Can you hear me now -- Manitou and Falcon

Verizon Wireless has expanded its high-speed broadband service in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas to including Falcon and Manitou Springs.
The cell phone giant also expanded its Denver-area broadband coverage to including Elizabeth, Evergreen, Ken Caryl Ranch and Lone Tree as well as casino meccas Black Hawk and Central City. The company said it has invested more than $500 million in its Colorado network during the past five years to expand capacity and coverage.
Verizon's Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A network offers average download speeds of 600 kilobits to 1.4 megabits per second and is targeted at mobile professionals, business customers and students. At those speeds, users could download a 1 megabyte file in eight seconds and upload the same file in 13 seconds.
The company's broadband network is now available to more than 210 million people. For more information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.

The Little Gym of Colorado Springs opens

The Little Gym of Colorado Springs opened its doors recently at 4011 Tutt Blvd. The Little Gym uses curriculum-based gymnastics, sports and other programs to promote coordination, balance, rhythm and flexibility in children 4 months to 12 years old.

The first The Little Gym was built more than 30 years ago by educator Robin Wes. Arizona-based Little Gym International, Inc. was incorporated in 1992 to franchise the concept.

The local franchise, owned by Tressa and Jim Bishop, offers classes from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are reserved for birthday parties. For more information, call 447-9153 or go to www.thelittlegym.com.

Terry Sullivan tells all -- about tourism's impact on business

He's not just any old local tourism expert; he's nationally recognized. So says the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce about Terry Sullivan (right), president of Experience Colorado Springs, the city's convention and visitors bureau. Sullivan will speak to the Hispanic chamber on "The Impact of Tourism on Your Business." The event takes place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Hotel), 2886 S. Circle Drive on Colorado Springs' south side. Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members and $30 at the door. More information: 635-5001.

Sturman to present new engine technology

Eddie Sturman, co-founder of Sturman Industries in Woodland Park, presented his company's advances in cleaner-burning diesel engine technology Aug. 16 at the 2007 Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research Conference in Detroit.

Digital valve technology integrated into both the fuel injection system and the hydraulic valve acutators reduces fuel consumption and improves power output. Plus, the system is designed to run on both conventional diesel fuel and B99 biodiesel.

Sturman has 28 customers worldwide using various parts of its digital technology. Read about reaction to Sturman's first presentation on the product in North America this month in The Gazette's Business section.

Cripple Creek mine hits milestone

Last week, about 250 people toured the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Co.’s operations in Victor. The event celebrated a company milestone — 3 million ounces of gold have been poured since operations were resurrected in 1994.

See a video and photo from the event at gazette.com.

Here are some facts about the operation:

Company ownership: Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining Co. is a joint venture between Golden Cycle Gold Corp. and AngloGold Ashanti (Colorado) Corp.
Acres owned and permitted: 5,847
Production: 250,000 to 300,000 ounces poured per year
Annual operating costs: 2004, $84 million; 2006, $100 million; 2007 $105 million; 2008 estimate $115-120 million
Current market price of gold: About $640 an ounce
Company profit margin: $100 to $150 an ounce
Exploration drilling: To 1,500 feet deep
Gold ore crushed per day: 65,000 to 70,000 tons
Gold ore needed to produce an ounce of gold: 60 tons of ore, and generally 120 tons of additional rock are moved for one ounce
Cost of one new 240-ton haul truck: $2.7 million
Cost of one truck tire: $30,000
Annual diesel fuel cost for 18 haul trucks and other heavy equipment: More than $20 million
Employees: 325, of which 120 are heavy-equipment operators
Annual payroll: $23.7 million in 2006, including benefits
Blasting: Averages once or twice daily, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., except Sundays

A workshop for creative women

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs will conduct a half-day workshop Saturday aimed at helping women take their creative ideas for new products to a mass market. Speakers include Alyson Probst, winner of the Whirlpool Mothers of Invention Contest for her creation of the Snack and Play Travel Tray.The workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Garden Pavillion of the Penrose House, 1661 Mesa Ave. Advance registration is $15 and the deadline is Wednesday. To register or for more information, go to www.learntocreate.com.

Genesis Medspa grand opening on Tuesday

Genesis Medspa, 202 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., Suite R, celebrates its grand opening Tuesday. Services include Botox, laser therapies, microdermabrasion and sun spot and fine line removal. Genesis Medspa is owned by Dr. Lisa Jenks. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 579-6890 or go to www.genesis-medspa.com.