Monday, July 12, 2010

LIGHTNING HYBRIDS INTRODUCES LIGHTWEIGHT HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATORS

Colorado company produces tanks that are one-third the weight of standard tanks

Loveland, Colorado (July 12, 2010) - Lightning Hybrids Inc. (LHI) today introduced their lightweight high pressure composite bladder accumulators for hydraulic and other energy storage applications.

LHI's composite tanks are one-third the weight of standard steel accumulators and offer significant energy savings due to weight reduction, increased safety due to a higher than standard burst pressure factor, and cost savings because they are easier and less expensive to ship and install since weight and mounting hardware is minimized

The patent-pending tanks were engineered by Lightning Hybrids specifically for use in the company's HyPER Assist™ hydraulic hybrid vehicle application. Though it quickly became evident that there are other uses for these lightweight energy storage tanks such as emergency vehicles, forestry, agricultural and mining mobile equipment, among others.

"Our lightweight accumulators enhance the performance and efficiency of a variety of hydraulic systems," stated Dan Johnson, LHI's CEO, "in addition, they add a higher dimension of safety and reliability over standard steel accumulators."

Structural Composites Industries, a subsidiary of Worthington Industries, manufactures the accumulators for Lightning Hybrids. SCI is a world-recognized leader in high pressure tank manufacturing with an impeccablesafety record and has managed the certifications required for these high-pressure tanks.

Lightning Hybrids' accumulators are 6,000 PSI bladder accumulators and range in size from 10 to 30 gallons. They are a Type 3 tank and consist of an aluminum lining and a spun carbon fiber wrapped shell, encompassing a nitrogen gas compression bladder. LHI's carbon fiber wrapped vessels are considerably lighter than their steel counterparts. For example, a 15 gallon accumulator weighs 115 pounds compared to 465 pounds for a steel accumulator. LHI's accumulators are made and assembled in the U.S.A. Orders are currently being taken with delivery 60 days from receipt of order.

About Lightning Hybrids Inc.
Lightning Hybrids is an innovative automotive research and manufacturing company based in Loveland, Colorado. We focus on hydraulic solutions for vehicles - ranging from the fuel efficient HyPER Assist™ retrofit system to lightweight composite accumulators and hydraulic-hybrid sports sedans. The HyPER Assist™ (Hydraulic Propulsion & Energy Recovery) is a hydraulic hybrid system for fleet vehicles that delivers more than 40 percent improvement in fuel economy by regenerating braking energy and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. Our high pressure composite bladder accumulators for hydraulic and other energy storage applications are safer and weight only one-third the amount of standard steel accumulators.

For more information about Lightning Hybrids, please visit www.lightninghybrids.com

CrowdPitch aims to match entrepreneurs with services and everyone with a good time

Entrepreneurs get a chance to pitch their business. Spectators (investors?) get to watch free of charge, and they'll even throw in a free meal!

CrowdPitch, from Funding Universe, will take place on July 14th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm at
Cluster, 3881 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205. Applications for pitching entrepreneurs are now closed, but if you'd like to be a spectator, RSVP at http://www.fundinguniverse.com/events/crowdpitch/denverjuly14.php.

Think ´American Idol´ — selected entrepreneurs will have 4 minutes to pitch their company to both a panel of experts & a live audience, followed immediately by a 3-minute Q&A session with the panel.

The audience chooses the winner by investing ‘FUN’ money in the venture of their choice.

Pitching Entrepreneurs will be:
* CaraSolva — Geoff Cooper
* CLEANtricity Power, Inc. — Daniel Sullivan
* Global Tek Labs — Jennifer Maskrey
* Nokero — Steve Katsaros
* Ripple Reader — Mike Kephart

The Panel of Judges:
* Tyler Tysdal - Managing Director of Mantucket Capital, with over $1 billion of capital under management.
* Mike Janssen - President of Techmed and an angel investor in the greater Denver area
* Charlie Knight - Founder at Venture Law Advisors, President at Abacco Investment Group, CEO at Boreal Energy, Inc.
* Cole Dennard - General Manager at NOW Advisors, Audit Manager at Deloitte

Prizes:
The winner gets $4,800 of services from CrowdPitch sponsors

NOWAdvisors:
12 hour os financial & accounting services
$1,800 value

FundingUniverse:
startup services
$2,500 value

Amazon:
web services
$500 value

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Kasbah Moroccan Restaurant in Lafayette, Colorado hits 6 month mark

Press Release

Experience Royal Hospitality While Dining under a Moroccan Tent

(Lafayette, CO) Pull up a poof, relax, and prepare for a truly memorable dining experience. Kasbah is the perfect place for a romantic evening out, fun with friends or family, celebrating a birthday, any special event, or large parties. At Kasbah Moroccan Restaurant, we bring you delights prepared in the genuine tradition of Moroccan culture. You will experience the best in Moroccan food at Kasbah Moroccan Restaurant! Rest assured you will enjoy yourselves Moroccan style!

Kasbah Moroccan Restaurant celebrated six months on June 19, 2010! “Thanks to all who have supported us, and who have spread the word for us, and who have joined us many times already” said owner/chef Zak Tadaloui. Something out of the ordinary, something extraordinary: It’s what you will find at the Kasbah!

Kasbah offers an unbelievable array of authentic Moroccan food served in the traditional round table fashion. Passion and love are prevalent in all dishes. Chef Zak pays attention to all the details assuring there is consistency in the food and the service. Spanish/Moorish entrées and tapas make up the lunch menu. Lunch is fast and delicious.

From the “Blue Room” Lounge to the velvet luxury of the Moroccan Dining room, Kasbah takes you away from the routine. “It’s not just food, it’s not just service. It’s a total experience to make you feel transported to another time” says, Zak Tadaloui of how he would like all diners to enjoy the Kasbah.

Chef Zak has 25 years of service to the restaurant industry and proves himself again in the Kasbah. People from all over Boulder, Denver, Weld and Larimer Counties, and as far away as Pueblo and Cheyenne, have already made the Kasbah Moroccan Restaurant their destination for great food, show and service. Time to make it yours.

“We look forward to seeing and serving you soon!”

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Free Concert and Fireworks Display, Denver, July 4, 2010

Hear the 9-piece horn band, JAKARTA, in a FREE concert at Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater

Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater - 4890 Argonne Way, Denver, CO, 80249

SUNDAY, July 4th from 8-9:30.

The concert is followed by a spectacular fireworks show and is part of the FREE Summer Concert Series sponsored by Oakwood Homes.

For information: 303-595-8747

Monday, June 14, 2010

SmartCo Foods Opens First Colorado Store on June 23

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SmartCo Foods, a new value-focused grocery store concept that blends the best features of a local supermarket, warehouse club store and farmer’s market in one, convenient location, today announced it will open its first store in Denver on Wednesday, June 23 at 6 a.m. With everyday low prices and additional savings on weekly specials, SmartCo Foods will offer unparalleled values without the need for a membership fee or club card. The 57,000-square-foot store is located at 1442 South Parker Road (at East Florida Avenue) and is the first of five SmartCo Foods stores scheduled to open in Colorado this summer. Although new to Colorado, SmartCo Foods is a division of Smart & Final, which has been serving the West with quality discount groceries and perishables for nearly 140 years.

“SmartCo Foods is eager to open our first store in Denver, offering shoppers a new, smarter, more economical and convenient way to shop for their home or business”

The new SmartCo Foods store will feature a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, including both conventional and organic items, fresh-cut and high-quality meats, fresh baked goods, traditional grocery products, deli items, self-service bulk food bins, health and beauty products, vitamins, home entertaining products, greeting cards, foodservice items and more. The stores’ shelves will be filled with an assortment of more than 30,000 items in both national and local brands, with most products available in a range of sizes – from individual to bulk – to meet the various needs individuals, families and businesses alike.

“SmartCo Foods is eager to open our first store in Denver, offering shoppers a new, smarter, more economical and convenient way to shop for their home or business,” said Scott Drew, vice president and general manager of SmartCo Foods. “There is currently no concept like this in Colorado where shoppers can find everything they need under one roof, at the best prices in town and without a membership fee. We’re proud to offer Coloradans a variety of choices and look forward to supporting the local community for many years to come.”

The official grand opening celebration will begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, when Drew and other SmartCo Foods leaders will open the store to the public with a cake cutting and welcoming ceremony. The opening day festivities will include storewide samples, a giveaway of free SmartCo Foods canvas shopping bags filled with approximately $50 worth of free groceries and gift cards for the first 300 customers through the door, free reusable shopping bags while supplies last, kids activities and live entertainment, special grand opening pricing and more.

As a neighborhood grocer, SmartCo Foods is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and during the South Parker Road store’s grand opening week, the company will make $5,000 donations to both Denver Kids, Inc. and the Denver Scholarship Foundation. In an effort to support the Denver community on an ongoing basis, the store also will collect customer donations to support local education programs through a donate-at-the-register program. Through its community commitment, SmartCo Foods also is dedicated to providing its Colorado employees with a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as a great work environment.

The South Parker Road SmartCo Foods will be lead by store manager Jon Rumley, who brings 43 years of experience in the grocery industry, including 21 years with Albertsons, 10 years with Lucky’s and two years with Meijer Markets.

“As SmartCo Foods new South Parker Road store manager, I’m committed to delivering quality food and products at excellent values, as well as providing top-notch customer service,” said Rumley. The store will employ another 100 full- and part-time associates who are trained to have in-depth knowledge about SmartCo Foods’ products and offer customers a shopping experience that is not only convenient and value-focused, but also service-oriented.”

Other features of SmartCo Foods include:

* Produce department – will offer an abundant selection of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables, including both conventional and organic items, all consistently offered at the best prices in town. In an effort to support local Colorado growers, SmartCo Foods will stock local produce as often as possible.
* Meat and deli department – staffed by trained meat cutters, the meat department will feature tender and delicious Cattleman’s Finest beef products as well as a broad selection of high-quality pork and poultry products, and fresh and frozen seafood. The store’s deli will offer prepared sandwiches, a variety of fresh salads and side dishes, as well as a large assortment of delicious deli meats and cheeses.
* Bakery – will feature breads, muffins, cakes and cookies baked fresh every day.
* Bulk bins – bins filled with a variety of wholesome grains, healthy snacks and more complete the bulk foods department, which allows customers to take as much or as little as they like and save on packaging materials.
* Health & Beauty – will offer a full selection of conventional health and beauty products as well as high-quality Sun Harvest brand vitamins, supplements and beauty care products made with natural ingredients.
* Foodservice & Business – will carry a large assortment of practical products, including: catering supplies; paper and party products, straws, cutlery, portion cups, hot cups, cold cups, clear cups, serving trays, and commercial-strength cleaning supplies.
* Warehouse Savings: will offer frequently rotated products offered at an exceptional value, including paper goods, beverages, packaged goods and more.

The South Parker Road SmartCo Foods will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The locations for the additional four SmartCo Foods stores opening this summer include:

* 5141 Chambers Road in Denver
* 3615 West Bowles Ave. in Littleton
* 16746 E. Smoky Hill Road in Centennial
* 1750 North Main St. in Longmont

SmartCo Foods plans to significantly expand its presence in Colorado over the next few years, opening an additional 20 to 25 stores.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

New Milestone for The Mutual Fund Store

The Mutual Fund Store continues to climb.

The fee-only registered investment adviser for the mass affluent is up another spot in the annual Investment News list of largest independent financial advisers. The company Adam Bold founded 14 years ago now sits at number five nationally with more than five billion dollars in assets under management as of March 31, 2010. Click here to see the list on the Investment News website.

In terms of total clients, The Mutual Fund Store is the head-and-shoulders leader in the field with more than 28,000 clients as of March 31, 2010.

The Mutual Fund Store also makes the Investment News list of fastest growing independent advisers; assets under management grew 52% from the end of 2008 to March of 2010.

A little information about The Mutual Fund Store and Adam Bold:

• Adam is the founder, CEO and chief investment officer of The Mutual Fund Store, with nearly 70 offices across the country

• The company is based in Overland Park, KS and is a fee-based advisor, with a minimum initial investment of just $50,000

• Adam is also host of “The Mutual Fund Show,” a syndicated radio call-in program, and authored The Bold Truth About Investing: Ten Commandments for Building Personal Wealth, released last May by Random House/Ten Speed Press.

• The Mutual Fund Store has a local location in Westminster (303-280-0626) and Highlands Ranch (303-799-4565), Colorado.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

2nd Annual Salida Riverside Fine Arts Festival set for August 14th and 15th

2nd Annual Salida Riverside Fine Arts Festival

Enjoy a fine art summer festival in a popular tourist destination – one of “America’s best art towns!”

National, Juried Fine Artists in 14 categories in historic Downtown Salida on the banks of the Arkansas River. Additional attractions include a 2 day Music Stage showcasing local & invited talent; Colorado Micro Breweries; delicious foods; the Creative Station for all ages; and the Salida Circus.

Where:
Salida, Colorado, at Riverside Park

When:
August 14, 9:30am - 7:00pm
August 15, 9:30am - 4:00pm

For more information visit www.salidaartfestival.com