Hello Everyone,

The following awards will be given out Monday night (7/28) at the City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m.

The Cultural Commission Award recognizes a business which has made an impact on our community through one or more of the following areas:

* Promoting culture and the arts,
* Encouraging the appreciation of culture and art,
* Promoting awareness of our cultural activities, diversity and heritage,
*Promoting a creative environment,
* Supporting opportunities in art education for all ages and incorporating art into the architecture and design of their building.

We are very proud to present this year's Cultural Commission Award to Harriet's Treadle Arts.

Harriet's Treadle Arts opened in 1981 by Harriet and her mother Fran. Harriet's Treadle Arts was the first quilt store in the Denver area to specialize in machine quilting, piecing, and appliqué. Now it is the standard in almost all stores nationwide. The store is now run and managed by Harriet and her daughter Carrie.

Starting in a small 600 square foot house, the store is now 4000 square feet of quilting heaven. Over 3000 bolts of the finest quality cotton fabrics, over 17 different types of batting to choose from, extensive thread selection, and notions for every use are offered in a very warm, homey atmosphere. There are even park benches and magazines to keep the husbands entertained while you shop.

Congratulations to the 2008 Cultural Commission Award Winner.

Our next award is the Vision Award. The Vision Award recognizes a business that has demonstrated a visionary attitude within its industry and among other businesses. This includes:

* Implementing "best practices" in management
* Implementing "best practices" in the business process
* Providing a standard for other businesses to follow

We are very proud to present this year's Vision Award to The Digital Frontier.

Established in 1994, The Digital Frontier is dedicated to providing the best technology, service, and value to their clientele. The Digital Frontier is committed to respect for client relationships, ethics in business, a productive and healthy work environment, and on making a positive impact in the world. In addition the their commitment to the clients The Digital Frontier, believes that printing green and being green is a process, not a political statement or a quick way to capitalize on a trend. Their presses and print processes are the most environmentally friendly available today.

These are just a few of the many examples that make The Digital Frontier a model of business and community responsibility that every business in Wheat Ridge should strive to achieve.

We are very proud to present the 2008 Vision Award to The Digital Frontier.

Our next award is the Reinvestment Award. This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated one or more of the following:

* Made a significant investment in their property
* Improved the overall appearance of the site
* Helped upgrade the overall image of Wheat Ridge
* Maintained property at the highest standards

This year we present the Reinvestment Award to Seyfer Automotive.

Seyfer Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1961 by Don Seyfer. Originally housed in Don's parents' spacious garage, Seyfer Automotive has moved twice since 1961 to arrive at its current location, 4501 Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

This year Seyfer Automotive reinvested in Wheat Ridge and in their business by renovating the exterior of their building. This renovation shows off the amount of pride that Don has for his business and his community. To be sure, Seyfer Automotive has the same amount of pride in workmanship for their loyal clients.

Our next award goes to the Volunteer of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated one or more of the following:

* Promoting the image of the City
* Involvement in the business organizations
* Promoting and volunteering time to achieve the goals of the City

This year's award winner clearly demonstrates all of these qualities. This year the Volunteer of the Year is presented to Loretta DiTirro Schwankl.

Loretta is continually promoting Wheat Ridge by showcasing the City to visitors and new residents as a Remax City Horizons Real Estate agent. As a volunteer Loretta works tirelessly as the current President of Enterprise Wheat Ridge. Before serving as President of Enterprise Wheat Ridge, Loretta served in a number of other committees and roles in Enterprise Wheat Ridge, including Vice-President.

Loretta's volunteerism does not stop with Enterprise Wheat Ridge. Loretta is also a board member of the Wheat Ridge Business District. She is also a leader in her neighborhood watch program after completing the Citizen Police Academy.

Loretta's great love for volunteerism comes from supporting the Kempe Center in Denver. As a long time supporter, she has assisted with fundraising efforts. Loretta also gives her time to the Kempe Center as a mentor to the children that the Kempe Center serves.

Loretta, the entire Wheat Ridge community owes you a huge debt of gratitude for the countless hours you dedicate to improving our City. Please accept our heartfelt appreciation for the endless energy you have dedicated to the City.

Our next presentation is for the Small Business of the Year Award. This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated one or more of the following:

* Has 15 or less employees
* Has demonstrated growth in sales, employment or overall production
* Offers unusual opportunities
* Has participated in various community and city efforts and events

This year, the Small Business Award goes to Beds-n-Biscuits.

Beds-n-Biscuits is Wheat Ridge's home away from home for our four legged family members. Between its newly renovated climate controlled indoor kennel or their outdoor play area, the Denver Metro pet population is in good hands. Your pets may spend the day, or a long weekend frolicking with new friends under the watchful eye of their caring staff.

Beds-n-Biscuits comment to animals and the community is not limited to just the business, but owner Bruce Miller also partners with organizations like the Dumb Friends league to help animals find good homes. Bruce is also a Board member of the Learning Source, an organization which helps increase literacy in our community.

I am very excited to give this year's Small Business Award to Beds-n-Biscuits.

Our next award goes to the Prestigious Business of the Year. This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated one or more of the following:

* Growth in employment numbers
* Growth in retail sales or overall production
* Has made significant capital investment in its operations
* Has participated in various community and city efforts and events

This year's award is presented to PrimeStar Solar.

PrimeStar Solar was founded in 2006 to make large scale, clean, renewable, cost competitive solar electric power a reality. Currently, PrimeStar Solar is working closely with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is licensing several of NREL's world-record solar patents. PrimeStar Solar's modules will be deployed in large scale solar PV power plants and will efficiently tap into the vast energy potential of the sun. They will produce environmentally friendly renewable electricity that is economically competitive with electric power generated from conventional fossil fuels. We are very proud to present this year's Business of the Year Award to PrimeStar Solar.

And now it is time for The City Council's Partnership Award. This award gives the City Council an opportunity to recognize a company for their overall contributions to the City of Wheat Ridge. It incorporates criteria from all award categories as well as contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and community investment/involvement.

This year's winner is First Bank of Wheat Ridge.

The FirstBank of Wheat Ridge charter was granted in 1969, and since then they have proudly provided the people and businesses in Wheat Ridge with innovative banking products and outstanding customer service with local decision-making.

FirstBank of Wheat Ridge has been an active community partner working closely with many City partners. With the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority, FirstBank of Wheat Ridge's efforts have helped the community to be able to land bank property to help create a mixed used center at 44th and Wadsworth.

FirstBank of Wheat Ridge, along with the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority, has also worked to help promote revitalization of our housing stock and promote home ownership in the community. As a community leader, FirstBank of Wheat Ridge has also worked to help shape Wheat Ridge Economic Development partner, Wheat Ridge 2020, from its inception.

In August 2008, FirstBank of Wheat Ridge will expand its branch network with a new location at 32 nd & Youngfield. We are very proud to present this year's City Council Partnership Award to FirstBank of Wheat Ridge.

Our final award is The Mayor's Business and Youth Partnership Award. This award gives me the opportunity to recognize a company for their overall contributions to the City of Wheat Ridge. It incorporates criteria from all award categories as well as contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and community investment/involvement, but most importantly working with this community's youth to help create a strong future for the community.

This year's Mayor's Business and Youth Partnership Award goes to Village Inn.

Village Inn restaurant, in Wheat Ridge, was the first Village Inn in the country to be remodeled with its new look, which included an expanded menu and a barista bar. After Village Inn's Grand Re-opening they partnered with the Wheat Ridge High School to help many of its students develop a variety of skills through weekly job shadowing of Village Inn employees. Several of those students went on to be hired by Village Inn. This reinvestment and commitment to community show why Village Inn is such an outstanding member of our business community. I am very proud to present this Year's Mayor Business and Youth Partnership Award to Village Inn.

On behalf of the City of Wheat Ridge, I want to congratulate all of this year's award recipients and thank everyone who participated in nominating a business and selecting the recipients. Many nominations were received making the selection process difficult. It is Council's and my intent to honor all of the business nominees and recipients during our annual Business Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, August 1st at the Recreation Center.