Notes from the Director - March 2011
I don’t normally highlight a new Chamber member in my opening remarks, but since this group has the same basic mission as does the Chamber, I felt it was appropriate. We are very pleased to welcome the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation to our ranks. Here is a brief outline of why we are so excited about this organization.
The mission of the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is to assure that Chaffee County is Open for Business and to retain, expand and create jobs in Chaffee County.
The CCEDC is comprised of a working board of successful local business people that are deeply rooted and representative of the community and have experience with a wide range of issues.
CCEDC’s goal is to facilitate the creation of living wage jobs and sustainable economic development within Chaffee County.
The CCEDC Board is dedicated to enhancing local business and industry opportunities by serving as a “one stop shop” or single point of contact for businesses interested in expanding, initiating or relocating there enterprise in Chaffee County. The Board members and Director have expertise in navigating local, county, state and federal governmental entities to leverage their resources in obtaining financial, technical and informational assistance.
The Corporation has established effective working relationships with the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) to obtain Enterprise Zone Status; the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) which promotes counseling, technical assistance and office space to businesses that are growing or getting started; Colorado Mountain College (CMC) which provides educational programs; and the Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD)
The Chamber is proud to welcome CCEDC to the Chamber and are looking forward to working with them to create a more viable economic climate for our area.
For additional information and specific goals and programs, contact Wendell Pryor at 719-239-2018 or email them info@chaffeecountyedc.com
John Engelbrecht
Executive Director
Salida Chamber
Puns for the Educated Mind
1. The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
5. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
6. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
7. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
8. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
9. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
12. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'
13. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
14. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: 'Keep off the Grass.'
15. The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
16. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
17. A backward poet writes inverse.
18. In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.
20. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris , you'd be in Seine .
21. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'
23. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
24. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'
25. There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.
Salida Chamber Health Plan: Affordable coverage for local businesses
The Salida Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce an affordable health benefit option to its Chamber members and their employees whose businesses are located in Chaffee, Saguache or Fremont Counties. Your Chamber membership is the key in providing your employees with access to affordable health care at a cost your employees and your business can afford.
Through collaboration with Colorado Choice Health Plans, a non-profit carrier, the Salida Chamber of Commerce brings you a product to meet your health care needs and provide local business owners and their employees’ access to choices in quality health coverage at an affordable price. Clearly demonstrating the Chamber’s commitment to it’s members.
Salida Chamber Health Plan Highlights - Benefit features include:
- Exclusive rates with customized plan options
- 4 different plan designs to mix and match
- Separate dependent coverage option
- Different levels of deductibles available
- More lenient participation and contribution level requirements
- Access to a broad network of providers throughout Chaffee County and across the Front Range
Who Can Enroll In The Salida Chamber Health Plan
The Chamber Health Plan is available to Salida Chamber members that have a business located in Chaffee, Fremont or Saguache Counties. Though geared to small businesses to offer solutions to the problem of escalating health care costs without having to sacrifice employee benefits, any size employer located in these counties that is a member of the Chamber can choose to enroll in the Chamber Health Plan.
How Do I Find Out More
To find out more about the Salida Chamber Health Plan, call us at the Chamber at 539-2068.
Business After Hours for March 2011- Wednesday - 9th
Columbine Manor in partnership with Salida Community Center and Chaffee County Senior Resources, Inc.
305 F St. - Salida (at the Salida Community Center)
5-7 pm., $7 at the door
February 2011 Business of the Month - Altamont Landscaping
Altamont Landscaping was named February Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month Friday in a ceremony at the chamber office in Salida.
Owner Dave Armstrong said he has been a chamber member since he brought his business to Salida three years ago.
Altamont specializes in the design, building and maintenance of landscaping for commercial and residential applications.
The company employs five people full time throughout the year and usually takes on an additional half dozen employees through the busier summer.
"We're always looking to hire the right people who are reliable, responsible, professional, ethical and creative," Armstrong said, because those are qualities they pass on to customers and clients.
He said they consistently support local events like FIBArk, Art Walk and lighting of Christmas Mountain USA in addition to local organizations such as Family Youth Initiatives and Rotary Club.
Armstrong was an organizer for the 3A bond issue to build a new Salida High School.
"Although they've been here only three years, Dave Armstrong and the entire crew of Altamont Landscaping have made a great impression on Salida," chamber executive director John Engelbrecht said.
"We are pleased to honor them as February Business of the Month for their successful business and their many efforts to support Salida and especially for all the efforts Dave has given to support the new Salida High School project. Way to go guys." AltamontLandscapes.com
Vaqueros with the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce recognize personnel of Altamont Landscaping as February Business of the Month Friday at the chamber office in Salida. They are, from front left, John Engelbrecht, Karen Naccarato, Jim Anderegg, Dave Armstrong, Tom Sawyer, Todd Armstrong, Ross Armstrong, Martha Dyer, Lisa Rankin and Jason Gobin, Back: Sam Johnson, Dave Potts, Judee Nuechter, Pete Rans, Dave Chelf, Ken Leisher, Maureen Schultz and Sandy Rhoades. Photo by Kevin Hoffman
New Chamber Member - All-Classical KMPZ 88.1 FM
Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed All-Classical KMPZ 88.1 FM to its membership.
The new station is licensed and is a rebroadcast facility fed by satellite from the main studios of KCME-FM in Colorado Springs.
Programming on KMPZ is identical to that aired on All-Classical 88.7 KCME-FM.
During 2000, classical music fans in Chaffee County launched fund-raising activities to help KCME purchase broadcasting equipment for a translator that would broadcast on 89.5 FM.
A translator broadcasts on a frequency "on loan" from the Federal Communications Commission. In late 2007, KCME learned it would be required to vacate the 89.5 frequency.
Directors and the KCME general manager felt a moral and ethical obligation not to abandon the classical music audience in Chaffee County.
Directors authorized purchase of 88.1 FM that will be a permanent asset of the non-profit corporation Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc., or All-Classical 88.7 KCME-FM.
Jeanna Wearing, KCME general manager, said, "We have always wanted to have a fully licensed station in Chaffee County and are delighted to have this goal realized and to serve classical music lovers with fine arts and cultural programming throughout the Upper Arkansas Valley."
New equipment, to support KMPZ 88.1 FM was purchased, in part, using a grant from the Public Telecommunications Facility Project administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Present at the welcoming ceremony for KMPZ 88.1 FM are, from left front, Martha Dyer, Raedell Trueblood, Linda Francis, Tom White, Jenna Wearing, Pete Rans and Dave Chelf. Back: Maureen Schultz, Sandy Rhoades, Art Gentile, Charley Alexander and Dave Potts
Employee Wellness for Small Businesses
Employee wellness programs are not just for large companies. Making simple changes in the workplace can increase morale, productivity, and decrease absenteeism. Below is just one of several case studies available through Wellness Council of America (http://www.welcoa.org/freeresources/index.php).
Howalt-McDonnell, an independent insurance agency with 80 employees in Sioux Falls, S.D., has good medical coverage that includes wellness components for its employees.
Howalt partnered with its health insurance provider to educate employees on how to use their health plan's wellness offerings – such as smoking cessation and weight-loss programs, and blood pressure and cholesterol testing. The insurer also offered free flu shots on-site. A big benefit for Lorna Williamson (HR Director) was convincing employees to understand the importance of baseline screenings, "so they'd know what to concentrate on."
Howalt also created its own wellness initiative, including a subsidy for memberships in gyms and health clubs, and has sponsored talks by nutritionists and pharmacists. Williamson says that the health insurance provider also makes a wide variety of recommendations, many of which can be implemented for free.
Williamson says that since the beginning of 2004, employees have collectively lost 400 lbs. Even more impressive, the increase in the company's health insurance premium fell by half. In two years, Howalt reduced its "loss ratio" (the ratio between the cost of the premiums paid and the cost of the claims) by 40%. "We wanted to get our claims down so we're not paying double digit increases every year," says Williamson.
If your business would like more information about how to start a wellness program please contact Jon Fritz, LiveWell Chaffee County Strategy Coordinator, at livewellstrategycoordinator@gmail.com.
Jon Fritz B.A., CES
Strategy Coordinator
LiveWell Chaffee County
719.650.5225
Jugalicious
New Chamber Member - Wallbangers Sports Bar & Grill
Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce personnel recently welcomed Greg Wall, owner and operator of Wallbangers Sports Bar & Grill, 720 E. U.S. 50, to membership.
Wallbangers boasts to be one of the only true sports bars in the area with 14 TVs and surround sound feature the best in sports viewing and a full service bar with 160 seats.
The lunch menu features more than 17 burgers, chicken and various sandwiches. There is a wide variety of appetizers and patrons claim the green chili is the best in the area.
The dinner menu is appealing with service from 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Wallbangers offers a free shuttle to and from the restaurant allowing people to enjoy newest place in Salida to have fun.
There is an arcade for all ages. Wallbangers may be reached by phone at 539-9544 or (719) 207-0701 or on Facebook @ wallbangers or www.wallbangerssportsbar.com.
Wallbangers Sports Bar and Grill was welcomed recently to the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce. From left front are Karin Naccarato, Martha Dyer, John Wallis, Dave Chelf, Greg Wall, Judee Nuechter, Sandy Rhoades, Ken Leisher and Lisa Rankin. Back: Jason Gobin, Pete Rans, Dave Potts and Sam Johnson
Business Development Center
New Chamber Member - Vino Salida Wine Cellars
Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce personnel recently welcomed Steve Flynn, owner and winemaker of Vino Salida Wine Cellars to its business membership.
Flynn described Vino Salida Wine Cellars as a "small artisan winery in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains."
He said his focus is on Colorado-grown wines hand crafted, have a small carbon footprint and selling all wine within Colorado borders.
Wines include Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, and traditional honey wine.
Flynn's background includes working for Mountain Spirit Winery as a cellar rat and tasting room/wine cellar associate from 2002-06. Flynn worked a kitchen manager at Amicas micro-brewery in Salida from 2006-08.
Flynn helped build straw bale homes with Straw bale Cottage hoping to build a solar-powered, energy efficient, straw bale winery and tasting cottage in the Salida area.
To tour, taste and or purchase, visit Vino Salida Wine Cellars at 8100 W. U.S. 50, unit B. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The phone is 539-2674 or contact www.vinosalida.com.
Present for the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce welcoming ceremony for Vino Salida Wine Cellars are, from left front, Martha Dyer, Steve Flynn, Molly Spence, Lisa Rankin, Dave Chelf and Karin Naccarato. Back: Dave Potts, Jason Gobin, Pete Rans, Charley Alexander, Ken Leisher, Art Gentile, Maureen Schultz, Sam Johnson, Sandy Rhoades and Dustin Hughes.
VOLUNTEERS Neighbors helping neighbors…the way it used to be!
Dear Business Owner:
It's that time of year! Spring is just around the corner, and it's time celebrate the season. Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteers/The Chaffee Shuttle would like to help you welcome the many visitors to our beautiful area and make their stay a great experience.
The Chaffee Shuttle will offer shuttle service on Fridays and Saturdays during Spring Break (March 4th-26th) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on a fixed route schedule, picking up passengers at participating hotel locations and offering drop-offs at businesses along Highway 50 and in the Downtown area. The Chaffee Shuttle will continue to make pick-ups at businesses after 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. with direct service to guests' hotels.
The goal of this program is to provide shuttle service during a peak time to determine if this is a viable option to provide safe and efficient transportation to visitors to our valley in the future.
In order to offer this service free to our many visitors for the four weekends during Spring Break, interested business owners are asked to make a $40 donation to Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteers. Please keep in mind The Chaffee Shuttle is a nonprofit entity and your contribution is tax deductible. Every participating business will receive informational flyers and schedules included with its donation.
If this service is a success, guests and visitors to our area could have transportation available on weekends, as well as the Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. service currently offered to everyone in our community. If weekend transportation services were added in the future, other funding mechanisms would be obtained.
We want to make this a good experience for visitors and businesses alike. In order to continue to improve our service, we encourage feedback from everyone involved. Don't forget there is a bus to Denver and the Denver Airport every day and to Canon City and Pueblo Monday through Friday.
Thank you for your donation. Make checks payable to Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteers.
Sincerely,
Connie Cole, Executive Director
Heart of the Rockies Bridal Show
Galllery 150
Salida Hot Springs Pool News
Recreation Activities
Girls Late Night Swim and Pizza Party
Saturday, March 5 from 7:00pm til 11:00pm, we will have a girl’s only pizza party for girls ages 11 to 16. Games, movies, food, friends and music until late in the evening. Bring your friends and be prepared to laugh. Salida pet friendly hotels.
For more information, see salidapool.com, salidarec.com, or be our friend on Facebook at Salida Pool
Gone to the Dogs February Newsletter
Introducing K-9 Kafe - a place to hang out with your dogs. You drink hot drinks, read the paper, surf the net and your dog relaxes with an all natural chew. Tired of tying up your dogs outside your favorite coffee shop? No worries, grab your cup of jo to go and head over to the K-9 Kafe at Gone to the Dogs. Dogs and their people are welcome in our dog friendly environment. FREE WI-FI and FREE "no-thrills" coffee and tea (donations are welcome benefiting Ark-Valley Humane Society).
March Training Class Schedule
Puppy Preschool - Wed. March 9th 5:00pm $130
Good Dog Class - Sat. March 12th 5:00pm $130
Confidence Builder for Shy & Fearful Dogs - Sat. March 12th 4:00pm $175
Off-Leash Recall - twice a week, flexible dates $195
Classes last 5 weeks, one hour duration, and are limited to 6 dogs (except Conf. Builder which is limited to 4 dogs). For class descriptions, visit www.SalidaDogs.com
Innovative and stimulating lesson plans designed to teach you to be your own dog trainer/whisperer!
New Socializing Walk Added. We've had requests to add a mid- week Walk & Socializing Class. Our Saturday class is a tremendous success that offers group therapy for dogs who need to socialize around other dogs, or people or who are learning not to pull on a leash. So, here's our new line-up of free socializing classes:
Saturdays
9am - Leash Walk & Socializing (meets in front of store)
10am - Puppy Playgroups (inside)
Wednesdays
9am - Leash Walk & Socializing
Got a balanced dog? Come be one of the "Good Behavior Dog Ambassadors". Everyone is welcome and the classes are always FREE.
Upper Arkansas Area Development Corporation
January, February & March Classes at the fringe
Dear fringe friends,
We are so excited to offer an amazing selection of classes. Please click on the link below to see what fun, educational classes we are offering in the upcoming months.
Classes for January, February, & March 2011
Please call or come in if you have any questions. As always, receive a 10% discount on class supplies.
Stop by and see all the new, fun items we are carrying such as: Amy Butler's Soul Blossom fabrics, new Malabrigo yarn colors, AccuQuilt Go-Baby Cutters and much, much more!
Take care,
Your friends at fringe
Customer Experience Management
KHEN Announces
We at KHEN invite and encourage everyone in our listening community to attend the hottest ticket item in town: award-winning journalist Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! appearing live in Salida! We advise you to mark your calendar for Saturday, March 5th at the John Held Auditorium and purchase your tickets in advance. The doors open at
6:30 PM, and the program begins at 7 PM.
This whirlwind tour is designed to assist community radio stations raise critical funds and public support. Amy Goodman will talk about the importance of independent media – and that includes KHEN, where we proudly broadcast Democracy Now! twice every weekday. Advance tickets are available at any of these locations: Hattie's Pub, Amicas, All Booked Up, The Book Haven, Free the Monkey, Salida Café, and the Salida and Buena Vista Chambers of Commerce.
Thank you to our renewing members!
'New' Caring & Sharing |
Lori K. Bohlender Attorney at Law |
February 1 - February 29, 2011 SalidaChamber.org website statistics
Total Unique Visitors - 4471
Total Pageviews - 14771
Average Pages viewed per Visit - 3.31
Average Time per Visit - 2:33
Traffic Sources
Google.com - 55.8%
Direct (bookmarks, typed address) - 15.24%
Bing.com - 5.21%
Yahoo.com - 4.14%
Visitors from:
Colorado - 2,149
Texas - 367
California - 197
Kansas - 145
Indiana - 98
New Mexico - 89
Past Chamber Newsletters
- February 2011 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
- January 2011 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
- December 2010 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
- November 2010 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
- October 2010 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
- September 2010 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
- August 2010 Salida Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Browse our complete chamber membership
Join the Salida Chamber of Commerce