Friday, July 29, 2011

BRIDGING MILITARY TO COMMUNITY, August 9th, Colorado Springs

Informational and Networking Opportunity

Colorado Springs, CO (ppwfc.org) – With six military installations and an associated workforce of over 60,000, Colorado Springs is definitely a military town!

How well is the military community integrated into Colorado Springs? To answer that question, the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum, in conjunction with USAA and Colorado Technical University, presents Bridging Military to Community, a day-long event focusing on the military in the Pikes Peak region.

WHO: Luncheon keynote speaker Mary Kelly will present “Lessons from the Dog.” Ms. Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander and has master’s degrees in history and economics and a PhD in economics. (see attached flyer)

WHAT: Luncheon from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Opening: Terrance McWilliams, El Pomar Foundation
Keynote speaker, Mary Kelly
Two panel discussions will be held:
Generations in the Military from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Transitioning to Civilian Life from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Networking from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 9, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910

HOW: Reservations are required: info@cospdiversityforum.org

More information about Everybody Welcome Week, the Festival, the Cotton Club, or other Everybody Welcome Week events can be found at www.cospdiversityforum.org

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Ribbon Cutting at MGM Colllision


The Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Howells of Fountain and other members of the community welcomed MGM Collision to the neighborhood with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 26, 2011. This is the company's second location. The Fountain facility will employ 5 people.

Sunbelt Rentals Expands Into Colorado Springs With New General Tool Location


Press Release

Sunbelt Rentals celebrates the opening of its newest general tool location in Colorado Springs. Located at 5525 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, the new branch is easily accessible by I-25 and will serve all of central Colorado. The new location will be open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

“Introducing a new location in Colorado Springs provides an exciting opportunity for Sunbelt Rentals,” said Brendan Horgan, chief executive officer. “We look forward to expanding into this vibrant, growing city. The store is conveniently located and positioned us well to service contractors, military bases and homeowners throughout the area.”

The 18,000-square foot facility and accompanying four-acre yard will house more than $4 million in equipment fleet, comprised of a broad range of equipment for industrial, commercial, specialty contractors and do-it-yourselfers. Spanning more than 180 square miles, Colorado Springs is not only the Home of the U.S. Olympic Committee but also one of the top 100 places to live in the nation.

“With the addition of Colorado Springs into our footprint it not only strengthens our position within the Colorado market, but it adds a great to deal of value to our customer base,” said Sunbelt Rentals District Manager Nic DiPaolo.

ABOUT SUNBELT RENTALS
Sunbelt Rentals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashtead Group plc, is the second largest equipment rental company in the United States. Based in Fort Mill, SC, Sunbelt Rentals provides equipment rental solutions for the industrial, construction, and municipal markets, plus the DIY market, from its network of locations in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Sunbelt Rentals’ extensive equipment fleet includes a wide range of general construction and industrial equipment, and is further broadened by specialty businesses serving the Pump, Power, Trench Shoring and Scaffold markets. For more information, visit www.sunbeltrentals.com.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Restaurant equipment, furnishings, fixtures up for auction

(Schur Success Auction & Appraisal, Inc.)

Well Known Local Business on the Auction Block – at least pieces of it are

On July 30th, 2011, Earl's Restaurant in Park Meadows will be closing for a major remodeling and renovation project. They are currently selling off just about everything in the building including tables, chairs, art, equipment, furnishings, and fixtures to make way for this project. This auction is open to the public and is already underway on-line.

Assistant Restaurant Leader Ben Barnett stated "many of our patrons have expressed an interest in owning pieces from our restaurant, and we felt an on-line auction was the best way to accomplish several goals". He added "this way we can get things sold without interrupting the daily business, and our patrons will have the chance to bid before we bring in the wreckers. We're even selling the front doors, the lights on the walls, just about everything!"

Earl's has selected Schur Success Auction & Appraisal of Colorado Springs to conduct the auction. Company President Shannon Schur said that “even with a large internet crowd, buyers should expect some incredible deals” and added that “if people come, they’ll find at least one thing they absolutely can’t live without”.

The Auction will be held exclusively on-line. The auction is now open for bidding and will remain open until July 28. Payment is due upon completion of the auction, and removal is limited to ONE DAY, Monday, August 1st. The demolition begins the 2nd. Earl's will remain open for regular business during the auction.

Details about the auction and registration can be found at www.SuccessAuctions.com.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Tea Party 1, O'Reilly 0

On The O'Reilly Factor last night, Bill suggested that the Tea Party will be viewed as, and possibly are, unreasonable radicals if they don't compromise more with the President on the budget debate. He said they should recognize that they represent just 19% of the electorate and so should be more flexible.

Bill actually had to call in to his substitute tonight, on his day off, to throw some water on what must have been a firestorm of emails. Why would you back off in the face of criticism from a group you consider relatively insignificant? I think Bill realized fairly quickly that he had made a mistake.

People who identify themselves as Tea Party are perhaps the most engaged voting block there is. If You factor in voter turnout, they will be represented by far more than 19% of the vote. Now add in like minded people who don't choose to identify themselves as Tea Party and you likely have the largest voting block of any interest group, save male and female, and they overlap the tea party.

The Tea Party is flexing Its muscles right now, and their strength has been underestimated by everyone. Even Mr. Bill had to cry Uncle.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Everybody Welcome Week, Colorado Springs, August 2011

The Colorado Springs Diversity Forum today announces the 5th Annual Everybody Welcome Week, running from August 7 through August 13, 2011.

Everybody Welcome Week kicks off with the Everybody Welcome Festival on Sunday,

August 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. The Everybody Welcome Festival is a free family event, open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the diversity of talented local performers, artisans, cultural craftsmen through distinct activities and exhibits. The festival seeks to educate the community so that difference is viewed as an asset and curiosity and a desire to engage are the first responses to difference.

This year’s festival will feature two stages so that more entertainment can be enjoyed by more families. The entertainment features:

· Maori cultural dance by Pacific Pride and Island Hearts;

· East Indian dance by the Colorado Springs Indian Community;

· Senegalese performance by Dallo;

· African drumming and dance by Oluwaseyi;

· Halau Ilima, Hawaiian dance

· Brazilian and African Samba by Chris Sadeh;

· The music of Colorado Springs Indian Community Band,

· Special Blend

· Suga Bear and The Showtime Band;

· Lipstick Voodoo; and

· many more...

The festival will also include:

· Continental villages exhibiting local cultural groups, support groups and products for sale.

· Children’s Passports that let children (up to 16) take a free trip around the world; get their passports stamped for completing cultural activities at each continent; then enter a drawing for fabulous prizes.

· Ethnic food representing a variety of cultures will be available for purchase. Some vendors accept cash only.

· Closing ceremonies

· City Proclamation observance of Everybody Welcome: A Celebration of Culture and Diversity Week, August 7th through 13th, 2011

Last year over 10,000 people attend the Everybody Welcome Festival.

Other activities throughout Everybody Welcome Week include:

· Tuesday, August 9, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bridging Military to Community Workshops presented in partnership with USAA;

· Wednesday, August 10, 7 to 10 p.m., The Journey to Forgiveness: the Legacy of the Boarding School Documentary, a film followed by discussion at the Cornerstone Arts Center at Colorado College;

· Thursday, August 11, 12 noon to 1 p.m. The Diversity and Inclusion Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Colorado Springs Business Journal, recognizes local businesses that demonstrate and promote diversity and inclusion in both their internal operations and external civic engagement.

· Friday, August 12, 1 to 4 p.m. the Immigration Symposium, Local Asian History and Influence at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

The week culminates with The Cotton Club on Saturday August 13 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Stargazer’s Theatre. The Cotton Club, a celebration of our City’s vibrant history of inclusion, is a reenactment of Fannie Mae Duncan’s Cotton Club featuring Suga Bear and the Showtime Band and honoring local, historic proponent of inclusion Henry Sachs. Take a step back in time, don your Zoot-suit, hat and Cat-eye glasses, step into your dancing shoes and join in the fun! There is no charge to attend The Cotton Club.

More information about Everybody Welcome Week, the Festival, the Cotton Club, or other Everybody Welcome Week events can be found at www.cospdiversityforum.org

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Collector cars no longer gridlocked in red tape

By Debi Brazzale
(story and photo from ColoradoNewsAgency.com)


Rep Marsha Looper







Just about a year ago this week, Republican Rep. Marsha Looper, of Calhan, was approached by a group of her constituents who said they couldn’t make heads or tails of the laws governing collector cars—and neither could those responsible for administering the laws.

“Everybody complained,” says Harold Nabers, a regional representative for the Old Car Council of Colorado. “Even the legal authorities such as the Department of Revenue had difficulty getting answers for us because the laws were all over the place.”

Now, thanks to the passage of Senate Bill 31, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, and Looper, who suggested the bill to Cadman, the laws will be consolidated under a single section once the measure becomes official in August.

The new law modifies titling and registration procedures in connection with older vehicles. Under current law, owners of vintage collector’s vehicles must possess a certificate of emissions although the vehicles are exempted from emissions testing. The new law removes the requirement to possess the certificate for such vehicles.

The measure also removes a surety-and-bond process when registering an older vehicle and allows certain older vehicles to use license plates consistent with the era in which they were manufactured.

Looper said she began to understand the frustration of her constituents when she ran a bill several years ago pertaining to collector cars and it took the bill drafter, a veteran staffer in legislative services, months to sort out where to place the proposed change in the law books.

“When they came to me, I thought it was a fabulous idea, and I set out to make it happen,” said Looper. “These are just regular folks who are trying to comply with the law and you’d have to be an attorney to find all the statutes that need to be followed.”

Nabers said Colorado could become an example for other states where the same problem exists.

“With this consolidation of old car collector laws, Colorado is getting closer to being one of the better states to work with. Everyone involved on the process has been great about it,” said Nabers.

Looper says it’s all a part of the job of being a legislator.

“This is hometown representation. It was really good people that had a really good idea that needed the attention of the legislature,” said Looper. “Car collectors over the whole state will benefit from an idea that came from my district–this is politics at its best.”

Shelter Insurance Receives Customer Service and Marketing Recognition


Provided by Michele Thompson, Colorado Springs








Shelter Mutual Insurance ranks third in customer satisfaction

Shelter Mutual Insurance Company ranks third highest in customer satisfaction for auto insurance companies, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ Auto Insurance Study.

This recognition is based on the results of J.D. Power’s 2011 U.S. National Auto Insurance Study, in which Shelter ranked number three among auto insurers with highest customer satisfaction.

Shelter advanced one position over last year’s ranking of fourth place in the annual study.

The study, released on June 28, compiles results of more than 28,000 responses from auto insurance policyholders. It measures customer satisfaction with auto insurance companies across five factors. In order of importance, they are: interaction, price, policy offerings, billing and payment and claims.

Marketing group honors Shelter Insurance® for product videos


Shelter Insurance® has received the highest honor for audio/visual communication by the Insurance Marketing & Communication Association (IMCA).

Anna Hargis, Shelter's director of advertising, accepted the Best of Show Award at the IMCA's 2011 Showcase Awards ceremony in Toronto, Ontario, on June 28.

Shelter's winning entry, "Fun Stuff Boat Videos," was produced to help educate consumers about the importance of boat insurance. Two videos, posted on Shelter's public website, were written by Shelter staff and feature Shelter employees and family members. Both were produced on location at a Columbia lake.

IMCA is the oldest insurance marketing association in North America. It represents more than 120 insurance and financial services companies throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. Each year, IMCA honors the insurance industry's best advertising and communication efforts in 35 different categories.