Thanks to the photgrapher and Denver Post for sharing these images:
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2011/03/sandhill-cranes-in-colorado
March 16, 2011
February 8, 2011
Healthy Living Shoppe finds success in Alamosa
Twenty years ago, Donna Chappell helped a friend create and establish a health store in Twenty-Nine Palms, California. She had such a good time that when her family decided to move back to Alamosa, she opened up another health store here. In April, 2010, Donna opened the Healthy Living Shoppe doors on 817 Main Street.
The San Luis Valley community welcomed the Healthy Living Shoppe, and her business has flourished even though she has only been open less than a year.
As soon as you walk in the door, there is a sense of calmness and warmth. She carries a wide variety of products such as the weight loss Homeopathic hCG drops, plus Bach Flower remedies, books by Abraham on the Law of Attraction, bulk herbs and teas, essential oils, cards for all occasions as well as unique gifts, supplements and natural beauty products.
Donna enjoys helping her customers find a solution by assisting them with attention to their needs. She goes one step further and follows up with customers to see if they are satisfied with their purchases.
With the assistance of the San Luis Valley Small Business Development Center, she now has an online presence, http://www.healthylivingshoppe.blogspot.com. If you’d like to visit her new blog, you may leave a comment at the bottom of the post.
However, if you are in town, don’t forget to stop into the Healthy Living Shoppe for all your health and beauty needs done naturally. Her Monday through Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and she is also open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The phone number for the store is (719) 480-6017. You may contact the SLV SBDC at 589-3682.
The San Luis Valley community welcomed the Healthy Living Shoppe, and her business has flourished even though she has only been open less than a year.
As soon as you walk in the door, there is a sense of calmness and warmth. She carries a wide variety of products such as the weight loss Homeopathic hCG drops, plus Bach Flower remedies, books by Abraham on the Law of Attraction, bulk herbs and teas, essential oils, cards for all occasions as well as unique gifts, supplements and natural beauty products.
Donna enjoys helping her customers find a solution by assisting them with attention to their needs. She goes one step further and follows up with customers to see if they are satisfied with their purchases.
February 1, 2011
Social Media Upcoming Workshops in the San Luis Valley
Promoting Social Media Networking and Chamber Membership
February 15
Twitter, You Tube, and Google Apps: Social Media Networking Session. Free for Alamosa Chamber Members ($5 charge for non-members). At the Inn of the Rio Grande, Alamosa, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Rolls and coffee will be served. Please RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682
February 15
Free to Monte Vista Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the Carnegie Public Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
February 17
Free to Del Norte or South Fork Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the County Annex Building in Del Norte; 3-5:00 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
February 15
Twitter, You Tube, and Google Apps: Social Media Networking Session. Free for Alamosa Chamber Members ($5 charge for non-members). At the Inn of the Rio Grande, Alamosa, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Rolls and coffee will be served. Please RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682
February 15
Free to Monte Vista Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the Carnegie Public Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
February 17
Free to Del Norte or South Fork Chamber Members. $5 for non-members; light refreshments will be served.
Facebook Show and Tell; network with other business owners using social media.
At the County Annex Building in Del Norte; 3-5:00 p.m. RSVP to Donna Wehe at 589-3682.
January 12, 2011
Buzz on Biz...Start out with the right info in 2011
Due to the Jobs Bill , Tax Bill , Health Care Reform and pending Immigration reform , plus a myriad of others that I may have overlooked, there are some major changes to how we do business in Colorado/USA and I'd like to draw your attention to the ones that go into effect starting in January, 2011. Please consult your tax accountant or tax preparer to see how these changes could affect your business.
#1) Minimum wage in Colorado increased January 1st to $7.36 per hour (and $4.34 for tipped). When the State and the Federal amounts don't match, you're obligated to pay the higher one, and this time it is the State of Colorado.
#2) With the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts now in place, how is FICA (Social Security) going to be affected? You will be deducting 2% less but just in 2011. The savings is on the side of the employee. Instead of using the 6.2% rate, it will be 4.2% of wages paid. Employers have until January 31, 2011 to implement the new payroll tax rates, and make any necessary adjustments or corrections by March 31, 2011. The employer tax rate for social security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax remain unchanged from 2010.
#3) Reporting for 1099-Misc is probably going to be changing in phases. Be prepared to report to the IRS the amount you paid each of your vendors if it was over $600 for the year. In order to best prepare (this legislation has the possibility of being appealed/modified ), start requesting a completed IRS W-9 from each vendor. You can download these forms from the IRS web site in order to have the complete legal name, address and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for your vendor. This is being phased in, some apply in 2011 (i.e. for landlords dealing with unincorporated service providers) and others in 2012. Penalties for not filing 1099s will double in 2011, so please consult a professional on this topic.
#4) If you took part of the HIRE act, it does not pertain to any wages paid after December 31, 2010.
#5) Small businesses can benefit from deducting health care plan expenses.
#6) The IRS announced that the mileage reimbursement rate for 2011 will be $0.51 per mile.
#7) Still pending, but it looks like employers should get familiar with E-Verify , the electronic way to confirm legal status for employees. Stay tuned.
#1) Minimum wage in Colorado increased January 1st to $7.36 per hour (and $4.34 for tipped). When the State and the Federal amounts don't match, you're obligated to pay the higher one, and this time it is the State of Colorado.
#2) With the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts now in place, how is FICA (Social Security) going to be affected? You will be deducting 2% less but just in 2011. The savings is on the side of the employee. Instead of using the 6.2% rate, it will be 4.2% of wages paid. Employers have until January 31, 2011 to implement the new payroll tax rates, and make any necessary adjustments or corrections by March 31, 2011. The employer tax rate for social security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax remain unchanged from 2010.
#3) Reporting for 1099-Misc is probably going to be changing in phases. Be prepared to report to the IRS the amount you paid each of your vendors if it was over $600 for the year. In order to best prepare (this legislation has the possibility of being appealed/modified ), start requesting a completed IRS W-9 from each vendor. You can download these forms from the IRS web site in order to have the complete legal name, address and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN) for your vendor. This is being phased in, some apply in 2011 (i.e. for landlords dealing with unincorporated service providers) and others in 2012. Penalties for not filing 1099s will double in 2011, so please consult a professional on this topic.
#4) If you took part of the HIRE act, it does not pertain to any wages paid after December 31, 2010.
#5) Small businesses can benefit from deducting health care plan expenses.
#6) The IRS announced that the mileage reimbursement rate for 2011 will be $0.51 per mile.
#7) Still pending, but it looks like employers should get familiar with E-Verify , the electronic way to confirm legal status for employees. Stay tuned.
December 16, 2010
Espanola SBDC Client & Artist Giovanna Paponetti Receives a letter from Pope Benedict XVI
SBDCs in the News
Espanola SBDC Client & Artist Giovanna Paponetti Receives a letter from Pope Benedict XVI
Artist and SBDC Client Giovanna Paponetti recently released her new book, "Kateri Native American Saint -The Life and Miracles of Kateri Tekakwitha," published by clear light publishers in Santa Fe, NM. The 21 paintings of Kateri's life story are located at St. John the Baptist church at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Giovanna sent a signed copy for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, and to her great surprise received a letter from the Vatican. "His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was pleased to receive the kind gift sent for his acceptance. He appreciates the devoted sentiments which prompted this thoughtful presentation. The Holy Father gives the assurance of a remembrance in his prayers and sends his blessing."
"I am grateful that my book has found its way to the Vatican as this is the place where Kateri's Sainthood will be decided, hopefully soon. As I began to reach new heights in my career as an Artist I did not feel equipped to handle or have the knowledge to know what to do. Once again Julianna Barbee, Director of the SBDC at Northern New Mexico College, and her staff have been there to guide me with their expertise for my continued success."- Giovanna Paponetti.
Espanola SBDC Client & Artist Giovanna Paponetti Receives a letter from Pope Benedict XVI
Artist and SBDC Client Giovanna Paponetti recently released her new book, "Kateri Native American Saint -The Life and Miracles of Kateri Tekakwitha," published by clear light publishers in Santa Fe, NM. The 21 paintings of Kateri's life story are located at St. John the Baptist church at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Giovanna sent a signed copy for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, and to her great surprise received a letter from the Vatican. "His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was pleased to receive the kind gift sent for his acceptance. He appreciates the devoted sentiments which prompted this thoughtful presentation. The Holy Father gives the assurance of a remembrance in his prayers and sends his blessing."
"I am grateful that my book has found its way to the Vatican as this is the place where Kateri's Sainthood will be decided, hopefully soon. As I began to reach new heights in my career as an Artist I did not feel equipped to handle or have the knowledge to know what to do. Once again Julianna Barbee, Director of the SBDC at Northern New Mexico College, and her staff have been there to guide me with their expertise for my continued success."- Giovanna Paponetti.
New Business Cooks with Spelt
November 30, 2010
QuickBooks for Beginners Workshop in La Jara
QuickBooks™ Workshop
Beginner Workshop
Learn the basics: invoices, general ledger, receipts, deposits and bank statement reconcilement
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
5:30-8:00 p.m.
La Jara, County Nursing Building
$20/per person
or $10 if Conejos County Chamber Member
Register by calling Donna Wehe at 587-5151
Or email Ann Marie Velasquez conejoschamber@centurytel.net
Beginner Workshop
Learn the basics: invoices, general ledger, receipts, deposits and bank statement reconcilement
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
5:30-8:00 p.m.
La Jara, County Nursing Building
$20/per person
Register by calling Donna Wehe at 587-5151
Or email Ann Marie Velasquez conejoschamber@centurytel.net
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