BY DREW JAYNES • Originally published in the Fort Collins Coloradoan — June 20, 2010

Fort Collins Bike to Work Day is Wednesday, but Ben Shepard has already pedaled more than 700 miles this month as part of a company-wide challenge.

Shepard, a 3-D animator for Neenan Archistruction in Fort Collins, pledged to commute by bike from Longmont, a 70-mile round trip, every day this month.

BY DAVID YOUNG • Originally published in the Fort Collins Coloradoan — March 4, 2010

A new exhibit at the Art Lab is a bit off the wall. It's so off the wall that the artists can ride their works of art home when the exhibit ends this weekend.

A dozen local custom bicycle builders, or artisans, have banded together to display their unique bicycles at the Art Lab in Old Town.

Josh Kerson, president and CEO of RunAbout Cycles Inc., 517 A N. Link Lane, which designs, builds and sells electronically assisted recumbent tricycles and bicycles, conceived the idea as a way to showcase some of Fort Collins' more underground bike builders.

Art Lab brings visions of Colorado to Fort Collins as seen by seven local fine artists — December 28, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colorado — Art Lab is a fresh way to see art in Fort Collins, and rings in the new year with our inaugural multi-artist fine art exhibition. It is not a traditional gallery or show — it’s different because its scene is always changing: Art Lab Fort Collins is never the same, it changes with the venue. At the January 8th Gallery Walk, Art Lab’s first fine art opening since becoming an official member of the Fort Collins Arts District, Art Lab is pleased to open in their new Old Town Fort Collins location, 239 Linden Street, with a very talented group of local artists who are known worldwide.

Originally published in the Fort Collins Coloradoan — December 4, 2009

— BY DAVID YOUNG, DavidYoung@coloradoan.com

Gary Sproul had what every 5-year-old boy dreams of - a job creating video games.

Sproul was the lead level designer at Pandemic Studios owned by Electronic Arts, one of the largest video game companies in the world.

Sproul designed such games as Scooby Doo, Sponge Bob Square Pants, The Incredibles and Lord of the Rings Conquest.

Bohemian Foundation gives 500k in Grants — December 15, 2008

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Bohemian Foundation is awarding nearly $500,000 in grants to 29 local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2002, the Bohemian Foundation’s Pharos Fund has awarded more than $8 million to a wide variety of eligible and deserving nonprofit agencies in the Fort Collins area.

As the responsive grantmaking program of the Bohemian Foundation, the Pharos Fund supports efforts that empower people to help themselves, focus on causes versus symptoms, and demonstrate inclusion of social and cultural differences. Pharos Fund grants are awarded in three goal areas to: encourage and enable youth to become productive members of society, encourage organizations to work together, and serve as a catalyst for public awareness. Grants provide for program support, general operating, capital expense, equipment purchase and technical assistance.

Former Master of Deception Shares Tips To Protect Identity In Social Networking Era — February 23, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street hosts the fourth presentation in its Thought Leaders series: Catch Me if You Can with Frank Abagnale, Tuesday, March 10, 7pm at the Lincoln Center.

Abagnale’s outrageous autobiography Catch Me if You Can inspired Steven Spielberg to make the film version of his life starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Dan Zanes and Friends concert part of “Finding Home” immigration series — April 15, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street announces Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes and Friends performing a family matinee concert on Sunday, April 26, 1pm at the Lincoln Center. As an international recording artist, Zanes is known for his eclectic sound, eccentric hairdo, likeable personality and irresistible, toe-tapping tunes for kids of all ages.

Author of "The Glass Castle" visits Fort Collins — May 5, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street presents The Glass Castle with New York Times best-selling author Jeannette Walls, Monday, May 18, 7pm at the Lincoln Center.

The event is the eighth presentation in the Beet Street Thought Leaders lineup – a series designed to “Entertain Your Brain” by bringing knowledgeable, dynamic speakers to the Fort Collins community presenting relevant topics people care about.

Loveland Woman named Entrepreneur of the Year — June 27, 2009

LOVELAND, CO – Marcia Coulson, president of Eldon James Corporation and Fort Collins-based EJ BioMed, is a finalist for the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award.

Now in its twenty-third year, the annual Ernst & Young award recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

A fun adventure in cooking and eating local — September 9, 2009

FORT COLLINS, CO – Beet Street presents Homegrown Fort Collins, a ten-day event-packed celebration of locally grown food, September 25 through October 4 in downtown Fort Collins.

Homegrown Fort Collins brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to explore farmers markets, learn cooking techniques, experience new foods and develop a deeper appreciation for the community’s bounty.

Safety, Maintenance and Repairs Discussed at FREE Class on October 17, 2009 — October 7, 2009

FORT COLLINS, CO – Houska Automotive is hosting an encore presentation of its free Women’s Car Care Clinic on Saturday, October 17 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at 899 Riverside Avenue in Fort Collins.

Back by popular demand, the no-cost clinic helps women better understand cars, vehicle terminology and the language of mechanics. The event provides safety advice, builds long-term confidence and empowers women to make more informed maintenance and repair decisions.

Sharing the Journey of our Collective Immigration — March 26, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street announces Finding Home: Sharing the Journey of our Collective Immigration, a collaborative community series running April 2 through May 3, 2009.
Finding Home is a month-long celebration of the Fort Collins community’s patchwork heritage. It puts immigration in the spotlight, and provides personal and historical context for the topic by encouraging shared stories, various perspectives and an open dialogue.

The goddess of new business development — July 22, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Marketing industry veteran Michelle Venus joins graphic design and marketing agency Toolbox Creative as the firm’s dedicated business development goddess.

Venus has extensive advertising, marketing and production experience representing international brands including Sony, Met Life, Pizza Hut, Pepsi, Sprint, TJ Maxx and Saturday Night Live. Working with major East Coast agencies as well as small, local firms, Venus produced everything from Super Bowl commercials to targeted direct mail pieces over the last 25 years.

Refreshing the creative community — August 18, 2009

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Refresh NoCo, a regional group of design and marketing professionals, meets the fourth Thursday of every month for its signature social networking event Designer Drinks. The next Designer Drinks mixer will be held August 27 from 4pm – 7:30pm Poolside at Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing, 5 Old Town Square.