March-April 2011 by Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

Chamber M A R CH

APRIL

2011

News

See page 12 No Business After Hours March 22! Sneak peek inside the NEW downtown library. BE THERE! Details inside.

Advancing the business community.

Contents

March / April 2011

12-13

Volume 39 • Number 2 • March / April 2011 1101 Broadway, Suite 100

Vancouver, WA 98660

360-694-2588

yourchamber@vancouverusa.com www.vancouverusa.com

ChamberNews (USPS 008786) is published bi-monthly by the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, 1101 Broadway, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660. Tel. 360-694-2588, Fax 360-693-8279. ChamberNews annual subscription is $25. Periodicals postage paid at Vancouver, WA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to ChamberNews, 1101 Broadway, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98660 This publication is dedicated to providing Chamber business news, educating the reader, and providing critical comment.

Departments & Columns

New Vancouver Community Library Opens in July

From the Chair

From the PAC-Chair

From the CEO

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Taking It to the Top By Don Russo, Public Affairs Committee Chair

Getting It Done By Kelly Parker, GVCC President & CEO

Wally Hornberger

Spotlight: Deane’s Graphics 5-Minute Motivation

GVCC Cash Referral Program

Member Services:

• Member News

• New Members

• Renewing Members

How the Legislature Can Help Business By Jeff Woodside, GVCC Board Chair

• Ribbon Cuttings

Thank you to all the participants  and a special thank you to our sponsors: Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, Alaska Airlines, On Line Support and The Columbian

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Alaska Airlines

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Chaotic Chocolate

    Water &   Rebecca Blaisdell & Air Works   GVCC Staff   

Volcanoes & Paul Montague

Thanks! On Line Support

Chair

From the

Jeff Woodside Nutter Corporation Chair, Board of Directors Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

How the Legislature Can Help Business

usinesses want to hire.

I’ve heard elected officials encourage us to start hiring again. Perhaps you’ve heard them too. They tell us that business holds the key to starting up the economic engine. I appreciate the role that business plays in this recovery. But I wonder if those same elected officials have given much thought to the hurdles that they inadvertently place in our way. I think of two issues at the state level that significantly affect our ability to afford to hire where legislators can show their support. As employers we pay unemployment insurance taxes for each employee. The state announced earlier this winter those taxes would sharply increase; the second largest increase in more than 20 years after 2010 increases of as high as 196-479% at some companies. It was very hard to understand how rates could increase by this much for individual companies that had paid over $580,000 more in premiums to the state in the prior 5 years than in benefits charged to accounts. The State Legislature argued whether to impose the tax to pay for state employment programs. In the heat of the partisan debate, Vancouver continues on page 7

PAC-Chair

From the

Don Russo Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Immediate Past Board Chair, Public Affairs Committee Chair Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

Taking it to the Top

ach year members of your Board of Directors and of the Public Affairs Committee make a special trip to Olympia to take your concerns to the folks at the helm. Last year and again this year, our agenda includes a private meeting with Governor Chris Gregoire and key staff, including state Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, as well as our local elected officials. As we reported last month, we’ll be taking the regional business message to our elected officials, including key points that formed the basis of the joint 2011 Legislative Agenda with Identity Clark County and the Columbia River Economic Development Council. This year our message is all about re-building, re-igniting, and re-invigorating our economy. We believe that our economy should and can be a truly powerful force in our region and the entire state. Another important message we will take to Gov. Gregoire and others in Olympia is that the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Washington business community are fully behind the efforts to continue making progress on the Columbia River Crossing project. As the City of Vancouver Mayor noted just the other day, “This bridge is about community, it’s about a new economy, and it’s about believing in the future. Let’s get this thing built.” Your Chamber believes that this community is willing to make the investment, along with the citizens of Oregon and our state and federal partners, because without the Columbia River Crossing and our commitment, we lose our ability to do what this Chamber of Commerce is all about – growing business, growing jobs, and growing our future.

continues on page 9

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

CEO

From the

Kelly Parker President & CEO Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

The Next Time You Drive Along SR14

he next time you drive along SR14, look south to the river and you’ll see signs of growth. The two angled large structures stretching out over the shoreline remind us that economic growth comes, but in time.

Thompson Metal Fab has been working on the two arctic oil drilling rigs for more than a year. Most of the work went unnoticed by the public until now. These are the positive signs that we look for as businesses and pragmatic optimists. At the Chamber, we see signs of progress every week. Come to a ribbon cutting and you’ll see how the Chamber community supports new members. Come to a workshop and you’ll see Chamber members sharing ideas. Come to our next NO BUSINESS AFTER HOURS on March 22nd and you’ll feel the enthusiasm and strong sense of community. As people and as businesses, we tend to band together during tough times in order to sustain and prevail. I see that happening in the marketplace and admire the creativity of businesses that have developed new partnerships to be successful. Here at the Chamber, we are strengthening our ties with our fellow business organizations for the common good. Recently, I joined our counterparts from the Seattle, Spokane and Tri-Cities Chambers of Commerce and met with our state legislative leaders in Olympia. We presented our legislative priorities and articulated the business voice on issues such as tax relief and regulatory reform. Together our voice comes through loud and clear. I participated in the Association of Washington Business Legislative Lobby Day and continues on page 9

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March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

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Ambassador Honors:

s a GVCC Ambassador for more than 25 years, Wally Hornberger is truly a Chamber representative. We’d like to thank Wally for his many years of volunteer service and for his commitment not only to the GVCC but the community. Not surprisingly, when it comes to Wally’s community outreach and volunteer activities, GVCC involvement is just the tip of the iceberg. Wally joined Coldwell Banker Commercial in 1980 after working at Payless pharmacy. In fact, he has a Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University.

Wally Hornberger

Wally served on the Clark County Planning Commission for 14 years. He is a past GVCC Board of Directors Chair. Wally is a Rotary Club past President and previously served on the Columbia River Economic Development Council board. Wally’s service is not limited to Clark County. He served with the U.S. Marines during World War II and is known as a “true patriot.” When Wally enters a room, he is always preceded by his smile and generous spirit. He is a perfect example of what the GVCC Ambassadors are all about. We are truly appreciative of all he does and would simply like to say, THANK YOU! n

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

From the Chair Cont... continued from page 4

State Senator Craig Pridemore stood up for business going against his party’s caucus. We are fortunate in SW Washington to have strong representation on behalf of business from our 17th, 18th and 49th legislative districts. Our local elected official recognized the chilling effect it would have on businesses trying to expand just like it chilled companies in 2010. Thank you to all our representatives and senators for your efforts to help find a common-sense solution for the next two years. This will begin to allow companies to recover from the sharp 2010 increase and compete with companies from states to the south and east of Washington. A second pressing issue that affects businesses is Workers’ Compensation Reform. It’s badly needed and it’s under debate in Olympia. It may prove to be too challenging to resolve in this legislative session. I had a chance to talk with Don Brunell who leads the Association of Washington Business. He spoke at a recent Chamber meeting. He says the task at hand

is daunting. But all agree, the current system is not sustainable without significant reform. For businesses struggling with the increase in Workman’s Comp rates there is partial relief available through the Chamber. It’s called RETRO. The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has one of the most successful programs in the state. I encourage you to consider whether your company might be eligible. Our local administrator, Scott Croucher works effectively to reduce risk and loss, and our participating businesses realize healthy returns on their L&I premiums paid to the state. To learn more about RETRO, your eligibility and your potential refund, give us a call at the Chamber office (360) 694-2588. Every little bit helps as businesses look for ways so that we can afford to hire good people who can help us grow and prosper. We are not looking for a free lunch, just fair consideration from our elected officials who have authority over the fees and taxes we pay. It’s vitally important our business voice is heard in Olympia and in Washington D.C. The voice of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce comes through loud and clear. n

Banking on Your Terms

Brandon Posey Commercial Banking Officer Vancouver

Working Capital

LLC

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R emot e D ep osi t It only makes sense that the business partners you deal with day in and day out, like Pacific Continental banker Brandon Posey, are fluent in the language of your business. At Pacific Continental, our bankers not only speak small business with the agility of a CFO, they’re experts in delivering the financial services you need, when you need them… on your terms.

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• Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com Vancouver Chamber Newsletter ~March/April 7.5 X 5 2011 ~ 4C ~ March/April 2011 ~ Posey

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Spotlight

Congrats to Deane’s Graphics! Celebrating 30 Years in Business!

n 1981, John and Debbie Deane turned the family room in their home in Vancouver’s Lincoln neighborhood into a graphic arts studio, complete with a drafting table, stateof-the-art Compugraphic photo typesetter and VGC Daylighter stat camera. They boasted over 500 type fonts, original design and illustration with complete paste-up and layout when they placed their first ad in the local phone book.

With strict orders for their dog Otis, not to bark and their kids not to make “kid” noises, they took a leap of faith to see if they could turn their experience and talents into a successful cottage industry. The small but thriving business stayed at home until they bought their current location at 302 W. 39th St., and made, what was to them, a milestone move to the real business world in July of 1988. Soon, the photo typesetter and the stat cameras were replaced with high-end Macintosh computer equipment, and Deane’s Graphics became the premier design studio of Southwest Washington. Early accounts like Columbia Cable, Racing Rags, and Platt Electric helped Deane’s prove their ability to create and produce

fresh marketing ideas while still making tight deadlines. The biggest challenge was meeting the large corporate needs while still working successfully with many small businesses. A juggling feat the Deane’s learned to master early in their career. John still uses his drafting table for sketching out penciled thumbnails (many are suitable for framing) and oversees the computer graphics of head designer Brian Ellefson, who has worked for Deane’s since 1991, and daughter Sheri Shorten who has developed her own unique design style. Debbie runs the business part of Deane’s, meets with clients, and does some copywriting and editing. The “kids” are all now busy with careers and families of their own, and Otis has gone to doggie heaven replaced by “Loui” the Deane’s 14-year-old Jack Russel who took over the barking duties at home. For information about the company go to: www.deanes-graphics.com n

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

John still uses his drafting table for sketching out penciled thumbnails

From CEO Cont... continued from page 5

appreciate their work on behalf of businesses statewide. In Southwest Washington, our local business organizations are working together to support you through a campaign called “Do We Get It.” It’s a question posed to the community that asks all of us to consider how we spend our money in Southwest Washington. Every year, Clark County residents spend approximately $915 million in Oregon, costing our community revenue and jobs. Right now more than ever, our purchasing decisions translate into loss or gain for our local businesses. The Southwest Washington Association of Business Leaders, known as SWWABL, launched its “Do We Get It” campaign to help increase awareness of the issue and support our local businesses. As consumers we make daily decisions that help or hinder our local businesses. As businesses, we challenge

ourselves to ask the same question: “Can I buy this product or service on the Washington side of the river?” If you’re a member of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, have you considered doing business with a fellow Chamber member? Our membership directory on our website is easy to navigate. When we support each other, we prosper. n

From PAC-Chair Cont... continued from page 4

We recognize that there is a loud and at times raucous discussion over tolls, light rail, the needs of the two states, and the communities on both sides of the river. We cannot, however, allow these different points of view to cause us to throw up our hands, give up and walk away. It takes courage to navigate through difficult and complex projects.

span will survive an earthquake. As our population continues to grow in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area and as we seek to move more and more freight by truck, can our economy really afford the routine 30-minute interruption of commerce while a sailboat causes a bridge lift? We think not. Please help us invest in our community and our region for the benefit of the entire west coast. You can learn more about the project by going to the Chamber website where we have a special section with frequently asked questions. You can call the Chamber directly to learn how to get more directly involved. Help us build the bridge now. n

Your Chamber has the courage to work through these challenges because we cannot afford to quit and give up. The older bridge span has served us for 95 years – the “newer” span is more than a half century old. Neither

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5-Minute Motivation

ll the planning in the world will do nothing for you if you don’t follow through. Many of us would like more motivation. Motivation to stay on track. Motivation to get more done. But, what is motivation? The drive to do something.

Often we refer to motivation in terms of on or off, you either have it or you don’t. Mostly we notice it as a feeling, but what if it could be a strategy? Here is a process for using motivation as a strategy to change the feeling and stay focused. We all have internal representations for different activities. These may be mental pictures, words, sounds and feelings. When we think of something, an activity, or a person, the brain brings up these mental pictures and associations, and we then experience it (or re-experience it) according to these internal cues. This process will help you be more aware of your internal representations so that you can use motivation as a tool. Think of an activity you are not so motivated to do, and notice what comes to mind. Notice the pictures, thoughts, words, and feelings associated. Now pick an activity that you are highly motivated to do – that you enjoy doing, and notice what pictures, thoughts, words and feelings are associated. Notice the differences between the two and ask, how are both of these activities the same? Get at least 3 similarities. What qualities of the highly motivated activ-

By Holly Stokes, The Brain Trainer ity can you take back with you to the not so motivated one? Specifically pay attention to the qualities that you can bring back to the low motivation space. For example, is one image brighter? What are the qualities of the sounds or words? What is the quality of the feelings associated? Now, imagine carrying these positive qualities back with you into the first activity. Notice what seems to have changed? Here is an example: if my low motivated activity is housework, and my internal representations are drudgery, dingy, dark, and my highly motivated activity is writing, which I experience internally as sparkles, fun, and brightness, I can take the sparkles, fun, and brightness back to changing the pictures associated with the housework. Changing the mental pictures changes the feeling. What do you picture differently? What do you imagine hearing differently? How have your feelings changed? What can you take from the place of being highly motivated to the activity of not so motivated? Imagine taking it with you, and stepping back into the first place (not so motivated), what seems to have changed here? Our motivation can be made stronger just by changing the qualities of the mental pictures, sounds, words, and feelings that are connected with an activity. Holly Stokes, The Brain Trainer offers an online program, Train your Brain for Business: Motivation, Focus and Achievement, geared to help busy professionals set up your mind for

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Many of us would like more motivation. Motivation to stay on track. Motivation to get more done

success. Enjoy new mental strategies and topics each week with live training calls, visit the website for details: www.expandingpotentials.net/businesstraining.html n

The ardent golfer would play Mount Everest if somebody put a flagstick on top.

“

PETE DYE

Thursday, June 16, 2011 Lewis River Golf Course Woodland, Washington

7:30 a.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start To sponsor or play: www.vancouverusa.com, click Events/Registration, click June 16 or call (360) 694-2588.

Presenting Sponsor:

Coming this June: Vancouver’s First Marathon

he Vancouver USA Marathon (VUM) has signed a contract with PUMA North America as the race’s official apparel sponsor. Brian Davis, race director and owner of Energy Events which manages VUM, states that “having PUMA on board is a great compliment and just the edge we need as an inaugural race. The Vancouver USA Marathon takes place on June 19th, 2011 in Vancouver, Washington. To date, the event has registered over 1,100 runners/walkers through the month of February 2011. VUM’s goal is 5,000 full and half marathon runners/walkers for this inaugural race. Visit www.vancouverUSAmarathon.com for more information about the race and sponsors. n

Sav e t h e Dat e

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Friday March 18, 2011 Submit entries at:

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March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

New Vancouver Community Library Opens in July Preview the new building at “No Business After Hours,” 5-7 pm, Tuesday, March 22 • 901 C Street

The richest person in the world - in fact all the riches in the world - couldn’t provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot available at your local library. ~ Malcolm Forbes, publisher, 1919-1990

alcolm Forbes would be pleased with all the library activity happening this year in downtown Vancouver. The building exterior is largely finished and interior fixtures will be installed soon in our new main library, which will open to the public in mid-July.

Building a 21st Century library

From the open, four-story atrium entrance to the fifth floor reading room and outdoor terrace with its incredible view of the river and Mount Hood, the new 83,000 square-foot library will offer many needed state-of-the-art features, including 21st Century technology that wasn’t dreamed of when the current building opened in 1963.

The new Vancouver Community Library is located at 901 C Street at the intersection with Evergreen Blvd., across from The Academy. The $38 million project was funded by bonds approved by Vancouver voters in 2006, plus the generous donation of land from Killian Pacific and a $5 million anonymous gift. Howard S. Wright Constructors is the general contractor. The Miller|Hull Partnership of Seattle is the architecture firm.

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Here’s a comparison between the old and new libraries:

Current Library

New Library

Square feet

36,000 sq ft

83,000 sq ft

Catalog and resource computers

Internet computers

Meeting rooms

Study rooms

Seating: lounge and study tables

118

300

Seating: technology areas

Collection capacity

285,000

385,000

A business-friendly downtown resource

Busy library visitors will enjoy the first-floor convenience of being able to get some coffee, pick up holds, and check out the latest magazines and newspapers in the same area of the soaring atrium. Free Wi-Fi will allow use of laptops throughout the building, which includes two small meeting rooms that can be reserved and many seating areas for quiet conversation. The 134-seat Columbia Room on the first floor will be available for public use for meetings, programs and training, and can be rented for private events. As always, the library will offer knowledgeable assistance with business information, valuable subscription-only research databases for market research, and a wealth of business-related books and magazines.

An investment in our community’s future

The 3,000 square-foot Early Learning Center on the library’s third floor is a signature element of the new library, and hands-on evidence of the library district’s longtime advocacy for early literacy. With a colorful array of interactive structures and displays, the ELC will engage children birth to five years in activities that enhance brain development and social skills, and provide resources to help parents and caregivers develop their own skills in helping children develop their full potential. Most of all, the center will be about having fun at the library while learning to read.

A greener footprint

While much of its “green design” is invisible, the library district’s newest and largest library is an environmentally-sound building. High-performance windows will save energy and bring in natural light during daylight hours while cutting glare and summer heat. Electric lighting and heating/cooling systems will adjust automatically throughout the day. The building is on track to merit gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Supporting downtown revitalization

As an attractive destination and vibrant public space, the new library will contribute to economic development and the revitalization of downtown Vancouver. About 1,500 patrons visit the current library each day, and that number is expected to increase significantly with a larger and nicer facility. Library visitors typically also shop and dine in establishments near the library.

More information coming

The library district is currently working out details of transitioning the existing library to the new location and opening to the public in mid-July, when Sunday hours will return. You’ll find information posted at www.fvrl.org, including fun time-lapse footage of the building construction.

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Chamber Cash Referral Program Help Your Chamber Grow & Put Money in Your Pocket! The Chamber Cash Referral Program is a great opportunity to help grow your chamber and your business! We value your membership and want to show our appreciation for your referrals. When you submit a referral that becomes a new member, you will receive recognition and earn Chamber Cash that can be used towards your choice of one of the following: □ $100 FAST PASS □ 1 Month Web Advertisement □ 1/6 page ad in the Chamber News Magazine □ Member Spotlight on front page of the website HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Provide us with the name of a prospective business owner Fill out the form below and return it to the GVCC Office GVCC will contact the referred business and upon receipt of payment of the membership dues you receive your reward. DON’T MISS OUT TO PUT MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET!

When consumers know that a small business is a chamber member, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a chamber member, they are 40% more likely to eat at the restaurant in the next few months.

Terms and Conditions Chamber Cash is non-transferable $50 Chamber Cash is for new memberships only Study done by Shapiro group There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make The referral must become a member within 30 days of the referral date GVCC members in good standing are eligible for the Chamber Cash program A referral form must be at the GVCC office indicating YOU as the person referring the new business If a referral form for a prospective member is submitted more than once, the GVCC will honor the first referring party Return completed form to the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce 1101 Broadway, Suite 100, Vancouver , WA 98660 or Fax to (360) 693-8279 http://www.vancouverusa.com

Your Information:

Referred Company Information:

Name ______________________________________

Contact Person _______________________________

Company ___________________________________

Title _______________________________________

Telephone __________________________________

Company ___________________________________

E-Mail _____________________________________

Address ____________________________________

Comments __________________________________

Telephone __________________________________

___________________________________________

E-Mail _____________________________________

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Services

Member

Extra Innings 13606 NE 15th St., Suite C Vancouver, WA 98684

Ribbon Cuttings Applewood NW Bistro and Pinnacle Mortgage 192nd Plaza 2005 SE 192nd Ave., Suite 100 Camas, WA 98607

Krispy Kreme

8517 NE Andresen Road Vancouver, WA 98665

Audiology Clinic, Inc.

11711 NE 99th St., Suite 930 Vancouver, WA 98662

Merrill Gardens at Orchards Village 10011 NE 118th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98682

you have the

Power to Save That new TV is really nice, but it uses a lot more energy than your old set. So if you’re not watching it, turn it off. Remember, you have the power to save.

Therapeutic Associates Vancouver Physical Therapy

17700 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Suite 150 Vancouver, WA 98683

www.clarkpublicutilities.com

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Services

Member

Member News Members on the Move

■ Patricia Spicer, Customer Service Agent with Davidson Insurance, has earned the designation of Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR). Spicer successfully completed five courses covering all areas of insurance risks and exposures, followed by extensive examinations. A licensed insurance agent, she has more than 30 years of insurance agency experience. ■ Congratulations to Superintendent Steven T. Webb, Ed.D., and Executive Director of Community/Government Relations, Tom Hagley of Vancouver (Wash.) Public Schools for being named the 2011 recipients of the Leadership Through Communication Award, jointly sponsored by Blackboard Connect, NSPRA and AASA. ■ Hilton Vancouver has hired Leslie Stose as travel sales manager. Stose will be responsible for managing all local and corporate business travel negotiated accounts for the hotel. In addition, she Leslie Stose books meeting space and guestrooms for corporate events. ■ The Clark County Fair Association has named longtime board member and Clark County Fair volunteer Sharon J. Crouch board President for 2011. Sharon J. Crouch

Crouch has served on the board since 2004, including four years as vice-chair. In addition, Crouch is the loss control manager for Clark Public Utilities and a 2005 graduate of Leadership Clark County.

Bryon & Lin Jacobus

■ GVCC Ambassador, Byron Jacobus and his wife Lin, represented the GVCC well in Las Vegas at the Miss America Pageant with their great niece, Jacquie Brown, Miss Washington. Jacquie finished as 3rd runner up! Congrats to Jacquie.

Making Headlines ■ nConnect announced that it is linking more than three-dozen students in southwest Washintgton and northwest Oregon to IBM mentors by year’s end in an effort to encourage greater proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines -- encouraging young people to consider to pursue careers in these crucial fields. The students will be connected to their mentors through a secure, online program named IBM MentorPlace, which operates in 35 countries with over 6000 mentors and 7000 students. To enable the relationship between student and mentor, IBM is donating 74 licenses for MentorPlace to nConnect, a Vancouver-based non-profit. This project is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration to the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council.

■ Matt Wastradowski, a features writer and assistant at The Columbian for five years, has been promoted to social media coordinator – a newly created position. He’ll oversee comment moderation on columbian.com and serve as ombudsman for the newsroom online. He’ll also manage The Columbian’s Twitter and Facebook accounts and help develop the paper’s new social media strategy. Wastradowski is a Clark County native, a Blazers fanatic and a graduate of Washington State University Vancouver’s Digital Technology and Culture program. ■ Habitat for Humanity International announced recently that Wells Fargo contributed $11.8 million in support of Habitat’s affordable-housing work in 2010, exceeding the company’s June 2010 pledge by nearly 50 percent to help revitalize communities hit hard by the economy. Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo are GVCC members. Wells Fargo donated $50,000 and 670 volunteer hours to Evergreen Habitat for Humanity in Vancouver in 2010. ■ Bonnie Franklin, Vice President and Manager of Riverview Community

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Bank’s Battle Ground Branch, was honored recently by the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce as one of three finalists for that community’s Citizen of the Year award. Congrats Bonnie! ■ Congrats to Erin Stepanek of member The Heathman Lodge! Erin was the lucky winner of our Snowbird Raffle! ■ The School of Piano Technology for the Blind also known as the Piano Hospital received a $9,000 grant from the Northwest Lions Foundation in support of its HVAC Upgrade Project. The project involves replacing existing heat pumps with new gas pack units. An LCIF Grant is pending

DS&W ChamberNews 07:DS&W ChamberNews 10 continues on page 17 [ DISPUTE RESOLUTION ]

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4/30

final approval. Local Lions Clubs have pledged over $7,500 in support of this project, which will significantly lower costs and increase operational efficiency at the Piano Hospital. GVCC member Pinnacle Mortgage Planning is hosting a Home Buyer Education Class to qualify potential first-time homebuyers for Washington Bond and USDA financing. The class will be taught by Rochelle Gano of Pinnacle and Lori Hausler of Prudential NW Properties on March 8 and 9, 6-8:30 p.m., Pinnacle Mortgage Planning, 2005 SE 192nd Ave., Suite 200, Vancouver, WA 98607. The class will feature information about the Washington Bond Program and general information about first-time home buying. The sessions will be targeted specifically to buyers considering using either the Washington Bond program or USDA financing that require a certificate of achievement. A certificate will be provided at the end of the second class. Go to www.pinnaclemp.com for more information.

Member Events ■ Parks Foundation event: March 18, 2011 -- St. Paddy’s for Parks! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and support Clark County’s parks, trails, and recreation programs. Patrick Lamb and his band return to Vancouver for an encore performance guaranteed to please the Irish in all of us! $15 cover includes one beverage and Patrick Lamb live! ■ The Safe Communities Task Force will hold its third annual Parent Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at the Boys & Girls Club’s O.K. Clubhouse, 4040 Plomondon Street, Vancouver. The conference, which includes workshops on today’s most critical youth safety issues, is free and open to the public. Conference organizers are planning for more than 100 attendees, most of whom will be parents of teenagers. Participants can register by calling the Boys & Girls Club at (360) 3135680 between 9 am and 2 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact Joe Walsh, Project Coordinator, at 360-397-2130 Ext. 5204.

ou will need to be a member of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and have a username and password from the GVCC. You can find the password on your invoice or new member paperwork or you may call the chamber at 360-694-2588 to get it.

From the GVCC website at www.vancouverusa.com • Click on Member Services • Click on Members Only Access • Click on Post an Event to the Calendar • Click on Submit an Event to Our Calendar Fill out all the fields that you have information for. E-mail addresses are required. Once you press SUBMIT, correct any error messages you may get. Press SUBMIT again and we will approve the submission within 24 hours and it will post to the calendar.

2011

Business After Hours

January 25 February 22 March 22 April 26 May 24 June 28 July 26 August 23 September 27 October 25 November 15 December 13

US Bank Shop Local Business Showcase & BAH, Alaska Airlines, On Line Support & The Columbian No Business After Hours, Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Pacific Lifestyle Homes Corwin Beverage West Coast Bank Vancouver Business Journal Sponsorship Available No Business After Hours, Big Al’s Sponsorship Available Five Star Auto Body

Interested in sponsoring a 2011 Business After Hours? Contact Susie Bauder, GVCC Programs & Events, 360-567-1093 or Lori Buntin, 360-567-1081

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Services

continued from page 16

Do you have a community event to promote? Members have complimentary access to our community events link! Procedure to Post an Event to the GVCC Community Calendar

Member

Member News Cont...

Services

Member

New Members

elcome to the following new Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce members. We thank you for your investment. You help make our Chamber one of the largest and most active business associations in the region. Please go to our online directory at www.vancouverusa.com for Web site, contact and business category information about these companies and organizations. Please help us in our mission to build a strong and stable local economy – do business with Chamber members. ■

Jeff Stay

American Underwriters Insurance Agency 414 Pioneer Street Ridgefield, WA 98642 253-473-1415

Derick Reyrao

Chevron U.S.A Inc.

14711 NE 29th Pl. Suite 100 Bellevue, WA 98007 425-497-5015

Tucker Johnson

Extra Innings

16306 NE 15th St., Suite C Vancouver, WA 98684 360-885-1919

C.J. Monroe

First Christian Science Church and Reading Room 204 E Fourth Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98663 360-574-1381

Norman H. Johnson 4006 SE 155th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98683 360-885-1282

Shastine Bredlie

Keller Williams Realty Bredlie & Associates 915 Broadway, Suite 100 Vancouver, WA 98660 360-904-9907

Patty Brown

Krispy Kreme

8517 NE Andresen Road Vancouver, WA 98665 360-260-0066

Jason Smith

Liberty Tax Service, Hwy 99 1108 B NE 78th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 360-546-1572

Eric Von Arx

Liberty Tax Service

11710 NE Fourth Plain Rd. Vancouver, WA 98682 5522 360-882-8488

David Edwards

Liberty Tax Service: 4th Plain 7723 NE 4th Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98662 360-896 1099

Gay Enyeart

Optimist Club of Vancouver WA Foundation 2709 NE 102nd St . Vancouver, WA 98686 360-718-8350

Philip Auer

Arthur Murray Dance Studio 911 Main St., Suite 200 Vancouver, WA 98660 360-699-4500

Dustin Grosz

Core Fitness LLC dba Stairmaster

8000 NE Parkway Dr., Suite 220 Vancouver, WA 98662 360-326-4090

Liz Dunning

The Dmitri Agency 14511 C NE 10th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98685 360-936-3225

Jodi Blackwood

Etiquette Awareness 15005 NE 2nd Ave. Vancouver, WA 98686 360-798 4912

Kristina Aitchison

Evergreen Habitat for Humanity 521 E 33rd St. Vancouver, WA 98663 360-737-1759

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Fusion Functional Fitness 2702 NE 78th St., Suite 100 Vancouver, WA 98665 360-546-1112

Greg Johnson

Johnson Promotions LLC 400 E Evergreen Blvd., Suite 4 Vancouver, WA 98660 360-750-9600

David Sandvig

The Oregonian

1320 SW Broadway Portland, OR 97201 503-221-8301

Janine Wedemeyer

Peachtree Restaurant, Hwy 99 6600 NE Hwy 99 Vancouver, WA 98665 360-693-6736

Elizabeth Abudakar

Peachtree Restaurant: Mill Plain 7800 E Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98660 360-314-4236

Tom Phillips

1909 NE 154th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684 503-502-6566

Andrew Geisler

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School 811 NE 112th Ave., Suite 200 Vancouver, WA 98684 360-258-1932

R. Tom Smith

Sperry Van Ness

Commercial Real Estate Advisors 14300 NE 20th Ave., Suite D 102 256 Vancouver, WA 98686 360-931-6776 continues on page 23

Acuity Business Services Advanced Air Systems, Inc. The Amphitheater at Clark County Amplify Group, Inc. BergerABAM Engineers, Inc. Biggs Insurance Services Blue Bird Transfer, Inc. BNSF Railway Brian H. Wolfe PC, Attorney at Law Bullivant Houser Bailey PC Jack Burkman Carlisle Interconnect Technologies City of Vancouver Clark College Clark County Board of Commissioners Clark County Skills Center Clark Public Utilities Colliers International Valuation & Advisory Services Columbia Collectors, Inc. Columbia Credit Union Columbia River Economic Development Council Columbia River Mental Health Service Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver Community Services Northwest Cosco Fire Protection C Tran EcoTech Recycling, LLC Edward Jones – Don Houston Entek Corporation Eric Fuller & Associates, Inc. Erik Runyan Jewelers Evergreen Business Capital The Evergreen Inn Expanding Potentials FASTSIGNS Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation Fred Meyer Store Fisher’s Landing JD Fulwiler & Company Insurance Gaffney Counseling & Consulting Glenwood Place HDJ Design Group, PLLC Imagineering-Graphics, Inc. Instafab Company, Inc. ITT Technical Institute JoeScan, Inc. Junior Achievement

1 year 1 year 8 years 3 years 31 years 76 years 34 years 58 years 39 years 8 years 4 years 20 years 27 years 33 years 24 years 10 years 60 years 30 years 43 years 36 years 25 years 8 years 35 years 2 years 2 years 27 years 4 years 2 years 24 years 14 years 95 years 1 year 5 years 1 year 3 years 9 years 10 years 36 years 21 years 10 years 26 years 16 years 5 years 4 years 7 years 17 years

Kaiser Permanente Administration Kamlu Retirement Inn Keller Williams Realty – Dave Dumas Kramer Gehlen & Associates, Inc. Lacamas Community Credit Union Landerholm, Memovich, Lansverk & Whitesides, PS Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Liberty Tax Service Luepke Florist Maid Brigade Milam Imse Consulting Mortgage Express, LLC Nautilus, Inc. New Edge Networks Nutter Corporation NWCPA Oregon Food Bank Palena Associates, Inc. Port of Camas/Washougal Port of Vancouver USA Prudential Northwest Properties RAPCO Industries, Inc. Red Lion Hotel at the Quay Rylander & Associates PC Salmon Creek Law Offices Salmon Creek Vision Centre School of Piano Technology for the Blind Share Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center Smith Cooper Northwest Special Olympics of Washington The Management Group, Inc. The Scott Horenstein Law Firm, PLLC Tri Mountain Golf Course TW Telecom TwinStar Credit Union: SW Region United Harvest, LLC Vancouver Ford/Hyundai/Suzuki, Inc. Vancouver Funeral Chapel Vancouver School District Foundation Vancouver School District No. 37 Wal Mart #2947 Washington School for the Blind Wells Fargo Bank: Downtown

60 years 9 years 9 years 39 years 6 years 46 years 7 years 1 year 56 years 3 years 1 year 4 years 6 years 11 years 10 years 2 years 3 years 40 years 24 years 99 years 27 years 10 years 50 years 3 years 6 years 2 years 10 years 8 years 17 years 14 years 5 years 4 years 19 years 13 years 8 years 5 years 11 years 7 years 47 years 74 years 2 years 37 years 10 years 26 years 28 years n

March/April 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com

Services

hank you to all of our renewing members for continuing your Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce membership! We are proud to serve our members through our mission of providing positive business leadership, growing jobs and strengthening the local economy. ■

Member

Renewing Members

The New Vancouver Community Library 901 C Street ∙ Vancouver, WA 98660

Join us at “No Business After Hours” for a special sneak preview inside the new Vancouver Community Library. Hosted by the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation and catered by Beaches Restaurant. A taste of Italy awaits you: Gnocchi with Walnuts & Goat Cheese, Burgundy Beef Tenders with Porcini Reduction, Caesar Spears, Gorgonzola Ravioli with Pear Vinaigrette, Spring Lamb Kebobs, Sage & Garlic Chicken with White Beans, Pecorino & Prosciutto, Eggplant & Ricotta Lasagna, Italian Cheeses, Rustic Breads & Spreads, Grilled & Marinated Vegetables, Marsala Apple Tarts with Honey Mascarpone, Espresso Orange Chocolate Cups, Strawberries with Basil & Chocolate, Tiramisu Ice Cream/Gelato

To register, call (360) 694-2588 or visit www.vancouverusa.com and click events. $20 members, $25 non-members, $30 at-the-door