Briargate goes to the dogs

It's time for Bark at Briargate, and we don't mean griping about the quintessential suburban community on Colorado Springs' north side. The Promenade Shops at Briargate, the open-air, lifestyle shopping center southeast of Colorado Highway 83 and Briargate Barkway, er, Parkway, will host its third annual Bark at Briargate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14. It's a chance for dog owners to check out the latest pet foods, watch training and obedience demonstrations and talk to groomers and pet salon operators. Shoppers are invited to bring their dogs, while dog-less patrons will have a chance to adopt one, too. Several kennels and other pet-related businesses will be on hand for the event. More information or to participate: 265-6264 or http://www.thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com/.

First Remodeled Homes Tour takes place June 14-15

The Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, which conducts a Parade of Homes annually to show off new houses and building techniques, is putting the spotlight on remodeling. The HBA will conduct its first-ever Remodeled Homes Tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 14-15, at 17 home sites in the Colorado Springs area. HBA officials want to promote remodeling, which industry experts say includes everything from a fresh coat of paint, to finishing a basement, to making over a kitchen or bathroom, to a home addition. Tickets are $8 for adults and are good for all homes on both days of the event. A portion of ticket proceeds goes to HBA Cares, the organization's charity. More information on home locations and tickets: 592-1800 or http://www.cshba.com/.

Pinnocol pays dividends

Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s state-owned workers’ compensation insurer, paid $55 million in dividends in May to 58,000 businesses it insures.
The payments went to 92 percent of Pinnacol’s policyholders, based on their safety records and claims costs. The dividend is the fourth consecutive annual payment to policyholders; Pinnacol has paid $227 million in dividends since 2005.
Pinnacol paid $4.48 million in dividends to 5,372 businesses in El Paso County. The average dividend check in the county was about $830.
“Issuing a general dividend for the fourth straight year is a continuing sign of our policyholders’ commitment to maintaining safe workplaces and to Pinnacol’s financial health and stability,” said Ken Ross, Pinnacol’s president and chief executive.
Pinnacol cut rates 16.5 percent earlier this year because of lower-than-expected claims, its third consecutive annual rate reduction.

Verizon adds towers

Verizon Wireless customers in southeast Colorado Springs and seven other Colorado cities will be more likely to answer yes when asked “Can you hear me now?”
The company added a new cell tower site near Academy Boulevard and South Chelton Road along with seven others in Boulder, Denver, Greeley, Lakewood, Longmont, Northglenn and Thornton in response to rising demand for wireless voice, multimedia and Internet access.
The nation’s largest wireless provider, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, spent $102 million last year adding cell tower sites in Colorado.

Two additions to Briargate shops

Two new stores have opened at The Promenade Shops at Briargate. Bath & Body Works opened May 26, offering shower gels, lotions, candles and accessories. Colorado Co-Op, a contemporary lifestyle store, opened its doors Sunday. It's the second location for Colorado Co-Op; there's also a downtown shop.

It's alive... ALIVE!

The agency-formerly-known-as-PRACO's new Web site is up at http://www.vladimirjones.com/.