Biz to Biz: Jan. 29

Hearing Rehab Center now open

FRISCO — The Hearing Rehab Center is now open in Frisco. The Hearing Rehab Center is an audiology/hearing aid center focusing on fitting the latest digital hearing aids available, and offers hearing evaluations, hearing aid sales and hearing aid repairs on all makes of hearing aids.

The Hearing Rehab Center was established 12 years ago in Denver, and now has 10 full-time locations in Denver, Fort Collins, Loveland and Summit County.

Meredith Workman M.Ed., CCC-A is the audiologist working in Frisco. She lives in Breckenridge. She graduated with her master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Georgia in 2001. She is an expert on digital hearing aid fittings.

The address is 699 N. Summit Blvd. Unit I, inside Mountain Hart Chiropractic. Office hours are Monday–Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Phone: (970) 668-8811.

Mr. Handyman says make your home more efficient

EDWARDS — Mr. Handyman, serving Eagle, Summit and Pitkin Counties offers local residents tips on how to save on heating costs now ... and for years to come.

The following simple tips will help make your home more energy efficient.

• Insulate and seal. Add an extra layer of insulation to your roof or walls, and use caulking or other materials such as weather stripping to seal cracks around windows, doors and electrical outlets. Put window film over older, single pane windows. This will help prevent heat from escaping outdoors.

• Keep cold air out. Put an insulating blanket or cover over pull down attic stars or attic access panel to keep the cold unheated attic air from seeping into your home.

• Maintain an efficient heating system. Have it serviced once every two years and never try to repair it yourself. If it has a filter, clean or replace it every month during the heating season.

• Turn down the thermostat. Turn down the thermostat every time you leave the house for two or more hours, and every night before you go to bed. Also, you can install a programmable thermostat that can be set to turn the heating system up or down at pre-set times.

• The sun is your friend. Take advantage of the sun during the day by opening up your curtains. This will allow the sun to naturally heat your house.

• Upgrade your appliance. Installing Energy Star products can make your home more energy efficient and save you money.

For more information on Mr. Handyman, or how they can assist you in making your home more energy efficient, please contact Brendan Bell at (970) 569-3325.

Breck awards community grants

BRECKENRIDGE — In 2008, the Town of Breckenridge estimates it will provide cash and in-kind services totaling nearly $3.5 million to area nonprofit agencies and community programs.

Prior to the Jan. 22 Town Council work session, Council members Jeffrey Bergeron, Jennifer McAtamney and John Warner handed out checks totaling $247,400 to area nonprofits as part of the Town’s 2008 Grants program.

Funding from the Town of Breckenridge grant process is made available to area non-profit organizations that present events or cultural programs, or provide human services. Categories under which organizations may apply are: Marketing — for organizations or events that attract visitors to Breckenridge; Human Services — for community-service organizations; and Development — for capital improvements or “seed” money for a new project. All applicants must provide proof of their non-profit status and must apply through the countywide common grant process, which occurs annually in August. The Town of Breckenridge has been providing funding to area non-profit organizations through a grant process since 1986.

In addition to the grant process, the Town has budgeted $34,000 for two scholarship programs: Summit High School Seniors and Junior Athletes (administered by the Breckenridge Elite Athletes organization), and has awarded more than $1.5 million to the Breckenridge Resort Chamber for town-wide marketing programs. The Town of Breckenridge also provides funding through individual departments for various non-profit programs affiliated with that department as well as in-kind services for a wide variety of organizations.

Organizations receiving 2008 funding from the Town of Breckenridge include:

Advocates for Victims of Assault for a variety of programs including the Peace Maker Program

Backstage Theatre, Inc. for marketing Children’s Theatre, Adult Workshops and Labor Day production

Breckenridge Festival of Film for marketing the 2008 annual festival

Breckenridge Montessori for capital improvements

Breckenridge Music Festival for marketing of orchestral and Blue River Series concerts

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center for scholarships and for marketing support

Bristlecone Health Services for various programs

Carriage House Early Learning Center for landscaping support (matching grant)

CASA of the Continental Divide for general agency support

Colorado Avalanche Information Center for general agency support

Colorado West Mental Health - Summit for general agency support

Dillon Valley Elementary School for support of dual language program

Early Childhood Options for family fun fair, symposium and scholarships for educators

Family & Intercultural Resource Center for emergency assistance for Upper Blue residents

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District for general operating support

High Country Conservation Center for general support, including new sustainable building code

Little Red Schoolhouse for Invest in Kids program

National Repertory Orchestra for education and community engagement focused on Youth and for marketing support

Northwest Colorado Legal Services Project for community services and attorney referral program

Red White & Blue Career Firefighters Association for restoration of a historic vehicle

Snowsports Outreach Society for general operating support

Summit Community Care Clinic a matching grant for mental health services expansion

Summit Concert Band for general operating support

Summit County Arts Council Kingdom Art Walk marketing support

Summit County Dept. of Social Services for Emergency Voucher program

Summit County Preschool for tuition assistance for Upper Blue families

Summit County Youth (SCY) for furnishings and equipment for remodeled, expanded Youth facility

Summit Prevention Alliance for general operating support

Summit’s Mountain Community Fair for marketing of the 2008 fair

Tame Foundation for scholarships for Upper Blue residents

Timberline Adult Day Services for general operating support

The grants listed above do not reflect any in-kind services provided by the Town of Breckenridge estimated to be nearly $650,000 annually.

Summit’s High Altitude Wellness Series launches today

Summit County— Summit Medical Center's Clinical Nurse Specialist Dawn LeQuatte-Sculco, RN, MS, CCRN will address the topic of Hypertension—Bodies under Pressure: “Prevention and Treatment with Healthy Living”from 6-8 p.m. today in the Loveland Room, Summit County Community & Senior Center, 0151 Peak One Blvd., Frisco.

Summit's High Altitude Wellness Series is the first in a series of “living healthy” sessions presented in partnership with The Summit Chamber of Commerce and St. Anthony Summit Medical Center and co-sponsored with other community partners. The educational programs will focus on health-related topics impacting employers, employees and their families. According to research, stress is a key factor related to many health issues in the workplace and has a significant impact on productivity and other job related activities. Attendees will be surveyed to determine which topics are of the most interest to our community for future sessions.

Colorado Mountain College will provide professional development credits.

The informal and interactive sessions are free and open to the community.

Refreshments and healthy snacks from YoZone Naturals will be served to spotlight the healthy vending machine initiative spearheaded by the Summit Chamber.

RSVPs are appreciated. Contact the Summit Chamber at events@summitchamber.org or (970) 668-2051, ext. 2 to reserve a seat. Walk-ins are welcome.

Dear Summit County Chamber members

Thank you in advance for completing the quarterly “two-minute” Summit County Business Barometer Survey. This survey is entirely confidential. Your participation is very important to help us evaluate the current economic activity in our mountain community and help forecast future trends based on the collective business confidence index.

In appreciation for completing the questionnaire, your business or organization will be entered in a quarterly drawing for a 2008-09 membership. A photo of the quarterly winners will also be featured in our Chamber Connection E-Newsletter as we distribute the survey results.

To complete the survey, please link to: www.jboozerandassociates.com/surveys/SCBBSurvey4thQtr07.html

Please complete survey before Feb. 1.

Friends Welcome recognizes employees, business of the month

BRECKENRIDGE — Six exceptional Breckenridge employees and one Breckenridge business were recognized for outstanding customer service by Friends Welcome on last week during the Breckenridge Resort Chamber Ambassador Mixer, held at Blue Sky Breckenridge, in Breckenridge.

December winners were described as employees that went the extra mile and a real strength of the Breckenridge community. Breckenridge employees can be nominated for the Friends Welcome award by visitors, co-workers or supervisors or residents for demonstrating exceptional guest service at their place of work. Rewards for the six chosen employees include $100 worth of gift certificates for use in a variety of businesses in Breckenridge and a parking pass from the Town of Breckenridge.

In addition to honoring four outstanding guest service employees, Friends Welcome honored Shirt Off My Back as the Business of the Month. They will automatically be entered, along with the eleven other monthly winners, to win the Business of the Year Award. Each winner will receive a free insert in the Breckenridge Resort Chamber monthly mailer and recognition at the BRC Ambassador monthly mixers.

The Friends Welcome customer service training program is free to Breckenridge businesses and takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. Employees and businesses receive a certificate noting that they are Friends Welcome certified. Anyone in the community who exemplifies exceptional guest service may be nominated to receive the $100 worth of gift certificates that are awarded monthly.

Nominations for the Friends Welcome Rewards and Recognition Program are currently being taken. Rewards for the next outstanding nominees will be given at the BRC Ambassador October mixer. To obtain a nomination form or find out more about the Friends Welcome Program, call the Friends Welcome Director Dianne M. Trausch at (970) 453-5070.

The outstanding employees that were recognized and rewarded Wednesday night were:

<b>Sheldon Shadrach, The Village Hotel</b>

“We checked into The Village Hotel on Nov. 24. We were exhausted from a very long day of delayed flights and terrible driving conditions coming up from the airport. Sheldon listened to our story and was very sympathetic. Even though he probably hears these types of stories all the time, he was very patient and understanding with us. He got the bellman to help us with our bags and got us into our nice cozy room. He continued to check on us throughout our visit to make sure all was well, which it was! We are very grateful to Sheldon for his excellent service and will highly recommend this hotel to our friends.” — Arthi Mathis, Dallas, Texas



<b>Julia Bancroft, Stephen C. West Ice Arena</b>

“Julie is very helpful and accommodating. She is kind and gentle in her instruction yet very effective. She taught my daughter skating and her skills progressed in no time at all! She is a very genuine young lady. She is a gem!” — Dr. A. Bethancourt, Houma, La.

“Julia is very professional, caring and considerate. I lost my wallet and she was helpful and honest. Everything was returned to me. I just think she is the greatest.” — Mary Guilfoyle, Breckenridge



<b>Jean Norman, Shirt Off My Back</b>

“We walked into Shirt Off My Back and Jean greeted us. We ended up staying in the store for quite awhile talking to Jean about the store and the town. Jean shared a lot of interesting information about Breckenridge with us and tips on where to eat, shop and stay. We had such a nice evening chatting with her. And yes we also bought lots of stuff! — Shannon Buhler

“Jean knows what customer service is all about. She does a great job with everyone. She followed your GO SKI program to the tee. She is a keeper!” — Mark Lukac, Los Angeles



<b>Dan Bovin, Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge</b>

Dan was more than outstanding. He worked with us for 6 weeks prior to our arrival to accommodate our need for handicapped accessibility to everything. He arranged for a handicap accessible bus so we could get to everything. He made sure he was on duty when we arrived so that everything went OK. He had all the handicap information on all the restaurants, shops and the Catholic Church, including the parking. His attention to detail was amazing. We have told him that the next time we travel anywhere, not just Breckenridge, we want him to come with us. Please reward him! — Debby Wines & Pat May, Rockwall, Texas

“I walked to City Market and was unable to get a taxi ride back and it was bitter cold. I called the hotel and the shuttle bus was not around. Dan drove over in his own car and picked me up. He is the best!” — Margaret Adamcik, New Jersey



<b>Olivia Motyl, A Mountain Sanctuary Day Spa</b>

“First Olivia greeted me with a warm smile, a cup of tea and a pair of comfy slippers. Then she gave me one of the best — no, the best — massage I have ever experienced. She truly has a natural gift to soothe the body and spirit.” — Hillary Webster, Breckenridge

“A wonderful touch and the ability to connect with very little conversation.” — Jackie Dizharme, Denver



<b>Gina Bianckino, Valdoro Mountain Lodge</b>

“For three years Gina has been our favorite employee at Valdoro. Her Customer service skills, efficiency and helpfulness make her the best!” — Marianne Tonaldran, New Mexico

“My son and I have had the great pleasure of getting to know Gina. She has become like family to us. She takes such good care of us and all the other guests. She is just a great woman and a great employee!” — Kathryn Peters, Washington D.C.



<b>Shirt Off My Back, Patrick Somers</b>

“Patrick has a knack for hiring great employees. Between him and Shelly, their positive way of managing shows through in all of the stores. Keep up the great work. Our town needs more business owners like this!” — Guy Bigelow, Breckenridge

“Pat and Shelly are the BEST! We are so lucky to work for this company. If anyone deserves this award, Pat Sommers does.” — A bunch of employees from all of Patrick’s stores in Breckenridge

Mary Nelson elected to Board of Directors

Mary Nelson, CRS, Broker/Owner of Colorado Lifestyles Real Estate Co / Metro Brokers, has recently been elected to the 2008 Board of Directors for the Colorado Chapter of Council of Residential Specialists (CRS).

The Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS awards the CRS designation to experienced REALTORS who have completed advanced professional training in residential real estate. Nelson can be contacted at (888) 468-4741.

Talk about fraud protection over coffee

Land Title and Alpine Bank Invite YOU to attend a complimentary Coffee Break titled, “ID Theft and Title Company Fraud protection.”

When: Thursday, Feb. 7, from 10-11 a.m.

Where: Holiday Inn, Frisco

What:

• How much does it cost to have someone steal your identity?

• How does someone get your information?

• How can you prevent becoming a victim

• What should you do if you become a victim of Identity Theft?

• Title Company’s dos and don't’s for Fraud

Please RSVP to Brooke Roberts at 9970) 453-2255, ext. 26, or broberts@ltgc.com by Feb. 5. Space is limited. Snacks and beverages are sponsored by Land Title and Alpine Bank.