WEISBURG LANDSCAPING AND PPCC HONORED AT GOVERNOR’S MANSION

images: top - Earnest Hughes accepted the GSJH award on behalf of Pikes Peak Community College.
bottom - Eric Moroski, owner, and Michelle Graham, youth program director with the award presented to Weisburg Landscape Maintenance for their support of the Youth Summer Job Hunt program.

Weisburg Landscaping and Pikes Peak Community College Help Youth Gain Work Experience


Colorado Springs, CO - The Pikes Peak Workforce Center announced that Weisburg Landscape Maintenance and Pikes Peak Community College were recently honored at the 2009 Governor’s Summer Job Hunt reception at the Governor’s mansion for their participation in helping youths from Colorado Springs gain work experience.

Weisburg Landscape Maintenance is a local company that serves the Colorado Springs community with professionalism, integrity and beautiful landscapes. The owners, Jeff Weisburg and Eric Moroski, have been operating since 1999 and through that time have given back to the local community with charities like Partners in Housing, Care and Share, local church projects, and more recently working with Pikes Peak Workforce Center and the Governor’s Summer Job Hunt. Weisburg Landscape Maintenance is committed to thoroughly training and grooming all of its employees, young and old, for meaningful careers in the green industry.

Pikes Peak Community College provided work experience jobs for 16 youths in the Information Technology (IT) Department. PPCC was one of the first employers to approach the Youth program and developed training opportunities for young people and internships that would be springboards to career paths. A formal mentorship program was put in place and the youths were encouraged to take advantage of the educational opportunities at each campus. As a result, many of the youths who were not planning to attend college have now decided to do so.

“The relationship between PPCC and PPWFC has been a productive one with each entity striving to provide the training needed so that our young people can have successful careers,” says Michelle Graham, director of youth programs at PPWFC.

At the reception, Eric Moroski of Weisburg and Earnest Hughes from PPCC each received a plaque inscribed, “Young people can develop into confident, creative and intelligent leaders if the opportunities to succeed are available. By investing in these critical years, you have greatly affected the future of our communities.”

The Governor’s Summer Job Hunt program was established in 1981 to help Colorado’s youth successfully transition from school to work by matching skills and interests with employment opportunities.

Vein Specialty Center & Medical Director Receive Quality Excellence Award

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) - Albert Vein Institute and its Medical Director, Dr. James D. Albert, achieves recognition as a Best Vein Care Premiere Center of Excellence.

The Albert Vein Institute (www.albertvein.com) and James D. Albert, MD, its Medical Director, has earned Best Vein Care?s highest achievement as a Premiere Center of Excellence for the treatment of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.

With 45 million people suffering from venous disorders and with no regulatory oversight for the field of phlebology, it is challenging for patients to access the best possible care. As an organization that recognizes vein specialists for their commitment to quality excellence, Best Vein Care provides a valuable resource that enables patients to make smart vein care choices (www.bestveincare.com).

Dr. Albert voluntarily participated in the self-imposed regulatory framework established by Best Vein Care's independent panel of physician experts. This framework or Standards of Excellence are composed of quality measurements related to comprehensive services, patient rights and health care privacy, a safe environment, procedural monitoring, patient satisfaction, continual quality improvement and community activity and support. Physicians exceeding performance within these standards achieve recognition as a Premiere Center of Excellence.

As part of Best Vein Care's verification and evaluation protocol, a specialist completes a comprehensive physician query and extensive vein center self-assessment. The findings are then validated through a variety of mechanisms, which include, but are not limited to, primary source verification, referral recommendation, document evaluation, peer review, professional interview and on-site visit.

Recognition as a Best Vein Care Center of Excellence is synonymous with a commitment to pursue, achieve and maintain the highest quality of vein care today and we are pleased to welcome Dr. Albert into this elite group.

Dr. Albert serves Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas and represents one of only two specialists in the state of Colorado recognized for quality excellence in the treatment of venous disorders.

Operation Warrior Entrepreneur

Colorado Springs, CO — NG Enterprises, founded by Nicholas Gray, a former sergeant in the Army who served in Iraq, is pleased to sponsor the First Annual Operation Warrior Entrepreneur fundraiser aimed at assisting veterans form franchises in the Pikes Peak region. The project is aptly named OPERATION WARRIOR ENTREPRENEUR (OWE) and the kick-off event will be at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event on October 15th from 4:30 pm to 6:30pm at Sky Sox Stadium.

“We at NG Enterprises and our partnering businesses are very excited to be able to provide this great opportunity for veterans to realize their dreams of owning a franchise,” said Nicholas Gray.

“We have a goal of raising $50,000 in cash, prizes and services to help kick start a business for veterans of the U.S. military. We are calling it Operation Warrior Entrepreneur (OWE) as we do owe it to our military heroes to help them start their own business after all the contributions and sacrifices they have made on our behalf,” Gray adds. “We are establishing an annual contest where interested veterans can apply for this prize package which includes a cash prize as well as free businesses services from our participating partners ranging from accounting, computers & technology, financing, insurance, marketing, retail credit cards, business coaching, etc. We will provide more details at the Chamber’s Business After Hours event on October 15th at the Sky Sox Stadium.”

This fundraiser is part of the Veterans 2 Business in the Veterans Division of NG Enterprises to assist veterans who are looking to go into business on their own. Veterans 2 Business is an organization that was founded by Nicholas A. Gray, President & CEO of NG Enterprises, LLC. Veterans 2 Business has working relationships with over 300 franchises in more than 30 industries that are part of the VET-FRAN program which honor veterans with significant discounts into franchise ownership.

Major contributions from the various partners of Operation Warrior Entrepreneur includes Jeff Burum CPA MBA LLC, Elk Creek Computers & Technology, All About Merchants, Seiko Marketing, Cameron Butcher Company, Anderson Insurance Company, Vectra Bank, Darrel Williams, and Janna Hoiberg -ActionCOACH Business Coaching. These business partners have committed to provide the winner of this contest with free business services for a minimum of ninety days.

For more information on NG Enterprises and how to assist veterans, please contact Nicholas Gray at 719-433-7755 or go on their website at www.ngenter.com.

Leave the driving to us

THUNDER & BUTTONS SPONSORS FUNDRAISER

FOR DESIGNATED DRIVER OF COLORADO SPRINGS

Proceeds Supports Drunk Driving Prevention by

Providing Free Rides Home in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Thunder & Buttons is proud to partner with Designated Driver of Colorado Springs (DD) on a fundraiser on October 10th from 6pm to 10pm at the Thunder & Buttons location on 2415 West Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City. The objective is to kick off a fundraising drive to raise $100,000 to help Designated Driver of Colorado Springs operate during the busiest time of the year. Planned activities include special guest speakers, raffle, live bands and food.

“We care deeply about Designated Drivers of Colorado Springs and their mission to save lives so we are helping to raise money through sponsorships, promote an awareness of local businesses that support this worthy cause and solicit volunteers as drivers for DD in the next three months,” said Diane Dimbat of Thunder & Buttons.

"There is never a reason to get behind the wheel of a car when you have had too much to drink,” said Nonie Rispin, founder of Designated Driver of Colorado Springs. “You don’t have to be an alcohol drinker to participate. It’s about being a caring partner in this community.”

Diane adds, “Through this fundraiser, our goal is not only to help provide funds to keep Designated Drivers of Colorado Springs functioning for the rest of this year and beyond but to also reinforce the importance of planning ahead and making sure that there is a safe alternative ride home when you are under the influence of alcohol.”

“Designated Driver of Colorado Springs provides free rides through a network of volunteers," said Rispin. "Not only do we get people home safely, but we get them home safely in their own cars. All they have to do is call 719-650-3450. Our goal is to eliminate the reasons why drivers sometimes make poor choices when they have been drinking,” said Rispin. “If the ride is free and their car is sitting in the driveway the next morning, what's left to think about?"

Designated Driver of Colorado Springs partners with 40 local establishments where they are on call Tuesday thru Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. year round. “Our goal is to raise enough community sponsorship so that drivers would be available 24/7 to keep everyone safer,” said Rispin.

As a grassroots community-sponsored program with volunteer drivers, Rispin said that
Designated Drivers gave their first rides starting with New Year's Eve of this year and have given approximately 1,000 rides since then. The drivers work in two people teams. One driver gives the person a ride home in their own vehicle while the other follows in a chase car.

“We are just a group of volunteers who are not paid for our services so every dollar counts. We are in the process of moving from a Sole Proprietorship to Non-Profit status to be able to apply for community grants and donations that will help us reach our financial goals in the future,” concludes Rispin.

For more information: www.noduicosprings.com or call Nonie Rispin at 719-650-3450.

Home for rent, west side

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1100 Sq foot, Vaulted Ceilings, Skylight, Fireplace, new windows and doors. Walkin master closet. All appliances, to include washer/dryer are in home. Storage. Walk to Elementary school. Trash included. Available soon. $825 per month.

Contact:
Sterling Campbell
Certified Mortgage Planner
Air Academy Federal Credit Union
Office (719) 535-8723
Cell (719) 210-4353

CS Women’s Express Network names new officers

CS Women’s Express Network recently installed officers for the upcoming year. Judy Blaskowski, President, Renee Cunningham President-Elect, Patrica Grivhala, Vice President of Finance, Gayle Votaw, Vice President of Communications, Barbara Harris, Vice President of Marketing/Public Relations, Debi Bauer, Vice President of Programs, Marion Swafford, VP of Correspondence, and Debi Willmer, VP of Hospitality. CS Women’s Express Network meets the 2nd Friday of each month at Garden of the Gods Club, 3320 Mesa Rd. For more information, call Barbara Harris at 227-9900 or go to the website, www.cswen.org.

Broadmoor Musikgarten expands offerings

The Broadmoor Musikgarten Academy Announces
the Addition of Two New Teachers and an Expanded Schedule

Now in its third year, the Broadmoor Musikgarten Academy (BMA) is continuing to grow by offering more classes this fall. Lynn Hurst, Minister of Music at Broadmoor Community Church has announced the addition of two new teachers to her team enabling them to offer more classes during the week. Joining Lynn will be Brenda Elliott who has been with BMA since it’s beginning as lead teacher and new teachers, Colleen Baily and Katie Fernandez.

Classes include vocal and instrumental music-making, moving and listening to music, dramatic storytelling and activities that foster physical coordination, critical listening skills and much more. At the BMA, classes provide a fun and energized way to learn and grow in a non-performance based atmosphere while emphasizing and facilitating adult involvement. Loving, qualified and experienced teachers facilitate and nurture the learning process in a fun yet purposeful manner.

For more information or to register for fall classes please call 473-1807x116 or 593-1951. An informational Parent Education class will be held at 6:00PM on Thursday, September 10. Classes begin September 14. Don’t delay, Give Your Child a Great Start with the Arts! All classes are held at the Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Avenue.

Check us out at: http://www.broadmoormusikgartenacademy.blogspot.com/

Call to Artists, Colorado Springs Exhibition and Competition

Picturesque

A Photography Exhibition & Competition

Entry Deadline November 11
­­­­­­­­
The Smokebrush Gallery, UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art and Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau are seeking photographic representations that creatively combine the scenic assets of the Pikes Peak Region with symbolic or representative imagery of local arts and culture. Images are expected to provide a fresh perspective on regional assets, such as the city skyline and mountain scenery, while creatively including and highlighting the arts. Each entry must fit into one of the defined categories and fulfill the expectations listed in the prospectus below.

This high-caliber exhibition will occur during March 2010. All work will be professionally executed and framed in museum-quality framing. It is open to traditional photography, as well as digital and digitally manipulated photography.

Smokebrush Gallery Curator Holly Parker developed the concept and states, "The intent of this exhibition is to challenge the creative community to produce a professional body of images that inventively incorporate our great regional assets with the arts. The exhibition will raise the profile of and underscore the caliber of our local art scene while eloquently identifying it with our powerful and popular scenery."

The work of the winner(s) will be utilized by the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau in some form of marketing in 2010, and possibly beyond. “There is always a need for strong imagery that represents our region to travelers. Who better to showcase our assets than the artists that are inspired by our surroundings every day? Since this is open to all artists in the state we’re anxious to see the various interpretations of the subjects,” says Vice President of Marketing & Membership Amy Long.

This competition and exhibition are made possible by the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, COPPeR, UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art and the Smokebrush Foundation.

Peak Vista Community Health Centers Adopts Audiology Program

Colorado Springs, CO, September 1, 2009- Peak Vista Community Health Centers
is pleased to announce the addition of an Audiology Program, effective immediately. Services include hearing screenings, comprehensive hearing tests, hearing aids, and minor hearing aid repairs for seniors age 60 and above living in El Paso, Teller, or Park counties.

In July of 2009, Peak Vista was awarded a grant by the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging to acquire the Audiology Program. Services are available at Peak Vista’s Senior Health Center at Union & Vickers, located at 5636 N. Union Blvd. in Colorado Springs. There is no cost to program participants, nor are there income requirements to be eligible for the program; however, recipients of services must be legal residents of Colorado. If seniors are interested in the program, they should contact Peak Vista’s audiology program coordinator, Kristin Peterson, at (719) 329-7106 or visit www.peakvista.org and click on Audiology under the Services tab.

About Peak Vista

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a non profit, multi-specialty primary healthcare organization whose mission is to provide exceptional healthcare for people facing access barriers. Established in 1971, Peak Vista today offers outpatient medical, dental and behavioral health care to more than 55,000 residents, mostly from working families, of the Pikes Peak region. Fifteen centers at twelve sites support care. In 2006, Peak Vista established its Foundation to sustain healthcare services to those without access. To learn more about Peak Vista or to support financially, visit www.peakvista.org or call 228-6606.