Beats for Books a success!

I wrote this recap of the Beats for Books event for our Girls Ed blog.
-Lizzy Scully

Wow, we really had a great turnout for Beats for Books, as well as an enthusiastic crowd. Before costs, we've cleared $6000, but it could be closer to $7000 as many people haven't paid for their silent auction items yet. This is fantastic. We are thrilled. We have so many people to thank... where to start?! I'll list all the amazing people below. First a recap of the evening.

We started out a bit late, with clinics beginning around 6. Oskar Blues beer and food from Sherpas and Whole Foods was served around that same time, as well as wine generously donated by Market Square Liquor and chai donated by Third Street Chai. Lynn Hill's fun and engaging presentation began around 8 or so. She showed video footage of an early ascent with Beth Bennett, along with footage of the Nose, and then, finally and most hilarious, a clip of her night on David Letterman. I always love when Lynn speaks because she captures everyone's attention within minutes. All she has to do is start talking and showing slides, and people stop what they are doing to watch. I want to extend a special thanks to Lynn for helping us out! She also taught a clinic, which received great reviews. I wish I could have taken it, but I was running around like a madwoman trying to answer questions every 2 minutes or so. Madness. But fun madness.

After Lynn's show, Heidi did a very short presentation on Girls Ed, and then Malcolm Daly, owner of Great Trango Holdings, led the Live Auction bidding. He was hilarious. He interviewed each of the athletes present and managed to get the audience to bid a minimum of $100 per athlete, but in some cases close to $300. Go Mal!

The silent auction opened when the doors opened. Few people bid initially, but by the end of the evening we had close to 100 people bidding, and that brought in a huge chunk of cash. Malcolm Daly and Isaac Savitz made the highest bid for Janet Guenther's painting of Jonny Copp with the Indian Guru. Thanks to all three of you!

Last but not least, Patrick Megeath, aka Dirt Monkey, played incredible music all night. The evening ended around midnight with volunteers still enthusiastically helping clean and put stuff away, while boogying to Dirt Monkey's beats.

Oh yeah, and I must not forget to let everyone know that this was a very low-waste event. We used all corn-based, compostable cups and utensils as well as compostable napkins and paper plates. We also recycled all the beer cans, Izze bottles, and pretty much everything. My truck is completely packed with stuff (and is also now totally covered with snow because of this monster snowstorm that just hit the Front Range). Thanks to Eco-Cycle for providing the zero-waste bins for free.

Special thanks to Eric Noll and Carolyn McHale for putting a ton of time into the event. We really appreciate your efforts!

Also, special thanks to our title sponsors...

The North Face has been a long-time supporter of Girls Education International, consistently donating high-dollar items for our silent auctions. In fact, they have donated the most high-dollar items to Girls Ed since we started. The North Face rocks!

The Spot Gym not only donated their space and their employees, but they also donated some money for silent and live auction items. Thanks so much Dan Howley, Jackie, Alex, Andrew, Brett, and Ashley Woods. You guys and gals are amazing and generous, and you have a rockin' bouldering gym!

Oskar Blues has been supportive of Girls Ed for the last year, supplying beer on a small scale to meetings and small parties. We welcome them on board as larger donors. Thanks especially to their marketing guy, Chad Melis. He served the beer and auctioned himself off, bringing $120 in to Girls Ed. Lucky winner Kevin McGarvey will be spending an afternoon with him mountain biking and then touring the Oskar Blues Brewery and drinking beer.

Thanks also to the following volunteers and athletes!
Justin Voorhees, who is the CFO for Girls Ed, and Brook helped out throughout the evening.
Madaleine Sorkin auctioned herself off, raising $225 for Girls Ed, and she taught a clinic and helped throughout the evening.
Annette Yuan made the delicious desserts and helped during the event.
Cary Jobe donated a beautiful picture and served wine.
Russell Holcomb took all the video and helped run the slide show & video presentations.
Roshan Roghani donated the fine Boulder Balm products and helped out at the event. Plus she is on our Board of Directors.
Melissa and Joel Love donated one of Joel's photos and spent half the night in the silent auction room with their adorable son, Elijah.
John Lloyd took photos all night.
Boulder Adventure Films provide films and Sam to help run them all night.
Katie Brown and Emily Harrington brought in close to $300 for the live auction, auctioning themselves off as a team.
Robyn and Shawn Ebesfield-Rabotou taught a clinic
Lisa McAlister, who is on the Girls Ed Advisory Board, spent a few hours in the silent auction area and helped close out the auction.
Eddie Clark donated a day of action photography.
Kelly Cordes raised $225 by being auctioned off for a day of ice climbing.
Caolan MacMahon spent Sunday afternoon with Girls Ed at Whole Foods and helped out at the event.
Malcolm Daly did a fantastic job of being the auctioneer for the live auction.
Alex Honnold donated a day of his time to climb with a lucky person from The Spot Gym. He brought in $225.
Chris Weidner brought in $100 to support girls ed by auctioning himself off for a day.
Majka Burhardt brought in $100 in the live auction as well.
And thanks to all these volunteers for being available throughout the evening: Victoria Mata, Mike Newlands, Aly Nicklas, Heather Swallow, Sarah Watson, Brook from Lulu Lemon, and Kestrel Hanson.
And thanks to the Boulder Rock club for loaning us tables and selling tickets, and to Neptune Mountaineering for selling tickets.
Last, but certainly not least, thanks to all our donors and sponsors: Clif Bar, Stonewear, Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder Balm, Eddie Clark Photography, the American Alpine Club, Jetboil, Green Guru, Izze, Hugger Mugger, Julbo, Boulder Rock Club, Ames Adventure Outfitters, Manduka, Evolv, Climbing Magazine, Adventure Medical Kits, Glassworks of Estes, Boldface Design, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, Suunto, Market Square Liquor, and Third Street Chai. The art donated by: Suspended Stone Designs, Dan Gambino, Topher Donahue, Pattie Lee Becker, Janet Guenther, Emilie Lee, Renan Ozturk, Joel Love, Celin Serbo, Keith Ladzinski, Cary Jobe, and a wonderful man named Tim (whose last name I did not get, sorry Tim!). He brought two paintings in last minute.

I'm sure I'm missing some people. So sorry if I am, but you know who you are. All of you are ensuring that Girls Education International can maintain our programs in Liberia and Nepal and start our new program in Pakistan in 2010.

HUGE THANK YOU!

Photos to come soon.

Joel Love photo, "Eldo," to be auctioned off at Beats for Books fundraiser

KGNU Interview with Lizzy Scully

Here is a cool radio interview I did with Nikki Kayser of KGNU September 21, 2009. I set the interview to photos of our girls in Liberia, the Pakistani girls who inspired Heidi and I to found Girls Education International, as well as girls from other countries. Enjoy!

Buy a Girls Education International T-shirt

You can now buy Girls Education International T-shirts. We have cute, feminine V-necks and scoop necks and standard men's Tees. Check out the button on our blogs, or go to our website.

3 days until Girls Ed's annual Beats for Books fundraiser!

Photo by Keith Ladzinski to be auctioned off on Tuesday night.
A number of world-class professional climbers will be teaching clinics at the Beats for Books event this Tuesday, October 7th. Among them are Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou, Lynn Hill, and Madaleine Sorkin. Thanks ladies for donating your time to Girls Education International. For more information read full article.

Clinics are open to people of all abilities, from beginners to advanced climbers. Kids from 4 up and families are welcome. Sign up for the clinic of your choice when you arrive and purchase your ticket.

Planet Bluegrass has donated two tickets to the silent auction. These are the folks who put on the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Thanks! Plus, Stonewear Designs will be providing two complete outfits worth about $160 each. And certified massage therapist and baker Annette Yuan will be providing on-site massages as well as delectable desserts. Amee Hinkley has also donated three massages! Cary Jobe just offered one of her powerful photos up for auction. And Peter Beal donated a gorgeous painting of Lake Haiyaha.
Photo of the oil painting is Lake Haiyaha by Peter Beal, and the photo of hands is by Cary Jobe.

Sweet hemp bag for auction

Check out this sweet Green Guru Hemp Bag they donated for the Beats for Books silent auction. Thanks to Davidson Lewis for the donation. Thanks also to his enthusiastic employee Eric Noll for donating so much of his time to help out with Girls Ed!

Cool stuff that Lynn Hill is doing

Legendary rock climber Lynn Hill is helping to raise awareness this weekend. She's calling on all rock climbers and others to make a statement about climate action. Check out what she is doing below.
:) Lizzy

A letter from Lynn Hill...

A Bike Ride for Clean Energy and Climate Justice
24 October 2009 - 9:30am
October 24th marks the 350 global day of climate action, which calls for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere to 350ppm. Here in Boulder, we'll come together to celebrate bike culture and demand a decarbonized world, based on local solutions, sustainable economies and democratic communities. We'll move through town in a festive bike parade and bring people power to the Valmont coal plant in East Boulder. The ride will finish in downtown Boulder and join the main 350 rally. See you there and spread the word!
Bring Bikes, Banners, Boomboxes, Noisemakers!
Don't forget your helmet and some water.
Meet-up Time: 9:30 a.m. for coffee and bagels
Ride Time: leaving Boulder Bandshell @ 10:00 a.m. sharp!

Once at the Coal plant (if possible), I invite climbers, environmentalists, and outdoor enthusiasts to unite in a symbolic human 350 formation as a visual statement that I plan to photograph and possibly video tape.

Please come if you can!!!!

The following is the letter I received from the 350.org staff and why I decided to do what I can to help spread the word:

"Dear fellow climbers:

We have access to parts of the world few of our fellow citizens ever see, and we have a particular set of skills not many share. We're asking you to bring those two things to bear next Oct. 24 in a one-day project that we hope will have some measurable impact on changing the world.

Because you've been up high, you're aware that global warming is fast melting the world's glaciers--here's an example from the summit of Kilimanjaro
check out this link: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=3054. In fact, scientists who have drilled glacial cores around the world tell us this melt is growing ever faster, to the point where in the lifetimes of all of us it may endanger not only the alpine world but also the billions of people who live downstream and depend on these glaciers for drinking and irrigation. So far, though, the political response to climate change has been too slow.

Now, with the crucial negotiations looming on the horizon in Copenhagen, we can do something to help change that. The world's foremost climatologist, NASA's James Hansen, and his team last year declared that 350 parts per million co2 was the most carbon we could safely have in the atmosphere. That's a tough number, because we're already past it. At the moment, the atmosphere holds 387 ppm co2, which is why glaciers and Arctic sea ice are melting. Indeed, this research team cautioned that unless we got back below that number, then eventually the earth might well be ice-free.

The planet will scrub some of that co2, but only if we stop pouring more in. To move political leaders to take this seriously, 350.org is organizing a huge global day of action on Oct. 24, designed to drum that number into every head on the planet. Churches will be ringing their bells 350 times, people will be hanging banners from iconic sights from the Taj Mahal to the Eiffel Tower, people will be joining hands in great lines along the world's beaches. There will even be 350 scubadivers down off the Great Barrier Reef, itself succumbing to higher ocean temperatures. But there's no place that captures the public imagination more thoroughly than the peaks and cliffs that we climb. So: we urge you to get up somewhere high and visible on October 24, and figure out some way to make tht number visible. Maybe stomp it into the snow, maybe hang a great banner off a rock face--you will know what works best where you happen to be. What we'll need by, day's end if possible, is a photo, uploaded to the web, of whatever you've figured out to do.

If you're on an expedition, or the weather won't cooperate, a few days beforehand or a day or two after will work as well--the goal is simply to take this obscure number, arguably the most important number in the world, and make it the most well-known 3 digits on the planet. If we do, then it will set the bar for negotiators. At the very least, we'll have helped let the rest of the world know what the crucial reality facing the planet is."


I was also asked to speak for a few minutes at City Hall on behalf of climbers and outdoor/environmentalists:

The following email explains why this is an important topic in our city of Boulder:

"Hi Lynn and Waylon,
Thanks so much for your interest in being involved!!! I've already let Waylon know that we'd love for him to speak and be a sponsor of the event and help us get the word out. We'd love for you to speak also, Lynn, if you're interested.
The organizers of the bike ride (which leaves from the band shell Sat. morning at 10am, goes to the Valmont Coal Plant for a photo op there with the press, and then returns back to the rally at noon), were hoping that you guys might also take part in that. If you do, Lynn, and you could speak to the impacts of ozone and other pollutants from burning coal at the Valmont Plant on athletes, that would be fantastic. I could send you info on the amounts of various pollutants from the Valmont Coal Plant, but probably the most important fact to know is that Boulder received an "F" grade for ozone pollution by the American Lung Association this past April. Ozone is particularly bad for athletes who excercise outdoors (not to mention children and the elderly). And this is saying nothing of the the impacts on visibility in our national parks (for hikers, skiers and climbers) or amount of carbon emitted by coal burning. We have fantastic renewable energy resources here (which could generate local green jobs), so it makes no sense to continue polluting ourselves and sending our energy $ to Wyoming for dirty coal.
If you could speak to some of this from the perspective of a well-known and admired athlete - that would be fabulous! Please let me know. We have a large number of speakers, so we're just asking folks to speak for about 3 minutes, so if you want to speak, you don't have to prepare anything long, just short and motivating! :)
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again for your interest!
Micah
504-258-1247"

Beats for Books Schedule of Events

The Front Range-based nonprofit, Girls Education International is holding its annual Beats for Books fundraiser bash at The Spot Gym on Tuesday, October 27. Proceeds will fund two scholarship programs for girls. GEI supports 47 high school girls in Bong and Margibi counties, Liberia, and is starting a scholarship program for 30 secondary school girls in the Punjab Region of Pakistan.

Schedule of Events
5:00-6:00 p.m. Climbing clinics taught by Lynn Hill, Madaleine Sorkin and other professional athletes.

6:00-7:00 p.m. Mingle, continue climbing, drink Oskar Blues beer, taste wine, eat appetizers from Sherpas and Wholefoods, bid on the fine art at the silent auction.

7:00-8:15 p.m. Presentations by Girls Education International and legendary rock climber Lynn Hill, and a raffle and live auction with 10 famous mountain bikers and rock climbers. Bid on climbing for a day with Katie Brown or Alex Honnold or mountain biking with Chad Melis and others.

8:30-11:00 p.m. Music and Boulder Adventure Film movies start

9:00 p.m. Silent auction ends.

For more information, please contact Heidi at heidi@girlsed.org or 303.908.7795, or check out: www.GirlsEd.org. $25 advanced-purchase tickets at The Spot and Boulder Rock Club, $30 at the door. Student discount available with a valid ID.

Chad Melis speaks Beer, Bikes, Oskar Blues and now girls’ education

When avid mountain biker and Oskar Blues owner, Dale Katechis, approached his friend and cycling partner Chad Melis a few years ago about developing a mountain biking team to market the company’s canned beer, Melis jumped at the chance to be involved. A long-time rider, single-speed mountain bike competitor and avid beer drinker, he says, “I was a natural fit to be spokesman. Plus, it didn’t start as work. It was more like a relationship. There’s no marketing department at Oskar Blues. It’s all very hands-on. Dale said, ‘here’s beer, go spread the gospel.’ I just do what I love to do, and it translates.”

In 2007 the idea evolved, and Oskar Blues began sponsoring mountain biking events throughout Colorado and a competitive team that participated in those events. The team quickly grew to include nearly a dozen members. Various members of the team are actually world-class athletes. Melis, a former pro athlete sponsored by Sobe and Cannondale, was the 2007 Colorado state cyclo-cross single speed state champion.

Now, Oskar Blues has decided to expand beyond bikes, brews, and music to delve into some charity work. They recently partnered with the nonprofit, Girls Education International (Girls Ed), which was founded by The North Face climbing athlete Heidi Wirtz and Lyons-based writer Lizzy Scully. They are one of three title sponsors at Girls Ed’s annual Beats for Books fundraiser, to be held at The Spot Gym in Boulder, Colo., on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Funds benefit girls’ scholarship programs in Pakistan, Liberia, and Nepal.

“It’s an organization born and raised in Lyons, Colorado,” says Melis of Girls Ed. “That is what initially caught our interest. Then I began to get to know Lizzy. Her passion for educating girls is inspiring. I wanted to support her venture.”

“We’re really excited to be aligned with Oskars,” Scully says of the new partnership. “Beer is an essential part of any event that involves climbers. Providing excellent beer at our fundraisers will only draw more people, and thus we’ll be able to raise more money for our projects.”

In addition to donating 300+ cans of beer, Melis has offered to be auctioned off at a live auction of famous athletes that will be held at the Beats for Books event. Not only will he spend a day biking on the Front Range with the highest bidder, but he will also take them on a tour of the brewery in Longmont. Professional mountain bikers Sonya Looney and Stephanie Nychka will also be auctioned off, along with Mountain Flyer photographer, Eddie Clark, who is donating a day of action photography.

“We’d love to spread the gospel about our beer among climbers,” says Melis. “And I can’t think of a better way to do it than by supporting the children Girls Education International is helping.”

For more information on the event, please visit Girls Ed’s website, www.GirlsEd.org. For more information Oskar Blues, please visit their blog at www.oskarbluesbrewsbikes.blogspot.com.

A Brief Chat With Legendary Rock Climber, Lynn Hill--8 days until Beats for Books fundraiser!

A conversation with Lynn Hill…

Legendary rock climber Lynn Hill will be doing a presentation and teaching a clinic at the annual Beats for Books fundraising event at The Spot Gym, Tuesday, October 27th. Funds for this event will support Girls Education International’s scholarship programs for girls in Nepal, Liberia, and Pakistan. Hill will be teaching a clinic from 5-6:15 or so and then between 7 and 7:30 she will speak and show video clips documenting her life in climbing, including footage of her doing a first ascent with Beth Bennett in 1981 and her climbing over a hot air balloon in flight for ‘That’s Incredible. Girls Education International recently sat down with Hill to chat about what she’s up to.

GEI: What are you up to these days?
Hill: Right now I’m putting together a presentation for a show I’m doing in Italy. I have slides from beginning of my life as a climber. I have pictures of Joshua Tree, climbing in Arizona and Las Vegas, and then my travels to Europe. I moved to France in 1988. I wanted to learn another language and culture. It opened my mind to a lot of things I didn’t know about climbing. Then I speak about my time in Yosemite. I decided to quit comps and apply all my skills and experience to big wall free climbing. I had no idea free climbing the Nose would be the big deal that it was. I just had this idea that I would combine traditional and sport climbing … put those things together on this masterpiece climb. That launched me on a whole new aspect of my career that I didn’t anticipate.

GEI: What did that new career look like?
Hill: I realized it wasn’t going to be as big a deal as I originally thought to be a top competitive climber. It’s a branch of climbing that isn’t as well respected as doing something significant in the real environment—the natural world. Climbing the Nose gave me a lot of opportunities to travel and do even bigger climbs, such as in Kyrgystan, Morocco, Vietnam, and Thailand.

GEI: How did that shape your climbing career and life?
Hill: It became really clear to me that I didn’t want to become an alpinist, doing the biggest mountains in the world. That was never my focus. The media wanted that from me, but I said no to it. I learned to stick with what I loved to do and not to be convinced to do something because the marketing department liked that image of me!

GEI: What are some of the most notable things you have done since you climbed the Nose?
Hill: I wrote a book as a way to document the history of climbing from a woman’s perspective. It’s good for young girls, or anybody really, to have those role models. I didn’t have many. Writing a book had a lot to do with that perspective … it was exciting to be a part of that era of climbing development. Then I had a baby. That has been a big journey.

GEI: What are you working on now?
Hill: I’m working on a climbing technique video, which will use video graphics. I’m trying to show visually how I think about climbing, and how to break down climbing so that people can better understand the mechanics of movements. It will be a teaching tool, but also entertaining and pretty to look at. Teaching climbing camps really convinced me that videoing people and going it over the video with them was a good idea. To me it’s really obvious when people are making mistakes, but it’s too hard for them to tell while they are climbing. Video gives people a conscious, rational way to look at climbing and then they can try to incorporate that on an intuitive level. They have to understand it first before it can be intuitive about it.

GEI: What else are you up to?
Hill: I’m a full-time mom, I travel for speaking engagements, I do design and events for Patagonia as an ambassador, I do one or two things for Petzl each year, and I’m working on this book thing with John Long. I teach, on occasion.


GEI: Well, thanks a lot Lynn. See you in a week!
Hill: I’m looking forward to it.

As part of her work as an ambassador for Patagonia, Lynn is also trying to rally people to join events happening all over Boulder, Colo., that are raising awareness for the issue of climate change. On October 24, people from all over the world are taking a stand for a safe climate future. For more information on Boulder activities related to this cause, please visit the 350.org Website.


For more information about what Lynn is up to, please visit her blog.

South Platte--Big Rock Candy Mountain

Madaleine and I climbed Childhood's End on Big Rock Candy Mountain, South Platte, on Friday. We missed the trail on the way in, but found the rock easily as it's the biggest rock in the landscape. We also found the base of the route easily by noon or so. The hike in was mellow. The route, however, was not mellow. It was gripping. I can't imagine doing it with crappy bolts. At least the bolts were all shiny and new. But, dang, the runnouts were incredible. Madaleine sent the 5.12- pitch, which was this really technical, thin underclingy thing to a small, crimpy roof. Fun stuff. The 5.10 pitch after was terrifying. I haven't been so scared in years. It was also a bit strange... In fact, both Mad and I thought it was pretty stupid. It starts out just fine in a water runnel (there's a photo of me climbing it), which is awesome fun, and then it busts out left onto this really blank terrain. I actually skipped a bolt (which sucked as they were already 20-30 feet apart) because it made absolutely no sense to wander so far left, when the terrain heading straight up was the clear and obvious path. I think someone should put a variation on this pitch, perhaps staying in the water runnel. We topped out around 6 and hiked out in the dark. We ended up trying to follow a trail, but it wasn't right, so we approached some hunters who pointed us in the right direction (stay a bit to the left of the Big Dipper and just go straight toward the shadow biggest mountain you can see). We got to within 100 feet of the van. What a day. We spent the next day sleeping in and visiting the hot springs. I am still sore!

Pattie Lee Becker to donate art for Tues., Oct. 27th Beats for Books and more!

Less than two weeks left until the Girls Education International Annual Beats for Books Fundraiser, sponsored by The North Face, The Spot Bouldering Gym, and Oskar Blues!

Pattie Lee Becker just offered to donate a piece of artwork for the Girls Ed fundraiser! Thanks Pattie Lee. Check out her cool stuff at her site.

Ammon McNeeley, big wall climber, has also just agreed to auction himself off for a day of climbing in Yosemite. But because we have so many amazing people to auction off that we may save him for our California Beats for Books event. We'll let you know early next week. Thanks Ammon! Visit Ammon's website by clicking here.

Visit the Girls Ed website early next week to see complete bios of all the athletes to be auctioned off, plus photos and descriptions of all the silent auction items, from artwork to outdoor equipment.

Girls Education International highlighted on Rock & Ice website

Girls Education International on the "front" page online news on the Rock & Ice website today. Check us out by clicking here.

We're on Mountain Project!

Check out a link to an article about Girls Education International on MountainProject.com by clicking here.

Oct. 7 2009, Girls Education International to hold annual fundraising event, Beats for Books, at The Spot Bouldering Gym on Tuesday, October 27,

CONTACT: HEIDI WIRTZ, 303-908-7795, HEIDI@GIRLSED.ORG, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BEATS FOR BOOKS EVENT

Oct. 7 2009, Girls Education International to hold annual fundraising event, Beats for Books, at The Spot Bouldering Gym on Tuesday, October 27, sponsored by The North Face and Oskar Blues brewery.

The Front Range-based nonprofit Girls Education International (GEI) is holding its second annual fundraiser, Beats for Books, at The Spot Bouldering Gym on Tuesday, October 27, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Highlights include: a presentation by legendary rock climber Lynn Hill, music by Dirt Monkey, a silent auction with fine art by local and regional artists, and a live auction during which the highest bidders can win a day climbing with some of the country’s most famous rock climbers—Madaleine Sorkin, Alex Honnold, Matt Segal, Kelly Cordes, and many others.

Also included with ticket are two-hour climbing clinics for people of all ages and climbing abilities, a series Boulder Adventure Film movies that will be played throughout the evening, unlimited Oskar Blues beer (with ID), and fine Nepalese food, donated by Sherpa’s and additional food donated by Whole Foods. Items donated for the silent auction include: hand-blown glass bowls, oil paintings, and photographs. Outdoor equipment will also be auctioned off, including rain jackets, athletic shoes, and gear and clothing from more than a dozen companies in the outdoor industry. Plus, the first 25 people who enter receive goodie bags.

All proceeds after costs will fund two girls’ scholarship programs in Liberia and Pakistan. The mission of Girls Education International is to provide educational opportunities and support to under-served girls in remote and undeveloped regions of the world. For more information or to BUY TICKETS for the event, please visit their Website: www.GirlsEd.org. Tickets can also be purchased at Neptune Mountaineering, The Spot, and the Boulder Rock Club. Tickets are $25 presale and $30 night of. Student discounts available with valid ID. One ticket pays for one half of a girls’ scholarship, so bring a friend and pay for one girls education for an entire year!

This event is possible only because of generous donations made by dozens of sponsors. Title sponsors are: The Spot, The North Face, and Oskar Blues. Other sponsors include: Clif Bar, Stonewear, Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder Balm, Eddie Clark Photography, the American Alpine Club, Jetboil, Green Guru, Izzy, Hugger Mugger, Julbo, Boulder Rock Club, Ames Adventure Outfitters, Manduka, Evolv, Climbing Magazine, Adventure Medical Kits, Glassworks of Estes, Boldface Design, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, Suunto, Market Square Liquor, and Third Street Chai. Art donated by: Suspended Stone Designs, Dan Gambino, Janet Guenther, Emilie Lee, Renan Ozturk, Joel Love, Celin Serbo, Keith Ladzinski, and more.

19 days until my nonprofit's annual fundraiser

There are just 19 days left until the annual fundraiser that Heidi is organizing, and that I am doing the PR for. Many other great folks are helping as well. I'm so impressed with the new board of directors at Girls Ed. The women on board inspire me!


Renan Ozturk print of the Ruth George, Alaska Range, to be auctioned off.

This year's annual Girls Education International fundraiser, Beats for Books, will have fine art by numerous local and national artists, including Emilie Lee, Dan Gambino, Celin Serbo, Renan Ozturk, Kate Rutherford, Glassworks of Estes Parkm, and many others.

Handblown glass bowl donated by Glassworks of Estes Park.

Girls Education International to hold annual fundraising event, Beats for Books, at The Spot Bouldering Gym on Tuesday, October 27, sponsored by The N

For immediate release

CONTACT: HEIDI WIRTZ, 303-908-7795, HEIDI@GIRLSED.ORG, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BEATS 4 BOOKS EVENT

CONTACT: LIZZY SCULLY, 303-903-2768, LIZZY@GIRLSED.ORG, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GIRLS EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

The Front Range-based nonprofit Girls Education International (GEI) is holding its second annual fundraiser, Beats for Books, at The Spot Bouldering Gym on Tuesday, October 27, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Highlights include, a presentation by legendary rock climber Lynn Hill, music by Dirt Monkey and a live auction during which the highest bidders can win a day climbing with some of the country’s most famous rock climbers.

Other exciting additions to this annual event include Boulder Adventure Films that will be played throughout the evening on various screens, showcasing skydiving, kayaking, climbing, and other adventure sports. Plus, the first 25 people who enter receive goodie bags, and all attendees will have unlimited Oskar Blues beer (as long as you have an ID), and fine Nepalese food, donated by Sherpa’s and additional food donated by Whole Foods. Numerous local and regional artists have donated items for the silent auction, including hand-blown glass bowls, oil paintings, and photographs. Outdoor equipment will also be auctioned off, including as ski boots, rain jackets, athletic shoes, and stuff from more than a dozen companies in the outdoor industry.

Family climbing clinics for children and their parents are offered starting at 5 p.m. Sign up upon arrival. There will be kids classes available, as well as bouldering classes, and more advance technique classes for adults. These will be followed by a presentation by Hill and then a live auction of some locally- and nationally-based rock stars. Spend a day ice climbing with Kelly Cordes, or rock climbing with Madaleine Sorkin, Alex Honnold, Matt Segal, and many others. A late night dance party will follow the auction with local DJ Dirt Monkey.

All proceeds after costs will fund two GEI scholarship programs for girls in Margibi and Bong counties, Liberia, and in Khara, Pakistan. Lizzy Scully and Heidi Wirtz founded girls Education International in November 2006. The mission of their organization is to provide educational opportunities and support to under-served girls in remote and undeveloped regions of the world. For more information or to BUY TICKETS for the event, please visit their Website: www.GirlsEd.org.

Only because of generous donations by dozens of sponsors is this event is possible. Title sponsors are The North Face and Oskar Blues. Other sponsors include: Boldface Designs, Evolv, Stonewear, Neptune Mountaineering, the American Alpine Club, Jetboil, Hugger Mugger, Julbo, Boulder Rock Club, Ames Adventure Outfitters, Manduka, Clif, Glassworks of Estes Park, and many others!

21 days until Beats 4 Books!!! And climbing on Lumpy!

Madaleine and I climbed on Lumpy Ridge today. It was a dreamy, perfect fall day. The highpeaks were capped with snow, and the landscape was a tapestry of auburns and burnt yellows. The sun shone through the yellowed aspens, burning them gold, and the birds were going nuts. Perfect, perfect afternoon, which we topped off my drinking margs at Kelly's house. Go Kelly and your margs! Yum.

In GIRLS EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS!!!!

There are just 21 days left to buy tickets for the Girls Education International Beats 4 Books fundraising event at The Spot Bouldering Gym. This is going to be a huge event, with fun climbing for the entire family, plus late night dancing, beer/wine, and a silent auction. Also, there will be a live auction of famous climbers, some of whom will be present at the event. The live auction will take place after Lynn Hill's presentation.

Kelly Cordes to be auctioned off at Girls Ed International's annual Beats4Books fundraiser,

Kelly Cordes to be auctioned off at Girls Ed International's annual Beats4Books fundraiser, The Spot Gym, Oct 27! Go ice climbing with Kelly (or rock climb if you prefer). Bids will start online at the Girls Ed Website! A live auction will be held the night of the event after Lynn Hill speaks!

22 days until Girls Education International's annual fundraising party!

22 days until Boulder's hippest party--Beats 4 Books. Come on down to The Spot Bouldering Gym on Tuesday, Oct 27. Food, beer, wine, music by dirt monkey, a silent auction with fine art as well as a ton of outdoor gear, plus a presentation by legendary climber LYNN HILL. We will be auctioning off a ton of famous climbers! Bet on Climbing magazine writer Chris Weidner or Madaleine Sorkin, the only female to free climb on lead all the pitches of the West Face of the Leaning Tower. Also to be auctioned off: Matt Segal and many more!

All proceeds to benefit Girls Education International.

24 days until the annual Beats for Books fundraiser!

24 days until annual Beats 4 Books fundraiser!

10/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

24 days until the annual Girls Education International Beats 4 Books fundraiser. Sponsors continue to sign on. Thanks to Sherpas restaurant in Boulder for providing appetizers!

Sherpas was started by Nepali Pemba Sherpa, who grew up in the Everest region. As a child, Pemba lived without the modern-day conveniences of electricity, plumbing, running water or roads. At 16, he began working in the Himalayan tourism industry, as a professional mountain guide. After several years of full time guiding, he developed a curiosity for the West, which he finally satisfied with a visit to the United States in 1991. After seeing the mountains of Colorado, Pemba found his home away from home and has lived here ever since. In an effort to reestablish contact with his home country, he started an adventure guiding company, Sherpa Ascent International (SAI). Since 1991, Pemba has returned to Nepal for trekking, climbing (he has been to 20,000 ft + over 25 times), and volunteer service over 20 times. He has had the pleasure of guiding over 400 visitors in his beloved "Himalayan Kingdom". Pemba avidly supports the building of schools, bridges, setting up medical clinics, and giving of scholarships to better the lives of Sherpa children.For more information on Pemba and the restaurant, please visit their website.

26 days to Girls Ed's annual Beats 4 Books fundraiser!

Rock star, Daily Camera writer, and Climbing magazine contributing editor Chris Weidner recently agreed to be auctioned off during our Silent Auction at Beats 4 Books! Ladies, we'll start the bids off with $20 for this good looking fellow! But we expect bids to jump from there!

For more information on Chris, please see his profile on 8anu. To see more images of Chris, click here.

Countdown begins for Girls Ed's annual Beats 4 Books fundraisaer!

Girls Education International's annual BEATS 4 BOOKS event will happen in just 27 days! This event includes speakers such as Lynn Hill, music from local DJs, including Dirt Monkey, art from well-known painters and photographers, and films from Boulder Adventure Film! We will also be auctioning off days with famous climbers, including Matt Segal and Madaleine Sorkin. Come on down to the Spot Gym on Tuesday, October 27th, for some fun and fundraising for Boulder's only nonprofit exclusively supporting girls' education.

A bit about Matt Segal...
Girls Ed will be auctioning off a climbing day with Matt Segal. See tomorrow's countdown blog entry for more information, a short interview with Matt, and photos!

TICKETS ARE FOR SALE ON THE GIRLS EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL EVENTS PAGE. BUY TICKETS NOW!