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Articles by Brian Beaulieu
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County: 20 Years of Impact
For 20 years great kids have walked through the doors of our two Boys & Girls Clubs in Salida and Buena Vista. They’ve discovered how to make friends, become more motivated students, build life skills and serve others. In other words, they’ve learned how to become good citizens, people who can be counted on to do the right thing. Now, more than ever, America needs club kids.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County: 20 Years of Impact
For 20 years great kids have walked through the doors of our two Boys & Girls Clubs in Salida and Buena Vista. They’ve discovered how to make friends, become more motivated students, build life skills and serve others. In other words, they’ve learned how to become good citizens, people who can be counted on to do the right thing. Now, more than ever, America needs club kids.
The 2026 Economic Outlook for ECPs
Economic policy uncertainty soured sentiment in 2025, but despite the headwinds, the economy is beginning to accelerate slightly as we look toward 2026. Growth has been uneven, with high-tech and essential services as relative winners. Disparate outcomes will carry into 2026, with overall growth being mild to moderate. The eyecare industry is relatively well-positioned, having a core of nondiscretionary demand and demographic factors in its favor.
November/December
Optometric Business Tracker EB + GPN offer a fresh focus on industry data—exploring a specific aspect of the optometric practice with each issue. Here, GPN presents a forecast for 2025. The EB Optical Checklist Optical pro Sheena Taff outlines how to end the year on a prosperous note. Lab Insider One optician shares insights into how a well-organized workflow, regular audits for improvement, and hands-on staff training translate to a consistent standard of quality in lens dispensing.
November/December
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The 2023 Economic Outlook for ECPs
The sugar high of stimulus has faded, and the Federal Reserve has been aggressively tightening to rein in inflation from multi-decade highs. While this is taking its toll, consumers are still in a very solid financial position and are spending more than ever. Annual U.S. total personal consumption expenditures are slowing in growth but were at a record high as of August (the latest available data), even when adjusted for inflation.
INDUSTRY FORECAST: ITR
The U.S. is poised to recover from the economic fallout caused by COVID-19 BY BRIAN BEAULIEU AND STEVE GUGLIELMO EAMESBOT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM ITR Economics CEO Brian Beaulieu is well-known throughout our association members as one of the most trusted experts in economic forecasting. His combination of dry wit and precision accuracy of forecasting economic trends has made him appointment viewing at MHEDA Conventions and on MHEDA-TV.
A front-row seat for online tutoring
by Brian Beaulieu Boys & Girls Club For weeks now, the Boys & Girls Club youth development staff has been tutoring kids online via Zoom, trying to stay connected to kids who need help with their homework, reading and math. We sat down (virtually, of course)recently with Milo Smith, 8, and his tutors, Ally Sloan and Tessie Ortega, to learn more about what it’s like out there, in the new normal of safe distance learning. Here is an edited version of our interview.
The Covid-19 Economic Outlook
With their businesses shuttered for weeks, millions of Americans now without jobs, and budgets being scrupulously tightened in every household, every eyecare professional undoubtedly has the state of the economy on their mind. Additionally, consumer confidence has plunged to an all-time low—down by 18.5 points since March 15, the largest four-week drop in the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index’s (CCI) 34 years of weekly polls.
New Webinar: Disparate Opportunities Post COVID-19
Posted April 22, 2020 STAFDA's economists look at recovery trend probabilities on April 24.
Deficit Spending in 2020 and ITR's Outlook for 2030
It is normal to wonder if recent events might hasten the US economy’s decline into depression. This is especially true considering ITR Economics’ longstanding concerns about untenable deficit spending by the US government and how it is a probable causal factor to the forecasted Depression in the 2030s. Perhaps it helps to first consider if the federal government can afford the debt.
Black Swan Events
"A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, and their severe impact ..." From Investopedia. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic.
Bankruptcy Court Confirms Enforceability of Mortgage Notwithstanding Expiration of Statute of Limitations for Underlying Promissory Note | JD Supra
Updated: May 25, 2018: JD Supra is a legal publishing service that connects experts and their content with broader audiences of professionals, journalists and associations.
Legal Advisory: Enforcement Issues in Massachusetts Real Estate Loans | JD Supra
Updated: May 25, 2018: JD Supra is a legal publishing service that connects experts and their content with broader audiences of professionals, journalists and associations.
Spring fever hits area youth
by Brian Beaulieu Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County As spring unfolds and temperatures rise, kids’ energy levels also climb. Spring fever, anyone? We spoke to a group of kids at the Boys & Girls Club last week about their understanding of the term. Most were confused: “I’m not sick, I’m excited …” The club’s playground had been buried under snow and ice for the past four months, giving cabin fever its own extended run this winter. Gunnier, 10, was blunt in his assessment of winter’s long run.
School beckons as summer ends
With school vacation winding down, we wondered if kids were mourning the end of the blissful dog days of summer. Were they hearing the call of the classroom? Had boredom settled in? Would they trade their last week of freedom for study and homework?After 10 weeks of summer programming at the Boys & Girls Club, we asked a few dozen kids what they were thinking.Gavin, 8, is headed to the third grade this fall. “I want to read more books this year,” he told us.
First jobs for kids
With summer approaching, lots of kids are thinking about how they’ll spend their increased free time. And for some, it’s time to think about their first job. There are lots of great jobs for kids that can help them learn about responsibility while earning their own money. kAm(6 2== <?@H 6IA6C:6?46 A2JD @77 :?
Kids hit the slopes
It’s fun to talk to a new skier or snowboarder. Our peaks naturally call out to our area youngsters, and each year Monarch Mountain draws a new crop of excited young novices. Kids want to hit the slopes. We talked this week with some of the newest powder enthusiasts at the Boys & Girls Club. kAmr925[ ``[ E@=5 FD 96 H2D 23@FE E@ 6>32C< @? 9:D 7:CDE D?@H3@2C5 =6DD@? E9:D >@?E9] “x’> 86EE:?8 D6E FA H:E9 2? :?DECF4E@C 2?5 x’> 6I4:E65] x H2?E E@ =62C?
Boys and Girls Rock brings music to kids - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
The program gives kids the chance to learn guitar, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. And he does it for free. “I wanted to give kids the chance to experience the love of music. My own love of music came from my grandmother; then I passed it on to my son Nico.” As we enter the practice room, we can hear a D chord being strummed on an acoustic guitar. Lili Gallegos, 8, is focused on holding her fingers on the chord.
Kids share their favorite music - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Parents should encourage their child’s interest in music. A child’s favorite song may be tough for an adult to listen to, especially when it’s played over and over, as favorite songs often are. But remember: it’s their song, not yours! Today, kids find pop music as quickly as it finds them. Mayleigh, 8, told us she likes to search out the catchiest new songs on Songs that Stick through YouTube, the immensely popular video-sharing website.
Museums offer opportunities for summer learning, new experiences - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
We spoke recently with Margaret Spiegel, the museum’s new educational programming and event coordinator. She was excited to tell us more about the museum and why families should visit this summer. Why would you recommend the museum to kids and families? “There’s something for everyone. Many of our exhibits are immersive, so kids and families can walk into a mock-up hard rock mine or a prospector’s cave or coal mine.
Kids build Europa Rover - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Kuper Banghart remembers when the group first chose Europa as their destination. “Europa is the moon of Jupiter. Mars and Exo Planet were also considered, but we went with Europa as the most feasible and because of its high potential for life.” The boys enjoy ribbing each other and but also find plenty of reasons to compliment each other’s work. “Kuper, when he puts his mind to it, gets things done,” says team member Jason Joslin.
Kids learn healthy cooking habits - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
We talked with Mallory and a few of her young chefs last week to get the inside scoop on the class’s success and popularity. “Actually, I’ll tell you a secret, McCall said. Our cooking club has very little to do with ‘cooking’ – it’s more about learning and creating. Ideally this club is teaching kids how to read recipes, convert measurements and get a better grasp of how certain foods fuel their brains and bodies.” But the kids in Mallory’s class are clearly having fun.
Boys & Girls Club offers tween insights
A tween is defined as a youngster between ages 10 and 12, considered too old to be a child and too young to be a teenager. Can a midlife crisis strike when you’re 10, 11 or 12 years old? Tweens have been gaining influence over the past decade or so as more and more take notice of their demographic. kAmr927766 r@F?EJ 92D 2 =2C86 ?F>36C @7 EH66?D[ 3FE 9@H H6== 5@ H6 C62==J <?@H E96>n w@H 5@ E96J D66 E96>D6=G6Dn s@ E96J =:<6 36:?8 EH66?Dn pC6 E96J 92AAJ H96C6 E96J DE2?5[ DEC255=:?8 E96 =:?6 36EH66?
Getting kids excited about poetry - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Shel Silverstein’s “Falling Up,” “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and "A Light in the Attic” will forever (we hope) be listed among children’s favorite books. And for good reason. Fisher, 10, said his favorite book is “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” “I remember my mom first reading it to me before I could even read. I loved the sound. But I’ve been reading it myself now for a number of years. It’s so funny and I like the twist endings.” Fisher makes a few key points we should all remember.
Kids have fun learning Spanish - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Leah Sanchez, a youth development specialist and former AmeriCorps member, recently started a new program at the Boys & Girls Club to help kids learn the Spanish language and culture. The internal club, called La Pandilla (the neighborhood), has been a huge hit with club kids. Leah, a Miami, Fla., transplant, is the perfect teacher. “Most of our kids do not speak Spanish but are hungry to learn,” Sanchez said.
Kids make Broncos predictions - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Preston, 11, has been a fan since 2010 when his dad said he could watch the Broncos or “nothing at all.” Preston chose wisely. “Our quarterback needs to be decent, not great. Our defense should be just as good as last year. I’m predicting seven to eight wins this year,” he said. Given that he was not predicting a return to the playoffs, we asked Preston for his Super Bowl winner. “Definitely not the Browns, maybe the Steelers.” Josh, 11, was a little more optimistic.
‘Allure of superheroes seems to grow stronger every year’ - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
This past week we spoke to a few dozen members of the Boys & Girls Club to learn about their favorite defender, guardian or warrior. Gage, 7, was quick to let us know that the Hulk reigned supreme in his eyes. “He’s the tallest and the strongest of all of them,” he explained. “He can smash trees and bad people and help to lift heavy things off of people who are trapped.” Isiah, 7, is a fan of Batman. “Because I just like bats a lot,” he said.
Secret life of skateboarders - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
“I liked the way the decks looked so cool. The tricks are cool too. I’m learning to do tricks on my short board, like an ollie,” he said. For the uninitiated, the ollie is a classic skateboarding trick where the rider and board go airborne at the same time, without the use of one’s hands. Riders use an ollie to jump over obstacles or to land on top of something. Visually, the board appears to stick to the rider’s feet in midair.
Hitting the road with your kids this summer - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Are Chaffee County kids ready to hit road this summer? You bet. Speaking with a group of kids at the Boys and Girls Club last week, we found kids ready to hit the open road. Evan, 9, is heading to Lake Powell this summer, a popular destination that attracts close to 2 million people each year. Evan is ready to fish and swim. “I could live on a boat on Lake Powell all summer, he explained. If I could I would do it!” Maddie, 8, is thinking about a trip to Texas.
Fights: ‘Prevention is best action for parents presented with warring siblings’ - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
It didn’t seem to bother us that we usually had each other by the throat. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I realized how much stress we’d placed on our mom. We had our respective bruises, but Mom bore the real stress of our battles. Sibling rivalries are not found in every house, but they are not uncommon either. Jealousy and competition are still the likeliest sources. Often, it’s the younger brother who bears the brunt of it.
Spring fever hits area youth - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Most seemed alarmed by the word fever. Kennedy, 6, thought for sure it was something to avoid. “I do not want to get a spring fever! I hate being sick.” Edwin, 12, understands the extended sunlight and warm temperatures affect his energy and emotions. His own definition seemed succinctly perfect. “Spring fever means you never want spring break to end.” His friends Wyatt and Preston agreed.
Encourage kids to write thank you notes - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
But my mom wasn’t buying my complaint. A thank you card would be written and I wasn’t moving until it was done. Fortunately my mom had a few tips, even some words I could use. I didn’t have to write The Great American Thank You Card, just something that showed I was grateful, appreciative. Many experts say grateful kids tend to be much more satisfied with their lives. Grateful kids are also less materialistic and less envious.
New Year’s resolutions for kids - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
If Dad has targeted watching less football and walking the dog more, there’s no reason his kids cannot do the same. But Dad needs to keep his end of the bargain first, if he expects the same from the kids. Note: With the Broncos playoff bound, this may not be the best example to start with. Asking your kids to put their ideas on paper is always a good idea; putting final versions on the refrigerator may be even better, where seeing can lead to believing.
Believing in Santa Claus - TheMountainMail.com: Friday
Speaking with kids at the Boys & Girls Club revealed very few changes in the power of believing in Santa Claus from prior generations. Connor, 8, let us know that Santa Claus “teleports around the world by pinching his nose.” Connor’s belief in Santa is also rooted in common sense.
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