Doss Aviation gearing up for opening of flight school

Colorado Springs-based Doss Aviation received the first six aircraft for its pilot training school in Pueblo this week. The Air D-820 prop planes cost $150,000 each and have been modified to be similar to fighter planes for Air Force students. The company will receive five more aircraft by Oct. 2 and eventually have 40 small air craft at the school. Classes will begin Oct. 12.

Have a hand in Angie's List

Angie's List, a service with ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies, is looking to come to Colorado Springs. The company provides information to more than 500,000 consumers in 70 cities by telephone and through its Web site. Members pay a fee to search and place reviews of contractors.

The company is collecting votes until Oct. 1 at its Web site, www.angieslist.com, to determine if it should start service in Colorado Springs or other cities. The winning city is expected to receive service by early 2007.

“Angie’s List has always been about empowering the consumer, so when we were planning our future expansion, we thought we’d leave it up to local consumers themselves to decide,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

Here’s how to vote:

1. Go to http://www.angieslist.com/.
2. Enter your ZIP code in the upper left corner of the home page.
3. If Angie’s List doesn’t currently serve your area, you’ll receive a message urging you to vote for your city.
4. Complete the form and click the “vote” button.

Mind Your Own Business

The U.S. Small Business Administration and JA World Wide (Junior Achievement) teamed up to launch a new online resources for young entrepreneurs at the Mind Your Own Business teen Web site, http://www.mindyourownbiz.org/, designed to help young entrepreneurs succeed in the world of business. The Web site offers advice to youth on how to start a business, network, build a business and manage for success.

Automotive Excellence Awards

Popular Mechanics, a magazine that's popular among gear heads and average Joes, has decided that 10 cars from the 2007 model year deserve some kudos.

Here are the recipients of its "Automotive Excellence Awards."

Design: Toyota FJ Cruiser
Performance: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Driving Fun: Volkswagen GTi
Versatility: Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Luxury: Lexus LS 460
Safety: Mercedes-Benz S550
Workhorse: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Energy: Saturn Vue Green Line
Off-road Ability: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Value: Honda Fit

Mixing business with pleasure

Nearly seven in 10 business travelers (69 percent) report having taken a trip that combined some pleasure with business during the past year. This is up from 65 percent in 2000.
About 44 percent of business travelers say they "extend their business trips for pleasure purposes when ever they can."

The majority of business travelers, 59 percent, who combined business with pleasure on a recent business trip did so with their spouse.

This data suggests that activities of interest to couples - resorts, spas, shopping, culture and the arts - should be highlighted in marketing communications by those in the tourism industry, according to Colorado Travel Trends. Colorado tourism industry marketers can also capitalize on the potential interest in this market by providing the comforts and amenities sought by both business and leisure travelers.

Hobby Lobby on the grow

Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby, the nation's No. 3 crafts and fabric retailer behind Michael's and Jo-Ann Stores, continues to grow its presence in Colorado Springs. Today, Hobby Lobby marked a grand-reopening of its west side store at 525 S. 8th St.; the chain added about 10,000 square feet to what is now a 59,000-square-foot store. The store will continue to employ 50 to 55 people. The west side location opened in 1991 in a former Wal-Mart, and shares space in the building with Office Depot. Hobby Lobby has four Colorado Springs stores; its newest location opened in June as part of the Barnes Marketplace shopping center at Powers Boulevard and Barnes Road in northeast Colorado Springs.