April Happy Hour Preview- Aji Latin American Restaurant

2140′s April Happy Hour is in just over a week and this month, we’re meeting at Ají Latin American Restaurant.

Located on the corner of 16th and Pearl Street, Ají’s vibrant decor and colorful Latin and South American art (including pieces from the pre-Colombian Incan Empire and Andes woven wool tapestries) suffuse the restaurant with a vibrant and festive atmosphere.  Guests can choose to mingle in one of the niches complete with comfy leather couches, dine with friends at a table or enjoy a happy hour special at the bar.

While the name Ají comes from the Caribbean word for pepper, the ají pepper is popular in Peruvian cuisine.  Indeed, the pepper makes up one-third of the Peruvian condiment trinity together with red onion and garlic.  The most common form of the pepper, the aji amarillo pepper is used in a variety of dishes ranging throughout Central and Latin America.

One of several Boulder-area establishments supported by local farms, Ají (along with eight other restaurants) gets produce from the Three Leaf Farm in Lafayette including heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, salad greens, spinach, squash and pumpkins, broccoli, beans and fresh herbs.  They have apple, plum, apricot, peach, and cherry trees and will soon add raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries to their repertoire.  In addition to the produce, the Three Leaf Farm is also home to goats and over 50 chickens, all of which contribute to the delicious menu offerings at Aji and the eight other restaurants, providing valuable products like goats’ milk (for goat cheese) and eggs.

At Ají’s happy hour from 3-6 every day (and Sundays from 3-close), you can choose to sip on a Spicy Strawberry mojito or try their house made sangria.  Nibble on poached lobster and banana ceviche, duck taquitos, or poblano tortas with asadero cheese and avocado.  See more of their menu offerings here.

This month, join Boulder 2140 members and young professionals at Ají to enjoy an extended happy hour menu featuring $3.50 beers, $4.50 margaritas, mojitos, and wells, plus delicious food specials!

Wednesday, April 24th from 5:30-7 p.m.

Ají Latin American Restaurant

1601 Pearl Street, Boulder

Click here to register for 2140′s April Happy Hour.

We hope to see you there!

Jarret Roberts | Community Programs Director at Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

Despite only being a Boy Scout for one day, Jarret Roberts has had a love for the outdoors since he was little.  Roberts was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and some of his favorite childhood memories consist of hiking in the foothills behind his parent’s house near NCAR, visits to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, and fishing.

In 2009, Roberts heard from one of his friends in the Student Conservation Assocation about a seasonal position opening up at Wildlands Restoration Volunteers.  His previous experience and knowledge from working with the City of Boulder Junior Rangers and SCA gave Roberts an edge and he got the job with WRV.

“WRV is a lot like the Junior Ranger program, but on a much larger scale,” Roberts said.  “Change [that] happens in a weekend would take three to four months with the Junior Ranger program.”

Reaching out to over 5,000 people, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers is a non-profit organization that provides an opportunity for people to come together, learn about their natural environment, and take direct action to restore and care for the land.

Today, Roberts is the Community Programs Director for WRV, a position that incorporates training, project planning and marketing.  As a relatively small non-profit, WRV trains and positions their volunteers as leaders within the organization.

“We rely on volunteer leadership.  Fifty percent of what WRV does is community building, training people and giving them skills so that the community itself can do the restoration.  The other fifty percent of the time is spent with on-the-ground projects.”

Running over 75 projects each season, WRV hosts 12-20 volunteer training sessions each spring, helping to train volunteers as crew leaders, those helping to lead the volunteer groups; tool managers who manage the tools and equipment; project leaders, those helping to run the projects who, when trained will run up to eighty to ninety percent of the projects; technical advisors, who are the ones who plan and design the actual projects, and cooks.

Because WRV relies so heavily on volunteer interaction and leadership, Roberts admits that no day is ever the same.

“There is no typical day, which is part of what I love about this job.  We all work crazy, crazy hours because we’re working a lot with volunteers.  Probably a third to half my weekends I’m doing something and a lot of evenings, which is really cool because it gives me flexibility to take off and go for a hike in the morning.”

Of course, being so passionate about the work that he does, it’s easy for Roberts to find things he enjoys about WRV.

“Working with WRV, most of us love the outdoors or appreciate them, and we get a benefit from the land, but the land doesn’t benefit from us using it.  It’s a one-way street.  This is one of the few opportunities where it’s beneficial for the land; it’s a symbiotic relationship.  I get to see growth in the environment and growth in people.  When those two things are put together, that’s an unbelievably powerful thing.”

Looking to the future, Roberts is really excited to further developing the Youth Program within WRV.  In the past three years, they’ve come from bare bones to engaging over 500 youth a year, doing 10-15 projects with them.  Wildlands Restoration Volunteers is also excited about becoming a bigger presence statewide, expanding their network and connections in Colorado.  For more info about getting involved with Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, visit their website.

http://www.wlrv.org/get_involved/index.html

A Letter From Our Board Chair

Dear Boulder 2140 friends and members,

The committee members at 2140 and I want to personally thank you for being a part of Boulder 2140. You’re the heart and soul of this dynamic affiliate group of the Boulder Chamber! Being involved with Boulder 2140 over the past year and a half as a committee member, a member of the board, and finally as the Board Chair, I have seen this group of young professionals grow and accomplish some exceptional feats. The success of this group can be credited to our hardworking committee members, as well as the support of the Boulder Chamber and our entire membership base.

Since first established in February of 2009, Boulder 2140 has focused on serving the needs of local young professionals. This year has been productive, exciting and full of great changes! We’ve learned from inspirational speakers, socialized at fantastic Chamber member locations, helped deserving non-profits and, most exciting, we’ve implemented a beneficial membership and sponsorship structure, designed to benefit individuals, organizations and the group as a whole. We are also excited to collaborate in 2013 with the Boulder Chamber’s new CEO, John Tayer.

Our monthly newsletter is an example of Boulder 2140′s growth and commitment to provide more for our members and fans. Every month, we highlight updates from 2140′s sub-committees, share upcoming news and events, and provide ways to maximize your membership. If you want to hear what real members are saying about their 2140 experience, check out the testimonials in our latest YouTube video!

We have a slew of exciting new events coming in 2013, like the Bite Out of Boulder at BMoCA on March 7th. This will be your chance to sample food from some of Boulder’s best eateries, enjoy drinks, music and the stunning art exhibit at BMoCA.You’ll have a chance to win one of two Boulder 2140 memberships and a BMoCA Friends with Benefits one-year membership (total value over $150)! We’re working diligently to build a rich event schedule for 2013. If you’re considering sponsorship, you’ll want in on these unique opportunities in the coming year!

Boulder 2140 has always aimed to host events that help you develop your professional skills and social connections, and this year we’re drilling down even further to bring you the events that YOU really want. We’re asking for your feedback in our quick, easy survey about what types of events and speakers you want to hear from in 2013. Whether you’re a member, sponsor or fan, make your voice heard! And, did we mention that 2140 also brings you great contests and prizes?

Complete 2140′s year-end survey by December 31st to be entered to win a $15 gift card to Casa Alvarez!

Your 5 Minutes of Fame!

We’re looking for talent for our upcoming promotional video. You will be famous (in Boulder at least), and we’re giving away a free 3-year 2140 Membership + gift cards to DBI!

Email a few current photos to casting@ramblinjackson.com if you’re a funny, bubbly, outgoing woman and are interested in this part!  Please put “Boulder 2140” in the subject line of your email.