Things in Silverton have started picking up. More RVs and campers are claiming their summer spots at the base of Kendall Mountain and nearly all the plywood has been removed from shop windows. In the last few weeks, mini tornadoes rippled out from front doors as everyone swept away the dust and grime of a long winter. Now, after a couple weeks of train activity it seems most of the kinks have been worked out and folks are simply waiting to get busy.

Over at the Silverton School of Expeditionary Learning, however, the students and teachers are winding down the school year. On May 11, the third, fourth and fifth grade classes presented their original plays based on Silverton¹s history. The plays tie into their year-long expedition of Colorado. All the children are back form their expeditionary trips from as nearby as camping two nights in Needleton, to as far as the border of Mexico, and all places in between. Everyone returned exhilarated by an in-depth, real life learning experience and are now using that knowledge to finalize the preparations for their portfolio reviews. Grades K-8 will celebrate passages on Wednesday, May 23, and high school graduation will be on Thursday, May 24.

Those folks who have children exiting school in the next few weeks will be happy to know that the Silverton Summer Youth and Theatre Camp will be holding registration on June 6, 5-7 p.m., in the Silverton School Kid-time Room. Camp will be held Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., from June 7 through July 27. Camp prices are $40/week. For more information call 970/387-5337.

A Theatre Group will open their season with ³Wonder of the World² by David Lindsay-Abaire. The performances will be held in the Grand Imperial Hotel Basement on Main Street. Show times are June 7-9, 14-17, at 7:30 p.m., and June 10 at 4:30 p.m. For more information and reservations call 387-5337.

For anyone planning a drive over the mountain to Durango this weekend, beware! The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic races the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad into Silverton on Saturday, May 26. This means US Hwy. 550 will be closed southbound from 8:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Don¹t be discouraged though, as Silverton is the place to be. Come on up and cheer on the riders as they cross the finish line and have a hot dog or hamburger in the park grilled up by KSJC Mountain Radio for their annual fundraiser. Then stay in town and catch Last to Know jammin¹ out some hot tunes at the Pride of the West beginning at 9 p.m.

The Silverton Jamboree will be held June 1-3. The Jamboree kicks off on Friday evening at the Grand Imperial Hotel with a juke joint featuring Bluegrass Cadillac. Festival activities on Saturday begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 10 p.m. at the Kendall Mountain Recreation Area. Featured artists include the Lawn Chair Kings, Sisters Morales and the Lee Boys. Juke Joints on Saturday night will take place at the Pride of the West, The Bent Elbow and The Miner¹s Tavern. Sunday will be another exciting day back at Kendall Mountain Rec. Area. This free day gets going at 9 a.m. and quickly shapes up to be a fun filled international entertainment day. There will be belly dancing, international instruments, African drumming and dance, and finally 23 Skidoo, award winning swing dancers. Don¹t miss this amazing family fun weekend. And by the way, kids 12 and under get in for free. For information about the Silverton Jamboree and its entertainers log on to their website www.silvertonjamboree.com.

Yes, things are in full swing up here in the caldera. We have bands most weekends, lots of great restaurants, tons of activities for the family, and best of all its 10 degrees cooler. Come on up, beat the heat and we¹ll see you on the streets!