Steamboat Pilot & Today

The 2011-12 season at Steamboat Ski Area is under way, but the Steamboat Springs Transit winter schedule won’t start until Dec. 14. The start date was moved back to coincide with the beginning of winter flights into Yampa Valley Regional Airport as part of a cost savings measure in the 2012 budget.

The winter bus schedule includes earlier start times, more frequent stops and late-night service. To see the schedule, click here.

Sheraton Steamboat Resort hires a new executive chef

The Sheraton Steamboat Resort announced the hiring of chef Scott Przymus to serve as executive chef, according to a news release.

A graduate of Colorado Mountain College’s culinary program and the hospitality management program at California’s American River College, Przymus comes to Steamboat from Keystone, where he has worked since 2006, most recently as the executive chef at The Inn at Keystone, according to the release.

Council accepting nominees for its sustainability awards

The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council is accepting nominees for the second annual Sustainability Awards. Individuals, businesses and organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to sustainability in the Yampa Valley are eligible to be nominated for the following awards:

■ Environmental Achievement Award: for the outstanding project that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection through the application of sustainable practices.

■ Sustained Contributor: honorable recognition to a Sustainability Council partner that has made outstanding contributions to improve the sustainable community. The Sustained Contributor category includes partners that have demonstrated leadership by example through a significant and long-term contribution to the sustainable cause and to the Sustainability Council through education, government involvement, research or the development of technology.  

■ Honorary Contributor: honorable acknowledgement of an individual who has made outstanding contributions to improve the sustainable community. Entry must clearly document evidence of distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the sustainable community.

■ Educational Achievement Award: For the outstanding training program, public program, university program of study or tool used within the sustainable community that demonstrates advancement in sustainable education based on experience and factual knowledge. Entry must clearly document the success of the educational program.

Recommendations are due to info@yvsc.org by Thursday. Awards will be presented at the Sustainability Council community meeting Wednesday.

Caroling competition raises funds for local organizations

The inaugural Great Steamboat Caroling Competition is Dec. 10 in downtown Steamboat Springs. Teams of carolers are encouraged to sign up by Thursday and sing carols at downtown locations on the evening of Dec. 10. The registration fee is $20 per team, and half of the proceeds will go to LIFT-UP of Routt County. The other half goes to the Merry Mainstreet Celebration Fund.

The registered teams of carolers will march in the Santa Claus parade Dec. 10 and then sing at assigned locations. The top teams will participate in a sing-off, with the winners determined by the crowd. There will be awards for the top teams.

For more information, call Tracy Barnett at 970-846-1800 or visit www.mainstreetsteamboat.com.

Steamboat alumna Conrath to begin master’s program

Katie Conrath, a 2005 graduate of Steamboat Springs High School, has been accepted to the Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies program at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. Conrath is studying Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and will start the PA program in the summer. 

Drawing tickets available at library through December

The eighth annual “Sock it to Me” holiday stocking drawing program for teens is ongoing through December at Bud Werner Memorial Library. During December, teens in sixth grade and higher will receive a ticket for a drawing each time they visit the library and check something out. The drawing is for a stocking full of books, movies and more and takes place Jan. 3. Teens do not need to be present to win.