December 2010

"Business Monthly"

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce - Staff & Board of Directors wish everyone a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce web site ( www.glendaleazchamber.org) received a total of 832,808 exposures during the month of November, 2010

Chamber Launches “Tools for Business Success” Online Resource Center

Beginning in November, Chamber members, area businesses and persons wanting to start a business in Glendale  have a one-stop online resource center available to them through the Glendale Chamber’s new “Tools for Business Success” section of our website at www.glendaleazchamber .org.

“Tools for Business” provides local, state, federal and best-of-the-web resources to start and/or grow businesses. The site contains a business start-up kit with all the forms to comply with government requirements, links to funding resources, green business practices, business tax incentives, employer resources, online classes and much more. With one click of a button the site and all information are also viewable in Spanish.

The creation of the site was made possible by a sponsorship from APS. A short demo on the many features of the site is available at www.toolsforbusiness.info This FREE resource is provided as a courtesy to our members and individuals who are considering opening a small business in Glendale.

 

GLENDALE GLITTERS CELEBRATION IN DOWNTOWN GLENDALE

Dec. 3-4 Glendale’s Gingerbread Nights
Enjoy family fun all about gingerbread, including gingerbread décor, gingerbread food and beverages and all sorts of other treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. There will also be holiday performances and storytelling.

Dec. 10-11 Glendale’s Spirit of Giving
The holidays are a time of generosity, so what could be better than a whole weekend recognizing those who give back to our community. Get in the spirit of giving by paying tribute to those selfless organizations who make our community a better place to live. There will also be a food drive and kids can enjoy fun entertainment.

Dec. 17-18 Glendale’s Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights
Enjoy music, dancing, kids crafts and much more to celebrate the holidays.

Jan. 8 Glitter and Glow
Celebrate the BCS Champion teams, marching bands, food booths, arts & crafts booths
and entertainment as the holiday season ends with the countdown to shutting off more than 1.5 million lights and hot air balloons in downtown Glendale.
All of the festivities begin at 6pm in Murphy Park, downtown Glendale.
 

The Citadelle Plaza at 19420 N. 59th Ave. is holding a Farmers Market every Wednesday evening from 5pm to 9pm.

Park West at 9744 W. Northern Ave. presents Momma’s Organic Market every third Saturday from 8am to 2pm.
 

Representatives from Glendale Community College, area veterans organizations and Luke Air Force Base cut the ribbon at the dedication of the Veterans Services Center on the Glendale Community College Campus.
 

Extra Member News

Gold Canyon Bank Customer Appreciation Day – Gold Canyon Bank(9299 W. Olive Ave, Suite 601) will host a Customer Appreciation Day on Thursday December 9th. The Bank will host a variety of Holiday Treats and refreshments from 9am-5pm. The event is open for all Chamber members.

Cox Business Internet Services Enhanced. Cox Business has enhanced its internet product to include new management services to address broader IT needs of small and medium-sized businesses. The new capabilities include business class back-up, security and email. For more information visit coxbusiness.com or call 1-800-396-1609.

Glendale Seeks Partners for BCS Media Day   Once again, Glendale will be the site of the BCS College Football Championship game on January 10. The City of Glendale will host a Media Day on January 8 and is looking for business partners to host approximately 120 national media. Events are planned for Westgate City Center, Margaritaville, and Jobing.com arena. If you are interested in helping sponsor this event, contact Bob Lamb, Economic Development Administrator, City of Glendale 623-930-2134.
 

Save the Date !
Cesar Chavez “Celebrating Diversity” Breakfast March 31
TheGlendale Chamber and the City of Glendale’s Hispanic Network will host the 8th Annual Cesar Chavez “Celebrating Diversity” breakfast on March 31, 2011 at the Glendale Civic Center, beginning at 7:30am. The event commemorates the legacy of Cesar Chavez and recognizes outstanding community leadership in the promotion of diversity in Glendale and the West Valley. Mark your calendar and plan to attend. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Don Rinehart at 623-937-4754 for sponsorship information.
 

The Chamber has again contracted with Collette Vacations to provide two remarkable travel options for our members and the general public for 2011. Traveling out of Phoenix, Tropical Costa Rica will be offered for March 5-13, 2011. Trip highlights include : San Jose, Costa Rica – Doka Coffee Plantation – Guanoste – Monteverde Cloud Forest - Sky Walk – Arenal Volcano – Lake Arenal Cruise – Cano Negro Refuge and the Poas Volcano . Per person rates (all inclusive) begin at $2699.

Our trip to Rio de Janeiro will take place August 23-30, 2011 flying out of Phoenix. Trip highlights include : Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches – Gem Museum – Sugarloaf – Grumari9 Beach – Burle Marx Estate – Casa do Pontal Museum – Christ the Redeemer – Corcovado – Churrascaria Dinner. This fabulous trip is priced at $2499 per person (inclusive).
 

PLATINUM PLUS
SALT RIVER PROJECT
CITY OF GLENDALE
HUMANA OF ARIZONA
GLENDALE REPUBLIC
WAL-MART CORPORATION
WELLS FARGO BANK

GOLD
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA
MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY
THE GLENDALE STAR
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE

SILVER
TRI WEST HEALTHCARE
ARIZONA STATE SAVINGS & CREDIT UNION

BRONZE
CASINO ARIZONA
SANDERSON FORD
LARRY MILLER TOYOTA
M & I BANK
SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE

 

December 9 Chamber Holiday Blender & Silent Auction @ Embassy Suites

Happy Holidays from Your Glendale Chamber of Commerce! You are invited to join us at Embassy Suites (Greenway and I-17) from 5-7pm on December 9 for our Holiday Membership Blender and Silent Auction. FREE hors d’oeurves and cash bar! Over 25 silent auction items will be available for you to bid on to enhance your Holiday Shopping - everything from “staycations” to a number of products and services from Chamber member businesses! Raffle and doors prizes as well! Admission is FREE to this event, so bring a guest! And, there will be no extra charge for non-members. Please RSVP your attendance to 623-937-4754 or info@glendaleazchamber.org
 

First Friday Networking Breakfast December 3
An opportunity to promote your business, get great business information, have your photo taken for the Chamber”Pulse” newspaper and network with up to 35 other Chamber members at Bitzee Mama’s in downtown Glendale from 7:30am-9am on December 3. It’s only $5 for breakfast, and this month’s program will feature Leanna Griffin of Leonard Baker and Associates on the new tax laws and how they will affect small businesses. No RSVP necessary, and don’t forget to bring business cards. Mark your calendar also for January’s breakfast on January 7, 2011.

January Membership Networking Blender
Next month’s Membership Blender will be hosted by Max’s Sports Restaurant at 6727 North 47th Avenue. Come check out the largest collection of college football helmets in the USA and the new and improved Max’s! Raffle prizes, great food and lots of networking! Be sure to RSVP to 523-937-4754 or info@glendaleazchamber .org
 

November First Friday Networking at Bitzee Mama's
Standing: Jay Haught, Storage West; Scott Reimer, Nextcare; Rosanna Kent, Silpada Jewelry Designs; Fred Willey, Invader Pest Management. Sitting: Leanna Griffin, Leonard F. Baker, CPA; David Glick, Mobile Tech Computer Repair; Donna Williams, Creative Recreational Solutions; Gayle Brower, Avon.
 

The November Business Blender at Arrowhead Hospital was attended by more than 60 members. Some of those are pictured. Dan Dieterly of Zamzuu; Michael Nealy, administrator of Arrowhead Hospital and Kelly Grommes of Ninfa's Mexican Kitchen.
 

WESTGATE CITY CENTER CELBRATES THE HOLIDAY SEASON
MOVIES ON THE PLAZA – Thursdays and Fridays
Dec. 2nd Polar Express
Dec. 3rd How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dec. 9th A Christmas Story
Dec. 10th Fred Claus
Dec. 16th White Christmas
Dec. 17th Christmas Vacation
Dec. 23rd Elf
Dec. 24th It’s a Wonderful Life
All movies will begin at 7:30pm in the Water Dance Plaza. Bring your own chairs and blankets. And its free.

MUSIC IN THE PARK –Fridays and Saturdays
Enjoy great holiday entertainment in the Water Dance Plaza from Dec. 3rd through the 18th. Log on to westgatecitycenter.com for a list of groups and times.

MENORAH LIGHTING ON DECEMBER 2ND
A grand menorah lighting will take place at 5:30pm with live music from the “Jews Brothers” and holiday foods with latkes, donuts, a raffle, dreidel games and gelt for the kids plus face painting and arts and crafts for the kids.

SING FOR BLING, DECEMBER 10TH
From 6pm to 8pm, those brave enough to take the mic to sing their favorite holiday carol in the Fountain Park. While supplies last, participants will receive a $20 Westgate gift card. To sing, you must bring an article for the clothing drive.

WESTGATE BIKE NIGHT, DECEMBER 11TH
Bring a wrapped toy to help children in need have a better holiday season. The event will begin at 9:30am and end at 12 noon. The Saturday market and Hot Rods and Classics Cruise In will take place in the evening.

SHED ONE FOR THE TEAM DONATION DRIVE ON DECEMBER 12TH
In conjunction with the Cardinals-Broncos football game, Westgate is hoping to have the largest clothing drive in the valley. Those who are coming to the game are requested to dress in layers so when you can shed a layer to two at one of the donations bins to receive a discount coupon.

NAUGHTY OR NICE SANTA CRAWL, DECEMBER 23RD
From 8pm to 2am come dressed in holiday attire for the first holiday bar/restaurant crawl. The first 1,000 people to visit each participating establishment will receive a commemorative gift.

HOMEGAME TAILGATE PARTY, DECEMBER 25TH
The Christmas Day game in Glendale, the Cardinals and the Cowboys, tailgating and turkey. Gametime is 5:30pm. Tailgating begins at 2pm with football favorite food and drinks. Parking is $20 on gamedays, but if you spend at least $10 with any Westgate merchant, get your card validated and show your receipt at one of the redemption locations, you will get $20 back!!!
 

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE, Peoria, 623-776-8400
12/4,11,18 Christmas In The Land of Oz, Theatre for Young Audiences, 10am
12/10-24 Home for the Holidays
12/13 Blue Christmas: A Holiday Tribute to the King with Robert Shaw
12/15 Laugh Lines & Love Songs with John Davidson, 12 noon & 5:30pm
12/16 Ladies Who Lunch, Holiday Lunch & Specialty Shopping, 11am
12/16 & 22 The George Dyer Show, 5:30pm
12/17 & 24 It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Encore Room, 5:30pm
12/31 New Year’s Eve Gala, The Grandest Affair in Town
1/7-30 My Fair Lady
1/22-2/5 Cinderella! Cinderella! Theatre for Young Audiences, 10am

ARIZONA CARDINALS NFL FOOTBALL, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, 602-379-0102
12/5 vs St. Louis Rams, 2:15pm
12/12 vs Denver Broncos, 2:15pm
12/25 vs Dallas Cowboys, 5:30pm

CASINO ARIZONA, 101 & McKELLIPS, Scottsdale, 480-850-7777
Wed-Sun Showstoppers Live! Holiday Show through Christmas

JOBING.COM ARENA, Westgate Glendale, 1-800-745-3000
12/16 World Extreme Cagefighting, 4pm
1/16 Harlem Globetrotters, 2pm
1/28 Gaither Family Concert, 7pm

PHOENIX COYOTES NHL HOCKEY, Jobing.com Arena, Westgate Glendale, 480-563-PUCK
12/4 vs Florida Panthers, 6pm
12/9 vs Minnesota Wild, 7pm
12/11 vs Dallas Stars, 6pm
12/28 vs Anaheim Mighty Ducks, 7pm
12/29 vs Los Angeles Kings, 7pm

TALKING STICK RESORT, 101 & Indian Bend, Scottsdale, 480-850-7734
12/8-11 Society of Seven
1/6-8 Purple Reign: Prince Tribute Show, 8pm
1/16 Air Supply, 8pm

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM, Glendale, 1-800-745-3000
12/30 Fiesta Bowl Band Championships
1/1 40th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, 6pm
1/10 BCS National College Football Championship, 5:30pm

 

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CAPITOL UPDATE
November 15, 2010 Elaine Arena

Election
The votes are in and it will all be official with the canvass on November 29th. Republicans swept Arizona as in much of the rest of the country.

Republicans will enjoy a two-thirds majority in the Arizona House, winning 40 of 60 seats. In the Senate the split will be 21-9. The GOP took all the statewide offices with the voters electing Jan Brewer for Governor, Ken Bennett for Secretary of State, Tom Horne for Attorney General, John Huppenthal for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Doug Ducey for Treasurer, Joe Hart for Mine Inspector and Brenda Burns and Gary Pierce for Corporation Commission. (Side note – all except Ducey are former legislators.) In Congress the Arizona delegation flips from 5-3 Democrat to 5-3 Republican.

Voters approved four of ten ballot issues – health care choice, elimination of affirmative action-type programs, assuring a secret ballot for union elections and marijuana for medical use. At last look the military exchange proposal was narrowly defeated and a bi-partisan measure to change the deadline for foiling initiative petitions was losing by 123 votes.

Legislative Leadership and Committees
Russell Pearce will preside over the Arizona Senate, with former legislator Scott Bundgaard in the Majority Leader position. Steve Pierce will continue as Majority Whip. In the House Kirk Adams will serve another term as Speaker. Andy Tobin and Debbie Lesko round out the leadership team for the Majority.

Speaker Adams announced the full rosters for 17 House committees late last week. Committees include new Technology & Infrastructure and Employment and Regulatory Affairs committees, and a committee on Higher Education, Innovation & Reform. In the Senate President-elect Pearce announced 15 committees including a new one dealing with Border Security, Federalism and States’ Sovereignty. Commerce and Economic Development is split into two committees.

The First Regular Session of the 50th Arizona Legislature convenes Monday, January 10th. About one-third of the body will be freshman, though a fair number of those, particularly in the Senate, have prior legislative experience. The economy is the stated prior of virtually every legislator, new and experienced.

Revenue Picture
While the Arizona vote may have signaled support for tighter spending and more cuts voters soundly rejected the Legislature’s proposal to sweep funds from the First Things First early childhood support program ($324 million) and the Land Conservation Fund ($124 million), leaving an additional $448 million hole in the budget. The revenue shortage for the current fiscal year is estimated to be in excess of $800 million. And while there are signs of life in the economy there is consensus that the road back will be long. Arizona is facing a potential $1.4 billion revenue shortage for the fiscal year that begins July 2011.

 

 

Arizona Work Comp Rates Cut 2.8%

Good news for employers. The Arizona Department of Insurance approved a 2.8 percent overall rate reduction in workers’ compensation insurance premiums beginning Jan. 1. This is the second straight year the DOI has cut rates, helping to keep Arizona’s workers’ compensation among the lowest in the nation.

The recommended rate reductions are in every industry sector: manufacturing, contracting, office and clerical, agriculture, goods and miscellaneous.

Actual suggested rate adjustments for each policyholder is different and is determined by the classification code or codes for the occupations performed in the respective business. This means that some businesses may receive base rate premium decreases larger than 2.8 percent, while others may get an increase.

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The newest service club in the west valley was chartered on September 27th, 2010 with 28 members. It is a non-traditional Kiwanis club with one meeting a month. Other information about club activities are e-mailed to it’s members and shortly the club will have its own website. The President of the new Kiwanis club is Michelle Mounes of Kudzu, Vice President is Skip Woodrow of Century 21 All Stars Realty, the Secretary is Michelle Lucero and the Treasurer is Corey Moss of the National Bank of Arizona. For information about joining the Kiwanis Club of Westgate Glendale, call the club builder, Harry Shapiro, 602-999-4969.
 

Chamber's Board of Directors

James Vogt, M & I Bank, CHAIRMAN
Jennifer Willis, Humana of Arizona, CHAIR-ELECT
Sandy Petraitis, Salt River Project, TREASURER
Dr. Arthur Dobbelaere, Midwestern University, PAST CHAIR

Steve Adams, Alphagraphics
Deborah Campbell, Fast Signs on Bell
Dr. Velvie Green, Glendale Community College
Steve Harnden, Ameriprise Financial
Steve Hopkins, Wells Fargo Bank
Dawn Johnson, Arizona State Credit Union
Randy Johnson, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market
Elizabeth Langland, Arizona State University
Gail Meyers, GC Meyers & Associates
Mary Pritchard, Pritchard Group