Happy to Welcome New Businesses to the Chamber this Year!
by Catherine Ross

It has been an exciting start to the winter season with many new businesses (or owners) becoming part of the Winter Park-Fraser Valley family. I am sure I will miss some so please let me know via email so that they be included in the newsletter next month.

SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch has expanded and remodeled the base lodge and it is FABULOUS! Included in the new digs is the Seven Trails Grill.  A full-service restaurant on the first floor that is a perfect setting for lunch or dinner. If you haven’t been to SolVista Basin in a while this is the time to go. It is great place to try something new like snowshoeing or telemark skiing. Check out the entire new real estate product available or go for dinner and night skiing.

Free Night Skiing & Live Music Saturday, January 5 and 19
Enjoy free night skiing open to the public from 5-8pm on East Mountain. Enjoy live music or warm up outside by the fire ring.

Get out to Winter Park Resort and ride the new Panoramic Express lift. Get up to the top of Parsenn Bowl in style on the highest six-person lift in North America. Ski down the newly named Village Way Trail for a nonstop top to bottom thigh burner.

In downtown Winter Park make sure you stop in to Grand Sports to welcome Dan and Denise O’Connell to the world of retail. The shop has been redecorated and Denise is shopping all the time for new and unique stock.

The Winter Park Group will be launching their commercial/residential development at the soon-to-be-open sales office in the old Shed building. They are looking for ideas for a public art display in downtown Winter Park. So stop by and let them know what you think.

Eric VanHerwaarden has become the new owner of O2 Creative. He is ready to accommodate your every graphic design need.

Looking for a new hot spot for nightlife? Try Freestyles located in the lower level of Lost Boys. If you have too much fun just call Valley Taxi for a ride home. The taxi service is a new; much needed service in the community.

Fraser has several new businesses that are fun to explore. Bella Vita Wellness Spa is open in the Fraser Valley Center. They offer massages, spa treatments and products. Try out the thermal massage beds! Joining them in the Center is The Party Store offering a great selection of party decorations, invitations and favors.  Just a few doors down from there is Seven Sisters, a fabulous new clothing store. Check out their eclectic collection of clothing and gifts including some awesome pottery.

Last, but certainly not least, The Lodge at Devil’s Thumb Ranch has opened its doors. The Lodge has been built to be reminiscent of National Park Lodges with native stone, beetle kill wood and local art. Watch the local paper for Grand Opening events.

News from the Front Line by Tamara “T” Davis

Happy New Year!  Hope everyone had a great holiday week. 

We would like to thank Mark Bujanovich, CC Enterprises, Names & Numbers, Crooked Creek Saloon, Woodspur Lodge, Beaver Village Condos, Home James, Mountain Timber Furnishings, Allegiant Property Management, and Arapahoe Lodge for all of the wonderful holiday candy and sweets, they were delicious.  We also greatly appreciated all the wonderful cards that were sent.

The new 2008 Visitor Guide has arrived!  Please stop by and grab a supply for your business (and don't forget to bring us your rack cards while you're at it!).  We even have display boxes for the Visitor Guide, so please be sure to ask for one(s) when you come by.

The Visitor Center staff will be doing member tours once again since we have new staff, so give us a call with a good time to visit your business.

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2007 Holiday Tree Contest:

I-70 Coalition Launches a New Web Site & E-Newsletter

The I-70 Mountain Corridor Coalition has launched a new and improved Web site at www.i70solutions.org  to provide timely, reliable, convenient and useful information for I-70 travelers. According to coalition director Flo Raitano, the most notable design feature of the site is the “I-70 Action Alert,” which encourages users to become involved with transportation issues in the mountain corridor and around the state. Raitano says the first “Action Alert” is to encourage users to sign up for the coalition’s e-newsletter, which will be published throughout the year informing subscribers of coalition activities, transportation issues being discussed at the state-level, public participation opportunities and more.  Anyone interested in learning more about, and being a part of the I-70 solution is encouraged to sign up for this quarterly electronic newsletter at www.i70solutions.org. 
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Middle Park Land Trust Cupid's Corner Valentine Gift Boutique
Saturday, February 9 from 10-3pm
Fraser Historic Church

Please join the Middle Park Land Trust at the Fourth Annual Cupid's Corner Valentine Gift Boutique on Saturday, February 9 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Fraser Historic Church.

Find unique gifts for your valentine from local vendors, including gourmet chocolates, body and hair products, jewelry, and other unique crafts and treasures. Stop by MPLT's booth for food and beverage treats!
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Prudential Real Estate: Executive Assistant Needed!

Prudential Real Estate is looking for a fun, out-going person to be their Executive Assistant. Hours are Monday - Friday. Paid holidays, PLUS incentive bonuses.  $12-15 an hour.  Must have good computer skills including Excel, Word and Publisher.

Know anyone who is interested or fit the bill? Contact Gary Glenn at 726-3500.

Maximize Your Membership In 2008
by Maria Chavez
mchavez@playwinterpark.com

Here are three easy ways to get exposure for your business!

1. Be a part of the VIP Great Deals program OR sign up to be a Local Favorite on the web site - The VIP Great Deals program is free.  Click Here for a sign up form.  To learn more about being a Local Favorite, please see the Marketing section.

2. Let us know about special deals or discounts at your business.  May it be for our guests or other fellow chamber members.  

3. Are you having an Open house? Special event?  Mixer? Or would like to have one?  Contact me so I can help promote your event.

DON'T FORGET!!! 2008 Visitor Guides are in. Stop by the chamber and pick some up for yourself and your guests.  Help support your fellow Chamber members!  Instead of picking up the phone book, pick up the Visitor Guide and use a Chamber member! Be sure to let them know that you are a member supporting another!  

ALSO!! For a great reference, go to our web site and use the business directory at www.playwinterpark.com!

AND! If you'd like to update yourself on your memberhsip benefits, please do not hesitate to contact me for an appointment.

P.S.  Do we have your rack or business cards in the visitor center?  Are you sure?  Call the Visitor Center staff at 726-4118 or email visitorcenter@playwinterpark.com or stop in with extras!!!
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Member Spotlight:  Fraser Medical Clinic

The Fraser Medical Clinic will be opening in May of 2008.  Dr. Patrick Barry and Dr. Astrid Lampey are a husband and wife team who will be pairing up to open a new family practice. They will be leaving busy full spectrum practices in Estes Park to start here in Fraser. 

Dr. Lampey will be arriving first and Dr. Barry hopes to join her by November of 2008. Both physicians enjoy all aspects of family medicine including pediatrics, well child care, adult medicine, chronic disease management, dermatology, minor orthopedics, and treatment of acute illnesses.  Dr. Lampey has extensive experience in women's health and has been providing prenatal care and obstetrics. Though she will no longer be doing deliveries, she is excited to provide prenatal care to women who will deliver in Denver or Frisco hospitals. 

The Fraser Medical Clinic will be conveniently located next to Safeway in the Fraser Marketplace.  They look forward to providing you and your family with high quality, evidence driven, patient centered, friendly healthcare! 
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Resolution Re-Runs  
by: Marianne Klancke, certified professional life coach
CommuniAction, LLC

Every year we subject ourselves to the age old stress of New Year’s resolutions.  Many of us find that we are actually stuck in Resolution Re-Runs.  The same determination of change that we declared in 2007, 2006, 2005… haunts us again in 2008. Whatever optimistic high we had on January 1st is commonly followed by the low of December’s stagnation.  This perpetuating process, at this point, is often sitting heavy on our esteem and causing havoc with our confidence.  Where then are the forward actions that we have promised ourselves?   Growth can be lost in our disabling need to never struggle or fail.

The thoughts and actions necessary to nurture our resolutions to success often never see the light of day.  Our quests are generally not structured or even spoken out loud.  We secret our desires and never risk public scrutiny or perceived failure.  Unfortunately, by our own covert, non-actions we deny the focused energy that is generated when we openly immerse ourselves in our plans for change, gather outside support, and obviously act on our goals. 
 
As exposed as it may feel, you must recruit your family, friends, and community as your Resolution Team.  Record and share your intentions.  Speak often of your plans to one and all.  Seize opportunities.  Discover how others can educate and mentor you in your pursuits.  Dare to experience setbacks.  Be supportive of fellow “resolutionists” who are forging their own unique changes.  Celebrate each step of your journey.
 
Go public - ignite a Resolution Revolution for yourself and others.  It is time to activate your contemplations and to succeed in all that is significant to you.

Sales Council Update:
By Heather Lopez, Sales Director

Mark your calendars, Lifestylz College week is near!  Roughly 1,200 college students will be here the week of January 5-12.
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The Sales Council has been busy working hard for you. We completed our 2008 Sales Plan and have presented it to the community.

CLICK HERE for 2007 Sales Council Year In Review and the 2008 Sales Plan.

In order to complete our goals and fund summer chamber events and concerts it is crucial that we continue to receive support from our Community Sales Plan contributors and gain the support of additional community businesses. The Sales Council’s mission and purpose is to increase sales and revenues for Winter Park & Fraser Valley businesses through coordinated sales efforts and support of other sales entities. This will be accomplished by continuing to build the Community Sales Program funded by a voluntary 1% surcharge.
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Voluntary 1% Surcharge:

Line 16 on Business Owner’s Sales Tax Form allows for voluntary contribution of 0.9% of your revenue. These funds are used to continue the Community Sales Program. If you would like to participate, it is suggested that you charge your customers a 1% surcharge and remit .9%, since the 1% surcharge is subject to the same sales and lodging taxes as your other income.

The Town of Winter Park has agreed to collect this surcharge from businesses subject to Town Sales Tax and forward the funds received to the Community Sales Program account. The Community Sales Program was developed and is managed by the Sales Council, a committee of Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce. This program is designed to enhance current marketing and sales efforts to increase visitors to retail, dining, activities and lodging.

Members of the Sales Council, along with 20 other businesses and Winter Park Resort, have committed to collect this surcharge from their guests. In order to accomplish our  goals and continue the summer chamber events, the participation of the rest of the community is needed. We thank you for your support in promoting our community.

Contact Heather Lopez at 726-4221 x 7 or email hlopez@playwinter.com for the Voluntary 1% Surcharge sign up sheet.

Benefits for the participating in the program:

• Exposure to new and undeveloped markets.
• First to receive the leads from tradeshows and conferences.
• Free enhanced exposure in collateral pieces created including the Group Tour Manual.
• First to be called for FAM opportunities
• Enhanced MTRiP research data and trend information.
• Increased business through targeted programs.
• Representation of your business in Sales Council Programs
• Opportunity to receive overruns of all direct mail pieces to use in promoting your business.

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MTrip Report

Click Here for December's MTrip Report.

You’re Invited to a Birthday Bash for Mary Jane!

January 25-27

Plan NOW to join in the fun, get your name out there and invite visitors to stop in your business!

THREE EASY WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS…

1.  Offer a Mary Jane Special for that weekend and we will list you on the MJ Schedule of Things To Do in Downtown Winter Park and Special Offers. 

Examples are a MJ breakfast or dinner special, a MJ drink, a MJ discount on merchandise or services, etc.  Email your MJ special to ghallisey@playwinterpark.com no later than January 21 to be included.  Please include your contact info in case we have questions.

2.   Build a lighted float, pimp your ride and enter the Mary Jane lighted main street parade!  We’ll even give you cash to get started. All floats are required to be lighted.  PLUS Cash prizes and trophies for winners! 

3.   Decorate your own Mary Jane in the MJ On Parade Contest.  Only 20 cutouts are available – get one today and get creative!  Great prizes and trophies for the best MJ!

Click Here for an Entry Form for the Lighted Main Street Parade or the Mary Jane On Parade Contest.

Click Here  for the Schedule of Events at the Resort and in downtown Winter Park.

For more info, contact Gina at the Chamber 970.726.4221 x2.

Events & Meetings in January

CLICK HERE for a the complete calendar and details of community events.  Is your event not listed on the web site and you would like it to be? If so, please email Tamara Davis at tdavis@playwinterpark.com with your event. 

06-11:  Lifestylz College Week

08:       Winter Park Town Council Meeting: 8am

09:        Fraser Town Board: 6:30pm

12:        Chamber Board Meeting: 9:15am

12:        Snow Mountain Classic: YMCA

17:        The Party Place Chamber Mixer 5-7pm

15:        Winter Park Town Council Meeting: 8am

16:        Fraser Town Board: 6:30pm

25:        25th Annual Chef's Cup: Winter Park Resort

25-27:   Mary Jane's Birthday Bash & Winterfest

29:        Rec District Meeting 5:30pm

 
Plan Your Next Party at:
 
The Party Place

Chamber Mixer

Bring your staff & enjoy appetizers & beverages!

Date:
Thursday, January 17

Time:
5-7pm

Where: 
The Party Place in Fraser
(Located next to Radio Shack)
726-1260

For a fiesta of a good time, Click Here to RSVP by January 14 so we may know how much food to provide.

Chamber member's receive 10% off all supplies day of mixer!  Kid's welcome!!!!