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Cyndi Palmer: Stars shining in the night

Cyndi Palmer
Face in the Crowd

I saw one of the most spectacular things Sunday night. Did anyone else see it?

At first I thought it was just a bright star flickering and possibly about to burn out and streak its last brilliance across the night sky. But after watching it for a while, I believe I spotted an unidentified hovering object sparkling above the Continental Divide.

I say hovering because it made no lateral movements, seeming only to move up and down. It also had rotating colored lights and when I compared it to planes flying by, the movements and coloration were not similar.



I know it seems strange, although perhaps right down my alley, but it truly captivated me for at least half an hour before my shredded wheat side told me to go inside where it was warm. Don’t laugh. Throughout Grand County’s history there have been several alleged UFO sightings.

There have also been many musicians and celebrities who claimed to have seen one, including John Lennon, David Bowie, Muhammed Ali, Will Smith and William Shatner. Perhaps what I saw was that fabled star that long ago lead the three wise men to the east to welcome baby Jesus, then again maybe they were seeing a UFO and just thought was a star.



Speaking of bright things in the sky, Doris Braun of the Grand Lake Fireworks organization said that a part-time local sent in a donation that was enough to double the length of this year’s Diamonds in the Sky fireworks extravaganza on Grand Lake. Braun said to dress warm for the event since the free display has been extended. The fireworks start at midnight on New Year’s Eve with several great spots to watch them from, including the shore of the town’s namesake.

The Grand County Blues Society also has a big star in its sights, with blues musician Jimmy Hall scheduled to put on a New Year’s Eve concert at the Grand Theatre Company. There’s only 80 tickets, which may go fast at a mere $25. For information on how to get your hands on some, visit Radio Shack or call (970) 531-1641.

The Untamed Southwest Grill and Pub is also already touting its New Year’s Eve show, with band One Time to perform and several offerings for a four-course pre-fixe dinner. Menu items include a twist on the old Shed-famed chicken baklava, which always seemed to give competitors a run for their money at the annual Chefs Cup at Winter Park Resort, a vegetable Wellington dish and more.

For those of you still gathering gifts for Christmas, three local artists may have just the thing. Jazz pianist Brad Pregeant celebrates the release of “Christmas Time in New Orleans” which came out just last week with help from guest artists Lynnea Godfriaux and Dan Shapera. And although Yaniv Salzberg’s first solo CD “Yaniv” was expected to be out by the holiday, patrons may pre-order now and give friends and family IOUs for the CD, to come out Jan. 2. Local East Grand Elementary School teacher Katie Gailey also has her second book out, “Spirit Lake.” With plots which touch on history of the area, plus a little romance, the book would make a nice gift for a variety of readers.

Whatever fits your fancy, whether it is live music, theatre, or just an old-fashioned card game, Grand County has it all. Make sure to check out the Community Calendar in the Sky-Hi Daily News each day, so that we can help you make sure your holiday season is a great one for the whole family. Next time you hear from me, it will be a new year. Until then, carpe noctem.

Food for thought: “Given the millions of billions of Earth-like planets, life elsewhere in the universe without a doubt, does exist. In the vastness of the universe we are not alone.” – The Bible According to Albert Einstein.


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