Vail Valley Home Health & Hospice earns national award

VAIL — Vail Valley Home Health and Mountain Hospice, an affiliate of Vail Valley Medical Center, has been named a National Award winner in healthcare service quality for Five Star Home Health Care 2007 by Avatar International Inc., a healthcare research and consulting firm.



The award is based on the results of patient surveys. Five Star Service reflects the highest score for Home Health in Avatar’s national database by bed size.



“Every member of our staff in Home Health and Mountain Hospice is completely committed to the patient, and receiving this award from Avatar is a wonderful confirmation of our level of care,” said Linda Brophy, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer at Vail Valley Medical Center. “It’s especially gratifying because the ratings come directly from the patients themselves, so we know it’s a true reflection of what we do.”



In making the announcement, Dr. Michael Everett, Avatar Founder and CEO, said, “Vail Valley Medical Center is to be congratulated for being rated tops in the country by your patients. Achieving this level of service quality is not easy; it takes consistent and persistent effort. The staff in Home Health and Mountain Hospice are to be commended.”



For more information on Vail Valley Medical Center and Vail Valley Home Health and Hospice, go to www.vvmc.com.

Gorsuch Outfitters changes its name to Alpine River Outfitters

VAIL — Gorsuch Outfitters has now become Alpine River Outfitters. Founded in 1994 as Gorsuch Outfitters, the new Alpine River Outfitters has the same fly fishing services and products as the old business under a new name.

“We want to establish our own brand in the Vail marketplace and be able to expand it as the company grows,” operations manager Ted Storm said. “This way, we have complete control over our business destiny. Alpine River Outfitters is a name we can use anywhere, and better reflects our business philosophy.”

Alpine River Outfitters provides full- and half-day guided fly fishing trips year ‘round on the Colorado, Eagle, Gore Creek and Roaring Fork rivers as well as private water. The company’s Edwards shop is a dealer for Sage, Abel, Simms, Scott, and other brands.

To learn more, go to www.alpineriveroutfitters.com or call f1-877-926-0900.

Colorado Footwear sale benefits the Jimmie Heuga Center

EDWARDS — Colorado Footwear will hold The 3rd Annual Stepping Up for MS — The Shoe Sale with Soul at the International Bridge in Vail Village on June 21. All the proceeds benefit the Edwards-based Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis. The sale will feature shoes marked from 50 to 70 percent off the retail price.

Colorado Footwear owners Sally and Steve Rosenthal say the sale is a small step toward helping improve the lives of people living with MS.

“We decided to get involved after hearing about The Heuga Center’s individualized approach to teaching people with MS how to manage this unpredictable disease,” said Sally Rosenthal. “Money raised by the sale goes to fund scholarships for participants of the center’s programs. Last year’s sale raised over $9,000 and this year we expect to top $12,000. And the people buying the shoes really get amazing deals.”

The sale starts at 10 a.m. and continues until all shoes are sold. Featured brands include Steve Madden, Puma, Cole Haan, Born, Pikolinos, as well as exclusive Italian Colorado Footwear brands.

For more information call The Heuga Center, 970-926-1290 or Colorado Footwear, 970-476-3130. For more information about The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis, go to www.heuga.org.

Vail Valley Partnership hosts lodging quality home tour June 18

VAIL — New luxury properties in resorts rise each day and so do guest expectations. “Destination Luxury,” the Vail Valley Partnership’s Lodging Quality Assurance program, reinforces the Vail Valley’s effort to remain competitive in today’s market.

The program does this by rating all Vail Valley rental units available for booking through the Vail Valley Partnership or Vail/Beaver Creek Central Reservations, with a standardized rating.

Ratings (derived from unit evaluations) take into account elements of quality, condition and construction and are categorized as Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum – with Platinum representing the highest quality.

To provide property owners with an understanding of what it takes to earn Platinum honors, the Partnership will host its second Platinum Property Tour on Wednesday, June 18.



“We’re proud to offer this luxury showcase tour,” said Michael Kurz, Vail Valley Partnership President/CEO. “A vacation to the Vail Valley not only implies world-class ski terrain, golf and dining, but also superior lodging options. Everyone in travel and tourism must be aware of our guests’ growing expectations.”

Featured properties include the Arrabelle at Vail Square, the Lodge at Lionshead, One Willow Bridge Road and the Mountain Haus

For more information e-mail Kathy Lichtenheld at klichtenheld@visitvailvalley.com or call 970-477-4024.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake County.

Event sponsors include Vail Electronics and LIFT Flooring Studio. Tour participants who also belong to the Vail Valley Partnership are encouraged to enjoy the evening with the Partnership at its monthly mixer at the Lodge at Vail from 5 – 7 p.m.