It’s great to see local media and Internet coverage of what the OptiMystics have been up to.
Valley Publishing-Facebook – 6/16/2020
“In an effort to boost the local economy, citizens, local businesses owners, members of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the City of Monte Vista, CO, ordered these signs from Uniquely Delightful for display on the east and west ends of town to remind visitors that Monte Vista is open for business! Attendees at the celebration represented local businesses and organizations who are using innovative ways to stay open and support local, including Faemoonwolfdesigns, Sandhill Inn & Suites, Southern Colorado Computer Services, SLVoices – Your Voice In The San Luis Valley, Friends of Vali 3 and The Polished Edge/The Polished Bean.” <This was the first major effort that The Optiystics undertook>
SLVoices-Monte Vista Is Open For Business Podcast – 6/17/2020
“Have you seen the banners at the east and west ends of town? Have you heard the buzz?? Monte Vista is Open For Business! Ken Hamko has a great story to tell about a grass roots movement that has taken the challenge to do what they can to help rejuvenate interest and business in our little town. And there’s more to come from this citizen led and funded group. Listen to find out more.”
Monte Vista Journal – 10/6/2020
“Lock also reported on another organization with some similar membership, the OptiMystics, a citizen’s action organization designed to promote and improve business in Monte Vista through positive actions. The group has borrowed their name from the San Luis Valley Tourism Council’s “Mystic San Luis Valley” theme. The OptiMystics recently launched their own website, http://optimystics.org/ , and are currently looking at how they can get funding for improving dusk to dawn lighting on downtown businesses, currently focusing on the 100 block of Adams Street. The group hopes to keep all of the labor and supplies sourced from local businesses as well.”
Monte Vista Journal – 11/3/2020
“[Adam Lock] and [Ken] Hamko discussed several possibilities with the other board members, who brought up ways to promote downtown businesses and local events, including an effort by Rio Grande Savings and Loan CEO Shon Davis and the Optimystics to improve sidewalks downtown. [Jason] Medina also encouraged them to consider an online commerce portion of the website or a spot to buy gift cards from local businesses.“
Monte Vista City Council YouTube Channel – 11/5/2020
Video of the OptiMystics presentation to the Monte Vista City Council. The presentation starts at 8:55 and goes to 23:50. Further discussion by City Council is from 48:40 to 59:55.
Monte Vista Journal – 11/11/2020
“At the last Monte Vista City Council meeting members of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Group came before the Council with a presentation of their plans and to request funding. One of the group’s co-founders Adam Lock gave a presentation about the group. “The OptiMystics are a grassroot citizen action group. We formed to facilitate positive change here in Monte Vista. We are all very progress forward thinking people. We’re solution oriented. We’re able to dedicate a lot of time to what we’re doing and we have a very “can do” attitude that’s kind of our prerequisites,” said Lock.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 11/25/2020
“Board Member Adam Lock reported on the progress of the Virtual Holiday Fair being filmed and posted online in lieu of the annual Craft Fair held at the Valley Church of the Nazarene the first weekend in December….Lock also reported the Optimystics are making progress on their downtown lighting project and the Marketing Committee will make a formal presentation to City Council requesting the lodging tax funds for a Monte Vista marketing site by hopefully by the December 2020 meeting and if not in early January.”
Monte Vista City Council YouTube Channel – 2/18/2021
Video of the OptiMystics update to the Monte Vista City Council. The presentation starts at 35:45 and goes to 43:20.
Monte Vista Journal – 3/11/2021
“Citizen action group the OptiMystics is putting together a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Monte Vista on March 17. The parade will start at 5:30 p.m. For the parade route participants marching or driving in the parade will line up at the Stars and Strikes bowling alley and go from 2nd Street up north on Adams, then they will turn west onto 1st Avenue, and then go down Washington as they return to the Stars and Strikes bowling alley.” <Click here to read the entire article>
“Citizen action group the OptiMystics is putting together a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Monte Vista on March 17. The parade will start at 5:30 p.m.” <Click Here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 3/24/2021
“Local veterans came together to lead the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with a color guard. The Optimystics, a citizen action group, hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Monte Vista on March 17. The socially distanced event was a celebration of the holiday and community. Prizes were given out parade participants with Tara Miller winning first place. Second place was awarded to the Monte Vista Golf Course, and the Polished Edge took home third place. Local businesses also got into the spirit of the holiday with some offering special dishes and drinks for the occasion. Rain Brews tavern made 45 pounds of corned beef and cabbage and it was later reported by the Optimystics that they sold out in 90 minutes.”
Monte Vista Journal – 4/30/2021
“Early in the morning on April 20, 42 new light bulbs were installed on the 100 block of Adams Street. The project was part of the OptiMystics Citizen Action Network (CAN) revitalization and beautification efforts for Monte Vista. SLV REC installed the lights for free, sending two machines and staff to install the new bulbs. It took them about an hour to complete. After it was complete, the City of Monte Vista Public Works Department took the opportunity to clean and sweep the street while it was closed for the light installation.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 4/30/2021
“The OptiMystics and City are working on getting new lighting downtown and working with business real estate owners to place new awnings and make other improvements downtown,” [RG Bank President Shon] Davis said. Davis also said it was unbelievably easy to bring these groups together — The City of Monte Vista, OptiMystics, Monte Vista School District, and RG Bank. “A credit to all involved…” <Click here to read the entire article>
State of CO Governor’s Office Press Release – 5/5/2021
“Today, as part of Governor Polis’ Vaccines for All plan, mobile vaccination equity clinics were hosted in partnership with Cinco de Mayo celebrations across Colorado.…Mobile clinics were held as part of the Cinco de Mayo Cultural Celebration in Monte Vista hosted by the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network…” <Click here to read the entire press release>
Monte Vista City Council YouTube Channel – 7/15/2021
Video of the The OptiMystics quarterly update presentation to the Monte Vista City Council. The presentation starts at 32:10 and goes to 45:30.
San Luis Valley Broadcasting – 7/30/2021
Listen as The OptiMystics are interviewed on KSLV/KYDN Radio for the upcoming beer Fest and Car Show. Bob Richards, General Manager of SLV Broadcasting interviewed Optimystics founders Adam Lock and Ken Hamko. We were joined by Poor Boy Car Club President Richard Garcia.
Monte Vista Journal – 7/30/2021
“Riding in on the wheels of a very successful Cinco de Mayo Cultural Celebration, the OptiMystics Citizen’s Action Network is planning its next fundraising event — the South-Central Colorado Micro Brew Fest and Car Show.” <Click here to read the entire article>
“Riding in on the wheels of a very successful Cinco de Mayo Cultural Celebration, the OptiMystics Citizen’s Action Network is planning its next fundraising event — the
South-Central Colorado Micro Brew Fest and Car Show. “ <Click here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista City Council YouTube Channel – 8/5/2021
Video of The OptiMystics special presentation to the Monte Vista City Council, requesting the city assist in the funding of the Main Street: Open For Business grant initiative. The presentation starts at 23:25 and goes to 1:06:50.
San Luis Valley Broadcasting – 8/9/2021
Monte Vista City Council Approves $15,000 for Downtown Improvements. “How do you turn $5,000 into $100,000 for downtown revitalization? You get Monte Vista Optimystics co-founders Ken Hamko and Adam Lock to solicit the Monte Vista City Council to put up another $15,000 and then you get the duo to do all the paperwork required so the city can apply for matching DOLA funds to bring that total to $100,000!” <Click Here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 10/30/2021
“The Poor Boy Car Club and the OptiMystics Citizen Action Network put on their first-ever South Central Colorado Micro Brew Festival and Car Show in Monte Vista and due to its success donated nearly $5,000 to the Veterans Homelake Center.” <Click Here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 12/23/2021
“Ken Hamko, a member of the OptiMystics a Citizen’s Action Network, proposed the bicycle rack idea to the council during their final regular meeting of 2021….The idea behind the bike racks is that citizens can lock up their bikes while they shop or work in different areas of the city.” <Click Here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 2/18/2022
“The first sponsored artisan bicycle rack was installed on Adams Street in Monte Vista on Feb. 10. Ken Hamko, a member of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, proposed the idea for the sponsored bike racks, to the city in December of 2021 and suggested that the racks would be beneficial to local businesses and parks, as it would allow citizens to lock up their bikes while they shop or work in different areas of the city. Hamko was pleased to see the first rack put up in front of Quincy’s Steakhouse on Adams Street.” <Click Here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 4/1/2022
“The OptiMystics Citizens Action Network recently announced that it will be hosting its second annual Cinco De Mayo celebration on Thursday, May 5, in Downtown Monte Vista.” <Click here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 4/8/2022
“The second sponsored artisan bicycle rack was installed on Tuesday, March 29 on Washington Street, in front of the U.S. Post Office in Monte Vista. The idea for the sponsored bike racks began with Jennifer Nearing and Laura Conchelos. Nearing is an avid bike rider and Conchelos also had the idea for the bike racks. Conchelos and Nearing presented the idea for the bike racks to the OptiMystics Citizens Actions Network with their belief that it would be a great way to encourage more activity in Monte Vista. The second rack was sponsored by Bill and Bernadette Hagendorf.” <Click here to read the entire article.>
Monte Vista Journal – 5/19/2022
“Monte Vista’s second annual Cinco De Mayo Festival was a family-friendly street event hosted by the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, complete with 36 vendors, food trucks, face painting, a bouncy house for the kids, and much more.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 5/27/2022
MV Council OKs wastewater rate increases. “Ken Hamko, of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, also spoke at the meeting. He said that two artisan bicycle racks would be placed in front of Rainbow’s End Thrift Store downtown and at the Monte Vista Skate Park on Park Avenue.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 6/10/2022
Member of OptiMystics Hamko speaks about his battle with cancer. “OptiMystics member Ken Hamko was recently diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma. According to cancer.gov, this is a type of neck cancer, that travels to the lymph nodes in the neck and around the collarbone.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 6/10/2022
Ribbon cutting held at Purple Moon Rising Studio. “Members of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network Adam Lock and Ken Hamko attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is just going to bring more of our community together, and this will be a ton of fun for the kids out here. It is really nice to see something positive like this opening up in our town,” Lock said.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 6/23/2022
Ribbon cutting ceremony held for new businesses — Kim Marquez Photography and Fluid Space Wellness. “I would like to thank the Monte Vista Chamber, the OptiMystics for coming to the ceremony, my parents, my business partner Mike, all my clients, and everyone in the community for supporting me,” she said.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 8/18/2022
“The second annual South Central Colorado Beer Fest and Car Show is coming to Monte Vista. The OptiMystics Citizens Action Network along with the Poor Boy Car Club are once again coming together to bring the San Luis Valley a Beer Fest and Car Show that will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Chapman Park.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 9/1/2022
“Two more artisan bicycle racks were installed on Wednesday, Aug. 24, one on Adams Street in front of Rainbow’s End Thrift Store, and one at the skate park in Monte Vista….The OptiMystics proposed the idea to the City of Monte Vista in December of 2021. The idea that they presented to the city council was that the bike racks would benefit residents and make them more active and also help businesses by giving residents who rode bikes or had motorized devices place to put their bicycles.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 9/1/2022
“Former member of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, and President Emeritus of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network Ken Hamko, celebrated his birthday with friends and family, who also held a retirement and going away party for him on Friday, Aug. 26.” <Click here to read the entire article>
AARP Local Online – 10/28/2022
“The Halloween Festival in Monte Vista is being hosted by the Mystic Valley Art Council, the Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank, and the Optimystics Citizen Action Network.“ <Click here to see entire listing>
Monte Vista Journal – 11/10/2022
“An estimated 1,000 people took part in the combined Halloween Festival, Moonlight Madness and Trunk-or-Treat. This year, five non-profit groups came together for this grand event that took place up and down Adams Street and at various other participating businesses. The Mystic Valley Art Council, the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, the LOR Foundation, and the Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank collaborated on the afternoon event.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 11/17/2022
“SLV Fast Friends, in conjunction with the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, the City of Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, and the Best Western Movie Manor entertainment complex, will bring dirt drag racing back to the San Luis Valley on June 2-4, 2023.” <Click here to read the entire letter>
Monte Vista Journal – 11/17/2022
“Rio Grande County Sheriff Anne Robinson was the guest speaker at the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network’s Very Important Business Engagement (VIBE) meeting on Friday, Nov. 4. Robinson began her presentation with some biographical information.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Central Colorado Magazine – 11/30/2022
An article about the Bicycle Rack Project creator, the late John Patterson. “I told him I’d seen one of the four bike racks he’d recently built for the City of Monte Vista, a project organized by the citizens’ action network, Optimystics. The bike racks are public art as much as they are places to hang bikes.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 12/9/2022
“After the ceremony at 6 p.m., at least 500 people were downtown on Main Street and Adams Street for the Parade of Lights. The streets were filled with colorful floats and lights. Various floats were in the parade, including a float from Wayne Pacheco, a large, decorated tractor, the Mystic Valley Art Council, The Optimystics, the Monte Vista High School Marching Band was in the parade, and Santa Claus was in the parade waving happily to the crowds.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 1/16/2023
“The Optimystics Citizen’s Action Network held a Very Important Business Engagement (VIBE) meeting on Friday, Jan. 6, at the Stars and Strikes Bowling Alley. The guest speaker for the meeting was City Manager Gigi Dennis. Dennis talked about Monte Vista and gave a recap of 2022 and the many improvements planned for 2023.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 1/26/2023.
“This year it is roaring back with a vengeance, heading to town and bringing in tourists from all over the world. Director of SLV Fast Friends Larry Garner, in combination with the Optimystics Citizens Action Network, Rio Grande County, the City of Monte Vista, and the Best Western Movie Manor, are working together to bring “Draggin’ On Dirt” back to Monte Vista.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 3/31/2023.
“The 3rd annual Cinco de Mayo Street Festival will soon be dancing into Monte Vista. The OptiMystics Citizens Action Network is again organizing the festival, complete with food trucks, a beer garden, craft vendors, a car show and much more.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 3/31/2023.
“Ornelas said the next event for the squad is going to be the Cinco de Mayo Street Festival where they will have a booth for fundraising, and they have also been asked to perform there.” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 4/14/2023.
“I am also encouraged by the upcoming events, Cinco De Mayo, Draggin’ Main. The chamber will be participating in the block party that will be happening, too. It’s going to be tons of fun. I think it’s nice that everyone can work together and make something fun like this happen for our community.” <Click here to read the entire article>
KKTV-Colorado Springs – 5/4/2023.
1 minute video on KKTV in Colorado Springs. Monte Vista to host 3rd annual Cinco de Mayo Street Festival! <Click here to watch the video>
KYDN Country Radio – 5/4/2023.
“Friday is the 3rd annual Cinco De Mayo Street Festival on Adams St. in Monte Vista. The festival is produced by the Optimystics group.” <Click here to read the entire article and listen to the radio interview>
Monte Vista Journal – 5/15/2023.
“Monte Vista’s Cinco de Mayo Street Festival Was ‘Priceless'”. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people attended the third annual Monte Vista Cinco de Mayo Street Festival on Friday, May 5, in Downtown Monte Vista. The event was organized by the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network. <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 5/26/2023.
“In other matters members of the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network presented the city with a plaque as a thank you to the City of Monte Vista, the Monte Vista Police Department and Public Works. The plaque stated,” We sincerely thank you for sponsoring Monte Vista’s 2023 Cinco de Mayo Street Festival.”” <Click here to read the entire article>
Monte Vista Journal – 6/9/2023.
“Garner said he feels “Draggin Main” was a success. The OptiMystics Citizens Action Network was one of event’s major sponsors….“Thanks to the OptiMystics Citizens Action Network, the LOR Foundation, the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, the City of Monte Vista, the Rio Grande County Tourism Board, Best Western Movie Manor, and all the sponsors and supporters who contributed money and or services to make this event happen.”” <Click here to read the entire article>