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Archive for the ‘Colorado’ Category
I can’t wait! This Saturday, Loveland 365 is going to march in the Loveland Corn Roast Festival Parade. Our parade Grand Marshal Mary Gullikson will lead us through downtown. r
Marching with us will be other wWriters, Photographers, Real Estate Agents, Promoters, Book Designers, PR Reps, Graphic Designers, and Citizens interested in the success of our Loveland 365 project. You can see past parade photos HERE, on the Corn Roast Festival Facebook Fan Page.
The Corn Roast Festival itself is a hoot, lots of family fun. We’ll be at the Fairgrounds Park on Railroad. In case you have not run through the Water Park there, this weekend would be a great opportunity! There will be food vendors, a beer garden, vendor booths, and plenty of fun stuff for the kids!
Don’t miss out on the fun! The parade starts promptly at 9:30am.
Posted in August 2010, Colorado, Corn Roast Festival, Loveland, Loveland Colorado, Loveland, Colordo | No Comments »
 Loveland Receives Recognition from US Dept. of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day in Loveland means listening for the tolling of the bell that makes its reverent tour of town during the chilly early morning hours. Other celebrations are well attended, and our parade grows each year.
It is a great pleasure to post this letter of recognition from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which designates Loveland as a Regional Site for the observance of Veterans Day 2010.
Loveland is among a mere 45 cities in the NATION to receive this kind of nod!
Many thanks to Tony DuMosch, Veterans Day Chairman and the many Veterans and Volunteers who make this all happen every year.
DuMosch says, “This is something Loveland can be proud of because of people like you and me make it happen. Thank you for your support as we gear up for this years 2010 Veterans Day and special tribute to the Korean War era Veterans.”
Here is a sampling of a typical Veterans Day activities in Loveland:
0400: Bell ringers hit the streets
0600: Posting of Flags of the fallen at Loveland Cemetery
0600: Posting of Colors Downtown Loveland
0600: OPEN FREE to public the Associated Vets Club @ 305 Cleveland Ave. View the military history of local veterans and more
0600-0900: Breakfast @ Vets Club
0700: Table displays & information for the public in Vets Club including Operation Military Kids, American Legion, US Army, US Navy, Freedom Car, and more
1111: Parade starts and ends at Dwayne Webster Veterans Park (Veterans Memorial site)
1200: Afternoon main event with Guest Speakers (In 2009 the speaker was Latoya Lucas, First Female elected Officer within the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s Department of Colorado.)
1300: Lunch served up by Squadron 15 Sons of American Legion
1300: Main hall entertainment with DJ music, Karaoke, & dancing.
So watch the paper for listings of this year’s Veterans Day activities.
If you are interested in taking on an opportunity to volunteer this year on November 11th, contact Tony DuMosch.
Tony DuMosch
American Legion Post 15
305 N. Cleveland Ave.
Loveland, CO
Tags: US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day Parade
Posted in Colorado, Loveland, Loveland, Colordo, Veterans Day Parade | No Comments »
 Shumway releases racing pigeons I’ve always had an affinity for animals that can do amazing things and Homing Pigeons are no exception.
Unlike most of us, Homing Pigeons do not require GPS technology to find their way home. A Homing Pigeon can reach maximum speeds of 75 mph and some of them can fly 300 miles without stopping. Jim Shumway is a resident of Loveland and he has a passion for raising and racing Homing Pigeons. When I interviewed Jim for the Loveland 365 Project I also had the opportunity to meet his parents who inspired him to carry on a family tradition of pigeon racing. Jim’s family has been racing Homing Pigeons for three generations.
The raising and racing of Homing Pigeons is a serious endeavor. Aficionados purchase chicks from top breeders and these birds are used to develop a pedigree that can fly like the wind. A Homing Pigeon is not your average pigeon because they travel great distances at a high rate of speed. Consequently, they require specialized feeds, vitamins and fresh water to maintain optimal health and athletic performance. Jim’s pigeons have a good reason to return home because he built a nice “loft” in his backyard to keep them safe and comfortable. Jim’s owns approximately 75 Homing Pigeons and 16 of these are use for breeding purposes.
 Racing pigeons on the wing When the young birds are old enough to fly, Jim will train them to be “homers” by releasing them at drop points like Lake Loveland. As the birds mature, the distance between the release point and the pigeon loft is increased. e.g. Burlington, Colorado. Homing Pigeons use significant landmarks, sound and the position of the sun to guide their flight path. Some are faster than others and that’s how pigeon racing became a sport. Jim prepares his birds for racing by placing a leg band with a computer chip on one of their legs. Birds are transported in specialized cages to the release point. Start time and GPS information is recorded and the race begins! When the pigeons return to Jim’s loft, they cross a landing board with a built in scanner. The scanner identifies the bird by its leg band and a flight time is recorded.
Posted in Colorado, Loveland, Racing Pigeons, Ross Livingston | 1 Comment »
Loveland 365′s booth at SummerFest! drew families, teens, and everyone in between to stop, talk about our project, and smile for the camera. Volunteer photographers (mostly our fearless leader John Giroux!) took lots of pictures and posted them on Facebook. Be sure to check it out – and see who you recognize and comment here!
Posted in Colorado, John Giroux, Loveland365, Summerfest! in the Rockies | No Comments »
Bob McDonnell posted about a longtime city of Loveland employee Bruce Philbrick leaving Loveland for Portland.
Bruce has been in charge of the City of Loveland’s recycling program for a number of years. The City of Loveland’s web site says Bruce’s job title is Solid Waste Superintendent, but he has been so much more – a spokesperson and strong supporter of recycling here in our city. He has implemented upgrades and expansions in the recycling program, and has helped other municipalities learn the ins and outs of such a comprehensive program. Way to go, Bruce.
We send Bruce off with best wishes and thanks for a job well done.
Posted in Bob McDonnell, Colorado, Loveland, Colordo | No Comments »
July 9-11, 2010 
Civic Center Park/Foote Lagoon
500 E. Third Street
Downtown Loveland
Loveland 365′s booth at Foote Lagoon
will be nearby the pony rides & petting zoo …
Stop by to have your photo taken. Be in the book!
What’s happening at SummerFest!:
Celebrate summer at SummerFest in the Rockies July 9-11 at the Civic Center Park/Foote Lagoon in downtown Loveland! This community event will feature something for the entire family through live music and entertainment, car show, salsa tasting competition, beer garden, arts and crafts vendors, amusements, and an amazing fireworks display.
 Summerfest! has something for everyone. Directions to SummerFest
Wine Tasting – July 9 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 per person; $60 per couple or $200 per group of eight (includes reserved table); participants must be 21 years and older. A Wine Tasting hosted by World Beverage will kick off SummerFest in the Rockies from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and includes a relaxed atmosphere on a Colorado summer night. Attendees will enjoy samplings of more than 60 fine wines, savory refreshments and live music.
Purchase at the door or:
- Engaging Loveland, Inc., 231 W. 4th Street
- World Beverage, 3655 N. Garfield Avenue
- Outlets at Loveland, 5661 McWhinney Blvd.
- Anthology Book Store, 422 E. 4th Street
- Fort Collins at Outpost Sunsport, 931 E. Harmony Road.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 10 – 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: FREE
- 11 a.m.-7 p.m. – Vendors and amusements open
- 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Beer/Wine Garden open
- 10 a.m-2 p.m. – Car Show on Washington Street
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – NEW! Fly Fishing Demonstrations
- Noon, 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. – NEW! Colorado Disc Dog Demos
- 9:15 p.m. – Special Fireworks Display
- 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. – Live Music on Main Stage
- 10-11 a.m. Up In Lights Performance
- 11:30 – 12:30 Papa Juke ~ mix of contemporary American Styles
- 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Children at Play ~ 60s and 70s
- 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Gristle Gals ~ Folk
- 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams ~ Honky Tonk
- 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. The Blendercats ~ Funk/Soul
- 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. That Eighties Band ~ 80’s music
Sunday, July 11 – 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission: FREE
- 10 a.m-2 p.m. – Car Show on Washington Street
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Vendors and amusements open
- 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Beer/Wine Garden open
- 2 p.m.-4 p.m. – K-9 Police Dog Demonstration
- 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Live Music on Main Stage
- 10:00 .m. -11:30 a.m. Crossroads Church Service/Performance
- 12:00-1:00 Henry Howard ~ Rock Acoustic
- 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Patrick Emerine Band ~ Rock and Soul
- 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Archie Funker ~ Funk/R&B
Visit Loveland 365′s Facebook Fan Page
Tags: Summerfest!
Posted in Colorado, Loveland, Colordo, Loveland365, Summerfest! in the Rockies | No Comments »
 Loveland 365 Team Ross Livingston, Rick Denning, & Jessica Reed-Baum With a winning time of 2 hrs 25 mins and 15 sec, Loveland 365′s Team placed first overall.
Congratulations to the L365 Lake to Lake Triathalon Team! Starting at Lake Loveland and taking on the uphill to Horsetooth Reservoir, this is an athlete’s challenge the Loveland 365 Team tromped.
They took first place in the relay yesterday, beating the nearest competitor by 12 minutes. Be sure to check Loveland 365′s on Facebook to see additional photos; this photo was originally posted there.
See the Loveland 365 Team’s button-poppin’ score listed on the Lake to Lake Triathalon website. WOW!
Ross Livingtson enthusiastically notes, “Each of us finished first in our respective relay categories. This was the best day of my summer by far.” He says it was a great race and he made great new friends, thanks to Loveland 365 idea man, John Giroux.
An “Olympic Distance Triathalon” includes a three part relay with these specified distances, each of which is a race unto itself:
Swim: 1.5 K (.93 miles)
Bike: 30 miles (48.2 miles)
Run: 10K (6.2 miles)
Kudos to the Loveland 365 Team! Jessica Reed-Baum set the pace swimming, Ross Livingston kept it up cycling, and Rick Denning ran the relay to the finish. Hats off to each of you for this significant accomplishment.
Tags: Lake to Lake Triathalon
Posted in Colorado, Loveland, Colordo, Loveland365, Ross Livingston | No Comments »
 Carl and Ann Bradbury of Ridge Valley Alpaca Ranch and Friend Ann and Carl Bradbury, owners of Ridge Valley Alpaca Ranch in Loveland, welcomed their newest baby alpaca (aka cria), to their farm family on May 13th at 10 a.m. John Giroux, founder of Loveland 365, asked us to call him when the first baby came. We did and he was here, camera in hand, within 10 minutes of the birth. Right away he wondered if he could name the new cria and he did.
He thought about it for a moment and said “13 is my lucky number” and because crias are born coming out like Superman, he named him Lucky Clark.
 Newborn cria "Lucky Clark" stands on shaky legs We are grateful that John has taken an interest in our alpacas and especially in our newest cria.
Our ranch was established in 2006 and the first herd of alpacas were purchased and arrived in June of 2007. Since there was a large barn on the ranch, we knew we had to fill it up and bought 2 horses right away. We started the alpacas business with a herd of 10 and currently (including the 14 crias born on the ranch, have 26 total)…..we purchased an amazing herd sire (Jubilant) who is the sire to 9 of the 14 crias. We have a 2nd herd sire named Midnight who has sired a couple of the crias and several of ours have sires from other alpaca ranches in N. Colorado. We pride ourselves in having all 8 colors and all with beautiful fiber (what this business is all about). In addition to affording and healthy and less stressful lifestyle, alpacas offer you a unique way to diversify your financial portfolio. Alpaca livestock are tax deductable and fully insurable.
 Newborn cria "Lucky Clark" has his mother's full attention We love all our alpacas and their fiber. We have a small farm store where we sell yarn and products made from our alpacas. Last year we had many visitors to the ranch who loved the experience of meeting the alpacas and then buying products made from them.
Prior to raising alpacas, we published the Colorado Business and Lifestyle Magazine for almost 9 years. Retiring from publishing and moving to the ranch west of Loveland, we decided to enhance our life by getting into the alpaca business. The horses are a huge blessing to us as well. Ann rides (her dream since she was a teenager).
Carl and Ann both encourage everyone to follow their dreams because dreams can come true!
For more information or to schedule a free ranch visit, call 970-669-0043 or visit Ridge Valley Alpaca Ranch online.
Written by Ann Bradbury
Photos by John Giroux
Tags: Alpaca Ranch, Cria, John Giroux, Loveland, Loveland365, newborn alpaca
Posted in Ann Bradbury, Colorado, John Giroux, Loveland, Colordo, Loveland365, Ridge Valley Alpaca Ranch | No Comments »
Written by Ross Livingston, Advantage Research
Susanne Cochran is an entrepreneur and a parrot’s best friend. Susanne has been a resident of Loveland since 1976 and she is also the owner of the Avalon Aviary. An aviary is a special type of building used for keeping many birds. Before Susanne went into business she was saddened by the irresponsible behavior of other parrot breeders who did not put the needs of their birds first. This inspired Susanne to start her own parrot breeding program based on compassionate values, continuous improvement in bird raising practices, education and a commitment to conversation and parrot rescue.
The parrots who reside in the aviary originate from Central & South America, Africa, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. The species of birds range from large Macaws to petite-sized parrots with outgoing personalities and vivid coloration. Captive parrots lay an average of 2-3 clutches of eggs per year. Baby parrots are eventually transferred to the “nursery” where they receive special care and gentle handling. When the baby parrots are ready to leave the nursery, they are placed in special baskets draped with towels. Baskets are used because they resemble a parrot’s nest and the draped towels offer the young birds a sense of privacy and security. As the birds mature they eventually learn flying and landing skills. During this process the juvenile parrots are exposed to common household items and socialized by aviary staff. This helps the parrots make a smooth transition from the aviary to their permanent homes.
Since the birds come first, anyone who wants to purchase a parrot from the Avalon Aviary must be approved through their home-qualifying process. Many parrots are loud, messy, destructive and demanding therefore prospective bird owners should know what to expect before they say yes. On the other hand, parrots are beautiful, interactive, comical and playful companions that can live 30-100 years. Since most of us are not parrot experts, Susanne offers educational seminars for new bird owners.
Finally, Susanne sends a portion of her profits to the Gabriel Foundation which is one of the leading bird rescue and rehabilitation programs in the United States. The Avalon Aviary also supports international organizations which have a proven track record of preserving and expanding wild parrot populations.
Posted in Colorado, Loveland, Colordo, Ross Livingston | No Comments »
Saturday was a “shirtsleeves” day! Warm and sunny, many of us headed to the hills to spend time out of doors. The Devil’s Backbone Open Space is one of the most unique in our area. I happened to run across this video posted on YouTube by Loveland Chamber of Commerce SEO Brian Willims – it shows some of the great vistas you’ll enjoy there.
National Geographic ran a story about the Devil’s Backbone ages ago, before the area became accessible to all of us as part of Larimer County’s Open Space. Now we are able to hike or ride this trail through one of the most prominent rock outcrops along the Front Range’s hogbacks. Here’s a downloadable map, available online through Larimer County Parks.
On their site you’ll see a list of hiking trails with short descriptions and a verbal snapshot of the trail like this:
” … Devil’s Backbone Open Space has been in place since 1999. It was updated, with an extensive public process in 2004. The plan accommodates multiple-use recreation such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding on the 7-mile trail system. The trailhead at Devil’s Backbone features restroom facilities, drinking water, horse-trailer parking and a picnic area.”
If you visit soon, be watchful for the trail closure and re-route. Prairie Falcons and Ravens are nesting this time of year in the “Keyhole” area of the trail; it will open again in June when the raptors have finished nesting.
For a more complete list of hiking trails that are all only a short drive away, visit Larimer County’s Parks and Open Areas. Be certain to click on the “current conditions” links – springtime in the Rockies is unpredictable.
~Maryjo Morgan
Tags: Colorado, Hiking, Loveland
Posted in Colorado, Loveland, Colordo, Loveland365 | No Comments »
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