Monday, July 20, 2009

Children of Fallen Soldiers benefit, July 25th Colorado Springs

Miss & Master Patriotic Colorado Pageant 2009

The 3rd Annual Miss & Master Patriotic Colorado Pageant will be held on July 25, 2009
at Pikes Peak Community College – Centennial Campus Theatre in Colorado Springs.
The purpose of the Miss & Master Patriotic Colorado Pageant is to raise funds for the
Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, which provides college grants and financial
assistance to surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who
have lost their lives in the conflicts after September 11th war as well as severely
disabled service members families.

Age groups range from 0-23 years old, and no make-up is allowed on
contestants ages 12 and under. Competitions include On-Stage Introductions
(ages 4 and up), Casual/Patriotic Wear, and Formal Attire. Optional competitions
include Most Photogenic, Coloring Contest, Creative Drawing Contest, Essay,
Ticket Sales, and Fundraiser Award. Active duty military families receive ½ off the $100 entry fee. If you are entering more than 1 child, take ½ off each additional entry fee.

Please turn in your entry form no later than July 11th. Additional information can be
found at www.misspatrioticcolorado.com or contact Tiffany Sawyer @ 719-650-2440.
The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund (EIN: 20-4526203) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit
organization that provides financial and emotional support to U.S. military children and
spouses affected by the war on terrorism. The program has been further expanded to
include families of severely disabled veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom. CFSRF was founded in 2003 to honor our service men
and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our continued freedom. For more
information on the CFSRF please visit:
www.cfsrf.org or www.childrenoffallensoldiersrelieffund.org

Pikes Peak Workforce Center August Workshops

Colorado Springs, CO – The Pikes Peak Workforce Center announces the following workshop for August. There is no charge to attend workshops but attendees must register with Connecting Colorado, the state job search database. (www.connectingcolorado.com)

NEW Live Orientation: Overview of PPWFC services with Q&A

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 or 10:30 a.m.

Wednesdays, 1:00 or 2:30 p.m.

NEW Online Job Search and Basic Resume

Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18 or 25, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Thursdays, August 6, 13, 20 or 27, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Beginners will learn how to write a resume, complete online job applications and set up a free email account. No registration necessary.

NEW Managing Stress

Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18, or 25, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Learn tips and techniques for dealing with stress. No registration necessary.

Job Shop: Interview Skills and Network Techniques

Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18, or 25, 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

Learn to network for leads; prepare to interview, negotiate salary, and more! Register online at www.ppwfc.org or call 719.667.3790.


Résumé ‘Righting!’ – Résumé and Portfolio Design

Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, OR 31, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 19, or 26, 10:00 to noon.

Resumes often are a report of past accomplishments when they should be an advertisement of future potential. Job seekers who are over or under-qualified struggle with how best to present themselves. Attendees will learn the latest trends in resume design and content. No registration necessary, but please arrive on time.

NETWORK GROUPS: Ongoing job search and support on trends and leads! No registration necessary.

Job Search Group: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon;

50+ Group: Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

Veterans: August 5 and 12, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

There is no charge to attend these workshops; however, registration is required for most. Register at www.ppwfc.org, click on the workshops under Employment and Careers or call 667-3790. All workshops are held at the main office, 2306 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, 80909.

About PPWFC

The Pikes Peak Workforce Center supports business and promotes employment by providing market-driven solutions for our community to succeed in the global economy. PPWFC helps businesses solve their workforce-related business problems and helps residents with career transition. More information about the Pikes Peak Workforce Center can be found online at www.ppwfc.org.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Next Edition of The South Side Business News to be QR Coded


Press Release

The August of edition of the South Side Business News, a Colorado Springs monthly business newspaper, will be the first to contain QR coding (aka 2D barcodes) throughout the paper. QR Codes are like blotchy versions of UPC codes. They enable readers with QR enabled cell phones to snap a picture of the image and be directed to a webpage or brief message. The codes have also been referred to as "hard links" because they connect hard copy to the web.

Free QR reading software is available at many sites, including www.BeeTagg.com. The paper will feature a code on the front page that points to the South Side Business News main site, one on the back page ad for Easy Street Designs, directed to its website and others within the paper linking to contributors' sites and blogs. In future issues, the codes could start appearing within other ads as well.

The concept is still in its infancy in the U.S.. In fact publisher Ed Duffy said "As far as I know we're the first periodical in Colorado to make use of QR Code in this manner. The mobile web may not be quite ready for prime time, but one can see where it’s going...and it’s pretty cool.”

Monday, July 6, 2009

Bank at Broadmoor's John Webster, Rotarian of the Year


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—June 30, 2009— John Webster, Senior Vice President and Cashier of The Bank at Broadmoor, was awarded the Rotarian of the Year Award for dedicated work and service to The Broadmoor Rotary Club for 2008/2009. John has been a member of this Rotary Club since 2000 and has served as Treasurer, Board Member and President. The award was presented by the outgoing President, Don Rhodes at the annual President’s meeting. John received the award for his extensive involvement with the Board, his position as Youth Exchange Officer and his assistance with the Ambassadorial Scholarship program.

“John is very deserving of the Rotarian of the Year Award and exemplifies the community leadership that is such an integral part of The Bank at Broadmoor’s philosophy,” said Ed Sauer, President and CEO of The Bank at Broadmoor.

Rotary, the first service club in the world has a motto of “Service above Self” and first reached Colorado in 1912. The Broadmoor District received its charter in 1957 and sponsors many programs that help children such as educational scholarships, the Champions Program that highlights outstanding athletes and the dictionary distribution program for third graders.

The Broadmoor Rotary Club is seeking qualified members or members who have relocated from other areas. Inquiries may be directed to Mr. John Webster at 633-2695.

CASA Announces 2009-2010 Board of Directors

Court Appointed Special Advocates ( CASA ) of the Pikes Peak Region announces members of the 2009-2010 Board of Directors (effective July 1, 2009). Chair: Joshua Waymire, Immediate Past Chair: Rob McDonald; Chair Elect: William Shaner, Vice Chair/Secretary: Paul Perea, Treasurer: Dave Mason. Members-At-Large:
Wayne Bland, Catherine Coulter Calvin, Renae Gannon, George Guerrero, Jane Hegstrom, Patrice Henson, Fletcher Howard, Dawn Ignatius, Natasha Jamerson, Stanley Kouba, Jennifer McHugh, Sherri Newell, Kenton Pass, Christopher Robertson, Dawud Salaam, Stuart Scott, Rebecca Theobald.

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region provides a volunteer’s voice in court for children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or domestic conflict and promotes awareness of these issues to ensure safe and permanent homes.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Home Improvement deductions and credits

Liberty Tax Press Release

Homeowners May Take Advantage of Energy Credits for Some Home Improvements, According to Liberty Tax Service

Fountain, CO Residential energy tax credits are back as a provision of the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year. Some home improvements made in 2009 and 2010 to increase the energy efficiency of your home may have a silver lining at tax time. Liberty Tax Service reminds homeowners that adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows, and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems may qualify for a tax break. These improvements may qualify for a credit of 30% of their costs up to $1,500. Residential energy credits apply to homes, houseboats, mobile homes, condominium, and qualifying manufactured homes in which you live, and include the costs of certain items and the labor costs.

“All devices must meet the new energy efficient requirements,” said Susan, Marketing Manager of Liberty Tax Service . “To document these home improvements, homeowners should save all receipts, the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement, and Energy Star labels for exterior windows and skylights. They should continue to follow any revisions for standards from the IRS.”

There will no longer be a cap on the 30% tax credit for solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and other alternative energy equipment installed in a home in 2009.

About Liberty Tax Service

Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) is the fastest growing retail tax preparation company in the industry’s history, with over 3,200 offices in the United States and Canada . The company plans to open up to 500 new offices in January 2010. Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, a pioneer in the tax industry, Liberty Tax Service has prepared over 7,000,000 individual income tax returns. With 41 years of tax industry experience , Hewitt stands as the most experienced CEO in the tax preparation business, having also founded Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (NYSE:JTX).

Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) provides computerized income tax preparation, electronic filing, refund loans, and online filing through eSmart Tax at www.esmarttax.com. Each office offers customers audit assistance, a money back guarantee, and free tax return checking. The Liberty Tax Service franchise opportunity has climbed to #3 on the latest Entrepreneur “Franchise 500.”

Colorado Springs BBB appoints new board member



Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado Names New Board Member


Camille Bzdek has been named to the board of directors of the BBB of Southern Colorado.
Bzdek is currently a partner and the president of Blakely + Company, a marketing firm based in Colorado Springs that specializes in strategic planning, branding, media buying, and creative services including digital, print, television, radio and outdoor.

She is a graduate of Colorado College, where she holds a Bachelor of Arts in English.