Special Sections - Portrait

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Hospice volunteer coordinator Sue Settje finds people with talent

Strings of colorful baubles, sophisticated purses and vases in voluptuous shapes grace one shelf at the Miller Homestead’s Cups Coffee House. The items are impossible for most women to miss and, sure enough, on a recent morning one ...

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Steve Soychak is on the front line when it comes to preserving energy

When Steve Soychak started his job 11 years ago, things were far different from today. “At the time, we had only 20 employees in this building right there,” he said, pointing to a structure just outside the window of his office at ...

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When it comes to visiting the Grand Valley, Barbara Bowman is your guide

In the early ’90s, Barbara Bowman never would have guessed that nearly 20 years later she still would be living and working in Grand Junction. “I absolutely love my job,” Bowman said. “It’s been such a wonderful ...

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Bryan Miick’s best-known trademark may be his own handlebars

It’s important for any successful business to have a recognizable trademark. For McDonald’s it’s the golden arches, Nike has the swoosh, and The Bike Shop at 10th Street and North Avenue has the handlebar mustache. The ...

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Nakanos share life, medical profession together

It’s a quiet weekday afternoon at the Nakano home, but with two doctors in the house, it doesn’t stay quiet for long. Jeff Nakano is on call, and the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital’s emergency room is well aware of the ...

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Debbie Hutchens is Pizza Hut’s prized employee

Debbie Hutchens isn’t afraid of hard work. Yet when she nervously walked into the First Street Pizza Hut that warm August morning for her first day on the job, she wasn’t sure if she had what it took to be a good ...

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Brit Katie Brierly is a master at Mexican cuisine

Don’t be deceived by the British heritage. Katie Brierly is a foodie. True, England isn’t exactly known for its cuisine. Even the fish and chips aren’t that great, she said. But Brierly doesn’t fancy European food or ...

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Damian Radice found out long ago that art is in his blood

Every time he fashions a funky-looking teapot, puts the finishing touches on a sculpture or gives guidance to a student, Damian Radice can thank the volatile summer weather for where he is today. Each spring for 22 years the Grand Valley ...

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Attorney Nathan Keever relishes standing up ‘for the little guy’ in oil and gas cases

Grand Junction attorney Nathan Keever is driven by a competitive streak. It is what helped him win several state titles in master’s swimming events last year and make it into the top 20 nationally the last few years in his age ...

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As the jobless rate rises, people like Gilbert Lujan are a saving grace

Gilbert Lujan goes to his job every day hoping to help those who have no job. As supervisor of the Mesa County Workforce Center, the 26-year-old helps people prepare for job searches, oversees the center’s growing number of programs ...

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Neil and Diane Guard start winery adventure with their East Orhcard Mesa farm

Between fostering 3,000 peach trees and cultivating and selling nine varieties of grapes, Diane and Neil Guard of Avant Farm on East Orchard Mesa have their lives well-immersed in the agricultural world of the Grand Valley. Add to that mix ...

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Family’s flying business spans four decades

Leonard Felix Jr. averages 400 hours annually flying aircraft about 10 to 20 feet off the ground while dodging power lines at 135 mph. Felix understands why most people would consider this to be a treacherous way to make a living. But ...

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Allison Blevins turns love of knitting into a career

Surrounded by soft skeins of yarn in a rainbow of colors, Allison Blevins is living a dream come true. The self-taught knitter is the co-owner of Tangle, a yarn and knitting supply store, at 525 Main St. Customers are welcomed at the door ...

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Donald Tyler: Carving out a niche

Donald Tyler spends the majority of his days in a narrow utility room, working on his favorite hobby — woodcarving. The retired physician spends several hours a day carving bird sculptures. It usually takes 50 to 60 hours for each bird, ...

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Jeanne Urbach turned a life of music into a career

Her path into music was perhaps nontraditional. Jeanne Urbach neither started on a musical instrument as a young child nor was inspired to perform by listening to others play. Instead, Urbach picked up the cello at 14 years old because she ...

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