5-6 pm Wine and Microbrew tasting
6-8 pm Art Show and Reception

I will have a large flying sculpture made out of Marmoleum, an amazing green flooring material, and several paintings in the show.

Hope to see you there!

Pierce Flooring Showroom
1921 W. Main
Bozeman, Mt
59715

Training Log: November 8 : TaeKwondo, the world's best ski conditioning workout??

Alright, guys! We are back in the swing of things! My leg is totally healed, and I eased into working it out again slowly. Last night I went to my first "hard core" TKD workout (The other classes this week were luckily more technically oriented, excellent because I needed to learn the specifics of the begining movements, and I needed to take it easy on my leg...)

So here it is: First of all, Master Saltz is apparently quite the guy in the TKD world, I had NO idea! He's written the definitive book on TKD. Turns out he is also a National Champion, as are several of his students! Day-um!

My workout last night was awesome, awesome, awesome! I love a workout that is just out of my reach, I have lost quite a bit of fitness (Remember in August when we went for an 11 mille hike followed by an 11 mile trail run (BECAUSE WE WERE LOST?)? Yeah, jogging up and down the mat wore me out. WOW!) Anyhow, it was a challenge. We jogged several laps, then we did lunges up and down the length of the studio, followed by duckwalks up and back, bunnyhops up and back, "Chair" hops, jumping lunges, and then we spent the rest of the time working in Front Stance, which is similar to Warrior 1 for all you Yoga enthusiasts. I couldn't do them all. I am used to the Martial Arts idea that you suck it up and do it anyway, but I decided to just pull back and ease back into it so that I don't get injured again, Michael would kill me! So I didn't push it to the limit, and yet, my thighs are FRIED! Yay!

The only issue I have with class is that i have an old boxing injury (can you believe it? Who has an old boxing injury? What am I, a 60 year old ex prize fighter? not really...) Anyhow, punching, as well as things like the row machine and bicep curls really hurt my forearm at the elbow, because of old hyperextension injuries. I know from experience that if I go slow and build the muscle, I can build a lot of strength and it doesn't hurt as much, but it is SO hard, beause accidently punching out just once on that side will hurt it, and then it takes weeks to heal. The other issue I am running into is my gnarly feet issue. I couldn't do a full lap of duckwalks because my toes are so messed up, they snap, crack, and hurt during. I think its because of my tendon and frostbite issues from skating. They are pretty sore this morning, so I am not going to class tonight, hopefully by Monday everything will be healed up again. I might have to do some toe strength conditioning!!

Here is the lovely thing, though. The whole time during our class, Master Saltz is going "Ski season is coming! Don't you need to be in shape?" Let me tell you, if I do this just twice a week, I will have legs of DOOOM! Of course, this morning, I am thinking about how lovely and sore my legs are, and I am realizing that Master Saltz did all the exercises with us, and then it occurs to me that he teaches at least four classes a day, and he does all the exercises with every class! Good GOD, no wonder he's in great shape! Okay, the gauntlet has been thrown, the bar has been raised, and I am ON FIRE, lets GO!!!

When I'm Not Skiing, I...

This is a piece I was making for the Pierce flooring show, but I just sold it, so I'm starting a new one. I think this is going to turn in to a body of work, it feels like it has at least 10 paintings in it. Exciting.


Cottonwood and Portnell, oil on shellac'd raw canvas, 3'6"x 6'4", 2007

Megan Harvey Rocks the HOUSE!

Oh, my GOD, I'm going to Aspen! Yes, indeedy do. February 10-15, I got invited to go train with Ms. Harvey. I am completely beside myself with giddiness and anticipation! February seems so far away!!! Looks like Andy Docken and Katie Fry will be around as well to ski with. I feel like I fell down a rabbit hole. Is this really my life??? Are you KIDDING ME???

Thanks, guys! Can't wait to come!!

There's a Reason he's the Master...

"To study the Way is to study the self.
To study the self is to forget the self.
To forget the self
is to be enlightened by all things."

~ Zen Master Dogen (1200-1253 AD)

Michael Hickey blows my mind yet again. He's been awfully indulgent of me, as I work myself into a frenzy, wondering about what life will be like as I travel down this path, wondering how to maximize the time that I have to train, wondering how to train most effectively, wondering how to ski.

So basically what happens is this. We shoot a couple of emails back and forth, and after I have come up with enough insanity, we get together, and I download all my worries and concerns and questions (I feel a bit like my 5 year old here... why? how? why? how? and then what???), and Michael, in his very knowledgeable and Zen like manner (ZEN?? MICHAEL HICKEY?? Are we talking about the same guy?) OOOhhh, yes. This is not 1974, and he is the Zen master.

He tells me some stories. He asks me some questions. He gives me things to read and to watch. And then he pedals off into the distance, and we start all over again.

Because inevitably, the questions he answers he does in a way that lead to more questions, so here I am, sitting on my couch, my brain totally full of information, sorting through it, and really astounded at the sort of BASIC truths underlying what we talk about. Its all really simple.

Today, I am pondering what it means to have your body cross the line of your skis rather than to send your feet away from your body. This will keep me occupied until I get down to Colorado on the 17th and ski it and try to see what happens. This will be frustrating and difficult for me, because I felt like I made huge significant changes in my skiing on the last day at Hood, but its INTERESTING because I made changes in the IMAGE, but not changes in the FUNCTIONALITY of my skiing.

I decided (without Rob asking me to, I was supposed to be focusing on my consistent, purposeful platform shape) to send my skis away from my body, like Troy, who was skiing ahead of me. It was a bit exhilarating, because I had to let go quite a bit and trust that the platform would be there for me to push against, even though it was far away from my body.

Now, I get to turn that around in my head, and try to send my BODY away from my FEET who are making the line they are making. Innnnnneresting. Innnneresting.

Gonna go watch the Canadians ski now.

Training Log: Nov 6: All Better!

Either I have super human healing powers (entirely possible) or the tear wasn't as bad as we first thought (that can't be it), but my leg is all better!

I was a good girl, I wrapped it, iced it, then alternated heat and ice, then just heated it, massaged it a couple of times a day, rested it completely for 6 days, then warmed it up and stretched it and guess what? I went to Taekwondo last night and it was fine.

It was a bit stiff, and when it was my standing leg, I could feel it, but as the class went on, it got better rather than worse, and I am going to pronounce myself good to go. Which is a good thing, because I am back on the snow in 10 days! I need to get my ass in SHAPE again!

I was all freaked out about having torn it because, at the end of last season, I asked Michael what he wanted me to come back with in the fall, and the FIRST thing he said awas that he wanted me beack healthy. Next was with great balance. I added leaner, stronger and more fit.

I have one more month until it is put to the test, and so far, we have accomplished leaner and stronger and more fit, although I have lost quite a bit of fitness having been resting my hamstring injury since AUGUST.

SO. Here we are. I think a month of hard work will put me in a good place to start the season hard.

I am really excited to be incorporating Taekwondo into my training program because it is a truly outstanding leg workout, it takes balance, flexibility, a lot of one footedness, and its 90% legs.

Next move: get back in the gym. So far we have managed to get going on balance board, and taekwondo, now we need to add the weights, yoga and cardio back in. Whew! Better get them sculptures built and out of the way so I can focus on my winter job! I REALLY don't want to get my ass kicked hard by the ridge this winter!

We watched Aspen Extreme and it RULED!

Okay, I have to admit that I saw this movie in the early 90s when it came out. I remember selling the neon Scott Schmidt full suit outfit when I worked at The North Face in Palo Alto. I am a big dork. We've established that.

I do remember the woman who played Brice was the penultimate sno-bunny with the super tight pants and the super poofy teeny jacket that started at your boobs and had a huge furry collar. Man, I wanted one of those outfits. If I make enough money in tips this year, I am so gonna get one of those and wear it to the next Academy. That would ROCK!

Anyhow, I also remember that it did'nt even occur to me that you don't try out to be an instructor at Aspen by going down some massive mogul hill and busting hellecoptors, and then were on the cover of Powder! magazine.

Right. There's that dorky part again. But you know whats funny? It was still a pretty good movie. In SPITE of myself, I found myself totally hooked on the story again.

And then there's that uncanny resemblance of T. J. Burke and Andy Docken...







If you haven't seen it, you must. I for one think we should make it an annual fundraiser for some local ski kids, put on cooperatively by Bridger and Big Sky at the Ellen once a year just before ski season, have a big early themed 90's party after the screening. What a blast.

Bonnie? Troy? what do you think???

**** UPDATE ****
Katie Fry, demo teams manager and sister to Megan Harvey, demo team member and author of the ATM, was the stunt skier for Brice! How cool is that??

More Ski Swap Info: Today is Consignment Day, Sale Starts Tomorrow at 8am!

Greetings from Bridger Creek:

The ski season officially begins Saturday with the annual Ski Swap. The Swap is a major find raiser for our parent Bridger Ski Foundation with money raised divided between Nordic, Alpine and Freestyle disciplines. The Swap is also a great opportunity for recycling older equipment and picking up a great deal on new or used equipment. The new equipment typically comes from local ski shops cleaning out last year's inventory. Today, Friday November 2nd is consignment day from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Each items costs $1.00 to consign. BSF keeps 15% of the sale price. Checks for sold items will be mailed in approximately 2 weeks. Admission for the Swap is $2.00 for non-members on Saturday and free on Sunday. The sale runs from 8-6 on Saturday and 10-2 on Sunday. Unsold equipment can be picked up on Sunday from 2-5. BSF will accept cash, checks or credit cards.

The trick to getting the best deal is to shop early and everyone knows it. There will be a long line on Saturday morning. For BSF members who help work the Swap the sale begins at 8:00 A.M., for non-working BSF members the sale begins at 9:00 A.M. and for the general public the sale begins at 10:00 A.M. Today would be an ideal time to join BSF for the season. Memberships will also be sold tomorrow morning at the Swap. Even if you don't plan to go to the Swap, a membership in your local ski club goes to support all the local ski programs you enjoy (http://www.bridgerskifoundation.com/). For example, the grooming at Bridger Creek occurs under BSF's liability insurance policy.

Ski season will soon be here. See you at the Fairgrounds.

Happy Trails,

Ski Swap Starts Tomorrow!

And I can't find what time it starts! Last year, Jen and I went on Saturday, and we got there about 8am, there was a line over an hour long, people had been there since 6am. It is WORTH IT! Get there Early, get GOOD GEAR CHEAP! All proceeds benefit the Bridger Ski Foundation. And if anyone can figure out what time it starts tomorrow, let me know!!

Yup, I tore it.

Welcome back from your hamstring injury! Are you excited to get to work, and get strong? You have one month until you ski!

WOOPS! Lets tear our adductor muscle!!

For heaven's sake. Whatever. Its wrapped, I'm on ibuprofen, I have a big prescription of Percodan, I am working out the rest of my body. I am just going to work around it, I can't sit still for another month! AHHhhhH!!!

By the way, I found a great website for rehabilitating muscle injuries. It has a lot of really useful information. I went to the urgent care to get it looked at, and she described it as "ropey, lumpy, swolen", which, according to this web site, means I should go see a sports medicine guy.

Anyone know of someone who is really excellent here in Bozeman?

Stay healthy, y'all!!

Happy Birthday Bodhi! (4 Years Old!)

Bodhi's Cake for his spooky 4th Bday! Congratulations, big boy!

An aside: happy birthday, me, my bday was October 7, and the best part is: I turned 36! Yup, you heard it, I thought I was 36 all year last year, turning 37, but it turns out I was wrong! I was 35 last year! So I get to do it all again!

Happy Halloween!

Here is a Halloween Greeting made by Bodhi and I! Have a great Trick or Treat tonight!

Your Kung Fu is no good against my Taekwondo!

So thank GOODNESS I have some Percocet left! Yes, indeedy do, as I often do, I injured myself. First, let me say that Taekwondo may be the worlds BEST ski conditioning there ever was. It is so much a combination of balance and power and LEGS. I went last week for my first class, and about an hour later I was thinking... oh man, I am going to be crippled tomorrow if I can already feel it! Yup. Super sore thighs for three days. SIGN ME UP!

Today we did kicks for an hour. Of course, I didn't drink enough water today, and I was running late, so I didn't stretch properly, and now, I have strained the adductor on my right leg, so i am all doped up, sitting on ice. Fantastic. Anyhow, we'll aggressively RICE it, and Ibuprofen the heck out of it, and try to get to class again tomorrow!

AND, a quick plug for the TRULY AMAZING studio that we go to: Taekwondo West on N. Rouse. This place is awesome. They are welcoming, friendly, AMAZING with kids (Ethan takes there twice a week), and committed to a very rigorous workout. They train everyone as though every person there has Olympic potential, and I love it. If you've ever been wondering, GO CHECK IT OUT!!

This last three months has been interesting for me. I have missed being in training so much, but I have been watching film and reading my book (Secret tactics), but whatever I did to my hamstring isn't really getting better. Dr. Litel says that I have a flat hip socket on that side, and I'll probably need a hip replacement there when I am older. I think what I did was pinch a ligament attachment in the socket itself. Anyhow, I've been out of commission, as you know by the dearth of posting. Not a whole lot of skiing or training for skiing has been going on.

But something interesting has. First, I have been spending a LOT of time with Bodhi, because we took him out of the evil preschools, and so its just him and me all day long while Ethan is at school.
Bodhi and I never got this kind of one on one time together before, and it has been just amazing for both of us. He comes in and we snuggle for about an hour or so in my bed, then we go out and make a fire and he gets into his blocks, and builds for about an hour, while I make coffee and check email, then we make breakfast together, and either go to his class (swimming or gymnastics) or we get out his paper and pens and scissors and he goes to town building these amazing constructions while I work on my painting or whatever. Its not a bad way to spend a day. So in a way, I am grateful for the injury, because it brought my family back into focus. I need badly to make sure I am not just balancing my time, but balancing my emotional commitment. I tend to get so rabid about the goal I have, that I can get distant from those who really matter in my life.

Last season, when I was just starting back again, I became a bit of a punk, staying out late, partying a bit much, and sort of reclaiming myself as a person separate from my children and my husband. It was a radical shift, and, I think, an important one to create that distance. This summer, I tried to find some balance in between, and in the last three months, I have been able to just sort of relish being a mom and a wife. So in a way, I've come full circle, but I have arrived at a much healthier place. I will be interested to see what this season brings, and if I can keep both my family and my training in a good place in my heart.


Another exciting thing is that there has been a lot of creative work while I have been out of the training mode, I am working on two large sculptures, BOTH going up in the next 16 days (AHHHHhhhh! Run screaming from the room! Too much to DOOOO!), I finished my painting commission (finally), and I am working on a series of landscapes for the Pierce Flooring show as well. I also wrote a children's book, and am in the process of editing and story boarding it, edited a friend's screen play, and started a new one of my own. (Because, you know, the three novels, and two other screen plays I have that are half finished are just not fun enough without even MORE on my creative plate.) It has been nice to have so much creativity flowing around the house.

Yet another great thing, during this training dearth, I have not gained any weight. Thank you, Dr. Backer! Anyone with an eating disorder in Bozeman, this is your man. I have finally made some significant progress on my relationship with food, to the extent that it no longer rules my life, and as such, I am at a stable, consistent weight, and able to pick up where I left off when I train, without having to work back down my "out of training 10" that I tend to put on.


And lastly, tonight, I was putting the boys to bed. Ethan, such a big boy at 5 1/2, crawled up the ladder to his bunk, told me he thought I looked like a teacher princess in my Taekwondo uniform, and promptly fell asleep. I crawled in with Bodhi, who asked me to rub his back while he fell asleep, and I noticed again that his back is about twice the width of my hand. He is still so small. And I really just took that second to be with him, to experience the size he was, the way his hair smelled, and the gentle breathing from the bunk above, and I have to say, as frustrated as I have been not to be at the gym, I am happy to have these boys to fill my time with.

(pictures: 1. Master Brandon Saltz of TaeKwonDo West. 2. The first snow man of the season! 3. All the boys ready for school 4. Ethan flies a plane ALL BY HIMSELF! (for about 10 minutes! up, down, left, right, awesome.) 5. PJ Day!)

When I'm Not Skiing, I...

Not Broken 2007, 4'x8', oil on shellac'd mahogany, private commission

I just finished this large portrait of Jami Redman, and we are off to install it tonight! I am so excited, and really pleased with how it turned out. Its nice to be painting again!

Coming Up: New Large Work by Kate at Pierce Flooring, Bozeman Co-Op

Pierce Flooring and Design is hosting a large sustainable building show, featuring a massive flying sculpture made of Marmoleum by Kate Howe!
DATE: November 15
TIME: 6pm
LOCATION: Pierce Flooring, 1921 W. Main, Bozeman, MT
MORE: contact Claudia Krevat at 406-587-5428 for more info.

I am very excited about several events happening in October and November! First, I have been invited to create a large piece for the Pierce Flooring show, and of course, it will be an enormous new flying sculpture out of the most amazing material! Also in November, a new installation goes up in the Bozeman Community Food Co-Op, stay tuned for news and photos of these fun events!

As you will remember, moving to Montana was a bit concerning to Tom and I with regards to my ability to find a venue for my large, contemporary work. So far, it has been an amazing experience, and I have been invited to display and design for several venues. I am still seeking gallery representation in order to realize some of the large scale pieces that are overfilling my sketchbook. If you know of a space that is seeking new artists, please pass along my information, I'm dyin' to get some of these pieces out of my book and into reality!

To sign up for my Fine Art newsletter, please visit the sidebar!

9th Annual Powder Blast Oct 26th!

The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is broadcasting again! Here are some events coming up that they are sponsoring!

POWDERBLAST

Hopefully you’ve already got next Friday, October 26th blocked off on your calendar because the Friends of the Avalanche Center and Sweet Pea’s Nursery are presenting the 9th Annual Powder Blast at 6:30 pm in the Emerson Cultural Center. Your $25 donation gets you into the party where there will be beverages, food, live music and a great silent auction. Last year we sold out days before the event, so get your tickets early at Barrel Mountaineering, Northern Lights Trading Company, Team Bozeman, PhD Skis, Timber Trails and Gallatin Alpine Sports. We hope to see you there!

SNOW EXPO

This weekend, October 20 and 21, at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, we'll have an information table and also teach a 30-minute avalanche awareness class both days. Our presentations are Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Stop by our booth for more information. This is for the 1st Annual Snow Expo (www.mooseradio.com), a 3 day event (Fri-Sun) of celebrating winter with Cold Smoke movies, a tradeshow and demos.

Chris Jones, The Ultimate Bachelor ??

Oh for heaven's sake, with this attention whore stop at nothing?? (*** UPDATE *** we say this with much mirth, as we know Chris to be humble, and not just a bit embarrased about all the hype! You GO, girl!!) Chris Jones, Big Sky Ski Instructor and all around great guy, has been nominated for Cosmo's Bachelor of the Year! I got this letter from him, and yes, voted for him to win. Read on and help send one of PSIA's own to glory!

Chris' Cosmo Profile:

Name: Chris Jones
Age: 32
Hometown: Big Sky
Cosmo Username: MONTANABACH07
Occupation: Real-estate investor/developer
In his own words: “I’m spontaneous and funny.”
Flatter this fella by: “Telling me something deep about my character. It means much more than just complimenting my looks.”
Chick trait he craves: “I like a woman with many interests—someone who will wear stilettos one day and throw on hiking boots the next.”
Hook this hottie by: “Introducing yourself. Being forward impresses me.”
Secret spot: “Kiss my ears and I’ll go bananas.”
When he’s clicked with a chick: “Any time we’re ­together, time will just fly by.”
Turn-him-off topic: “A girl shouldn’t discuss drama she’s having with friends on a date.”
Dudes decoded: “Guys often become quiet, but it’s not ­because we are upset. We need that silence sometimes.”


And here's the letter from Chris with all the details of why you should vote for him!

Hi,

This is a bit random but I need your vote!

Last spring I was nominated by two people I didnt even know for something I didnt even know existed. On October 15th the November issue of Cosmopolitan magazine hits stands and I will be in it. Its the -Most Eligible Bachelors 2007- issue. Along with the magazine is an online vote that begins very early on the morning of October 9th and runs till midnight on October 11th.

This all is a bit strange for me to say the least. I very rarely do mass emails, but if I receive the most votes and am deemed -THE- Bachelor of the Year I stand to win some really amazing prizes.

I think this is all a bit funny, at this point Im just kind of rolling with it. On October 16th I will be in New York for more media events and interviews and also for the party where they announce -THE- Bachelor of the Year.

So, please go to the following website October 9-11 and vote for Chris Jones - MONTANA:

http://www.Cosmopolitan.com/bachelors

Apparently I will be on the Today Show, Access Hollywood, E!, ect. throughout the month of October and November so keep an eye open. If you want to know exact dates and times I may be on TV please email me as I should soon be receiving this information.

Please help me get more votes and forward this email on!

Hope this finds all of you in good health and spirits,

Chris

Avalaunch Festival this weekend!

This Saturday! Oct 13 from 5pm to midnight:

The purpose of Avalaunch is to celebrate music, film and snow, while educating about environmental stewardship in the backcountry and avalanche awareness. Avalaunch is a festival that might just save a life by getting snowriders to think twice about how they ride in the backcountry as well as how they impact the earth and the future of snowriding. A percentage of all proceeds will go to benefit the avalanche centers for each festival community.

Tix are $20