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Through numerous activities, programs and initiatives, the West Chamber is actively living the theme Go Well, Go Local, Go Green.
As part of Go Well, the chamber is participating in the Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission's initiative to create America's Healthiest Communities.
"This movement is attempting to identify affordable solutions to increase access to health care and improve the health and wellness of our community," explains Jeana Capel-Jones, the West Chamber's director of programs and events. For example, one area it is exploring is integrating worksite wellness programs as into the benefits covered by health insurance carriers.
The Go Local segment focuses on promoting the tourism and hospitality options right here at home. Jefferson County is rich in cultural and heritage attractions, hiking and biking trails, and outdoor recreation options. The Lariat Loop, an official Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, links many of them. The 40-mile byway highlights stunning geological formations, expansive mountain parks and rich history.
"My goal is to integrate the byway with the sites and activities in the communities along it," Jeana adds, referring to Golden, Evergreen and Morrison.
The chamber also continues exploring ways to promote local tourism through new technology, such as iPods, MP3 players, YouTube and online videos.
To support the Go Green theme, the chamber keeps members apprised of educational opportunities to gain insights and knowledge about best business practices. It also keeps members informed about where to find expertise, materials and resources. For example, this issue of Wellness Living highlights the green living actions and commitments of several West Chamber members.
GO WELL
The City of Wheat Ridge promotes wellness through endeavors that enrich enjoyment of the outdoors and living a healthy life style.
Trees and trails, for example, contribute to the community's beauty, natural habitats and air quality. Designated a Tree City USA, Wheat Ridge has made the commitment to maintain a healthy forest canopy through planting new trees and providing tree health care. The 6.5-mile family-friendly stretch of Clear Creek Trail that runs through Wheat Ridge provides many conservation benefits and recreation opportunities, including biking, kayaking and bird watching. Last year, the Wheat Ridge segment was designated a National Recreation Trail, an honor held by only 40 trails nationwide.
People over age 50 make up around 20 percent of the city's population. To encourage older adults to stay physically active and eat healthier, LiveWell Wheat Ridge offers a variety of programs. Popular cooking classes include Nutrition for the Young at Heart and The Skinny on Fats. Its Walk-and-Watch program taught by the Wheat Ridge Police Department enhances seniors' enjoyment of the greenbelts and trails.
"Walk-and-Watch is a unique hybrid that blends the benefits of exercise with the philosophy of Neighborhood Watch," explains Sergeant Paula Balafas. While Neighborhood Watch focuses participant attention on where they live, Walk-and-Watch focuses their attention on where they exercise. They learn about personal safety, types of suspicious or criminal behavior and how to report those behaviors. "There really is safety in numbers," Sergeant Balafas says. "We hope that Walk-and-Watch eliminates barriers to utilizing the parks and greenbelt system so that other citizens who want to exercise in these areas will feel safe to do so."
Helping individuals look and feel good is the focus of Dr. Mai Lee's practice at New Image MD Weight Loss and Aesthetic Center. Dr. Lee chose this specialty primarily because of the health benefits of weight loss, especially in preventing heart disease, diabetes and similar problems.
Here are her top three tips for weight loss and management. First is the right kind of exercise, specifically combining cardiovascular exercise on three days and strength training on the other days. "You don't need to spend an hour on the treadmill if you combine," she says. She also recommends periodic bursts of high energy, such as walking at varying speeds.
Second is a diet of 1,500 calories a day. Eat small portions every two to three hours, which helps increase the metabolic rate.
And third is a healthy attitude. Measure progress by the fit of your clothes, not the scale. Also, avoid an all or nothing mentality. If you want a piece of chocolate, have it and then get right back on the diet.
Most of her clients are age 25 to 55 with weight problems who also want to correct skin issues. Regarding the non-invasive aesthetic procedures she offers, she says, "It's OK if you're not chasing something unrealistic. You can look a youthful 55 but I can't make you look 30."
The biggest problem in skin care, she says, is not putting on sunscreen faithfully. Another major cause is using makeup that blocks pores. She recommends taking care of the skin from the inside out by drinking lots of water (and avoiding alcohol) for moisture, exercising for improved blood flow and eating foods rich in antioxidants.
www.drmailee.com; 303-937-9585
Ken Caryl Concierge contributes to their clients' wellness by decreasing the stress of their busy lifestyles. If you're a married man or woman aged 25 to 44, have children and hold a fulltime paid job, you are among the most stressed people in our society. Few people can claim they have the time to do what they want and need. The wide range of concierge services offered helps people by taking care of the time eaters.
"We can assist you in a variety of ways to balance your daily schedule," says Judy Coon president of Ken Caryl Concierge. "We become your extra pair of hands."
The company provides personal, corporate, pet and VIP services, runs errands and plans trips, weddings and honeymoons. Businesses, for example, can request help with everything from data entry to meeting planning. Homeowners can travel with the peace of mind of knowing their house and pets are looked after.
Whether it's getting tickets for a sporting event, waiting for a repairman, cleaning the house or chartering a private jet, Ken Caryl Concierge will handle it. Services are available a la carte or in packages from five to 15 hours per month. Seniors receive a 10 percent discount. www.kencarylconcierge.com
Helping people experience peace and balance in an unbalanced world is the focus of the services provided by T.J. Price, PsyD & Associates. "People tend to do the best they can, but get stuck in life situations and don't see beyond them," T.J. Price says. "There are ways to heal and move on."
Along with two other licensed psychologists, Shawna Roberts and Tonya McFarland, he helps clients move from trauma, early childhood issues, domestic violence, and mood disorders toward psychological fitness. Clues that individuals would benefit from their services include repeated nightmares, being in a rut and not knowing how to get out of it, feeling dissatisfied and not knowing why, and dreading going to work in the morning.
"Psychological work does not have to be drudgery," comments Price. Using Make-A-Match, a therapeutic game he and Roberts invented, clients discover how they got where they are. The game engages people in matching, memory, communications and sharing. Price summarizes: "It helps people get more involved with life, on a deeper level." (303) 202-6143
GO LOCAL
"I always wanted a spa and wellness piece to my business," comments Janet Lombardi, founder and president of Shear Productions Salon and Spa at Belmar. In addition to anti-aging and detoxification products, the spa offers several specialty treatments, from peels and plasma microablation to bioelectric rejuvenation, which she likens to taking your face to the gym. Many of the services, such as the ion cleanse or infrared treatment, are fairly expensive and take only 30 minutes.
Janet started doing hair professionally at age 17 and opened her downtown location 30 years ago. She established her second salon at 358 S.Teller St. a year after Belmar Center opened and now employs 46 people. In addition to Belmar's prime location, the center's combination of retail, offices and residences along streets attracted her. She also felt an attachment to the area. "I grew up here," she adds. "Villa Italia was my shopping center as a kid."
After 40 years in the business, Janet stills stands behind the chair cutting hair. "I'm hands-on and understand the hairdressers' needs," she says. She considers continuous education essential both to her and her employees. Her success has led to the next phase in her professional life. Through her product manufacturers, she is coaching 22 other salon owners in business practices. (303) 934-5700
In business for 20 years, owner-operated 240 Union Restaurant expresses its community spirit in several ways. The diverse menu, for example, reaches out to a variety of budgets and tastes. Some patrons come once a year to celebrate a special occasion while others come regularly for lunch or dinner.
Diners can select items from wood-fired pizzas to halibut. The restaurant always serves its standard dishes, such as cioppino and rotisserie-roasted chicken, but also features new creations. The menu also reflects the mood and foods of each season. For example, the spring menu emphasizes lighter foods and seasonal produce, such as a warm asparagus plate with melted MouCo ColoRouge cheese and balsamic vinegar.
240 Union is also an independent restaurant. "Our payroll stays right here and supports our community," owner and general manager Michael Coughlin emphasizes. His managers have been with the restaurant up to 18 years and know their clientele.
The restaurant also shows its community spirit with a scholarship drive for Red Rocks Community College and fundraisers for the Table Mountain Animal Shelter and Hospice of St. John. (303) 989-3562
GO GREEN
Surrounded by more than 5,000 acres of open space, Carma Colorado's newest development, Solterra, showcases eight luxurious homes designed for green living during the 2008 Parade of Homes, July 26 through September 1. Each of the entries meets the specifications of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver's Built Green Colorado program. Its objective is to provide greater energy efficiency and healthier indoor air, reduce pollution, maintenance and water usage, preserve natural resources and improve durability.
"The high-end nature of the overall project (Solterra) fits perfectly with the Parade of Homes concept of showcasing the very best in construction, craftsmanship and technology," says Mike Partheymuller, vice president of Colorado Carma. The community embraces a green and holistic lifestyle, enhanced by the natural surroundings. Hiking and biking options abound. The Retreat, Solterra's community clubhouse, serves as both an event center and recreation facility. Awarded the EPA's Energy Star designation, it will offer yoga, spa treatments and exercise classes managed by the YMCA.
Habitat conservation has been a guiding design principle, which is being met with a 200-foot-wide central wildlife corridor, plus a western corridor and eastern buffer zone. The first phase of community development includes expending $2.7 million for wildlife corridors and improvements to Forsberg Park, onsite parks and open spaces, including trails, revegetation, picnic shelters, restrooms and a new, fenced, off-leash dog park.
"We're lucky in the development and home building industry to help create green living and see the fruits of our labor," Mike adds. "It's very rewarding to be able to point out something truly special to my children and grandchildren."
www.solterra-community.com; www.paradeofhomesdenver.com
Granite Transformations of Denver makes it possible to have the beauty of natural stone, granite and quartz in your kitchen or bath and be environmentally friendly, too. For example, its Trend Stone product uses remnant granite it does not require quarrying new natural resources.
Because their manufactured product is only a quarter-inch thick, it uses considerably less material than other options. This translates into less fuel consumption for transportation and similar environmental benefits.
Trend Glass, a fusion of transparent recycled glass and semi-precious stone fragments, is also eco-friendly. Up to 70 percent of the end product is post-consumer material.
In addition, installation of Granite Transformation products does not add to the landfill because they are installed over existent surfaces. Their longevity evidenced by a lifetime warranty also helps the environment. Homeowners do not need to spend money or use new resources to replace it. And the products are hygienic. They do not need to be stained or cleaned with chemicals.
President and owner Todd Dutton comments, "I'm proud that we are an environmentally conscious company and are doing our part to increase green living awareness in Denver." www.granitetransformations.com
Published in Wellness Living, 2008-2009, a publication of the West Chamber Serving Jefferson County, Colorado.
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