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© 2025 North Forty News New SCENE Weekly All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, incluiding photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by the copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor, addressed “Permissions”, at the address below. info@northfortynews.com NorthFortyNews.com The views expresses in this publication are those of the respective contributor and are not necessarily shared by the company or its staff. (Photo by Gardens on Spring Creek)May 23, 2025 week ofAs Memorial Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on what it means to truly remember—and how we, as a community, can honor the legacies of those who gave everything for our freedoms. In Northern Colorado, we are surrounded by reminders of service and sacrifice. From the flags lining Main Streets in our small towns to the solemn ceremonies held in city parks, this region never forgets. And neither should we. This weekend, let’s do more than take a day off. Let’s take a moment. Visit the Field of Honor in Fort Collins, where 500 American flags wave proudly—each one representing a veteran, a first responder, or a personal hero. Walk among them. Read the names. Feel the weight of their stories. Or join a community parade or a quiet gathering in Loveland or Greeley. These aren’t just events—they’re opportunities to show our veterans’ families that their loved ones’ sacrifices are still remembered. If you can’t make it to an event, consider a small gesture: a flag in your yard, a donation to a veterans’ nonprofit, or simply listening to someone who served. As a journalist and a proud Northern Coloradoan, I believe in the power of storytelling. This Memorial Day, the most powerful stories are those of courage, duty, and love of country. Let's keep telling them—loudly and with reverence. In memory and in gratitude, Blaine Howerton Publisher, North Forty News bhowerton@northfortynews.com PUBLISHER’S LETTER BY BLAINE HOWERTON Your support helps us provide coverage of Northern Colorado communities. Support North Forty News in the following ways: • Advertise - ads@northfortynews.com • Donate - northfortynews.com/donate-now • READ - northfortynews.com/this-week A Northern Colorado Memorial Day to Remember(Photo from Shutterstock.com)Content Fort Collins Fort Collins, at the foothills of the Rockies, is Northern Colorado’s vibrant heart. Known for its historic Old Town, craft beer scene, and outdoor recreation, it blends urban energy with small-town charm. Home to Colorado State University, it’s a hub for innovation, culture, and community. TURN FEEDBACK INTO FUEL: MASTERING ONLINE REVIEW MANAGEMENT 8-9 PERENNIALS IN CONTAINERS 10-11 HONORING THE FALLEN, SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES 12-13 500 FLAGS TO FLY AT FORT COLLINS FIELD OF HONOR DURING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 14-15 JAPANGO FORT COLLINS: ELEVATING SUSHI AND SAKE IN OLD TOWN’S CULINARY SCENE 16-17 WORLD-CLASS MUSICIANS OPEN FORT COLLINS' PREMIER INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL 18-19 We Love your Photos! Send yours to photos@northfortynews.com. We will share them.Content Northern Colorado’s Weekend Forecast From Sunshine to Showers Friday promises to be mostly sunny with temperatures reaching around 78°F. However, there's a slight 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, so keep an umbrella handy. Saturday brings a shift, with partly sunny skies and a high near 68°F. The likelihood of showers and possible thunderstorms increases to 70% after noon, suggesting a good day for indoor activities. Sunday, the weather will be cooler, with highs around 60°F and an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. It's shaping up to be a wet end to the weekend, so plan accordingly. These forecasts are based on data from the National Weather Service. Loveland Loveland blends creativity with small-town charm. It’s the Northern Colorado hub for Larimer County’s events. MCKEE WELLNESS FOUNDATION HONORS LOCAL HEROES AT 2025 LUNCH WITH LIFESAVERS EVENT 24 Greeley Greeley, a dynamic city in Northern Colorado, is rich in agricultural heritage and cultural diversity. TWO ARRESTED AFTER MENACING INCIDENT IN GREELEY 23 AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND ON NEW STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER 27 LaPorte Laporte, Colorado, is a historic foothills community nestled along the Cache la Poudre River, just northwest of Fort Collins. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP PRESERVE HISTORIC BUCKHORN WORK CENTER NEAR FORT COLLINS 26NorthFortyNews.com Page: 8May 23, 2025 Online reviews can make or break a business, especially in local markets like Northern Colorado. In this guide, I'll show you how to proactively manage your reputation, respond effectively to reviews (both good and bad), and turn customer feedback into marketing gold. WHY IT MATTERS: In today’s review-driven economy, 90% of consumers say online reviews influence their buying decisions. A single negative review without a response can damage trust, while a thoughtful reply can turn a critic into a loyal customer. Whether you're running a café in Fort Collins or a service company in Loveland, review management must be part of your marketing strategy. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Claim Your Listings Start by claiming your business on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific platforms. Ensure all information is accurate—address, hours, website, and contact details. Monitor Reviews Consistently Use tools like Google Alerts, ReviewTrackers, or even the free notifications on Google Business Profile to monitor incoming reviews. Regular monitoring helps you catch issues early and spot trends. Respond to Every Review Positive Reviews: Thank the reviewer, use their name if possible, and reinforce the positive details they mentioned. Example: "Thanks, Jenna! We're thrilled you loved our handmade pastries—your support means the world to our Windsor team." Negative Reviews: Remain calm, professional, and empathetic. Acknowledge the concern, offer to take the conversation offline, and provide a solution if possible. Never argue publicly. Encourage Happy Customers to Share Their Experience After a purchase or service, ask satisfied customers to leave a review. Make it easy with a direct link, QR code, or simple follow-up message. Leverage Reviews in Marketing Use glowing reviews in email campaigns, social media posts, and your website. Pair with a photo or short testimonial video for even more impact. Track Trends and Insights Over time, reviews can reveal what you're doing right and Turn Feedback into Fuel: Mastering Online Review Management (Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich, Pexels.com) CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE. EDITORIAL Blaine Howerton | NorthFortyNews.comwhere improvements are needed. Use that feedback to refine your products, services, or customer experience. PRO TIP: Responding within 24-48 hours shows customers you’re attentive and care about their experience. Delays can make even a minor issue seem ignored or dismissed. REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE (NORTHERN COLORADO EDITION): A Fort Collins home services company turned a 1-star Google review into a marketing win by publicly apologizing, fixing the issue within 24 hours, and earning a follow-up 5-star update. Their thoughtful approach earned praise from others who saw the exchange and generated two new referrals. CALL TO ACTION: Ready to strengthen your local reputation? Start by reviewing your business profiles today and creating a standard response script for common review types. And don’t forget—your following 5-star review could be your best marketing asset! Next up: Topic #20 – Creating a Compelling Customer Loyalty Program Catch the full Marketing Mastery Series at NorthFortyNews.com and follow us for weekly insights that help local businesses thrive.Next >