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Adventure Member! Who in the world is that?

"Adventure Member" is a new guessing game of "Who's Who" in the Chamber membership.  All pictures are of current Chamber members who love adventure.  The first person to guess at least 9 out of 12 pictures correctly in the 2009 newsletters, will win a $50.00 gift certificate at the end of the year.

Who is February's Adventure Member?

Click Here to submit your guess. Name business and owner. (Click photo to enlarge image).

Would you like to be an "Adventure Member?" Submit your adventure picture to mchavez@playwinterpark.com.

Welcome Back to Winter Park - An Economic Stimulus Program for All Winter Park & Fraser Valley Businesses

Okay Chamber members, it is time to get out there and support each other the best we can. Usually it is only at holiday times that I remind everyone to shop locally, but now it is even more important than ever to support each other. Before we head to Denver or go online to shop, we should factor in how important it is to keep our money in Grand County.  And best of all you can bring your receipts from participating merchants to the Visitor Center in Winter Park and get key codes to enter to win the $10,000 grand prize in the “Welcome Back to Winter Park” promotion.

The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce has launched a new campaign to stimulate our local economy. “Welcome Back to Winter Park” is a promotion that features great deals at over 60 participating businesses and an opportunity to win great prizes, including a $10,000 Grand Prize. Guests and locals can get involved and enter many times in order to increase their chances to win.

Now every time you visit Welcome Back Participating Merchants, you can get great deals at shops, restaurants and lodging all over town. Plus, you can earn secret codes that enter you to win $10,000 in cold hard cash. The more you visit, the more chances you earn. You can even earn one free entry simply by stopping by the Visitor Center in downtown Winter Park and mentioning you saw this offer on the website. Welcome back!

The program is being promoted on five Front Range radio stations, through direct mail and internet advertising. There are also appearances by our “Welcome Wagon” at a variety of Denver locations. These appearances are used to distribute area information and sign folks up for the giveaway.

The Chamber of Commerce hopes to get the attention of potential visitors as well as local residents to get out into the community and support our business owners.  To find out more about the program, including rules and sign-up information please go to www.WelcomeBacktoWP.com or call 970-726-4118. For a complete listing of member businesses, events and local directories please visit www.playwinterpark.com.
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Twenty-Five Mountain Towns Partner to Reduce Disposable Bag Consumption

Twenty-five mountain towns in the Western United States are collaborating on an initiative to reduce consumption of single-use, disposable shopping bags. Beginning March 1, participating towns will compete in the 2009 Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) Reusable Bag Challenge, a friendly and voluntary contest to determine which town can minimize their use of disposable bags the most. The competition will end on September 1, 2009.

Contest preparation begins as the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, a bill sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Veiga and Rep. Joe Miklosi, both Denver Democrats, has been introduced in the state legislature to phase out plastic-bag use over three years at the biggest retailers in Colorado.   The initiative is also being supported by Governor Ritter and the Governor's Energy Office.

On the local level, the towns of Granby, Grand Lake, Winter Park and Fraser will be participating in the challenge.  An environmentally-minded committee has been formed to spearhead the local initiative.  Committee members are Michele Murray Hedlund, Martha Hutt, Liz McIntryre, Tim Hodsdon, Cat Petersen, Chiara Subhas and Joyce Burford.  The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber has graciously offered its support in helping to get the word out on the program.

Once the competition begins, local participating stores will be responsible for tallying the use of every reusable bag used or purchased by a customer at checkout. The ‘winner’ will be determined on a per capita basis by which community uses the most reusable bags during the six-month period.  Environmental concern around issues such as litter and degradation of resources is the primary impetus behind the CAST Challenge. In the U.S alone, annual production of disposable grocery bags emits nearly 4 million tons of CO₂-equivalent. An estimated 4 billion plastic bags worldwide end up as litter every year—enough that, tied end to end, the bags could circle the Earth 63 times.

So, please get out your resuable bags and get in the habit of using them at local stores!   More information and a list of participating stores to come. For more information and to find out how you can get involved, please contact either Michele Murray Hedlund at 970.531.0585, michele80482@gmail.com or Joyce Burford, 970.485.2737 or jburford@playwinterpark.com.
 

MAKING MEMORIES FOR OUR GUESTS  by Kristyna Nedele

The FREE beginner snowshoe tours from the Visitor Center have been quite a success in the past. These tours are a perfect opportunity to show our guests the beauty of the Fraser Valley and give them something to do on the days they’re taking a break from skiing.  Most importantly, we want to create wonderful memories for our guests so they keep on coming back for more.  The tours are Fridays at 1pm, Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at 1pm – snowshoes provided.  Come into the Winter Park Visitor Center for more information or call 726-4118.

We distributed over 2000 Visitor Guides to people across the country and the globe in January.  If you get any calls from prospective visitors, you can now direct them to the Chamber’s website, www.playwinterpark.com, to download their own free copy of the 2009 Visitor Guide.

We’d like to thank the Town of Winter Park for all the efforts they put into the park, and keep it looking snazzy for all those pro sledders!
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5th Annual Cupid's Corner Gift Show - For the Love of the Land!
Benefiting Middle Park Land Trust
Saturday, February 7
10-3pm | Fraser Historic Church

Cupid's Corner Gift Show promises to be the best ever, filled with affordable and unique gifts for your Valentine (or you!). The show benefits Middle Park Land Trust:  
www.middleparklandtrust.org | 887-1177.
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Partner Yoga with Margaret and Dan - Mtn Moon Yoga in Winter Park Station
Saturday, February 14, 10-12 noon, all levels
$15/person or $25/pair, min. 6, preregister by Feb. 10

Bring a friend or family member and learn to create awareness and proper alignment through communication and assisted postures.  All necessary props will be provided.  Go to www.mtmoonyoga.com for other new classes & schedules.

Margaret Strom, RYT, had the yoga spark ignited 17 years ago and it has been burning ever since. She has been teaching for 13 years and uses her knowledge of asana and human physiology to guide students to that place of comfort and peace within their own body. She combines her background in Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and Viniyoga with gentleness and compassion honoring each student's strengths and challenges. Dan Heinze has been a student of yoga and meditation for many years.

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Aron Ralston Presentation - Author of Between a Rock and a Hard Space
February 24 | 6-9pm at Middle Park High School Auditorium

FREE PRESENTATION

Aron Ralston, accomplished mountaineer, author of Between a Rock and a Hard Space, and survivor of one of the all time heroic acts of self preservation evidenced in Utah, will present his epic tale of survival and triumph.

Event courtesy of Grand County Library District. 970.887.2147 | www.gcld.org. Sponsored by Winter Park Ski Resort.

CLICK HERE for Fraser Valley Library After School Programs.
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Smokin' Moe's Hosts Hunker Down Bluegrass CD Release Party
Saturday, February 7 | 9pm at Smokin' Moe's

Hunker down and celebrate with Grand County's favorite local bluegrass band, Hunker Down Bluegrass as they release their new CD!  All six members of the band will perform their 12 original songs off their new CD "Wood for the Fire" and much much more. CD is included with the $15.00 cover charge. Go to www.myspace.com/hunkerdown for future show dates. 

Special thank you to Smokin' Moe's for hosting the event. For dinner reservations, call 726-4600.

Old School Member:
Harold Baker of Sitzmark Lodge - 41 Years of Paradise!

Did you know...
Harold Baker has been the proud owner of Sitzmark Cabins, located behind Hernando's Pizza & Pasta Pub on Baker Drive since June 2, 1968 at 2:00pm? 

And that Harold graduated from the Univerisity of Colorado in Boulder in 1971 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree? (GO CU!)

The Sitzmark is comprised of rustic chalets with kitchen and fireplaces; cabins; dorms; rustic RV and camp sites. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Harold at the Sitzmark at 726-5453 or 303.525.9811.
 
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Member Spotlight: Legacy Building Specialties
Store Hours: 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday
Village Shopping Center 
78491 U.S. Hwy 40
970.887.4033 | 

Members - Please Help Us Promote the "Welcome Back" Campaign!

Inntopia- The Chamber Online Reservation Page is Linked and LIVE!
by Cindy Harder, Sales Director | Sara Sable, Sales Assistant
726-4118 | sales@playwinterpark.com

It’s live and in living color! The Online Reservation page is now active on the Chamber’s website www.playwinterpark.com. This tool will allow our guests to reserve their lodging, rentals and activities on line right from the Chamber site. If you are interested in more information and having your lodging, rentals or activity listed and haven’t done so already, call us for the contract commitment form and start getting bookings!

2009 brings change and evolvement for the Sales Council, we are continuing to meet once a month on the second Tuesday of the month and invite your attendance and interest in positioning a Sales Message with our Marketing Brand. Next meeting is 2/10/09 4pm at the chamber. As event and community promotions present themselves, we anticipate with economic changes to rely less on a standard budget and more on a cooperative effort between interested parties. We will work hard to keep you well informed, but please don’t hesitate to call and check in with us to become involved.

Mardi Gras Party!
Not One, But Two!

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Hideaway Park SnowZone Madness!

Free Open Rail Classes!  Sign up now with the Fraser Recreation District at 726-8960 for the open rail classes at Hideaway Park SnowZone!  These classes are for all abilities ages 6 and above.  Snowskates are provided.  Classes are on Fridays 4-6pm throughout February, with the last class on March 6. 

Hideaway Park SnowZone!  Activities include a night hike and campfire program on Saturday’s starting at 1pm (RSVP at the Winter Park Visitor Center).

Stop by the Visitor Center and pick-up a 2009 SnowZone event rack card & a sticker!
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Blowin' Out Mary Jane's Birthday! by Tamara Davis

Mary Jane Birthday Bash!  What a fun event!  Thank you to all who sponsored and made this weekend a success: 

• Winter Park Resort
• Town of Winter Park
• Paper Clip
• Java Lava
• Fraser Creative Learning Center
• Rendezvous
• Regis Dahl
• VZF Group
• Grand County Search and Rescue 

Over 400 guests were there to watch the fun Parade and Fireworks at Hideaway Park.  The first ever Mary Jane Snowshoe Trek went well with lots of snow on the trail.  Click on "Mary Jane Hartmann" to see all the MJ on Parade photos.  Thank you to all businesses who participated. 

Winners of the Mary Jane On Parade! 
1st Place: 
B Jammin'
2nd Place:
Allegiant Property Management
3rd Place:
Epic Mountain Sports

Events in Febuary

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 Kristyna Nedele at chamber@playwinterpark.com with your event(s).
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2009 GOVERNOR’S CUP & SKI-FEST at DEVIL’S THUMB RANCH Presented by WELLS FARGO
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6-8

Contact: 970.726.5632 |  www.devilsthumbranch.com for more information.

Middle Park Fair & Rodeo Chamber & BWB Business Mixer
February 18 |  5:30-7pm | Mountain Parks Electric Banquet Room

Come enjoy great food & beverages hosted by Grand Animals 4-H Club and Middle Park Fair & Rodeo Royalty. It's a great opportunity to meet the Middle Park Fair & Rodeo's Board of Directors and learn what their volunteers and youth are planning this upcoming year!  Great door prizes and great people!  All Chamber members and Businesses Without Borders members welcome!

Fair Book Advertisement Opportunity! - Amazing low rates!
by Kathy Allen, Fair Board President

"The Middle Park Fair & Rodeo members are really enjoying our new membership with the Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Many of our members are participating in activities offered by Winter Park & The Fraser Valley.  We would like to invite everyone to take advantage of advertising their business in our fair books.  Approximately 2,000 of these books are distributed around Grand and Summit Counties. 

Please contact me at 531-2625 or kathympf@gmail.com if you have any questions". 

CLICK HERE FOR FAIR BOOK ADVERTISEMENT INFORMATION.

Mark Your Calendar!
5th Annual Snowmobile Poker Run Presented by Middle Park Fair & Rodeo
February 21 | Registration 9am-noon
$10 per hand or 6 hands for $50.00.  Call 970.819.5213 for more info.  Snow pending.
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Save the Date!

McConnell Printing Co. Chamber Mixer
Rescheduled for Thursday, March 12 from 5-7pm.