Reports that June was one of the worst months for air travel in terms of delays didn't come as a surprise to passengers on Continental Airlines Flight 728.

The June 8 flight from Newark, N.J., to Denver clocked longest tarmac delay of that month, sitting on the tarmac for 383 minutes - more than six hours.

The delay was caused by a Federal Aviation Administration computer failure and thunderstorms in the Newark area.

Dow Jones reported that Continental says Flight 728 was serviced several times during its wait by catering, lavatory and fuel trucks and that passengers were given the option of deplaning.

A spokesman said 111 passengers got to Denver that day because the airline opted not to cancel the flight.

Mansion victim of the times

The historic Sardy House in Aspen is one victim of the collapse of a hedge fund.

The Sardy House was put up for sale last month by United Capital hedge fund CEO John Devaney, the Aspen Times reported. Devaney, a part-time Aspen resident, is asking $21.5 million for the 16,000-square-foot Victorian mansion.

It was named after the late Tom Sardy, who once ran a mortuary business in the Main Street home.

Devaney needs to dump the Sardy since Florida-based United Capital was forced to freeze about $620 million of the assets under management after one of its funds got dragged under in the subprime mortgage market collapse.

Aspen broker Joshua Saslove is selling the Sardy House, which is listed for $5 million more than what Devaney paid for it eight months ago.

Saslove told the Aspen Times the increased price is due to a stronger real estate market and significant capital improvements to the private home, which had been a bed-and-breakfast until Devaney bought it. After he purchased the home, Devaney also spent $250,000 to keep the Sardy House's legendary Christmas tree lit.

And in case you are looking for a deal, Saslove says the asking price is firm.

Creative wake-up calls

Hate those hotel wake-up calls? To make the early-morning reveille more palatable to sleepy guests, some hotels are offering their own twists. The Curtis downtown, for example, offers wake-up calls featuring Austin Powers ("Wakey wakey, baby - time to let your mojo rise and shine"), Marilyn Monroe (a breathy "Good morning, Mr. President") and a creaky "may the force be with you" from Yoda of Star Wars fame.

Assistant Business Editor Jane Hoback and Deputy Business Editor Gil Rudawsky write about local business news that doesn't necessarily end up in quarterly reports. They can be reached at business@RockyMountainNews.com.