JH Underground – news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Grizzlies 399, 610 and their cubs look as cute as teddy bears in the thousands of photos park visitors have taken of them in recent years. They have their own Facebook pages and bumper stickers.

Yet they are meat-eating predators, a reality we often overlook. This video, best watched in full screen, ought to keep a few tourists from approaching too close.

Thank you to all of you for loyally checking this site in the last few weeks, thinking perhaps today might be the day something new replaces the April snow story. As I explained earlier in a comment, I was out of town (for Jazz Fest), then returned to an onslaught of budget meetings and Lodging Overlay discussions. Also, we have begun running the river at Barker-Ewing Scenic Trips.

To top it off, a faulty plugin caused this site to crash (for me, if not you), preventing the posting of anything new when I did have time. At 2 a.m. today, after much consultation with the hosting service, I finally resolved the problem.

Like a hungry bruin emerging from the den, I’m ready to sink my teeth into writing again. Thanks for your patience and input. Here’s to much excitement in the coming weeks!

(Photo by Greg Winston; video via Deadspin)

Posted under Environment, From the Publisher

Tags: bears, grand teton national park, photography, wildlife

On a visit to Dublin in 1994, I was struck by one of the monuments along O’Connell Street, a statue of an Irish labor leader named Jim Larkin. His words on the inscription have resonated with me ever since:

“The great appear great because we are on our knees. Let us rise.”

When I started this blog six years ago, one of my goals was to help citizens stay informed so they could empower themselves and take part in their government. I did not imagine they one day would elect me.

Over the past few weeks, I was impressed by the numbers of particularly younger people paying attention to the races down the ballot and doing their homework on the issues. Yesterday’s massive turnout attests to that. Win or lose, I felt good about the effort and citizens’ participation.

I tip my cap to Hailey Morton, Phil Cameron and Jim Genzer for running a great race. It’s going to be difficult to reconcile all the conflicting opinions in town, but I promise to keep an open mind and welcome the dialogue, as always.

After a wonderful and surreal night, my most sincere thanks go out to all of you for your support, encouragement and your votes.

(Top photo by David Stubbs; Larkin statue by Phil Douglis)

Posted under From the Publisher, Politics, Town Government

Tags: barack obama, campaign 2012, Media, revolution

Five years ago this month, I began wading into the world of css and html, WordPress and DreamHost, cobbling together thoughts into an online journal. After several all-night sessions of trial and error, with much guidance and encouragement from DG at The Snaz, JH Underground was born.

Some 900 posts, 4,100 comments and 2 million page views later, I am still astonished at the response. To thank readers, celebrate the five-year anniversary and spread some holiday cheer, JH Underground is teaming with Snake River Brewing Co. to host a Beer Summit on Thursday. From 5 to 7 p.m. upstairs at the brew pub, we’ll have pitchers and pizzas and talk about the issues we often debate on these pages.

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Posted under From the Publisher, Holidays, Media, Politics

Tags: barack obama, beer, writing

As an increasing number of you who read this site by phone likely are aware, I recently installed a mobile theme for viewing on iPhones and other so-called “smart” devices.

The mobile version is simpler and sometimes loads faster. Readers can turn off the theme on the bottom of the page to view the site normally, which is recommended if you’re looking for links or J-listings, for instance.

Also, on the bottom of this page, below the Knotty Pine ad, I’ve added a Twitter feed to share links. I know, some of you probably are groaning at the mention of Twitter, but it’s useful for steering readers to fun or interesting places — stuff I’m reading but don’t really have time or interest to write about.

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Posted under From the Publisher

Tags: Media

Eighteen inches in the hills, and a new look for JH Underground. The masthead is the work of the highly talented graphic designer, carer for the handicapped and blogess, Rachel Stevens, or as she is known in the comments here, “rachel.”

Hers is a personal blog with funny and heartfelt writing, hip tunes, and many webcam self-portraits. She chronicles adventures on the rocks, friendships, dance parties, loves and the experience of sitting on babies.

We are much indebted to Rachel for her creativity, and her patience. She is available for design work and can be paid in ginger beer.*

But you are not reading this now. You are out gorging on powder, putting work and responsibilities on hold, for another epic morning.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback on the banner. For anyone keeping track, these are what the old banners looked like. More nifty improvements to come!

*Actually, she can’t be paid in ginger beer.

Posted under Art, From the Publisher

Tags: Media, writing