February 4 - In This Issue:

Caboose  

 

What makes a great week at the Basalt Chamber? Big parties and happy members, for one!

Last Wednesday's Ribbon Cutting, new Store Opening and Business After Hours party at Faboo and the Basalt Emporium & Flying Circus was a hopping event with 75 or more guests, great food, and lively conversation. There were palm readings, facials and great door prizes. Mayor Jacque Whitsitt cut the ribbon for the new Faboo, and guests perused the chic European fashions at Faboo and Shae's ever-changing eclectic mix of art and gift items at the Emporium. Town Manager Mike Scanlon was there, as was Basalt Downtown Business Association chair Tracy Bennett, Basalt Chamber chair Jeff Campbell and treasurer Cathy Markle, and a full house of Town staff and Chamber members. It was a fine community gathering, and party-goers even boosted business vitality by purchasing treasures to add to their collections, closets and cupboards.

If you missed the Ribbon Cutting, there are more great events coming up. Mark your calendars for the third Thursday of the month and join us for the Basalt Chamber's Business After Hours. Here's the schedule. We're updating regularly so do watch for newsletter notices.

Plus organizing and building strategies... Basalt Business Center forms new commercial association

On Thursday night business and property owners from the Basalt Business Center met for a planning meeting with the Basalt Chamber and Town. After years of being connected by geography but divided by distinct Home Owners Association covenants, those present voted to form an association to help strategize business development and resolve land a planning issues. Mike Scanlon gave a detailed update on the Basalt Avenue underpass, flood plain, signage and landscaping -- key issues of concern to the BBC. Members of the three HOA's agreed to serve as representatives, and Jim Jenkins announced that HOA West voted earlier in the day to contribute funds as seed month for the association's common goals. It's a big step forward for a commercial area, with some of the oldest and longest-contributing businesses in the Basalt area. Those represented included: Alexander Roofing, Basalt Realty, Basalt Thrift, Cathers Home, High Tone Auto Body, High Tone Automotive, Isberian Rug Company, Mountain Greenery, Myers & Company Architectural Metals, TriJay Realty & Property Management and Terrain Studio. Preliminary minutes of the January 29 meeting can be read here. If you'd like to be added to the BBC association email list please contact Jullia.

The Thursday meeting was especially important to us at the Chamber for several reasons: the BBC has long been a "quiet" commercial area of Basalt, yet in some respects it's a strong and healthy extension of the historic downtown. Part of the marketing challenge facing Basalt is highlighting the unique features of our diverse pockets of shopping and service opportunities: historic downtown, BBC, MidValley Design and Industrial centers, MidValley medical, Willits Town Center, Ochard Plaza, El Jebel and even Old Snowmass. A leading objective at the Chamber is to strengthen each area with collaborative planning associations such as the one the BBC is creating, then map out all that Basalt offers as an integrated whole. This is part strategy and part marketing, and is one of the key tasks the Chamber's new Economic Development Partnership is taking on.

And there's more.....  A new Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club!

Tom Skutley, local fly fishing afficionado, stopped by the Caboose yesterday to let me know the great news that we now have a valley-wide fly fishing club to share the joys of angling and support work to preserve the rivers and fishing habitat. Please read about it below and spread the word.

What's happening at the Willits Town Center, RMI's new Innovation Center, and around Basalt?

There's so much going on around Basalt, it might be difficult to keep up. We're going to try to make that easier by feature a section of Basalt each week, starting today with progress at the Element by Westin hotel in the Willits Town Center. Scroll down to the new section and read all about it, and....

Have a great week in Basalt!
Robin
Robin Waters
President/CEO, Basalt Chamber of Commerce

P.S. We have a growing number of sponsoring business members with special messages for readers. Take a look below to find out about new businesses in town, February offers, websites like eatBasalt.com you might not know, and a special Valentine's offer from the Sopris Sun (only 12 spaces available).



  January Ribbon Cutting & Open House at Faboo and the Basalt Emporium & Flying Circus
Thank You Renewing Members!
  • A Great Find
  • ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch
  • Alpine Bank Basalt
  • Aspen Art Museum
  • Aspen Basalt Campground
  • Aspen Earthmoving
  • Aspen Rent-All
  • Aspen Times
  • Aspen Snowmass Sotheby's International Realty
  • Basalt Bike & Ski
  • Basalt Downtown Business Assn
  • Basalt Printing
  • Basalt Realty
  • Brick Pony Pub
  • Burn Fitness Studio
  • Campbell Audio Video
  • Caldera Construction
  • Colorado Mountain News Media
  • Compass for Lifelong Discovery
  • Ellis Design
  • English In Action
  • Express Yourself
  • Greg Mozian & Associates
  • Harry Teague Architects
  • Holy Cross Energy
  • InPlace Limited
  • Integrity Plumbing & Heating
  • Levy Physical Therapy
  • Peck Feigenbaum PC
  • Roaring Fork Physical Therapy,PC
  • Stewart Title
  • Trailhead Technologies
  • Valley Commerical Fueling LLC
  • Words Pictures Colours LLC
For a complete list of Basalt Chamber of Commerce Members, please visit our Business Directory online.
BASALT CO COMMUNITY PAGE ~ 500+ MEMBERS 
The Chamber community Facebook page is growing daily, and provides an easy way to share your business news, views and announcements. JOIN the BASALT CO COMMUNITY PAGE on Facebook, then add your "friends." Imagine being able to share news with the entire town at the click of a button. As a group member you can create your own event listings, invite the group and take RSVPs. For info on how to join and add group members, click here. 
MARK YOUR CALENDARSMarkCalendar
FEBRUARY/MARCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS
    & THE BEST OF BASALT
 
Basalt Chamber Business After Hours 
 "Mardi Gras Comes to Basalt" ~ details here.
Hosted by Aspen Orthopaedic Associates, Roaring Fork Physical Therapy,  
MidValley Ambulatory Surgery Center
February 19, Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm 
1450 East Valley Road (off Original Road), 2nd Floor, Basalt

Basalt Chamber - Basalt Regional Library Business Classes
"Talking About Social Media"
March 5, 11:30-1pm with lunch (details to be provided)
Basalt Library Community Room 

Basalt Bighorn Sheep Safari
"Wildlife Photography Workshop"
March 7-8 10am - 2 pm, Fryingpan Valley
Registration and information at www.BasaltBigHorn.com

 
Recurring Events and Social Connections

Coffee With Mayor Jacque Whitsitt   
Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at Saxy's in downtown Basalt 
Please check the Town Calendar to confirm.  

 

Coffee with Eagle County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry
Every 2nd Wednesday around 8:00 am at Cafe Bernard's in downtown Basalt. Please check to confirm schedule.  
_______________________________________________________
To view a more complete calendar of Basalt events, visit the Chamber website
For the Town of Basalt's meetings & events schedule visit their website here and click "Calendar" 
NewsBASALT IN THE NEWS
  & OTHER NEWS AROUND THE STATE  

"Demand fuels record room rates, occupancies in Denver and Colorado hotels" Denver Post 2/2/15

"Higher home prices in Colorado should boost property taxes" Denver Post 2/1/15

"Basalt awards Julie Kolar for her volunteer work on civic issues" Thanks, Julie!! The Aspen Times 1/29/15

"Basalt organizes funding for the Highway 82 pedestrian underpass"The Aspen Times 1/29/15

"Basalt/Eagle County officials will talk about midvalley growth" The Aspen Times 1/28/15

"Citizen input sought for airport design" Aspen Daily News 1/28/15 
 
"On The Fly: Rain, snow, sleet nor gloom of night can't keep me away" Post Independent 1/28/15  
   
Town Manager Mike Scanlon's Weekend Update 
Find information on happenings around the Town including the housing needs survey, Downtown Area Advisory Committee, development projects, parks and trails activities, and more. 
 
If we've missed anything or you have new news to report, please send it to us. If it's good news, and hasn't yet made the headlines, we'll see if we can get our local papers interested.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT WILLITS TOWN CENTER  
Element by Westin Progress
 
The mild winter weather has allowed construction work to keep pace at Element by Westin in the Willits Town Center. With 113 new rooms, pool, courtyard, spacious lobby and meeting room, the LEED-certified hotel is on schedule to open for the 2015 winter holidays. Extra attention to bring a local touch to the interiors, art work, and building exterior will make the hotel unique to the area.

With construction rolling along, the operations group is now hiring the new hotel operations team manager. A model room will be built at Willits to display the myriad details that create a hotel room. We'll host a Chamber get-together this spring so you can all get a sneak peak. For questions about the hotel progress contact Tim Belinski at IND Ventures.You can also visit the Element website. 
Welcome to the new Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club   
Join up, get involved, enjoy Basalt's two-river Town!
 
A group of local anglers and river enthusiasts have formed the first valley-wide fly fishing club. Located within a double-haul of the world famous Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers in Basalt, the Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club has been created to share the joys of fly fishing with locals and visitors of all ages.

RFVFFC members enjoy fishing and traveling around the world, and work together to promote river stewardship. Activities include monthly meetings with guest speakers, and programs promoting outdoor education in all aspects of fly fishing including:

  • youth classes and events
  • knot tying
  • entomology
  • casting clinics
The Club is currently teaming up with Basalt's Roaring Fork Conservancy to study and slow the spread of Didymo (Rock Snot), an algae that has taken hold in the Fryingpan River. The current steering committee includes Tom Skutley, Gary Wheeler, Sheldon Doolan, and Christina Medved of the RFC. There's no charge or requirement for membership though donations are greatly appreciated to support the ongoing programs. You can visit and comment on the Club's FaceBook page here, or join the club by writing [email protected]. A membership flyer can be downloaded here. 
Is the Snow Coming? 

Aspen and Steamboat Springs had some of the driest Januarys on record; there will be live broadcasting of the World Alpine Ski Championships at prime time across Europe and 24 countries around the world; it is a perfect time for a snowstorm. The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Winter Weather Advisory in effect this week through Wednesday night at midnight. The NWS is predicting 6 to 12 inches of new snow across the Northern and Central Mountains. You can read all about it here. 

There's still time to enroll for health insurance. Call 970.963.6161 to learn your options. 

YOUR NEWS HERE FOR $20 OR LESS!
Taste  
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Looking for even more direct exposure? Take advantage of our exclusive member e-blasts? The member rate is $100 (that's less than 10 cents per contact!). Just email us with with your ad details and we'll have it out within 48 business hours (just not on a day when another campaign is scheduled). As a bonus, with your e-blast, we'll include an ad in the newsletter for free.
The FISHING REPORT 
I've been in kind of a funk recently. After an endless summer of fishing and working long hours and long days, winter is finally here. I love winter fly fishing and the lack of crowds, but to be perfectly honest, it's still just winter fly fishing. Now that the days are lengthening and overall slowly warming, the fishing is just.... For the rest of the January 28 story from Taylor Creek Flyshop, click here.

January 26 Roaring Fork River Report
January 26 Fryingpan River Report 

  

SGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Frying Pan River
USGS Real Time Flow chart for the Fork at Basalt (Emma)

This Month In Basalt

For a full listing of Basalt activities click on the calendar
JOIN THE BASALT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Basalt Chamber of Commerce members receive complimentary advertising, free attendance at great networking events, educational programs, and discounts a local stores, athletic clubs and media outlets.

And this is just the beginning. Members tell us that the most rewarding part of their involvement is the sense of community and collaboration. Basalt Chamber memberships begin as low as $250 per year.
For more information and a membership application, visit the Chamber website. Applications can be found under the "Chamber" tab here. 
Basalt Chamber of Commerce 2015 Board of Directors
.
Jeffrey "Jeff" Campbell, Chair
Destination Resorts Snowmass
Charles "Charlie" Spickert, Treasurer
Touchstone Business Advisors
Zach Fischer, Vice Chair
Basalt Mountain Inn
Catherine "Cathy" Markle, Secretary
Alpine Design & Planning, Inc.
Christine Bostick 
Alpine Bank - Willits
Bill Simon
Symbion Design Inc.
Preston Files 
Preston Files Design
Will Vannice
Daly Property Services
BASALT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Our Mission: To advocate for, promote, and serve our members
Our Vision: To grow Basalt as a destination for businesses, locals, and visitors.

Memberships as low as $250 a year with valuable benefits. For more information and a membership application, click here. 

Red Caboose in Lions Park - PO Box 514 - Basalt CO 81621 - 970.927.4031
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