JOIN
New York, New York
The Met is offering special memberships to art-lovers who live outside the city
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest and most important art museums in the world, is offering two levels of memberships geared to people who live outside a 200-mile radius of New York City. Benefits of a $50 associate membership ($35 less than a standard individual membership) include free admission to special exhibitions, a subscription to the museum’s quarterly magazine and, perhaps of most interest, advance announcements of special travel programs. A $250 membership level offers even more perquisites, such as complimentary audio guides to exhibitions and admission to the Trustees Dining Room. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., 202-570-3753,metmuseum.org
SEE
Santa Barbara, California
International Film Festival kicks off its 21st season by honoring George Clooney
Cannes West hits Santa Barbara at the 21st Annual International Film Festival Feb. 2-12. The lineup includes a presentation of the Modern Master Award to George Clooney (past recipients include Sir Anthony Hopkins and Diane Keaton), along with tributes to actors Naomi Watts (Montecito Award), Heath Ledger (breakthrough performance) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Riviera Award). James Cameron will be given the Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking, as well. More than 40,000 are expected to attend the event, which includes more than 250 screenings. Santa Barbara International Film Festival, 888-456-2376, sbfilmfestival.org
DINE
Telluride, Colorado
Simon Telluride at Peaks Resort; chef Kerry Simon’s spot offers comfort foods
Chef Kerry Simon has opened Simon Telluride at the Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa, adding this new restaurant to his original Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The chef, known for his part in the American fusion cooking movement, has assembled a menu of his upscale-style comfort foods, adding several new “mountain fare” items. The dining room is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa, 136 Country Club Drive, 800-789-2220, thepeaksresort.com
STAY
Napa, California
Cliff Lede Vineyards in Stag’s Leap offers a five-room inn on the property
For unsurpassed views of the Stag’s Leap District and Cliff Lede’s vineyards, it would be hard to beat the Poetry Inn, which offers the only public accommodations in the district. Each room boasts a wood-burning fireplace, heated marble floors, Italian linens, views of the valley from the bathtubs and lounging furniture in the oversized bathrooms and secluded outdoor showers. Three-course breakfasts are served daily by the innkeepers, and guests have access to the private wine cellars and rare wines. Open-air massages, wine served on private terraces and other amenities, including a pool, are also available. Rates: $725-$1,250 per night. Poetry Inn at Cliff Lede Vineyards, 6380 Silverado Trail, 707-944-0646, poetryinn.com
– Denver Post staff and wire reports
