Proudly Announcing the Conifer Chamber Awards Finalists!

I'd like to add my congratulations to all as well, and I'm very glad that I don't have to be the one to choose among those! (Although I'm partial to Look What I Found Boutique!)

Jesse McKean celebrated the 25th anniversary of Mountain Books last year and it was one of the best mixers I've attended yet! Did you know that he's sold at least one book every day that he's been open? How remarkable!

MALT received national accreditation last year, something which only 10% of land trusts have accomplished - it's a very rigorous standard to achieve and they've busted their tails for years preserving our beautiful land to enjoy; my hats off to them. The Mountain Resource Center showed us all last year why they are so integral to our community when they stepped up and efficiently took charge of providing for the Lower North Fork Fire victims, and that leadership hasn't stopped although you don't hear much about what's going on now. PeaceWorks finally became its own entity last year, and has won huge grants to provide even more services which they can now do more effectively through the new Peace Boutique they opened last year.

There aren't enough words to explain what Denise Patrick, Jesse McKean, and Jacque Scott have done for this community. It's a sheer joy to get to spend time with those ladies especially, which I do as often as possible! Jacque and I are currently shooting the videos for the Mountain Connection's Best of Winners and having a blast! Among many other activities and organizations, Denise coordinates the Wonderful Opportunities for Women networking group that has been invaluable to attend, and we are blessed to be together in the current Leadership Evergreen class - it's gonna be a fun year! :woo hoo:

Pat Davis of House Call Hearing is one of my favorite people up here in the mountains. He has paid for JOY International's Chamber memberships, opening new doors for his friend Jeff Brodsky that are still surprising all of us with the potential for JOY to explode internationally this year. Pat is a class-act, funny, intelligent, deeply caring person that I am honored to have met.

Franie Bassett is saving my patootie! lol She has agreed to help me with my accounting so that I can spend more time serving the community and 285Bound.com. Look for her forum to open here soon, and consider her for your accounting and/or tax needs, she's awesome!

I nominated Sacred Journey myself. Despite difficult personal loss last year, Janet Redford was always available, courteous, professional, and helpful. She's worked hard to help businesses, and us poor haggard workers, to improve how we operate with insightful, gentle guidance. I see her at many of the meetings I'm at so I know she works her tail off as well, and she's earned my gratitude and respect.

Lastly I'd like to say thank you to all of you. 285Bound was nominated as Business of the Year for which I am humbly grateful. We have made this a site that others in the community have not only noticed, but have come to appreciate and it's due to all of you. Thank you.