JUNE 2013

"Business Monthly"

Glendale Chamber of Commerce President Don Rinehart has announced his retirement, effective the end of October.  Rinehart is a 34  plus year veteran Chamber Executive, serving as President in Atlantic, Iowa – Indianola, Iowa – Clinton, Iowa – Elgin, Illinois – and in Glendale since 1998.

“I think it’s time for a change, both for me and the Chamber,” said Rinehart.  “It’s been a great 15 years here with all the development that has happened, but I think now, after almost 35 years in the  business,  is the right time to retire.  My primary goal when I was hired was to turn the organization around from the poor financial condition it was in when I arrived, to one of financial security when I left…and we have accomplished that.”  Rinehart cited the strong financial support from the Chamber’s “Chairman’s Circle” of corporate members and the City of Glendale as major forces behind the Chamber’s ability to weather the economic downturn over the last several years.  Membership shrunk in most Valley Chambers by more than 30% during that time, and Glendale was no exception.  Rinehart credits the Chamber’s board with good leadership in creating a reserve fund during the early 2000’s that helped the organization survive during the lean times.

During his tenure, the Chamber grew to be one of the largest Chamber’s in the West Valley, with nearly 900 members and an annual budget of more than $500,000.  The organization played key support roles in the development of Glendale’s sports and entertainment districts and worked behind the scenes in many local economic development and political issues involving taxes, transportation improvements, and Luke Air Force Base. 


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The Country Hollow Homeowners Association recently dedicated a park in honor of past Glendale Chamber Chairman of the Board and past President of the association to William R. “Bill” Nelson.  Pictured with his wife, June, also a past Chairman of the Board of the Glendale Chamber, are friends, family, residents and chamber members Tami and Don Rinehart of the Glendale Chamber, Randy Miller of Race Computers, Joel Poes of Moto Photo, Pamela Boynton of Arizona Office Liquidators and Design, and Glendale Vice Mayor Yvonne Knaack of State Farm Insurance.

Photo credit to Betty Sharpe

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE, 7701 W. Paradise Ln., Peoria  623-776-8400
Thru 6/23 Into the Woods
6/3-7  Squirm!  A Wiggly, Giggly, Squiggly Musical. Academy for Young Performers
6/7  ABT Cabaret
6/10-28  Teen Camp – Academy for Young Performers
6/21  ABT Cabaret
7/12-8/18 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
7/15-19  Alice In Wonderland – Missoula Children’s Theatre
7/19  ABT Cabaret
7/22-8/2 Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical – Academy for Young Performers

CASINO ARIZONA, Loop 101 and McKellips, Scottsdale  480-850-7777
6/7  The Long Run Experience The Eagles, 7:30pm

JOBING.COM ARENA, Westgate City Center  623-772-3200
7/14  New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men, 7:30pm

LE CHALET, 5626 W. Bell Rd., Glendale  602-337-8760
7/2  Ice Cave Comedy Show, 7pm
Thursdays Chamber Networking and Happy Hour Music with Kenny Thames, 3pm-6pm

TALKING STICK RESORT AND CASINO, Loop 101 and Indian Bend, Scottsdale  480-850-7743
6/6-7  Alan Parsons Live Project, 8pm
6/21  Boz Skaggs, 8pm
6/22  Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual Tour, 8pm
7/11  Jim Gaffigan and the White Bread Tour, 8pm
7/12  B-52s and the Go Go’s Live, 8pm
7/13  Happy Together Tour, 8pm
7/26  BoDeans, 8pm

WILD HORSE PASS AND CASINO, 5040 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler  800-946-4452
6/8  Jewel
6/14  Strait Country – Tribute to George Strait
6/15  Morris Day and the Time plus the Dazz Band
6/21  Andy Grammer and Vicci Martinez
6/22  Rage in the Cage #166
6/29  Sylvia Browne
7/12-13  Dry Heat Classic – Golf and Michael Finney’s All Star Comedy Review
7/28  Sara Evans

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
Patrick 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

First Friday Networking Breakfast
Are You Maximizing Your Office Phone System?

Join us Friday June 6 at Bitzee Mamas in downtown Glendale for our “First Friday Membership Breakfast” from 7:30-8:45am.  It’s only $5, and its great food and networking…plus a program on your office phone system presented by Diana Watkins of Unitech.  No RSVP necessary, but bring business cards and be ready to give a 30 second commercial promoting your business!!!

Membership Networking Blender

Here’s a networking event you will not want to miss.  Join us on June 20 at Parker Hannefin Manufacturing in the Glendale Airpark (off the Loop 101 just south of Northern) from 5-7pm.  One of the premier manufacturers of aerospace components in the U.S. , Parker Hannefin has been a major Glendale employer for many years.  Now Chamber members can get a glimpse at the company’s products and manufacturing processes as they host our June Blender.  Great food and drink, plus raffle prizes!  Please RSVP for this one to 623-937-4754 or info@glendaleazchamber.org.

6/7......  First Friday Networking Breakfast, Bitzee Mama’s, 7023 N. 58th Ave., 7:30am
6/20....  Business Blender: Parker Hannifin, 7777 N.Glen Harbor Blvd., Glendale, 5pm
7/12....  First Friday Networking Breakfast, Bitzee Mama’s, 7023 N. 58th Ave., 7:30am
7/18....  Business Blender: Phoenix Coyotes/Jobing.Com Arena, (tentative), 5pm
For information and details call: 623-937-4754

May First Friday Networking Breakfast at Bitzee Mama’s.  Standing: Teri Van Zant and Charlotte McGettigan, Learning Matters; David Lastinger, First Credit Union; Wayne Lawson, Sign a Rama on 51 Ave.; Leanna Griffin, Leonard F.Baker CPA; Russell Kuhlman and Deborah Desmond, Melaluca.  Sitting:  David Mitchell, Ideal Insurance Agency AND Chamber Board Member; Jean June, Goldensun; Joel Poes, MotoPhoto; Jane Haught, Storage West; Terry Mead, Mead & Associates.

Attending the May Blender at Peoria Pines Golf Club, 8411 N. 107th Ave., Peoria are Glendale Vice Mayor Yvonne Knaack of State Farm Insurance, new member Eric Salem of Noah’s Ark Pediatric and Chamber Board Chairman Dawn Johnson of Arizona State Credit Union.

The Salvation Army Annual Civic Luncheon was held recently and many awards were presented for “giving back” to the community.  Featured was the annual “others” award.
This year, the honor was bestowed to Quentin and Shirley Tolby.  Quentin is a former business owner, Mayor of Glendale, Justice of the Peace and past Chairman of the Board for the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.  Shirley has been involved with the Farm Bureau Cotton Debutant Ball, Glendale Historical Society, Thunderbirds Golf Tournament and many other local organizations.  For all the years of their devoted volunteerism in and for the community, the award is much deserved.

The Peoria Unified School District posted documents on its website detailing specific planned expenditures from the $180 million dollar bond funds, generously approved by voters last year.  The document, which specifies the projects and costs for each school site is located at www.peoriaud.k12.az.us and click on “Financial Transparency” then “2012 Bond.”  An additional document detailing the recommendations for expenditures from the Site Council at each elementary and high school is available on the district’s web site

As temperatures reach triple digits, The Phoenix Rescue Mission’s top priority is to provide heat relief to thousands of people living on the streets in the area.  Currently, the Mission’s “Hope Coach” travels the streets of our community distributing sack lunches, clothing and most important bottled water.  Chamber members, Lerner & Rowe, their staff, colleagues, friends and family are joining forces to help by giving water to those in dire need.
Please drop off as many cases of water as possible at one of the two west valley locations.  You can also donate money to purchase more water.  Make checks payable to the “Rowe Family Charitable Foundation”.  They are located at 5525 W. Glendale and 7200 W. Bell in Glendale.

Blood donations can decline up to 25% during holidays.  Since blood has a shelf life of 42 days, June blood donations can replenish the blood supply following the Memorial Day weekend.  Give blood from June 1 to August 31 and you could drive away a hero with a 2013 Passat S.  To make an appointment to find the hero in you, call 1-877-827-4376 or visit www.bloodhero.com. 

Another way to save lives and win a prize is to fill out a New Online Health History Questionnaire.  Complete your questionnaire on the same day before your visit to United Blood Services and you will be entered into weekly drawings for a pair of round trip tickets to the Grand Canyon, courtesy of the Grand Canyon Railway.  Simply go to www.arizonahero.com/healthhistory

For the month of June, the new Native New Yorker Arrowhead Restaurant will hold a Grand Opening celebration featuring specials including weekly raffles for flatscreen TVs, a grill, gift cards and much more.  The Native New Yorker Arrowhead is open 11am to 11pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am to 1pm Friday and Saturday.  The restaurant is located at 7322 W. Bell Rd.

Ribbon Cutting at Connally’s Bar & Grill, 5160 W. Northern.  With owners Sharon Jeter, Charles Sansone, Richard Holland and Leslie Holland, staff, family and friends are Glendale Chamber Board members Mary Pritchard, Pritchard Insurance and Dawn Johnson, Arizona State Credit Union.

Ribbon Cutting at the Haven Boutique, 19420 N. 59th Ave. C-123 in the Citadelle Plaza.  Pictured is owner Anna Kuttner with family and friends

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
BNC NATIONAL BANK
TRI WEST HEALTHCARE
ARIZONA STATE CREDIT UNION
BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER

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