The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year!

Established in 1973 



Read your newsletter for future 35th Anniversary themed contests or events throughout the year! 
Including "I Spy 1973." 
"I Spy 1973" is a guessing game of "Who's Who" in 1973.  All pictures are of long-time locals currently living in the Fraser Valley who are, or have been, active in our Chamber and community.  The first person to guess at least 9 out of 12 pictures correctly in the 2008 newsletters, will win $35.00 at the end of the year. 


Who is February 1973?
 Click Here to send your guess. Maria will be collecting & keeping track of the answers throughout the year.

Do you have any Winter Park-Fraser Valley Factoids that you'd like to share with the membership??  Have fun idea's to help celebrate 35 years??  Please email them to Maria at mchavez@playwinterpark.com.

2008 Caucuses - February 5, 7:00 PM

It is time to get involved in the 2008 election. The first step is to attend your caucus! Please find the information links below to get you on the road to being involved.

Caucuses begin at 7:00 PM. Arrive no later than 6:45 PM to allow time for check-in.

I want to go to my caucus - What do I have to do? 
        
        1. Know your precinct:
  
You can use the Secretary of State lookup tool to find out:  www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/voterHome.do  

(This tool will give the full, statewide 10-digit number for your precinct. The last 3 digits of  the number are the "short" versionof your precinct number within your specific county).
        
        2. Look up the caucus location for your precinct:

 www.coloradodems.org/caucuslocations  Or  www.ColoGOP.org

        3. Arrive at your caucus location  just before 7pm on 
            Tuesday, Feb. 5.
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Business Recruitment Packet to be Developed
 

The Grand County Board of Commissioners has graciously awarded the Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce a grant that will fund the development of a comprehensive business recruitment packet.
 
It is our goal to develop a tool that can be used to recruit businesses to Grand County. Hopefully the packet will include substantiave demographic data, business license information and a guide to help new businesses grow.

We are looking for a few experienced members to help us build the packet. Please contact Catherine Ross at 726-4221 ext. 201 if you would like to help with this project.

Thank you to the Commissioners for their assistance!
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2007 Annual Report to Members

The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber has prepared a report to our members summarizing our activities and achievements for 2007.  This report in on CD and will be mailed to each of you.   But if you'd like to get a sneak peek, CLICK HERE to download.

Record Number of  Leads

Once again, there were a record number of people interested in Winter Park & The Fraser Valley in January.  We distributed over 4,000 Visitor Guides to people across the country and the globe. 

If you get any calls from prospective visitors, you can now direct them to the Chamber’s website, www.playwinterpark.com, to request their own free copy of the 2008 Visitor Guide.

If you are wanting to receive the leads information first-hand on these interested guests, become part of the Leads List.  Click Here for more information and sign-up form.
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Come Play at the SnowZone in Hideaway Park!

Free snowshoe hikes and snow skating every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sledding everyday with courtesy sleds at Hideaway Park!

Guests may enjoy an hour-long guided snowshoe hike along the Fraser Valley River Trail. Complimentary snowshoes are provided for participants from the Visitor Center. Snowshoes can also be rented at:    

• Christy Sports
• The Viking Ski Shop
• Ski Depot Sports
• Grand Sports

Want to try snow skating? The Visitor Center has 10 snow skates that are available for two hours on the weekend. They are available for purchase or to rent at Powder Tools and Grand Sports.

Don’t forget, if you are interesting in Geocaching, GPS systems are available to rent at Grand Sports.

Snowshoe Hikes:

        Friday 10am
        Saturday 1pm
        Sunday 2pm

Snow Skating:

    Friday 1pm-3pm

    Saturday 2:30pm-4:30 pm

    Sunday 10am-12pm

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National Forest Closures Due to Safety

Starting January 28, the St. Louis Creek Road on the Sulphur Ranger District will be closed weekdays due to logging directly adjacent to the road.  The Creekside Trail and the Flume Trail in the Fraser Experimental Forest are also closed due to safety concerns from logging activity. 

In addition, the Sulphur Ranger District has two new closures starting January 30 - the Chainsaw Trail and the western end of the Leland Creek Road.  These routes will also be closed to ensure public safety while logging operations are occurring.

Leland Creek Road and Chainsaw Trail, along with Flume and Creekside
Trails, are expected to remain closed seven days a week for the remainder of the winter.
 
The St. Louis Creek Road is expected to remain closed weekdays until February 8 and will be impassable due to equipment and logs.  The two trails will be closed throughout the winter.  These closed areas are marked with signs and either flagging or fencing.

The public should be aware of a number of safety concerns in these areas.  Visitors need to stay at least 100 yards away from any logging equipment and also need to be aware of hazards in areas already logged.  These hazards include stumps, limbs, and downed logs that are not all marked and could be covered by snow.

There are still many trails and areas open to the public on the Sulphur Ranger District.  To find out more about where to recreate, please contact visitor information at 970.887.4100.

For the latest information on beetle kill logging activities, please check our website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/conditions/srdbarkbeetle/index.shtml. Here you will find maps of the projects and the latest on closures.
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Fraser -Winter Park's Police Department's Newest Addition!
Picture of Nikita and Sergeant Brett D. Schroetlin

FWPPD’s newest (and fastest) Officer – K-9  “Nikita”.  Nikita is a  3 ½ year old black female Belgian Malinois (Pronounced Mal-en-waa) weighing in at 60 pounds. 

Her commands will be in Dutch. She is a “Passive Alert” Drug Detection dog. 

She has excellent work drive, personality and should be a great addition to our county.

Welcome home Nikita!

Membership 101 – How the Chamber works for you!

Tuesday, February 26
8:00-9:15am
Free at the Pinnacle Lodge in Fraser.

Refresh yourself on Chamber benefits & opportunities while enjoying a complimentary continental breakfast & coffee provided by Winter Park Coffee Shop.  This is also a great opportunity to review the WPFV Chamber 2007 Annual Report and find out what's new for 2008.
  
Know of a business that is interested in the chamber, but not a member?  Bring'em along!  

Click Here to RSVP by February 20 . Space is limited!

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Member Spotlight:  Frank Expressions

Frank Expressions works wizardry to charm your gift recipients—friends, family, or clients alike.  Cast your own spell with unique gifts from light-up ice cubes to cowgirl slippers and more.  Enchant her with a gift basket of luxurious Arbonne bath and body products or enthrall him with the decadence of imported or custom chocolates.  Gift-giving so easy you’ll think its magic!

Frank Expressions started in 2001 and has been a member and actively supported the Chamber since that time.  A Businesses Without Borders participant since 2005, Frank Expressions features the original Candy Bouquet and offers Local Delivery and Worldwide Shipping. 

A home-based business, Frank Expressions can be reached at 722-7707 in Fraser, on the web at www.frankexpressions.com or www.800.candybouquet.com and at benefit shows only: 

• Cupid’s Corner (for Middle Park Land Trust) February 9 at the Historic Fraser Church from 10—3
• The Advocates’ Girls Night Out in October
• The FVMRD Holiday Show in November

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Community Meeting With Governor's Energy Office (GEO)
February 7, at Mountain Parks Electric 9-11am.

On February 7 the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) will meet with the Grand County Community as part of a 4-day regional tour.  Our  Regional Representative Joani Matranga will be joined by Seth Portner the Deputy Director of the Governor’s Energy Office.
 
Please come meet your Regional Representative and learn about GEO programs and opportunities. This is your chance to discuss how GEO can help with the promotion and adoption of energy efficient technologies in building, and renewable forms of energy in Grand County.
 
To learn more about GEO programs and opportunities please Click Here.
 
Please contact Liz McIntyre at  mcinliz@aol.com or 970.887.2344  to RSVP or if you would like more information.

by Joyce Burford
What's New for 2008?

Now that the fabulous new 2008 Visitor Guide is out, what's new for 2008?   We've got lots in store and here are some of the highlights:

• Community Map (don't worry it's coming!)
• Community Profile
• Completely redesigned web site!!   Woohoo!
• Larger budget to do more marketing programs with
• New Public Relations agency
• All photos from our new Visitor Guide will be online on our photo library - free to members!
  

And more!   Call or email me with any questions: 726-4221, ext. 3 or jburford@playwinterpark.com.

VIP Great Deals - Expose Your Business

Mary Jane Birthday & WinterFest A Huge Success! 
Thanks again to our sponsors: 

• Town of Winter Park
• Winter Park Resort
• The Paper Clip
• Beaver Village Condominiums
• Village Homes
• BodyWorks Spa
• Room Service Pedicures
• Grand Sports
• Margaritaville
• Mary Jane Ale
• Snickers

Special thanks to the following folks for all their efforts in creating fun floats and helping us celebrate MJ's big night:

• East Grand Fire Department
• Grand County Blues Society - Blues In The Schools
• Grand County Search & Rescue
• Nia Design
• Pick Me! Floral & Event Design
• Ski Broker
• Town of Winter Park
• USDA Forest Service
• Fraser-Winter Park Police
• Winter Park Resort
• Snow Mtn. Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies
• Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park

 Winners of the Mary Jane Lighted Parade were:

• 1st Place: YMCA of the Rockies - prize $1,000
• 2nd Place: Winter Park Resort - prize $500
• 3rd Place: Pick Me! - prize $275

Mary Jane's were spotted all around town in different decor in the Mary Jane on Parade which was fun for all.  Special thanks to all the local businesses that participated in the Mary Jane on Parade:

• B' Jammin'
• Be...
• Beaver Village Resort
• Cascades Cabin
• Club Car at Mary Jane
• Destinations West
• Grand Sports
• Kut Above  
• Millennium Bank
• Mountain Grind
• Plant Orphanage
• Rudi's Deli
• Ski Broker in Fraser
• Trail Ridge Art
• Winter Park Organic Market
• Winter Park Resort - Janet Day
• Winter Park Visitor Center

Click Here  to view all the Mary Jane's On Parade!
Winners of the Mary Jane on Parade were selected by ballot in a People's Choice contest.  The contest ended on Sunday, January 27 and the winners were surprised on Tuesday by a visit from the MJ Prize Patrol when they were awarded with cash prizes, trophies, flowers, balloons and candy. 

Mary Jane on Parade Winners:

• 1st Place: B'Jammin' - $500 prize
• 2nd Place: Winter Park Organic Market - $350 prize
• 3rd Place: Millennium Bank - $225 prize

Events & Meetings in February

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. 

05:    Winter Park Town Council 8:00am

05:    GCBS Presents: Fat Tuesday with Tab Benoit at Smokin' Moe's

06:    Fraser Town Board: 6:30pm

09:    Cupid's Corner Valentine Gift Boutique

12:    Chamber Membership Meeting 9:00am

13:    Chamber Board Meeting: 9:15am

18:    Winter Park Town Council Meeting: 8am

19:    Fraser Town Board: 6:30pm

23:    Wild Snowshoe Hare Event

25:    Rec District Meeting: 5:30pm

26:    Chamber Membership 101: 8am at Pinnacle Lodge

27:    Chamber Dinner with Senator Dan Gibbs

29 - 3/2:  33rd Annual Wells Fargo Bank Cup

29:    GCBS Presents: Reba Russell & Eden Brent at Smokin' Moe's
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Save The Dates... with more details to come.

March 20: Chamber & Grand Park Vernal Equinox "Egg Moon" Snowshoe & 35 Golden Easter Egg Hunt in the neighborhood of Cozen's Meadow. Followed with spaghetti dinner.

June 25:  "URINETOWN" Chamber Night at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre Company in Grand Lake.

Special Chamber Dinner with Senator Dan Gibbs