Frontier Airlines is celebrating their 19th anniversary this year.  Frontier Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings Inc, an airline holding company that also owns Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Shuttle America.  Frontier operates its primary hub at Denver International Airport. Today, Frontier operates more than 350 daily flights, serves more than 75 destinations in the United States, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico; and employs more than 4,500 professionals.

History

Frontier Airlines began as a local service airline, operating out of Denver’s Stapleton Airport, on November 27, 1946.  At that time it was known as Monarch Airlines, which serviced Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.  In 1950, Monarch Airlines merged with Arizona Airways, and Challenger Airlines, becoming Frontier Airlines.  Frontier then served the Rocky Mountain area, 40 cities in total, with 12 Douglas DC-3s in its fleet.  The airline carried millions of passengers over the years and had a reputation for great service and an outstanding safety record.  The airline declared bankruptcy in 1986,  and was subsequently purchased by Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. Then, in August of 1993, executives derived a plan to give Frontier Airlines a fresh start while looking to fill a huge gap left by Continental Airlines’ drastic cutback on flights to Denver’s International airport.  In November of the same year, executives finished the business plan to create the “new” Frontier Airlines.

1994: the beginning!

• February 8, 1994

The new company was incorporated as Frontier Airlines

• March 15. 1994

The new headquarters office opened with a staff of 22, on a sunny and chilly day in Denver, celebrating the milestone with a nice juicy steak.

• July 5, 1994

Take off! Frontier launches their first flights. Operations begin with two Boeing 737-200s on routes linking Denver to Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot, N.D. Champagne was served.

1999 – 2004: the wonder years!

• July 5, 1999

Frontier celebrated their fifth anniversary of flight operations, having carried approximately 5.8 million passengers since July 1994. Employees: 1,700.

• 2004

The fleet gets a makeover, with each plane getting a wild animal painted on the tail.  There are over 50 different animals with unique personalities in all.

• May 6, 2004

EarlyReturns® mileage program places in the top three in five categories at the 2004 Freddie Awards for frequent flyer programs. The awards came after Frontier’s “Talking Animals” advertising campaign which won widespread critical accolades in 2004, including the Denver Advertising Federation’s (DAF) “Fame and Fortune” Award, four New York Festival Awards, nine Mobius Awards and one Cresta Award.

2005-2009: into the wild blue yonder!

• July 1, 2005

For the third consecutive year, Travel + Leisure magazine recognized Frontier Airlines as one of readers’ “Top 10 Domestic Airlines” in its World’s Best Awards.

• Nov. 3, 2005

The Department of Transportation released the “On Time Arrival Performance” report ranking all carriers at the 33 largest airports in America, and Frontier ranked #1 with 92.1% of flights arriving on time.

• Nov. 30, 2006

Frontier is named the best U.S. low-cost carrier by the readers of Business Traveler magazine.

• Dec. 24, 2007

Frontier Airlines received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for best use of On Demand Technology.

• March 31, 2009

Frontier wins its tenth consecutive award for excellence in safety and training from the FAA. A record number of our maintenance and engineering employees win the Diamond Award of Excellence.

A green FRONTIER

Frontier Airlines takes pride in their green initiatives.   They are setting themselves apart from other airlines.  Their fleet is newer and more fuel-efficient than the average domestic fleet by 25%. They are working on reducing fuel consumption, and therefore emissions, by becoming more efficient.  They recycle 80% of aluminum cans from flights and virtually 100% of cardboard products.

Anniversary Celebration

Frontier is celebrating their 19th birthday this year by offering 19% off fares for travel on July 4th and 5th, 2013.

Congratulations to Frontier Airlines on 19 successful years of service!

Big Boy franchise is still growing, and has over 1,000 locations nationwide, with locations in Canada and even Japan.  The oldest remaining Bob’s Big Boy restaurant is the one located at 4211 W. Riverside Drive in Burbank, California, and was declared a historical landmark by the state of California in 1993.

The Creation of the Big Boy Double Decker Burger

As it would happen, one night a regular customer to Bob’s Pantry requested a hamburger, but wanted something different.  Bob accepted the challenge, went to work on creating a new burger, and so the first double-decker hamburger was born.  Customers loved the burger so much that Wian added it to his menu.  There was one neighborhood boy in particular, Richard Woodruff, who loved the new burger.  He would offer to help Bob sweep the restaurant in exchange for a free burger. Wian was inspired by the boy and named the new burger the Big Boy.  Shortly thereafter, a regular customer and Warner Bros. animation artist Ben Washam, sketched the boy on a napkin, and the infamous Big Boy character was born. The rest as they say, is history.

New Developments After 75 Years

Big Boy is always working to improve their restaurant, and this 75th year of service is no different. Big Boy is currently trying out some changes to their menu. This year, they are testing a new Blockbuster Breakfast in the Grand Rapids, Michigan test market, which has garnered great success so far. Likened to the Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast, customers can mix and match 3 to 5 breakfast options at a more affordable price point.

They’ve also added the build-your-own-burger option, giving guests the ability to customize their burger to perfection. Some restaurants are also expanding their salad bars, with a build-your-own baked potato bar at lunchtime, and a taco bar at night.

Big Boy is proud of their 75 years of food service, with their 75th anniversary logo stamped on cups, napkins, banners, and other decor throughout their restaurant.

Congratulations to Bob’s Big Boy restaurant on 75 years of service!

MACkite, originally known as the Mackinaw Kite Co., has been in business for over 30 years. It was founded by brothers Bob and Steve Negen, whose passion for flying kites prompted them to try selling kites for a living. In 1981, the Negen brothers decided to open the Mackinaw Kite Co., located in Mackinaw City, Michigan.  Due to its popularity and success, a second store soon followed in 1986, which is located in Grand Haven, Michigan.  The Grand Haven location has grown exponentially to include not just kites, but yo-yos, unique toys, windsocks and spinners, kiteboarding equipment, paddleboard equipment, and surf shop apparel and accessories. Today, MACkite is one of the most renowned, largest, and oldest kite stores in the world.

MACkite carries kites for all skill levels from beginner to expert, as well as kites of all types, shapes, and sizes. MACkite also offers kite lessons and safety courses for those new to the fun sport and hobby of kite flying.

Free Kiting Events from MACkite

MACkite holds several free events and festivals annually to promote the hobby and sport of kite flying.  Events include:

• The Great Lakes Kite Festival in May, the weekend before Memorial Day at Grand Haven State Park
• The Mackinaw City Kite Festival in June
• The King of the Great Lakes Kiteboarding Competition in September at Grand Haven State Park
• >One Sky One World International Kite Fly For Peace, 2nd Sunday in October at Grand Haven State Park
• The Reeds Lake Ice Fly in January or February (depending on ice conditions) in East Grand Rapids

Great Lakes Kite Festival Celebration

Mackinaw Kites & Toys recently hosted its 25th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival.  The festival is fun for all observers and participants of all ages and skill levels.  The activities included:

• Kite Ballets – watch some of the world’s best kite flyers fly their kites synchronized to music – Saturday and Sunday afternoon
• World’s Largest Outdoor Kite Store- browse the best in kite flying gear and more – Friday afternoon through Sunday
• Inflatable Obstacle Course for kids – Saturday and Sunday afternoon
• Giant Kites- watch several kites flying that are as large as a school bus – All day Saturday and Sunday- wind permitting
• Indoor Fly- indoor kite flying competition – Friday night
• Kiteboarding Demonstrations – Saturday and Sunday afternoon- weather permitting
• Night Fly – illuminated kites light up the sky – Saturday at dusk
• Open Flying Field- bring your own kite or test fly a kite – Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Congratulations to MACkite on more than 30 years in business and in celebrating the 25th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival!

ZEE Medical is a leading provider of van-based first-aid, safety, and emergency solutions in the United States and Canada.  Their mission is “to create a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace by providing unequaled customer service, training, education, and products”.  They have nearly 1,000 representatives across the nation and 50 years of service experience.  ZEE understands the balance between the time, energy, and costs involved in providing workplace health and safety, and that employees are the most valuable asset to an organization, so it is important to keep them safe and healthy.

ZEE’s professional representatives will work with you in setting up a complete first aid and safety program.  They offer:

• First Aid for the workplace
• Safety equipment and solutions
• Training programs
• Emergency preparedness

To start, a ZEE Representative will conduct a thorough workplace safety evaluation which will identify industry specific needs ranging from first aid solutions and first responder needs, to fire protection, personal protective equipment, and more.

ZEE Medical is an industry trusted source for first aid and safety needs.  Being well prepared and equipped for accidents, illness, and medical emergencies can make all the difference.

Join us in congratulating ZEE Medical on their 50th anniversary! 

REI, one of the nation’s largest consumer co-op’s and a trusted retailer of outdoor gear, is proud to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.

History

REI was founded as an outdoor gear co-op on July 21, 1938 by Seattle mountaineer Lloyd Anderson.  Lloyd had wanted a reliable ice axe at a reasonable price, but had no success in finding one locally.  He finally found one in an Austrian alpine gear catalog for only $3.50 which included the shipping to the U.S.  Word quickly spread among Seattle climbers about his amazing find. This led Lloyd and his wife, Mary along with 21 fellow climbers to establish the outdoor gear co-op.  Today, REI has over $1.6 billion in sales. Its leadership has earned the title of Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” 15 years in row!

About

REI is committed to helping people enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest, from weekend family camping trips to Mt. Everest expeditions, by offering innovative and high-quality outdoor gear and apparel. REI’s values are reflected in everything they do, from their focus on customers to their commitment to environmental stewardship. Their values serve as a foundation for how they conduct business, how they serve members and how they treat each other.

Milestones

• 1938- The first REI logo
• 1938- REI begins selling merchandise in the Richfield gas station
• 1940- Begins the decade with 200 members and $3,000 in annual sales
• 1944- The first REI store opens in Seattle
• 1945- Co-op creates a gear rental business
• 1946- Hiring of first part-time employee
• 1950- Begins the decade with 3,000 members and $40,000 in annual sales
• 1954- First of many expansions
• 1956- The co-op officially becomes Recreational Equipment, Inc. when members vote to incorporate as a nonprofit
• 1960- Begins the decade with 20,000 members and $500,000 in annual sales
• 1963- Grand Opening of REI’s 2nd location in Seattle
• 1962- Warehouse blow-out flood sale marks beginning of used-gear sales
• 1963- Jim Whittaker –sales manager and one of REI’s first employees, becomes first American to summit Mount Everest
• 1966- Debut of profit sharing plan
• 1967- THAW corporation- subsidiary of REI begins making sleeping bags and soft goods
• 1969- Climbing safety pioneer Cal Magnusson joins REI as the first quality control engineer
• 1970- Begins decade with 200,000 members, 2 retail locations in Seattle, and $5 million in annual sales, Lloyd Anderson retires
• 1972- REI announces 250,000th member
• 1975- Grand opening of REI’s first retail location outside of Seattle in Berkeley, CA
• 1976- REI launches giving program to support outdoor recreation
• 1977- First distribution center opens along with administrative headquarters, Tukwila, WA
• 1980- Begins the decade with 1 million members, 6 retail stores, and $50 million in annual sales
• 1983- REI launches Novara, a line of bikes, cycling clothing, and accessories
• 1987- REI Adventures is launched featuring unique travel itineraries focusing on sustainable, human-powered outdoor adventures, off the beaten path, in iconic destinations
• 1989- REI co-founds the Conservation Alliance to fund the protection of wild places
• 1990- Begins the decade with 2 million members, 26 retail stores and over $230 million in annual sales
• 1993-Mary and Lloyd Anderson are inducted into the Cooperative Business Association’s Hall of Fame
• 1993- Launch of REI Foundation in honor of 3 Seattle employees who died on Mt. Rainier
• 1996- flagship store opens in downtown Seattle and REI.com is launched as the largest outdoor gear and apparel store on the Internet
• 1998- REIoutlet.com launched
• 1998-2013- Forbes “Top 100 Companies to Work For”
• 2000- Begins decade with over 5 million members, 61 retail stores, and nearly $700 million in annual sales
• 2006- REI celebrates $1 billion in annual sales by awarding $1 million in grants to 100 national parks
• 2008- REI goes mobile and joins social media
• 2010- Begins decade with 10 million members, 114 retail stores, and  $1.66 billion in annual sales
• 2013- REI celebrates 75 years

REI is celebrating 75 years by having an anniversary sale of up to 30% off items and offering members 20% off one full price item.  Congratulations REI on 75 years!

About the Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo is celebrating 35 years of connecting people, animals, and the natural world.  After more than a decade of dreaming, planning, and construction, the Minnesota Zoological Garden opened on May 22 1978. The Minnesota Zoo is one of only two state-owned zoos in the United States.  Since the opening, the zoo has welcomed more than 36 million visitors, the number of animal species has more than doubled, and the number of animals has increased from 1,200 to 4,300 animals. The zoo has won numerous awards for innovative and cutting-edge exhibits, is a leader in tiger conservation, and has become the largest environmental learning center in the state.

History

The zoo was made possible by local conservationists who began lobbying for a new and expansive zoo facility back in the 1960’s; Dakota County officials who donated 500 acres of land; legislators who supported the creation and continue to support the Zoo’s annual funding requests; dedicated staff and volunteers; loyal corporate donors; and individual donors and the public who proudly support the zoo.  The Minnesota Zoo’s concept and design was radically different from most other zoos of its time.  The exhibits were open, natural settings, with glass partitions.  This was an exciting change for guests and a much better environment for the animals.  Many zoos have since followed the example set by the Minnesota Zoo.  Some of the favorite animals at the zoo’s beginning were beluga whales, tapirs, moose, flamingos, Japanese macaques or snow monkeys, and Amur tigers.

Conservation efforts

The Minnesota Zoo has a deep commitment to conservation, and a strong focus on conservation education.  Conservation efforts take place at the zoo, within Minnesota, and around the world.  At the zoo efforts include:  the Tiger Species Survival Program (SSP), Zoo-Post, Captive Management, and Green Practices.  Within Minnesota, efforts include: Prairie Butterfly, Moose, and Bison conservation, Florida Maneter Swan Restoration Project, a BioDiscovery Project, and Sustainable Seafood.  Around the world efforts include:  Namibia’s black rhinos and mountain zebras, the Tiger Conservation Campaign, Dhole Conservation in Thailand, Animals of the Russian Far East, Hyacinth macaw conservation, and African rainforest wildlife.  The zoo and animal experiences connect visitors to the natural world which in turn motivates them to protect that world.

35 Year Weekend Celebration – May 18 & 19, 2013

To celebrate 35 years, the Minnesota Zoo invited the public to come out for a weekend filled with animals, family entertainment and a whole lot of fun!  Activities included:

• 1st 1,000 kids each day receive a special 35-Year commemorative gift
• Animal encounters
• Live Music – Café Melange
• Matt Dunn’s Magic Show – Lakeside Terrace (Rain – Target® Learning Center)
• Saturday – 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., & 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday – 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., & 2:30 p.m.
• Keeper talks – 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday – Tiger cubs, Tamandua, Black bear
• Sunday – Grizzly bears, Small-clawed otter, Beaver
• Puppet craft – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Tropics Plaza
• Tiger face painting – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Central Plaza (Rain – Penguin hallway)
• 35 –Year Celebration coloring banner – 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Tropics Plaza
• Special treats for the animals throughout both days

The zoo is also inviting visitors to like their Facebook page and share favorite memories of the Minnesota Zoo.  By sharing a favorite memory, visitors can win exclusive zoo experiences throughout this season including a behind-the-scenes tour of the summer Africa! exhibit or scuba diving in the zoo’s Tropical Reef!

Future Plans

Future plans for the zoo include a carousel, renovating the Japanese macaque or snow monkey exhibit, and creating an Asian Highlands section,  just to name a few.

Join us in congratulating the Minnesota Zoo on its 35th anniversary of connecting people, animals, and the natural world!