Lace y Cha mber of Commerce
thrive!
March 2011 / Vol. 12, No. 3
Inside this issue Calendar of Events
2
Roster
2
President’s Message
3
Boys & Girls Club Teen is Honored
4
January 5:01 Surge
5
Operation Baby Shower
6
Unemployment Taxes Reduced
7
Lacey Loves to Read Thank Yous
8
Business is Booming!
9
Lacey Anchor Bank Gets New Manager 10 Report New Hires
10
Kidwiler Thank Yous
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Forum–—Wednesday, March 2 Follow us on:
Topic: Where: When: Cost:
Performance by North Thurston Public Schools Performing & Visual Arts 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 pre-paid / $20 at the door / $25 for guests
Please note that it is important you pre-pay and pre-register, by Monday, February 28, so we are able to properly plan.
March Chamber Events 2
Wednesday—Forum Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Program begins at noon Saint Martin’s Worthington Center Performance by NTPS Performing & Visual Arts Cost: members prepaid online $18/at the door $20/guests $25 Please prepay online at laceychamber.com for $18
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Tuesday—Auction Committee 2:00 p.m. Chamber Conference Room
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Wednesday—Fundraising Committee Meeting 2:00 p.m. Chamber Conference Room
Thank you to our Forum and Media Sponsor:
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Thursday—Golf Committee 10:00 a.m. Chamber Conference Room
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Monday—BBQ Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m. Chamber Conference Room
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Wednesday Executive Meeting 8:30 a.m. Board Meeting 9:30 a.m. Chamber Conference Room
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Tuesday—Ambassador’s Meeting 12:00 p.m. (noon) Dirty Dave’s Pizza 3939 Martin Way
Earth Friendly Products
8 10
94.5 ROXY
Tuesday—Military Affairs Meeting 7:30 a.m. Hawks Prairie Restaurant 8306 Quinault Dr. NE Thursday—5:01 Surge
Jay A. Goldstein GOLDSTEIN Goldstein Law Office Sherelle A. Willingham L AW O F F I C E P L L C CarmenRoad R. Rowe Hoogkamer 1800 Cooper Point SW, #8 Shawn M. Bunce, JD, CPA 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, No.8, Olympia, WA 98502 Jason M. Zittel (360) 352-1970 fax (360) 357-0844 www.jaglaw.net Olympia, WA 98502
5:01 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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Friday—Government Affairs Meeting 11:30 a.m. Panorama – Chambers House Restaurant 1751 Circle Lane SE
Sponsors
2011 Board of Directors
Forum Sponsor Earth Friendly Products 8735 Commerce Place Drive NE, Suite A Lacey, WA 98516 (360) 489-3300 www.ecos.com
Media Sponsor 94.5 ROXY 2124 Pacific Ave SE Olympia, WA 98506 360-236-1010 www.krxy.com
5:01 Surge Goldstein Law Office 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, #8 Olympia, WA 98502 (360) 352-1970 Jay A. Goldstein
Executive Board Jerry Farmer, President, 94.5 ROXY, 236-1010 Felix Peguero, President Elect, Edward Jones Investments, 438-0341 Lowell Gordon, Vice President, The Creative Office, 754-1732 Mike Harris, Treasurer & Board Member, Columbia Bank, 459-3344 Karen Schade, Secretary, America’s Credit Union, 253-912-3257 Board of Directors Andrew Barkis, Hometown Property Management, 456-7368* Ryan Betz, Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County, 956-0755* Tom Carroll, Network Communications International, 701-1532 Greg Cuoio, City of Lacey, 491-3214* Al Eckroth, Virgil Adams Real Estate, 701-3307 Tony Salas, CompuPay, 349-3493 Renée Sunde, Thurston EDC, 754-6320 Brent Walz, OBee Credit Union, 528-5361* Angelique Wilson, Professional Temp Staffing Agency, 786-8443 Jeff Powell, Past President, Prime Development Group, 528-2550 *Recently elected, serving a two year term.
GOLDSTEIN
Sherelle A. Willingham L AW O F F I C E P L L C Join us Carmen Thursday, March 10 R. Rowe Hoogkamer Shawn M. Bunce, JD, CPA 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, No.8, Olympia, WA 98502 5:01–7:00 p.m. Jason M. Zittel (360) 352-1970 fax (360) 357-0844 www.jaglaw.net Great opportunity to network! See you there!
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Paralegals Donna Waite Karen Dietrich Maximillian Schade
Committees Ambassadors–Amanda Graham, Lacey Chamber Event Coordinator, 491-4141 Auction–Tony Salas, CompuPay, 349-3493 BBQ–Al Eckroth, Virgil Adams Real Estate, 701-3307 Paralegals Donna Waite Fundraising–Tony Salas, 349-3493 Karen Dietrich Government Affairs–Daniela Anderson, Hometown Prop. Mgmt, 456-7368 Maximillian Schade 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
March 2011
Message from the President By Jerry Farmer, 94.5 ROXY, Chamber President
M
arch is here and Spring is just around the corner. If we were in school right now we’d be thinking about the future, and Spring break. So, what a great opportunity for the Chamber Forum to focus on schools. As you know, our theme this year is about the great partnerships we have in the community. One of those great partnerships is with the folks at North Thurston Public Schools. Our good friend Courtney Schreive has helped us out with our Kidwiler Scholarship and Education committees. She’s been instrumental in bringing us great talent from the schools, and what a great talent pool to draw from, to entertain us at Forums and Chamber events. She also helped line up this month’s program. The North Thurston Public School district is huge. Imagine for a moment that it was your business. You would have 1,600 training supervisors, and they would be training and overseeing at 21 different locations, putting 14,000 trainees through a skill set development process. Thirty-nine percent of your trainees would be below the poverty line and need food, clothing,
and other assistance to be able to focus on the work at hand. You would have to provide 10,000 meals a day, and assist in the transportation of a significant portion of your trainees—6,700 daily bus riders. Sound like a big endeavor? And a big company? It sure is. The North Thurston School District is bigger than a lot of cities, and they do a fantastic job. When you come to the Forum on March 2 you will see some examples of that work. The North Thurston Schools Visual and Performing Arts Program involves practically all students in elementary school, with 690 students in band and 555 students in orchestra. By high school there are still 77% of all students involved in visual, musical, or dramatic arts. Study after study has shown students perform better academically when they are also involved in the arts. When it comes to well-rounded individuals ready for the work force, North Thurston excels. It goes without saying, well-rounded students and graduates keep a community strong. Our future leaders are in training today, and you can help. Maybe you do so already. The city-sized district enjoys the aid of 1,000 active volunteers serving 48,000 hours last year. Be sure to come out to the Forum and see some of the results of those efforts, by one and all, and experience some great entertainment. We’ll have the Timberline High School Quintessential Strings instructed by Swanee Pearson and featuring Courtney Flaten and Chante’ Mack on violin, David Vo on viola, and Caitlyn Snyder on cello; the Chinook Middle School Band/Jazz Band led by Thom Mettler; and the impressive River Ridge High School Taiko Drum Group led by John Theine. We’ll have lots of Visual Arts on display also. This stuff is incredible. Prepare to be amazed. Karen Eitreim, who leads the Visual and Performing Arts program, and District Superintendent Raj Manhas will also say a few words. Here’s your opportunity to see the future. Don’t miss it.
March 2011
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Outstanding Lacey Teen to Compete for Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s State Youth of the Year Honor By Sarah Austin, Marketing Coordinator, Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County
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randon Pavlick is a true example of an extraordinary teenager. At age 15, he has just been selected to compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Washington Youth of the Year title, a $1,000 scholarship, and the chance to move on to the regional competition. As the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (BGCTC), Pavlick is among thousands of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for strong character, leadership skills, and willingness to give back to the community.
of his contributions. We are so proud to honor him as our Youth of the Year,� says Shellica Trevino, Lacey Branch Director.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The program—founded over 60 years ago—recognizes the outstanding contributions honorees make to their family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club, as well as the personal challenges and obstacles they have overcome.
A: My parents got divorced and, as a result, I moved to Lacey and I felt like I became an outcast and I was very anti-social. The Club has helped me overcome this challenge. A staff member named Andrew helped me make friends without worrying about being rejected. Also, Patrick, the Teen Coordinator, has helped me to project my voice and strike up a conversation.
Pavlick, a freshman at Timberline High School, will represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County at the Washington Youth of the Year competition at Seattle’s Qwest Field on March 23. The winner will be announced by Governor Gregoire the next morning at a special reception held at the Governor’s mansion. Brandon was chosen from a group of deserving peers from the three other area Clubs after a thorough selection process. The competition included giving a speech and being interviewed by the panel of judges—a mix of BGCTC supporters, board members, and administrative staff. This is the first year in Thurston County’s 10-year history that a member of the Lacey Club has won. Pavlick has been a member at the Boys & Girls Club since 2007, and in the last year has thrived as a member of Keystone Club and the Jr. Staff program. He has become a natural leader and, with encouragement and help from Club staff, Pavlick ran for freshman class treasurer at his high school and won. As an aspiring chef and author, Pavlick knows that a college education will be the first step on the path to achieving his future goals. He already has a plan in place to join the Army after high school to help pay for college. “Brandon has volunteered countless hours in the Ed Room, assisting members with homework and helping them learn valuable social skills. The Lacey Club is a better place because
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Q & A session with Brandon. Q: What do you like about the Club? A: I enjoy helping other kids with their homework and watching them grown up in a positive place. The teen center has all kinds of activities for homework help, to playing pool, to just hanging out. Patrick, our teen staff, plans many different things that are fun. Q: Describe an obstacle that you have overcome in your life. In what way has the club contributed to your ability to overcome that obstacle?
Q: What can people do with their lives that will positively affect the future of our community? A: Young people can volunteer and then they will enjoy their community more and will help keep it clean. Q: How would you convince a friend to join the Club if he or she was unsure about it? A: I try to encourage my friends to come to the Club all the time. I explain to them all the benefits of the Club, such as all the great activities in the Teen Center, how they can get help with homework, and help other kids.
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March 2011
January 5:01 Surge—Squaxin Island Tourism Department
W
e had the opportunity to have the January 5:01 Surge hosted by the Squaxin Island Tourism Department on January 13. The Museum is located off of Old Olympic Hwy in Shelton. We explored the museum’s exhibits and, through guided tours, learned about the Squaxin Island tribe and their way of life. Food and raffle prizes added to the fun. The 5:01 Surge was a success even though rain tried to put a damper on it! Thank you again to the Squaxin Island Tourism Department for hosting a very unique, history-filled event!
FREE Identity Theft Class
Sarah Scott, Amenity Day Spa; Karen Schade, America’s Credit Union; Vince Funk, Allstate Insurance; and Gary Liden, Twinstar Credit Union, enjoy the appetizers that were provided.
Identity theft is said to be the fastest growing crime in America. It’s already affected millions of Americans including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Tiger Woods. Last year it affected nearly 10 million Americans and chances are this has affected you or someone you know. The problem:
You can make a difference... Reduce your risk Quickly detect a problem Restore your good name Protect your identity
To learn more about the “3 Ds” of identity protection, please join us for a FREE presentation at: Date:
March 15, 2011, Tuesday
Time:
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location:
Lacey Chamber of Commerce Conference Room
Ruth Whitener, Squaxin Island Tourism, during a tour of the museum.
Organized by: Geremy Chavez, AFC RSVP:
geremychavez@gmail.com by Friday, March 11
Geremy Chavez is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), skilled in all areas of personal financial management. If you’d like more information check out, www.olympiamoneycoach.com, or call Geremy directly at 360.455.0277.
March 2011
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Operation Baby Shower
By Carlene Joseph, Harborstone Credit Union, Military Affairs Committee Chair
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our Chamber Military Affairs Committee was very busy during the month of February. First, we initiated the creation of a 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) program designed to support soldiers. Second, Ken Swarner, owner of Ranger & NW Airlifter Newspapers, received a very prestigious award for his ingenuity and hard work in supporting service members. The Lacey Chamber, the City of Lacey, and the Association of the United States Army’s Lacey Subchapter, with the assistance of the 3-2 (SBCT), are in the process of establishing an official “Arrowhead Adopt-A-Unit� program. The Adopt-A-Unit program dissects the Brigade, which consists of nearly 5,000 soldiers, into small units. Each unit will then be assigned to a business in the City of Lacey. The overall objective is to encourage a reciprocal relationship between the business and the unit, which includes soldiers helping with community support and the business employees supporting the soldiers during deployments and more. If your business is interested in adopting a unit, please contact me at carlene.joseph@ harborstone.com.
The Leader in Manufacturing Award-winning Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
JBLM spouses attending Operation Baby Shower.
I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Ken Swarner for receiving the very prestigious 62nd Airlift Wing’s Bryce Lilly Award. Another name for this award is the “Volunteer of the Year� award for McChord Field. Most recently, Ken planned and coordinated “Operation Baby Shower,� which was held at Saint Martin’s University a few short weeks ago. You all probably remember that in late September, 18,000 soldiers returned from the war. As a result, thousands of women were expected to soon be pregnant and this spurred Ken’s idea of “Operation Baby Shower.� The event was well received, and pregnant women and their families were literally wrapped around Saint Martin’s University for hours into late afternoon. This is just one example of why Ken Swarner was recognized for the very prestigious “Bryce Lilly Award.� Finally, take some time to attend our next Lacey Chamber Military Affairs Committee meeting. The next meeting will be held on March 8, 7:30 a.m., at the Hawks Prairie Restaurant. If you are interested in attending, please send me an e-mail. Come learn more about how the “Adopt-A-Unit� works and hear about what’s happening on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Our Brand New Facility 8735 Commerce Place Dr. NE, Ste. A Lacey WA 98516-1364 1) t 'BY Our new 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility began production in June, 2010, hiring 20 new employees, supporting local suppliers and servicing accounts in the U.S. and Canada.
"MM /BUVSBM 1SPEVDUT t 4BGF GPS :PV t 4BGF GPS PVS &OWJSPONFOU www.ecos.com
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Where Family Means Everything.
2415 Pacif ic Avenue SE
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Supporting Families and Education We make a donation to education for every new patient.
www.f isherjonesfamilydentistry.com
www.fisherjonesfamilydentisry.com
(360) 943-4644
March 2011
Unemployment Taxes Reduced for Most Employers Submitted by Paul Trause, Employment Security Commissioner
G
reat news! The state Legislature has passed Govenor Gregoire’s proposal to reduce unemployment tax rates for most employers in Washington beginning this year. As you may recall, our state has one of the healthiest unemployment funds in the country, yet the tax formulas in state law were triggering substantial tax increases for employers in 2011. The Governor asked the state Legislature to revise the tax formulas to reduce tax rates–—and to vote on it early in the legislative session so the lower rates could take effect this year.
federally funded extended benefits through the end of 2011, makes the Training Benefits Program more accessible, and provides a temporary $25 benefit increase for workers who file new unemployment claims during an eight-month window this year. For more details about the tax reduction and benefit enhancements contained in the legislation, read Employment Security’s fact sheet.
The legislation was the first to pass and be signed by the Governor this year. It succeeded due to considerable collaboration, spurred by a shared concern for how businesses and jobless workers have been affected by the recession. Not only was it adopted quickly, but it received almost unanimous votes in both the Senate and House. As a result, tax rates for 2011 will be reduced for 90 percent of Washington employers, and about half of them will pay lower rates than in 2010. The reduction will save employers $300 million in 2011 and an estimated $360 million from 2011 through 2017. Employment Security will recalculate tax rates and send new tax-rate notices in March to replace the ones sent to employers in December. Employers do not have to request an updated tax-rate notice; all employers will receive one in the mail. The legislation also made some changes to the benefits side of the unemployment insurance system. It continues
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March 2011
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Thank you to 2011 Lacey Loves To Read Basket Donors
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his year’s featured author was Kirby Larson. Kirby visited North Thurston Schools throughout February 16 and 17. Her visit ended at the Lacey Community Center where she spoke to many avid readers young and old. This free event was topped off with a free raffle of 30 educationallythemed baskets. A big thank you to Annie Cappiello of Annie’s Unique Gifts for designing the baskets and the businesses below for their generous donations. America’s Credit Union Twinstar Credit Union TAGS Awards & Specialties OBee Credit Union Pacific Disposal / LeMay Enterprises Allstate Insurance – The Vince Funk Agency Squaxin Island Tourism Department Edward Jones Investments – Jeff & Marv Kopp Olympia Vision Clinic Fisher Jones Family Dentistry Chinqually Booters Soccer Club Sterling Savings Bank Medicine Creek Winery Pacific Dental Arts Panorama Professional Temp Staffing Agency Ostroms Mushroom Farm BECU Chris Lester Insurance Services GoSmallBiz.com Pardiman Productions Exit Realty – Hal & Anita Yarber 94.5 ROXY City of Lacey, Greg Cuoio
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March 2011
Business is Booming! Renewals–Thank You!
New Members ACS Translations & Interpretation Services PO Box 2211 Olympia, WA 98507 Contact: Alicia Cardenas-Short Category: Translators Phone: (360) 412-1135 Ferguson Enterprises 402 Carpenter Rd SE Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: Carrie Deines Category: New Construction and Home Remodel-Plumbing and Lighting Phone: (360) 456-2960 Web: www.ferguson.com
IRC Print & Design 4704 Pacific Avenue SE Suite C Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: Trisha Ferguson Category: Digital & Offset Printing, Signs, Graphic Design Phone: (360) 357-4454 Web: www.ircprintanddesign.com South Bay Press—Spark! Investor 4003 8th Ave SE Lacey, WA 98503 Contact: Charles Tichener Phone: 360-459-3015 Web: www.southbaypress.com
2-4 Years: Round Table Pizza 5-9 Years: Guild Mortgage ProActive Sportsmed 10-14 Years: A Steve’s Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning Edward Jones Investments - Marv Kopp & Jeff Kopp Intercity Transit Virgil Clarkson, Deputy Mayor Williams Group Marketing & Design Over 15 Years! Heritage Bank Mutual of Omaha-Mike Wolfe
Mike Wolfe Sales Representative Northwest Division Office Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company United of Omaha Life Insurance Company 1230 Ruddell Road SE, Suite 202 7402 20th Avenue SE Lacey, WA 98503 Lacey, WA 98503 360 459 2061 fax 360 459 4697 360.491.7593 home 360 491 7593 michael.wolfe@mutualofomaha.com
Your business card ad could go here.
March 2011
Turning Our Listeners into Your Customers Call 236-1010
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New Branch Manager for Anchor Bank in Lacey
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nchor Bank is proud to announce that Nancy Balderas has been appointed as Branch Manager of the Lacey Financial Center. She has been with Anchor Bank for almost four years and was previously the manager of our Shelton branch. Nancy served on the Mason County Aids Advocacy Board, worked with the local Foster Kids Association and is also a member of the Lacey Chamber.
Nancy is a great addition to the Lacey team and will surely help grow our Nancy Balderas named loan and deposit portfolio while inBranch Manager of Anchor creasing our presence in the business Bank Lacey Financial Center community. We invite you to stop in to visit her at our Lacey Branch on 601 Woodland Square Loop, or call (360) 491-2250 to discuss any of C M Y CM MY CY CMY K your financial needs.
Reminder to Report New Hire Information
S
tate and Federal law require all employers to report new hire information within 20 days. The Washington State DSHS Division of Child Support (DCS) is responsible for the New Hire Reporting program. This is one government program that has no paperwork. It’s fast and easy to report online at www.dshs.wa.gov/newhire and reporting only takes a few minutes. Help is available! If you need assistance with New Hire Reporting or any other child support program, please contact Doug Cheney at dcheney@dshs.wa.gov or 360-664-5043. Thank you for doing your part to get child support to our state’s children.
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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 February 2011 Forum: 94.5 ROXY A Steve’s Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning Aflac-Megan Casto Annie’s Unique Baskets Community Values Magazine Express Employment Fast Signs Go Small Biz.com Occasions Catering Pardiman Productions S. Stewart Ridgeway, CPA South Sound Bank The Ram Restaurant & Brewery Thank You for Your Continued Support!
March 2011
Mark Your Calendars—Exciting Upcoming Events for 2011! 5:01 Surges: March 10 April 14 May TBD June 21 July 20 August 4 September 22 October November December
Grand Openings: Goldstein Law Office Washington Land Yacht Harbor FASTSIGNS Budd Bay Ferguson Thurston County Fair Boys and Girls Club OPEN OPEN OPEN
May 12 August 12
South Bay Press Earth Friendly Products
Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers. –Stephen R. Covey
Nancy Balderas Branch Manager, Anchor Bank 601 Woodland Sq Lp SE Lacey, WA 98503 (360) 491-2250 nancy.balderas@anchorsb.com
March 2011
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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
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Olympia, WA Permit No. 60
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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SPARK!
Mike Wolfe
ORIGINAL