Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce 'Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter'

February 2010 Newsletter

Posted: 1/28/2010 5:08:11 PM

Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce

February 2010 Newsletter

Business After Hours February 18

High Country Bank and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chaffee County are pleased to be hosting Business After Hours this month at 516 Hwy 24N. High Country Bank has been serving Chaffee County since 1886! We opened our first Buena Vista Branch in 1996 and have enjoyed being part of the community since that time. Our motto is “Building Futures Together”. We do that by being a full service commercial bank and reinvesting in the community with significant financial contributions and employees who donate hundreds of volunteer hours each year for various causes. Professionally and personally it is our pleasure to serve our customers and community.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Chaffee County recently celebrated its 3 year anniversary of providing after school programming in Buena Vista. Our mission is “To enable all youth to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens”. We are open four hours each day of the school year, with expanded hours on school holidays and during the summer. We provide a safe, fun place for the youth to go, where they are able to develop positive relationships with their peers and mentoring adults. Thanks to the Buena Vista School District we are able to provide our services at Avery Parsons Elementary School. The Buena Vista Club currently has 172 members and has average daily attendance of 51. We expect membership to once again exceed 200 by the end of the school year. Recent community involvement includes Christmas Opening, partnering with the Arkansas Valley Christian Mission food drive, and participating in the Fine Arts Festival.

Please join us On February 18^th at High Country Bank from 5-7pm to support the Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club.

 

Traffic At The Chamber

Visitors to the Chamber in January--103

Visitor Packs Mailed in January--187

Visitors to the Website in January—21,569 significant 21% increase above average of 16,435!

 

New Members

 

The Cabin at Trout Creek

            355 Oahu Road            952-994-4840

www.thecabinattroutcreek.com

Owners:  Judy & Mark Halmrest

Opening early March, 2010 this brand new 4 bedroom, 3 level house is located on Trout Creek Pass.  It will be open year round and Judy and Mark hope to bring small conferences and small group retreats.

 

Arkansas Valley Surveying

28350 CR 317, Suite 9          719-395-3185

Owners:   Jonathan & Teresa Roorda 

Arkansas Valley Surveying opened for business in 1995 when the owners, Jon and Teresa Roorda, relocated to Buena Vista.  Previously, Jon was a Project Manager for a large engineering firm in Denver where he had the opportunity to be involved in a broad variety of projects, not only in Colorado, but throughout the western United States.  Among the most interesting was his work on the United Bank Tower (the "Letter Drop" in downtown Denver), which involved working from scaffolding above the fiftieth floor to set the arc at the top.  Another was Coors Field, including layout of the field and setting home plate.  He is grateful to call Buenie home now, but says his past experience provided invaluable opportunities to learn from the best in his profession.  Since then, Arkansas Valley Surveying has been providing a diverse range of services in the Central Colorado area, including boundaries, topographic mapping, mining claims, construction staking, Improvement Location Certificates and Elevation Certificates.  They have designed, surveyed and staked numerous subdivisions, large and small, including rural and in-town locations.  Clients have asked for assistance in describing and assessing land for estate planning, writing easements, obtaining access permits....One time, Jon calculated the height of a weather-damaged tree to determine if it could damage a property owner's house!  Regardless of the size of a project, clients deserve the assurance that their survey work meets the highest standards - that it has been done in strict accordance with state statutes and professional standards and will stand up to legal scrutiny.  It takes many years to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to provide that level of service.  Jon combines that expertise with an honest desire to treat clients the way he wants to be treated - with courtesy and respect, with the attitude of a problem solver, and always with an eye toward cost effectiveness.  He encourages folks to stop by or call with questions - at Arkansas Valley Surveying, estimates and coffee are free! 

 

Doug the Plumber aka Budget Plumbing

16274 CR 350, PO Box 4325        719-395-2989

Owner:  Douglas B. Pikul

Doug Pikul, “Doug the Plumber” has been in business in Buena Vista since 1995.  He moved here from California and started his business as “Anytime Plumbing”.  In keeping with the times and the market, he has also used the business names of “Blue Dolphin Plumbing & Heating” as well as “Budget Plumbing.  He comes to us now with a new name, but the same reliable face.  Call him for any and all of your plumbing and heating needs. 

 

Alpine Electric Company

16760 Tammy K Road    719-207-1153

Owner:  Jason Roecker

Hi, my name is Jason Roecker, owner of Alpine Electric Co.  I have lived in Buena Vista since 1981, and graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1993.  I am married and the father of two boys.  I have over 15 years of experience in residential, commercial and industrial electrical work.  I offer service calls for any electrical problems.  I also offer sales and installation of Comfort Cove Radiant Heat, a 10% discount on service calls for seniors (60+), and much more.  Call me for all of your electrical needs.

 

Garden Song Cafe

314 Charles St         719-395-6701

Owner:  Lorri Voss

Lorri and her husband Greg have lived in Buena Vista over 18  years and have raised their two boys in this community.  Lorri has 30 year experience in the restaurant business.  She is probably best known for her additional work experience at Pleasant Avenue Nursery and Mountain Medical Clinic.  If you are in a hurry their all you can eat salad bar can’t be beat!  She is planning on having musicians play periodically in the summer.  Look for specials in future newsletters.

 

Chaffee County Waste

PO Box 5240         719-395-6656

Owners:  Jay and Jon

Please see their information under the attached flyers.

 

 

Goals for 2010

   The board of directors selected two goals for this year:

1. Align the Chamber more closely with the Town of Buena Vista and other government entities to serve as a liaison, facilitator and communicator and to take advantage of programs and incentives that are offered.

The chamber has been working closely with the town on new criteria for event permits as well as vendor carts in business parking lots around town.         

2. Help the membership survive the recession. The board along with a few merchants came up with:

 

February Fun—A Finding Frenzy!

 A Shop Local Promotion

Ø          From Feb 1^st to Feb 14^th, 28 retail businesses will be featured in this special “scavenger hunt”. 

Ø          Each day KVRH, KBVC and KWUZ will announce clues for two businesses as well as any specials that business might have to offer during the first two weeks of February.  The clues will also be on Twitter, Face Book, posted on the news article section of the chamber website, www.buenavistacolorado.org and posted on the back door of the chamber building. 

Ø         People are encouraged to take the clues, visit the retail businesses, find the answer to the clues and have a responsible person sign a “playing card”. (See the playing card attached at the end of this newsletter). 

Ø         All playing cards must be turned in by 5pm on February 15^th at ANY participating business. 

Ø         The person who visits the most businesses and has the correct answers will win the grand prize worth over $500!  This includes  two days and one night at Bronco Billy’s in Cripple Creek, 2 Water World tickets and an assortment of gift certificates from the participating merchants.

Ø         If there are numerous qualifying contestants there will be a drawing for the grand prize.  Second prize is worth over $150 and 3^rd prize over $100.

Ø         IF people do not visit the business on the “featured” day, they can still visit the business and participate in the “Finding Frenzy”.  A person can make a list of the clues, visit several businesses in one day and still have a chance to win.  Businesses outside the city limits are worth bonus points.

Ø IN ADDITION—there will be 2 traveling jackpots during this event.  The first day the “pots” will be $20 in Buena Vista Bucks and if not found the “pots” will increase by $10 each day.  If the “pots” are found before February 14^th, they will begin again at $20. The jackpots will be in the featured businesses of the day. Buena Vista Bucks are as good as cash but must be spent locally.

Ø The winners will be announced live on the radio on February 17^th. 

Ø Participants must be 18 years or older to play.

Ø ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN! 

 

VILLAGE PROFILE MAP REPRINTED

    Sales for the community map are underway. The chamber is working with VillageProfile.com, inc.(R), which has been producing publications for the Chamber since 2001.

    The map will be published this summer. The 10,000 printed copies will be distributed throughout Buena Vista and the surrounding area, to visitors, and to individuals and businesses inquiring to the Chamber about relocation.

    The Chamber is taking part in the Village Profile(TM) Mobile Map Publishing Program(TM), the only one of its kind available to Chambers of Commerce. In addition to the printed version, the map and all advertisements will be online at the Village Profile(TM) Community Profile Network(R) website (www.villageprofile.com) soon after they are published, and will also link from the Chamber's website. 

    The community map is interactive, which means it can be wirelessly accessed at www.vpmobile.us via laptop and desktop computers, PDAs, smart phones, web-enabled cell phones and most other mobile devices, and allows users to link directly to advertisers' websites, as well as direct-dial advertisers in real time.  

    The Village Profile(TM) community portal garnered nearly 24 million hits in 2008 and 2,342,900 page views -- nearly 1.7 million of which were unique page views. The vpmobile.us site had 4,333,000 hits in 2008. Since 1996, the site has seen nearly 220,000,000 hits from Internet locales around the world and from all manner of users: education, government, business, individual, organization, and of course, .coms.

    Advertising in your Chamber publication has even more advantages. According to a national study recently conducted by the Atlanta-based marketing company, The Schapiro Group, "consumers are 63 percent more likely to buy goods and services in the future from a company that they believe is a member of the local chamber" and "they are 44 percent more likely to think favorably about" the business.

    The report further concluded that, "When business decision makers believe that a business is a chamber member" they are "59 percent more likely to buy goods and services from it."

    Businesses interested in advertising should call Village Profile(TM) representative Deanna Hartman at the Chamber office, 719-395-6612.

 

Member News

Orpheum Theatre

Phone: 719-395-8080/   www.orpheumbv.org
   The Orpheum Theater is available to rent for a variety of community uses such as weddings, receptions, lectures, conferences, business meetings and more.  The theatre, which is open year-round, has seating for 250-300 people.  The conference style chairs can be placed in many configurations which allow for dancing, meals, and a variety of aisle configurations.  The theater space is located on the second floor of the historic building.             The Orpheum Theatre is  a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

 

Thunder Lodge                                                395-2245

    We are extending our winter special through March 2010.  $49 per night, 2 night minimum stay or $59 per night.  I don't think locals know of our special for their family and friends that visit.

 

Congregational United Church of Christ      395-2544   

    CUCC is now sponsoring a free movie the second Friday of the month.  This month the movie will be on Friday, February 12^th.  They are located at 217 Crossman Avenue.  There is a separate movie for children and popcorn is served!

 

Hannaford Properties                                719-221-7663

    Quincy’s restaurant has relocated from the BV Square location on Main Street to 605 Hwy 24 S. Consequently, starting February 2010, the entire space once rented by Quincy’s (overall 4,900 sq. ft) will become available.   

    The owner is interested in any of the various options to lease or sell this space: (a) Leasing (as-is / subdivided / build-to-suit) or (b) Selling (owner financing possible) and would appreciate if chamber members would help spread the word. Bob Hannaford is the local property manager and would be a good point of contact. 

 

GARNA Birding Program/Annual Meeting

Tuesday, February 2

5:00-8:00 pm Salida Community Center

    This year’s program will be led by Mark Wolters, a licensed Colorado falconer who has flown birds for wild game hunting for 32 years. Mark’s presentation will focus on the first year of a raptor’s life, general characteristics, falconry and raptors seen in the Arkansas River Valley and he’ll bring his female Harris hawk along. GARNA member Dibby Olson will present her work with Albuquerque-based Hawks Aloft, the CO Division of Wildlife will provide info on bluebird monitoring, and Andrew Mackie will be on hand to share his knowledge on bird banding and optics. Bring a friend, bring the family! Call 539-5106 with questions.

 

Global Café                              395-8092     

    Global Café has turned up the HEAT.  We finally found time to repair the heating system in the café.  Back when we turned this old auto garage into a somewhat better use, we were forced to disassemble the heating system in the café in order to put in the necessary infrastructure.  Now the old system is back in working order and the café is quite toasty. 

    Also, Global Café has added 2 more days a week to the breakfast service.  We are now open Wednesday to Sunday starting at 8am.

 

ColoradoMountainCollege:

To anyone who has ever taken a class at CMC:
To better meet your needs as an alum of Colorado Mountain College, we have moved CMC's Alumni site to Facebook as it is user-friendly, immediate and interactive  So, visit us there soon and become one of our FANS  at www.facebook.com/CMCAlumni

 

Mother’s Bistro is now offering:

JailhouseGallery & ArtistCenter

Colorado’s Premier Arts Center for Contemporary Arts & More

414 East Main        (719) 966-4341

www.jailhouseartcenter.com

The Jailhouse is a one of a kind gallery and art center, showcasing a unique blend of art mediums from resident artists.  An 18^th century jailhouse turned creative space at the hands of local artists, the center provides a casual and open environment for education and collaboration in the arts.  We encourage artists of all skill levels to participate in a variety of interactive workshops that the center has to offer.  Space can be reserved for studio time, exhibition preparation or for the use of private art events.

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of ChaffeeCounty fundraiser:

NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED BAND

CROOKED STILL

IN CONCERT

Feb. 22, Monday, Salida SteamPlant

Doors open at 6:30 pm

Tickets available at Boys & Girls Clubs, High Country Banks, fringe, online at www.bgcchaffee.org or www.salidasteamplant.com, and at the door (although the last 3 concerts have SOLD OUT!)

$22 in advance and $25 at the door

‘A highly skilled outfit with an ingenious flair for steering traditional music in unexpected directions...rarely have musings about death, misadventure and murder sounded so lovely' - The Boston Globe

'...your expectations of how bluegrass and old-time classics should be performed will be turned on its ear.' - Vintage Guitar Magazine

Classically trained musicians – banjo, fiddle, cello, incredible vocals.  Very fun!

 

ArkansasValleyArtCenter

    Stuart Andrews’ Show, “Local Points of View” is at the CMC Gallery (across from the airport) until February 13. Gallery hours are noon until 4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

    High school students’ show will begin on February 19 with a reception that evening, at 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm. Buena Vista High School and Chaffee County High School are featured. That show will last until March 24.

    AVAC members will participate in a “Self Portrait” Challenge Show beginning on April 2.

    Memberships for 2010 are being received at the gallery.

 

Serendipity                                                        395-2110              www.serendipityyarn.com

    February 20^th - Fair Isle Class. This is a stranded 2-color knitting technique that is traditionally done in the round so that you only have to knit! You will knit a small bag. Be sure to get the handout when you sign up. 2 - 4pm. Cost, $20. Instructor, Robin Ziperman

   Serendipity’s “Sit and Stitch” times have expanded.  Bring your knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, or whatever project you are working on and join us to “sit and stitch”:

6 - 8 pm on Mondays at Global Garage
8 - 10 am on Thursdays at Mother's Bistro
10 am - Noon on Saturdays at Serendipity

 

Salida SteamPlant                              530-0933

February 7 is a Tailgate Party--Watch the BIG game on a BIG screen.  Doors open at 1pm, game starts at 4pm.  Free admission, Open seating.  Cash bar and food available.  Meet your friends and enjoy the game.  They will have one extra room open to chat and one for kids to watch a video. 

February 11 from 6-8pm is a Creative Mixer.  Get mixed up with the most inventive minds in Salida!  Join fellow artists, writers, performers, musicians, crafters and creative types to meet and mingle.  Free munchies, cash bar, gossip and good times!  In the Paquette Gallery there will be an Artist Recetption for the Project of the Elementary School at 6pm.  Punch and cookies provided.

February 22 at 7pm is the Crooked Still concert to benefit the Chaffee County Boys and Girls Club.

February 27--A weekend to celebrate our Dance Community by the Country Dance and Song Society.

March 14--Heart of the Rockies Bridal Show from 12-3pm, FREE.  They are looking for vendors.  Call or email info@salidasteamplant.com if interested.

 

Eddyline Brewery        966-6000   www.eddylinepub.com                                  

February 7 is a Super Bowl party at 4pm

 

Advantage Computer Solutions

Offering a Microsoft Product Seminar in conjunction with the Chamber at the Coyote Cantina on March 3 at Noon.  Come prepared to ask Bryan all your computer questions and enter to win FREE Windows 7 Software.  Please call the Chamber at 395-6612 for reservations and more information.  No obligation.

 

Young Again Consign & Design Shoppe            966-6003                                     

Have you seen the new consignment store? YOUNG AGAIN! It's all about beautiful clothes, furnishings, accessories and inspiration in a very attractive setting...It's for women of all ages and sizes! 

What the ladies are saying:  

“The store is beautiful and the prices are great”,

“The children’s clothes look like new”,

“It's nice to find larger women's sizes”,

“Brand new ANN TAYLOR clothing at these prices???!!!???”

“I always go in on Wednesday because all the new things are on the floor that day.”

And my favorite from one lady: "It's OUR place". Sorry guys, it just turned out very girlie.

 

Elizabeth Gobble, CPA has written a great article on 2010 Roth Rollover – Is it For You? which I have attached later in the newsletter

 

Edward Jones Coffee

February 25th         9:00 a.m.           301 E. Main

RSVP at 395-9093

Updates & Questions & Answers

Light Breakfast!

Open to everyone!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS IN February

2/1-Teddy Roosevelt

2/2 GARNA Birding Program Salida Community Center

2/5-Spaghetti Dinner for Gov class-BVHS cafeteria

2/6 Republican Lincoln Day Dinner-Mt Princeton Hot Springs

2/6 AADA 24^th Annual Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy-High Country Bank

2/7 Super Bowl parties at Eddyline and SteamPlant

2/8-Clouds and Weather in our Valley-Salida Community Center

2/17-Chamber Board Meeting 5:30 at the Chamber

2/18-Business After Hours- High Country Bank & Boys & Girls Club

 

Shop Locally

Support Your Local Economy

It’s More Important Than Ever!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Roth Rollover – Is it For You?

In 2010, the IRS has changed the rules regarding the ability to roll over amounts from qualified employer sponsored retirement plan accounts, such as 401(k)s and profit sharing plans, and regular IRAs, into Roth IRAs, regardless of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Previous to 2010, individuals with more than $100,000 of modified adjusted gross income were not eligible for Roth IRA conversions.

You might wonder why a Roth IRA would be a benefit to you vs a Regular IRA or your qualified pension plan.  The following are some benefits of the Roth IRA:

1.      The income earnings are tax-sheltered like the other IRA and qualified plans, however, withdrawals from a Roth IRA aren't taxed if some relatively liberal conditions are satisfied.

2. There are no required minimum distribution requirements when the Roth owner reaches age 70 ½.
3. Your beneficiaries of the Roth IRAs also enjoy tax-sheltered earnings, similar to other IRAs and pension plans, but the withdrawals are tax-free which is not the situation in a regular qualified employer plan or IRA.  However, your beneficiaries of the Roth do have to take minimum distributions from a Roth IRA after the account owner dies.

So you might wonder why ANYONE wouldn’t do a rollover in 2010.  For one thing, the rollover will be fully taxed, assuming the rollover is being made with pre-tax dollars and the earnings on those pre-tax dollars. So then you need to consider a few things before you can determine if this rollover option would be right for you and your family, due to this cash outlay requirement for the taxes now rather than when you distribute the funds later in retirement.

Some of these include:

1.      Can you fund the taxes due with non-retirement-plan funds? Keep in mind that if you use retirement plan funds to pay the tax on the rollover, you'll have less money building up tax-free within the account.

2.      What is your current tax bracket and do you anticipate that rate to be higher when you retire? This of course is very much a guess as it is difficult to determine what the government officials will do with future income tax rates and what your future income potential might be. 

3.      The time horizon that you have before needing the investment income and/or principal.  It should be long-term so your investments can have an opportunity to recover the taxes that were paid upon the distribution of the IRA or pension plan currently.  This again, is an uncertainty as an emergency can always emerge and/or the investment rates of return are also not certain.

4.      Do you wish to provide for an opportunity for your heirs of the Roth IRA to have a tax-free source of income at the expense of paying current taxes?

There is one change in the law for 2010 and that is that you have the opportunity to defer the taxes due from the withdrawal of the IRA and/or pension plan, to paying half in 2011 and half in 2012, unless you elect to pay the entire tax bill in 2010. Again, some people will elect to pay the entire bill in 2010 as they are uncertain as to the changes that may occur in the income tax rate structure in future years.

Should you choose to roll over your assets into a Roth IRA, you must keep in mind the rules regarding Roth distributions as they are different from regular IRAs and pension plans and penalties may result as a consequence if these are not followed and therefore, these rules should be reviewed in conjunction with your analysis as to whether a rollover is right for you.

If you are interested in learning more about Roth IRA conversions, please see the IRS web site at www.irs.gov, Pub 590, and review your analysis, or have the analysis prepared by, with your CPA or other financial advisor.

Submitted by:

Elizabeth A (Tish) Gobble, CPA

tish@gobblecpa.com