Denver Post/Fetch Blog: 'Cat Care Society is closing popular Cajun’s Closet'

Quoting from John Davidson's blog for the Denver Post:

"Cajun’s Closet, a popular thrift store that has raised funds for the Lakewood-based Cat Care Society since 1995, is being closed.

'The board has chosen to close Cajun’s Closet Thrift Shop and focus future efforts on the success of its cat shelter and clinic operations,' said Diane Stoner, president of the society’s board of directors.

The society’s shelter and clinic are located at 5787 W. 6th Avenue and the thift shop has been at 5707 6th Avenue. The shop’s final public sales are Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. until noon. Everything is 80 percent off."

Link to the Fetch blog

Dec 31 is Saturday: There's still time to donate your 'Car for Cats' as a 2011 charitable contribution

Cars for Cats is Cat Care Society’s Vehicle Donor Program. The funds raised through your vehicle donation will support our many programs that help homeless cats.

We have partnered with Cars for Charity, a nonprofit organization, for many years. On our behalf, they will tow the vehicle, process the title and auction the vehicle. The process will begin once Cars for Charity receives all the completed forms.

Your donation will allow you to claim a charitable contribution on your tax return. As of January 1, 2005 if the vehicle sells for more than $500 you can only claim the amount the vehicle is actually sold for. Please call the shelter to obtain a packet of information OR, you can go online and complete the necessary paperwork at http://www.carsforcharity.net.

Your Year-End Contribution: 'Cat Care Society Builds Campaign Around Necklace'

Quoting from the article in the December 15th Lakewood/Edgewater YourHub:

"Necklace was abandoned in in October at the Cat Care Society, 5787 W. Sixth Ave., Lakewood, and society staff immediately went to work attending to the cat's multiple injuries and wounds."

Link to the YourHub posting

Link to PR Web Newswire

Link to Pitch Engine Social Media Release

2011 Boettcher Investigators Introduced to Colorado Bioscience Community

The 2011 class of Boettcher Investigators was introduced to Colorado's Bioscience Community at the Colorado BioScience Association's Annual Awards Dinner celebration, December 8, in Denver. Timothy Schulz, Boettcher Foundation Executive Director, made the presentation, along with Ted White, chair of the Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees.

The 2011 Boettcher Investigators include: Tingting, Yao, Ph.D., Colorado State University; Zhe Chen, Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder; Jing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Robert Doebele, M.D., Ph.D., University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; and John D. (Nick) Fisk, Ph.D., Colorado State University. Video of the presentation follows:


http://youtu.be/ub8azy2KG8M

Denver Post Breaking News: '$8 million facility to house growing biotech companies at Fitzsimons'

Quoting from this morning's posting by Mark Jaffe:

"The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority today announced plans for an $8 million expansion of its Bioscience Park, which is designed to house start-up biotech businesses.

The authority said in a statement it will add a 37,000-square-foot 'accelerator' facility.

'The new accelerator space will be leased to companies in the modest growth stage,' said Denise Brown, the authority's interim executive director.

There are five companies from the biopark's incubator facility that are negotiating leases for the accelerator facility, said Vicki Jenings, an authority spokeswoman."

Link to the denverpost.com posting

Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Announces Second Phase of Strategic Refocus With $8 Million Expansion to Bioscience Park Center

Aurora, CO - In furtherance of its renewed commitment to support the growth of early-stage Colorado bioscience companies, especially those developing technologies from Colorado's research institutions, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) is expanding its Bioscience Park Center building (BPC) with an $8 million, 37,000-square-foot accelerator facility, increasing the BPC in excess of 50 percent. The announcement is made by Denise Brown, FRA Interim Executive Director, who says, "The new accelerator space will be leased to companies in the modest growth stage. We have a number of companies in the BPC incubator ready to make this advancement in addition to interest from other companies, both in-state and out-of-state, as well."

The FRA Board of Directors has been working with FRA staff, FRA's real estate development partner Forest City Science + Technology Group, consultants and lenders for the past several months to finalize this expansion. Based on the team's recommendation, the three-story accelerator will be built to the west of the current building with a new parking lot located to the north of BPC. Ground broke in October and construction has been progressing since, with completion expected by June, as recently reported in the Aurora Sentinel, http://www.aurorasentinel.com/email_push/news/article_95c4538e-1792-11e1-a67e-001cc4c03286.html.

Link to the PR Web newswire

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

Colorado BioScience Association Celebrates 2011 Industry Standouts

The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) honored the outstanding bioscience companies and individuals in the state during its 9th Annual Awards Dinner at the Downtown Denver Embassy Suites. The CBSA's Annual Awards program showcases the significant achievements in the state's bioscience industry throughout the year.

Recipients of 2011 awards include:

Lifetime Achievement Award - Brian, Greg and Jeff Baldwin
Brian Baldwin founded Baxa Corporation in 1975 and grew the company steadily over the succeeding 36 years along with the leadership of sons Greg and Jeff. Creating technology that saves patient lives, Baxa Corporation provides innovative, solution-based technologies for fluid handling and delivery. Its systems and devices promote the safe and efficient preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of fluid medications. Visit: http://www.baxa.com

Company of the Year - LABS Inc.
LABS, Inc. has grown to service clients across many healthcare industries over the past 30 years. Recently, they added a Cell and Molecular Biology Department to their already growing business. Labs Inc. has been the market leader in laboratory testing for Infectious Disease, Microbiology, and Immunogenetics. Visit: http://www.labs-inc.org

Rising Star of the Year - Ventria Bioscience
Ventria Bioscience is the first company to commercialize recombinant proteins derived from a plant-based manufacturing system. Ventria’s technology platform ExpressTec is a safe, affordable and sustainable manufacturing technology that achieves recombinant protein yield that is many times higher than alternative systems. Visit: http://www.ventria.com

Volunteer of the Year - Timothy Rodell, M.D. President and CEO, GlobeImmune
Timothy Rodell’s leadership and community involvement has greatly contributed to Colorado’s bioscience industry. He contributed significantly to Senator Bennet’s Colorado Competes Report as a member of the Innovation Roundtable. He also has been a voice at the federal level with a seat on BIO’s national Board leading our industry forward. Visit: http://www.globeimmune.com

Educator of the Year - Melissa Reynolds, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Colorado State University
Melissa Reynolds Ph.D. joined the Colorado State University faculty in 2009 as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and is a participating faculty member in the School of Biomedical Engineering. In addition to teaching graduate and undergraduate courses she has organized professional development and entrepreneurship programs and mentored over 25 multidisciplinary students. Her positive leadership and encouragement has been continually evident to her colleagues, funders and the bioscience community as a whole. More about Dr. Reynolds: http://www.news.colostate.edu/Release/5620

Business Partner of the Year - Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young has been a strong partner for over seven years helping to move Colorado’s bioscience industry forward. They have provided excellent service to the industry with expertise and dedication to our companies. Visit: http://www.ey.com

Legislator of the Year - State Representative Cheri Gerou
Representative Cheri Gerou has shown continued support for the bioscience community. She was involved in introducing and enabled the passage of HB 1283 and SB 47 to extend and further fund the Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program. Visit: http://cherigerou.com

Chairman’s Award - Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson’s dedication to advocacy and strategic development as an industry leader has advanced bioscience in Colorado. The company has continually supported CBSA’s efforts to advance the regional bioscience community including the development of CBSA’s Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference and presence on the Board of Directors. Visit: http://www.jnj.com
Chairman’s Award - U.S. Senator Michael Bennet
Senator Michael Bennet has championed Colorado’s bioscience issues at the Capitol on several major issues including spearheading the Colorado Innovation Economy Committee and the “Colorado Competes” report, of which CBSA co-chaired; a CEO roundtable event with FDA Commissioner Hamburg; and The Medical Device Regulatory Improvement Act, introduced to boost Medical Device innovation and FDA reform. Senator Bennet leadership and perseverance continue to benefit the bioscience community as a whole. Visit: http://bennet.senate.gov

Link to the Business Wire newswire

9News Petline9: 'Tis the Season for Cat Care Kitties, Holiday Cat Safety Tips and New Cat Care Vineyards Wine!

Cat Care's own Suellen Scott appeared today on a pre-recorded 9News Petline9 segment with recent shelter adoptee Biggs & CCS's new http://www.benefitwines.com/catcare selections (they're Chilean wines, very yummy and deliver in about a week, so there's still time to order for the holidays!).

Biggs was adopted, along with his buddy Buck, to his forever home just a few days ago - what a wonderful thing for them. Cat Care Society has an adoption special running through December 31 - learn more at this posting: http://denvercatcare.blogspot.com/2011/11/adoption-special-through-december-31-no.html

Suellen also shared important tips to keep kitties safe during the holidays -- reminding us how to keep our kitties out of harm's way during this festive time of year.

The Cat Care Society Shelter is open: Tuesday through Friday Noon - 5:30 p.m. - Saturday 11 am - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Noon – 3 P.M.Closed Monday. Don't forget to pick up kitty gifts and treats at the Cat Care Society's Meow Mart store in the shelter. Also, the 2012 Cat Care Calendar is hot off the press and ready for purchase.

Link to the CCS website

Colorado Gives Day 2011 - Holiday Appeal: Built Around Rescue Cat 'Necklace' For Denver's Cat Care Society

The Cat Care Society (CCS) has built its annual Holiday Appeal around the success of its work this fall with an abandoned 7-year-old cat named 'Necklace' by the Society's shelter and clinic staff. The announcement is made by Diane Stoner, CCS Board President, who says: “We found Necklace in early October abandoned in a dirty carrier outside the Cat Care Society Clinic. Necklace had multiple skin injuries to her neck and face, an ulcer on her upper lip, a broken tooth, and three open facial wounds near her ear, jaw, and cheek. We don’t know what happened, but our team went right to work.”

While under The Cat Clinic's care, Necklace received daily antiseptic washes of her wounds. Gauze around her neck enables her to wear a protective cone, which prevents further injury from scratching. She is starting to heal, and despite all her trauma, Necklace loves to be touched. She will lean in for “head butts” and starts purring and kneading as soon as someone shows affection.

"We are pleased to report that Necklace was adopted to her forever home on November 18. Necklace still has to wear the cone to keep her from scratching her delicate healing skin. Necklace's new "person" was advised by Cat Care staff on how keep her claws trimmed short to aid in the continuing healing process," explains Stoner. "The CCS Necklace appeal is timed perfectly with our Society's participation the GivingFirst.org Colorado Gives Day on December 6. We were accepted as a registered non-profit organization in the program earlier this year."

Link to PR Web Newswire

Link to Pitch Engine Social Media Release

Link to You Tube Slide Video of Necklace Case Study or view here:

Colorado Gives Day: Donate to Cat Care Society In Honor of/In Memory of a Friend or Kitty on Tuesday, Dec. 6

Cat Care Society is thrilled to be part of Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, December 6. We're only two days away now.

New this year: In Honor of/In Memory of electronic messages. GivingFirst.com has added the functionality so when making a donation 'in honor of' or 'in memory of' someone (or a favorite kitty in Cat Care's case), the donor can send a quick eCard sharing that a donation was made for how much and to whom.

Cat Care Society's patrons and volunteers are sharing this message with friends and family this year: "Instead of a gift this year, I would love it if you make a donation to Cat Care Society in my name on Tuesday, December 6."

Link to donate to Cat Care Society at any time via the GivingFirst.org platform: https://www.givingfirst.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation&fwID=28010

Or, go to the CCS website - http://www.catcaresociety.org - and click the "Donate Now" button.

This is the second year for Colorado Gives Day and, similar to last year, processing fees will be covered by Community First Foundation, FirstBank and local foundations so that 100 percent of Colorado Gives Day donations go directly to nonprofit organizations such as CCS. FirstBank, Colorado’s largest locally owned bank, has renewed its role as corporate partner of Colorado Gives Day, committing $500,000 to kick off the 2011 campaign including $300,000 for the FirstBank Incentive Fund. The FirstBank Incentive Fund will be proportionally allocated across all donations received, increasing the value of each donation. FirstBank is also sponsoring 12 new High Five prizes at $5,000 each.

Aurora Sentinel: 'Fashion photographer Rick Guidotti steps away from supermodel runways to focus on the beauty in being different'

Aurora Sentinal Staff Writer Sara Castellanos featured CBSA Awards Dinner Keynote Speaker Rick Guidotti today. Quoting from the Sentinel website:

"...A collection of his photographs is being displayed at a gallery in the Santa Fe Arts District in Denver through Dec. 16, and he’ll be the keynote speaker at the Colorado BioScience Association Annual Awards Dinner in Denver on Dec. 8.

Guidotti co-founded Positive Exposure in 1997 with the aim of capturing the inherent beauty of people with physical afflictions like albinism, Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, and Sturge-Weber syndrome, a disorder that results in port-wine stain birthmarks on the face.

'The idea is to walk away with a new understanding of beauty,' Guidotti said.

Several of Guidotti’s photographs adorn the walls of the VSA arts of Colorado/Access Gallery studio at 909 Santa Fe Drive in Denver.

The people depicted in the photographs hail from all over the globe, including Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, New York and Washington DC..."

Link to the article

Denver Life Science Cluster Ranks 12th In U.S. - New Jones Lang LaSalle Report

Jones Lang LaSalle has released its 2011 Global Life Sciences Cluster Report. The Denver Market ranks 12th overall in the U.S. and is considered an emerging market.

According to the report overview:

"As life science companies determine which aspects of the business are vital to drug discovery and innovation, they are bifurcating their location strategies to optimize the cost versus output equation.

Established clusters within the United States and Europe remain destinations of choice for core aspects of drug discovery. Companies are able to offset the high costs of operating in established clusters with the increased odds of innovation due to deep, rich talent pools and infrastructure. Emerging global clusters, however, offer cost-advantageous manufacturing sites that provide both revenue and margin opportunities. Additionally, emerging clusters are becoming more competitive in hightech aspects of the value chain, due to significant capital investments
and improved political policies."

Link to the report pdf