November 2011 Thrive! Newsletter by Lacey Chamber of Commerce

Lace y Cha mber of Commerce

thrive!

November 2011 / Vol. 12, No. 11

See Grand Opening at Earth Friendly Products on page 10.

Inside this issue Calendar of Events

President’s Message

Letter from Executive Director

Foundation in Reading

Martial Arts Governor’s Cup

Have You Seen Your Parents Lately?

NTPS Received $1 Million Grant

Business is Booming!

Kidwiler Scholarship Thank Yous

Can We Get A Witness?!

October 5:01 Surge—Adesso

See October 5:01 Surge—Adesso on page 10.

See Military Affairs Update on page 11.

Grand Opening—Earth Friendly Products 10 Military Affairs Update

Forum–—Wednesday, November 2 Follow us on:

Design and layout of the Thrive newsletter is performed by Essential Business Support.

Topic/Speaker: 2011 Business Awards Where: When: Cost:

Saint Martin’s Worthington Center Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.; program begins at noon. Pre-pay NOW online at laceychamber.com Members $18 prepaid / $20 at the door / $25 for guests

It is important you prepay and preregister, so we are able to properly plan.

November Chamber Events 2

Wednesday—Forum Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Program begins at noon Saint Martin’s Worthington Center Topic: 2011 Business Awards Cost: members prepaid online $18/at the door $20/guests $25 Please prepay online at laceychamber.com for $18 Thank you to our Forum and Media Sponsors: UnionBank

8 10 11 14

Twinstar Credit Union

Tuesday—Military Affairs Meeting 7:30 a.m. Hawks Prairie Restaurant Thursday—Member Orientation 10:30 a.m.-noon or 5:30-7:00 p.m. Chamber Conference Room RSVP to Tony Salas, 491-4141 Friday—OFFICE CLOSED for Veteran’s Day Education Council 9:30 a.m. Chamber Conference Room

Sponsors Forum Sponsor UnionBank Union Bank 130 Marvin Rd SE, Suite 140 Lacey, WA 98503 (360) 456-0671 www.unionbank.com

Media Sponsor Twinstar Credit Union 4525 Intelco Loop SE Lacey, WA 98503 (360) 486-3840 www.twinstarcu.com

5:01 Surge – November 15 Columbia Bank 655 Golf Club Pl SE 5:01-7:00 p.m. Join us on Tuesday, November 15 for great networking!

Friday—Government Affairs Meeting 11:30 a.m. Panorama—Chambers House Restaurant 1751 Circle Lane SE

Tuesday—5:01 Surge

Wednesday Executive Meeting 8:30 a.m. Board Meeting 9:30 a.m. Chamber Conference Room

Tuesday—Ambassador’s Meeting 12:00 p.m. (noon) Dirty Dave’s Pizza 3939 Martin Way

Weekly

Columbia Bank 1655 Golf Club Pl SE 5:01-7p.m. Come network with us!

Lacey B.A.N.G. (Business and Networking Group) Tuesdays Copper Coffee Company, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. 4120 Martin Way E Wednesdays Best Western Suites in Lacey, 7:15-8:45 a.m. 8326 Quinault Dr. NE Space is limited in both groups, contact Tony Salas 491-4141 to reserve your spot. Free to attend, just the cost of your meal.

Board of Directors Executive Board Felix Peguero, President, Edward Jones Investments, 438-0341 Lowell Gordon, President Elect, The Creative Office, 754-1732 Angelique Wilson, Professional Temp Staffing Agency, 786-8443 Mike Harris, Treasurer & *Board Member, Columbia Bank, 459-3344 Karen Schade, Secretary, America’s Credit Union, 253-912-3257 Jerry Farmer, Past President, 94.5 ROXY, 236-1010 Board of Directors Andrew Barkis, Hometown Property Management, 456-7368 Marny Bright, Business Examiner, 878-2158 Tom Carroll, Network Communications International, 701-1532 Al Eckroth, Virgil Adams Real Estate, 701-3307 Jason Hammeren, Cabela’s, 252-3500 Grace Kendall, FASTSIGNS, 438-3800 Brent Walz, OBee Credit Union, 528-5361 Madelin White, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs & Day Spa, 491-4911 Committees Ambassadors–Amanda Graham, Lacey Chamber Event Coordinator, 491-4141 Auction–Madelin White, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs & Day Spa, 491-4911 BBQ–Al Eckroth, Virgil Adams Real Estate, 701-3307 Fundraising–Brent Walz, OBee Credit Union, 528-5361 Government Affairs–Daniela Anderson, Hometown Prop. Mgmt, 456-7368 Golf–Joanna West, Washington Business Bank, 754-1954 Kidwiler Scholarship Foundation–Stewart Ridgeway, CPA, 459-4404 Military Affairs–Carlene Joseph, Harborstone Credit Union, (253) 983-8636

November 2011

Message from the President By Felix Peguero, Edward Jones Investments

am very excited about the opportunity to be your 2011-2012 Lacey Chamber of Commerce president. I have been blessed by so many who have helped me to get to where I am today. To the many that helped hoist me upon their shoulders so I can now see the view, I owe a debt of gratitude. You see, it was never my plan to be a business owner, let alone the Chamber president. But, God had much better plans for my life than I could have ever imagined. When I started my practice back in 2005, one of my many mentors told me that being an entrepreneur would afford me many opportunities to create wealth and enjoy the finer things in life. He went on to say that if that was all I got out of being an entrepreneur, I’ve missed the best part, and that part is service: serving God, serving families, serving clients and the community. That really helped put my career in the right perspective. When I joined the Lacey Chamber in 2006, Marv Kopp suggested that I become an ambassador. Not really knowing what that all entailed, I asked the executive director at the time to sign me up to serve the Chamber as an ambassador. I found myself attending monthly meetings, greeting new and current members, attending grand openings and 5:01 surges, as well as serving at the check-in table at every Forum. Doing this afforded me the opportunity to meet many people, develop relationships, and meet client needs.

why this was happening. I came across a passage in the Bible in Matthew 23:12 that says: Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. My mentor was right. Although humbling, serving others is the best part of being a business owner/entrepreneur, and as you help others achieve their dreams, yours can also come to fruition. In light of that, I cannot wait to get started in serving the members of the Lacey Chamber of Commerce as your president. The Chamber is in the best position it has been in for years thanks to the leadership of Jeff Powell, Jerry Farmer, Tony Salas, and the rest of the board and staff. I look forward to increasing the value that the Chamber brings to your business as we serve you through excellence in customer service. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the business community and provide avenues for your business to grow. Please remember that the Lacey Chamber of Commerce is and always will be here to SERVE you as your “Premier Business Resource.” At your SERVICE, Felix Peguero Lacey Chamber President

Shortly thereafter in 2008, the membership elected me to the board of directors, and, in 2010, I was elected to the position of vice president. I have to admit, I am not a very humble guy, but I found all this very humbling, and I often asked God

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes By Tony Salas, Executive Director, Lacey Chamber of Commerce

ow! It’s been four months already. It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed since I became your executive director. There have been so many things that we have accomplished together, and I want to keep you up to date on our progress. Some changes are already well documented like the BBQ Fest, while others are building momentum or are more internal. All of the changes are to enhance the value you find in your Chamber membership and so that we can continue to deliver as your Premier Business Resource. Here are a few highlights of our first 120 days together.

Lacey B.A.N.G

Our new networking groups are building momentum and the reviews from those participating are good. These groups meet Tuesdays at 11:45 a.m. at Copper Creek Coffee on Martin Way or Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. at the Best Western on Quinault Dr. These groups will help participating members develop stronger ties to other Chamber members leading to enhanced networking and referral opportunities.

Member Orientation

the board in developing a vision or provide recommendations or endorsements have been dubbed councils. The current councils are Government Affairs, Military Affairs, and Ambassadors, with more on the way. The next council to launch will be the Education Council.

Education Council

The first meeting of the Education Council will be Tuesday November 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the Chamber conference room. If your business involves educating anyone, doing business with any educational entity, or you just have a passion for education, this council could provide you great value.

Think Chamber First

This should go without saying—always give fellow Chamber members the first opportunity to earn your business. The quality, selection, service, and value that are available from your Chamber members is extraordinary! Those dollars spent with Chamber members continue to circulate in our community for much longer than average, keeping Lacey businesses open and fueling the Lacey economy. Who would have thought that changing where I buy my coffee could have such an impact on the local economy! This has been a great time in my life and I’m looking forward to uncovering other ways we can create value in your Chamber membership as we move forward being your Premier Business Resource.

Learn how to navigate the waters of the Lacey Chamber of Commerce. What does the Chamber offer and how can I get the most out of my membership? Orientations are offered monthly with meetings held during business hours and also after hours for those members who need that option. These orientations are not just for new members. Any member can find great value in uncovering opportunities they didn’t know existed or learning about programs that are on the horizon.

Councils vs. Committees

This is the most subtle of the changes, but one of the most significant. The groups that are in charge of an event or have to do with raising money have been left as committees. Their task is to do the work that provides income for the Chamber and marketing opportunities for you. The other groups who assist

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November 2011

Help Your Child Build A Strong Foundation in Reading By Andrew Taber, Kumon Math & Reading Center of Lacey

earning to read and write are among the most important skills your child will ever learn. These skills are the foundation on which all other academic achievement is built. Starting early in a child’s development is the key to fostering a child’s love of reading and learning. “Believe in your child and give him or her every opportunity to excel,” says Andrew Taber, director of the Kumon Math & Reading Center of Lacey. “Each child has enormous, untapped potential regardless of their background or current ability. With a little extra support, a child can gain life skills such as confidence, perseverance, and motivation.” Some literacy skills, however, should be taught long before a child enters the classroom for the first time. As their children’s first teachers, it is important for parents to begin exposing them to books at a young age. From this point, children should develop the following skills: Book Knowledge – Children should understand how to hold a book, where the story begins and ends, that words are read from left to right, that stories are read front to back and that pages are turned one at a time. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Print Awareness – Children should understand that the words seen

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November 2011

difference between pictures and words. Phonemic Awareness – Children need to be able to identify the separate, small sounds called phonemes that make words and to associate the sounds with the written words. For example, the word “cat” is made up of three sounds /c/, /a/, /t/. Children who have phonemic awareness can take spoken words apart sound by sound and put together sounds to make words. This skill is required for learning to read. Several ways parents can help children establish a strong foundation for learning to read include: Read aloud to children. Reading aloud is the single best way to support literacy development. It exposes children to language, teaches them about books, and helps them start identifying words and their sounds. Make reading fun. Point to words, animate your voice, and ask children to predict what will happen next. If your child is interested, it aids in their understanding of the story. Be a reading role model. Set an example by letting your child see you read. Children who are exposed to active and enthusiastic readers are likely to model this behavior themselves. For information or a free placement test, contact Kumon of Lacey at 360-915-6871 or visit www.kumon.com/lacey.

Martial Arts Governor’s Cup By Master Angie Lee, U.S. Martial Arts Center

rand Master Young-Hak Lee and the U.S. Martial Arts Center in Lacey and Olympia are proud to host the longestrunning and most prestigious taekwondo tournament in the northwest. The Governor’s Cup is scheduled for November 19, 2011, at St. Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion. Cost is $8.00, children 5 and under are free. Last year’s event had over 500 competitors and donations were made to the North Thurston Education Foundation and Olympia School District Education Foundation to show appreciation for these organizations’ hard work and dedication to children. The Washington State Governor’s Cup focuses on building a strong community, respect, sportsmanship and the positive spirit of the martial arts. For more information, you can visit us at www.wagovcup.com or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/govcup.

Have You Seen Your Parents Lately? By Donna Baker, Colonial Inn

t’s not uncommon for adult children to only see their parents a couple times a year, with the annual holiday visit often arriving after many months of not seeing each other. Adult children may be surprised this time of year by the changes they find in their parents (or other aging loved ones), or the changes in their living conditions.

What type of things should be flags that mom, dad, aunt, or uncle may need some living assistance or even to move to some place that can help them with some of their needs? Here are a few things to look for: • The house may have an odor and not be as clean as before (may be due to poor eye sight, health or fitness issues, or feeling overwhelmed) • The food in the fridge or pantry has expired, has gone bad, or is missing (may be due to poor eating habits, loss of memory, money concerns, transportation difficulties) • Inappropriate meal prep and storage; loss of weight • Grooming has declined

• Doors are blocked (may be caused by fear or inability to move items) • Stories of losing keys, checkbook, or car (may be sign of memory loss or related health issue) • Difficulty getting up out of the chair (are there even more difficult places to maneuver like the steps on the way to the mailbox?) • Desire for more companionship • Exhaustion and stress of other family members who live nearby • Bathtub or shower is dusty or obviously isn’t being used; missing toiletries (they may fear falling) • Inappropriate expenses related to home improvements, charities, or household chores or transportation If a number of these flags are present, it may be time to consider a different living situation for mom or dad. To some seniors, the only vision they have for living outside their home is a smelly nursing home with people in wheelchairs parked in the hall. Unbeknownst to many, today there is a continuum of quality living arrangements and care levels. Some people stay in their home but have assistance with weekly or periodic chores, transportation, or meals. Others don’t need

See “Parents” page 7

November 2011

NTPS Receives $1 Million Grant to Support Military Students By Courtney Shrieve, Community Relations Director, North Thurston Public Schools

“

ear Daddy, I miss you so much I wish you would be home by now…” Tennille, 4th grader, Chambers Prairie Elementary

They come from all over, moving in and out of new schools just as their parents move in and out of assignments all over the world serving our country. They are the estimated 1.2 million children of active-duty military personnel, the majority of whom are under age 11. Common qualities amongst this unique group include strong family bonds, and they are cooperative and adaptable. They face a lifestyle where relocation, loss, and change are ever-present. In North Thurston Public Schools, which borders Joint Base Lewis McChord, military children make up about 14 percent of the elementary student population. Last year, district enrollment shot up by nearly 400 students, and much of that growth was attributed to more military families. “That is why a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grant worth nearly $1 million will come in handy over the next three years to help provide these students in six NTPS schools with added support in both behavior and math skills,” said grant administrator Debby Gaffney. She noted that the activities and training funded through the grant will weave in with existing educational programs. “Military children are incredibly resilient, but they also have special challenges that this grant will help us target through small support groups, math interventions, and family activities,” Gaffney said. “Many of those programs will in turn benefit the whole school. The elementary schools included in the grant have higher percentages (11-28%) of military students, including Chambers Prairie, Horizons, Lakes, Evergreen Forest, Meadows, and Olympic View. While the schools are just beginning implementation of the grant, the results are already bubbling to the surface through smiles and new friendships. At Chambers Prairie, grant lead, Jill Pearson holds multiple small lunch groups with students from all grade levels. They eat, they talk, and sometimes make crafts. “If they are

November 2011

new to the school, it’s a chance for them to get to know new kids with whom they have a common bond.” To learn more about resources available for military families and their children, visit our military website at www.nthurston.k12. wa.us/military. Don’t miss out on the 2011 Business Bus Tour on Thursday, November 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This is a free event and you will get to tour Meadows Elementary, Nisqually Middle, and River Ridge High School with a chance to meet Superintendent, Raj Manhas. For more information and to RSVP, contact Cortny Martin at 360-412-4418 or cmartin@nthurston.k12.wa.us.

Parents (continued from page 6) any assistance but are ready in their golden years to move to a senior apartment community where meals are prepared for them, laundry is done for them, and activities are many. For others, a facility with skilled medical care is needed. Moving out of a house doesn’t need to equate with losing freedom. Seniors can actually gain independence with additional choices for socializing, easier access to transportation, and less worry about life’s mundane activities like cooking, housekeeping, and laundry. Watch for the signs that living at home is no longer the best option for your parent, whether evaluating it from a safety, health, financial or social aspect. Explore options with your family members. Without your help, the welfare of those you care about may be at risk. Donna Baker is the manager of The Colonial Inn, providing quality, senior apartment living with all amenities for independent adults age 62 or over (www.colonialinnolympia.com). Donna can be reached at 360.459.9110 or donna@colonialinnolympia.com.

Business is Booming! New Members Clear View Auto and Window Glass 4500 Pacific Ave. SE. Ste. E Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: John Pazar Category: Auto & Window Glass Phone: (360) 539-5909 Web: wwwcvawg.com

James D. Bacon, CPA, PS 4706 Lacey Boulevard SE Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: Jim Bacon Category: Accountant Phone: (360) 459-5948 Web: www.jdbaconcpa.com

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services 7825 Hargis Street NW Olympia, WA 98502 Contact: Angela Grant Category: Education - Tutoring Phone: (360) 438-9800 Web: www.clubztutoring.com

Maintenance By Hometown, Inc. 1600 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98506 Contact: Stephen Barkis Category: Home Maintenance Phone: (360) 918-5251

Copper Creek Coffee Company 4120 Martin Way E Olympia, WA 98576 Contact: Britni DeCremer Category: Coffee - Wholesale & Retail Phone: (360) 923-1300

Prime Time Partners, LLC 8120 Freedom Lane NE, Ste. 102 Lacey, WA 98516 Contact: Jen Valdenegro Category: Real Estate Phone: (360) 528-3701

Renewals 2-4 Years: Earth Friendly Products–IGNITE! Investor Union Bank 5-9 Years Chicago Title Insurance Co. 10-14 Years Mountain View Veterinary Hospital Pacific Mtn. Workforce Development Council Williams Group Marketing + Design Over 15 Years! Capitol City on the Course Johnny Lewis

Kidwiler Scholarship Fund Thank Yous The Lacey Chamber would like to thank these member businesses who donated raffle prizes to benefit the Kidwiler Scholarship at the October 2011 Forum: A Steve’s Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning America’s Credit Union Cabela’s Cabinets by Trivonna Community Values Magazine Custom Security Earth Friendly Products FASTSIGNS Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs, & Day Spa Occasions Catering Olympic Outfitter/Alpine Express S. Stewart Ridgeway, CPA Signs by Tomorrow Thank You for Your Continued Support!

Nancy Balderas Branch Manager, Anchor Bank 601 Woodland Sq Lp SE Lacey, WA 98503 (360) 491-2250 nancy.balderas@anchorsb.com

November 2011

Can We Get a Witness?! By Chad and Robyn Link Owners, Designated and Managing Brokers Link Real Estate Group

t is that time of the year again when children have gone back to school and parents breathe a sigh of relief. Gone is worrying about how to entertain the kids, where to go for summer vacation and how to keep lil’ Johnny off of the X-box 360. As parents we understand that the end of our kids’ three month summer is often the beginning of our nine month summer. However, as we looked over our high school son’s course schedule we were struck by one simple fact. Courses such as Spanish, geometry, wood shop, physical education, English and drama were all present. However, nowhere in the course catalogue was there a class teaching our kids the basics of how to handle their financial lives. Over and over, like a broken record, we as parents are told that the sooner we expose our children to things such as reading, music, and mathematics the greater their chances are at success in school. While this may definitely be true it raises the question of about why we are not taking the same approach to our children’s financial lives. Don’t get us wrong, we are great proponents of education and hold several college degrees. However, we are also smart enough to know that 90% of what we learned in high school and college has been long forgotten and is of no use in our daily lives. Let’s get real, when was the last time you were thankful for that good old trigonometry class or relied upon the three years of French you took? It is time to place a focus on the elements that our children will utilize most throughout their lives. Foreclosures are at an all time high, short sales abound, unemployment is hovering near 10% or higher, and our great nation is known for its excessive spending, not its excessive saving. Turn on the news and you are sure to hear a commentator remarking about the high level of credit card debt that most Americans carry or the woeful lack of savings. Financial gurus such as Dave Ramsey, Clark Howard and Suze Orman regularly counsel grown adults on how to fix the financial messes they have found themselves in. The problem is that shutting the barn door after the horses have escaped is about as futile as trying to unring a bell or trying not to use clichés! During our first-time home buyers’ classes we routinely hear from participants how thankful they are that they now have the knowledge to confidently start the home buying process. Guess what? The big, bad home buying process is no longer so scary when you know the way, and the

November 2011

same can be accomplished with our financial lives. Financial education must begin in middle school so our kids learn how to manage their allowances and then the paychecks they make from their high school jobs. It is so very important that we tell our money where to go rather than letting it walk away on its own. A financial class should be taught every year from sixth grade on, with each year bringing increased knowledge. We teach subjects such as math, English, and social studies this way, yet neglect something that carries much more importance. As adults we make financial decisions every day, but our education system pushes us out into the world ill-prepared. Unfortunately, our financial education is left up to the school of hard knocks. One of the main contributing factors to the collapse of our real estate market and the current recession we are all suffering through was a basic lack of financial knowledge. Ill-informed Americans were racking up too much credit card debt, buying homes that cost too much, and using risky loan products in order to make it work. With just a little financial knowledge, we believe that the current economic woes could have been avoided. We become extremely powerful once we learn how to balance a checkbook, how to put away savings each month, how to invest in mutual funds and bonds, and how to take care of our financial future. Credit cards would not have been maxed out, homes that could not be afforded would not have been purchased, and home buyers would not have been taken in by risky loan products, which sacrificed their future. Please, let us not fail to learn the lessons from our downtrodden economy and depressed real estate market. Eventually, things will improve, but will we be no better off than we were before? By the way, we hear those of you who are saying that these skills should be taught at home. However, it is impossible for an adult who never learned the basics steps to financial success to then turn around and teach their children the same. Our education system can no longer afford to ignore teaching the skills that are so important to the success of our future and our children’s futures. Can we get a witness?! Chad and Robyn Link, Owners, Designated and Managing Brokers Link Real Estate Group 4705 Lacey Blvd, Suite C, Lacey, WA 98506 Phone: (360) 464-5601 ChadandRobyn@LinkRealEstateGroup.com “Your One Stop LINK to Success!” www.LinkRealEstateGroup.com

October 5:01 Surge—Adesso

or October’s 5:01 Surge we were invited to Adesso Restaurant in downtown Olympia. We enjoyed appetizers with Mediterranean flair and great networking. Adesso opened in March 2011 and is an upbeat venue offering a great selection of delicious foods served in their beautiful dining room. They are located in the heart of downtown so stop by to enjoy lunch, dinner, or one of their wine pairings. Thank you Rudy Viggiano, owner/chef, for a lovely event.

Top from L to R: Madelin White, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Wigs, & Day Spa; Lowell Gordon, Creative Office; and Tony Salas, Chamber executive director.

Grand Opening at Earth Friendly Products

n Friday, September 30, we had the privilege and honor of being a part of Earth Friendly Products’ grand opening. They celebrated “green” right down to the green ribbon and green carpet that was rolled out for everyone. Earth Friendly Products is a wonderful company and a great asset to our Lacey Community. Van Vlahakis started the vision and conception of Earth Friendly back in 1967 and it is still currently a family-owned business. Illinois, California, Florida, and New Jersey are also home to manufacturing centers of Earth Friendly Products. A big thanks to Earth Friendly Products and their amazing staff—you pulled off a very successful event.

Left: Rudy Viggiano, owner/chef of Adesso.

Thank You RelyLocal A special thank you to RelyLocal–Olympia’s donation to the Kidwiler Scholarship Fund. Owner, Thane Bryenton, donates $20 to the fund each time a Lacey Chamber member joins his service. The following businesses are now enjoying his service: 360 Chiropractic A Steve’s Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning GoSmallBiz.com & Legal Shield Nicholson & Associates Insurance Ram Restaurant & Brewery Contact Thane at (360) 556-9696 to take advantage of the 25% discount off an annual membership with RelyLocal, and he will make a $20 donation on your business’ behalf.

November 2011

Military Affairs Update By Carlene Joseph, Harborstone Credit Union, Military Affairs Committee Chair

fter forming ten subchapters to support the thousands of service members on Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was recognized nationally with the “Best Chapter” award in its membership category in Washington, D.C., in early October.

Dignon, will talk about his recent deployment to Jerusalem where he worked with the Jordanians and Palestinians for six months.

The ten subchapters were formed to complement JBLM’s Community Connector program by simply encouraging city officials and business leaders to embrace the soldiers and their families, especially during deployments. Today, subchapters have been established in the cities of Lacey, Steilacoom, Lakewood, DuPont, Tacoma, Fife/Milton, Puyallup, Olympia, Tumwater, and Camp Murray. These subchapters became even more beneficial when over 17,000 soldiers returned home from the war in late 2010. Over $100,000 was raised to coordinate three welcome home picnics for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Stryker Brigades. Since this time, the formation of subchapters has become popular among the different brigades on JBLM, leading to the ten existing today. The Lacey Subchapter executive committee meets on the third Thursday of each month, 4:00 p.m. at the Hawks Prairie Restaurant. They support the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), which consists of nearly 5,000 soldiers. The 3-2 SBCT is scheduled to deploy again in December, so today the executive committee is planning a deployment social for its leadership during the evening of November 16 at the Thurston County Fair Grounds. While the soldiers are deployed, the executive committee will begin a full-scale fundraising effort to welcome the entire Brigade home in December of 2012. To help with this effort, simply e-mail me at carlene.joseph@ harborstone.com. Finally, if you run into anyone on the Lacey Subchapter executive committee, please take the time to congratulate them for taking care of service members. The executive committee includes Denise Burditus, Alice Gaugler, Cruz Arroyo, Barbara St John, Jackie Pearson, and Helen Moore. Next Lacey Military Affairs Committee Meeting: November 8, 2011, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Hawks Prairie Restaurant. Topic: The 446th Operations Group Commander, Lt. Col. James

November 2011

Left from left to right: Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient SFC Leroy Petry from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, JBLM; and CSM Frank Grippe, past I Corps CSM and now the CSM for US CENTCOM CSM. Picture was taken shortly after the Chapter received their national award.

Hmmm... Didn’t Know That! Through their recycling efforts, B&R Flooring America diverted 13,960 pounds of used carpet from landfills in the month of September! 11

The Lacey Chamber of Commerce 8300 Quinault Dr. NE, Suite A Lacey, WA 98516 Phone: (360) 491-4141 Fax: (360) 491-9403 E-mail: info@laceychamber.com Website: www.laceychamber.com

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