Chamber SE P TEMBE R / OCTOBE R 2 0 1 1
News
2011 Biannual
Business Showcase & Business After Hours
See Page 11 For More Details
September 27
Red Lion Hotel Vancouver
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Advancing the business community.
Contents
September/October 2011
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Shop Local
Volume 39 • Number 5 • September/October 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 commentary.
Departments & Columns
Business Showcase & Business After Hours
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From the Chair
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From the PAC-Chair
5
From the CEO
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C-TRAN Core Bus Preservation Plan
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
A busy summer for your PAC By Tim Schauer, Public Affairs Committee Chair
“Cheaper, faster, better…” By Kelly Parker, GVCC President & CEO
Facts concerning the November 8, 2011 Election
10 Member Spotlight:
Dream Big Community Center
11
Shop Local
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Member Services:
• Member News
• New Members
• Renewing Members
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Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery… but today is a present! By Jeff Woodside, GVCC Board Chair
• Ribbon Cuttings
Tuesday, October 25 5-7 p.m. at Big Al’s
16615 SE 18th Street • Vancouver, WA 98683
$25 for members $30 for non-members $35 at the door
Join your Chamber this October for the best Halloween party in all of Southwest Washington: No Business After Hours at Big Al’s. Featuring a prize-packed costume contest, arcade games and bowling, live performance by 24/7, a complete dinner buffet, music and dancing, and two drinks per person including a Lava Lamp cocktail, this year’s event is bound to be MONSTER FUN! Wear a costume or your usual boring attire. Dinner Menu: Hickory smoked salmon, peanut chicken satay, Dungeness crab stuffed mushrooms, tomato brochette, buffalo wings with sesame ginger sauce, sweet chili meatballs, onion and garlic flat bread, hummus platter with assorted olives and cheeses, fresh seasonal fruit, and unlimited sodas.
Call (360) 694-2588 or visit www.vancouverusa.com And select “No Business After Hours” under Events. Register by October 21 at 5 p.m. for a chance to win $1000 cash!
Chair
From the
Jeff Woodside Nutter Corporation Chair, Board of Directors Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery… but today is a present!
A
s we look to the future, let’s be positive and embrace what our community offers us.
As the outgoing Chair of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, I have had the opportunity to be involved with and meet with many of our citizens. To a person, they have been caring, giving, and very generous with their resources. Yes, they all have concerns and issues, but most are willing to see both sides of an issue, debate their points, and get behind the outcome. It has been very gratifying for me to see the scores of people, employers and local municipalities who are willing to give of themselves and need nothing in return. No recognition, no reward, just the simple pleasure to know that they have helped some greater cause with the satisfaction that they are making a deposit on our community’s future. It has been special to watch this community in action as we build a better tomorrow for our region. To me, that is one of the simple pleasures that makes our community a special place to live. I would be remiss not to thank all of the folks that keep our Chamber viable. Kelly, Kim, and the Chamber staff (both past and present) who do a fabulous job. Don, Lisa, Tim and the rest of the GVCC executive committee and board of directors who, without your help this year, board chair would have been much more difficult. Our local, state and federal elected officials who have been readily available, and who give much more of themselves than I ever realized. They all give a lot of themselves to their community. Thanks for a fun and productive year! n
PAC-Chair
From the
Tim Schauer MacKay & Sposito, Inc. Chair-elect, Board of Directors Public Affairs Committee Chair Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
A busy summer for your PAC
W
aiting for the economic recovery reminds me a bit of waiting in traffic during a bridge lift: frustrating. But in the meantime, your Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee (PAC) is doing its part to advance good projects in the community. Throughout the year, your PAC considers an array of public policy proposals, researching the pro and con perspectives on issues ranging from critical infrastructure projects and economic development plans, to tax increases and professional baseball.
Most often, interested parties directly request the Chamber’s support on an issue. In order to preserve the significance of the Chamber’s endorsement, however, it is critically important that the PAC consider issues that are clearly detailed and specific. Even though we may want to quickly recommend an endorsement of a new and exciting proposal, we have the responsibility to research the issue and identify unintended consequences that might hinder rather than help our community. The PAC makes recommendations to the GVCC Board of Directors, which debates and decides what action to take. In these last several months, your PAC has proactively taken a stance on many issues. I’m proud to report the work your PAC has done, which includes endorsing the Proposition 1: C-Tran’s Bus Preservation Plan and the Columbia River Crossing’s preferred design, supporting the Columbia River Economic Development Council’s (CREDC) new strategic county-wide plan and Workers’ Compensation Reform, and preserving the sales-tax exemption. Other issues currently pending include the baseball admissions tax proposal, a statewide initiative regulating the state’s ability to toll transportation projects known as I-1125, a biomass heating plant proposal, proposed funding of light rail, and regulatory relief. Needless to say, your PAC has been actively engaged this last year! The GVCC’s advocacy role has been acknowledged statewide. I have been appointed to Governor Gregoire’s new “Connecting Washington” Transportation Task Force. The statewide committee has been
continues on page 8
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September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
CEO
From the
Kelly Parker President & CEO Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
“Cheaper, faster, better…”
I
heard a government employee use that phrase. Yes, a government employee. We were talking about business. They do hear clearly the urgings of businesses that are asking for regulatory relief. In the past few weeks, I’ve seen examples of the problem as it still exists and the potential for improvements. Recently you may have heard about one of our Chamber members, Chuck’s Produce, stung by the high costs of county fees. Chuck’s wants to build a new $5 million store in Hazel Dell, but the project is threatened by a 20 percent government fee. Clark County charges a transportation impact fee that, when calculated for this particular project, amounts to $1 million. There is a path for Chuck’s to pursue in driving down the costs of the fee and the Chamber supports their efforts. We hope to report a good outcome that allows a good business to expand. Having met with Clark County officials, I know they are sensitive to the price point of their fees and that they have recently evaluated the costs associated with them. As a result, Clark County has now permanently reduced some of its most widely used fees for variances, sewer waivers and legal lot determinations. In some cases, the fees have been reduced by half. In addition, Clark County will waive certain fees for commercial tenant improvements and for the development of business parks, industrial sites and offices through the end of the year. “This is an exceptional opportunity to capture savings until the end of the year. It’s really important to find out if this can help you move
continues on page 9
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To subscribe to The Columbian call 360-694-2312.
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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Affairs
This is a small tax that will have a large return on investment in our community by ensuring access to transportation for employees, students, seniors and the disabled. GVCC stands firmly behind C-TRAN in its request to the community for support.
Public
Jeff Woodside, Chair ~ GVCC Board
ballot measure
proposition 1
C-TRAN Core Bus Preservation Plan n July 27, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) Board of Directors announced its support for Proposition 1, the C-TRAN Core Bus Preservation Plan. The ballot measure would increase general sales tax by 0.2 percent (two-tenths of one percent) in the C-TRAN service district to preserve local fixed route, commuter, and connector service. The measure would help address the budget shortfall created in 2000 when the state of Washington withdrew its sales tax funding match, forcing C-TRAN to raise additional funds to maintain service levels. Proposition 1 would also ensure that the federally mandated C-VAN service is able to meet its growing demand. C-VAN is the paratransit, reservation-based service for those with disabilities that prevent them from boarding or riding C-TRAN’s regular bus service.
• Reduction of the Saturday service span from 6:00 a.m.-12:38 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.-7:45 p.m. • Reduce commuter service • Eliminate Sunday C-VAN service
state law. From its inception in 1980, C-TRAN’s local sales tax was equally matched by the state of Washington through the Motor Vehicles Excise Tax (MVET). In 2000, the state eliminated this funding program, cutting C-TRAN’s public revenue in half and resulting in a net loss of roughly $96M between 2000 and 2010.
What about the measure passed in 2005?
What has C-TRAN done to cut costs?
In 2005, following an action that reduced C-TRAN’s boundary from county-wide to only the incorporated cities and the Vancouver urban growth boundary, voters approved a 0.2% increase to preserve service for a period of five years. The Service Preservation Plan was restore service to these communities and maintain 2004’s bus-service-levels for a period of up to five years. The plan called for additional revenue in the sixth year for C-TRAN to continue operations at those levels.
What will happen if it doesn’t pass?
The first two years of the plan generated higher sales-tax revenue than C-TRAN expected. With this additional revenue, paired with C-TRAN’s strategic service redesign in 2007, the agency to was able to stretch the original five-year plan into 2012 even after generating 8 percent less sales-tax revenue in recent years.
In an effort to preserve service as long as possible, C-TRAN has taken the following measures: • Cut staff by 35 positions between 2010 and 2011, including 21 fewer Fixed Route Coach Operators, 2 fewer Paratransit Coach Operators, and 12 fewer non-service related positions • Increased fares on five separate occasions since 2005 • Reduced service by 5.31 percent in 2010, cutting routes identified as “under performing” by the agency’s Service Standards • Budgeted wage freeze for non represented management and represented maintenance employees for 2010, and for all employees through 2011-2012.
Facts concerning the November 8, 2011 Ballot Measure
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Should the ballot measure not pass, C-TRAN would need to implement a 35-percent cut to bus service by late 2012 or early 2013. A summary of the proposed reductions include: • Elimination of twelve weekday routes • Elimination of all Sunday service • Elimination of two Saturday routes • Elimination of all Holiday and Special Event services • Reduction of the weekday service span from 4:45 a.m.-12:39 a.m. to 5:15 a.m.-10:15 p.m.
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Why a sales tax increase? Like all transit agencies in Washington, C-TRAN receives most of its revenue from local sales tax – the only bus and paratransit funding source allowed by
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
Will this sales tax increase pay for light rail and bus rapid transit? No. The revenue generated from this measure will not be used for anything other than core bus preservation and C-VAN services. Voters will be presented continues on page 7
SEPTEMBER 20 • 6–8 PM Fisher’s Landing Transit Center continued from page 6 2nd Floor with a separate measure in 2012 about fund- 3510 SE 164th Avenue ing for light rail maintenance and operations, Vancouver, WA Served by routes 30, 37, 65, 80, 92, 164 and the capital and operations of bus rapid transit along the Fourth Plain Corridor. SEPTEMBER 21 • 11 AM–1 PM Clark County Public Service Center To learn more and share your Hearing Room, 6th Floor thoughts on the proposed service 1300 Franklin Street plans, attend one C-TRAN’s Vancouver, WA public meetings: Served by routes 3, 25
Proposition 1 Cont...
SEPTEMBER 22 • 6–8 PM Camas Public Library Rooms A & B 625 NE 4th Avenue Camas, WA Served by routes 41, 92 For more info please visit www.c-tran.com n
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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From PAC-Chair Cont...
you have the
continued from page 4
Power to Save
charged with exploring and recommending a stable and sustainable funding plan for the state’s significant and increasing transportation infrastructure needs. GVCC’s representation on this 20-member committee, chaired by the Governor, speaks directly to the GVCC’s credibility and reputation of focusing on solutions rather than the politics of the issues that furl headwinds to our economy and the environment that business needs to thrive. Finding a solution to transportation needs is crucial to our economy. Simply put, we cannot cure our high unemployment rate if we can’t get from point A to point B in a reasonable and predictable amount of time. I welcome your feedback and ideas on how we can address these challenges.
Heating water is a big energy user. Set your water heater at 120 degrees. And when you wash clothes or dishes, only run full loads. Remember, you have the power to save.
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Banking on Your Terms
Your PAC is working hard for you as a resource, a voice, and a representative. I hope after reading this column that you have a sense of how your Chamber’s PAC adds value to your both your membership experience and to your business. n
Kristy Weaver, Sr. V.P. SW Washington Team Leader 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 Kristy Weaver, 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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PAC-006_Weaver_Van_Chamber_7.5x5_4C_Sept-Oct2011.indd 1
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September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
Vancouver Chamber Newsletter ~ 7.5 X 5 ~ 4C ~ Sept/Oct 2011 Insertion ~ Kristy Weaver
8/2/11 3:25 PM
From CEO Cont... continued from page 5
forward, if you’re on the fence and trying to decide on a key project,” said Mary Snell, Director of Clark County’s Community Development Department. Snell also wants businesses that have been thinking about building to consider the county’s new 60-day permit option. Clark County is working on a way to do site planning and engineering reviews simultaneously, saving time and money. We encourage you to check it out.
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early 80 percent of the Chamber’s budget is based on membership dues. Another 15 percent of our yearly budget is funded by our events, and the remainder comes from our Retro program. We receive no government or grant funding.
We believe in the role local business partners play in firing up our nation’s economic engines. Valuing and upholding the principles of entrepreneurship is the best way we know to help create vibrant, flourishing neighborhoods.
The website will provide resources you need as a business. Whether you have a new startup company or a more established business, the Navigator will offer one-stop shopping in finding the right local resources. We want the process to be simpler and faster for businesses, and we’re excited to join our partners in the creation of the Navigator. The Navigator is scheduled to be unveiled at the September 17th dedication ceremony of the new City Hall building in downtown Vancouver.
Bank of America is proud to support those rare community leaders who truly demonstrate spirited community involvement.
Like most businesses, GVCC invests most of our resources in our sevenmember, full-time staff. Staff members put their energies into creating educational programs, organizing networking events, providing communication, and advocating on behalf of our member businesses. That’s 80 percent our budget.
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Great question!
© 2011 Bank of America Corporation SPN-102-AD | ARD1J1U2
& under
Presenting Sponsor:
Join the rest of the business community as we introduce the Accomplished & Under 40 class of 2011. Tuesday, November 8, 2011 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
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Reservations can be made at www.vbjusa.com/au40-kyle-corwin-lifetime-achievement-event-registration/ Community Partner:
Supporting Sponsors:
MacKay & Sposito, Inc.
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We want to be your go-to source for new business, expanded networks, advocacy and support. We are proud to be a part of such a positive and hardworking business community. n
Visit us at www.bankofamerica.com
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Accomplished
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The remaining 20 percent of our budget pays for our rent, bi-monthly magazine, website and media communication, database management services, phones and printing equipment, and other office supplies. We’re always looking for ways to save and, more importantly, we’re always looking for the best ways to serve our members.
When the community works together, the community works.
Finally, here at the Chamber we’re working with the City of Vancouver and a host of business leaders in the community to create the Vancouver Business Navigator website. We’re excited to help launch the new free service for businesses.
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So, where does your money go?
Also this fall, watch for opportunities to join the Chamber in ongoing discussions with our local, state and federal governments on how to streamline the permitting process and give businesses a little room to run. As job creators, businesses need fertile ground to grow. We need your experience and your voice. n
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Where Do Your Dues Go?
1251 Officers Row | Vancouver, WA 98661 360.695.2442 | www.vbjusa.com
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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Services
Member
Dream Big Community Center 500 West 8th Street, Ste 260 Vancouver, WA 98660 360-448-7439 www.dreambigcc.org
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Member
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Spotlight G
rowing up in Vancouver in the 1990s, then teenager Nathan Webster had a dream: to become a gang member. By definition, Nathan was not considered “at risk.” He had a clean record, after all, and came from a financially stable, two-parent household. But – like so many other teenagers today – Nathan struggled to define himself and his place in the world, making decisions without full understanding what his options were. Nathan was fortunate. Despite his stubborn intent to join a gang, his close friend pushed him away from that lifestyle. Nathan joined the military instead, embarking on a path that eventually led to attaining a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and a master’s in business administration (M.B.A.).
Nathan’s own struggle to find his way as a teenager, paired with his graduate-level education, inspired him to provide a more promising future for youth. In 2004, less than a decade after graduating high school, Nathan founded Dream Big Community Center (DBCC), a non-profit organization providing and connecting teenagers with the resources necessary to constructively develop, pursue and achieve their dreams. While recognition of and funding for DBCC may have gotten off to a slow start, the programs DBCC provides reached accreditation in only two years. Now, through collaboration and partnerships with the public school system and other youth-based organizations, DBCC counsels teens in fundamental life skills like goal setting and decision making – skills that Nathan says others dismiss as rudimentary. According to Nathan, that assumption is not only wrong but consequential for our youth.
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“Teens don’t understand that a dream is a journey that will require sacrifice, dedication and fortitude,” Nathan explains. “They’re bombarded with choices, but are rarely taught to think about the impact the decisions they make have on their future.” One DBCC program that teaches these essential skills is Dream Big 101. Provided in various local public schools, the class focuses on identifying and examining each student’s desired vision, and what actions they need to take to succeed in their journey. While DBCC programs are typically taught in groups, they also provide individualized attention. Nathan stresses the importance of this method. “Every student is unique. Some have a clear dream in mind when they walk through the door, while others have been so focused on the day-to-day stresses that they haven’t really thought about what their future could hold.” Guiding students through a process of selfdiscovery, students not only identify what their dreams are, but also whether their aspirations are realistic. “I tell my students that there’s always a market for their dream, and if it doesn’t exist yet, it will be up to them to create it,” Nathan explains. “But students also need guidance in discerning the steps and rigor it would take for them to achieve that dream so that they can make an informed decision.” As Nathan relays some of his students’ stories it becomes readily apparent that his careful teaching methodology has proved to be extremely successful in inspiring and equipping teens with the tools needed to succeed. According to Nathan, the biggest challenge
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
he’s encountered as DBCC’s founder and executive director thus far has not been the rigorous accreditation process or the continual and persistent search for funding during an economic downturn; It hasn’t been running the start-up operation from his house for three years or even the tiring hours he invests in the program while also working 50+ hours in retail per week to support his family of nine; Rather, Nathan’s biggest challenge has been educating the public that teenagers are the most neglected and ignored demographic in the nation, and that all teens need and deserve engaged tutelage. “There’s funding for what society defines as ‘at risk’ teens – the impoverished and/or delinquent – and there’s funding for exceptional and outstanding students, but the truth is that all teenagers – no matter their socioeconomic background – are at risk,” Nathan explains. “They all have the same access to drugs, alcohol, sex, and gangs, and they are all susceptible to peer-pressure,” he reiterates after pause, perhaps recalling his own experience as a teen. “Dreams give students purpose and inspire belonging,” he concludes. An important lesson Nathan teaches his students is that a dream is not a destination but a journey. “There is no end point to your dream,” he says. Nathan’s work as executive director of DBCC exemplifies this principle. Nathan recently designed parent workshops that connect parents and teachers to improve teens’ academic success, and while programs like Dream Big 101 are currently only taught as part of high school curricula, Nathan’s next initiative is making DBCC programs available for the whole community – an ambitious goal. His dream doesn’t stop there, though. “I’d love to make this program available internationally,” Nathan says with a knowing smile. n
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
4 - 7 pm at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver 100 Columbia Street • Vancouver, Washington 98660
Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce • Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce East Vancouver Business Association • Fourth Plain Business Coalition Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce • Hazel Dell/Salmon Creek Business Association La Center/North Clark County Chamber of Commerce • Ridgefield Business Association Vancouver’s Downtown Association • Woodland Chamber of Commerce INVITE YOU TO VIEW AND SAMPLE THE GOODS AND SERVICES OF BUSINESSES LOCATED IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. Members of all of the above organizations are invited to showcase. $5 per person entrance, includes one drink ticket. No host happy hour in the lounge and door prizes.
A showcase for the business community!
To secure booth space, email Lori at lbuntin@vancouverusa.com or call 360-567-1081. For more information visit www.vancouverusa.com and click on Events/Registration.
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September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
Cochran Home Care
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The Ladies Say Thank You!
A
ugust 16 brought perfect weather for our annual Ladies on the Links event at Tri-Mountain Golf Course. 28 women, mostly first-time golfers, enjoyed an evening of golf lessons, a generous buffet with finger food and gold beverages, and good conversation. Connie Christianson, our presenting sponsor from HomeStreet Bank, welcomed the players and Tri-Mountain’s General Manager Mike Bender spoke about the reason women and families should get out and golf! Participants were given instruction from golf pros in long drive and putting and then finished the evening practicing what they had learned on the course. All in all, the event was a hole-in-one. Thank you to HomeStreet Bank for making our night on the green possible! n
Member
Services
Ribbon Cuttings
Red Coats Welcome Lucy Reckers to the Team!
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he Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomes Lucy Reckers to the Chamber’s team of Ambassadors. As an Account Representative Lucy Reckers for Everest College, Reckers is responsible for finding new job opportunities for the institution’s externs and grads. Prior to joining Everest she spent 20 years in Human Resources in a variety of industries. Lucy moved to the area from the Midwest 5 years ago. She is the grandmother of 4 and mother of 3. She is an avid reader, and likes discovering new restaurants and traveling the world. Lucy joins the rest of the “Red Coats,” affectionately nicknamed for their uniform red blazers, as a Chamber representative and liaison to the region’s business community. n
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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Services
Member
Member News Members on the Move
■ Kevin Kussman, a corporate leader in strategic planning and management, is the new Associate Vice President of Corporate and Continuing Education at Clark Kevin Kussman College. Kussman came to Clark from Hewlett-Packard, where he served as manager/director of the Worldwide Imaging and Printing Group (IPG) Go-To-Market (GTM) Talent & Development organization, the European Consumer Sales Development Center, and the mass merchant sales channel in the United States. Kussman holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and anthropology from the University of Washington, and an MBA from University of Michigan. A resident of Vancouver, Kussman is an active volunteer for the Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross in areas including disaster services and emergency communications. He is also a member of Clark County’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) team. ■ The Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office recently announced that Jill Daniel has joined the team as Marketing and Communications Manager. In her new role, Daniel will be responsible Jill Daniel for overseeing marketing, public relations, and advertising initiatives for the tourism office, which represents Vancouver and greater Clark County. Daniel has over 18 years experience marketing local businesses and organizations focusing on promotion and brand development. She recently worked at Howard S. Wright Constructors as the regional marketing manager. ■ Jeremy Lewallen has joined the accounting firm Schiller & Company, P.C. as a Certified Public Accountant. Lewallen has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting & Information Jeremy Lewallen Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Oregon State University, and received his CPA
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license in 2009. He has experience in private industry and public accounting, serving in various financial capacities since 2005. He specializes in tax and consulting services with an emphasis in real estate for small and medium sized business.
■ Veteran Loan Officers Melissa Bieber and Jary Martinson have recently joined Evergreen Home Loans in Vancouver. Bieber brings over 21 years of local success in mortgage and related fields, Melissa Bieber and will continue to do business from her downtown Camas location as at well as Evergreen’s Vancouver office. In Martinson’s 14 years of experience in mortgage, he has owned his own mortJary Martinson gage company and spent three years as a national speaker/trainer aimed at creating positive loan experiences for borrowers and realtors alike.
■ Kris Cutter and Lisa Storaci have joined Pinnacle Mortgage Planning. Kris and Lisa bring more than 15 years of mortgage industry experience and excelKris Cutter lence. Recognized Lisa Storaci nationally and locally for their performance, Kris and Lisa have ■ E. Hunt Coracci has made a name for themselves as consumjoined Martel Wealth mate professionals, specializing in builder Advisors, Inc. as Director products and construction financing. of Business Development They have worked together as business and Consulting. In his partners for the past 12 years, marketing new capacity, Coracci will themselves as the “Cutter-Storaci Group.” develop new client prosThe two bring exceptional reputations pects and work with existand relationships to Pinnacle and the E. Hunt Coracci ing clients to expand relaVancouver community, and are involved tionships in Investment Advisory Services with the Building Industry Association DSW 2011 Chamberads:Layout 1 8/10/11 3:09 PM Page 1 continues on page 15 and GVCC.
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September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
and Business Consulting. He has been in commercial banking for over 40 years. ■ Heritage Bank is pleased to welcome Lisa Clark, AVP Branch Manager to the Kelso Office. Lisa joins Heritage Bank with 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She has held Lisa Clark various positions of increasing responsibility including branch manager and mortgage loan officer with U.S. Bank Home Mortgage. Lisa is also a member of the Longview/Kelso Rotary Club which has helped her build strong connections within the community. ■ Dream Big Community Center (DBCC) has added a new member to the board, Russell Mickler. Mickler is the Principal Consultant for Mickler & Associates, Inc., and has over 16 years Russell Mickler of professional experience leading and managing IT organizations. In addition to earning his Master’s Degree in technology, Mickler is a Computer Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). A published technical author, Mickler’s most recent work is Simple Social Media. Mickler teaches technology courses for many universities across the country. ■ M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust recently announced the addition of Senior Accountant Karen deRenne and Program Director Dr. Hugh Vander Plas. Karen brings 20 years experience with Karen deRenne national accounting firms in the areas of auditing, accounting, taxation and financial reporting. Dr. Hugh Vander Plas, who holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University, has spent most of his Dr. Hugh Vander Plas career on staff at corporate research laboratories, most recently for Hewlett-Packard in Corvallis, Oregon. In his capacity as Program Director, he will
Deborah Oester
Michael Cochran
Joe Eustaquio
■ Columbia Credit Union has hired three new Vice Presidents of Business Lending – Deborah Oester, Michael Cochran, and Joe Eustaquio – bringing 30 years, 38 years, and 27 years of experience to CCU, respectively. The three will focus on growing, developing and maintaining business loan and deposit relationships and assist in the credit union’s commercial lending operations.
■ Senior Traffic Engineer John A. Manix has joined HDJ Design Group. John has 25 years of traffic engineering and transportation planning experience, and has provided engineering servicJohn A. Manix es to the long-range planning and public works department at the City of Vancouver. He has provided development of traffic studies and plans for traffic improvements for large developments, PS&E for neighborhood improvements projects, project management for traffic calming projects, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements on over 100 streets within the City. John holds a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification. He is also an associate member in the Institute of Transportation Engineers and has received a Community Leadership Award from the Clark County DUI and Traffic Safety Force in 2003 and 2004. ■ Columbia Credit Union has hired Jeff Bannan as Vice President of Mortgage Sales. With 21 years of mortgage lending experience, Bannan will manage Columbia’s residential Jeff Bannan loan production, oversee mortgage operations and facilitate sales goals on behalf of the credit union. Bannan replaces Pam Baker, who is retiring from the position after five years.
Making Headlines
Left: CSSO athlete, Nathan Ellis. Right: Special Olympics Sounders and CCSO group.
■ On July 9, Clark County Special Olympics (CCSO) athletes, parents and coach welcomed Seattle’s Special Olympics Sounders to Vancouver. The Sounders received cheers as they were entering the Holiday Inn Express, where both groups ate pizza and had a chance to get to know one another. Later that day Joe Hampson, Director, Sports and Programs of Special Olympics Washington, invited CCSO athletes, to watch the Special Olympics Sounders play the Special Olympics Timbers at Jen-Weld Park. The Sounders needed one more athlete, giving CCSO’s Nathan Ellis the chance to play offense and goalie positions for the team, which beat the Timbers 4-3. The game was the second leg of the Cascadia Championship Series. ■ RSV Building Solutions, a Vancouverbased commercial construction company that specializes in new construction, remodeling, maintenance, and tenant improvements, served as the presenting sponsor for the 2011 Captain Al Coupe Aviation Summer Camp, which offers three weeklong sessions for youth ages nine to 17 to learn the basics of aviation science. “RSV … values the importance of supporting local kids in exploring, learning and having fun through following their dreams of flight” said RSV President Ron Frederiksen. Frederiksen, a longtime supporter of the program, is also a pilot, having flown in the United States Air Force. continues on page 18
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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continued from page 14
Bannan operated the well-respected Vancouver Mortgage since 1997. Bannan holds degrees from University of Oregon in Political Science and Economics, and has volunteered in different capacities for numerous groups, including Rotary, MDA, and the Elks Club. Currently, he serves as a Little League Umpire for ages 11-18.
Member
handle proposals involving scientific research and work with trust initiatives in science education.
Member News Cont...
Services
Member
New Members
W
elcome to the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. 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 website, 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. ■
Jane Dudik
Richard Coley
222 NE Park Plaza Dr., Suite 110 Vancouver, WA 98684 5896 360-852-8457
2307 NE 157th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684 360-518-8972
The Acne Treatment Center
Andy Wright
Summit Mortgage Corporation 4317 NE Thurston Way, Suite 140 Vancouver, WA 98662 360-566-6888
Ann & Fran Cappa
Caribbean And Beyond 6016 NW Thunderbird Ave Vancouver, WA 98663 360 694 4812
Donald Neffendorf 501 SE 123rd Ave., Suite 166 Vancouver, WA 98683 503-505-1406
Eric Husemoen
7608 NE 87th St. Vancouver, WA 98662 360-314-4301
Maurice McDavid
Mobe
PO Box 65092 Vancouver, WA 98665 360-773-7383
Holly Gove
Mount Hood Railroad 110 Railroad Ave. Hood River, OR 97031 541-386-3556
Rola Ayubi
Pre paid Legal Services/ Identity Theft Shield 15611 NE 18th Ct. Vancouver, WA 98686 410-446-9976
Anita Robinson
Synergy Tax & Accounting, Inc.
CFS Consulting Group LLC
Dr Chani Henderson
A Family & Sports Chiropractic Clinic
5514 NE 107th Ave., Suite 101 Vancouver, WA 98662 360-254-0400
Gale Castillo
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber 333 SW 5th Ave., Suite 100 Portland, OR 97204 503-222-0280
Jen Deering
NPC A Vanitv Company 1726 SE Cutter Lane Vancouver, WA 98661 503-706-6589
Robert Russell
Northwest Short Sale Network 12500 SE 2nd Cir. Vancouver, WA 98684 360-896-9562
James Haskin
Aaron’s
11803 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98683 360-896-1111
Scott Hogan
Cascade Title Company 404 E 15th St. Vancouver, WA 98663 360-695-1301
Suzanne Mackin
Mackin’s Body
Vancouver, WA 98660 360-719-9221
10803 NE Hwy 99 Vancouver, WA 98686 360-254-9900
Chad Sleight
Dawn Redmond
Wheeler, Montgomery, Sleight & Boyd PLLC 902 Esther Street Vancouver, WA 98660 360-690-0064
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PerkSavvy
PO Box 823351 Vancouver, WA 98682 360-609-2892
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
Supplement Sciences 6350 NE Campus Dr. Vancouver, WA 98661 360-737-1655
Robert DuCote
U.S. Small Business Administration Portland District Office 601 SW Second Ave., Suite 950 Portland, OR 97204 503-326-5210
Jennifer Furrer
V’amanos
2808 NE 65th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98661 360-980-2110
Ace Heated Mini Storage
Adco Commercial Printing & Graphics Ameriprise Financial Tech Center Pl.
ARCpoint Drug, Alcohol & DNA Testing Attorney Bookkeeping Services, Inc. Banner Bank
BBL Architects
BBSI Preferred Payroll
Beacock Music & Education Center
Blairco Heating & Air Conditioning
Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa
3 years
New Edge Networks
11 years
Northwest Personal Training
9 years
10 years
Nicolette’s Catering
3 yeras
Occupational Medicine
9 years
19 years
at Urgent Medical Center
3 years 8 years
2 years
Opsahl, Dawson & Company PS
12 years
2 years
Perkins & Company, PC
16 years
19 years 21 years 21 years 4 years
Paul Schurman Machine, Inc.
Plexsys Interface Products, Inc. Precision Automation Inc
and Tucker & Verlenden LLC
27 years 6 years
10 years
9 years
Prestige Development
13 years
BR Capital, Inc.
8 years
Raring Corporation, The
21 years
Bryant & Associates
18 years
Bonnie Smelser,
Independent Beauty Consultant
Brian H. Wolfe PC, Attorney at Law Calderon Family Dentistry
Camas Meadows Golf Club Carr Vancouver
Cascade Vinyl Systems
Clark County Association of Realtors
39 years
7 years
Safeway Food & Drug #1611
13 years
2 years
29 years
1 year
Entek Corporation
Evergreen Pediatric Clinic
Fazzolari Custom Homes & Renovations Frumenti, Lander & Wallace, CPA’s Global Technology Solutions
Great Western Malting Company
The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve The Hampton/Ashley Inn
11 years
J. Simpson McKibbin Company, Inc. Merrill Contractors, Inc.
MJ Murdock Charitable Trust Nautilus, Inc.
Southwest Washington
Regional Surgery Center (SWRSC)
16 years
17 years 4 years
Southwest Office Systems
10 years
3 years
Douglas A Tracy
4 years
6 years
31 years 12 years 3 years 7 years 4 years
17 years
Mattress Factory Outlet
Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas
11 years
24 years
9 years
Identity Clark County
Marsh, Higgins, Beaty & Hatch PC
Schlecht Construction, Inc.
9 years
7 years
La Costa
Salvation Army
4 years
Southwest Washington
Hilton Vancouver
Kell Alterman & Runstein LLP
Rose City Printing and Packaging, Inc.
2 years
The Heathman Lodge & Hudson’s Bar & Grill 15 years Homewood Suites By Hilton
28 years 6 years
Crown Moving Co., Inc. English Estate Winery
Surgical Specialists PS
Roadmaster, Inc.
11 years
25 years
Divine Consign
Rebound / Northwest
21 years
5 years
Clark County Family YMCA
Columbia Metal Works, Inc.
Quantum Residential, Inc.
14 years 5 years
Workforce Development Council
Total Merchant Concepts, Inc. Tully’s Coffee 78th
TwinStar Credit Union: SW Region Urgent Chiropractic US Digital
Vancouvercenter
Vancouver Vision Clinic Vision 162
Warner Roofing & Construction/WRC Const. Washington State
Department of Transportation
11 years 3 years
11 years 2 years
4 years 8 years
37 years 9 years
10 years 20 years
6 years
Waste Connections, Inc.
15 years
17 years
West Coast Bank Vancouver Main Branch
23 years
1 year
20 years 9 years 9 years 6 years
Water & Air Works
Westfield Vancouver Wheelkraft NW
YWCA Clark County
14 years 34 years 4 years
25 years n
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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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
T
Renewing Members
Member News Cont... continued from page 15
■ The Parks Foundation recently announced receipt of a $2,500 grant from Umpqua Bank’s Community Giving program, focused funding organizations that promote wellness and stability in the community. The grant benefits the Everybody Plays! Recreation Scholarship program, which provides children from low-income families in Clark County with the opportunity to participate in Clark County Parks & Recreation activities. To learn more about the Everybody Plays! Recreation Scholarship program, or to make a program donation, please contact the Parks Foundation at 360-487-8370. ■ 2010 was Affordable Community Environments’ (ACE) biggest year providing affordable housing to SW Washington’s low-income residents. Upon completion of a major renovation of Washougal’s Gateway Garden Apartments in June 2010, the nonprofit organization began construction on the $10-million McCallister Village project in the Fruit Valley Neighborhood. Want to learn more about ACE’s activities over the last year? Check out ACE’s recently published 2010 Annual Report available online at www.acecommunities.org. ■ The Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office is accepting nominations for the fifth annual 2011 Clark County Tourism Awards. The Tourism Awards recognize remarkable individuals, businesses, and events that contribute to the success of the tourism industry in Vancouver USA and Clark County. Recognize those who excel at bringing business to our community by visiting www. visitvancouverusa.com to cast your vote before the September 14th deadline! Winners will be announced November 3. ■ The Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) honored Heritage Bank with the 2011 Gold Award in the Large Business Category of Washington’s Best Workplaces. PSBJ launched Washington’s Best Workplaces in 2007 to identify and recognize best practices in the hiring and retention of great people. Surveys by nominee-company employees across the state were submitted, and after an extensive process, finalists were chosen in four different categories; Small Business, Medium Business, Large Business, and Extra Large Business Categories. Nearly
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200 companies were nominated with 85 companies being selected as finalists as Washington’s best companies based on employee benefit offerings, leadership culture, and work/life balance philosophies. Finalists in every category were celebrated at a one-of-a-kind event at Safeco Field on August 11th. Heritage Bank also won the Silver Award in 2009, and the Bronze Award in 2010. ■ The City of Vancouver has moved! Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, Vancouver City Council members and City Manager Eric Holmes closed up the old City Hall last week and moved to the new City Hall building at 415 W. 6th Street in downtown Vancouver. For the first time in Vancouver’s history, City staff and services from five different locations in Vancouver are located under one roof in the new downtown location, saving roughly $1 million per year in lease payments and operating expenses. The move represents a historic homecoming to old downtown. Located next to Esther Short Park and the Hilton Hotel and Convention Center, it’s just a couple of blocks from where the first City Hall stood in 1886.
Member Events ■ The City of Vancouver invites the community to a grand opening celebration of the new City Hall, Saturday, September 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at 415 W. Sixth Street. Join the City Hall dedication ceremony at 12:30 p.m., meet Vancouver City Council and staff members. Take a tour of new Vancouver City Hall and/or 40-minute walking tour from the new City Hall past five historic City Hall sites from Vancouver’s 154 years guided by Clark County Historical Society, and much more! For more info, please
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
visit www.cityofvancouver.us. ■ Every minute of the day, somebody needs blood – their only source is volunteer donors like you! Stop by the Bloodmobile parked outside the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, September 13 between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. to give your blood and save lives this summer! Hosted by Community Choices in coordination with the Southwest Washington Blood Program. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Sharon Pesut at 360-567-1087. Walk-ins welcome! ■ Help save lives in the fight against breast cancer at this exclusive shopping event on Sunday, October 9 at Nordstrom at Vancouver’s West field mall! Join approximately 600 women and 50 Pink Tie Guys for Pink Power 3D, a passion-for-fashion evening packed full with giveaways, shopping, and great food and drink from Beaches. Proceeds will bring advanced breast imaging, in the form of 3D mammography, to the Kearney Breast Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. To register, please visit www.pinkpowersw.org.
n addition to distribution amongst current and prospective GVCC members, the publication will also be distributed across the U.S. in response to businesses and residents considering relocation and/or looking for reputable companies to do business with. The entire 2012 Directory, including all advertisements, will also be placed on the GVCC website at no additional cost – an added bonus and a great opportunity to promote your business online! Your Chamber membership entitles your business to one listing in the publication. We are working with publishers at E&M Consulting to develop the Directory. E&M representatives will reach out to you as a GVCC member in the next couple of months to share advertising options that will help maximize your company’s exposure in the Directory. We encourage you to give full consideration to their proposals. In the meantime, we ask that you please log on to the members-only page at www.vancouverusa.com to make sure that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Please do this as soon as possible, as we will submit this data for listings in the 2012 Membership Directory. We’re pleased to be able to move forward with a 2012 Membership Directory. It is a wonderful way to highlight the outstanding businesses and diverse industries that make up our membership at GVCC. ■
OFFICERS
Chair: Jeff Woodside, Nutter Corporation Chair Elect: Tim Schauer, MacKay & Sposito, Inc. Vice Chair: Kristy Weaver, Pacific Continental Bank Secretary – Treasurer: Winston Asai, Columbia Machine Immediate Past Chair: Don Russo, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
Board of Directors
Jonathan Avery, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center John Deeder, Evergreen Public Schools Tamara J. Fuller, NAI Norris, Beggs & Simpson Jeff Harvey, Burgerville Dave Horowitz, David A. Horowitz, CPA Elie Kassab, Prestige Development Daniel Kirkwood, Kirkwood & Kirkwood Alex McMillan, Alex McMillan Wellness & Business Consulting Wayne Nelson, Clark Public Utilities Eric Olmsted, On Line Support, Inc. William Pritchard, Pritchard Orthodontics Rhona Sen Hoss, WSU-Vancouver Keith Wallace, Retired
Standing Committees
• Administrative: Jeff Woodside, Nutter Corporation • Finance: Winston Asai, Columbia Machine • Public Affairs: Tim Schauer, MacKay & Sposito, Inc. • Membership Services: Keith Wallace, Frumenti, Lander & Wallace, CPAs • Member Mentors: Jim West, Successful Commercial Property Workshops
Affiliate organizations
• Community Choices • Leadership Clark County • Southwest Washington Association of Business Leaders (SWWABL)
Chamber Staff
MAKE SURE YOUR INFO IS UP-TO-DATE FOR OUR 2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY!
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PROFILE STEP 1: STEP 2: STEP 3: STEP 4: STEP 5: DONE!
Go to the GVCC homepage Hover over the Member Services tab and select Member-Only Access Login to your member account Don’t know your username and password? Locate the info on your invoice or new member paperwork, or contact GVCC at 360-694-2588 or yourchamber@vancouverusa.com Select Update Your Contact Information and fill out all appropriate fields. Click Save Change Requests If you receive an error message, please correct the necessary fields and save your changes again. Once your profile has been submitted, we will approve the event within 1 week, at which point the changes will be reflected in the database and Online Membership Directory.
For more information on posting an event to the GVCC Community Calendar, please call us at 360-694-2588 or email us at yourchamber@vancouverusa.com
Vancouver Chamber
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The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Kelly Parker President/CEO • 360-567-1050 kparker@vancouverusa.com
Darcy Altizer Membership Services Director • 360-567-1051 daltizer@vancouverusa.com Terra Mahmoudi Communications Manager • 360-567-1056 tmahmoudi@vancouverusa.com Susie Bauder Special Projects Director • 360-567-1093 sbauder@vancouverusa.com
Lori Buntin Programs and Events Director • 360-567-1081 lbuntin@vancouverusa.com Teresa Lawwill Administrative Director • 360-567-1090 tlawwill@vancouverusa.com
Your
Production is Now Underway for 2012 GVCC Membership Directory & Relocation Guide!
Katch McFarland Data Management • 360-567-1052 kmcfarland@vancouverusa.com Matt Hoffstetter Membership • 360-567-1058 mhoffstetter@vancouverusa.com Barbara Waite Director of Business Development • 360-567-1071 bwaite@vancouverusa.com Graphic Production: Gary Hollingshead Imagineering-Graphics • 360-254-1825 imagineering@tds.net Printing: Southwest Office Supply • 503-241-1921 swofficesupply.com
September/October 2011 • Advancing the Business Community. • www.vancouverusa.com
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SUMMERTIME CRUISIN'
Raising Money for Local Kids!
Every Wednesday Night At PIR, Delta Park * 4-9pm Cool Cars & Hot Bikes, Great Local Bands, BBQ & Bar, Drag Races, Friends & Fun! Special Thanks to...
Info- Call Ali at 798-4192
Advancing the business community.
Do Business With Chamber Members Periodical US Postage Paid Vancouver, WA
1101 Broadway, Suite 100 Vancouver, WA 98660 USA