The Foodie Within

I wanted to add a "gadget' featuring a food shot from local restaurants. It was noon so I dropped in at the Stagecoach Sports Grill. This was going to be easy, just ask their customers if I could take a picture of their entrees. It wasn't easy - it was hard to find a plate that still had food on. Donna had one onion ring left, David had a few fries left, and Susan didn't even have a plate left.
I stopped Bryant before he had a chance to touch the rack of ribs.
Fortunately, Troy came to my rescue (or the rescue of his customers). Drop in and have a drink with Geri (the bartender).
The Stagecoach Sports Grill is her parents' favorite restaurant.

You Never Know

You never know what you may be missing if you never say "Hello." I sat next to two strangers, both in the business of well being and quality of life, yet in very different businesses.

Dr. Sherry Oberling (a chiropractor) encourages people to take ownership of their health. She calls her philosophy a "Renewal Revolution". 303-528-5454 ageyoungernow.com/oberling

Iris, whom I later discovered is Reverend Iris K. Betts-Barratt, is the founder of Life Plan Now. She is also a clinical hypnotherapist, certified massage therapist, and educator. During her life, Iris has worked as a therapist, hospice volunteer, and emergency medical technician. Life Plan Now grew out of her experiences in these areas. Life Plan Now is dedicated to providing affordable and comprehensive workshops to document major end of life decisions. 303-719-8326

LifePlanNow.org

Speaking of Chiropractors

When Alex Witt, owner of Xandre Press, said she was meeting with a potential client who was a chiropractor, I immediately began thinking of the challenges of marketing. How far would you drive to see a chiropractor? Are the majority of new patients referrals from existing patients?
Dr. Sharon Coles is a new chiropractor, how do you establish yourself?
Cornerstone Chiropractic specializes in mothers to be and children. Gentle Chiropractic care can help mother and baby to achieve a healthier delivery. Dr. Coles also works with homeopathic remedies. Cornerstone Chiropractic offers Cold Laser Therapy to relieve pain, remove scars, heal wounds, and regenerate nerves.
As I talked with Dr. Coles I realized how beneficial chiropractic adjustments would have been as a child. I cannot count the times I fell off my bike, or out of a tree, and the dangers of Dodge Ball.
(I have never fallen because of high heels)
Dr. Sharon Coles can be contacted at 720-328-4349.

Saturday in Evergreen

Saturday in downtown Evergreen was filled with street vendors, vintage cars, motorcycles, the Jazz Fest and Rock N Roll. It was a beautiful day and darn it I couldn't find a parking space. I could of parked at the Lake and taken a relaxing walk along the Lake into downtown. I could of parked up one of the hills behind the downtown shops. But, walking wasn't an option because I'm into high heels, a rarity in Evergreen. And, what keeps me walking upright and without pain are my chiropractors, Paul and Susan Fontana. 303-674-1500

CONIFER CHAMBER MIXER

I just attended the Conifer Chamber Mixer, hosted by Mountain Books (Jesse McKean) and Stagedoor Theatre, located in the Aspen Park Village. Stagedoor Theatre is a charming little theater filled with big talent. The guests at the Chamber Mixer had the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal for Oliver, playing August 5-21. http://www.stagedoortheatre.org/.

A Good Egg!

Last week three people used the term "good egg'. I had not heard that phase since childhood in a small Nebraska town. I Googled it and a good egg is old fashion slang for a person who can be relied on, is trustworthy, and who is good to other people. Evergreen has a crate full of "good eggs." Two of the people referred to as good eggs were Dr. Diane Spindler and Mary Pat Dewald.

Dr. Di, CTN, Phd. has 20 years of experience in Microbiology and Biochemical research. Her continued education in related fields combined with a passion for healing inspired her to open her practice, MOUNTAIN HOLISTIC HEALTH, in Indian Hills. She is a Licensed and Certified Traditional Naturopath with a PhD in Nutrition. Her specialties are Blood Chemistry, Hormone Neurotransmitter and Allergy Testing, Kincisology, Irdology, Acupuncture, CranioSacral, and Rife Bio-frequency. The client's system is balanced, strengthened and cleansed through orthomoleccular therapy, suggested dietary and lifestyle modifications and detoxification therapies.

Dr. Spindler can evaluate the physiological system to create a program specific to a client's needs for healing. Her philosophy is that biochemical individuality is the key ingredient in understanding how to reach optimal health in terms of your physiology. When you are feeling optimal health, the body's inherent ability to take care of itself is present. Your diet, lifestyle, emotional, physical and spiritual needs are all unique to you. "My approach is to facilitate educational awareness along your path for optimal health and well being."

MOUNTAIN HOLISTIC HEALTH has an informative website http://www.mountainholistic.com/ and also has a great email newsletter. Dr. Spindler's office number is 303-697-1736

I realize the scope and sophistication of Dr. Di's health care approach is overwhelming, but the bottom line is that it works.

Diane is a doctor that helps people heal themselves and is a "good egg."

Mary Pat DeWald, APRN, MSN, SANE-A, is the director of EVERGREEN NURSING SERVICES. Her company offers nursing services by experienced compassionate professionals trained to apply comprehensive holistic care designed for their clients special needs. EVERGREEN NURSING SERVICES does assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation to guide you to optimum personal wellness.

Mary Pat's philosophy is, dedicated to promoting the health and well being of individuals, families and communities through excellence in nursing. She also organizes and facilitates mini nurses' retreats and seminars in a beautiful mountain setting. For more information go to http://www.evergreennursing.com/ or call 303-674-WELL (303-674-9355)

Mary Pat is a "good egg."

Sweet Treats!

If you are out and about Downtown Evergreen stop in Seasonally Yours for a sample of Janice's homemade fudge. She is always creating new gourmet flavors, my favorite is White Chocolate Amaretto. Seansonally Yours also has fresh taffy and whimsical gifts. Janice has a corporate background in marketing and it is reflected in her shop's windows and displays. You'll have to drop by Seasonally Yours to find out why all the girls are wearing bug hats at the Rodeo Parade Pancake Breakfast.
Who's the Damn Ducky Man???

SUMMERFEST ARTS FESTIVAL

Summerfest has been the premiere art festival for 31 years. It has grown from an Evergreen event into a Front Range event. Summerfest benefits the CAE arts programs and is part of the Arts Alive Evergreen 10 Days with the Arts.

www.artsaliveevergreen.org The art festival features the fine arts and crafts, ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and wood. There are food vendors and beer and wine.

Bo Daddy, a local favorite, performed Saturday night. Children's Chorale and a variety of other performers entertained the crowds on Saturday and Sunday.

Local international nonprofits participated in a Global Children's Village, featuring various cultures, indigenous arts and crafts activities, educational material and games.

I apology for not having photos of all the wonderful art and activities. Summerfest is one of my favorite festival and I was unable to attend this year. There is so much happening in Evergreen that once in awhile there is a schedule conflict. I hope that everyone who is reading this attended Summerfest and will send me their pics.

XandrePress Opens for Business

On July 13 XandrePress opened for business. XandrePress is 23 year old Alex Witt's second business venture. Alex owned and operated Force Fitness for three years, establishing herself as a respected and competent business woman. As with all small businesses Alex was constantly seeking effective ways of marketing. In the process of promoting her fitness business she began using Facebook and Twitter as a marketing tool. She added a blog and the results were immediate and revenue generating.

XandrePress uses the internet, social media, social networking, video, blogging, web pages, and search engine optimization tools to drive customers to your business. Alex believes leads are great but money is better and social media networking directly sends customers to businesses.

You may be able to connect with Alex in downtown Evergreen at the Ice House or Java Groove.
But, the best way to reach XandraPress is at http://xandrepress.wordpress.com/ or the "old fashion" way - 303-917-0858

Alex/XandraPress is also hosting a two hour, intensive, Social Media Bootcamp next month to get us "old people" up and running. It truely is a new age of marketing and promoting and I find it so refreshing. We are no longer slaves to print ads that cannot guarantee results and require a large investments. I'll be in the front row.

COFFE WITH A COP

Coffee with a Cop began in May 2010 to create a casual setting for the residents of the Evergreen and Conifer areas to get to know the people who keep our communities safe. This is an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns about local issues. This is also an opportunity to thank the Jefferson County Sheriffs for the wonderful job they do. Our law enforcement officers help maintain our safety and quality of life. Let's join them for a cup of coffee and let them know we appreciate them.

Coffee with a Cop is the second Thursday of the month from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and is hosted by a different coffee shop each month.

August 12 at the Aspen Perk Coffee House

September 9 at Caffe di Lucca

October at the Cabin Creek Smokehouse

November 11 at the Ice House

Please check out their website for other community programs. www.jeffcosheriff.com

A MOUNTAIN GEM

BELLA VITA, is a mountain gem, located on scenic Highway 74 in Kittredge (between Morrison and Evergreen). It offers beautiful goods and gifts for your bath, bed, and home. Michele seeks out beautiful and unique things that add just the right touch to any home. She has fine towels and kitchen linens, bed linens, beeswax and soy candles, yummy soaps and lotions, glassware, and even chocolates. Each item is hand picked with love and care. My favorites are the linens, soaps and the candles. Beeswax and soy candles do not pollute your home with chemicals when they burn, this is very important to me. We live in a clean environment, why would should we intentionally pollute the air in our homes.
Michele and her husband own the shop together, but Michele is the one (with his help and support) who is present on a daily basis. She had left the hustle and bustle of corporate American and while looking for a job the charming shop space in Kittredge came available. They took a big leap of faith and grabbed the opportunity. It had been a long time dream of Michele's to own a little shop in a quaint little business community. Bella Vita was the right opportunity in the right place at the right time. She loves what she does, especially interacting with her customers, finding out what they love and then working hard to find those things that inspire them to live their good life.
When asked why the name "Bella Vita", Michele explained, "I love Italy and had come across this Italian phrase that means "beautiful life" or "good life". I feel very blessed with a good life, good family, friends and health. I thought it was the perfect name for a little shop filled with those little things that inspire others to live their good life. Our tag line is
CELEBRATE LIVING THE GOOD LIFE!
Keeping with the concept of living a good life, Bella Vita also hosts Fireside Chats with Kristin Witt, a girls' night out focusing on quality of life and a life of grace. When you walk into Bella Vita you immediately exhale and relax, you are surrounded with simple beauty and charm.
www.livebellavita.com

Business Networking 101

I've always been interested in the marketing benefits of networking. It is one of the oldest principles of marketing. But, does it still work? The problem with networking is that so often we are networking with the same group of people year after year. They know us, they know our business, and they are already our clients and customers. I hear business owners and professionals constantly complain about needing new customers, unfortunately the "well is dry."

The Mountain Metro Association of Realtors and their Affiliates' branch hosted the first annual Foothills Business Connection networking event on June 24th. They invited the Evergreen Chamber, the Conifer Chamber, the West Chamber, the Arvada Chamber, and the Golden Chamber to participate. AND IT WORKED! Over two hundred business owners attended, representing all the Chamber of Commerces involved. Everyone was connecting, exchanging cards and information. Everyone agreed that the evening was successful for them in regards to connecting with new customers and clients. Not only do events like this provide potential for new business but it also introduces new concepts and products.

The Foothills Business Connection event was held in the Barn at the Evergreen Memorial Park. This is a beautiful setting in the middle of a wildlife preserve. Ron Lewis established the preserve in 1965 and filled it with Buffalo, Elk, Deer, and an assortment of other native animals and birds.

The Barn is constructed of several barns all ranging from 75 to 100 years old. Although there is normally adequate parking, on this evening cars stretched all the way down North Turkey to Hwy 73. The main level of the Barn was set up with a bar on the back deck and a space for the music at the main entrance. The lower level was filled with food and the entire Barn was filled with good conversation and laughter. Businesses donated door prizes, but all the guests were winners, each left with a pocket of cards and a new client.

It takes a lot of work and a lot of people to make an event this successful. There are always those who give more than 100% and special thanks goes out to:

Joni Cucino with Chicago Title of Colorado

Stephanie with Cherry Creek Mortgage

Benny Morris with Keller Williams in Conifer

Bud Moore with American Craftsman Homes

Jennifer Eleniewski with Creekside Insurance

The Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce

The Conifer Chamber of Commerce