Fort Collins used to be the leader in retail and dining in Northern Colorado. Now all of the neighboring communities that once depended on the opening of new stores and restaurants are developing their own shopping and dining areas, leaving Fort Collins a bit emptier.

Residents are now asking questions. What is going to happen to the Foothills Fashion Mall? How about the empty lot where Wal-Mart once was? These questions and more go unanswered to many anxious to see South College get it breath of life back into the Fort Collins community.

Currently there is approximately 655,000 square feet of empty retail on College Avenue alone. It is in line and ready for revitalization and attention of developers and investors. The Midtown Commercial Corridor Study, by ELS, Economic & Planning Systems, and Warren W. Wilson will be hosting and evaluating the challenges and issues regarding South College not to mention provide strategic direction for the City and community.

If you are one of those who would be interested in putting in their two cents concerning this topic, or if you just are interested in overseeing the process as to what will happen to South College, you are in luck. There is a public meeting being held regarding this matter today, Wednesday, March 10^th  from 5-7 pm at the  Fort Collins Marriott (350 E Horsetooth Road). If this topic is something of interest to you, make sure to attend! These meetings make communities truly what they are—a collaboration. There will be much to discuss and to learn so bring your notebook and save your voice.

How do you know if the mover you hire is using professional move teams?

1. ASK! Are all of your move crew employees of your company? Are they on your payroll?

Unlike other movers who will bring on temporary contract labor, we put workers on our payroll. We know exactly who we have on our team and what their character is.

2. Have the movers been through training programs?

Once hired, our staff receives extensive technical and customer care training as well as a personal orientation by our  CEO, Kris Boesch.

3. What screening process is used for hiring?

Here at Exodus, each employee undergoes a background check, drug testing, an in-depth interview and a reference check.

4. Is the company properly licensed?

We’re nationally certified. We’ve been recognized as a great mover by national organizations, like AMSA, the American Moving & Storage Association, which sets the standard for qualified movers. We’re one of two Colorado moving companies, and just 100 nationally, to be an AMSA “Certified Mover.”

5.  Is the company an accredited Better Business Bureau member?

We’re also approved by the Mountain States Better Business Bureau and are registered with the Department of Transportation. The DOT sees that we’re adequately insured and that we regularly meet transportation safety requirements. Plus we meet the exacting standards of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). In other words, you needn’t take our word for it: we’re certifiably trustworthy.

We think, actually, we know that we have one of the best moving teams in Colorado. Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor …our employees come from all around the Northern Colorado area and care about the neighbors they are moving in and out. Meet the Exodus Moving staff, whose aim is to make your move worry-free!

At Exodus, we are locally owned and locally involved. We support and work with many local businesses and know the importance of supporting people right in our own backyard.

Even though we help people relocate from all over the world; whether they are moving to Northern Colorado or not, we still put a heavy focus on being involved with local non-profits, going to events and festivals, and promoting the businesses and charities we work with.

A way that you can get your business or office involved is through BALLE - Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, which is a national organization whose mission is to catalyze, strengthen, and connect local business networks dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies. BALLE has over 70 active networks across the US and Canada. To learn more visit http://livingeconomies.org

Another great way is just by riding your bike down the street and shopping at the farmers market, buying your clothes from a local retailer and having dinner at a community restaurant. Supporting the business down the street builds our local economies, which is vital to overcoming the economic downturn. The small mom and pop shops are closing faster than you can imagine because they cannot compete with the big box stores. Try to think of alternatives within your community to support businesses that are locally owned and operated.

At Exodus what matters most to us YOU! When we say YOU we really do mean you. You don’t have to be someone needing assistance in moving or help acquiring a storage unity, you are important to us because we are all a part of the same community.

We value our community in Northern Colorado more than a lot of moving companies you will find. Here at Exodus, we make the public our top priority in doing business. We also work hard to build and maintain a reputation that is admirable for the Northern Colorado community and we hope to live up to all the expectations that we have set for ourselves.

We also support locally owned businesses and events that are taking place in Northern Colorado and will do our best to help you out. Let us know how we can help spread the word about your business, organization, and charity by following us on Twitter @ExodusMoving.

Exodus often contributes to non-profit organizations by donating our white glove moving services. Now more than ever, we encourage you this Holiday Season to give back to your community. Wherever you are, whatever you do, you can help someone or something in such a small way that makes such a big difference!

Let’s put it this way, you scratch our back and we’ll scratch yours. Let’s work hand in hand this Holiday Season and even ring in the year 2010 by supporting local businesses, organization, charities.

“We can begin by doing small things at the local level, like planting community gardens or looking out for neighbors. That is how change takes place in living systems, not from above but from within, from many local actions occurring simultaneously”

                                                                                        – Grace Lee Boggs

At Exodus, we are locally owned and locally involved. We support and work with many local businesses and know the importance of supporting people right in our own backyard. Even though we help people relocate from all over the world; whether they are moving to Northern Colorado or not, we still put a heavy focus on being involved with local non-profits, going to events and festivals, and promoting the businesses and charities we work with. A way that you can get your business or office involved is through BALLE – Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, which is a national organization whose mission is to catalyze, strengthen, and connect local business networks dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies. BALLE has over 70 active networks across the US and Canada. To learn more visit www.livingeconomies.org

Another great way is just by riding your bike down the street and shopping at the farmers market, buying your clothes from a local retailer and having dinner at a community restaurant. Supporting the business down the street builds our local economies, which is vital to overcoming the economic downturn. The small mom and pop shops are closing faster than you can imagine because they cannot compete with the big box stores. Try to think of alternatives within your community to support businesses that are locally owned and operated.

We know that today is black Friday and you are supposed to be out shopping around for all the greatest deals in town, but we wanted to bring you a list of upcoming family events in the Northern Colorado area. There are so many exciting things going on that we think you would enjoy!

Old Town Ice Skating Rink, Fort Collins, CO (through January 31) Old Town Square Skating $2 Skate Rental $1

Garden of Lights, Fort Collins, CO (Dec 4-27) The Gardens on Spring Creek 970-416-2486

Sanra Claus Visit, Fot Collins, CO (through December 24) Old Town Square, FREE

Crafts and Food, Fort Collins,CO (November 27 only) Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive. General Admission $1 970-221-6644

Holiday Barn Boutique (November 29 only) Azizi Alpacas, 11640 Weld County Road 72, Eaton, CO.

Acoustic Eidolon (December 4 & 5) Rialto Theatre, 228 E. Fourth Street, Loveland, CO. Adults $18 Seniors/Students $14

Nutcracker with a Twist (ongoing) Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St, Fort Collins, CO. Adults $9 Seniors/children $7

Christmas in Berthoud City of Berthoud, CO. Chili dinner following parade

Holiday Wreath Decorating (December 5) 11am Bath and Garden Center and Nursery, 2000 E. Prospect Rd. Fort Collins, CO. $25

Kids Kristmas (December 5) Noon. Oldtown Square, Fort Collins, CO.

Family Festival (December 5) 1pm Front Range Village, 2720 Council Tree Ave