North Conway, NH – July 6, 2011 – Beginning July 17, 54 students from Boston, Massachusetts, Portland, Maine, and Bartlett, Gorham, and Manchester, New Hampshire will learn to climb in the White Mountains through Kismet Rock Foundation’s summer program.

“Rock climbing is a very transformative activity,” explains Brian Post, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. “Our students develop athleticism, analytic skill, good judgment, focus, team awareness, relationship skills, patience, compassion, honesty, humility, and an immense respect for themselves and the outdoors. We have students from diverse backgrounds and geographic areas coming together to share this unique experience.”

The organization serves economically underprivileged students who might otherwise ‘fall through the cracks’ of their highly stressed public school systems. By developing their potential, Kismet prepares students to contribute to their communities and their culture throughout their lives.

Kismet serves seven public schools in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massahusetts. offering students one week per summer of programs for up to four years. The first group of students arrive in North Conway on July 17th, with programs running through August 28th.

Valuable contributions from the Evenor Armington Trust, the Great Circle Foundation, The Gibson Woodbury Foundation, the Kendall C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation, the Nelson Charitable Foundation, the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Foundation, the Stare Fund, and a community of individual and business donors make the program season possible. Kismet also thanks the following businesses for 2011 program support: Black Diamond Equipment, Mountain Hardwear, Nike, Inc., SOLO and Sterling Rope Co., Inc.

After the summer programs wrap up, Kismet Rock Foundation’s fall calendar includes the Annual Kismet Cliff Run on September 18th and Caliente! A Night of Salsa Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation on November 5.

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 Kismet, or call 603-730-2715. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

Contact:
Alyssa Walker
Executive Director
Kismet Rock Foundation
PO Box 1744
North Conway, NH 03860
603.730.2715
Email Alyssa

PRESS RELEASE PROGRAM 2011 (doc file)

PRESS RELEASE PROGRAM 2011 (pdf file)

Mountain Top Music Center’s Mike Sakash and Jed Wilson kicked off the night playing live Jazz music. Several Kismet students then spoke of their experiences and memories with the summer program, and Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to Eileen Conway, Sarah Garlick, Bob Ahearn and Phil Liakos.

The Boston-based band Los Sugar Kings were back this year by popular demand, playing a mix of Salsa, merengue and other styles for the remainder of the evening.

The diverse silent auction brought in over $8,000 for Kismet programs.

Many thanks to Caliente! A Night of Salsa Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation sponsors, including Presenting sponsors Polartec LLC and Rovetti Design; Gold Level sponsors Appleseed Permaculture, Café Noche, Dr. Tony Iorfino, Nereledge Inn and Sterling Rope Company; and Silver Level sponsors Dutch Bloemen Winkel, Doug Madara, Flatbread Company, Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital, Gamwell Caputo Siek & Co. PLLC, Mineral Springs Café, Mountain Top Music Center, RE/Max Presidential Real Estate – Drummond & Drummond, Sky Ambitions, The Local Grocer, and Whitehorse Gear.

A sampling of wonderful images from Anne Skidmore of Anne Skidmore Photography. (Also check out Anne’s blog post about the event here):

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What would we do without our Caliente! volunteers?

Thank you for making the event possible:

Morgan Beliele

Ruthann Brown

Eileen Conway

Martha Davis

Anna DeMarco

Sasha Eisele

Ariel Fogden

KC Henry

Ashley Link

Madeline Mcelaney

John Patrick

Brian Post

Kyra Salancy

Jessica Soroka

Nickie Sekera

Anne Skidmore

Erin Small

Lauren Synnott

Bob Walstrom

Cynthia Wenger

Brad Wilkinson

Mary Wilkinson

Caliente! donors were incredibly generous in making this event as special as it was. Thank you to:

121 Fitness

6288 Designs

All Things 2 Wheeled

Anna DeMarco

AppleSeed permaculture

Bear Notch Ski Touring

Blue Mountain Massage

Brian Post Photography

Café Noche

Cathedral Mountain Guides

Chauvin Guides

Chris Noonan Oriental Rugs

Courtyard Café

Cranmore Ski Area

David & Jackie Post

Dick Devellian

Doug Madara – La Sportiva, Metolius, & Sterling Rope

Dr. Tony Iorfino

Dutch Bloemen Winkel

Dutch Bloemon Winkel

Eastern Mountain Sports

Flatbread Company

Freddie Wilkinson

Frontside Grind

Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital

Gamwell, Caputo, Siek & Co., PLLC

International Mountain Climbing School/IME

Jackson Art Exploration

Joe Voci

Kris Pastoriza

La Sportiva

Laura Waterman

Los Sugar Kings

Mark Synnott

Matty B’s Mountainside Café

Metolius

Mineral Springs Café

Minuteman Press

Mount Washington Observatory

Mountain Hardwear & Montrail

Mountain Top Music Center

Mountain Yurt Yoga

MS Sullivan

Nereledge Inn

North Conway Music Shop

North Country Fair Jewelers

Old Village Bakery

Outdoor Research

Peter Lewis

Polartec

Portland Schooner Company

Portsmouth Music Hall

RE/Max Presidential – Drummond & Drummond

Rebecca Klementovich

Residential Design Inc.

Rhino Guides and Rock Barn

RovettiDesign

Santa’s Village

Sarah Garlick

Sasha Eisele

Shovel Handle Pub

Silver Moon Mozaics

Sky Ambitions

Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities

Sterling Rope Company

Synnott Mountain Guides

The 1785 Inn

The Green Choice

The Local Grocer

The North Face

The Portland Pirates LLC

The Portland Seadogs

The Yoga Shack

TMC Books

Tuckerman Brewery Company

White Birch Books

White Mountain Cider Company

White Mountains Lodge & Hostel

Whitehorse Gear

Wild Things

The Wilkinsons

Caliente! – A Night of Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation | October 23 at Salyards Center for the Arts

North Conway, NH – October 7 – The second annual Caliente! A Night of Salsa Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation, presented by Polartec and RovettiDesign, is coming up Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Salyards Center for the Arts in Conway, NH.

Boston’s Los Sugar Kings will headline again, with a range of Latin-themed music to keep the dance floor moving. Band member Mik Mersha says the band is thrilled to return this year: “You are truly one of the best audiences we’ve had the pleasure of performing for.”

Kismet events have gained reputation for creative silent auctions and Caliente!’s will not fail to impress. Feature silent auction items include a consultation and permaculture plan from Appleseed Permaculture ($4,000 value); A Wilderness First Responder course from SOLO ($795 value); A wedding ceremony or renewal of vows from John Patrick (Priceless!); Architectural plans for a two car garage and much more.

Included in the $35 price per person is a complimentary Taco Bar hosted by Café Noche, desserts by Kennett High School’s Mineral Springs Café, raw chocolate by The Local Grocer and homemade gluten-free sweets by Kismet volunteers. There will also be a cash bar with Tuckerman beer and theme-related beverages.

Caliente! Presenting sponsors are RovettiDesign and Polartec. Gold Sponsors are Nereledge Inn, providing lodging for Los Sugar Kings for a second year; taco bar host Café Noche; local eye Dr. Tony Iorfino; AppleSeed Permaculture; and Sterling Rope Company, which provides climbing ropes for Kismet’s summer programs. Caliente! silver sponsors include Doug Madara of La Sportiva, Metolius and Sterling Rope; Dutch Bloemon Winkel; Flatbread Company; Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital; Gamwell, Caputo, Siek & Co., PLLC; The Local Grocer; Mineral Springs Café; Minuteman Press; Mountain Top Music Center; RE/Max Presidential – Drummond & Drummond; Sky Ambitions; and Whitehorse Gear.

Based in North Conway, NH, Kismet Rock Foundation enhances the physical, intellectual and emotional development of well-functioning but economically disadvantaged children by providing access to the immense value of a comprehensive education in technical rock climbing. Kismet Rock Foundation currently offers programs to students from Boston, MA, Manchester, NH, Bartlett and Gorham, NH, Portland, ME and Bolton, VT. To learn more about Kismet Rock Foundation, visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org.

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Kismet Rock Foundation
PO Box 1744
North Conway, NH 03860
www.kismetrockfoundation.org
www.kismetcaliente.org

Dutch Bloemen Winkel is a floral design studio with a reputation for high quality, ingenuity and personalized attention. Owner Carrie Scribner will work with you to create unique and stunning floral designs that reflect your style and work within your budget. In addition to flowers, they offer a wide range of other services like tent and ceiling decorations and rental of urns, arbors, and vases.

Carrie will provide friendly and honest support from the planning stages through the day of the event (we know this from experience!). Check out this video about the shop and its services.

Many many thanks to Carrie and Dutch Bloemen Winkel for your Gold Level sponsorship of Caliente!

Check out the unique and generous businesses supporting Kismet Rock Foundation and Caliente!

Cafe Noche, located in Conway, New Hampshire, is owned by Thomas Kugel and proudly offers quality, authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in a festive, fun and colorful atmosphere. Serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Cafe Noche will be serving up some tasty, signature dishes for Caliente!
www.cafenoche.net

Mount Washington Valley local Doug Madara represents some of the best names in the climbing industry: LaSportiva, Metolius, and Sterling Rope. Look for him at climbing events throughout the country or at one of the many local crags located in the Mount Washington Valley.
www.sportiva.com
www.metoliusclimbing.com
www.sterlingrope.com

Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital is a comprehensive facility that offers a wide variety of goods and services to it’s clients and their pets. With six veterinarians on staff, qualified technicians and a helpful reception desk, Fryeburg Veterinary Clinic is committed to you and your pet’s health and road to recovery. Check them out online for a full listing of services, staff, photos, and client education.
www.fryeburgvet.com

Mountain Top Music Center’s mission is to enrich lives and build community by providing inspiring music education and by offering performance and listening opportunities throughout the Conway, New Hampshire area. For a complete listing of classes, concerts, and art exhibits check out Mountain Top Music on the web.
www.mountaintopmusic.org

Mountain Yurt Yoga – Practice yoga with certified instructor Martha Davis in a peaceful setting on 30 acres on Allen Mountain in Denmark, Maine. Check out their blog to learn more about Mountain Yurt Yoga, Martha, and her motivation and philosophy for teaching and practicing yoga.
www.mountainyurtyoga.blogspot.com

Skt Ambitions, LLC

Sky Ambitions, LLC owned by Dave & Kristin Karl, representing outdoor gear companies: Petzl, Sea to Summit, Adventure Medical Kits, OBoZ Footwear, Ambler Hats, Julbo Eyewear.
www.petzl.com
www.seatosummit.com
www.adventuremedicalkits.com
www.obozfootwear.com
www.amblermw.com
www.julbousa.com

Belray Asset Management – Passionate about managing money in a conservative manner, Belray’s goal is to provide you with a great investment experience. Located in Greenwhich, CT, Belray is a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
www.belrayam.com

One of my favorite things about living in the Mount Washington Valley is the ample selection of great, independently owned restaurants. I consider them one of the Valley’s finest assets, after all, who doesn’t like food?

It seems there is always a place to go depending upon my taste for the day; I’ve found myself at the Bangkok Cafe more times than I count after a day of climbing. Or at Chef’s Market for lunch and Flatbread for a little post-work social hour and some healthy, organic flatbread pizzas. It’s a wonder I even make to the grocery store sometimes. You can imagine how pleased I was when I found out the above mentioned will be providing some signature hors d’oeuvres for Caliente!

They aren’t the only ones though, the often bustling May Kelley’s and Delaney’s Hole in the Wall will be there. And to beat the November cold, Frontside Grind will be providing coffee (arguably the best in town) and the award winning, ever-popular White Mountain Cider Company will have hot cider and doughnuts on hand.

The Shannon Door pub and Wildcat Inn & Tavern (with assistance from Horsefeathers) will be contributing a great selection of appetizers from the Jackson side of the Mount Washington Valley.

But could it really be Caliente! without some south-of-the-border flair? Nope, so of course Conway’s Cafe Noche will be there for all of you who prefer a little spice in your life. I hope you will join us for Caliente! and share in the experience of enjoying some of the best food the Mount Washington Valley has to offer.

Shaunna Richard – Kismet Event Coordinator

October 28, New food news: Look for tasty treats from the Shovel Handle Pub and Whitney’s Inn in Jackson…and some homemade items from Kismet volunteer chefs and bakers, including a birthday cake for Kismet (10 years old this year!), sushi, and a secret pumpkin flavored dessert that involves cream cheese filling.

Many MANY thanks to Anne Skidmore and the rest of our amazing events committee for getting out there to rally all of this wonderful food for you to eat on November 7 at Caliente!

Not far from here in Lawrence, Mass, Polartec® invented the world’s first synthetic fleece fabric in 1981. Polartec® fleece was eventually recognized by Time Magazine as one of the best inventions of the century, and today virtually every outdoors-person has a collection of Polartec® fleece garments in their closet: hats, gloves, vests, jackets, pants and more.

Polartec® is more than just fleece though! Polartec® fabrics range from lightweight wicking base layers, to insulation layers, to extreme weather protection and are utilized by all the best clothing brands in the world. Polartec® fabrics are also used by all branches of the United States military including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.

Polartec® is taking innovative strides toward becoming green as well. In 2009, over 30% of Polartec®’s total production will be fabrics created from post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials. Take a tour of the Lawrence plant and you will see state of the art production procedures that are safe, healthy and environmentally friendly too. And it is the norm to meet folks who been working there 10, 20…even 30 or more years.

Polartec® is also dedicated to a variety of social causes and community organizations. “Polartec is proud to support groups like Kismet, which helps to educate and inspire young people through outdoor sports like rock climbing,” states Polartec’s director of global marketing, Nate Simmons. “This is a terrific opportunity to give a little something back to a wonderful local organization.”

Ruthann Brown of Polartec®, is a key member of the Kismet events committee, and has been instrumental in the Caliente! planning.

We are so thankful to Polartec® for supporting Kismet as Caliente!’s presenting sponsor. Learn more about Polartec® on its website, www.polartec.com or its blog, www.justazipper.com.

If you’ve seen our brochures, notecards, or our Caliente! invitations you’ve seen his work. Stephen is the think-tank behind Rovettidesign, a graphic design, photography and interactive/web design company based in Madison, NH. Aside from being a totally awesome guy, Stephen is a totally awesome designer committed to providing you with the best possible work at price that you’ll like. His style is clean and straightforward, providing a product that is both streamlined and engaging. Check him out on the web at www.rovettidesign.com and while you’re there be sure to sign up on his mailing list for a chance to win 500 free business cards…awesome!

Many thanks to Rovettidesign for supporting the upcoming Caliente! event as a Gold Level Sponsor.

Some samples of Stephen Rovetti’s work:

Caliente!:

Outside of Kismet Rock Foundation Brochure (photos by Rob Vandegrift):

Inside of Kismet Rock Foundation brochure (photos by Rob Vandegrift and Brian Post):