Friday, March 23, 2007
Camping World SuperCenter opens
Camping World SuperCenter & RV Sales recently opened in Fountain. The store, at 6830 Bandley Drive, is the first to combine Camping World’s traditional retail supplies and accessories line with RV sales. The Fountain store brings the number of Camping World stores to 66, with plans to grow the business to 100 by 2008.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
International team busy in Washington
About 70 local business and community leaders are in the nation’s capital for the annual Washington Legislative Action Mission, organized by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Wednesday was the last full day of activities. The mission is divided into five teams: business, defense, homeland security, international affairs and education/health care. George Boutin, executive director of the Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs, e-mailed this report on the activities this week of the international affairs team:
Our group visited the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we were greeted by Tarik Al Lagany, the embassy's information officer. We were surprised to hear him speaking perfect English with a very New York — almost Brooklyn — accent. Tarik was born in Saudi Arabia and is still a Saudi citizen, but he grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side. We questioned him about everything from energy policy to role of women in Saudi society. Saudi Arabia has plenty of oil, but very little water, so the country has been forced to develop water conservation techniques, some of which might be useful in Colorado. And even though it won't run out of oil any time soon, it is investing heavily in alternative energy technology, especially solar energy.
The team also met with trade officials at the Embassy of India who were particularly interested in programs available in Colorado Springs for educating students in the sciences and engineering. Tuesday evening the ambassador of India, Ronan Sen, and Mrs. Sen hosted a dinner for the entire Legislative Mission at their residence. In his welcoming remarks, the ambassador noted that the relationship between the U.S. and India has improved in recent years and bilateral trade is growing rapidly. We invited the ambassador to visit Colorado Springs and to speak to the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council.
During the conference, the international team also had the opportunity to hold meetings at the Department of Commerce, specifically the International Trade Administration, where we met with officials of the Trade Information Center. We discussed opportunities for trade with Canada, which is the largest foreign trade partner for the United States and for Colorado, not to mention our largest foreign source of energy. The Commerce officials also discussed the North American Free Trade Agreement and its effects on trade with both Canada and Mexico.
Our group visited the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we were greeted by Tarik Al Lagany, the embassy's information officer. We were surprised to hear him speaking perfect English with a very New York — almost Brooklyn — accent. Tarik was born in Saudi Arabia and is still a Saudi citizen, but he grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side. We questioned him about everything from energy policy to role of women in Saudi society. Saudi Arabia has plenty of oil, but very little water, so the country has been forced to develop water conservation techniques, some of which might be useful in Colorado. And even though it won't run out of oil any time soon, it is investing heavily in alternative energy technology, especially solar energy.
The team also met with trade officials at the Embassy of India who were particularly interested in programs available in Colorado Springs for educating students in the sciences and engineering. Tuesday evening the ambassador of India, Ronan Sen, and Mrs. Sen hosted a dinner for the entire Legislative Mission at their residence. In his welcoming remarks, the ambassador noted that the relationship between the U.S. and India has improved in recent years and bilateral trade is growing rapidly. We invited the ambassador to visit Colorado Springs and to speak to the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council.
During the conference, the international team also had the opportunity to hold meetings at the Department of Commerce, specifically the International Trade Administration, where we met with officials of the Trade Information Center. We discussed opportunities for trade with Canada, which is the largest foreign trade partner for the United States and for Colorado, not to mention our largest foreign source of energy. The Commerce officials also discussed the North American Free Trade Agreement and its effects on trade with both Canada and Mexico.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Thoughts about Intel in Colorado Springs and chip-making in Colorado
Russ Arensman, The Gazette's former high-tech reporter and a freelance writer living in Glenwood Springs, weighs in on developments involving Intel Corp. in Colorado Springs, the company's plan to build a chip-making plant in China and Colorado's future as a semiconductor hub. Arensman's thoughts on Intel and other subjects are posted as part of his recently-launched Colorado Tech Times, which can be found at http://colotech.wordpress.com/. Arensman was a technology writer at the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph -- now The Gazette -- from 1987 to 1990. He currently specializes in writing about business and technology. His articles have appeared in Electronic Business, MIT's Technology Review, Corporate Board Member, The Daily Deal, Global Finance, Institutional Investor and other magazines and newspapers. Contact him at arensman@rof.net
Defense team at work in Washington
About 70 local business and community leaders are in the nation’s capital this week for the annual Washington Legislative Action Mission, organized by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. The mission is divided into five teams: business, defense, homeland security, international affairs and education/health care. Here is a report e-mailed from Brian Binn, president of the chamber’s military affairs division, on the defense team’s activities Tuesday:
The defense team traveled to the Pentagon for informative briefings on the America Supports You program, the “Why We Serve” Department of Defense speakers program, and the Army’s top priority program for the future combat force - Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team.
The America Supports You program is a Department of Defense program recognizing citizens’ support for our military and communicating that support to members of our Armed Forces and their families, at home and abroad. It’s a one-stop location for our military and their families to find hundreds of support organizations eager to help our heroes when they need it most. There are over 300 home front groups, representing communities from coast to coast, which have provided over $4.5M in direct financial support, over 9,000 free airline tickets to hospitalized service members and their families, and many other types of support services.
The DoD speakers program, “Why We Serve,” helps tell the story of why our men and women in uniform have chosen to serve. These volunteers from all our services spend about six months traveling to a wide demographic of audiences.
The Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team now being developed and tested under the auspices of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command will revolutionize the Army’s combat systems and force capabilities for the future. Multiple mission vehicle systems, designed around a common chassis, with hemispherical automatic defensive capabilities, a centralized network information center, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems of varying size and capability, stand-alone sensors and other components are the basics of the FCS BCT.
In the afternoon, representatives from the Colorado Springs SCORE office, Small Business Development Center and the Chamber of Commerce Business and Military Affairs Divisions visited the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir to discuss the start-up of a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in El Paso County. Such a center, funded through a DLA grant and community matching funds, would provide a valuable resource to small and large businesses requiring assistance understanding the complexities and requirements to compete and do business with federal, state or local governments. In many cases this would relate to the growing and diverse number of companies that rely on defense contracts within our region. Our goal is to apply to establish a regional PTAC in the spring of 2008. This year’s efforts will be to prepare the proposal and seek matching funding for the grant.
The defense team traveled to the Pentagon for informative briefings on the America Supports You program, the “Why We Serve” Department of Defense speakers program, and the Army’s top priority program for the future combat force - Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team.
The America Supports You program is a Department of Defense program recognizing citizens’ support for our military and communicating that support to members of our Armed Forces and their families, at home and abroad. It’s a one-stop location for our military and their families to find hundreds of support organizations eager to help our heroes when they need it most. There are over 300 home front groups, representing communities from coast to coast, which have provided over $4.5M in direct financial support, over 9,000 free airline tickets to hospitalized service members and their families, and many other types of support services.
The DoD speakers program, “Why We Serve,” helps tell the story of why our men and women in uniform have chosen to serve. These volunteers from all our services spend about six months traveling to a wide demographic of audiences.
The Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team now being developed and tested under the auspices of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command will revolutionize the Army’s combat systems and force capabilities for the future. Multiple mission vehicle systems, designed around a common chassis, with hemispherical automatic defensive capabilities, a centralized network information center, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems of varying size and capability, stand-alone sensors and other components are the basics of the FCS BCT.
In the afternoon, representatives from the Colorado Springs SCORE office, Small Business Development Center and the Chamber of Commerce Business and Military Affairs Divisions visited the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir to discuss the start-up of a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in El Paso County. Such a center, funded through a DLA grant and community matching funds, would provide a valuable resource to small and large businesses requiring assistance understanding the complexities and requirements to compete and do business with federal, state or local governments. In many cases this would relate to the growing and diverse number of companies that rely on defense contracts within our region. Our goal is to apply to establish a regional PTAC in the spring of 2008. This year’s efforts will be to prepare the proposal and seek matching funding for the grant.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Greetings from Washington
About 70 local business and community leaders are in Washington, D.C., this week for the annual Washington Legislative Action Mission, organized by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Here are two reports e-mailed from participants on Monday’s happenings:
From Steve Recca, director of the Center for Homeland Security at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs:
The chamber has arranged a terrific opportunity to meet and engage with the Colorado congressional delegation and relevant agencies in the Washington area. So far, so good – just keep the coffee comin’!
One of the afternoon presenters was Dave Sprenger from CU’s Office of Government Affairs. Dave briefed our group on CU’s federal budget agenda and legislative priorities. His office has been on the front lines of several successful efforts to fund important education and research initiatives at CU (and UCCS, in particular) that truly have had – and continue to have – national impact. In the past four years, roughly $15 million dollars of directed funding has gone to UCCS for long-term programs in homeland defense and K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
From Brian Binn, president of the chamber’s military affairs division:
Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard addressed the chamber’s contingent of community leaders, reaffirming his support for legislation proposing a National Veteran’s Cemetery in the Pikes Peak region. Although there are several hurdles that still need to be overcome at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the support of our Colorado legislators is most welcome. Sen. Allard also stated his continued support for the growth and funding of the missile defense mission and its importance to our region.
From Steve Recca, director of the Center for Homeland Security at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs:
The chamber has arranged a terrific opportunity to meet and engage with the Colorado congressional delegation and relevant agencies in the Washington area. So far, so good – just keep the coffee comin’!
One of the afternoon presenters was Dave Sprenger from CU’s Office of Government Affairs. Dave briefed our group on CU’s federal budget agenda and legislative priorities. His office has been on the front lines of several successful efforts to fund important education and research initiatives at CU (and UCCS, in particular) that truly have had – and continue to have – national impact. In the past four years, roughly $15 million dollars of directed funding has gone to UCCS for long-term programs in homeland defense and K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
From Brian Binn, president of the chamber’s military affairs division:
Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard addressed the chamber’s contingent of community leaders, reaffirming his support for legislation proposing a National Veteran’s Cemetery in the Pikes Peak region. Although there are several hurdles that still need to be overcome at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the support of our Colorado legislators is most welcome. Sen. Allard also stated his continued support for the growth and funding of the missile defense mission and its importance to our region.
Initial group of home builders named for Banning Lewis Ranch
Nobody will ever accuse owners of the sprawling Banning Lewis Ranch of making hasty decisions. 
The owners recently named a trio of builders to construct homes on the property that covers more than 21,000 acres and makes up most of Colorado Springs' east side; the announcement comes 5 1/2 years after the property was purchased. Classic Cos., John Laing Homes and Capital Pacific Holdings will tackle the property's initial residential construction, according to the announcement. Classic is headquartered in Colorado Springs and one of the area's largest home builders and real estate development companies. John Laing, based in California, entered the Springs' market several years ago and now is one of the area's more prolific builders. Capital Pacific Holdings, based in southern California, paid $55 million to buy the ranch in September 2001; the ownership later was restructured and an entity called Banning Lewis Ranch Management Co. is now listed as the property's developer. About 330 acres on the ranch's far northwest corner, to be called Northtree, will be the initial area to be developed. Builders are expected to start model home construction this spring, with an opening scheduled later in 2007; Northree will have slightly more than 1,000 homes and prices will start in the low $200,000s. Colorado Springs city officials annexed the Banning Lewis Ranch in 1988 and original plans envisioned 75,000 homes over 30 to 50 years. The area is bounded roughly by Woodmen Road on the north, Fontaine Boulevard on the south, Meridian Road on the east and Marksheffel Road on the west.
The owners recently named a trio of builders to construct homes on the property that covers more than 21,000 acres and makes up most of Colorado Springs' east side; the announcement comes 5 1/2 years after the property was purchased. Classic Cos., John Laing Homes and Capital Pacific Holdings will tackle the property's initial residential construction, according to the announcement. Classic is headquartered in Colorado Springs and one of the area's largest home builders and real estate development companies. John Laing, based in California, entered the Springs' market several years ago and now is one of the area's more prolific builders. Capital Pacific Holdings, based in southern California, paid $55 million to buy the ranch in September 2001; the ownership later was restructured and an entity called Banning Lewis Ranch Management Co. is now listed as the property's developer. About 330 acres on the ranch's far northwest corner, to be called Northtree, will be the initial area to be developed. Builders are expected to start model home construction this spring, with an opening scheduled later in 2007; Northree will have slightly more than 1,000 homes and prices will start in the low $200,000s. Colorado Springs city officials annexed the Banning Lewis Ranch in 1988 and original plans envisioned 75,000 homes over 30 to 50 years. The area is bounded roughly by Woodmen Road on the north, Fontaine Boulevard on the south, Meridian Road on the east and Marksheffel Road on the west.
Sweepstakes to see The Apprentice
To celebrate its appearance on NBC's The Apprentice: Los Angeles, KB Home is holding a contest for a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to attend the live finale of the show.The sweepstakes is open to anyone who visits any participating KB Home community from now through March 25, including 13 communities in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas.
Official entry forms must be filled out to enter. The winner receives a $4,000 travel voucher for the trip to Los Angeles, two VIP tickets to the show and $500 spending money.
The Sunday, March 18 episode of The Apprentice features KB Home model homes in North Los Angeles at Plum Canyon. The episode shows contestants competing to create the best Web presentation promoting Dial Corp.'s Soft Scrub Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser. The kitchen, bathrooms and countertops in the model homes were used to show how the product cleans.
For more information, see www.kbhome.com.
TSA urges smart flying during Spring Break
In anticipation of Spring Break crowds at airports, the Transportation Security Administration is urging travelers to pack smart and remember the rule for carry-on liquids and gels.
Airline passengers are allowed to carry through the security checkpoint small amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 3 ounces or less that fit in 1-quart-size clear pastic zip top baggies.
Each passenger may bring one plastic zip top baggie, which will be X-rayed. Larger-size liquid and gel items, including beverages, may be brought on board if they are purchased beyond the checkpoint in the boarding area.
Remember not to pack prohibited items, including large scissors, tools, lighters, knives and other weapons.
Travelers also should be prepared to remove their shoes and take laptops out of their cases.
Lastly, be sure to arrive at the airport in plenty of time.
Airline passengers are allowed to carry through the security checkpoint small amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 3 ounces or less that fit in 1-quart-size clear pastic zip top baggies.
Each passenger may bring one plastic zip top baggie, which will be X-rayed. Larger-size liquid and gel items, including beverages, may be brought on board if they are purchased beyond the checkpoint in the boarding area.
Remember not to pack prohibited items, including large scissors, tools, lighters, knives and other weapons.
Travelers also should be prepared to remove their shoes and take laptops out of their cases.
Lastly, be sure to arrive at the airport in plenty of time.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Restaurant items being auctioned
Fifty-six tables with tile-inlay tops, 30 padded booths, six bar stools and a large gumball machine are among items being sold in a public tax auction Tuesday (March 20) at the closed 3 Margaritas Mexican restaurant at 6385 N. Academy Blvd. The auction is by order of the Colorado Department of Revenue to satisfy a lien by the department. The auction begins at 10 a.m. with a preview and registration at 9 a.m. For more information, go to http://www.success-auctions.com/.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Downtown 80903 marches on Saturday
The Downtown Partnership will unveil its new branding campaign for downtown Colorado Springs during the St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday down Tejon Street. A team of volunteers will distribute stickers that reflect the “Downtown 80903” campaign.
“It’s not only our Zip code, it’s a frame of mind and an understanding,” says Laszlo Palos, marketing director for the Downtown Partnership.
A new Web site, Downtown80903.com, is scheduled to launch May 1 with information on downtown happenings and attractions. See The Gazette for the parade route.
“It’s not only our Zip code, it’s a frame of mind and an understanding,” says Laszlo Palos, marketing director for the Downtown Partnership.
A new Web site, Downtown80903.com, is scheduled to launch May 1 with information on downtown happenings and attractions. See The Gazette for the parade route.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Auto criminal investigator retires
Super sleuth Alan Pfeifer has retired as a criminal investigator for the Colorado Department of Revenue's Auto Industry Division.
He worked out of the Colorado Springs office for more than 20 years, overseeing dealership operations from Colorado Springs to the Kansas and New Mexico borders and west to Leadville.
The division regulates new and used motor vehicle dealers, issues dealer and salesperson licenses and enforces state and federal laws pertaining to motor vehicle sales.
Pfeifer also conducted criminal investigations with city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
He said the most rewarding part of his career was to help new dealers succeed and learn to resolve customer complaints through communication.
"I'll miss my daily interaction with motor vehicle dealers but intend to keep in contact with many of them. After all, I still need to purchase a vehicle once in a while," he said.
He worked out of the Colorado Springs office for more than 20 years, overseeing dealership operations from Colorado Springs to the Kansas and New Mexico borders and west to Leadville.
The division regulates new and used motor vehicle dealers, issues dealer and salesperson licenses and enforces state and federal laws pertaining to motor vehicle sales.
Pfeifer also conducted criminal investigations with city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
He said the most rewarding part of his career was to help new dealers succeed and learn to resolve customer complaints through communication.
"I'll miss my daily interaction with motor vehicle dealers but intend to keep in contact with many of them. After all, I still need to purchase a vehicle once in a while," he said.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Phone book wars
Now that new phone books have hit the streets in Colorado Springs, the final numbers for telephone directory advertising are in.
Yellow Page advertising totaled 2,929 pages in the most recent Dex, Yellow Book and Verizon directories, up just 15 pages, or 0.5 pecent from the previous year. That compares with 4.5 percent growth in 2006 and 3.6 percent in 2005.
While pages in the Dex directory were up 14.3 percent to a record 1,365 this year, pages in the Yellow Book directory fell 2.3 percent to 1,132 and pages in the Verizon directory plunged 23.1 percent to 432, the fewest since 2004. Verizon's directory is now published by Idearc Media Corp.
Nationwide, yellow pages advertising revenue is growing at an average rate of about 3 percent a year with most of the gains coming online.
Yellow Page advertising totaled 2,929 pages in the most recent Dex, Yellow Book and Verizon directories, up just 15 pages, or 0.5 pecent from the previous year. That compares with 4.5 percent growth in 2006 and 3.6 percent in 2005.
While pages in the Dex directory were up 14.3 percent to a record 1,365 this year, pages in the Yellow Book directory fell 2.3 percent to 1,132 and pages in the Verizon directory plunged 23.1 percent to 432, the fewest since 2004. Verizon's directory is now published by Idearc Media Corp.
Nationwide, yellow pages advertising revenue is growing at an average rate of about 3 percent a year with most of the gains coming online.
Partnership for Community Design holds planning workshops
The Partnership for Community Design will conduct a series of six workshops to provide the public with a better understanding of the city of Colorado Springs' planning process. The goals are to improve knowledge about the legal aspects of planning; to reduce potential land-use conflicts; and to develop communication between the public and the city regarding Colorado Springs’ future. The three-hour, weekly workshops will begin April 4 and continue through mid-May. The deadline for workshop applications is Friday, March 16, and costs range from $50 for community members and non-profit groups to $150 for real estate agents, architects and other professionals. Participants must commit to attend each session, and workshops will be limited to 35 people. A workshop schedule and applications are available at http://www.pcd-cs.org/; click on the "CPDW" icon. More information: Crystal Collette, 475-3040 or crystal@pcd-cs.org.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A really big shoe for Marshalls store in Colorado Springs
Marshalls, the off-price clothing retailer, is expanding its footwear department at its Woodmen Commons Shopping Center store, 1760 E. Woodmen Road, northeast of Academy Boulevard and Woodmen in Colorado Springs. The new Shoe MegaShop, as Marshalls is calling its new footwear department, will have 5,000 square feet of space to create a "store within a store." The store also will continue to sell its brand-name family fashions. "Now you don't need to travel to Italy to find a fabulous deal on Italian leather shoes," said Marshalls spokeswoman Amy Cafazzo. Actually, you don't need to go to Italy for good pizza, either, but we get the idea about Marshalls' shoe selection. The expanded footwear department opens Thursday, March 15. http://www.marshallsonline.com/
Monday, March 12, 2007
Small business day at the Capitol on March 26
Small business owners who want to grab the ear of Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and key legislative leaders are invited to join the National Federation of Independent Business for Small Business Day at the Capitol on March 26. This year's event starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Old Supreme Court chambers, Capitol Building, 200 E. Colfax Ave., in Denver. Lunch will take place at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 500 16th St. Attendees will return at 1 p.m. to the Old Supreme Court chambers to hear Gov. Ritter, while legislative leaders will meet with small-business owners during the morning and afternoon. The event is open to all small-business owners; NFIB membership isn't required. The cost is $35 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch. More information: Teresa Tuschhoff, (866) 639-1846 or teresa.tuschhoff@nfib.org, and Tony Gagliardi, (303) 831-6099 or www.nfib.com/CO. The non-profit, Washington D.C.-based NFIB lobbies on behalf of small and independent business owners.
Annual Teller County job fair
Save March 22 on your calendar. That's the date of the seventh annual Teller County Job Fair.
Held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, 220 W. South Ave. in Woodland Park, the fair will offer opportunities to meet with prospective employers.
A free workshop, "You Have 2 Minutes -- Be Memorable," also will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Event sponsors are the Pikes Peak Workforce Center and the Pikes Peak Courier View, a weekly newspaper.
Call 689-3584, ext. 121, or 491-5075 for more information.
Held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, 220 W. South Ave. in Woodland Park, the fair will offer opportunities to meet with prospective employers.
A free workshop, "You Have 2 Minutes -- Be Memorable," also will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Event sponsors are the Pikes Peak Workforce Center and the Pikes Peak Courier View, a weekly newspaper.
Call 689-3584, ext. 121, or 491-5075 for more information.
Athena Award deadline extended
The deadline for Athena Award nominations has been extended to 5 p.m. Friday. To nominate someone, call Jen Furda at 575-4313 or complete the form online at www.coloradospringschamber.org. The award goes to a community-minded person who has helped women reach their full potential in business and achieved signicant success in their own career. The award will be presented during the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women in Business Conference on April 5.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Local housing prices climbed in the 4th quarter
The National Association of Realtors recently confirmed what many local real estate agents already knew: home prices in the Colorado Springs area continued to rise last year, despite a slowdown in sales and an increase in homes on the market. The median price for Springs-area homes that were sold in the fourth quarter of 2006 rose to $219,400, a 4.9 percent gain over $209, 200 in the fourth quarter of the previous year, according to an NAR report on prices in 149 metropolitan areas.By comparison, Denver-Aurora saw a 0.8 percent decline in the fourth quarter of 2006 over the same period a year earlier, and Boulder had a 3.9 percent increase. Nationwide, 71 metro areas had price gains, including 14 with double-digit increases; 73 areas had price declines; and five were unchanged.
Coast IRB to host job fair
California-headquartered Coast Independent Review Board will host a job fair 9 a..m. to 2 p.m. March 22-23 at The Broadmoor hotel.
The company, whch monitors the safety of drugs and medical devices, is opening an operations center in Colorado Springs in May. Initially, Coast will hire 20 to 25 employees, from clerical and customer service reps to managers in operations, finance, regulatory compliance and customer service.
Coast plans to grow its local employee base to 50 by year's end and to 180 in the next five years.
For more information, see www.coastirb.com or call 1-949-900-3900.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Biz staff changes
Last week's layoffs at The Gazette resulted in two business writers leaving the staff: Jim Bainbridge and Sarah Colwell. Next week, a new face will join the staff - though he's no stranger to Colorado Springs. Bill Radford has been an award-winning journalist for nearly 30 years, working at newspapers including the Las Vegas Review-Journal, El Paso Herald-Post and Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has been at The Gazette for 18 years, starting on the copy desk. Before joining the business staff, he wrote for several years for the Life section. You may not recognize him without his Spider-Man mask; he's also the Comics Fan columnist. You can contact him at bill.radford@gazette.com.
Burlington grand openings
Colorado Springs’ two new Burlington Coat Factory stores hold their grand-opening celebrations Friday, but alert shoppers may have noticed they are already open.The Burlington Coat Factory at the Citadel Crossing shopping center has moved to The Citadel mall and opened for business Monday. A Burlington Coat Factory at Chapel Hills Mall opened last Friday. Both stores occupy former Mervyn’s locations.
Panda ethanol refinery opening in Colorado
Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings Inc., an Illinois company that produces, markets and supplies ethanol, has signed a marketing agreement with Panda Ethanol, Inc. to build two new ethanol refineries, including one in Yuma, Colo. It will be fueled by natural gas.
Lurgi Inc. will build the plant, and construction will take 18 months. When finished, the Yuma plant will annually refine about 38 million bushels of feedstock-grade corn into 105 million gallons of denatured ethanol.
That will displace about 2.5 million barrels of imported oil a year.
The other new ethanol refinery will be in Haskell County, Kansas. Aventine will market the ethanol produced at the plants.
Panda Ethanol is headquartered in Dallas and is developing six 100 million-gallon-per-year ethanol projects in Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Nebraska.
Four of the plants, including the one in Haskell County, will generate the steam used in the ethanol manufacturing process by gasifying 1 billion pounds of cattle manure each year.
Panda also is building its first biomass refinery in Hereford, Texas.
Lurgi Inc. will build the plant, and construction will take 18 months. When finished, the Yuma plant will annually refine about 38 million bushels of feedstock-grade corn into 105 million gallons of denatured ethanol.
That will displace about 2.5 million barrels of imported oil a year.
The other new ethanol refinery will be in Haskell County, Kansas. Aventine will market the ethanol produced at the plants.
Panda Ethanol is headquartered in Dallas and is developing six 100 million-gallon-per-year ethanol projects in Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Nebraska.
Four of the plants, including the one in Haskell County, will generate the steam used in the ethanol manufacturing process by gasifying 1 billion pounds of cattle manure each year.
Panda also is building its first biomass refinery in Hereford, Texas.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
AAA Colorado membership surpasses half a million
As it turns 85 years old this year, AAA Colorado's membership also has reached a milestone by passing the 500,000 mark. Nationwide, AAA has more than 50 million members.
AAA Colorado began in 1922, 20 years after nine auto clubs met in Chicago to form the American Automobile Association. There are 14 district offices in Colorado, including an office in Colorado Springs.
Last year, AAA Colorado responded to 420,988 calls for roadside assistance. The organization also promotes travel and is an advocate for traffic safety and mobility issues.
For more information, see www.aaa.com.
AAA Colorado began in 1922, 20 years after nine auto clubs met in Chicago to form the American Automobile Association. There are 14 district offices in Colorado, including an office in Colorado Springs.
Last year, AAA Colorado responded to 420,988 calls for roadside assistance. The organization also promotes travel and is an advocate for traffic safety and mobility issues.
For more information, see www.aaa.com.
Colorado College a top value
Colorado College is the 15th best value among private liberal arts colleges across the country, according to the April issue of Kiplinger's magazine. The college's annual total cost for the 2006-07 academic year that includes tuition, fees, room and board and estimated book expenses totals $41,612. Of those receiving financial aid, 86 percent came through grants and scholarships, which is one of the highest in the country, the magazine reported. After receiving need-based aid, students are left with an annual cost of $17,895, and after non-need-based aid $26,468, both the second-lowest among the top 15.
Of those that apply to CC, 38 percent are accepted, and of those 84 percent scored 600 or higher on the verbal and math components of the SAT, or 24 or higher on the ACT. CC's weakness in the ranking was its graduation rate - 77 percent of incoming freshmen graduated in four years and 82 percent in five years, which was the lowest grad rate among the colleges in the top 15.
Of those that apply to CC, 38 percent are accepted, and of those 84 percent scored 600 or higher on the verbal and math components of the SAT, or 24 or higher on the ACT. CC's weakness in the ranking was its graduation rate - 77 percent of incoming freshmen graduated in four years and 82 percent in five years, which was the lowest grad rate among the colleges in the top 15.
You might want to skip dinar
The Council of Better Business Bureaus is warning consumers across the United States and Canada to be wary of purchasing foreign currency investments, particularly investment deals for the Iraqi Dinar, that country’s monetary unit. The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois has seen a recent spike in consumer complaints focused on Dinar investment through that area's United World Exchange. The BBB has received complaints from
from consumers in 33 states and eight countries, with many coming from military personnel claiming fraud over Dinar investment deals. The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado reports it is aware of one victim in this area. United World Exchange, doing business as "US Dinar," has been selling Iraqi Dinars through their Web site (www.usdinar.com) on the premise that buying the Dinars could be a great investment if the value of the Iraqi money were to increase. Consumers report that the company is not providing consumers with what they have purchased, nor is it giving the potential investors their money back.
from consumers in 33 states and eight countries, with many coming from military personnel claiming fraud over Dinar investment deals. The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado reports it is aware of one victim in this area. United World Exchange, doing business as "US Dinar," has been selling Iraqi Dinars through their Web site (www.usdinar.com) on the premise that buying the Dinars could be a great investment if the value of the Iraqi money were to increase. Consumers report that the company is not providing consumers with what they have purchased, nor is it giving the potential investors their money back.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Last chance for tax refund
More than 30,000 Colorado residents have yet to claim their tax refund from the IRS for the 2003 tax year. Many of these refunds are not claimed because the individuals did not file a return thinking they did not need to, when in fact they had taxes taken out of their paychecks that they are entitled to get back. Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $2.2 billion nationally are awaiting about 1.8 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2003, the IRS announced today. However, in order to collect the money, a return for 2003 must be filed with an IRS office no later than Tuesday, April 17, 2007. If those Colorado folks don't claim it, they lose the right to it, which means a loss of more than $36 million coming into the state. Contact the IRS at IRS.gov for help.
Another take on electronic medical records
Several Gazette readers wanted to talk about the electronic medical records articles that published Monday, March 5 in the Business section.
Claudia J. Gordon, president of the Physicians' Choice Transcription Service Inc. in Colorado Springs, said technology is not eliminating the job of medical transcriptionist. Rather, the job is evolving to that of editor.
"To expect physicians to type narratives for clinical notes, history and physicals, procedure notes, and discharge summaries is not only unrealistic it is counter-productive. Many physicians consider even the time spent in dictation of these notes as a 'necessary evil,' and for them to sit at a keyboard and enter the data is a poor use of their time.
"Since this kind of information still needs to be input by someone, we are brought to consider the subject of speaking into a computer and having technology generate documents containing those words (called 'voice recognition').
"The bottom line with this technology is:
1. The technology is still not where it needs to be in order to be accurate and cost-effective for the provider;
2. The technology will never be able to compensate for unclear speech and other extraneous sounds recorded in the dictation process.
"For someone to say that electornic medical records is cost effective because it replaces transcriptionists shows a lack of understanding of how the spoken word accurately becomes part of the patient record."
Claudia J. Gordon, president of the Physicians' Choice Transcription Service Inc. in Colorado Springs, said technology is not eliminating the job of medical transcriptionist. Rather, the job is evolving to that of editor.
"To expect physicians to type narratives for clinical notes, history and physicals, procedure notes, and discharge summaries is not only unrealistic it is counter-productive. Many physicians consider even the time spent in dictation of these notes as a 'necessary evil,' and for them to sit at a keyboard and enter the data is a poor use of their time.
"Since this kind of information still needs to be input by someone, we are brought to consider the subject of speaking into a computer and having technology generate documents containing those words (called 'voice recognition').
"The bottom line with this technology is:
1. The technology is still not where it needs to be in order to be accurate and cost-effective for the provider;
2. The technology will never be able to compensate for unclear speech and other extraneous sounds recorded in the dictation process.
"For someone to say that electornic medical records is cost effective because it replaces transcriptionists shows a lack of understanding of how the spoken word accurately becomes part of the patient record."
Speaking of speakers, part 2
Jerry Greenfield will discuss how he and Ben Cohen built Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Holdings Inc. into a successful company that remains true to its socially responsible roots March 28 at Colorado College.The speech at 7:30 p.m. in Shove Memorial Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave., is free and open to the public and sponsored by the Innovative Minds Lecture Series fund. Greenfield will talk about “Social Responsibility, Radical Business Philosophy and Free Ice Cream.”
The series is designed to bring prominent innovators to the college.
Last week's speech by Steve Baker, author of "Pushing Water Uphill With a Rake, Memoirs of a Successful Failure," was canceled due to last Wednesday's snowstorm. No information is available on whether the address will be rescheduled. Check http://citti.uccs.edu/citti/events.php for updates.
Monday, March 5, 2007
New way to post tourism events
There is a new, streamlined process to allow those in the tourism industry the opportunity to post events on the Colorado.com, which is visited by more than 5.5 million visitors a year, according to the Colorado Tourism Office. No more phone calls, messages or phone tag. Simply go to www.colorado.com/event-listing , enter your contact and event information and click the “submit” button. Within 48 hours, your event will be posted on Colorado.com for visitors to see.
Click here to view the Colorado Tourism Office event listing policy, which outlines the parameters that event listings must meet in order to be included on Colorado.com.
Click here to view the Colorado Tourism Office event listing policy, which outlines the parameters that event listings must meet in order to be included on Colorado.com.
Rancho Liborio projects June 1 opening
Rancho Liborio, a grocery store chain that caters to Hispanic customers, has signed a lease and filed all its paperwork with the city to become the anchor tenant at the Spring Creek Shopping Center at the intersection of Circle Drive and Monterey Road. "We are little behind our original timetable," said Anthony Trujillo of MCDS Corp. in Denver, who is representing California-based Rancho Liborio, "but a June 1 opening is fairly realistic. The freezers, coolers and shelving are being shipped out to us now."
Friday, March 2, 2007
Jake Jabs now selling furniture online, too
Already the No. 1 dealer in Colorado, Jake Jab's American Furniture Warehouse is now offering online sales for the first time at www.shopafw.com. The Web site is set up so that customers can design their space and confirm their purchase with a few mouseclicks. The new online shopping feature also allows customers to schedule delivery to anywhere in Colorado or Wyoming. Deliveries to metro Denver/Boulder, Fort Collins/Greeley, Colorado Springs and Pueblo can usually be made within two to four days.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Array of speakers in town
Steve Baker, author of "Pushing Water Uphill With a Rake, Memoirs of a Successful Failure," will talk about building, then losing a $500 million travel business he built in Conifer as part of the 2007 Entrepreneurial Finance Speaker Series.Baker's talk is scheduled from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at the University Center Theater at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The free address is open to the public, but reservations are requested at citti@uccs.edu. The series is sponsored by Center for Entrepreneurship, the College of Business and Administration and the Colorado Institute for Technology Transfer and Implementation.
The series continues in April with Karl Dakin, a Denver entrepreneur and attorney specializing in startup business, speaking April 4 on raising angel funding and seed capital and Patrick Bultema, venture partner with vSpring Capital and former technology executive, speaking April 25 on venture capital.
If you would rather hear about economics than glorious failures, Todd Buchholz, former director of economic policy at the White House, will give the H. Chase Stone Lecture in Economics at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Gates Common Room on the third floor of Palmer Hall, 1025 N. Cascade Ave., on the Colorado College campus.
Buchholz also is a managing director of the $15 billion Tiger hedge fund and is the author of the best-selling "New Ideas from Dead Economists."
100 jobs coming to Ford Motor Credit
While in Colorado Springs on Feb. 27 discussing the future of American auto manufacturing, a Ford Motor Co. exeuctive said Ford Motor Credit's customer service center in Colorado Springs will add 100 jobs this year.
Ford Motor Credit announced a few months ago it would consolidate 59 U.S. branches by the end of this year into six service centers around the nation.
The local center employs 500, which will increase to 600 by year's end, said Bill Russo, director of manufacturing for Ford's North American Vehicle Operations.
Employees service 1,700 Ford dealerships in the region, Russo said, providing financing options for buying and leasing vehicles.
Ford Motor Credit announced a few months ago it would consolidate 59 U.S. branches by the end of this year into six service centers around the nation.
The local center employs 500, which will increase to 600 by year's end, said Bill Russo, director of manufacturing for Ford's North American Vehicle Operations.
Employees service 1,700 Ford dealerships in the region, Russo said, providing financing options for buying and leasing vehicles.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Downtown soup restaurant to open in late March
Bad weather and delays in obtaining permits from the city planning office have pushed back the Original SoupMan’s opening at 10 S. Tejon St. to the end of March, says owner Debra Canale. Interior painting starts March 5 and Canale says the rest of the work “should go quickly after that. If everything goes as planned, we should be open by the third week in March, but it should be no later than the last week of March.” The restaurant is part of the franchise gourmet soup operation owned by the chef, Al Yeganeh, made famous on the “Seinfeld” sitcom as “The Soup Nazi.”
United Web site has new look
United Airlines it has refreshed its Web site to prove customers with new tools to book tickets, new navigation tools and a new look. See more at www.united.com.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
All the world's a storage .....
In addition to the new upscale storage condo companies coming to the city this year -- Garage Town USA and Colorado Springs Storage Condominiums (see Tuesday's Gazette) -- there will be a slightly more modest competitor in the Rustic Hill neighborhood. Chris Mencini's Second Garage is scheduled to break ground on 12 units in March that will be large enough to accommodate storage of motor homes and other large vehicles. While Second Garage will not have a clubhouse for storage unit owners or some of the other amenities offered at the upscale sites, the units at 1855 N. Academy (behind American Classics Marketplace), will be selling its space at a much less costly $70-75 per square foot.
Energy tax credits now cover window film
Federal tax credits established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 have been expanded to include solar-control window film.
Among the products that qualify are LLumar, Vista and Gila solar-control window films by CPFilms, a business unit of Solutia Inc., the world's largest manufacturer.
Homeowners can earn up to $500 by having the energy-saving product installed, according to Kent Davies, president of CPFilms.
The 10 percent tax credit covers improvements made from Jan. 1, 2006 through Dec. 31, 2007.
Tax credits for energy savings are listed on www.energystar.gov.
Among the products that qualify are LLumar, Vista and Gila solar-control window films by CPFilms, a business unit of Solutia Inc., the world's largest manufacturer.
Homeowners can earn up to $500 by having the energy-saving product installed, according to Kent Davies, president of CPFilms.
The 10 percent tax credit covers improvements made from Jan. 1, 2006 through Dec. 31, 2007.
Tax credits for energy savings are listed on www.energystar.gov.
Chamber Washington D.C. trip- Update
The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce has extended the early bird reservation deadline to March 5 for the Washington Legislative Action Mission trip to Washington D.C. March 18 to 22.Cost for early bird registration is $590.
The Washington Legislative Action Mission offers community leaders the opportunity to go to briefings by national officials, meetings with Colorado’s Congressional delegation, and a reception. Participants will be divided into teams: business, defense, homeland security, international affairs and education/health care. Some activities included in the trip are: Potomac River cruise, visit to the Embassy of India, meetings with the Colorado Congressional Delegation, briefings at the Pentagon, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NASA and the White House.
For information or registration, contact Sandy Wenger at Sandy@cscc.org or 575-4317. To register online click here.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Do you work for a great company?
If so, check this out.
Applications are being accepted through Friday, March 2, for the second annual “Best Companies to Work For in Colorado” contest. (Go to http://www.coshrm.org/ or call Christina Firouztash at 720-212-2034.)
Sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management Colorado State Council, the competition is designed to identify and recognize for-profit and nonprofit companies that excel in workplace practices that improve the employee experience.
Eligible employers can be either publicly or privately held businesses and must have a facility in Colorado.
Winners will be selected from two categories: small or medium-size companies with 25 to 199 employees, and large companies with 250 or more employees.
Winners will be notified in May, with final rankings announced at a July awards ceremony.
Last year, 25 companies made the list. Edward Jones ranked as No. 1 large employer and the No. 1 small or medium employer went to WR Starkey Mortgage.
Applications are being accepted through Friday, March 2, for the second annual “Best Companies to Work For in Colorado” contest. (Go to http://www.coshrm.org/ or call Christina Firouztash at 720-212-2034.)
Sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management Colorado State Council, the competition is designed to identify and recognize for-profit and nonprofit companies that excel in workplace practices that improve the employee experience.
Eligible employers can be either publicly or privately held businesses and must have a facility in Colorado.
Winners will be selected from two categories: small or medium-size companies with 25 to 199 employees, and large companies with 250 or more employees.
Winners will be notified in May, with final rankings announced at a July awards ceremony.
Last year, 25 companies made the list. Edward Jones ranked as No. 1 large employer and the No. 1 small or medium employer went to WR Starkey Mortgage.
Refinery explosion in Texas Panhandle may ripple to Colorado Springs
A fire and explosion at Valero Energy Corp.'s Texas Panhandle McKee refinery on Feb. 16 is expected to have widespread repercussions, including in Colorado Springs. A propane leak is being blamed for the accident, and 14 people ended up hospitalized, with a contractor seriously burned.
The refinery was shut down until Feb. 20, along with pipelines that ship Valero's petroleum products to Colorado Springs, Denver, El Paso, Lubbock and Albuquerque.
Industry analysts expect gas prices in these cities to rise. But other areas are being affected as well. Reuters reported wholesale gasoline prices jumped 9 cents a gallon in the Los Angeles spot market because of a boost in demand for Arizona gasoline and because McKee is a major supplier to Arizona.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Palos joins Downtown Partnership as marketing director
Laszlo Palos, general manager of the Terra Verde gift ship on Tejon Street for 11 years, has left to become marketing director for the non-profit Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership. His duties will include launching a rebranding campaign for the group in mid-March, redesigning brochures and serving as liaison between the CSDP, the city, the convention and visitor's bureau and local retailers. "The job is focused on creating bridges," Palos said. Before taking the job earlier this month, Palos had been the volunteer chairman of the Downtown Partnership's marketing committee for three years and had previously served six years on a variety of other retail committees for the group.
RealTime Shredding signs up first dealer
RealTime Shredding Inc., the Colorado Springs-based developer of self-service shredding kiosks, has added its first dealer, Identity Theft Solutions Corp. of Tallahassee, Fla. ITS will market RealTime’s Self-Service Shredder as part of its fraud protection and resolution services and products. “The Self-Service Shredder fills a need for small and mid-sized businesses and organizations, for which neither home shredders nor mobile shredding are appropriate,” said Keith Carr, Identity Theft Solutions’ president. "Home shredders can be laborious, time-intensive and unsafe.”
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Do the Freddie!
Frequent travelers from around the world are invited to cast a vote in the 19th Annual Freddie Awards, which are designed to award excellence among frequent travel programs in the airline, hotel and credit card industries. Travelers have until Feb. 28 to cast their votes at www.freddieawards.com.Since 1989, Colorado Springs-based InsideFlyer magazine has served as the primary sponsor of the Freddie Awards. Last year, a record 390,000 frequent flyers voted and the copy and expects to break that record this year, said Randy Petersen, InsideFlyer editor and publisher.
Voters rate hotel, airline and credit card programs in nine categories. A Freddie Award ceremony will be held April 26 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va., at which this year's winners will be revealed. The winners will also be announced in the May issue of InsideFlyer magazine and online at www.freddieawards.com.
It's not personal ... it's just business
Commenting on Macerich Company's results for the fourth quarter of 2006 -- $147.9 million in net income available to common stockholders compared to $23.6 million for the same quarter a year ago -- president and CEO Arthur Coppola gave a backhanded tip of the hat to former Colorado Springs holding The Citadel. "The fundamentals remained solid with good releasing spreads, strong occupancy levels and good tenant sales gains," Coppola said. "The quarter was another example of strategically improving our overall portfolio with the sale of three non core assets and the acquisition of another strong East Coast mall. Through asset sales and financing activity our balance sheet continues to improve and we are well positioned to fund and execute our development pipeline." The Citadel was sold in late December along with Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville and Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City for what Macerich stipulates in its fourth-quarter report was $375 million (a bit less than the $390 million that the buyers at Midwest Mall Properties). Those three are the "non core assets" and even understanding that business is business, when was the last time anybody like to hear their job or their business referred to as a non-core asset?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
HBA will host City Council candidate gathering
The Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs will host a morning reception and panel discussion for City Council candidates on March 7 at the Silverwood Hotel and Conference Center, 505 Popes Bluff Trail, northwest of Interstate 25 and Garden of the Gods Road. Several incumbents and challengers are expected to attend. A breakfast and reception will take place at 7:30 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. panel discussion. The event is free. The April 3 municipal election is being conducted by mail, and ballots will be sent to registered voters between March 9 and 19. City residents will elect a mayor and four at-large council members. For more information, call the HBA at 592-1800 or HBA political affairs director Sarah Jack at 213-9681.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Accellos runs to Beaver Creek to land more investors
Five months after landing $20 million in venture capital funding, Accellos Inc. will be at the Venture Capital in the Rockies Conference in Beaver Creek beginning today seeking other potential investors.The Colorado Springs-based software company will be the only Springs-area company among 33 information technology and life sciences companies making presentations to potential investors at the three-day event. Companies presenting at the annual event attended by more than 200 investors and entrepreneurs have raised more than $3 billion during the past five years, including 16 of the 22 companies that have participated since 2003.
Since closing in October on the largest local venture capital investment in five years, Accellos has acquired two Toronto-based software companies, Headwaters Technology Solutions and Radio Beacon Inc., and moved into office space in the Wells Fargo Tower, 90 S. Cascade Ave., formerly occupied by the local office of accounting giant Grant Thornton LLP. Accellos now employs 105, including 15 in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Delta operations receives OSHA award
Delta Air Lines operations in Colorado Springs were recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for workplace safety and health programs.Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary DAL Global Services, which serve the Colorado Springs Airport, were inducted into OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs' Star category, which is the highest level of recognition that OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program gives. The award is given to companies that maintain employee injury and illness rates below the national average for its industry and meet stringent safety and health program elements that exceed regular OSHA standards. Delta and DAL Global Services in Colorado Springs are the only air transportation operators in Colorado to
receive this recognition, according to OSHA.
About 1,600 work sites throughout the U.S. have earned membership in the Voluntary Protection Programs, which recognizes participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their management systems. The programs are open to employers in any industry.
About 1,600 work sites throughout the U.S. have earned membership in the Voluntary Protection Programs, which recognizes participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their management systems. The programs are open to employers in any industry.
Monday, February 19, 2007
A serving of restaurant news
In the heart of downtown, at 729 Manitou Ave., it seems like a prime location for a quality eatery and yet no one seems to be able to make it work for the long term. The latest attempt, operating under the name Ned's on Manitou — A Funky California Cafe and Bakery in Colorado, just shut down after about a year under the management of four Southern California transplants, Adam James, Samantha Sloan, Eddie Curry and Kit James. The phone's been disconnected and there's a sign in the window saying "Ned's is history." Manitou Bakery, Breadheads and Sugar Magnolia’s were all "history" at that location before Ned's. ...
Ranch Steakhouse manager Steve Abeyta says the Garden of Gods restaurant is not going to undergo an immediate name change, in the aftermath of its split with minority partner Mike Callicrate. "We're putting in a bar and making a number of changes," Abeyta said, "so we've decided to wait until we are further along with that." Callicrate left when majority ownership decided to stop serving no-hormone, no-antibiotic Ranch Direct meats. ....
With COSMIX making access a persistent problem, the New South Wales restaurant at 5905 Corporate Dr., on the city's north side, is shutting down for the next few months to do some remodeling.
Ranch Steakhouse manager Steve Abeyta says the Garden of Gods restaurant is not going to undergo an immediate name change, in the aftermath of its split with minority partner Mike Callicrate. "We're putting in a bar and making a number of changes," Abeyta said, "so we've decided to wait until we are further along with that." Callicrate left when majority ownership decided to stop serving no-hormone, no-antibiotic Ranch Direct meats. ....
With COSMIX making access a persistent problem, the New South Wales restaurant at 5905 Corporate Dr., on the city's north side, is shutting down for the next few months to do some remodeling.
Gobin's moves into Colorado Springs market
Gobin's Inc., with 40 years experience in helping Southern Colorado businesses with their technology, office supply and furniture needs, has opened its first location in Colorado Springs, at 925 E. Fillmore St. A staple in the Pueblo business community since 1967, the Springs store is Gobin’s seventh -- joining Lamar, Salida, Alamosa, La Junta and Canon City -- and is part of the company’s Technology Business Unit. “Gobin’s has serviced many Colorado Springs-based businesses for years and as that number continued to grow, we saw a great opportunity to move directly into the area, and provide that service locally,” said owner and CEO Bob Gobin. Gobin’s Technology Business Unit makes technology recommendations, including, strategic technology and workflow technology, which in turn increases productivity and improves profitability.
Friday, February 16, 2007
No expense account needed to attend this convention
Want to attend a real estate convention in your pajamas? The sixth annual National Real Estate On-Line Convention and Exposition expects to attract tens of thousands of "attendees" next week. The free event, which is open to real estate industry professionals and the public, will run from Sunday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, Feb. 24. More than 36,000 real estate professionals from 19 countries have pre-registered, according to Massachusetts-based Real Estate CyberSpace Society, which is sponsoring the event. The society envisions its convention and exposition as the real thing -- but in virtual form. Attendees can sign on to their computers to hear speakers discuss real estate topics; learn about new products and services; and network with other professionals online. "The on-line convention will bring real estate professionals all of the excitement, training and features of an old-time convention,” said John M. Peckham III, the society's executive director. Event sponsors include several online real estate services, as well as real estate industry businesses and organizations. More information and to register: www.REcyber.com/preconvention
It's all about your image in business.
The Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce is hosting a luncheon seminar 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs, 4 S. Cascade Ave. Guest speaker Tia Warren, certified and professional image consultant, will talk about why image is critical to your career, how to define "business casual," how to dress slimmer and taller, avoid fashion "don'ts" and the magic of color.
Cost, which includes lunch, is $20 for members, and $25 for nonmember and at the door tickets. Underground parking will be validated. For more information or reservation, call 442-2007 or visit www.scwcc.com.
Cost, which includes lunch, is $20 for members, and $25 for nonmember and at the door tickets. Underground parking will be validated. For more information or reservation, call 442-2007 or visit www.scwcc.com.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Hanson Spa opens second location
Hanson Spa & Home Center, countering an industry-wide downturn, has just opened a second location, taking over the 4,500 square foot space at the intersection of Dublin and Academy boulevards formerly occupied by Carefree Spas to go with its 7,000 square foot flagship store at 1824 Dominion Way. Carefree closed its Colorado Springs operation on Jan. 15. Hanson Spa has already started hiring and anticipates doubling its number of employees from seven to 14, according to media director John Polk. In business since 1978, Hanson Spa is best known for the hot tub it installed and maintains at Security Services Field, home of the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Ford Motor Company director coming to the Springs
The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Phil Long Dealerships is hosting a luncheon on The Future of Automotive Manufacturing 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Doubletree Hotel Colorado Springs Colorado- World Arena, 1775 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.Keynote speaker Bill Russo, director of advanced and manufacturing engineering of Ford Vehicle Operations, will talk about the future direction of Ford Motor Company, new manufacturing techniques, cleaner burning fuels and hybrid technology. For more information and registration, click here or call Jenifer Furda, the Chamber's vice president of events, at 575-4313.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Advice for fliers delayed by snow storms
Winter storms in Colorado and other parts of the country this week may cause flights to be delayed or canceled. United Airlines customers can check their flight's status at www.united.com or calling 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331). United customers affected by the winter storms can make one change to their trip and rules and restrictions regarding standard change fees, advance purchases, day or time applications, blackouts and minimum or maximum stay requirements have been waived. Customers with already canceled flights are eligible to apply for a full refund. All changes must be made by midnight of the customer's original travel date. Customers may make these changes by calling United or a travel agency.
New laser leak detector for gas pipelines intended to improve safety
Englewood-based Aviation Technology Services-Denver, a privately held software company, is betting its new aerial laser leak detection system for gas pipelines will be a success.During blind tests at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center near Casper, Wyo., the system found 25 percent more leaks than any other system tested and detected 90 percent of all gas released in the test.
The helicopter-based laser system combines a methane-sensitive laser with a digital video record of the pipeline and should improve public safety and decrease environmental pollution, the company said.
Colorado Interstate Gas Co. in Colorado Springs is among the clients being targeted.
Miracle Method added 23 franchises in 2006
Colorado Springs-based Miracle Method, already the nation's largest bathtub, tile and countertop refinishing franchiser, added 23 locations in 2006 and increased gross sales by more than 20 percent to $22 million. "Individual franchises' double digit sales growth," said Miracle Method president Chuck Pistor, "is due to the growing number of homeowners, hotel operators and property managers using surface refinishing as a more cost-effective alternative to the removal and replacement of bathtubs, tile surrounds and countertops." The cost of resurfacing a tub is $400 to $500 compared to $2,000 to $4,000 to tear out a tub and replace it.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
eWomenNetwork networking lunch Friday
eWomen Network, a group that helps women in business promote themselves, develop new contacts and learn strategies for business promotion, will host an "acclerated networking" luncheon Friday, Feb. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Colorado Springs Sheraton Hotel, 2886 S. Circle Drive. The cost is $50 for members, $55 for non-members.
KKTV news anchor and investigative reporter Betty Sexton will offer tips for relating to the media and how to generate stories.
For more information and to register, call 596-1771.
KKTV news anchor and investigative reporter Betty Sexton will offer tips for relating to the media and how to generate stories.
For more information and to register, call 596-1771.
Cowgirls Subs moving to Colorado Springs
Cowgirls Subs, an independent sandwich shop, is moving from Sheridan, Wyio. into a 1,400-square-foot space in the art deco Padgett Building at 301 E. Platte Ave. Building co-owner Pat Mika said the restaurant has a five-year lease and is expected to open around April 1. Pat Blair of the Sheridan Press newspaper said Cowgirls had been in Sheridan, a city of about 16,000, for more than two years and was widely praised for its soups, sandwiches and deserts. "Colorado Springs is getting a small gem," Blair said. Also, Mercury LDO, which specializes in large-document scanning and printing, signed a seven-year lease with a five-year option to occupy a 6,000-square-foot space in the recently remodeled Padgett building last August. One 3,000-square-foot space remains.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Teens, employers disagree on work readiness
Nearly 90 percent of the nation's teens believe they are either adequately or very well prepared to enter the work force, according to an annual poll conducted by Colorado Springs-based JA Worldwide's (Junior Achievement).The group's 8th annual "Kids and Careers" Interprise Poll, sponsored by Verizon Communications Inc., found more than one-third of the nearly 1,500 students surveyed believe they are "very well prepared"and have the necessary skills to compete in today's work force, while more than half believe they are "adequately prepared." The survey was conducted online in October and November with students ages 13-19 from 125 JA offices nationwide.
Employers had a different view -- 42.4 percent of employers surveyed last year rated new work force entrants with high-school diplomas as "dificient" in their overall preparation for entry-level jobs they typically fill. The sruvey of 400 U.S. employees was conducted by The Conference Board, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Corporate Voices for Working Familes and the Society for Human Resource Management.
For complete results, go to http://www.ja.org/files/polls/kids_careers_2007.pdf.
Canadian trade discussion at Chamber February 14
Canada's Senior Trade Commissioner Monica Heron and the international trade staff of the Canadian Consulate General-Denver will visit Colorado Springs Wednesday (Feb. 14) to talk about how local companies can share in the profits from Colorado's largest international trade relationship.
In 2005, Colorado exports to Canada were valued at $847 million and trade with Canada supported 93,000 Colorado jobs. Aerospace, bio-tech, information and communication technologies, and agriculture are among the principal trade relationships. The 7:30 a.m. meeting will be held at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, 2 N. Cascade, Suite 110. For more information, or to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of the Canadian officials, call the Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs at 575-4314 or e-mail internationalaffairs@cscc.org.
In 2005, Colorado exports to Canada were valued at $847 million and trade with Canada supported 93,000 Colorado jobs. Aerospace, bio-tech, information and communication technologies, and agriculture are among the principal trade relationships. The 7:30 a.m. meeting will be held at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, 2 N. Cascade, Suite 110. For more information, or to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of the Canadian officials, call the Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs at 575-4314 or e-mail internationalaffairs@cscc.org.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Good Bill, Bad Bill -- Gov. Ritter, that is
What a difference a couple of days can make -- especially when it comes to heated political rhetoric. When Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (right) vetoed a bill Friday that would have made it easier to establish all-union workplaces in the state, it generated this appreciative response from Tony Gagliardi, Colorado state director for the National Federation of Independent Business: "We applaud the governor for his courageous act in vetoing House Bill 1072. This could not have been easy for him, given the sizable support he received from organized labor during his campaign. Quite frankly, we are as stunned as we are elated. Small businesses will not always expect to be on the receiving end of such good news, but the message the Governor sent today tells us is that he is very sincere in his invitation to hear all sides and fairly weigh the arguments.”
Gagliardi added: “There is indeed a new sheriff in town, and he is serious about what he says. The Colorado political world has taken note.” Of course, Gagliardi wasn't quite so gracious on Monday, when he sent out a statement that skewered Sheriff, er, Gov. Ritter in advance of an expected bill signing: "I'm not holding out much hope he’ll do the right thing on this,” Gagliardi said. “Let’s face it ― unions want payback for all the support they gave him during his election. I’m expecting his executive scrawl over this nasty mess of legislation.”
Gagliardi added: “There is indeed a new sheriff in town, and he is serious about what he says. The Colorado political world has taken note.” Of course, Gagliardi wasn't quite so gracious on Monday, when he sent out a statement that skewered Sheriff, er, Gov. Ritter in advance of an expected bill signing: "I'm not holding out much hope he’ll do the right thing on this,” Gagliardi said. “Let’s face it ― unions want payback for all the support they gave him during his election. I’m expecting his executive scrawl over this nasty mess of legislation.”
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Springs company gets Grammy Award exposure
The term "goody bag" will take on a whole new meaning for the owners and staff of Colorado Springs-based Green Mountain Audio on Feb. 11 when the company brochure is included in the 250 gift bags given to each presenter and awardee at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. It will also get tucked into the gift bags at the Latin Grammy Awards later this year.
Green Mountain Audio (www.greenmountainaudio.com) was established in 1988 by physicist and speaker design pioneer Roy Johnson and is focused on creating "the ultimate in analog tube sound" with a two channel stereo system that includes state of the art speaker design by Green Mountain Audio. The brochure was in progress when Chae Chong (Metrotech Group LLC) heard the speakers at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He deemed them as "the best in the world." The brochure idea surfaced in late 2006 during a talk between an EVtek principal and one of their clients, "Lady J," a voting member of the Grammy Awards. Chong believes this is the first time such a brochure has been included in Grammy gift bags.
Green Mountain Audio (www.greenmountainaudio.com) was established in 1988 by physicist and speaker design pioneer Roy Johnson and is focused on creating "the ultimate in analog tube sound" with a two channel stereo system that includes state of the art speaker design by Green Mountain Audio. The brochure was in progress when Chae Chong (Metrotech Group LLC) heard the speakers at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He deemed them as "the best in the world." The brochure idea surfaced in late 2006 during a talk between an EVtek principal and one of their clients, "Lady J," a voting member of the Grammy Awards. Chong believes this is the first time such a brochure has been included in Grammy gift bags.
Western wear store opens at The Promenade Shops
Girl of the Golden West, a women’s western wear retailer, opens its doors at The Promenade Shops at Briargate Saturday (Feb.10) on the shopping center's east side. The store will offer distinctive western wear for women, men and children along with home accessories by local artisans and artwork featuring images of the Pikes Peak region.
Owner Phoebe Schmidt says the idea for the store came to her after "an unsuccessful shopping trip to find some amusing cowboy boots." Visitors to the store on opening day will receive a free goodie bag.
Owner Phoebe Schmidt says the idea for the store came to her after "an unsuccessful shopping trip to find some amusing cowboy boots." Visitors to the store on opening day will receive a free goodie bag.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Big step for Colorado Springs shredding company
Colorado Springs-based RealTime Shredding has made a significant breakthrough in its second year by getting New Frontier Bank, based in Greeley, to become the first bank in the nation to acquire and install self-service shredding kiosks for customer and public use. New Frontier Bank has installed RealTime's Self-Service Shredder, the model designed specifically for business and consumer use, at its locations in Greeley, Longmont, and Windsor. The kiosks cross-cut shred paper, cardboard, credit cards, paper clips, staples, CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. The industrial-strength shredder, featuring multiple control points for maximum safety, can shred up to 200 sheets of paper a minute. Customers and the general public can use RealTime Shredding (www.realtimeshredding.com) kiosks at no charge. The kiosks are located in the banks' lobbies and are available for use during normal lobby hours of operation.
Ent looking pretty good for 50
Ent Federal Credit Union wants its 175,000 members to help it celebrate its 50th anniversary at a series of events next month.The $2.1 billion financial institution is inviting members to visit any of its 24 branches in the Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo areas on March 7, including a special ceremony with longtime members at its Bon branch, 2336 N. Wahsatch Ave.
The credit union also will host "Ent: It's Your Future Expo" from 3-7 p.m. March 22 at the Antlers Hilton hotel, 4 S. Cascade Ave., featuring seminars, interactive displays and other activities. The expo also will feature the credit union's annual meeting, which includes election of directors and reports to members.
Ent was started by eight volunteers with $602 in deposits from 30 members at Ent Air Force Base (now site of the U.S. Olympic Training Center) and has grown to become southern Colorado's largest financial institution.
For information go to www.ent.com/50th.
Groundbreaking ahead for office condo project
A lunch and groundbreaking to launch construction of the Courtyards at Briargate, an office condominium project planned for the northside Briargate Business Campus, will take place Feb. 22 at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano in the Promenade Shops at Briargate, southeast of Colorado Highway 83 and Briargate Parkway. The project is planned by California-based RDB Solomon Capital as a 14-building, 72,100-square-foot complex, northeast of Colorado 83 and Research Parkway and east of the Air Force Academy. A lunch will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the restaurant and will be followed by a groundbreaking ceremony at the nearby project site. More information or to attend: 487-3883 or http://www.courtyardsatbriargate.com/Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Springs broker gets red-carpet treatment
Not everybody gets their names splashed across a national newspaper, but Colorado Springs commercial broker Doug Carter got the star treatment this week. Well, sort of. Carter, who last year joined national brokerage Sperry Van Ness Commercial Real Estate Advisors, was one of 68 brokers -- the company prefers to call them "advisors" -- to get their mugs included in a full-page Wall Street Journal ad Wednesday (page B9). The ad honored some of the company's more than 800 brokers from around the country who were top earners in 2006. Carter, who specializes in apartment properties, was one of two Colorado brokers in the ad.
Red Rock Shopping Center getting a new look
JFR Realty Company, which has owned the Red Rock Shopping Center on the city's west side for 15 years, is giving the place a facelift, with new facades for the two buildings, improved lighting in the parking lot and a new exterior paint job that will be similar to the nearby Safeway store. The project at the southwest corner of West Colorado Avenue and 31st Street is expected to be completed by the end of March.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
New Web site at The Broadmoor hotel
The Broadmoor five-star hotel in Colorado Springs recently launched a newWeb site http://www.broadmoor.com/.The site includes new navigation and interactive tools. Highlights include:
- Meeting Facilities Interactive Map
- Photo Galleries with Postcard Functionality
- E-commerce Store
- Virtual Concierge
- A Content Management Tool also allows The Broadmoor staff to quickly update copy, photos, special offers and rates throughout the Web site.
New health and wellness business opens
Jeff Bickford and Gail Gustafson, the original owners of Motion Studies Centers for Body, Mind and Spirit in Colorado Springs and Seattle, have moved back here and have a new business.
Their private practice focusing on health and wellness through movement, awareness and space is located in the office of Dr. John Daugherty, 1923 W. Colorado Ave.
For more information, see www.feldenkrais.com or www.labaninternational.org
Their private practice focusing on health and wellness through movement, awareness and space is located in the office of Dr. John Daugherty, 1923 W. Colorado Ave.
For more information, see www.feldenkrais.com or www.labaninternational.org
Monday, February 5, 2007
Cingular raises the bar in Pueblo
Big bucks helped bring Cingular Wireless to Pueblo, and the city and company are celebrating in a big way. At 11 a.m. Wednesday Feb. 7, Cingular Wireless and Pueblo officials will dedicate a 500-employee call center that's operating in a new 76,000-square-foot building at 100 S. Main St. on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk in downtown Pueblo. The $18 million call center actually opened in December, but Wednesday will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and dedication. About 400 employees who serve wireless customers in 10 Western states work in the building; another 100 will be on board by year's end, the company says. Pueblo city officials approved $5.67 million in incentives last year to help Cingular pay for call center-related equipment. In exchange, the company agreed to hire 500 people who will work at least 32 hours a week and earn at least $10 an hour in pay plus benefits, including health insurance. While the facility will be known as the Cingular Wireless Customer Care Center, the company's name is changing to AT&T to reflect its acquisition by AT&T Inc.
Old Colorado City merchants name new leader
Jim Heikes, owner of Thunder Mountain Trading Company, has been elected president of the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) merchants group by his 10 fellow board members. He replaces Carole Jourdan, who chose not to stand for re-election. OCCA has 42 members, about half of the businesses in the Old Colorado City district on West Colorado Avenue, between 24th Street and 27th Street.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Business health group calls for transparency
The Colorado Business Group on Health, a statewide, employer-focused coalition that works on improving the value and quality of health care, has signed on to the Department of Health and Human Services' initiative calling for called "value-driven" health care. In other words, consumers should know up front how much they're paying, what they're paying for and the quality of the service.
"We think it's a good initial step for large purchasers to work collectively to change the direction in the industry," said Donna Marshall, executive director of the Colorado Business Group on Health. "I don't think any employers are satisfied with the trend in costs and we as purchasers need to do a better job in telling the marketplace what it is we want to buy. The marketplace will respond."
For more information on the initiative that advocates transparency of cost and quality, see www.hhs.gov/transparency.
"We think it's a good initial step for large purchasers to work collectively to change the direction in the industry," said Donna Marshall, executive director of the Colorado Business Group on Health. "I don't think any employers are satisfied with the trend in costs and we as purchasers need to do a better job in telling the marketplace what it is we want to buy. The marketplace will respond."
For more information on the initiative that advocates transparency of cost and quality, see www.hhs.gov/transparency.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
ATT (not AT&T) comes to the Springs
Advanced Transportation Technologies (ATT), a privately owned transportation modernization company, opened a marketing and sales office Jan. 22 at 8610 Explorer Drive. ATT has three employees there now and projects it will eventually have eight, according to Kathleen Dugan, the company's director of sales and marketing. Its new assembly plant in Rocky Ford will have 40 employess within 4-6 months and 80 by early next year. Larry Wessels from Lakewood started the company with financial backing from retired major general John Hawley of Monument, founder of CollaborX Inc. Their initial product line is a patented set of pneumatic-powered products that will save truck drivers time when rebalancing loads to meet highway weight restrictions and will also prevent physical injuries to truck drivers.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Walter Drake employees get to stay put
Miles Kimball Co. is shutting down its Las Vegas call center on March 16 and moving more than 100 jobs to Oshkosh, Wisc. With the move, all 700 of Miles Kimball's full-time employees will be in Oshkosh with the exception of the 20-person Walter Drake catalog design, layout and merchandizing operation in Colorado Springs. Blyth Inc. paid $53 million for Walter Drake in 2004, then merged the catalog company into Miles Kimball and fired 350 workers here.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Super Bowl ad stats
With such a large captive audience, the Super Bowl has become not just pro football's biggest moment on center stage, but the advertising industry's as well. Anybody wanting to launch a national campaign puts up big cash -- $2.6 million for a 30 second spot this year -- and gets placement in the Super Bowl. It's a big swirling merry-go-round of ads. Over the past 20 years (1987-2006) there have been 221 different advertisers, more than 1,400 commercial announcements covering more than 11 hours and $1.72 billion of network advertising sales. This research by TNS Media Intelligence also shows that only two companies have placed ads in each of the last 20 years. Anheuser Busch has spent $250.8 million on Super Bowl ads in that time and Pepsi $190 million. General Motors is a distant third with an ad bill of $65.7 million over 15 years.
BBB wants you to hear some Sweet Talk
The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado is launching a year-long series of seminars on improving communication skills -- "Sweet Talk" -- on Feb. 1 in the Adult Reading Room of the Penrose Library at 20 N. Cascade Ave. Tia Warren of Executive Image by Tia will be the first presenter, with "At First Glance," a discussion of the importance of image and body language in getting a speaker's message across. For the full calendar of events see www.bbbsc.org/calendar/event_details.asp?cal_id=95
Monday, January 29, 2007
Business Women- Be Bold
The Women's Foundation of Colorado is seeking nominations for the 20th Anniversary "Be Bold" awards. These awards will recognize the leadership of women who are positively impacting women and girls' economic self-sufficiency across the state. The WFCO is looking for women who are:· Change agents for women's and girls' interests
· Breaking new ground in male-dominated fields
· Serve as an inspiration to others in this arena
To nominate a bold leader, download a form at http://www.wfco.org/ . The deadline for nominations is March 16. The WFCO will announce and honor the winners at The WFCO's 20th Anniversary Luncheon in Denver this fall. For more information go to http://www.wfco.org/ or call (303) 285.2973.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Boston Market is Catering for the Cure
The Golden-based Boston Market restaurant chain has launched a program called Catering For The Cure, which will donate $2 from every catering order, with a minimum annual donation of $250,000, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Funds raised will be used for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.
Colorado Springs has two Boston Market locations, at 6964 N. Academy Blvd. and 1015 N. Academy Blvd. "Our communities support us every day of the year, and this is just one way we can give back," said Sarah Brown, vice president of catering for Boston Market. "Many people have had their lives touched by breast cancer, and we’re pleased to be able to contribute to finding a cure."
Boston Market’s catering services are available for groups of 10 or more people and cover every event need from grab-and-go box lunches and hot buffets to full-service and wedding packages. Boston Market also supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure through the annual summer sale of its Certificate Books, which sell for $1 and historically have offered guests nearly $40 in savings on some of Boston Market's most popular meals.
Colorado Springs has two Boston Market locations, at 6964 N. Academy Blvd. and 1015 N. Academy Blvd. "Our communities support us every day of the year, and this is just one way we can give back," said Sarah Brown, vice president of catering for Boston Market. "Many people have had their lives touched by breast cancer, and we’re pleased to be able to contribute to finding a cure."
Boston Market’s catering services are available for groups of 10 or more people and cover every event need from grab-and-go box lunches and hot buffets to full-service and wedding packages. Boston Market also supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure through the annual summer sale of its Certificate Books, which sell for $1 and historically have offered guests nearly $40 in savings on some of Boston Market's most popular meals.
Boulder Street coffee shop changes owners
Former deputy city manager Dave Nickerson and his wife, Marilyn, have sold the family-run Boulder Street Coffee Roasters after 10 years to enter retirement. New owners Iwao and Tina Greene don't expect to make a lot of changes at the 332 N. Tejon St. shop, continuing the poetry readings and acoustic jam nights.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Rising Professionals kick-off event drew in a crowd
More than 260 people attended the inaugural event of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce's Rising Professionals on Jan. 17. The group is targeted at people age 21-39.
Young professionals can sign up at www.coloradospringschamber.org. and also http://www.myspace.com/rising.
Events are scheduled throughout the year.
The next is a luncheon on Feb. 21 at the Phantom Canyon. The topic is “Building a business community that connects you to your market, gives you counsel and supports your goals.” Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and the presentation at noon.
Cost is $20. RSVP to 575-4383.
Young professionals can sign up at www.coloradospringschamber.org. and also http://www.myspace.com/rising.
Events are scheduled throughout the year.
The next is a luncheon on Feb. 21 at the Phantom Canyon. The topic is “Building a business community that connects you to your market, gives you counsel and supports your goals.” Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and the presentation at noon.
Cost is $20. RSVP to 575-4383.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Day at the legislature
The Quality Community Group is hosting Day at the Legislature for local business people and community leaders at the Capitol 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 1
The Quality Community Group is a partnership between the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp., the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors.
The Day at the Legislature is intended to give local business people an opportunity to learn about business issues important to the economy and meet many of the state legislators.
A chartered bus will leave for Denver at 10 a.m. A luncheon with keynote address by Andrew Romanoff, speaker of the house begins the afternoon, followed by briefings at the Capitol. Then, the Governor’s administration, members of the Colorado General Assembly and state agency heads are invited to a reception with the local group.
Cost for the entire trip is $100. For information, contact Stephannie Finley, 575-4331, stephannie@cscc.org.
The Quality Community Group is a partnership between the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp., the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors.
The Day at the Legislature is intended to give local business people an opportunity to learn about business issues important to the economy and meet many of the state legislators.
A chartered bus will leave for Denver at 10 a.m. A luncheon with keynote address by Andrew Romanoff, speaker of the house begins the afternoon, followed by briefings at the Capitol. Then, the Governor’s administration, members of the Colorado General Assembly and state agency heads are invited to a reception with the local group.
Cost for the entire trip is $100. For information, contact Stephannie Finley, 575-4331, stephannie@cscc.org.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
United shortfalls because of snow falls
United Airlines, although it posted a profit for the third consecutive quarter in the fourth quarter, lost an estimated $40 million because of snowstorms that hit main hubs in Denver and Chicago during December, the company reported in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings Tuesday. The airline cancelled about 3,900 flights due to these storms.
Life in the Fast Lane
Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the local convention and visitors bureau, invites the public to "Breakfast in the Fast Lane" 7:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Clarion Hotel, 314 W. Bijou St.Guest speaker Bill Badger, COSMIX project spokesman, will be there to speak about the COSMIX project and take concerns and questions. Cost $20. RSVP by Friday Jan. 26 to Christy Long at 635-7506 ext. 141 or e-mail at CLong@ExperienceColoradoSprings.com.
All attendees will receive a COSMIX Car Survival Kit.
For more information click here or visit www.experiencecoloradosprings.com.
Chambers diversity awards luncheons Wednesday
The Pikes Peak Coalition of Chambers (made up of the Black Chamber, Hispanic Chamber, Southern Colorado Women's Chamber and the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce) will host the Diversity Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, January 24 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton, 2886 S. Circle Dr.
The luncheon celebrates companies that embrace and practice diversity in the workplace and the community.
The keynote speaker is Jody Alyn and she will be discussing "ASPIRE to create Positive Cultural Change".
The cost is $30 for an individual and $400 for a corporate table of 10. To RSVP go on line at http://www.coloradospringschamber.org/ and click calendar of events or call 575-4387.
The luncheon celebrates companies that embrace and practice diversity in the workplace and the community.
The keynote speaker is Jody Alyn and she will be discussing "ASPIRE to create Positive Cultural Change".
The cost is $30 for an individual and $400 for a corporate table of 10. To RSVP go on line at http://www.coloradospringschamber.org/ and click calendar of events or call 575-4387.
Falcon-Peyton planning effort needs volunteers
A plan that guides the residential and business development of the fast-growing Falcon and Peyton areas in central and eastern El Paso County is getting a facelift, and county officials are seeking help with the process. The El Paso County Commission wants 10 to 12 volunteers to serve on a committee that will assist the county Development Services Department and a consultant in assembling a major update to the Falcon/Peyton Small Area Master Plan. The plan will include land-use recommendations for unincorporated Falcon and the town of Peyton. The updated plan will be presented to the county Planning Commission for adoption by the end of 2007. Committee members, who will meet twice a month for about 10 months, will provide input, offer ideas and review draft planning documents, among other duties. Meeting dates, times and locations will be determined; the county hopes to have committee members who represent the interests of property owners, homeowners and businesses, among others. County commissioners will begin interviewing and selecting volunteers in February and complete the process by March. Volunteer applications can be found online at http://www.elpasoco.com/; click on the “volunteer boards" link. Applications, including mailing addresses and daytime phone numbers, and any letters of interest or resumes, can be faxed to: 520-6397, emailed to: webmaster@elpasoco.com, or mailed to: Board of County Commissioners, Attn: Fran St. Germain, Executive Assistant to County Administration, 27 E. Vermijo Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2208. More information: contact Carl Schueler, Long Range Planning Division Manager at 520-6316 or carlschueler@elpasoco.com.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Washington pizza chain coming to the Springs
Garlic Jim’s Famous Gourmet Pizza of Everett, Wash., has signed a sub-franchise agreement to open 25 stores in Colorado Springs and Denver by 2011. Solomon Franchise Development Inc. will open its first Denver store in May and sub-franchise the remaining 24 units to other operators. "Through my experience in the pizza marketplace, I've identified Garlic Jim's as a company that will be successful, and I want to be a part of it," said Valerie Solomon, president of SFD. From 2004 to 2006, Garlic Jim’s has grown from two to 36 units, and the company has 93 units under development or contract.
Can you hear me now?
Last 
Monday’s Business article about how businesses answer the phone produced lots of calls to my phone.
“Most people would rather talk to a human than a machine, and sometimes I wonder if enough people complain companies would stop with the machines,” said reader Dottie Davis.
She’s particularly upset about Comcast/Adelphia’s customer service line for high-speed Internet.
“I found myself screaming my phone number to the machine. It seemed like I had to do it 10 times. I thought I’d land at a mental hospital.”
Another reader left this message on my answering machine at my desk: “Your greeting annoys me just like your article. When I get disgusted I punch all the buttons until I get somebody. Then I ask them what I want and get a private number for the next time I need to call. It works very well.”
One reader said the situation with automated phone machines is worse than people think. “Sometimes you have to answer all kinds of questions to a machine but you never get your question answered,” he said.
Financial institutions are his pet peeve. “They ask for your account number and social security number over and over and over,” he said. And calling the Air Force Academy hospital resulted in him being hung up on after being on hold for a while. “After several rounds of automation, they say the extension is invalid and you get disconnected.”
Other readers expressed frustration about not being able to reach live people at retail mega stores, defense-type companies and others. "Sometimes they don't seem like they want to help you at all," one reader said.
Monday’s Business article about how businesses answer the phone produced lots of calls to my phone.“Most people would rather talk to a human than a machine, and sometimes I wonder if enough people complain companies would stop with the machines,” said reader Dottie Davis.
She’s particularly upset about Comcast/Adelphia’s customer service line for high-speed Internet.
“I found myself screaming my phone number to the machine. It seemed like I had to do it 10 times. I thought I’d land at a mental hospital.”
Another reader left this message on my answering machine at my desk: “Your greeting annoys me just like your article. When I get disgusted I punch all the buttons until I get somebody. Then I ask them what I want and get a private number for the next time I need to call. It works very well.”
One reader said the situation with automated phone machines is worse than people think. “Sometimes you have to answer all kinds of questions to a machine but you never get your question answered,” he said.
Financial institutions are his pet peeve. “They ask for your account number and social security number over and over and over,” he said. And calling the Air Force Academy hospital resulted in him being hung up on after being on hold for a while. “After several rounds of automation, they say the extension is invalid and you get disconnected.”
Other readers expressed frustration about not being able to reach live people at retail mega stores, defense-type companies and others. "Sometimes they don't seem like they want to help you at all," one reader said.
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