Klc biz 7 15

Volume 7, No. 7

July 2015

Business

Connection

Kelso Longview

Chamber of Commerce

Calendar Friday

July 3 Chamber Office Closed Visitor Center Open

Wednesday

July 8 – Noon Ribbon Cutting The Soap Factory 1227 Commerce Ave., Longview

Friday

July 10 – Noon Ribbon Cutting & Open House My Agency and ASAP Business Solutions 1324 Vandercook Way, Longview

A dash of fun to brighten the summer

By Brenda Sexton For the Kelso Longview Chamber

Thursday

July 16 – 7:30 a.m.

Ambassador Committee Canterbury Park 1335 3rd Ave., Longview

It’s a fundraiser with a splash of color and a dash of zaniness.

The Kelso Longview Chamber

Tuesday

of Commerce is the

July 21 – Noon Board of Directors Longview Country Club 41 Country Club Dr., Longview

beneficiary of a Color Dash movement that is

Tuesday

July 21 – 5:30 p.m.

Business After Hours Five Dons Brewing 1158 11th Ave., Longview

Friday

July 31 – 3 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting Customer Appreciation Heritage Bank 927 Commerce Ave., Longview

Every Wednesday

Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM – 3 to 4 p.m.

Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com Local guest and current events

changing the hue of community fundraising across the United States.

Color Dash 5K

Three Rivers Mall Aug. 1 – 9 a.m. $40 individual; $85 family of 3 $15 for each additional, up to six family members All prices $10 more day of race Register at THECOLORDASH5K.com

Participants start the untimed, family-friendly 5K with a white T-shirt, b

provided by organizers, and at each

Please see Color Dash, page 3

SATURDAY AUGUST 1, 2015 5K FUN RUN/WALK ALL AGES 351 Three Rivers Dr. Kelso, WA 98626

PRE-PACKET PICKUP JULY 31, 12PM-7PM | RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP, 8AM

COLOR DASH STARTS AT 10AM

THE COLOR DASH

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REGISTER AT: THECOLORDASH5K.COM

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Color Dash, from page 1

Color Dash organizers say the color is safe, 100 percent non-toxic, food-grade cornstarch and coloring.

kilometer a color is added – blue, a sprinkle of green, splash of yellow, spray of orange and blast of pink.

At the conclusion of the event, the promoters hit the crowd with one last blast of color.

“There are different companies who do it different ways,” Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Project Manager Karen Sisson said.

Sisson said although no one in the office has participated in one, Facebook photos from other events make it look like fun, especially for kids and families.

The Chamber is working with The Color Dash, which has similar events scheduled across the country. They pitched the product to the Chamber unsolicited. Sisson said she and the others in the office were intriqued, especially since they were looking to replace the popular Jingle in July 5K fun run and fundraiser, which was bumping into a similar local parks and recreation Fourth of July event.

Organizers claim 50 percent of every registration goes back into the community and dashers around the globe have raised more than $1 million for local causes.

“The money we raise goes to various Chamber projects including scholarships,” Sisson said. “Everything we earn goes right back into the community.”

Chamber CEO Bill Marcum made a call to friends at the Pendleton (Oregon) Chamber, which hosted the event last year.

Sisson said she hopes the run brings in about 600 participants, similar to that of Jingle All The Way in December.

“Overall, they said it was a really great experience and they would highly recommended it,” Sisson said.

On paper it looks like a win-win – the Chamber hosts a fun, community event that raises money to serve the community and Chamber staff can use its time better serving its members while Color Dash organizers run the event.

The event started to take shape when Three Rivers Mall committed to stay on as sponsor.

Kelso’s Color Dash is set for a 9 a.m. start Aug. 1 at Three Rivers Mall. Registration is currently being taken at THECOLORDASH5K.com. Registration is $40 for individuals or $85 for a family of three. All prices go up $10 on race day.

“We really value our partnership with Linda (DiLembo) and the Mall and wanted to continue with an event that would drive people to the area.

“It could become an annual event, if it is a good fit for us and the Mall,” Sisson said.

A ticket (receipt) is required for entry into the event. Each paid participant receives a T-shirt, bib, tattoo and color pack. T-shirts are only guaranteed for those who register within 10 days of the event.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

% 20 OFFIDE STOREW

Bill Marcum, CEO Karen Sisson, Project Manager Amy Hallock, Bookkeeper

Take your relaxation seriously.

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce.

105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400

Authorized Lazyboy Dealer

To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or e-mail bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline: 20th of each month.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

CEO’s Message

Golf tournament couldn’t net a better outcome

By Bill Marcum CEO – Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

beautifully. Thank you.

More than 50 items were donated and given away at the raffle and auction at the awards banquet.

All in all we had more than 35 sponsors and 20 volunteers to help make this a full day of fun. For a complete list of our hole, cart, and photograph sponsors, see page 8, and for winners, photos and much, much, more please see pages 6 and 7. Thank you to all of you for your sponsorship.

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Chamber Golf Classic June 8 at Longview Country Club.

We had 124 golfers representing more than 90 businesses for this fun event. The weather was perfect, okay, maybe a little bit warm at 89 degrees, but for most it was perfect.

A special thank you to our tournament sponsor Stirling Honda, who, for the fifth year in a row, has been our presenting sponsor for the tournament.

There were some people on the course, who obviously had played golf before, and they played well enough to capture a trophy. In the Gross Division, first place went to the Cowlitz Black Bears team; second place to the Chamber Committee team, and third place to the team from the City of Longview.

In the Net Division, first place went to Three Rivers Eye Care; second place to Stirling Honda, and third place to Planet Fitness.

The Shamrock Spirits and Grill provided this year’s lunch, and Steve Jones’ staff did an incredible job preparing the burgers and brats. Thank you, Steve. C’s Photography was there to take photos of every team that participated, then rushed back to the studio and off to Reprographics for printing so we could hand them out at the awards dinner. Whew! And it came off

Please see CEO, page 5

The guys representing Ashtown/ Bob’s Merchandise were hands down the top choice for best dressed at the tournament.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

CEO, from page 4 For the first time in tournament history, we presented an award to the best-dressed team. It was hard to ignore the colorful fashion statement – neon pink shirts and mermaid trousers – of Ashtown/Bob’s Merchandise. They were easily the winner...nice job guys.

“Helpful Downto-Earth Staff” “I have banked with Fibre Federal for over 18 years. The helpful down-to-earth staff have always given us 100%. Fibre Federal always has very competitive loan rates so we have never had to check anywhere else. Their staff is easy to work with and their knowledge is exceptional.”

- Heather L. Brady, Insurance Agent

I also want to say thank you to the Golf Classic Committee of Dave Taylor, Scott Fischer, Clay Bartness and staff member Karen Sisson. We start working on this tournament in March, meeting every other week until May and then weekly to make sure everyone who attends is going to have a fun day.

Our Ambassadors volunteer for much of the duties. With the hot weather the red coats were optional, but most donned red polo shirts and assisted with raffle ticket sales and registration, served as hole-in-one witnesses and just about anything else needed that day. Thank you all. Special volunteers included Jackie Evenson and Leslie Bartness, who shuttled our sponsors to and from their sponsored holes so they could set up their tents and tables. They also were coerced into assisting some of our golfers up the hill to registration. Thank you.

And finally, but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to Chamber staff, Amy and Karen. They prepared all the tee prize bags (124), checked in all the golfers, set up the registration, worked the dinner and awards, selling more raffle tickets, raffled off the prizes, coordinated payments and made sure all our golfers had a good time. It was a full 14-hour day for them. Thank you.

Thank you again to all sponsors, all players, and the Longview Country Club staff...see you next year!

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Golf Classic

2015 Chamber Golf Classic Winners

1st Gross (60) Cowlitz Black Bears Jim Appleby, Bob Rose, Eric Cheatley, Shawn Carson

1st Net (50.9) Three Rivers Eye Care Ed Laulainen, Rick Hopkins, Amy Brudi, Eric Brudi

2nd Gross (61) Kelso Longview Chamber Bill Marcum, Dave Taylor, Scott Fischer, Jeff Gray

2nd Net (51.5) Stirling Auto Group Jerry Gee, Virginia Palmer, Scott Persin, Gary Palmer

3rd Gross (62) City of Longview Bob Gregory, Chris Smith, Cory Balkan, Kurt Sacha

3rd Net (51.9) Plant Fitness Kevin Hale, Adam McQuaid, Yale Pritchett, Andrew Reinhart

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Golf Classic

Drivers start your engines! Sixty-two golf carts lined up and ready to transport 124 golfers up the hill.

ServePro, Hole 17 sponsor, staying cool and providing cool beverages for golfers!

Fairway Fabulous The weather and the participants were hot, hot, hot for this year’s Chamber Golf Classic June 8 at Longview Country Club.

There were 124 golfers representing more than 90 businesses this year.

Koelsch Senior Communities’ Diane Craft provided a break for golfers on the 18th hole.

By afternoon, everyone was ready to cool off in the clubhouse and enjoy a barbecue dinner.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

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T hank You to our 2015 Sponsors Title Sponsor

Stirling Motors

Hole 1 Red Canoe Credit Union

Hole 13 Foster Farms

Hole 2 Longview Eye Clinic

Hole 14 Millennium Bulk Terminals

Par 3, Hole 3 PeaceHealth Foundation Hole 4 Riverwoods Chiropractic Hole 5 Cowlitz River Rigging Hole 6 Three Rivers Eye Clinic Par 3, Hole 7 Columbia Ford

Hole 15 Les Schwab Par 3, Hole 16 Ocean Beach Self Storage Hole 17 ServPro Longview Hole 18 Koelsch Senior Communities

Hole 8 Futcher-Henry CPA

Beverage Cart Express Employment Professionals

Hole 9 Kentucky Fried Chicken

Putting Contest Fibre Federal Credit Union

Hole 10 Edward Jones - Nick Lemiere Hole 11 D and C Lemmons Par 3, Hole 12 H & S Enterprises

Tee Prize Sponsor Prographyx Lunch Sponsor Cascade Networks Shamrock Grill & Spirits

Driving Range Sponsor State Farm Insurance Fischer & Beal Photo Sponsor Reprograghics Propel Insurance C’s Photography PNE Corp Three Rivers Mall 19th Hole Sponsor Signature Transport Cart Sponsor Bob’s Merchandise Raffle Sponsor Cascade Title Hole in One NORPAC Dinner Sponsor Twin City Bank Dessert Sponsor Coldwell Banker-Bain Registration Table Cowlitz County Title

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

Best practices for recruiting and hiring the long-term unemployed

By Julia Maglione Communications Manager – Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

pational and leadership requirements for a given position and not just on an applicant’s current or recent employment status.

• Engage with local and regional entities to reach broad segments of the population with relevant skills and experience.

(WorkSource can help.)

3. Revise your screening and hiring processes so they do not intentionally or inadvertently disadvantage indiEmployment and Training viduals from being considOpportunities Available for the ered for a job solely on their Long-term Unemployed unemployment status.

WorkSource has free grant funds available Another way your compa- for education, training and re-employment ny can help get the long-term assistance for individuals who have been unemployed back to work is out of work for 27 weeks or more. to contact WorkSource to If you’re interested in high-tech or manulearn about funds they have facturing positions, attend a free informaavailable to offset your hir- tion session (beginning July 13) on the secing costs through on-the- ond or fourth Monday of the month from job training (OJT) dollars 1:30 to 3 p.m. at WorkSource, 305 S. Pacific that would reimburse your Ave., Suite A in Kelso or call 360-578-4231. company for a portion of the new hire’s salary as they learn skills customized to your business. WorkSource may also be able to pay for your new employees to obtain certifications or other trainings needed for employment.

If you’ve been interviewing candidates and are considering making some hires, now is a great time to contact WorkSource to find out if your company qualifies for these grant funds. Contact Donna Hughes at DHughes@esd.wa.gov or Tana Haddenham at thaddenham@esd.wa.gov or call 360-578-4219.

Julia Maglione is communications manager at the SWWDC. She can be reached at jmaglione@swwdc.org or 360-567-3176.

Despite declining unemployment and an increase in the number of jobs available, some in our community are not enjoying the economic recovery – individuals who have been out of work longer than 27 weeks – also known as the long-term unemployed.

Studies show long-term unemployed job applicants are frequently overlooked and sometimes excluded from job opportunities – even when they have identical resumes and skills to other candidates.

It is important to recognize the experience, talent and skills of these individuals and give them the same opportunities as other applicants; excluding them from consideration hurts them, your business and our economy. Businesses succeed when their communities thrive.

If your company has unfilled jobs and/or if you will be hiring in the future, now is a perfect time to review your hiring practices and remove any barriers that may prevent qualified long-term unemployed job seekers from applying or being fully considered for jobs at your company.

According to guidelines released by the White House in October 2014 and agreed to by at least 200 businesses, including 80 of the nation’s largest businesses, some areas to review: 1. Ensure advertising does not discourage or discriminate against unemployed individuals.

2. Review current recruiting practices to ensure they cast a broad net and encourage all qualified candidates to consider applying, including the long-term unemployed, by taking steps that may include: • On your website, in application materials or in other places where it can be seen by potential applicants, publicize your commitment that qualified unemployed individuals will not be disadvantaged solely on their unemployment status.

• Interview or otherwise consider qualified long-term unemployed individuals.

• Train your hiring teams and recruiters to focus on the occu-

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Boot Camp

Boot Camp Boardmanship The Chamber’s Boardsmanship 101 series concluded with Erin Brown, Lower Columbia College Foundation executive director, leading discussion on succession planning. The early Friday morning lecture drew 35 people for the final of the six sessions. “We had a great six weeks designed to give people who are current or prospective board members more information into what is their role, responsibilities and accountability when serving,” said Chamber CEO Bill Marcum. “Thank you to all who attended and the six presenters.”

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2015 Small Business

BOOT CAMP Friday Mornings ★ Lower Columbia College

7:30 am - 9 am ★ Heritage Room at LCC - Admin. Bldg.

Six Pack

-

$

100 Member Price

160 Non-Member Price

$

Register Online Today!

Tools You Can Use to Help Your Business

Immediately!!

ET ED

SAFETY & SECURITY Six Pack March 6 Workplace Violence, Safety and the Police. Facilitator: Andy Hamilton, Kelso Police Chief.

March 13 Fraud Prevention, Internal and External.

Facilitator: David Futcher, Futcher-Henry, CPA

PL

March 20 Technology, Computers and Data Security. Facilitator: Jayson Rogen, Techalytix

BOARDMANSHIP six pack

May 8 Role of the Board vs. the CEO Facilitated by Rick Winsman

Sept. 11 What does your window and your store say to customers? Talking about window displays, store displays, signage in the store, dust on the items, poor lighting etc. Facilitator: TBA

May 15 Handling Conflict.

Facilitated by Jennifer Leach, WSU Extension Faculty and President of the Longview School Board. Sept. 18 Employee Training – are your employees trained to help the customer or just ring up a May 22 Financial Accountability. sale? Facilitator: TBA Facilitated by Scott Davis, CPA;

Sept. 25 Purchasing Strategies – Do you have a plan? Facilitator: Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Advisor SBDC

Boot Camp

NO Charge if YOU have attended at least one Six Pack !

Fri., Oct. 23 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Utilize your own think tank to solve Critical issues. Facilitator: Chris Bailey, President Lower Columbia College

360-423-8400

M

Oct. 2 Pricing Strategies – Cowlitz County, Facilitator: Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Advisor SBDC

CO

CO

M

Davis & Associates, CPAs March 27 Employee Theft and Theft from Business.

May 29 Working as a Team.

Facilitator: Andy Hamilton, Kelso Police Chief Facilitated by Frank McShane, Cascade Networks April 3 Protecting Your Image (Social Media).

June 5 Facilitating and Leading Meetings Facilitator: TBA Facilitated by Terry McLaughlin, Cowlitz County April 10 No Class – Spring Break Assessor April 17 Protecting your Business June 12 Strategic and Succession Planning.

Facilitator: Bob Beal, State Farm Insurance Facilitated by Erin Brown, Executive Director LCC Foundation

BONUS

g Brin r, … p u pe Sign ookkee r, ge rb you r mana you spouse e! r you a charg xtr no e

RETAILING six pack

ET ED

it 25 p Cam er p Se ssio n!

PL

Lim

Chamber Members Non-Chamber Members

Oct. 9 Promotion Strategies – Advertising: mail, radio, online, print. Facilitator: TBA Oct. 16 Online Sales? Facebook? How to get in the game! Facilitator: Tom May, May52 Inc.

100 per Six Pack

$

or $25 per Camp

160 per Six Pack

$

or $35 per Camp 25 maximum per Camp Session

Register Online Today!

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Business Toolbox

Planning your holiday sales in July?

Your competition is!

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser Many industries are already well into the planning and buying cycles for seasonal inventory; for others, now is prime time to think carefully about how you will manage your resources (time, money, people, space, inventory) for the upcoming retail sales season.

Ensuring that there is a cycle of targeted planning and activity taking place throughout the year will help you take advantage of these seasonal peaks. It is critical for businesses to establish and maintain an ongoing marketing and planning calendar to make sure they are not surprised by critical issues like cash flow. There are a number of key steps to implement to maximize the opportunities for your business.

Keep everything up-to-date: Remove and refresh all sale items and promotional content from websites once sales are over – nothing is more frustrating to prospective customers than out-of-date web promotions. Nothing says your business is ‘irrelevant’ than out-of-date promotions or last season’s inventory offerings.

Review last year’s figures: Examine what worked well and identify causes for peaks in sales activity. This will help you understand what seasonal peaks are likely in the year ahead to take advantage of based on last year’s success.

Keep stocked up for those critical times: Analyze items in the inventory that sold better than others for specific events or times of the year and ensure there is enough stock in place in the upcoming year to meet this demand again.

Break this down into quarterly plans: Having quarterly plans reduces the possibility of retailers overestimating on the amount of stock needed for a quarter, as well as ensuring popular items are available at the right time – it also, helps

12

identify cash flow challenges you can anticipate and resolve.

Planning ahead of this time is key to ensure that sales opportunities are maximized and that the bestselling inventory from the year is ready and available – knowing what items are most profitable in addition to which sell through best is critical. Selling lots of items that lose money is not a winning strategy.

In order to ensure you have stock available for shipping when it’s required, use your calendar and count back from each event to when you need to: • Identify what inventory you will need (60 days prior) • List key inventory (45 days prior) • Have 100 percent of inventory listed (30 days prior) • Have sold/dispositioned half seasonal inventory (15 days prior) NOTE: If suppliers are relying on international shipping, check-in 150 days in advance to get confirmation that they will have the stock you plan to be selling.

Follow these suggestions as you contemplate the readiness of your own business:

Preparation • • • •

•

Create the list of vendors to be used Check status of or apply for customer status with vendors Contact each to inquire about seasonal purchases, get order and shipping schedules Get a list of price points, FOBs (free on board), volume discounts, off invoice allowances, rebates, prompt payment discounts and dating programs When the vendor says they don’t offer those, insist that they do and demand the information

Prepare Orders •

Put above vendor information on an excel worksheet

Please see Petrick, page 13

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Petrick, from page 12 •

• • • •

•

al merchandise/POP Document and liquidate or donate residual inventory, use documentation as a basis for next year’s orders • Survey customers for insight into consumer satisfaction with the seasonal program The competition is keen. Make sure you are prepared to take advantage of your strengths and cultivate your customers throughout the year – they and you will benefit.

•

for scheduling and order development Contact the sales department for each vendor and ask for order recommendations, velocity reports and promotion schedules Create an order calendar for each vendor using information from sales Go back to the excel worksheet and run the numbers for each vendor, with landed costs.

Determine EOQs (economic order quantities) for each vendor/merchandise category Develop a pro forma order for each vendor and send to the sales representative for confirmation of availability and current pricing Use the order confirmations to set up an order and receiving schedule and receiving report for each shipment

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Adviser, MBA, SPHR with the Business Development Center in Longview. Petrick provides no-cost, confidential business advisory services by appointment. He can be reached via e-mail at jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

Finance • • •

Use pro forma orders to arrange invoicing dates, dating programs and vendor credit Discuss additional needs with lender Place orders

Marketing • •

• •

Use the receiving schedule to develop the marketing schedule Lead times vary by category and customer base, poor neighborhoods time promotions for the first of the month, etc.

Work with outreach channels, prepare and proof collateral Make arrangements/order/buy for direct mail, blow ins, web based and POP (point of purchase)

LeeRoy Parcel Manager/LPO leeroy@cascade-title.com

Alison Peters Bonnie Woodruff Diane Kenneway Dennis Bird Escrow Officer/LPO Escrow Officer/LPO Escrow Assistant Senior Title Officer alison@cascade-title.com bonnie@cascade-title.com diane@cascade-title.com dennis@cascade-title.com

Receiving/Stocking/Follow Up •

•

Use the receiving schedule and purchase orders to check in incoming shipments, document overages, shortages, mis-ships and damages Use the receiving schedule to create a stocking schedule to advise stockers when and where to display the season-

Lindsey McTimmonds Marketing/Recording recording@cascade-title.com

13

1425 Maple St. Longview, WA 98632 360.425.2950 www.cascade-title.com

Connie Bjornstrom Receptionist/Typist connie@cascade-title.com

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Negotiating in these tough times

By Chuck Nau Retail Consultant and Sales and Management Trainer Murray & Nau, Inc.

ties, strive to develop trust, and remember that in order to gather information you need to LISTEN. Don't tell...rather, ask questions. Be sure that individuals you are negotiating with are able and willing to make any necessary decisions.

• Donʹt Delay. Procrastinating or putting off the negotiations ’til tomorrow may not be in ALL of the parties best interest. Then again, allowing all parties time to let the emotions subside may, indeed, be of benefit. The key is to communicate in a timely fashion, set a resolution timetable, and be faithful to it.

• Take the Initiative. Be empathetic. Demonstrate, to ALL individuals involved, that you and your small business have a course of action in place to meet and resolve some, if not all, of the parties’ key issues. Be willing to acknowledge an error, but don’t necessarily apologize, and be prepared to articulate what steps you will take to prevent its reoccurrence.

• Go or No Go. At what point will you feel it necessary to stop the negotiations or bring in additional support or decision makers? If this situation develops, what would be your next step and will it jeopardize not only the current situation but your future relationship with this advertiser, coworker or a friend?

• Walk Softly. Don’t be concerned with how fast you are moving toward a compromise, rather be sure you are headed in the right direction. Small compromises along the way may build to an acceptable overall solution.

• Thank You. Express your appreciation to the client, vendor, coworker or friend for bringing this, and possibly other (or past) situations to your attention.

• Call Back. After an agreement has been reached, touch bases with your client, vendor, coworker or friend to see if their expectations or understandings were met, continue to reinforce your resolution and the value you (and your

Negotiating, or the simple art of working with another to reach an agreement, is often challenging in good times.

Layer on top of that challenge a tough economic environment, and it’s easy to understand how troublesome seeking resolution, compromise or agreement with another can become.

Very often in your selling and managing career you are called upon to negotiate, and that alone may cause you a certain amount of anxiety. More often than not, many of us might anticipate that any and all negotiations are difficult situations...

To help diffuse your anxiety, minimize some of the consternation, and strengthen your confidence, remind yourself that in negotiating, your objective is not to win or lose at the expense of the other. Don’t look at the negotiation as a problem, but rather an opportunity to excel! Your objective is to seize the opportunity to build a bridge and establish, or reestablish, a relationship, with your client, a vendor, a coworker or a friend.

As you approach your client, a vendor, a coworker or a friend in a negotiating mode, consider, if you will, the following...

• Be Prepared. Prior to meeting with your client, coworker or a friend make every attempt possible, in a timely fashion, to learn all you can regarding the current situation and any prior contributing factors. Think through your options, objectives and goals in relation to the current circumstances. What would you like to do? What can you do?

Initially begin to prioritize some of your options.

• Set the Parameters. At the outset, work to establish open and honest communication between all the involved par-

Please see Nau, page 15

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Nau, from page 14

© Murray & Nau, Inc. Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a retail consultant and sales and management trainer. He has been a speaker for and conducted advertising and marketing workshops with retailers, chambers of commerce, community marketing groups, and retail organizations throughout North America. Based in Seattle, Nau is a 25-year veteran of advertising, sales, media and management, who knows and understands the everyday challenges

business) place on the relationship with that client, vendor, coworker or friend?

• Reestablish Your Relationship and Marketing Partnership. Working through a successful compromise and establishing common goals now will help you reestablish and strengthen a future long term relationship and partnership.

Last but not least, remember, again, that in negotiating, your objective is not to win or lose at the expense of the other. Simply put, it’s the simple art of working with another to reach an agreement, a compromise, a first step forward.

Good luck!

of starting up, growing, and surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate.

Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via e-mail: murnau@nwlink.com or at 425-603-0984.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Council of Governments

Council leads counties toward regional economic development strategies

By Bill Fashing Executive Director – Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments What does the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) Economic Development Program do? Since March of 1994 the COG has been the lead agency for the local Economic Development District designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. The District was recognized by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce (EDA), in July, 1998. The district was originally formed to include the geographic areas of Cowlitz and Lewis counties. Recently, at the request of Wahkiakum County, the group voted to add Wahkiakum County to the District.

A major function of the program is to create the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the District and work to help local communities with project development, economic development planning and working regionally to promote economic development. Priorities for 2015-16 include the implementation of two summits to assist in instigating some economic activity in the region. The first summit is planned to discuss housing for economic development.

Housing supply is an issue throughout the area and will be stressed further with the approval of a couple of pending large projects in the area. A recent national study determined that every county in the country is facing housing affordability challenges. The second summit will address a variety of issues relating to farm, fish and forest. This broad based summit is planned to assist in jump starting additional job creation in the region based on current trends of sourcing food products locally and finding ways to add value to the forestry operations in the area.

The District has gone by the name of the Cowlitz Lewis Economic Development District and more recently by the Southwest Washington Economic Development Commission (SWEDC). The role of the District is to administer the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 and

16

subsequent federal amendments of said Act and other related federal, state and local legislation consistent with the Act. Work under this program is funded by a planning grant through the U.S. Economic Development Administration with a local match of at least 50 percent funded by Southwest Washington Economic Development Commission members and inkind contributions. The program includes Lewis, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties as well as cities, economic development councils, ports, school districts, private businesses and other partners within the three counties.

If you are interested in learning more or in getting involved in this regional economic development effort, please call me, Bill Fashing, at 360-577-3041 or e-mail bfashing@cwcog.org for more information.

We’ll fill your HOT JOBS! Full & Part Time / Flexible Positions Let us simplify your hiring process.

Light Industrial • Clerical Accounting • Human Resources Engineering • Manufacturing Just to name a few.....

360.414.1200 • www.expresslongview.com Chamber August 2013

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

State of the County

Cowlitz Quarterly The Chamber’s Quarterly State of Cowlitz County Membership Meeting featured Cowlitz County Commissioners Dennis Weber and Joe Gardner and County Assessor Terry McLaughlin. The event drew more than 60 people to Lower Columbia College’s beautiful Laufman Lecture Hall June 25.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Lower Columbia College

Finish what you started

By Chris Bailey President – Lower Columbia College

several four-year institutions to form the Lower Columbia Regional University Center on the LCC campus. Ten

There are more than 23,000 adults* living in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties with some college credits, but no degree. This surprising figure represents over a third of our adult population, and is one of the region’s best resources for fueling economic growth and development.

If you fall into this category – or someone you know does – there has never been a better time to finish what you started.

Here are a few things about Lower Columbia College (LCC) that you might not know that make it easier than you might think to get your degree.

LCC offers a number of alternative options for earning nontraditional credits, including military service, foreign transcripts and International Baccalaureate credits. LCC accepts qualifying test scores through Advanced Placement and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

LCC also offers credit for professional certificates and training. Most high schools, for example, offer Microsoft Certification as part of their curriculum. Qualifying test scores translate to college credit.

We also offer several dual enrollment programs, which allow students to be simultaneously enrolled in high school and college. Running Start students, for example, attend LCC as either full- or part-time students and the state covers tuition.

We have established computer labs in some of the rural high schools to increase access to outlying areas, and have even partnered with some of our Oregon neighbors to offer something similar to Running Start (which is a Washington state program).

Our CEO program provides an opportunity for high school drop-outs who are under 21 to recover credits and get back on track to graduate. Our High School 21+ program provides adults 21 and older with a portfolio-based opportunity to earn a high school diploma. Both programs are heavily subsidized by the state and are offered at virtually no cost to the students.

For those seeking a bachelor’s degree, we’ve partnered with

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bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree are available through a combination of in-person and online classes, including a BA in business administration offered by Eastern Washington University. Other degrees available include applied technology, criminal justice, early childhood education, education, health care administration, human development, information systems, interdisciplinary studies, nursing and organizational leadership.

At the time of publication, we are still waiting to see what kind of budget the Washington Legislature passes, but it is extremely unlikely that college tuition – which is set by our legislators – will increase this year. At LCC, we are also working hard to keep the cost of textbooks down for students. In the past few years, we have implemented a book rental program and have started to use “Open Educational Resources” in lieu of textbooks, both of which have resulted in substantial savings for students.

Visit our website at lowercolumbia.edu, call our Entry Center at 360-442-2311, or stop by today to see how you can get on track to finish your degree. *25 years and older; source: United States Census Bureau

TUNE IN every Wednesday Your Chamber Connection

KEDO AM 1400 – 3 to 4 p.m.

Contact the Chamber to schedule YOUR 10-minute business spotlight

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Chamber Connection

Canyonview Cyclery owner Mark Plotkin brought a state-of-the-art, motorized bicycle to the studio and showed it off to host Lonnie Knowles during his broadcast.

Skyler and Alissa Lee with the Warm Coats, Warm Hearts charity talked with Knowles about their annual farm-to-table fundraiser.

“Your Chamber Connection�

EVERY Wednesday Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union ; Lonnie Knowles, Stewart Title and Karen Sisson, Kelso Longview Chamber.

Would you like an opportunity to be on Your Chamber Connection or to have more information about the qualifications of an open house or ribbon cutting? Contact Bill or Karen at the Chamber 360-423-8400

Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com Local guest and current events

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Diane Craft, President Koelsch Senior Communities

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Michael Julian Kelso Theater Pub

Julie Rinard, President Elect Community Home Health & Hospice

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Bianca Lemmons Cowlitz County Title Company

Lance Welch, Vice President PeaceHealth

Ken Botero Longview City Council

Frank Panarra Foster Farms

Joel Hanson, Past President KLOG/KUKN/The Wave

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/Weyerhaeuser

Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Linda DiLembo Three Rivers Mall

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

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Steve Taylor Kelso City Manager Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Kelso

Longview

Public participation matters

City leaders honored for job well done

By City Manager Steve Taylor

By City Manager Dave Campbell I attended the annual conference of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) in Wenatchee last month.

All 281 cities and towns in Washington are members of AWC, not automatically, but voluntarily, through payment of dues based on population. Among other things, the organization provides services such as lobbying at the state level, training for city officials, and group coverage for employee health insurance and organizational liability and property insurance.

Do you remember the last time you attended a public hearing regarding a city ordinance or the County’s comprehensive plan? Have you ever provided comment in front of a city council or planning commission? When was the last time you wrote a letter regarding a local government issue you saw on KLTV or read in The Daily News?

Most residents would have a difficult time answering these questions, because their experiences engaging with their local officials on matters of policy are quite limited, if nonexistent. We all have busy lives – working, raising families, mowing the yard, and volunteering in the community. How much time do we really have available to spend researching thick Council agenda packets and preparing educated commentary for delivery at a public meeting where all your friends and neighbors have the opportunity to see you on camera? Intimidating, right?

But how can you participate enough to make a difference in government without becoming an expert in municipal matters or employing a full-time nanny?

Attendance at the annual conference is invaluable, and I am thankful that the City of Longview supports continuing education opportunities like it. Officials from very small cities, especially ones that don’t have the professional staff that exists among the cities in Cowlitz County, often hear about financial and technical assistance they might not hear about otherwise. Tours of successful capital projects and public-private partnerships in the host city sometimes provide similar information.

Local officials are always on the lookout for meaningful input from citizens to accurately gauge the effectiveness of the public services being provided. The ongoing challenge is in adopting new laws and policies under the public eye with only a handful of residents or stakeholders actually providing comment or criticizing the process. The historically passive approach of advertising public hearings in newspapers and linking documents on official websites demonstrates transparency in the conduct of city and county business, yet fails to actively engage a substantial body of citizens in developing the vision and policies necessary for community improvement and renewal.

The sessions I attended were both practical and motivational. For one, I was reminded about training obligations all cities have with respect to open public meetings and public records. A hallway conversation with a city management colleague provided some intriguing information about how his city has revised its annual budgeting process. The conference also gave Kelso City Manager Steve Taylor and me the opportunity to meet with representatives from other cities around the state who share our concerns about the cost of our employee medical insurance plans and how they might be priced in the future; an informal coalition of like-minded cities might help us get our point across more effectively.

The City of Kelso wants to hear from you about more interactive and effective ways to communicate with elected officials. A key component of effective communication

During the conference, Longview City Council Member Ken Botero was recognized with an AWC Advocacy All-Star Award, an award for elected city officials around

Please see Longview, page 21

Please see Kelso, page 22

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Longview, from page 20 the state who have demonstrated a commitment to advocating for cities, not just within their own communities, but also for

Free Energy Audit •Thermal Imaging

the interests of others. City Council Member Mike Wallin was recognized for having earned a Certificate of Municipal Lead-

•Energy Tips

ership Award during the past year. Retired City Manager Bob Gregory and soon-to-be-retired (as this is written) City Clerk

•Weatherization

Ann Davis were presented Civic Service Awards for their years of service. The City of Longview itself was recognized with a WellCity Award for implementing best practices in employee health promotion; that award is largely a result of the work of our Human Resources Department.

To learn more or sign up visit: www.cowlitzpud.org/ee_audit.php

The Sky is the Limit!

We started in a garage in April 2007. Twin City Bank has provided us the necessary funding to grow our business into a multi-million dollar company.

By early fall Twin City Bank will help us move into our new 15,000 square foot facility with room to continue our growth.

Jon Hansen General Manager Fabricast Valve

729 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 98632 1-800-319-2265 | 360-414-4101 twincitybank.com

Creating products to fuel the world

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Kelso, from page 20 is having access to accurate, concise information that allows for a dialogue (as opposed to a monologue) between City Hall and Kelso residents. The City has released a newly-designed website (www.kelso.gov) with user-friendly navigational functions that help visitors find the information they are looking for with fewer clicks in less time. Facebook pages have been established for City Hall, Police and Public Works Departments. The City Directory allows you to call or e-mail individual staff and councilmembers directly, and the website allows for submission of comments, complaints, and kudos electronically to managers and directors. While Tam O’Shanter Park will host City of Kelso representatives during the Aug. 6 National these tools aren’t necessarily Night Out event. revolutionary or complex, they do provide convenient ways to obtain authorized expenditures with a few mouse clicks. In addiinformation and make your voice heard on your schedule, tion to increasing public transparency and accountability, the rather than the City’s. deployment of the application seeks to improve the general understanding of how public resources are gathered and spent on necessary community services.

Later this month, the City will release Kelso Open Budget, an open data application that allows the user to gain a quick overview of general spending across City departments for multiple years or drill down in detail to find specific levels of

National Night Out on Aug. 6 at Tam O’Shanter Park is a family-oriented opportunity to meet your councilmembers face-to-face and attend a regular meeting of the legislative body in person. The Police Department and Public Works Crews will be on hand to display their equipment and answer questions about service delivery and community involvement.

Hometown Store

Your local officials want to hear from you and value your opinions – whether it’s a brief compliment on Facebook, a concern about neighborhood graffiti voiced at a Council meeting, or a 10-page technical memo opposing an amendment to the City’s development code. Public participation matters! The greater the involvement by residents and stakeholders, the stronger the level of trust between the community and its public leaders. Please let us know how City Hall can open its doors wider to you.

Locally owned and operated.

1116 15th Ave, Longview 360-703-6464 Your hometown store with so much more!

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Longview Downtown Partnership

President explores career change This month’s column is a bit pieced together with a ghostwriter for Alice Dietz, who has accepted the position of communication specialist senior with the Cowlitz County PUD. Her last day with the Cowlitz Economic Development Council (CEDC) was June 26 and she was scheduled to start her new position June 29, not much time to get a column together for the Longview Downtown Partnership, so we’re doing our best.

eight northwest jewelry designers’ handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, along with repairs. Lacey Wilson is the owner. For information contact designerjewelry1204@gmail.com or 360-560-9016.

In the newsletter, where we captured much of this information, we found this: “We are very grateful Alice will continue to work with the Longview Downtown Partnership. Alice shares, “I look forward to continuing my relationships with all of you. I love our community and am thankful to continue working with all the great people who live here!”

Corridor Improvement Project Check out the tentative plans for the downtown corridor improvements and what is ahead for 2015. Plans are subject to change as the season progresses and more information becomes available.

As always, the message here is get out and get downtown. Here are some events:

Draft timeline: • July: Award construction contract

Bow Tie Bash

• August: Begin construction

Auto show

• Early-November: Substantially complete, clean-up, punch list items

July 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Mid-November: Project is operational

Commerce Avenue

For additional information please contact: Amy Blain at the City of Longview, 360-442-5206, or e-mail amy.blain@ci.longview. wa.us or visit the city website at www.mylongview.com

Free admission.

Presented by Columbia River Corvettes Registration per car: $15 in advance; $20 day of show. www.columbiarivercorvettes.com

LDP Website Our website is www.MyLDP.org. If you are interested in having your business featured, send photos, specials, etc. about your business to Dawn at LongviewLDP@gmail.com. Businesses are featured on a first come, first-served basis.

Art Broadway Gallery 1418 Commerce Ave. Featured artists: Bernadette Crider, ceramic; Katey Sandy, painting; student art from gallery classes.

LDP Board Meeting

More information at http://the-broadway-gallery.com or 360577-0544

The LDP board meets at 8 am. the second Thursday of each month upstairs above Teague’s unless otherwise indicated.

New Business Go Downtown!

There’s a new gallery opened at 1204 Broadway St. It features

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

PeaceHealth

Detect drug or alcohol use in the workplace How can you tell an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol? What steps can you take to ensure you approach the situation in an appropriate and effective manor?

According to the U.S. Deptartment of Labor 13.9 million people in the United States have used drugs in the past 30 days. This includes 6.7 million full-time workers and 1.6 million part-time workers The economic and human costs of drug and alcohol use are astounding. In fact, the National Institutes of Health recently reported that alcohol and drug abuse cost the economy $246 billion in 1992, the most recent year for which economic data are available. In addition, numerous studies, reports and surveys suggest that substance abuse is having a profoundly negative affect on the workplace in terms of decreased pro-

ductivity and increased accidents, absenteeism, turnover, and medical costs.

According to results of a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-sponsored survey, drug-using employees are 2.2 times more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times

Please see PeaceHealth, page 25

Leave your knee pain behind You’ve got more important things to do with your time. Joint replacement can help you leave the painful ache of arthritis behind. Take the next step at www.peacehealth.org/ortho.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

PeaceHealth, from page 24

For more information about classes for your company through PeaceHealth Occupational Health Training Center, contact:

more likely to have absences of eight days or more, three times more likely to be late for work, 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident, and five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Carol Wegdahl, Training Center Coordinator 360-414-2822

The Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors course at PeaceHealth Occupational Health can help.

cwegdahl@peacehealth.org

This course provides support and training for supervisors in making decisions about reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol tests. It is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation for supervisors of workers regulated by the DOT. Attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to make reasonable suspicion determinations.

Look for this and other classes offered at PeaceHealth Occupational Medicine’s Training Center, such as: 1. CPR/AED for First Responders 2. BLS for HealthCare Providers 3. Medical Emergency Response Systems (MERS) Training

The course includes: • Effects of drugs and alcohol • Indicators, signals, and symptoms to look for

We look forward to handling your next real estate transaction.

• Prohibited behavior, including how to handle prescription drug use • How to recognize and document performance

Our Escrow Team…

Why Our Service is the Difference!

• How to handle employee refusal and other difficult situations

Since 1982, Cowlitz County Title has been the trusted company the community turns to when buying, selling or refinancing a property.

Facilitating Growth Through Leadership and Action

Whether you need title, escrow or property search information, come in for our exceptionalservice. Leave with the secure confidence that your real estate investment is properly insured and protected.

We are a membership based not-for-profit organization.

Join us today!

Title Insurance Escrow Service ■ Residential & Commercial ■ 1031 Exchange ■ Locally Owned

Bianca Lemmons VP/Manager/LPO

Deanna Cornelison Escrow Officer

Shelby Caufman Escrow Officer

Linda Comley Escrow Officer/LPO

Leah Stanley Escrow Assistant

Rita Lawrence Escrow Assistant

Kristy Norman Escrow Assistant

■

Resources • Access • Partnerships

■

1452 Hudson St. • US Bank Building Suite 208 • Longview, WA 360.423.9921 www.cowlitzedc.com

1159 14th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632 ■ Phone: 360.423.5330 ■ www.cowlitztitle.com

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Welcome New Members

Chamber membership has its privileges Celebrate new Chamber members with us

Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

* Mountain View Commercial Contracting * My Thai Kitchen * Umpqua Bank

• Annual Meeting and Banquet • Networking Events • Committee Participation • Business Contacts • Quarterly Membership Meetings • Civic Representation

• Legislative Representation

• Monthly Business After Hours

• Issues Tracking and Information

Business Services include marketing for your business, referrals and access to Chamber publications and research data.

• Task Forces • Candidate Forums

• Mailing Labels

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Membership Window Decals

• Demographics Publication

• Member Referrals • Ribbon Cutting

Packages

• Website Links

Basic Membership Package – $275 or $26 per month.

• Member to Member Discounts

Bronze Membership Package – $500 or $46.66 per month.

• Membership Directory

Silver Membership Package – $1,000 or $86.33 per month.

• Tax Deduction

Gold Membership Package – $2,500 or $211.33 per month.

• Newsletter

Platinum Membership Package – $5,000 or $416.66 per

• Business Card Display

month.

• Use of Chamber Logo

Diamond Club Membership Package – $10,000 or $834 per month.

Representation through action committees, candidate forums and up-to-date action alerts.

Nonprofit Package – $180 or $18 per month.

Join today! Call 360-423-8400 26

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Ribbon Cuttings

Relay For Life American Cancer Society – Relay for Life of Cowlitz/Wahkiakum – kicked off its campaign with a Chamber ribbon cutting June 11. Ivy Masters and a group of volunteers are gearing up for the big event scheduled this year for Aug. 8 and 9 at the Kelso High School track field.

Yum! Yum! Adena Pietsch and her mom Leanne, co-owners of Adena’s Delights, treated Ambassadors to a taste of their business, which features specialty baked goods, breads and donuts. The June 9 ribbon cutting took place at their store,1208 Broadway St., Longview.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Ribbon Cuttings

Holy Toledo!

ToledoTel’s Dale Merten, COO, Sheila Richardson, marketing manager, and Fred Rider, sales manager, stepped outside the Estetica Day Spa June 23 with Chamber Ambassadors.

Estetica Day Spa is a client for ToledoTel as it branches out into the Kelso-Longview area with service. Welcome to the Chamber.

Brewing Up a Good Time The Five Dons – well, not exactly – Art Stiltner, Sean Heiner, Tom Hayes, Bill Heston and Mike Busley, partners, shared their expertise on handcrafted beer with Ambassadors at the Five Dons Brewing June 5 ribbon cutting at 1158 11th Ave., Longview.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Ribbon Cuttings

Rolling Out the Red Carpet John Hartney, Heidi Schultz and staff of Kendall's Pioneer Distributing welcomed Chamber Red Coats June 16. The distributor of regional craft beer and wine also hosted the Chamber’s June Business After Hours event later that evening at its 104 Catlin St., Kelso, facility. More than 100 Chamber members attended, see photos on page 35.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Welcome Back!



We at the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to give a SHOUT OUT and a big THANK YOU to the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us.

*American Medical Response

*Lower Columbia College

*Beacon Hill Sewer District

*Miller Paint

*Cascade Title Company

*onthemark associates

*Kay Green

*CCS

*Pacific Tech Construction, Inc.

*Signature Transport, Inc.

*City of Kelso

*Port of Longview

*State Farm Insurance – Scott Fischer

*City of Longview

*Rodman Realty, Inc.

*Teague’s Interiors

*Comcast Spotlight

*Steel Painters/Railco

*Diamond Residential

*Costco Wholesale

*Swanson Bark & Wood Products, Inc.

*Applied Application

*Cowlitz County

*The Golden Palace

*Broderick Gallery

*Cowlitz County CASA

*The Red Hat

*American Legion

*Cowlitz County P.U.D.

*Three Rivers Eye Care

*Coleman Cellular

*Cowlitz County Title Company

*Walstead Mertsching, PS

*Port of Woodland

*Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of

*Watkins Tractor & Supply Co.

*Advanced Dental Services

*Acupuncture Northwest

*All Out Sewer & Drain Services

*David E. Houten, DDS

*Budget Blinds of Longview

*Baker Lumber Company

*Diamond Showcase

*Columbia Bank

*Brusco Tug and Barge

*Document Management Archives

*Columbia Funeral Service

*Carl’s Towing Service & Repair

*Dorothy Bain Hanson

*Columbia River Carpet One

*Carlson’s Heating & Air Conditioning

*Emerald Kalama Chemical

*Columbia River Mill Outlet

*Cascade Natural Gas Corporation

*Express Employment Professionals

*Compendium Consulting

*Coldwell Banker Bain

*Freddy’s Just for The Halibut

*Continental Investors Services, Inc.

*Cole’s Appliance Repair

*Gordon Sondker

*Cowlitz County Guidance Association

*Comfort Inn

*Interwest Benefit Consultants

*DeFrancisco Lampitt and Brado PS

*Community Home Health & Hospice

*KapStone

*DSU Peterbilt

*Cowlitz Credit Union

*Koelsch Senior Communities

*Estetica Day Spa

*Cutright Wholesale Plumbing Supply

*L.G. Isaacson Company

*Fire Mountain Grill & Summerland

*Family Health Center

Governments

*Longview Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory

*Green Hills Crematory – Cascade NW Funeral Chapel

Catering Services

*Industrial Packing

*G L Booth – JG Davis & Associates

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*Interiors Plus

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Welcome Back! *Life Works

*Cowlitz County Chaplaincy

*Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

*Longview Housing Authority

*Biggs Insurance Services

*Community Health Partners/Cowlitz Free

*Longview Orthopedic Associates

*Clay Bartness

Medical Clinic

*Longview Public Schools

*Comcast

*Craig Stein Beverage

*McDonald’s of Longview

*Dick Hannah Toyota

*Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes

*Pacific Fibre Products

*Fred Meyer, Inc.

*Frontier Rehabilitation & Extended Care

*Nipp & Tuck

*Heritage Bank, Kelso

*Paperback Galore

*Heritage Bank, Longview

*Gibbs & Olson, Inc.

*Rush Insurance/Financial Services

*Hometown National Bank

*Humane Society of Cowlitz County

*Schlecht Construction

*Island Sun Tanning, Inc.

*Life Mortgage

*Somerset Retirement Home and Assisted

*Kemira Water

*Music & More D.J.s

*Longview Engineering and Design

*Noelle McLean PS

*T.C.’s RV and Mini Storage

*McCord Bros. Nissan Dodge

*Pacific Lumber & Shipping Co.

*United Finance

*Millennium Bulk Terminals

*Papé Machinery

*Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company

*Minuteman Press

*PNE Corp

*Wasser & Winters Company

*Professional Communications Services

*Pro-Caliber Longview Motorsports

*William (BJ) R. Boatsman

*Servpro of Longview/Kelso

*Red Canoe Credit Union

*Errand Girl

*Sierra Pacific Mortgage

*Red Canoe Credit Union 30th

*American Family Kari-Ann Botero

*Sterling Insurance

*Red Canoe Credit Union Washington Way

*Guild Mortgage

*Twin City Bank

*Safway Services, Inc.

*Interstate Wood Products, Inc.

*U.S. Cellular

*Searing Electric & Plumbing

*Lower Columbia CAP

*Waste Control Recycling, Inc.

*Steel Chapel Longview Memorial Park

*M & R Painting, Inc.

*Woodford Commercial Real Estate

*The Dog Zone

*Mint Valley Federal Credit Union

*United States Army

*Utilize I.T., Inc.

*Newrock Homes, Inc.

*Lexi’s Pizza

*Wal-Mart

Living

*Northwest Auto Specialist, Inc. *Retirement Strategies *Simpson Timber Company *Superior Tire Service, Inc. *The OM Home *Triangle Bowl

Center

*Red Leaf Coffee OUR LATEST RENEWING MEMBERS *B & B Air Conditioning & Heating – Entek Corp. *Bicoastal Media dba KLYK/KRQT/KEDO/ NEW COUNTRY

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*BA Design *American Red Cross

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

In the News

United Way of Cowlitz County changes fund distribution method

In June, the United Way of Cowlitz County made a strategic change in the way it will allocate funds to local agencies. Contributions to agencies will now be distributed based on donations received rather than the past practice of distributing funds based on pledges. This change is intended to avoid the fiscal challenges that surfaced in the past year. According to Executive Director Dave Green, “Put simply, United Way of Cowlitz County will distribute the funds it has on hand rather than anticipating funds that are promised through pledges.”

Green also shared that donations that were designated for a specific agency, or “designated funds” will be distributed on a quarterly basis after they are received. The first payout of the designated funds will occur shortly after the end of June. In order to implement the new practice described above, no funds other than those designated by donors to specific agencies will be distributed this year. All other funds will be held over for the next

allocation period at the conclusion of the current campaign year which ends in March of 2016. At that time the allocated funds will be paid monthly to the various agencies.

Green has made it a point to share this change with every local United Way agency, in person to the degree possible. When asked about how the agencies responded, Green commented, “The leaders of these agencies understand the need for this change and their responses to this news has been positive. They recognize the need to think long term and to eliminate the speculation associated with distributing funds based on pledges.”

Contributions to United Way come in basically two forms.

Some funds are donated to United Way for general distribution to agencies in the community. Other funds, referred to as designated funds, are contributions made to United Way and the donor specifies the specific agencies to which the funds are intended.

Exciting finishes highlight opening of Cowlitz Black Bears’ 2015 season

The first third of the Cowlitz Black Bears, season is in the books. Exciting finishes have been the norm, with half of the Black Bears’ 18 West Coast League (WCL) games decided by one run or in extra innings. Here are some highlights from the early action: • Joe Balfour (San Jose State) is tied for fourth among all WCL pitchers with a 0.95 ERA. • Lorin Archibald (Lower Columbia) and Ryan Aguilar (Arizona) both are in the Top 5 in the league in RBI. • Lars Rider (Central Washington) is second in the league in saves.

• Slate Miller’s (Washington) .333 batting average leads the Black Bears, and is just outside the league’s Top 10.

• As a team, the Black Bears are second in runs per game, averaging just under seven per outing.

• Casey Henderson (UC Riverside) hit two home runs and had 7 RBI in one game against Bend June 28. In the same game, Bowen Ogata (Utah) went 5 for 5. All are single game highs for the Black Bears.

• Seven current or former Cowlitz Black Bears heard their name called in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, bringing

Please see News, page 33

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

In the News News, from page 32 to 33 the number of Black Bears drafted or signed during the past five years: • Chris Iriart (‘14) Oakland Athletics, 12th round.

• Porter Clayton (‘11) Tampa Bay Rays, 19th Round.

• Domenic Mazza (‘13) San Francisco Giants, 22nd round.

• AJ Graffanino (‘15) Cleveland Indians, 26th round.

• Kyle Garlick (‘11) Los Angeles Dodgers, 28th round.

• Cole Irvin (‘12) Pittsburgh Pirates, 32nd round.

• Mitchell Tripp (‘12) Cincinnati Reds, 36th round.

Pitcher Joe Balfour delivers in the Black Bears’ victory over the Harbour Cats.

Business & Corporation Law

Attorney Michael A. Claxton

Walstead Mertsching serves businesses of many sizes and in various stages of development. Whether your company is a small sole proprietorship or a large corporation, we can provide assistance and guidance. Utilizing a solutions-oriented approach toward achieving defined objectives, our goal is to allow our clients to successfully execute their business plans.

• Complex Litigation • Formation, Reorganization, and Dissolution • Labor/Employment Issues • Mergers and Aquisitions • Purchases and Sales • Succession Planning

WALSTEAD MERTSCHING AT TO R N E Y S AT L AW

A Full Service Civil Law Firm for 89 Years CIVIC CENTER BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR 1700 HUDSON ST., LONGVIEW, WA

(360) 423-5220 Longview www.walstead.com

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Ambassadors of the Month

Busy month provides Chamber leaders chance to double up on selection Jason Reetz and Carrie Medak were selected to receive June’s Ambassador of the Month award.

Reetz has been with Pacific Tech Construction since June 2006. He applied to be an Ambassador for the Chamber because he thought it would be a great way to network with local business owners and their employees, June and also offer him an opportunity to Carrie Medack give back to the community.

Diamond Residential “What a pleasurable experience this Mortgage has been,” Reetz said. “Since becoming an Ambassador, I have literally met hundreds of new people through the monthly Business After Hours events, the ribbon cutting ceremonies that I have attended, volunteering at the Chamber golf tournament and amongst my fellow Ambassadors.”

Reetz is also a board member for the Lower Columbia Professionals and the Lower Columbia Contractors Association. In his down time he enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time outdoors and tasting different wines and local craft brews.

Medack, who works for Diamond Residential Mortgage, has been an Ambassador for the Chamber since the group was formed in 1991 and has earned the Ambassador of the Month honor on numerous occasions. She believes it is an honor to be an Ambassador,

34

and sees it as an opportunity to be the “face” of the Chamber.

“It gives me the opportunity to meet new people and businesses that I might not get the opportunity to know otherwise,” she said.

Medack has been in the mortgage business since 1998 and has been with Diamond Residential Mortgage June since 2014. She enjoys helping people reJason Reetz alize their dream of home ownership or Pacific Tech assisting with refinancing.

Construction In her spare time, she enjoys taking trips in the family’s fifth-wheel travel trailer and spending time with family and friends.

Chamber Ambassadors, known as The Red Coats, are an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities include meeting and greeting at Chamber events, welcoming new members and assisting at ribbon cuttings and community events. Ambassadors juggle busy professional careers while making time to assist the Chamber at a variety of events year long.

If you would be interested in wearing a red coat and representing the Chamber, contact CEO Bill Marcum at the Chamber office.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

July 2015

Business After Hours

In Good Spirits!

Michelle Falter with Engraving Emporium was a winner.

Kendall’s Pioneer Distributing served up craft beer and wine as host of the Chamber’s Business After Hours event June 16.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

Austi Bandro with Fibre Federal Credit Union shows off her prize.

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