Blogs

The Coors Light Silver Bullet Train is speeding towards the most refreshing summer yet, with special beer packaging, memorable local events, exclusive social media campaigns, a talent search with Ice Cube, and much more. In addition, the seasonal celebration is literally painting the summer silver with a fresh focus on local 3D art by world-renowned artists.  In this time-lapse video that is sure to give you goose-bumps, watch a Coors Light Silver Bullet Pint come to life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bNlrm5j6vc

The Coors Light Silver Bullet Summer kicks off with the release of sleek, new special-edition Silver Bullet Summer packaging. Hitting shelves now, certain packs of Coors Light 12-ounce bottles and cans feature a distinctive, all-silver design with the exception of the iconic Cold-Activated blue mountains.  The Silver Bullet Summer packaging will be available for about 10 weeks in all varieties of 12-ounce cans, as well as 24-loose and 6-pack 12-ounce bottles.

The World’s Most Refreshing Beer can also be enjoyed in the innovative Coors Light Silver Bullet Aluminum Pint (see it in three-dimensional art form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bNlrm5j6vc), which launched nationally earlier this year.  It’s the perfect package for anyone looking for an alternative to glass but wants the benefits of a bottle, whether they’re headed to the beach, concerts in the park or just hanging out with friends at a backyard barbecue. The Silver Bullet Pint’s wide mouth and re-sealable cap provides cold beer on the go and a full 16-ounces of “refreshment as cold as the Rockies.”

As the temperature heats up, The Coors Light Silver Bullet Summer campaign will showcase amazing three-dimensional art displays in cities across the country. At these exhibits, passersby will be able to interact with an oversized Silver Bullet Pint literally “splashing down” in the form of large 3D artwork. This optical illusion comes to life when people take pictures and video posing with the pint. Coors Light is encouraging spectators to capture and share their personal experiences with these visual art works whether it be texts to friends, posts on Facebook, #silverbullet3D on Twitter, and on Coors Light Facebook page. Watch the time-lapse video of this explosive art here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bNlrm5j6vc

The art displays will feature the work of two talented artists, Melanie Stimmell Van Latum and Julie Kirk–Purcell. Melanie is a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA and spent eight years working on the iconic Comedy Central series South Park where she oversaw the transition from infamous paper cutouts to flawless digital animations.

Julie Kirk-Purcell is among the most admired and respected chalk artists of her time. Beginning her street painting career almost 20 years ago, she has traveled the world honing her craft and sharing her elaborate original designs with well-known clients such as The Walt Disney Company & Studios, Universal Studios, The Howard Hughes Corporation, BankMuscat, Bloomburg LLP, Chrysler Corporation, Lexus Corporation and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific.

The Coors Light Facebook page and YouTube channel will also feature exclusive content, including a new augmented reality app, Coors Light Cold FX, which allows people to insert the Silver Bullet Pint into photos and videos captured on smart phones.

“This will be our boldest, coldest summer yet,” said Kedric George, Coors Light director of innovation and activation.  “Everything we’re doing this summer is about reinforcing the message that when you want cold refreshment, you just have to find the blue mountains.”

For more information on the Coors Light Silver Bullet Summer, please visit CoorsLight.com or www.facebook.com/CoorsLight. Don’t forget to watch the freshest video of the summer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bNlrm5j6vc

Experienced industry pro Thomas de Miniac supports expansion of services

Arvada, Colo. — Faustson Tool (www.faustson.com), a worldwide leader in five-axis manufacturing technology, has hired Thomas de Miniac as its new European sales manager. In this role, he will support Faustson’s ongoing expansion in the European market.

“It’s clear that the industry and the business world is becoming a global marketplace. To honor our existing working relationships abroad and to support the creation of new opportunities, we undertook an international search and found Thomas,” notes Faustson Director of Operations Heidi Hostetter. “Given his fluency in multiple languages and business strengths in communications, sales and marketing, it was clear that this was a great fit, and we are confident it will produce results and allow us to even more effectively serve our European clients.”

A native of France, de Miniac is fluent in French, English and Spanish. His past experience includes work producing news-oriented content for international broadcast outlets in Europe and the U.S. He has managed and supervised efforts in Paris, Madrid, Brussels, London, and Washington, D.C. He can be reached by phone at  +33 6 18 66 71 15  or via email at tdiminiac@faustson.com.

"I feel confident that the European, and more specifically the French market will be impressed by Faustson's savoir-faire and impressive experience,” notes de Miniac. “My local, on-site involvement in this expanded effort in Europe expands our reach globally and supports Faustson’s effort to strengthen and build new industry relationships here."

Faustson is a woman-owned and -operated business that serves customers across the nation and internationally. The company holds a number of government contracts, and manufactured the optical substrate for the Kepler space telescope, launched in 2009 to find earth-like planets scattered across the galaxy. Faustson is currently performing work related to the United States’ F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter development effort, as well as commercial and military missile-deflection efforts now underway.

Call Faustson at  (303) 420-7422  to arrange for a tour of the company’s Arvada, CO facility and a demonstration of some of its cutting-edge manufacturing and machining technologies.

About Faustson Tool

Faustson Tool, a worldwide leader in the machining industry, provides services for clients worldwide in the medical, aerospace, aeronautics, defense, semiconductor and other industries. The company, founded in 1982, provides 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling and 5-axis EDM services, as well as turning capabilities for cutting-edge custom part production, and efficient production of standard parts. Faustson Tool is woman owned and operated. For more information, visit www.faustson.com, email info@faustson.com or call  (303) 420-7422 . Find Faustson on Twitter, @FaustsonTool, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faustson-Tool/111584968861831.

The anomaly is that people in America are living 30 years longer than people in the 20^th century but only working two years longer.  In 2000, the average retirement age was 62, and the average retirement age in 2010 was 64.  Many of the recent retirements were involuntary: the massive lay-offs between 2008-2012 because of the Great Recession, corporate mergers and consolidations, work being outsourced to other countries, increased automation, and other factors.  Many were also voluntary as employees accepted attractive severance packages or just wanted to get off the corporate treadmill.

Here are the seven principal reasons why many people 55 and older (55+) want to continue working after retirement: 

• The need for additional income to maintain a standard of living or the desire to have additional income for discretionary spending
• Recognition that, with knowledge of their increased longevity and vulnerability of their financial resources through market fluctuations, it may be necessary or desirable to generate additional income through a career after retirement
• The desire for continued interesting/stimulating/challenging work to maintain cognitive skills and abilities
• The desire to maintain self-esteem and self-fulfillment by continuing in productive activities that add value
• The desire to maintain relationships with the outside world and to remain socially connected
• The attraction of continued part-time work, without the responsibility and stress of a full-time job, to enhance the satisfaction with life and overall feeling of well being
• The opportunity for flexible workplace options that offer greater choices than full-time work plus an attractive benefits package that desirably includes healthcare coverage

My consulting firm, Human Resource Services, Inc. (HRS) organized a “Survey on the Strategic Involvement of HR in Fortune 1000 Companies” that was completed in November 2011 and conducted by Harris Interactive, with 25 major companies as sponsors.  Only 24% of the HR heads stated that their companies provided flexible workplace options.  The options include:

• Reduced working hours
• Reduced working days
• Flexible working times that may be variable
• Seasonal work
• Job sharing
• Telecommuting (i.e., working from home with telecommunications connections)
• Different work assignments (e.g., mentoring or training younger workers, a new functional or business area)
• Project assignments

As the economy improves and companies face the reality of an aging and shrinking workforce, many more will be required to develop flexible workplace options.  In a recent AARP survey, 80% of Baby Boomers indicated their intent to continue working, more than half on a part-time basis. Companies will be required to tap this large and growing talent pool of workers 55+ because of their experience, expertise, seasoned judgment and proven performance (we call that EESP).  And recent surveys conducted among Generation Y and Millennials indicate that many of them want more flexibility to spend time with their families and engage in other activities.

Companies would also be well advised to maintain databases of retired workers who may want to continue working on a part-time basis because it is substantially more efficient and cost effective to hire former employees who know the company and can continue to add value.   The alternative is to pay a fee to a staffing company for part-time help who don’t know the company, the people and the way it functions. 

HRS has created a nonprofit, the Center for Productive Longevity, with this mission:

To stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value.

In furtherance of this mission, CPL will be working closely with the HR heads of major companies around the country to increase their focus on flexible workplace options, as well as reaching out to mid-size and smaller companies. For more information, please visit www.ctrpl.org/.

As people continue to live longer and retire earlier, the term “Third-Stage Adulthood” has more relevance than ever before. Referring to people 62-85 years old, this stage of life is chock-full of senior workers who are qualified and ready to continue working after the traditional retirement age of 65 or sooner. This means that there is a large and growing talent pool with experience, expertise, seasoned judgment, and proven performance (referred to by CPL as EESP), to meet the workforce needs of the 21st century.

The concept of “Third-Stage Adulthood” was first conceived in a paper, “The Evolution of Adulthood: A New Stage” co-authored in 2000 by Dr. Elliott Jaques, who conceived the mid-life crisis in 1965, and CPL Founder and CEO William Zinke. Zinke created CPL, which is based in Boulder, Colorado, to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value.

Now in 2012, the concept of Third-Stage Adulthood is even more important than when the term was coined. CPL urges everyone to recalibrate their thinking for this new reality because the results could be dire if action isn’t taken. If Baby Boomers are pushed to the sidelines, the nation’s entitlement programs (e.g. Social Security and Medicare) will become unsustainable even sooner than projected. To prevent this crisis, the country should tap the talent pool of retired workers in Third-Stage Adulthood and put their knowledge, skills and abilities to use.

“Embracing ‘Third-Stage Adulthood’ can be a positive life-changer as people enter this next phase,” says William Zinke, 85. “The concept urges society to recognize that older people can continue to add value for significantly longer periods of time and that they should be viewed as individuals, instead of all being lumped under the clichés of being ‘over the hill’ and ‘out of the game.’  The result will be that millions of older people with EESP can continue contributing to, instead of drawing from, the national economy and society.”

CPL subscribes to a concept of adulthood that falls into three stages, described as follows:

First stage of early adulthood (18-40) – the time to build experience and expertise; to decide whether to work in the private, public, or non-profit sectors and perhaps even gain some cross-sector experience; to decide whether to develop a career in a company or to become an entrepreneur; to focus on the development of particular skills and abilities; to build a solid foundation for the next two adult stages.

Second stage of mid-adulthood (40-62) – the time when experience and expertise produce problem- solving capabilities and sound judgment (CPL likes the saying that good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment) and perhaps even the beginnings of wisdom. Any mid-life crises have been traversed and assurance and self-confidence have become more firmly established as a result of learning how to function more effectively. There is also continuing growth and development during this stage.

New-stage of mature adulthood (62-85) – the time when many individuals, although not all (e.g. people who have been engaged primarily in physical labor, who have not maintained a commitment to physical fitness, or who have debilities or disabilities), can continue to be significant contributors. They have had about 40 years to gain experience and expertise, to develop seasoned judgment and proven records of performance and to build their intellectual and social capital. While documented research indicates that cognitive capability may have plateaued for some, the intellectual growth curve continues to move upward for people who have continued to remain productively engaged.

CPL launched the Later-Life Story Contest on June 1 to solicit empowering stories from people 55 and older. The competition has two separate categories: Entrepreneur Success Stories and Inspirational Later-Life Stories. A panel of three independent judges will select one winner from each category who will receive $1,000 and a specially designed trophy. CPL will post the best stories on its website (ctrpl.org) throughout the contest under “Success Stories.” The contest runs through August 31, and winners will be announced on October 1, 2012.

To submit a story, visit www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest and complete a submission form. Entrants must be at least 55, have a compelling story to share, and be willing to have it posted on the CPL website for viewing and for possible publication. Stories may also be emailed to James Hooks, CPL’s Director of Marketing and Technology, at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL, the contest and Entrepreneur Success Stories, visit ctrpl.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CTRPL.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Kathy Hall, Executive Director

Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley

303-807-2574 (cell)    hall.kathy.efsvv@comcast.net    www.efsvv.org

The Education Foundation Honors Western Disposal Services and the St. Vrain Valley Credit Union with Bravo Awards

Longmont, CO – June 12, 2012 – The Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley recently honored 2 long-time area businesses, Western Disposal Services and the St. Vrain Valley Credit Union, with their 2012 Bravo Awards. 

The Education Foundation established the Bravo Award in 2011 to formally recognize the exceptional contributions of the school district’s outstanding business partners. The Bravo Award plaque reads “in recognition of exemplary leadership, outstanding collaboration and innovative contributions to the St. Vrain Valley School District.  Your commitment to our students and teachers truly makes a difference in bringing the highest level of academic achievement to within the reach of all our students.”  

Executive Director Kathy Hall commented, “Not only have these industry leaders made an enormous investment in the District; their commitment will have a long lasting impact on our community as a whole.  The Bravo Award is a way to recognize what we all know – that it takes a village to educate and prepare our students for future success.  None of us can do it alone.” 

Foundation President Ben Bigelow honored Western Disposal by saying that, “Since 2008, Western Disposal has been a sponsor of the Crayons to Calculators school supply program.  Their incredible 125 employees have committed over $400,000 to help provide backpacks full of school supplies to students in need in both the St. Vrain and Boulder Valley school districts.  Over the years they have raised funds through their Trash Bash Gala, Shred-It Days, chili cook-offs, burrito sales, a staff boxing match, and employee payroll deductions.  In 2011, their efforts resulted in nearly 8,000 backpacks full of school supplies being available to students.”  Western Disposal employees Dan Powers and Deb Dabkowski were on hand to receive the award.

President Bigelow presented Elevations Credit Union Senior VP Eva Gaudio and board member Nancy Herbert the Bravo Award honor for the St. Vrain Valley Credit Union.   He highlighted the Credit Union’s ongoing commitment “to our teachers and students through the Teacher of the Month program, developing programs to enhance financial literacy, establishing a student branch of the Credit Union at Skyline High School, and providing thousands of dollars in college scholarships for graduating seniors. The Credit Union has also been an active sponsor of the Tribute to Teachers and the Crayons to Calculator program for the past 5 years.  The St. Vrain Valley Credit Union recently merged with Elevations Credit Union, and is anticipated to continue to be a vital supporter of the St. Vrain Valley School District.”

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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION - The Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley, an independent 501 (c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985. Our mission is to provide resources and educational opportunities, in partnership with St. Vrain Valley Schools and our local communities, to enhance student success and teacher excellence. Our goal is to supplement the traditional education experience in ways that maximize the effectiveness of teachers and result in enhanced achievement in an increasingly complex and competitive worldwide environment.  Since inception, the Foundation has made awards totaling approximately $1.5 million.  More information about the work of the Foundation can be found by going to www.efsvv.org .

Western Disposal’s Dan Powers and Deb Dabkowski with their Bravo Award.             

Elevations Credit Union, formerly St. Vrain Valley Credit Union, Board Member Nancy Herbert and VP Eva Gaudio.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in clean technology and sustainability, is hosting a Cleantech Jobs Forum on Thursday, June 21. The forum is open to the public and will feature members of Ecotech’s nationally renowned Board of Advisors, who are in town for Ecotech’s first graduation that afternoon. The forum is open to anyone interested in clean technology, including industry leaders, people currently working in this field and those who are considering a career change.

WHAT:                       

Ecotech Cleantech Jobs Forum

WHEN:                       

Thursday, June 21, 2012

TIME:                       

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:           

Ecotech Institute

1400 S. Abilene Street

Aurora, CO  80012

PANELISTS:            

Dr. Abbas Ghessemi, Chair of the Ecotech Advisory Board and Director of Institute for Energy and Environment (IE&E) at New Mexico State University.

Alden Zeitz, Director of North American Operations, DeWind Co.

Colin M. Coyne, Managing Principal, Coyne Group

Craig Mataczynski, Chief Executive, Renewable Energy Systems Americas

Declan Flanagan, President & CEO, Lincoln Renewable Energy LLC

Ghazi Darkazalli, Ph D, PE, President & CEO, Marian Court College

Janelle Kellman, Attorney, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Timothy Callahan, Partner, Paul Hastings

MODERATOR:             

Glenn Wilson, Academic Dean at Ecotech Institute

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers five highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.  The next round of classes begins in July and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in clean technology and sustainability, will hold its first graduation on Thursday, June 21, 2012. Forty-two students will receive their associate’s degrees, which prepares them for a career in the clean technology industry. The graduates will receive degrees in the following areas: Wind Energy Technology, Solar Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.  Former Governor Bill Ritter, who currently serves as the Director of the Colorado State University Center for the New Energy Economy, will deliver the commencement speech at the graduation.

"As Governor, I was proud when Ecotech Institute chose Colorado as the place to locate the country's first private technical institute devoted solely to preparing the workforce for the clean energy economy,” said Bill Ritter, Former Colorado Governor and current Director of the Colorado State University Center for the New Energy Economy.  “It is a privilege to play a role in Ecotech's first commencement, and to see the efforts of the staff and faculty come to fruition."

Students in this first graduating class began classes in a temporary facility in June 2010 as Ecotech completed an overhaul of an existing vacant building. In January 2011, they moved to the current LEED gold-certified campus in Aurora, Colorado. Today, Ecotech has more than 500 students and continues to grow.

“This initial group of students are visionaries, as they signed up for classes before they were able to see the beautiful campus and cutting-edge labs,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Now, a variety of clean tech companies are offering them excellent positions and their forward-thinking commitment is paying off. We applaud each of them and look forward to watching their success.”

At Ecotech all students develop soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), and math and science basics and technology skills, but the educational emphasis is on hands-on, practical training.  Ecotech’s prestigious national board of advisors, who all work in clean tech industries, helped design the school’s curriculum, providing coursework that reflects what the students will experience upon graduation. For a demographic breakdown of this first graduating class, please visit http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/pdf/ecotech-graduate-information.pdf.  

“Ecotech is producing well-prepared graduates that are highly sought in industries such as ours,” said Jesse Masters, Recruiter from M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company. “Its curriculum and practical labs offer complete training that makes new employees ready to hit the ground running. We were very impressed with the interviews we conducted with students from this graduating class and are excited to have several of these graduates join our team.”

Ecotech’s campus is LEED-gold certified and supports a commitment to sustainable living. The school generates approximately 5-10 percent of its energy from on-site clean, renewable energy sources such as rooftop wind turbines, solar panels, integral thin solar technologies embedded into the glass of the building canopy, and solar trees.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers five highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.  The next round of classes begins in July and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

As spring moves toward summer, we are reminded that the sun in Colorado is a force to be reckoned with. One of the easiest ways to prevent sun damage to delicate facial skin is to wear sunscreen every day. 

However, determining which sunscreen is best for your face is not as simple as looking at the SPF number. SPF only tells how much of the burning UV-B rays are blocked--it says nothing about a product's ability to block wrinkle-causing UV-A rays. In addition, SPFs above 30 can be misleading because they provide only slightly more protection. To fully protect your skin every day, you want a sunscreen that protects from both UV-B and UV-A rays, is good for your skin type, and will not irritate your skin.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens are best since they block both UV-A and UV-B rays.  Faces First's doctors of Denver and Lone Tree recommend sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, since it provides the broadest protection of any sunscreen ingredient. Antioxidants, such as green tea extract, also provide sun damage protection. Products such as FacesBlock, a sunscreen that includes all these important qualities, in a formula gentle enough to wear every day are a great defense against the sun.

You wouldn't want to put most pharmacy sunscreens on your face daily, but you will find comprehensive sun protection that is perfect for your skin.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Kathy Hall, Executive Director

Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley

303-807-2574 (cell)    hall.kathy.efsvv@comcast.net    www.efsvv.org

Crayons to Calculators drive gets underway to provide school supplies for students throughout St. Vrain Valley schools

Longmont, CO – June 11, 2012 - There are over 8,500 children in the St. Vrain Valley School District on the federal lunch assistance program, a common indicator of family poverty.  Many of these children routinely start school without basic school supplies for learning. 

Last year, through the Crayons to Calculators program, the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley provided approximately 3,100 backpacks to ensure that an increasing number of our students have the supplies they need to succeed.  This year’s goal is to provide at least 3,200 backpacks to St. Vrain Valley students in need at all grade levels by the time school starts in August.  Community support for this program is critical.

“Economic challenges continue for more and more families,” says Kathy Hall, Executive Director of the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley.  “In a time when more students need help donations are harder to come by.  Our major sponsors, Western Disposal and Staples, have continued their strong support for this important program, and community members and businesses throughout our school district are encouraged to follow their lead.  It is now more important than ever to help students get a good start in school each year.  All of our futures depend on them.”  

Crayons to Calculators invites businesses, community members and organizations to ‘adopt a student’ and fill a backpack, or to donate cash that is used to purchase backpacks and school supplies at cost. Businesses and churches are encouraged to hold local site drives.  Volunteers are needed to pack backpacks in early August.  Donation sites for supplies will be available in all communities throughout the district beginning in early July or supplies can be dropped off at the Education Foundation’s office at 820 Main Street in Longmont through the month of July. More information on how to participate can be found on the program’s website www.CrayonstoCalculators.org or by calling Jeanne Sampsell at 720-652-8208.

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ABOUT Crayons to Calculators – This program, started in 2005, is a collaborative annual school supply drive sponsored by Western Disposal, with support from Staples, local businesses, churches and non-profit organizations and thousands of individuals.  This year it is gearing up to provide over 8,000 school supply backpacks to students in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley public schools in August.  Together, the two school districts have more than 15,000 students on the federal lunch assistance program, a common indicator of family poverty. 

Crayons to Calculators is a collaborative partnership between Impact on Education, I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County, Sister Carmen Community Center, Foothills United Way, and the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley for the benefit of the Boulder Valley School District, and the St. Vrain Valley School District.  Last year, Crayons to Calculators provided 7,335 students with a backpack of school supplies.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION - The Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley, an independent 501 (c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985. Our mission is to provide resources and educational opportunities, in partnership with St. Vrain Valley Schools and our local communities, to enhance student success and teacher excellence. Our goal is to supplement the traditional education experience in ways that maximize the effectiveness of teachers and result in enhanced achievement in an increasingly complex and competitive worldwide environment.  Since inception, the Foundation has made awards totaling approximately $1.5 million.

Although many of us drink orange juice for its great taste, new research suggests the potential for an added benefit: a more rejuvenated, carefree and positive outlook.  To bring these new findings to light, Florida Orange Juice recently teamed up with the comic geniuses at Funny or Die to create a humorous video illustrating how orange juice, the American breakfast staple, can help you take on the day.

The new video, "Florida Orange Juice: The Prescription for a Positive Outlook," stars a well-known actress and comedienne discovering the positive benefits of orange juice. In the video, the tired, disheveled actress has a difficult time getting out of bed and dreads the day ahead because “it’s just so early.” Thanks to the positive power of her morning glass of orange juice, she's able to take on her day with energy and enthusiasm. To view the Funny or Die collaboration, "Florida Orange Juice: The Prescription for a Positive Outlook," visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtQdpX0nnu0

The link between orange juice and a more positive outlook is based on in-depth interviews with a small group of participants was also supported by a recent survey of 1,002 adults nationwide, which showed more than half of the respondents believe drinking a glass of orange juice provides an energizing boost, while 33 percent said it is a simple way to help improve their mood. Furthermore, when American adults drink orange juice, 56 percent of those surveyed said they feel rejuvenated, followed by “calm,” “positive,” “happy” and “alive.”[1]

“One key to happiness is focusing on the simple things that can improve your outlook on life,” said Dr. Lyubomirsky, a positive psychology expert and author of The How of Happiness. “No life is without stress or adversity, but by stepping back and appreciating the simple things, you can look at the bigger picture and learn to cope with obstacles. Such adjustments are small, but can have a big impact on many areas of your life.”

In addition to a the potential for helping achieve a more positive outlook, adding 100 percent orange juice to your daily diet provides a healthy source of energy and key nutrients to help maintain your overall health and wellbeing. In fact, one serving of 100 percent orange juice is more nutrient dense than many other commonly consumed fruit juices such as apple, grape, pineapple and prune.[2] As illustrated in the “Florida Orange Juice: The Prescription for a Positive Outlook" video, a glass of orange juice is one of the easiest and most nutritionally sound ways to start the day.

To view the humorous take on the benefits of 100 percent orange juice and what a “prescription” for the breakfast beverage can do for your morning, watch the "Florida Orange Juice: The Prescription for a Positive Outlook" video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtQdpX0nnu0

To learn more about the positive power of orange juice, please visit Florida Orange Juice's Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/FloridaOrangeJuice. In addition to the opportunity to engage with other orange juice lovers, you’ll gain access to videos, fun online games such as “Hangman” and “Pinata Party,” and a wide variety of recipes ranging from appetizers to kid-friendly meals.

Soccer Amigos/Futbol Friends Summer Youth Soccer Program Kicks Off Sixth Year

Fort Collins, CO – The summer 2012 Soccer Amigos/Futbol Friends soccer program will provide six weeknight practice/game sessions for youth of all ages and skill levels, and culminate with a Saturday mini-tournament event. Weeknight sessions featuring skills practice and games will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Northside Aztlan Community Center. The wrap-up event will be held Saturday, July 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Greenbriar Park.

Boys and girls from kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in the program. Kids who want to register can sign up between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 14 at Northside. The cost is $5 per participant (scholarships are available). Volunteers, including coaches and officials, are also welcome, and registration and a background check are required. A program flyer, along with the application/background check form for adult volunteers, can be requested by emailing bradleyrshannon@gmail.com.

This program is a result of work to help decrease the incidence of juvenile violence, gang activity, and child abuse and neglect, provide an opportunity to play soccer to those that might not otherwise have it, and educate participants about other local soccer options. The cost is being kept to a minimum in hopes that children from families of all income levels can participate and have healthy, positive activities to participate in during the summer.

Participants will be divided into groups for weekly training based on age and ability. They will practice and scrimmage on Thursdays from June 14 through July 26 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Northside Aztlan Community Center. Participants should bring or wear appropriate clothing – shorts and a t-shirt -- athletic footwear or soccer shoes, shin guards, water and bug spray. Weekly practice dates are June 14, 21, & 28 and July 12, 19, & 26.

The program culminates with a Fütbol Fiesta Tournament on Saturday, July 28 at Greenbriar Park from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A barbeque for participants and their families is planned.

For more information on participating as a player or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Brad Shannon at (970) 420-8793 or brad@shannonmarcom.com.

Key Links

Boy Scouts of America Longs Peak Council: www.longspeakbsa.org

Soccer & Scouting www.soccerandscouting.org

City of Fort Collins: www.fcgov.com

The Vineyard Church: www.vineyardfc.org

Fort Collins Soccer Club/Arsenal Colorado: www.soccerfortcollins.org

CORE Center: www.cahs.colostate.edu/CORE/

Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County: www.healthylarimer.org

PVHS Foundation: www.foundation.pvhs.org

Edge Sports Center LLC: www.edgesportscenter.com

Arena Sports LLC: www.arenasportsllc.com

Net Results Soccer: www.netresultssoccer.com

STAR Goalkeeper Academy: www.stargoalkeeper.com

Northside Aztlan Community Center: www.fcgov.com/recreation/north-aztlan.php

Food Bank for Larimer County www.foodbanklarimer.org

The program is a collaborative effort of the Boy Scouts of America Longs Peak Council, City of Fort Collins, and Vineyard Church of the Rockies, with varying levels of support from additional area organizations, including the Food Bank for Larimer County, the Fort Collins Soccer Club/Arsenal Colorado, CORE Center, Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County, Poudre Valley Health System Foundation, Net Results Soccer, Edge Sports Center and Arena Sports LLC, and others. Any other area organizations are welcome to contribute as they see fit.

The Center for Productive Longevity (CPL), which serves as the bridge between people 55 and older and opportunities that enable them to continue in productive activities, is organizing a nationwide competition to select the best entrepreneur success story and inspiring life story from people 55 and older.

The Later-Life Story Contest begins on June 1, 2012 and ends on August 31, 2012 with the winner in each category selected by a panel of three independent judges. Each winner will receive $1,000 and a specially designed trophy. The best stories will be posted on the CPL website throughout the duration of the contest. The winners will be announced on October 1, 2012 and will be posted on the CPL website (ctrpl.org) under “Success Stories”.

CPL created the contest to stimulate discussion and dialogue about how people 55 and older can continue adding value to their extended lives in an era when they are living 30 years longer than people did at the beginning of the 20th century. The Later-Life Story Contest is intended to achieve three objectives:

1) Stimulate people to continue leading meaningful and rewarding lives after reaching the age of 55. Baby Boomers were acculturated to believe that when they reached a certain age (55, 60, 65), they were over the hill and out of the game. Many of them need to understand that, with their increased longevity, they have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs or lead inspirational lives.

2) Demonstrate that older people can remain productively engaged and live inspiring lives into their latter 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. There are 78 million Baby Boomers who began reaching traditional retirement age of 65 in 2011 and will continue to do so each year through 2029 at the rate of 4.2 million per year. These are people with experience, expertise, seasoned judgment and proven performance (referred to as EESP). Many of them have also acquired some accumulated wisdom. At a time when unemployment is high and economic growth low, creating a new business is a bright spot on a gloomy employment horizon. Stories about how older entrepreneurs have successfully taken the new-business route may stimulate others to do so. Stories about how people 55 and older have led inspirational lives may have a similar impact.

3) Change the pervasive national mindset that when people reach a certain age, they should move to the sidelines. This thinking encourages older workers to shed the wrinkles, hide the years, and pretend to be younger than they are. With people living substantially longer lives, Americans must recognize and find ways to enable this large and growing talent pool to continue adding value.

“We look forward to learning about the trailblazers around the country and to celebrating their stories,” says William Zinke, 85, Founder and President of CPL. “We believe that this contest can achieve these three objectives and look forward to sharing success stories with the public.”

We have selected three highly qualified judges for the competition:

• Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging, employment, and retirement. She has conducted research on these issues for organizations such as The Conference Board, AARP, UC Berkeley, and the U.S. Administration on Aging. Nationally, she has lectured extensively to the business community, professional groups, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
• Greg Merrill is President and CEO of the National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC) and former Chairman of the NOWCC Board of Directors. The NOWCC is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting experienced workers as a valuable and critical component of the nation’s workforce. Since its establishment in 1997 NOWCC has, through hundreds of workers ages 55+, provided over 13 million hours of dedicated, experienced labor to federal agencies.
• Fred Mandell is a catalyst for personal change and co-author with Kathleen Jordan of Becoming a Life Change Artist: 7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Your Life at Any Stage. Fred’s life and work has been featured in the Public Television Series “Boomers: Redefining Life After 50.” Fred currently serves on the Board of Directors of both the Life Planning Network and Discovering What’s Next.

All have had substantial experience regarding the productive engagement of people 55 and older.

To submit a story, visit www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest and complete a submission form.  Entrants must be over the age of 55, have a compelling story to share, and be willing to have it posted on the CPL website for viewing by the general public and for possible publication. Stories may also be emailed to James R. Hooks, Director of Marketing and Technology, at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL, the contest, and Success Stories, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at facebook.com/CTRPL.

“Underground Shark” commissioned in support of Palm Beach Garden’s Art in Public Places Program

Loveland, CO and Palm Beach Gardens, FL — Internationally known wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg’s latest work was dedicated at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. The one-of-a-kind eight-foot-long, four-and-a-half-foot-tall mako shark – the university’s mascot – rises out of the pavers of the plaza at the entrance of NSU’s Palm Beach Student Educational Center (SEC). The shark’s tail also breaks the surface, rising three feet above the piazza. The piece was commissioned by NSU in support of Palm Beach Garden’s Art in Public Places Program.

The unveiling took place at the Palm Beach SEC’s state-of-the art 75,000-square-foot facility. The Center also hosted an Open House immediately following the unveiling, where prospective students met faculty and staff and toured the facility.

“Wildlife, and particularly marine life, is my passion,” notes Ullberg. “Florida is a special place for me, and I was honored to have the opportunity to do another mako shark for Nova, and to do another distinctive piece for display in south Florida.”

This is the second shark sculpture by Ullberg installed on an NSU campus. During ceremonies in early 2009, NSU unveiled a 17-foot-tall bronze mako shark at its Don Taft University Center entrance on the school’s main campus. This piece, commissioned by NSU’s PAN-Student Government Association, depicts the leaping shark rising above a wave in a 10-foot-high fountain. The 3,000-pound piece features 76 polished stainless steel teeth.

“We believe art enriches one’s character and contributes to the quality of life of the community,” said NSU’s Palm Beach Student Educational Director George Dungee. “Not only is it important to a student’s development, but it is also important to a community’s development. We are proud to support Palm Beach Gardens and its Art in Public Places initiative with this beautiful shark sculpture created by renowned artist Kent Ullberg.”

In addition to the two mako sharks he’s done for NSU, Ullberg is best known in south Florida for his creation of Sailfish in Three Stages of Ascending. Located at the entrance of the Broward County Convention Center, this work shows three sailfish ascending from water.

Nova Southeastern University, in Davie, Florida, is a dynamic fully accredited Florida university dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 28,000 students and is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement. For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu

About Kent Ullberg

Kent Ullberg is one of the world’s foremost wildlife sculptors. A native of Sweden, Ullberg studied at the Swedish Konstfack University College of Art in Stockholm and museums in Germany, the Netherlands and France. His list of museum, government, corporate and private clients spans four continents. His sculptures can be found in museums and corporate headquarters around the world, including the National Museum of Natural History in Stockholm, Sweden; the National Gallery in Botswana, Africa; the National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.; Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China; and the Guildhall in London, England.

While Ullberg has done hundreds of works on a small scale, his monumental works rank among the largest and most acclaimed works of art in the world. He is perhaps best known for his monumental works he has done for museums and municipalities from Omaha, Nebraska to Cape Town, South Africa. His Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Omaha, Nebraska installations are the largest wildlife bronze compositions ever done, spanning several city blocks.

Ullberg has been honored with numerous prestigious awards including the Gold Medal for Sculpture in 1981, 1982, 1988, and 1990 and the prestigious Prix de West Award in 1998, all from The National Academy of Western Art. He also received a Gold Medal in 1993 from The National Sculpture Society and a Silver Medal in 2002. In 1990, he became the first wildlife artist since John James Audubon to be elected to the National Academy, one of the greatest tributes in American Art.

In 1996 he was awarded the Rungius Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The award is given to artists, authors, conservationists and others who have made significant contributions to the interpretation and conservation of wildlife and its habitats. It is named for premier wildlife artist Carl Rungius. In 1993 and again in 2008, Ullberg received the Henry Hering Medal from the National Sculpture Society for outstanding collaboration between architect and sculptor in a monumental sculpture.

Ullberg is a member of the National Sculpture Society, the American Society of Marine Artists, the National Academy of Western Art, the Society of Animal Artists, the Society for Wildlife Art of the Nations, and Allied Artists of America, to name just a few. He is also a major supporter of many wildlife conservation efforts. He resides and maintains studios in Loveland, Colorado, and Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information, visit www.kentullberg.net, email Ullberg@sbcglobal.net, or call (970) 667-7809 or (361) 851-1600.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Light The Night Walk recently named Miranda Cosgrove as the National Ambassador for the Light 

The Night Walks that will take place across North America this fall.  View a video featuring Miranda Cosgrove here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBxJE7Ule4A 

Cosgrove, known for her singing and acting in roles in television and movies such as iCarly, Drake & Josh and School of Rock, represents the teenage population heavily impacted by leukemia, the most common cancer in teens her age.  Miranda is also stepping up to honor her own grandmother.

“Join me in celebration of my grandmother, a cancer survivor, and the hundreds of thousands of walkers who support Light The Night Walks,” says Miranda.

The annual LLS Light The Night Walk raises funds for lifesaving research and support for people battling cancer. Walks will take place in more than two hundred communities across the United States and Canada.  

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova will share her unparalleled health and fitness expertise as the keynote speaker at Living at Your Peak (www.livingatyourpeak.org), the Rocky Mountain region’s premier interactive wellness experience, the Vail Symposium announced today. The inaugural event, to be held September 13-15, 2012, in Vail, Colo., is the nation’s only gathering designed to help health-conscious individuals and influencers discover how to live longer, better and impact the wellbeing of their world.

“You don’t need to be an elite athlete to be dedicated to wellness; anyone – at any age – can make a commitment to be fit and healthy,” said Navratilova. “As AARP’s Health and Fitness Ambassador, I have dedicated my time to helping those of us who are 50+ learn to lead healthy, active lives, and I am thrilled to be part of an event that is focused on teaching everyone health, fitness and longevity – from elite athletes to weekend warriors to individuals just beginning their journey to wellness.”

Navratilova is widely considered to be the greatest women's tennis player in the history of the sport. Over the course of a career that spanned an amazing four decades, she amassed an unmatched number of professional records. She won 59 grand slam titles, including a record nine Wimbledon singles championships. Still in phenomenal shape on the verge of 50, she became the oldest player to ever win a grand slam title before retiring in 2006.

In addition to her work on the tennis court, Navratilova is a compelling advocate for active living and aggressive goal setting. Her book, Shape Your Self, is a guide to personal fitness and healthy living. She has motivated thousands to live healthier lifestyles by taking simple steps to a better life. She also serves as the health and fitness ambassador for AARP, in an alliance created to help AARP's millions of members lead active, healthy lives.

“Martina Navratilova is not only a legend in the tennis world, she is also an inspiration to anyone with a commitment to lifelong wellness,” said Jamie Stone, Living at Your Peak event champion and a board member of the Vail Symposium. “Her presence at Living at Your Peak elevates this event to the next level, enabling our guests to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with a world-class health and fitness expert.”

Living at Your Peak is an interactive health, fitness and longevity experience offering unparalleled access to accomplished world champions; internationally recognized trainers, coaches, researchers and doctors; top chefs, nutritionists and world-class restaurants; and peer networking opportunities. Living at Your Peak sessions will offer interactive components to engage guests beyond a traditional presentation environment. Jenna Wolfe, co-anchor of NBC News’ Sunday TODAY show, will emcee the event.

Registration is $1,000 until June 30 and $1,200 beginning July 1, and includes priority access to event sessions, event coordination with a personal concierge, exclusive access to VIP events and gourmet meals prepared by Vail’s internationally renowned chefs. Spouse passes are $300 and individual session fees start at $50 per session.

The event is organized by the Vail Symposium, a grassroots, non-profit organization providing thought-provoking, diverse and affordable educational programs to the Vail Valley community. Event sponsors include Vail Valley Medical Center, HealthONE, the Town of Vail, The Steadman Clinic, Vail Summit Orthopedics, Triumph Development, the Vail Daily, Antlers at Vail, Vitality Center, Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, The Biegler Foundation, Colorado Access and Wendy and Paul Raether.

For more information about Living at Your Peak or to register, please visit www.livingatyourpeak.org. 

The Center for Productive Longevity (CPL), which serves as the bridge between people 55 and older and the opportunities that enable them to continue in productive activities, today described “The 3 Important Ways to Defuse the Ticking Time Bomb of our Aging Workforce”. With 77 million people in the United States 55 and older, we are at a tipping point: we can either watch them sit on the sidelines, drawing from unsustainable entitlement programs and the general economy, or we can enable this growing population segment to continue working and contribute to the country’s economic growth and prosperity.

Recent surveys by AARP indicate that 80 percent of the Baby Boomers intend to continue working after leaving their regular career jobs, more than half on less than a full-time basis. Many need or want the additional income, particularly because of their wealth reduction from the recession in 2001 and the global economic crisis that began in the U.S. in late 2007. Other reasons to continue working include the desire to maintain cognitive skills, continue adding value, and remain socially connected.

“We have been aware of this ticking time bomb for years without taking effective action.  Now it’s really getting louder with the growing retirement of Baby Boomers at the rate of 4.2 million each year from 2011 through 2029, compounded by high unemployment and low economic growth for the foreseeable future,” says William Zinke, 85, founder and president of CPL. “We can defuse this time bomb by creating a wave of entrepreneurship across the country and stimulating employers to take a more flexible approach in providing employment opportunities for older workers.”

According to CPL, we can defuse the ticking time bomb of our aging workforce in three important ways:

1.            Baby Boomer Entrepreneurship

Create awareness and understanding among the Baby Boomers about the benefits and opportunities of creating their own businesses. Entrepreneurship remains a critical factor in the country’s economic growth and vitality, with a spirit of pioneering and self-reliance still a part of America’s DNA. 

2.               Flexible Workplace Options

Stimulate employers to develop phased retirement programs and other flexible workplace options that will retain and attract Baby Boomers 55 and older who want to continue working but on a part-time basis.  A movement is developing in this direction, but a recent survey by Harris Interactive indicates that only 24 percent of Fortune 1000 companies provide such options.

3.            Greater Talent Pool Utilization

The reality is that America has a large and growing talent pool of workers 55 and older with experience, expertise, seasoned judgment and proven performance (EESP). Research shows that older workers have a higher level of commitment, reliability and motivation; have better overall skills and abilities than younger workers; and have much lower absenteeism and turnover. This talent pool must be tapped to a substantially greater degree.

“Economic growth and our standard of living may be reduced if older workers are not provided with opportunities to continue working, yet there is no real recognition of the need to do so,” adds Zinke. “It is CPL’s purpose to change the national mindset about aging and retirement.”

One way CPL is highlighting the benefits of senior entrepreneurship is by organizing a series of four meetings titled “Spotlight on Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Baby Boomers”. The first meeting was held at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, MO, the focal point for entrepreneurship in America, on March 27 with almost 100 participants and excellent feedback. The next three meetings will be held at Babson College in Wellesley, MA on September 14, Northwestern University/Kellogg School of Business in Chicago on October 11, and the University of Denver on November 15. To register, visit http://www.ctrpl.org/entrepreneurship-meeting/overview.

Health enthusiasts from around the country will gather to network with marathon legends, cycling champions, renowned medical researchers and the nation’s leading health and fitness experts at Living at Your Peak (www.livingatyourpeak.org), the Rocky Mountain region’s premier wellness experience. The inaugural summit, to be held September 13-15, 2012, in Vail, Colo., is the nation’s only gathering designed to help health-conscious individuals and influencers discover how to live longer, better and impact the wellbeing of their world.

“Living at Your Peak is designed to promote life-long health and fitness through customized experiences in an intimate setting,” said Jamie Stone, Living at Your Peak event champion and a board member of the Vail Symposium, a nonprofit organization responsible for Living at Your Peak. “With exclusive access to proven experts and peak performers in the fields of fitness, nutrition, cognitive and emotional health, medicine and cutting-edge research, our guests will gain valuable insight into the changes they can make in their daily lives that will affect their future health.”

Jenna Wolfe, co-anchor of NBC News’ Sunday TODAY show, will emcee the event, which is intended for individuals who are interested in learning how to maximize their health, as well as corporate, non-profit and government leaders. The summit offers guests unparalleled access to accomplished world champions; internationally recognized trainers, coaches, researchers and doctors; top chefs, nutritionists and world-class restaurants; and peer networking opportunities.

Among others, confirmed presenters include:

• Ellen Miller, coach of the U.S. Olympic women’s running team, Mount Everest climber and adventure racer;
• C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai, trailblazer and leader in preventive heart health;
• James Hill, MD, executive director of the Colorado Center for Health & Wellness, leading expert and author on nutrition; and
• Scott Small, MD, professor of neurology, Columbia Neuroscience, nationally renowned expert on brain health.

Additional presenters will be announced as the event nears. Visit www.livingatyourpeak.org for details.

Living at Your Peak sessions will offer interactive components to engage guests beyond a traditional presentation environment. Session themes include:

• Health: Guests will better understand their own health through preventive health checks, learn what causes injuries during an interactive session at the nation’s leading orthopedics laboratory and master healthy eating practices with top nutritionists and chefs.
• Fitness: Guests can bike, hike and golf with world-class athletes and discuss the physical and psychological aspects of training with leading fitness experts.
• Longevity: Guests will learn how to extend their physical wellbeing with wellness, cardiac and nutrition experts. They will also discover how to extend their mental acuity as they complete brain challenges and examine meditation’s physiological effects with leading researchers.

Guests will complete a pre-attendance survey to create an individualized agenda and establish physical and mental goals to be addressed through specific programming. A personal concierge will manage guests’ event needs, including session scheduling and weekend activities planning. Follow-up coaching, an interactive online community and a winter series will empower guests to take home their Living at Your Peak experience and positively impact their personal networks.

"We want Colorado to be the healthiest state in the nation because healthy living is a strong driver of economic and tourism well-being," said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. "Conferences like the Vail Symposium's Living at Your Peak can move us in that direction through their commitment to physical, intellectual and emotional health and well being."

Living at Your Peak registration is $1,000 until June 30 and $1,200 beginning July 1, and includes priority access to event sessions, event coordination with a personal concierge, exclusive access to VIP events and gourmet meals prepared by Vail’s internationally renowned chefs. Spouse passes are $300 and individual session fees start at $50 per session.

The summit is organized by the Vail Symposium, a grassroots, non-profit organization providing thought-provoking, diverse and affordable educational programs to the Vail Valley community. Event sponsors include Vail Valley Medical Center, HealthONE, the Town of Vail, The Steadman Clinic, Vail Summit Orthopedics, Triumph Development, the Vail Daily, Antlers at Vail, Vitality Center, Udi’s, The Biegler Foundation, Colorado Access and Wendy and Paul Raether.

For more information about Living at Your Peak, please visit www.livingatyourpeak.org. 

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on
renewable energy and sustainability, today announced that it has formed a relationship with Colorado-based Veterans Green Jobs, whose mission is to engage, transition and connect military veterans with meaningful employment opportunities. About 15 percent of Ecotech’s current student population is made up of military veterans.

Together, Ecotech and Veterans Green Jobs will focus on encouraging and enhancing opportunities for military veterans by promoting career opportunities in the
green jobssector, both in Colorado and nationally.

“Our military population has already been through so much and we want to make sure we’re providing the support they need to excel in school and go on to have productive careers,” said Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Veterans Green Jobshas a similar focus, believing that the right jobs can make all the difference in helping our military veterans enjoy a successful life after service.” 

As part of its commitment to military students, Ecotech recently hosted a seminar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), taught by the Denver Department of Veterans Affairs. Ecotech administration, program directors and instructors attended the session to better understand what many student veterans are going through. According to “Help my PTSD,” one in every five military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has PTSD and in the past year the number of diagnosed cases in the military has jumped 50 percent.

At Ecotech, 67 students are either military veterans or currently serving in the military.  Of those, three will graduate on June 21, 2012.  One of those students is Monica Soto, who will graduate in June with a
degree in Wind Energy Technology.Monica spent more than eight years in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic, but after 9/11 she left the Navy to be closer to her son and build a career where she could raise him in one place. After trying some other career paths, she found Ecotech when seeking an opportunity that would capitalize on her training and previous associate’s degree, and also build a bridge between her time in the military and her life as a civilian.

“As a single mom and 100 percent disabled vet, I didn’t know where to find my place in the civilian community and Ecotech met my needs in a variety of ways,” said Soto. “I knew my purpose in the Navy and felt lost after I left; I now feel a purpose again. I’m excited about putting my skills to work to better my own family and our environment.”

Ecotech Institute will have its first graduating class in June 2012. Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers highly practical
renewable energy degree programsthat provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative cleantech employers.

Learn more about
Ecotech Institute, or call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in late June and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

All readers may be familiar with ESP–extrasensory perception.  I propose that we focus on EESP–experience, expertise, seasoned judgment and proven performance. This is what Baby Boomers can provide versus their younger counterparts. I like the old saying: “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.”

Quoting from the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity for 1996-2010, written by Robert W. Fairlie in March 2011: 26% of entrepreneurial activity was produced by people ages 20-34 versus 39% produced by people ages 55-64.  My view is that the disparity will not only be maintained but will increase because we have an aging and shrinking workforce.

More than five million Americans ages 55 and older (55+) have their own businesses or are self-employed, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), indicating an increased interest in entrepreneurship opportunities.  And the SBA reports that the number of self-employed people ages 55 to 64 is soaring, climbing 52% from 2000 to 2007.  Here are some of the reasons why people are changing careers at 55, particularly at a time when unemployment is high and jobs are scarce:

• After years of working for others, acting in accordance with established policies and procedures, experienced workers are creating their own business, enabling them to “march to their own drummer.”

• Many people 55+ are attracted by the opportunity to create a business that is responsive to their own unique needs, interests, and desires.

• The need for additional income to maintain a standard of living or the desire to have additional income for discretionary spending

• The desire for continued interesting/stimulating/challenging work to maintain cognitive skills and abilities

• The desire to maintain self-esteem and self-fulfillment by continuing in productive activities that add value

• The desire to maintain relationships with the outside world and to remain socially connected

• Recognition that, with knowledge of their increased longevity and vulnerability of their financial resources through market fluctuations, it may be necessary or desirable to generate additional income

Let’s talk about the biggest driving force–the impact of demographic change in America.  When the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, few people lived past the established retirement age of 65.  The reality is that almost 30 years were added to longevity from beginning to end of the 20^th Century.  People are not only living longer but in substantially better health.  This, of course, depends upon three essential tenets: remaining intellectually engaged, socially connected and physically fit.  According to a recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, those who are committed to these tenets enjoy better health, report a greater satisfaction with life, and live at least four years longer than those who don’t.

With so many more years to live than people expected when younger, sitting on the sidelines with nothing to do for another 20-30 years doesn’t look so attractive.  Another factor is that we have moved in the U.S. from an industrial to a knowledge-based society, with more than 80% of the private, non-farm sector in knowledge-based services and only about 11% in manufacturing.

We still tend to think about the traditional two stages of adulthood: early adulthood from 18 to 40 and mature adulthood from 40 to 62 or 65.  Then, the traditional thinking goes, you are out of the game and the headlights are getting dim.  But the reality is that, with the advent of demographic change and people living appreciably longer lives in better health, there is a new and third stage of adulthood from 62-85.  And people are increasingly working into their latter 80s, 90s and even beyond.

Because we are still recovering from the global economic crisis, most companies have not yet begun to recognize that they will shortly be facing skills shortages. And there is another problem.  Because of a shrinking number of younger people coming into the workforce, they will be in even greater demand and will be changing jobs more rapidly. In 2010, the average job tenure for workers 20-35 was 2.3 years versus 9.9 years for older workers 50-65.  With the 78 million Baby Boomers reaching 65 in 2011 and each year thereafter through 2029 at the rate of 4.2 million per year, companies will be facing serious skills shortages unless they begin to utilize this large and growing talent pool of people with EESP.

Meanwhile, with unemployment slated to remain above 8% and economic growth low for the foreseeable future, there is one bright spot for retired workers on a gloomy employment horizon–the entrepreneurial path. Through a non-profit organized by my firm in 2006, the Center for Productive Longevity (CPL), we are substantially involved in organizing four meetings in 2012, the first of which was held on March 27 at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City.  Other sponsors were AARP and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE).  The title for all four events is “Spotlight on Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Baby Boomers.”

Our goal was to attract 100 Baby Boomers 50+ for this event (reduced from 55+ because AARP was a sponsor and this is their threshold membership age) for which there was no charge. When I left for a quick trip on February 8, we had attracted 50 participants. When I returned to the office on February 13, the number had climbed to 141 and we promptly closed registrations.  We actually had 130 participants at the meeting, including 20 spouses, and there was a waiting list of more than 35.  This provides you with some idea about the growing wave of interest in Baby Boomer entrepreneurship.

We anticipate the same or a greater degree of interest in the major metro areas for the next three meetings:

• Babson College in Wellesley, MA (near Boston) on September 14
• Kellogg School of Management/Northwestern University in Chicago on October 11
• University of Denver on November 15

We have carefully selected academic institutions with a major focus on entrepreneurship because they are training the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and I believe we will see substantially larger numbers of older entrepreneurs as we move away from the more traditional forms of employment.  After all, new-business creation has been the backbone of the American economy since Paul Revere, with his own silversmith company, went on his famous ride to warn that the British were coming.

Back to thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, here are the factors that need to be considered:

• Risks and rewards
• Strategies for identifying and selecting potential business opportunities
• Desirability of taking skills and aptitude tests to ascertain your professional and personal strengths
• Importance of developing a business plan or at least a business concept statement
• How to evaluate a business plan or concept statement
• Creation of a personal vision
• Exploration of funding support
• How to overcome fears and concerns/real and artificial barriers
• Importance of conducting research on the competition
• Importance of developing an Advisory Board or Planning Committee to meet several times a year to provide counsel and guidance on your new venture     

Finally, another acronym I like is the three Ps: passion, purpose and perseverance.  These are critical qualities in pursuing the entrepreneurial path, and I would add a few others:

• Courage/willingness to take risks
• Positive attitude and optimistic spirit
• Strength of character/integrity
• Vision/ability to see things as they might be
• Self-confidence and assurance
• High energy level
• Resourceful and resilient
• Ability to accept rejection and turn failures into learning opportunities

You won’t need all of these qualities for changing careers at 55, but it would be desirable to have many of them.  Having created my own consulting firm more than 40 years ago and found it to be a great way to go, I have one more quote: “You don’t stop having fun when you grow older. You grow older when you stop having fun.” Good luck and godspeed for the growing number of senior entrepreneurs!

Note:  I have three books for suggested reading:

• Barreto, Hector V., The Engine of America: The Secrets to Small Business Success from Entrepreneurs Who Have Made It!  Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007.
• Price, Robert W., Roadmap to Entrepreneurial Success: Powerful Strategies for Building a High-Profit Business.  New York: AMACOM, 2004.
• Murphy, Bill Jr., The Intelligent Entrepreneur: How Three Harvard Business School Graduates Learned the 10 Rules of Successful Entrepreneurship.  New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2010

By: William K Zinke

Founder & President of the Center for Productive Longevity

All readers may be familiar with ESP–extrasensory perception.  I propose that we focus on EESP–experience, expertise, seasoned judgment and proven performance. This is what Baby Boomers can provide versus their younger counterparts. I like the old saying: “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.”

Quoting from the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity for 1996-2010, written by Robert W. Fairlie in March 2011: 26% of entrepreneurial activity was produced by people ages 20-34 versus 39% produced by people ages 55-64.  My view is that the disparity will not only be maintained but will increase because we have an aging and shrinking workforce.

More than five million Americans ages 55 and older (55+) have their own businesses or are self-employed, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), indicating an increased interest in entrepreneurship opportunities.  And the SBA reports that the number of self-employed people ages 55 to 64 is soaring, climbing 52% from 2000 to 2007.  Here are some of the reasons why people are changing careers at 55, particularly at a time when unemployment is high and jobs are scarce:

• After years of working for others, acting in accordance with established policies and procedures, experienced workers are creating their own business, enabling them to “march to their own drummer.”

• Many people 55+ are attracted by the opportunity to create a business that is responsive to their own unique needs, interests, and desires.

• The need for additional income to maintain a standard of living or the desire to have additional income for discretionary spending

• The desire for continued interesting/stimulating/challenging work to maintain cognitive skills and abilities

• The desire to maintain self-esteem and self-fulfillment by continuing in productive activities that add value

• The desire to maintain relationships with the outside world and to remain socially connected

• Recognition that, with knowledge of their increased longevity and vulnerability of their financial resources through market fluctuations, it may be necessary or desirable to generate additional income

Let’s talk about the biggest driving force–the impact of demographic change in America.  When the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, few people lived past the established retirement age of 65.  The reality is that almost 30 years were added to longevity from beginning to end of the 20^th Century.  People are not only living longer but in substantially better health.  This, of course, depends upon three essential tenets: remaining intellectually engaged, socially connected and physically fit.  According to a recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, those who are committed to these tenets enjoy better health, report a greater satisfaction with life, and live at least four years longer than those who don’t.

With so many more years to live than people expected when younger, sitting on the sidelines with nothing to do for another 20-30 years doesn’t look so attractive.  Another factor is that we have moved in the U.S. from an industrial to a knowledge-based society, with more than 80% of the private, non-farm sector in knowledge-based services and only about 11% in manufacturing.

We still tend to think about the traditional two stages of adulthood: early adulthood from 18 to 40 and mature adulthood from 40 to 62 or 65.  Then, the traditional thinking goes, you are out of the game and the headlights are getting dim.  But the reality is that, with the advent of demographic change and people living appreciably longer lives in better health, there is a new and third stage of adulthood from 62-85.  And people are increasingly working into their latter 80s, 90s and even beyond.

Because we are still recovering from the global economic crisis, most companies have not yet begun to recognize that they will shortly be facing skills shortages. And there is another problem.  Because of a shrinking number of younger people coming into the workforce, they will be in even greater demand and will be changing jobs more rapidly. In 2010, the average job tenure for workers 20-35 was 2.3 years versus 9.9 years for older workers 50-65.  With the 78 million Baby Boomers reaching 65 in 2011 and each year thereafter through 2029 at the rate of 4.2 million per year, companies will be facing serious skills shortages unless they begin to utilize this large and growing talent pool of people with EESP.

Meanwhile, with unemployment slated to remain above 8% and economic growth low for the foreseeable future, there is one bright spot for retired workers on a gloomy employment horizon–the entrepreneurial path. Through a non-profit organized by my firm in 2006, the Center for Productive Longevity (CPL), we are substantially involved in organizing four meetings in 2012, the first of which was held on March 27 at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City.  Other sponsors were AARP and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE).  The title for all four events is “Spotlight on Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Baby Boomers.”

Our goal was to attract 100 Baby Boomers 50+ for this event (reduced from 55+ because AARP was a sponsor and this is their threshold membership age) for which there was no charge. When I left for a quick trip on February 8, we had attracted 50 participants. When I returned to the office on February 13, the number had climbed to 141 and we promptly closed registrations.  We actually had 130 participants at the meeting, including 20 spouses, and there was a waiting list of more than 35.  This provides you with some idea about the growing wave of interest in Baby Boomer entrepreneurship.

We anticipate the same or a greater degree of interest in the major metro areas for the next three meetings:

• Babson College in Wellesley, MA (near Boston) on September 14
• Kellogg School of Management/Northwestern University in Chicago on October 11
• University of Denver on November 15

We have carefully selected academic institutions with a major focus on entrepreneurship because they are training the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and I believe we will see substantially larger numbers of older entrepreneurs as we move away from the more traditional forms of employment.  After all, new-business creation has been the backbone of the American economy since Paul Revere, with his own silversmith company, went on his famous ride to warn that the British were coming.

Back to thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, here are the factors that need to be considered:

• Risks and rewards
• Strategies for identifying and selecting potential business opportunities
• Desirability of taking skills and aptitude tests to ascertain your professional and personal strengths
• Importance of developing a business plan or at least a business concept statement
• How to evaluate a business plan or concept statement
• Creation of a personal vision
• Exploration of funding support
• How to overcome fears and concerns/real and artificial barriers
• Importance of conducting research on the competition
• Importance of developing an Advisory Board or Planning Committee to meet several times a year to provide counsel and guidance on your new venture     

Finally, another acronym I like is the three Ps: passion, purpose and perseverance.  These are critical qualities in pursuing the entrepreneurial path, and I would add a few others:

• Courage/willingness to take risks
• Positive attitude and optimistic spirit
• Strength of character/integrity
• Vision/ability to see things as they might be
• Self-confidence and assurance
• High energy level
• Resourceful and resilient
• Ability to accept rejection and turn failures into learning opportunities

You won’t need all of these qualities for changing careers at 55, but it would be desirable to have many of them.  Having created my own consulting firm more than 40 years ago and found it to be a great way to go, I have one more quote: “You don’t stop having fun when you grow older. You grow older when you stop having fun.” Good luck and godspeed for the growing number of senior entrepreneurs!

Note:  I have three books for suggested reading:

• Barreto, Hector V., The Engine of America: The Secrets to Small Business Success from Entrepreneurs Who Have Made It!  Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007.
• Price, Robert W., Roadmap to Entrepreneurial Success: Powerful Strategies for Building a High-Profit Business.  New York: AMACOM, 2004.
• Murphy, Bill Jr., The Intelligent Entrepreneur: How Three Harvard Business School Graduates Learned the 10 Rules of Successful Entrepreneurship.  New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2010