Check out Los Sugar Kings – a rockin’ band from Boston specializing in Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa and Rumba-Flamenca. Los Sugar Kings draw their influence from all over the world though, mixing melodies and harmonies sure to peak your attention and make you move. You can see Los Sugar Kings at our Caliente! event November 7th at Black Mountain ski area in Jackson, NH. In the meantime check out their website to hear their sounds and learn more about these talented musicians.
A selection of photos from the 2009 Kismet Cliff Run:
2009 Kismet Cliff Run video:
Gabe Flanders (Race Director) and Sasha Eisele (Kismet Board of Directors) present the golden shoe to overall race winner Carl Swenson after the first annual Kismet Cliff Run.
Full results from the race:
2009 Kismet Cliff Run Results
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former Olympian Carl Swenson Wins First Annual Kismet Cliff Run
North Conway native Carl Swenson, a nordic ski Olympian, made it a memorable first ever Kismet Cliff Run as the winner of what more than one competitor commented is destined to become a classic race in northern New England. Carl’s time of 48:18 was the sole sub-fifty minute finish, ahead of the dead-heat second and third place finishers Eric Marshall (Rumney, NH) (51:58) and Jeff Arsenault (Rumford, ME) (51:58.3). In the women’s division, first place finisher was Lynne Zummo (Norwich, VT) (52:33), second Erica LaBella (Sugar Hill, NH) (60:03) and third Dawn Heinrich (Wolfboro, NH) (61:48). The youngest finisher was twelve-year-old Eva Bates (Intervale, NH) (73:04).
For the fifty Kismet Cliff Run participants, Sunday, September 20th was a perfect early fall day in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. With the first signs of fall foliage dotting the surreally beautiful landscape, clear skies and temperatures hovering in the 50’s, the conditions were a runner’s dream-come-true. The five mile trail race included a grueling Cathedral Ledge uphill (complete with rock climbers on the cliffs below) and some down hills which proved rather treacherous, judging from a few of the bloodied arms and legs that crossed the finish-line.
Delicious post-race burritos were provided by Kearsarge Cafe, followed by a raffle and award presentations. The raffle included gift certificates from race sponsor La Sportiva, a beautiful Cathedral Ledge photo panorama by Brian Post and items from Zimmerman’s and Eastern Mountain Sports. The creative Kismet Cliff Run trophies were once-beloved trail running shoes painted gold, silver and bronze and mounted on granite bases–destined to become another tradition along with the Kismet Cliff Run? Time will tell.
The Kismet Cliff Run was organized and conducted by volunteer Race Director Gabe Flanders as a fundraiser for Kismet Rock Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in North Conway, NH that provides educational rock climbing programs for disadvantaged youth. Special thanks to Paul Kirsch, the Livingstons, Dave McDermott and more than a dozen other race volunteers.
Next on Kismet Rock Foundation’s fall calendar: Saturday, November 7th is Caliente! A Night of Salsa Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation in Jackson, NH. Also, Thursday, October 15th, is Fundraiser Night at Flatbread Company in North Conway, NH, when a portion of all pizzas sold will benefit Kismet Rock Foundation. For more information about these events, to make a donation, volunteer or learn more about Kismet Rock Foundation and its climbing programs for New England youth please visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org, email, or call 603-356-7738. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Twelve-year-old Eva Bates finishes the first annual Kismet Cliff Run, with Whitehorse Ledge in the background.
By Mike Jewell
We are very happy to report that all of the large systems required to run a successful program fell nicely into place during this, our tenth year of programming. Our several-stage interviewing and registration process brought us seven weeks of students who were, with only one or two exceptions, extremely well-fitted to our program. Thus, nearly fifty students gained from a curriculum and an experience that is fun, that significantly enriches their lives, and is very extremely well suited to their needs.
In the nonprofit world, efficiency is often measured in terms of the ratio between administration and program costs. However, there are other major sources of inefficiency. For example, a program such as ours requires a curriculum and activities that are very specific to the population of children who we target. Accomplishing this goal has required years careful thought and development.
There is little doubt of our success in this area when consistently hearing comments such as;
“ (Kismet is) awesome, great, wonderful…”
“…best week of my life!”
“The worse thing that happened all week was finding out it was time to go home.”
We also experienced two huge breakthroughs this year. First, we have finally come to understand why our Boston students were struggling far more than students from our other sending schools. At first glance, the answer(s) might seem obvious. However, many personal factors, cultural factors, and interpersonal dynamics form a complex fabric of experience for our students. So now, after four years of research, interviews, and thought we can begin to intelligently explore ways to mitigate the challenges of our truly inner city students.
Second, as mentioned above, the final details of our curriculum fell into place. Professional guides spend decades honing curricula that are appropriate to students of all ages and most backgrounds. Every aspect of every course on every day must fit the strengths, previous experience, and limitations of each student. However, the particular population with which we work in Kismet is unique and requires a very carefully designed curriculum content if we are to be successful in our goals. The great news is that we now have that curriculum.
There are always a multitude of details that still must be addressed and changes must continually be made to every institution and to every program. However, we have a strong program foundation upon which to design the details of Kismet’s future.
