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Bookstore sponsors tsunami relief drive

Steamboat Springs

Dick and Leslie Ryan at Off the Beaten Path Bookstore and Coffee House brewed up a way to help their customers contribute to Indian Ocean tsunami relief and the response was warming. Last week, Off the Beaten Path offered free coffee to its customers in exchange for donations of any amount. In addition, the bookstore promised to match the contributions of as much as $1,000.

Dick Ryan said it is customary at his store to collect for coffee by allowing customers to toss their money in a can, rather than ringing every purchase into the register one at a time. So, it was natural for them to make a donation in the same way.

"The main thing we thought is, it's a way for people who don't feel like they can do much to make a contribution," he said. "Some people gave 50 cents, some people gave a dollar and some made bigger donations."

Customers had the option of designating that their money go to the International Red Cross, Unicef or Oxfam.

The community contributed $3,465 to the combined relief agencies, and the bookstore came through with $1,000. But the effort received an unexpected boost when Jim Steinberg and Karolynn Lestrud donated another $1,000, and the local family foundation, M,M&M Foundation contributed $1,000 contingent upon the community match.

Stephen's makes

inauguration scene

Washington, D.C.

Stephen Sanders of Stephen's designer furs in Steamboat Springs and Aspen, was in Washington, D.C., this week mingling and doing business with members of the Texas State Society in the nation's capital for the inauguration of President Bush.

Sanders, who is originally from Houston, has been in business in Steamboat for 12 years. He designs custom fur and leather garments. The Texas State Society is an organization of Texas expats from across the country, and its formal ball is among those the president and first lady are planning to attend.

Sanders said the Marriott Wardman Park, where the Texas State Society is based, is expecting as many as 15,000 people to visit during the inauguration.