Author Archives: Jill Adler

Got Cravings?

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There’s a whole lot of sweetness coming to Park City this winter. First, there was the opening of Quincy’s Frozen Yogurt at Deer Valley and now Crave at Canyons. Well, it’s not exactly at Canyons but once the gondola starts spinning from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel up to the Grand Summit the tasty bakery with the big, mouthwatering desserts will at least be the ski-in part of the ski-in/ski-out idea.

However, the luscious treats are just the icing on the cake for the latest Talisker venture.

For those of you who checked out for a bit, the Waldorf used to be named the Dakota Mountain Lodge when it opened in 2009 but as one of the sales managers explained, “Too many people were calling to ask which part of Dakota – North or South- we were located.” The boutique hotel chain rebranded for better name recognition in 2010 and partnered with Talisker this year. Inside, is a gorgeous colonial/mountain ambiance with 175 rooms ranging from singles to four-bedroom condos.


The hotel also houses the 16,000 square foot Golden Door Spa, outdoor patios with fire pits, an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, Scoop for après ice cream, poolside specialty drinks, and s’mores, Crave and the new Slopes by Talisker.


Spaghetti and Meatball cupcakes have a berry filling and the Peanut Butter Cupcakes are filled with jelly.


Crave is the extension of Talisker’s masterful pastry chef Mary Cech. She’s making use of the digs up at the old Silvermine Adventure just before the turn onto Guardsman Pass where her team is busy crafting desserts the way chemists tinker in their research laboratories. Instead of trying to save room for a Warm Caramel Apple Cake or Chocolate Torte you can pop over to Crave some other time and go straight to the sweets.


Slopes By Talisker adds another feather in Talisker’s John Murko’s cap. That brings the total to 22 food venues he must oversee. Slopes is said to offer locally sourced ingredients and showcase seasonal flavors. Many of the dishes will be heart healthy, with some vegan and gluten –free choices. The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch in the lounge/bar area with dinner in the rear, fine-dining space. Slopes is open for guests of the Waldorf Astoria as well as the general public but gauging by the limited seating and classiness of the area you best make reservations.


Crave will also beat out the nearby 7-11 for best coffee and rolls to go. The place is tiny; tucked in a corner just next to Slopes. You might think it’s a coat closet but step around for breakfast pastries, take-out lunch items, and house-made cookies, cupcakes, muffins and chocolates. Crave opens at 6:30 a.m.

The Top 5 Regrets

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I did not write this article. It’s written by Bronnie Ware, a palliative care worker who has worked with countless numbers of patients at death’s door. He asked them if they had any regrets or anything they would do differently in life and some common themes surfaced.

As we get closer to the 2012 and you’re forced to come up with “resolutions”, I couldn’t help but repost this article to remind you that it’s not too late… until it’s too late.

 The Top 5 Regrets

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me
This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

It is very important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way.

From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard – This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship.

Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings – Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends – Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier
This is a surprisingly common one.

Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice.

They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.

Another Print Pub Bites The Dust

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Got this letter this morning. Sigh.

To all our friends and advertisers:

Due to Frontier Airlines’ escalating fuel costs and the terms of our publishing agreement, the costs to distribute the Wild Blue Yonder magazine going forward is unsustainable. Therefore, this announcement is the official notice that effective December 31, 2011 we will cease publishing the Wild Blue Yonder magazine for Frontier Airlines. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Thank you all for your business and well wishes over the years, as this was a labor of love for all involved.

All the best.

David

David A. Henry

Publisher

It’s not that the number of media outlets is shrinking faster than a dude’s yahoo in a cold swimming pool but the number of talented, available newly crowned freelance writers is flooding the market. Damn. More competition. I hate competition because I’m super competitive. Thanks, Dad. Luckily the ski season is here and I start my ski instructor’s gig at Canyons this week. It’s only a scheduled 15 days but I can always work more if I want (and if there’s snow and if there’s business). Then there’s that plan to be a big movie star and mediator. Goals are good.

Sorry to hear you’ll be out of a job, Mr. Henry, and that we didn’t have a chance to work together at Wild Blue Yonder; but trust me when I say you’ll land on your feet in an even better situation. Working for yourself rocks. And there’s always the resort industry. 🙂

Fast Food Comes To Deer Valley

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It’s self-serve; it’s cheap(er), it’s right on your way to the slopes. McDonald’s it’s not but Quincy’s Frozen Yogurt should make a splash at the Snow Park Lodge this winter and beyond. When asked last year if DV had any ski-thru food kiosks, I got a resounding “no!” Exclamation point included. Guess they changed their mind.

 

You can’t technically ski thru to grab a cup but if you want a filling snack for $3.50- $6, that’s more substantial than a chocolate chocolate chip cookie or slice of carrot cake it’s worth a peak into NextGen DV (formerly Kindersport) on the lower level of Snow Park. The kids clothing store isolated the front section for two self-serve Yocream machines and up to nine topping dispensers.

The yogurt itself is more like soft-serve ice cream instead of that tangy sorbetish stuff you find at Juicy Berry. Kids will love it. The toppings range from the usual Reese’s Pieces and Gummie Bears but opt for the housemade crushed cookies on your treat.

 

 

 

Wonder how they’re going to keep all those fancy, expensive ski outfits from Patagonia, Marker, Volkl, Bogner, and Spyder clear of sticky fingers? The carpets are “yogurt-free zones.”

Quincy’s- named after one of DV’s mascots- is open until 5 pm throughout the season.

Sundance Volunteers Needed

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The Park City Library needs volunteers for this 2012 Sundance Film Fest. Five daily shifts at the concession stand need filling. That’s five people per shift, so if my math’s right, they need at least 25 people a day. If you sign up you must commit to work at least three shifts but for each shift you get a Sundance voucher good for admission to any Sundance Film (I’m assuming sla it’s not sold out), and a cool T-shirt.

If you meet the minimum shift requirement, you’ll also get a 6-pass punch card
good for any Film Series regular screening during the 2011-2012 or 2012-2013 season.

This is not an official Sundance volunteer position but you get to see the films that screen at the Library and since this is one of the larger venues, you have a good chance of catching the premieres. You won’t gain access to the official Sundance parties but you never know who you’ll hand popcorn to. Personal invites have been known to happen. Speaking of popcorn, that’s another beni.

P.S. You’ll also need to have a Summit County Food Handler’s permit (unless you have one from the previous year). But you get that when you go to one of the training sessions.

 

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