Lamar, Colorado

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Lamar Writers --- March Meeting Events and more...

Lamar Writer's Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

I arrived at the Library for our meeting promptly at 2 PM with Ava
Betz, who was kind enough to give me a ride there, due to my
recently blown trani, only to find we were the only members at the
meeting.

Aha moments:

1. Discussion of a Trilogy: I can't offer details at the moment, but
I can assure you if the publisher accepts this query, my friends and
fellow writers, my name (Jan What's-her-name) shall live on in
infamy. I'm so blessed to have friends who brainstorm well.

2. Revelation: Ava Betz is THE NEW REPORTER with the Lamar Ledger.
Woohoo! I'm excited. If you have any news to reveal to our local
twice a week scandal sheet, give it up to our very own dear Ava, and
she'll be happy to note it in print. We're on the look out for
NEWSWORTHY happenings in the area.

3. History in the making: Ava invited me (Jan) to a Historical
Society Meeting at the College Wednesday Night, and nominated me to
a position on some board or other, which I promptly forgot the name
of, and forgot to ask her later so I could write it down (some
writer I am). I accepted the nomination.

4. Dinner: I invited Ava to dinner at the First Baptist Church,
since she was transporting me around to various meetings and
happenings yesterday afternoon. We celebrated Jim and Joann
Peterson's 53rd Wedding Anniversary and sang to them over dessert.
(I bet they learned their lesson and won't have that anniversary
again!)

5. $5.00 WalMart Card: After the meeting, we dismissed ourselves to
the WalMart parking lot, where Tri-County Ford is having a BIG SALE
and looked at vehicles. I found a few options, and was given a $5.00
WalMart Card for the privilege of looking around. Which made the
afternoon somewhat profitable?

6. Near Elvis Siting: Although we attempted to be on time, we were
informed Elvis had left the building when we arrived for the
Historical Society Meeting - a few minutes after it started. Pat
Palmer heads up the group, and did a fine job of sharing details of
local Historical Events, coming happenings, and introducing guests.

7. Rocks and Stars: John Abbot gave a chilling explanation of the
demise and decentigration of stone buildings in the area, and
received the Wooden Wedgie Award, compliments of Pat Palmer. He
offered a wealth of information about the Star School Building about
three miles west of Wiley Junction on HWY 50. The upside down star
in the missing threshold stone is lamented to be a symbol of the
Masonic Temple along with the date of dedication.

8. Colorado Preservation: Information about the PWA,WPA,CWA, and
other Alphabetical Solutions of the New Deal from President
Roosevelt's era were discussed. Pertinent information about various
buildings, walls, structures, bridges, and culverts indicated their
historic value to the community and our state. I was amazed at the
number of projects completed by hand with essentially unskilled
labor. I was also amazed at the talent displayed by the artisans of
that period in reference to a few carved additions to the necessary
improvements. For more information see: http://coloradopreservation.org

9. The makings of an opportunity: Historical events and happenings
are being planned for this summer, if any of you are interested in
participating in such events, be sure to read the Lamar Ledger for
more details, dates, and times. I'm sure Ava will be recanting these
pressing details for the News Paper.

10. Press Release: I'll be posting a press release very shortly for
Anne T. Oxley's new book "We are All Children of the Same God" and
her website at http://annetoxley.com be sure to visit and get a
heads up on a great book. More than a history of the Catholic
Church, this book offers a revelation into the life of a very strong
woman, devout and faithful in her dedication to family and God.

Y'all missed a great meeting! Some celebrity stopped by to visit,
but we were so busy ironing out details, and working out the
exciting events of future publications, we must have upset him by
not paying enough attention and he left, before we could get his
name. We did see the rubber left by his limo as he sped out of sight.

Oh yeah, please visit my blog at http://writeurthoughts.blogspot.com
an review the Author Interviews. If you'd like your own Interview
Posted, please copy and paste the interview and email me your
details at janverhoeff@yahoo.com I'll be happy to post it! There
have been several publishers noting the blogs existence, so you
might want to visit and leave a comment or two, get your name out
there for later references "Oh, yeah, I remember your comment on
Writer Thoughts!" Fame comes from the strangest moments in time!

Jan

Labels: Ava Betz, Colorao Preservation, History, Lamar Colorado, Lamar Ledger

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Abortion: The Killing of a Nation

“How could this great land of plenty produce too few people in the last 30 years? Here is the brutal truth that no one dares to mention: We’re too few because too many of our babies have been killed. Over 45 million since Roe v. Wade in 1973. If those 45 million children had lived, today they would be defending our country, they would be filling our jobs, they would be paying into Social Security. Still, we watch as 3,700 babies are killed every single day in America. It is unbelievable that a nation under God would allow this.”

—former Senator Zell Miller

Labels: Abortion, America, God, Roe vs. Wade

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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Front Range Rain Storms - Sprinkling the Prairies

Driving south along Interstate 25 just north of Colorado Springs offers an awesome if distant view of the foothills. Storms slip over the mountains and rest against the peaks of the foothills, or drift down the valley, dripping rain in the basin between the plateaus to the east and the ridges to the west. Either way, the views are magnificent.

I've long admired the view of clouds clustered and banked for storm power over that valley that hangs between the prairies and the foothills, often capturing a snapshot of a lingering thunderhead or snow clouds in a quick trip to the metro areas. But seldom have I captured the variety packed in this storm. All rain clouds, gathered high in the sky, with smaller, fluffier clouds sinking close to land, and rain falling in torents so focused they appear to be tornadoes zoned in on a specific area.

In this picture, a torent of rain was falling directly into the pit of the Air Force Academy Football Field. Another broader band of rain covered most of the area to the south, although neither of the scattered showers was broader than a quarter mile. Rain splattered down on us most of the afternoon, fresh smelling showers that warned of springtime, warm earth soaking up moisture and revitalization that comes with the heat of summer.

I watched for a moment as my daughter drove along, admiring the aroma, the sweet smell of Colorado rain, and the delicious feeling of another season of life opening with the flourish of the Colorado Front Range. The rush of the wind may have been time passing by, or simply the window down. This is just a reminder to take a peek out your window and enjoy the day as it drifts past.

By Jan Verhoeff

Labels: Air Force Academy, Colorado, Prairie, Rain, Weather

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Saturday, March 03, 2007

Life on the Prairie - The Choice of Miracles

Prairie Grass Silhouetted Against Storm Clouds

Tornadic weather threatens southeastern Colorado and life on the plains takes a turn again. Interestingly enough, books are written, movies are made, and life happens while the winds blow and the rains fall. Writers of every genre come from the lower Arkansas Valley here on the plains. While the rest of the world focuses on the problematic area of politically correctness, terror in the middle east, and life in the fast lane, those of us here in the dust bowl of the latest drought keep sane by writing about our lives and the lives of those around us.

Either fiction, biography, history, or narrative documentary, books written here are read everywhere. Writers become famous not because of where they are, but more often because of how they write. As intensely boring as life on the plains may appear, those of us who write about life here have become accustomed to finding the best in life and keeping a good outlook on the way things happen. After the hail storm has beaten down the crops, a farmer thanks God for the moisture that came with the storm, because it gives him opportunity for crops next year.

So often, it isn't what happens to you at the moment that changes your life, but the results of what happens to you in that moment. When you can look at life as an opportunity to make a difference, you have an attitude of willingness, and you can change the outcome of a disaster. The choice is really yours to make. Do you want to suffer through the moment of doom, or look beyond the doom and find the joy that is yours for the rest of time?

Jan Verhoeff is a business consultant who specializes in the development of new businesses throughout the Greater Great Plains States. She educates business owners in the process of developing business and marketing plans for their businesses that will encourage them to set and meet productive business goals.

She is the author of a variety of articles published in a variety of business and trade publications throughout the USA.

You may visit her blog at http://coffeeclatter.blogspot.com

She may be reached by phone at 719-336-4036 or by email at: janverhoeff@yahoo.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_Verhoeff
http://EzineArticles.com/?Purpose-of-Choice&id=46433

Labels: choice, Colorado, Lamar, publisher, writers

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Thursday, March 01, 2007

Ty Harmon made the Press

Dedicated Brand: Get the Fast Touch to Marketing Success

By Jan Verhoeff

Ty Harmon is a local radio show celebrity. I admit, calling Ty a celebrity is giving liberal use to imagination, but here in southeastern Colorado, everyone knows him. His lanky southern cowboy voice sooths away the sleepers every morning, as you wake up to his quips and quotes about living the ‘country life’.

Everyone knows Ty isn’t a city boy. It’s obvious. He shares his fear of crazy city drivers from the one memory of being to Denver seven years ago, he drove to the Stock Show and drove home, a whole thirty blocks into the city on Highway 70. If that doesn’t capture your attention, the fact that he implies that he is essentially computer illiterate, given that he is bothered by bloggers who might talk about him. Shhhhh, don’t tell him I wrote a whole article about him and posted it on the World Wide Web, he’ll go into Cowboy Shutdown and get on his horse and go home. But he’ll be smiling as he goes…

Ty’s catchy voice is his Dedicated Brand. Everyone knows when they turn on the radio and Ty is giving lip service to whatever message is beating vibrations across the airwaves that they’ve come home to KLMR. Just like Daddy Keith before him, his voice makes a difference.

Dedicated Brand is a method of branding that makes your style shine. Whatever style it is, it will grab the attention of your market and keep them coming back for more. Often, Dedicated Brand will actually be a soothing comfort to those who see it, hear it, or recognize it as “coming from home”.

Locating a brand that will bring your market home isn’t as difficult as you might think. On the radio or television, your Dedicated Brand will have something to do with sound. In print, your Dedicated Brand will have more to do with visual pleasure.

1. Color

Consider the color of your Dedicated Brand, is it pleasing? Is it soft? Does it reach out and invite you in? Color should be smooth and appealing, inviting.

2. Form

Is your Dedicated Brand form concise and compact? Does it bring the eye to the focal point and keep you looking? A Dedicated Brand should focus your attention on the specific detail you want noticed.

3. Line & Direction

Direct line will capture the concentration of your viewer with a Dedicated Brand. In that moment after your viewer focuses on the brand, it’s important that they actually NOTICE what they’re looking about.

4. Contrast & Light

Contrast and light give the ambiance of comfort to a Dedicated Brand. A logo in all dark colors is unattractive and boring. One that is too light doesn’t get noticed. Your Dedicate Brand Logo must have contrast.

5. Style

Oh, now we get there. Remember the comment about Ty being a cowboy? Well, I can understand that style won’t appeal to Oprah from Chicago, but it captures the attention of the cowgirls on the prairie, and he takes full advantage of that.

They style of your Dedicated Brand Logo should appeal to the market you’re trying to reach. A modern graphic probably won’t attract much attention here on the prairie, but if your business is online, a cowboy boot and a roll of barbed wire won’t capture much attention either. Match your style to the market you’re attempting to reach.

Dedicated Brand Logos will appeal to your Niche Market and you will have the Fast Touch to Marketing Success.

Trump it up and create a Dedicated Brand Logo that gets the job done!

Jan Verhoeff promotes identifiable Brand Marketing because it works. Visit http://brandyourmarket.com and sign up for your FREE subscription to The Branding Iron, today.

Labels: Brand, Colorado, Dedicated Brand, Ty Harmon

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Monday, February 26, 2007

Think Tank in Lamar, Colorado

Hey hey! It's finally up and ready for postings.

The Think Tank for Lamar Colorado is a forum for people like you and me who have a few ideas to share. Whether your idea is a complaint or a feel good compliment, feel free to find a forum thread or start a forum thread and post your thoughts.

Located at http://lamarco.informe.com the Lamar Colorado Think Tank is open for your discussions.

Starting out may be slow, but if you invite a few friends, add some links and share the thoughts, it will grow and we can have a lot of interesting additions, topics, and share points. Not to mention help for any who want to participate there.

Join and share your thoughts.

Jan

Labels: Forum, Ideas, Lamar Colorado, think tank

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Sunday, February 25, 2007

Snow Geese Slide Show

The Flight of the Snow Geese

View this slideshow of Snow Geese for more delightful viewing of a beautiful site.

Labels: Colorado, Festival, Flight, Lamar, Snow Geese

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Snow Goose Festival - Kick off in Lamar

Gray skies welcome a local favorite, the Snow Goose. Another season in Southeastern Colorado, Snow Geese Hunting Season packs the punch of the Snow Goose Festival, a weekend long celebration of migratory patterns and visiting geese returing to the Artic Tundra.

For more information I collected a few articles on this miracle of flight:

Denver Post: Snow Geese flock to Lamar

Details about the festival:

Snow Goose Festival

For those who haven't experienced the sight, take a tour of local lakes, fields, and marshes over the next several weeks and enjoy the views. Snow Geese are incredible to look at, they turn even non-snow covered fields white.

Labels: Festival, Lamar, Snow Geese, Wildlife

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Monday, February 19, 2007

Advertizing Deloaches Tires

If you live in Lamar, Colorado, you probably recognize this prehistoric man (actually a SAVAGE Sculpture by the Students of Lamar High School) from Savage Bullivard. But you may not recognize the snow mounds surrounding him, unless you've been here in Lamar this year. The miracle of living in Southeastern Colorado is that the snow comes around about every ten years or so to give us the flavor of Colorado living without much of the damage.

However, this winter, most everyone has had an opportunity to learn to drive on ice. If you're having a problem getting around, I'd like to recommend you see Lori Peterson Payne at Deloaches Tires for tires with special treads to grab the ice. While they can't prevent an accident, they certainly give you a better chance. While you're there, tell Lori, "Jan says Hi!"

Be safe, Savages!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tips for Winter Driving
By David Maillie

Winter driving can be hazardous and stressful. Wind, snow, ice and blizzard conditions increase the normal dangers of driving. There is a lot you can do before the winter driving season and during a storm to protect yourself and your family.

Before winter arrives, have your car inspected to be sure it is ready for the road conditions. You can do this yourself or take it to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery, wipers and fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system, antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level, heater and defrosters. Make sure everything is in good working order to keep you safe throughout the cold weather.

Check your tires to be sure they are road ready. Install tires that are appropriate for the driving conditions. In moderate amounts of snow, all weather radials will do the job nicely. If you live in a climate where you experience a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These have better tread to deal with snow and ice.

Prepare an emergency kit to keep in the back of your car. This will ensure that you are prepared in the event that you get stuck in the snow. Things to include in the kit:

Ice scraper

Small broom

Small shovel

Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction if you get stuck in snow or ice)

Blankets or a sleeping bag

Flashlight with batteries

Flares or warning triangles

Plastic bags

First aid kit

Tool kit

Jumper cables

Bright cloth to use as a flag

Help sign for back window

Extra hat and gloves

Food and water to sustain you if you get stuck

A book, Bible or Prayer Cards to keep you busy and calm in the event you get stuck.

Charged cell phone (always carry this, especially in the winter)

Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. This adds weight to the car and will ensure that you won’t run out of gas in the event you get stuck.

Driving in the Snow

Pay attention to the weather forecasts and road conditions in the winter months. If the weather is bad, stay home if at all possible. If you must venture out, travel in the daylight. You are more likely to find help if you get stuck during the day. Never warm up your vehicle in the garage. This releases carbon monoxide, which is toxic and can kill you.

When driving, always wear your seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow. Know your car and how it handles in the snow. Features like traction control and antilock brakes can be useful in bad weather conditions. Know how these work and if your car is new, practice driving it in a snow covered parking lot before venturing out on the road.

Take it slow, especially in icy conditions. Don’t tailgate and be sure to allow a safe distance between vehicles. Do everything slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning. Leave plenty of time and space to maneuver. Sliding and skidding usually happen when turning, stopping or accelerating. Going extra slow will ensure your safety.

If the visibility is low, slow down even more. Consider getting off highways and driving even slower. This will take you out of the path of large trucks that can cause accidents. Use only your low beams, as your high beams will reflect back off the snow and won’t increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights to be sure other drivers see you.

In the event your car gets stuck, don’t get out. Put up the hood and tie your cloth to the antennae. This will make you more visible to emergency vehicles and other drivers. Keep the windows, air grill and tail pipe clear of snow. Wrap up in blankets and huddle up with passengers to stay warm. Run the heat for fifteen minutes each hour to keep from freezing. Move your body around to stay warm.

Keeping your car clean throughout the winter is important. Salt on the roads is important for safety, but will wreak havoc on the finish. If left on for long periods, it can cause rusting. Wash your vehicle weekly to remove salt and wax to protect the paint. Salt also leaves a coating on your headlights that can impair their operation. This will make you less visible to other vehicles. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to like new condition. Learn more about this product at www.mdwholesale.com

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Maillie
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-for-Winter-Driving&id=110687

Labels: Colorado, Deloaches Tires, ice dams, icy roads, Lamar, Lori Peterson, Savages, snow damage, southeastern, travel, winter

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Got a wet ceiling?

Is your roof leaking in bad spots? What isn't a bad spot if the ceiling is dripping? Learning how to cope with this tragedy may be a bigger issue than repairing it, but for right now coping is all you can do. It's too cold to fix the roof Lamar, but you can protect some of what you have underneath it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ice Dams - Ground Zero for Roof Leaks and Costly Problems!
By Peter Cooke

Today is ground zero for 90% of the roof leaks that will occur in the winter and spring of 2007 in the northeast. Resulting from "Valentines 2007 ice storm and blizzard.".

One of the critical causes is that most home's lack attic ventilation. I love attic ventilation, no home can have too much of it. Whether its ridge vents, soffit or gable vents, it does your home so much good. It allows moisture to escape outside making your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. When installing new soffit covers I cut extra vents into the solid wood overhangs as a courtesy, making the system work properly. Most homeowners do not know how much venting they need. The reason I make such a big deal about it is because it’s the right thing to do and it’s going to make your roof last a lot longer while stopping mold from growing in your insulation. Most people couldn’t care less its just the mark of a professional.

How to put some money in your pocket & impress your friends by showing off your expertise!

Going back to the ice storm, again I will give you some great advice that if you follow it, you can also make some money. So for example if you just had a new roof put on and it was a 5-7 part system like the one I recommend; you could bet your neighbor, husband or wife that you know whose house the snow is going to melt off first. Guaranteed it’s the one with the proper ventilation.

Going back to the problem

The problems start to happen not during the storm but after when the temperature rises and falls, day and night. This leads to icicles dripping off overhangs, snow and ice sitting on roofs. Ice damming is when snow melts and refreezes on a roof over areas that have overhangs such as porches, soffits and eaves leading up to gables. This is normally caused by lack of a vapor barrier on the roof or insulation that is just not doing it's job..

Symptoms of Ice Damming

Gutters or Fascias are torn from the house

Water gets into your attic and wets insulation

Water goes down your walls

Black mold forms

Paint bubbles, blisters or cracks

Bay or bow window leak or warp

Mold on ceilings

Good News for Roofers!

This is good news and bad news. As a business man I really can’t complain. New roofs keep me busy in the summer and in the winter its ice dams. That’s not to say that all the homes with ice damming problems are older, most are newer homes where the builder or the homeowner cut corners and didn’t install the proper leak barrier, ventilation or insulation.

To prevent it is really simple.

Just keep the snow off your roof and chopping away with an ice pick. Install an ice and water shield or leak barrier on the perimeter of your roof. This is the 1st part of a recommend roofing system. It also helps to have proper ventilation and this is the 4th part to a roofing system. Install a soffit to ridge vent system. Proper insulation, Take all of these precautions and your house will be winning bets ever year.

Peter K. Cooke - is an Author and Home Improvement Consultant on Long Island, NY. Peter writes for http://www.peterkcooke.com - expert advice on roofing, siding, windows, masonry - and subjects that make your home more appealing while increasing its value.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Cooke
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ice-Dams---Ground-Zero-for-Roof-Leaks-and-Costly-Problems!&id=457088

Labels: Colorado, ice dams, Lamar, roof repair, snow damage

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