MARCH 2013

"Business Monthly"

Dawn Johnson (Arizona State Credit Union) officially assumed leadership of the Glendale Chamber at our Annual Dinner/Mayor’s State of the City event held February 28.  She replaces Sandy Petraitis (SRP), who led the Chamber from October 2011 – January 2013. The event was attended by nearly 300 Chamber members, City officials and invited guests.

As outgoing Chairman, Petraitis lauded the 2012 efforts of the Chamber in : promoting a compromise two tier city sales tax formula, actively lobbying for Luke AFB’s selection as the F35 training facility, creating a social media presence for our membership, working with the City in creating one of the largest procurement fairs in Arizona, and restructuring the Chamber’s budget.

Ms. Johnson listed the 2013 Chamber priorities as : the sale of our office building and relocation to the Glendale Civic Center Annex, creating a Young Entrepreneurs program,  expanding our Procurement Program to include all West Valley cities, and adding a new education program to our small business seminars.

Two Chamber members received new awards recently established by the Chamber’s Board of Directors to recognize outstanding business achievement

Steve Adams (Alpha Graphics) received the Bill Nelson Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award for his efforts in helping to re-structure the Chamber’s financial reporting system, initiating new membership recruitment efforts, and printing invitations and flyers for Chamber events.  The Award was established this year in memory of William “Bill” Nelson, a past Chairman of the Board and long time Chamber volunteer who passed away suddenly in December of 2012.  His widow, June, also a past Chairman, was present to bestow the honor to Mr. Adams.  Steve owns three Alpha Graphics centers in the Valley and is active in the Mesa and Tempe Chambers as well.  He also serves as the Glendale Chamber Treasurer.

Steve Hopkins was awarded the Chamber’s Lifetime Leadership Award for his years of service to the Chamber as a board member, Chairman of the Board, his 14 years of fund raising efforts for the organization, and his tireless efforts to involve his employees in our activities.  Steve will retire this April from Wells Fargo after a 46-year career.

Dr. Arthur Dobbelaere (Midwestern University) and James Vogt (BMO Harris Bank) were recognized as retiring Board members, and the members of the 2013 Board of Directors were introduced.  Those members are : Randy Johnson (WalMart), Dr. Elizabeth Langland (ASU West), Dr. Donna Lewis (Glendale Elementary School District), Jean Higginbotham (Humana), Laura Witt (Banner Thunderbird Medical Center), Steve Hopkins (Wells Fargo), William Toops (Glendale State/Pueblo Publishers), Col Robert Webb (Luke AFB),Patrick McDermott (APS), Mayor Jerry Weiers, Steve Harnden (Ameriprise), Dr. Ron Natale (Glendale Community College), Mary Pritchard (Pritchard Insurance Group),Scott Spillman (BNC National Bank), Steve Adams (Alpha Graphics), Sandra Petraitis (SRP), Dave Mitchell (Ideal Insurance), Dawn Johnson (Arizona State Credit Union) and Jeff Blake (DeVry University).

Mayor Jerry Weiers gave his first “State of the City” address (see front page of The Star) and NBAHall of Fame Broadcaster and Glendale resident,  the Phoenix Suns’  Al McCoy was the evening’s emcee.  Mayor Weiers and McCoy raised over $1000 for the Chamber and nearly $4600 for Hope for Hunger with a spirited auction at the close of the event.

Steve Hopkins, Wells Fargo Bank receives "Lifetime Leadership" award

Steve Adams, Alphagraphics accepts "Volunteer of the Year" award from Chamber President, Don Rinehart.

3/13 Glendale Chamber Day at Camelback Ranch Ballpark, 1:05pm
3/21 Business Blender: Pullano’s Pizza & Wings, 13848 N. 51st Ave.  5pm
3/25 Bill Nelson Memorial Spring Golf League, Glen Lakes Golf Course  4:30pm
4/5   First Friday Networking Breakfast, Bitzee Mama’s, 7023 N. 58th Ave.  7:30am
4/18 Business Blender: Legend at Arrowhead, 21027 N. 67th Ave. at Legend Blvd.  5pm
        (Golf at Noon, for those interested)
        FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS, PLEASE CALL THE CHAMBER, 
        623-937-4754

BILL NELSON MEMORIAL GOLF LEAGUE BEGINS MARCH 25TH

The Annual Glendale Chamber Spring Golf League is now named for founding league golfer
and chamber member, Bill Nelson, who passed away in December.  The weekly 9 hole league will begin Monday, March 25th and play every week through June 10th.  Two person teams will play against each other weekly using basic handicap scoring so everyone has an opportunity to win.  There will be three closest to the pin prizes each week and a barbeque awards night following golf on June 10th.
Glen Lakes Golf Course, at 5450 W. Northern, which has been recently upgraded and improved, will be the home of the event.  Total cost for the 12 week league is only $250 per person, which includes golf, cart, weekly prizes and season ending barbeque.  For information and registration, call Harry Shapiro at the chamber, 623-937-4754.

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers at he Ground Breaking Dedication Ceremony of the Future Home of St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center, 99th Ave. north of Glendale Ave.  The Dignity Health facility is scheduled to open in 2014

Thank You To Our Chairman's Circle

PLATINUM PLUS
SALT RIVER PROJECT
CITY OF GLENDALE
HUMANA OF ARIZONA
WAL-MART CORPORATION
WELLS FARGO BANK
WILD HORSE PASS DEVEL. AUTHORITY

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

SILVER
TRI WEST HEALTHCARE
ARIZONA STATE CREDIT UNION
BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER

BRONZE
BNC NATIONAL BANK
CASINO ARIZONA
CENTURY LINK
SANDERSON FORD
LARRY MILLER TOYOTA
BMO HARRIS BANK
SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE
STATE COMPENSATION FUND

Dawn Johnson Arizona State Credit Union  incoming chair of the Chamber

Mayor Weiers featured speaker at Chamber event

March 21 Membership Blender Hosted by Pullano’s

Back by popular demand, our big March Membership Networking Event will be held at Pullano’s Pizza and Wings at 51st Avenue and Thunderbird on March 21 from 5-7pm.  This is always one of our larger networking events and the food and beverages are plentiful!!!  Please RSVP for this one (call 623-937-4754 or reply to this email).

April 5 “First Friday” to Feature Marketing and Affordable Networking Program

Join us at Bitzee Mama’s in downtown Glendale on April 5 for our “First Friday Membership Breakfast” from 7:30-8:45am.  Great food, networking, a chance to give a commercial about your business, and a fun program this month featuring Wayne Lawson from Sign A Rama.  Wayne is one of the Chamber’s best networkers and will share his tips on how you can effectively market your business on a low budget!  No RSVP necessary!  Just bring business cards to share!!!

February's First Friday Networking Breakfast at Bitzee Mama's. 
Standing: Peter Richardson, Thunderbird Retirement Resort; Wayne Lawson, Sign a Rama on 51st Ave; Leanna Griffin, Leonard F. Baker, CPA; Michelle Mounes, Avondale Auto Group;  Dave Mitchell, Ideal Insurance Agency; Bill Bearding, SCORE.  Sitting: Tom & Bonnie Wear and Anne Wright, Rose Terrace RV Park; Teresa Van Zandt, Calibre Academy;  Daniel Fink, Ideal Insurance Agency; Jane Haught, Storage West.

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE, 7701 W. Paradise Ln., Peoria 623-776-8400

Thru 3/31     Buddy Holly Story
3/11 Paperback Writer – The Beatles Experience
4/10 The Man In Black starring Robert Shaw and Lonely Street Productions
4/11 The Blues Brothers – Lonely Street Productions
4/19-5/19 9 to 5

CAMELBACK RANCH SPRING TRAINING BASEBALL, 10710 W. Camelback Rd., 623-302-5000

3/7 Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Dodgers  1:05pm
3/8 San Diego Padres vs Chicago White Sox  1:05pm
Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Dodgers  7:05pm
3/9 Seattle Mariners vs Los Angeles Dodgers  1:05pm
3/10 Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago White Sox  1:05pm
3/11 Colorado Rockies vs Chicago White Sox  1:05pm
3/13 GLENDALE CHAMBER DAY Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox  1:05pm
3/14 Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers  1:05pm
3/15 Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox  1:05pm
        Kansas City Royals vs Los Angeles Dodgers  7:05pm

CASINO ARIZONA, Loop 101 and McKellips, Scottsdale  480-850-7777

3/22 Wanted – The Bon Jovi Tribute Band
3/29 Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience
4/5 Pyromania – Def Leppard Tribute Act
4/26 Fan Halen 2013

JOBING.COM ARENA, Westgate City Center, Glendale  623-772-3200

4/23 Bon Jovi – Because We Care Tour

PHOENIX COYOTES NHL HOCKEY, Jobing.Com Arena, Westgate City Center, Glendale  623-772-3200

3/7 vs St. Louis Blues 7pm
3/9 vs Dallas Stars  6pm
3/12 vs Los Angeles Kings  7pm
3/21 vs Vancouver Canucks  7pm
3/25 vs Detroit Red Wings  7pm


TALKING STICK RESORT AND CASINO, Loop 101 and Indian Bend, Scottsdale  480-850-7743

Thru 4/8 Michael Grimm at Orange Sky  7pm
3/22 Dave Mason  8pm
3/23 Kenny Rogers  8pm
3/29 Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.  8pm
4/6 Justin Furstenfeld  8pm
4/20 Dwight Yoakam  8pm
4/26 Foreigner  8pm

WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL AND CASINO, 5050 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler  1-800-946-4452

3/8 Jason Latimer – World Champion Magic
3/9 Engelbert Humperdinck
3/10 Legends of Country Music Show
3/15 Paul Riser
3/16  Chino y Macho
3/22 Gladys Knight
3/23 Creedence Clearwater Revisited
3/29 Don Rickles
3/30 Latin Comedy Jam III



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After years of planning, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is pleased to announce the addition of two female juvenile California Sea Lions to its collection of more than 600 avian, terrestrial and aquatic species.  These are the only marine mammals in Arizona and the first sea lions on permanent display in the state for around 40 years.   “For nearly a decade, WWZA has been working towards the goal of sharing the wonders of marine mammals with our more than 400,000 visitors each year,” commented Mickey Ollson, Zoo Director and Founder.

The Glendale Union High School District has been named “The College Board Advanced Placement Equity and Excellence District of the Year.  GUHSD was awarded for being the nation’s leader among medium sized school districts in expanding access to Advanced Placement courses while simultaneously improving AP exam performance.  Students, teachers and administrators, along with local public officials and College Board executives, celebrated these achievements recently at an awards ceremony.

Sahuaro Ranch Park will be the site for Glendale’s Folk & Heritage Festival, March 23rd and 24th, from 10am to 5pm.  The event features more than 150 performers presenting everything from folk and bluegrass music to cowboy poetry and storytelling.  Other highlights include historic site tours, blacksmith demonstrations, a children’s stage and activity area, along with other workshops led by accomplished entertainers.  Admission is free.  Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Ribbon Cutting at Wildflower Bread Company, 17530 N. 75th Ave.  Pictured with owner Louis Basile and manager Jennifer Harrison, family and staff are Wayne and Myrna Barress, State Farm; Tina Ratley, Arizona Exterminating; Gary Sherwood, Glendale City Council; Charlott Givens, Monika Nylund and Don RInehart, Glendale Chamber; Manny Martinez, Glendale City Council; Tim Harris, Challenger Space Center; Barbara Knight, Rita's Ice Custard Happiness.

Don Hom has joined the Sun City practice of Harnden and Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services at 10240 W. Bell Rd.  He will use his 15 years of experience to help clients plan for their financial goals through a personal long term financial planning relationship.

Ribbon Cutting at White Eyes Fresh Fry Bread, 20219 N. 59th Ave. 
Pictured with owner Alice Roach, family and friends are Marie Brennan, Deer Valley Education Foundation; Terry Mead, Attorney; Yvonne Knaack, Glendale Vice Mayor; Gary Sherwood and Ian Hugh, Glendale City Council;  Sharon Hugh, Ian High Tire and Auto; Myrna and Wayne Barress, State Farm; Jerry Weiers, Mayor of Glendale; Tina Ratley, Arizona Exterminating; Patricia Ryan and Terri Hall, Hall Accounting

Sunrise Bank of Arizona’s Arrowhead office will host a Community Shredding Day at their location on Friday, March 8th from 10am to 2pm.  They are located at 17235 N. 75th Ave., Suite B-100, which is just north of Bell Rd.  For more information, call Branch Manager, Cathy Mireles, at 623-776-0800.

Chamber's Board of Directors

Dawn Johnson, Arizona State Credit Union, CHAIR
Steve Adams, Alphagraphics, TREASURER
Sandy Petraitis, Salt River Project, PAST CHAIR
Dave Mitchell, Ideal Insurance, Chair Elect

Jeff Blake, DeVry University
Steve Harnden, Ameriprise Financial
Jean Higginbotham, Humana
Steve Hopkins, Wells Fargo Bank
Randy Johnson, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market
Elizabeth Langland, Arizona State University
Dr. Donna Lewis, Glendale Elementary School District
Mayor Jerry Weiers
Patrict McDermott, Arizona Public Service
Dr. Ron Natale, Glendale Community College
Mary Pritchard, Pritchard Group
Scott Spillman, BNC National Bank
Bill Toops, Pueblo Publishers
Laura Witt, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center

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