Newsletter for November 2009 The Lakewood Chamber’s Core Missions: Promoting the community Providing networking opportunities Representing the interests of business with government through political action Creating a strong local economy Click to exit to the Chamber Web Site
What's Inside   Message from the Chair of the Board     110% Club!   Quick Takes on Local, State & National Issues   New and Renewing Members!   Chamber Christmas Luncheon & Auction   Ambassadors of the Month   Extreme Networking 101   Chamber/Military Connection           Check out the Photo Gallery!!   Calendar of Events	Thank you Momentum Sponsors!

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Business After Hours

November 18, 2009

4:30 - 6:30 pm

Arthur Murray School of Dance

5849 Tacoma Mall Blvd Ste B

Members and their guests $5.00 - Non-Members $15.00

Please RSVP by calling 253-582-9400

Join us for a casual networking event, tour the facilities, enjoy refreshments and perhaps learn a few steps!

Message from the Chair of the Board

I hear that BOO Bash was phenomenal. Probably my favorite event of the year, and I was unfortunately out of town.  We had a huge turn out this year (double the participation) and lots of people came in costume.  Great music, great food and high spirited networking - our Chamber knows how to put on a party!  Kudos to our staff for another successful event.

The November General Membership Luncheon was “Speed Sales,” where YOU were the program.  Members prepared 1-minute elevator speeches to promote their products and services to all in attendance at this fast-paced and popular event. 

Speaking of the holidays – it is galloping towards us at warp speed.  Mark your calendar for the Annual Christmas Luncheon and Auction on December 3rd. You can donate your products or services and gain more visibility for your business or organization.   It’s just another cost-effective way of marketing yourself and your business.  If you have an item or service to donate, please call the Chamber 582-9400 for a donation form.  I hope to see you there, bidding frequently, having a great time networking and enjoying the advent of the holiday season!

Many of us are looking forward to spending time with family at Thanksgiving, and I find this to be a good time to give thanks to many people.  I want to thank the volunteers of the Lakewood Chamber for donating their time to support the Chamber and the surrounding community.  We would be hard pressed without Linda Smith and her friendly and dedicated staff.  Thank you Linda, Mary Ann and Scott for all your energies you expend -- and talents you demonstrate on a daily basis.  Finally, you as members of the Lakewood Chamber set the tone and success of this organization.  Thank you for being an active part of the organization and caring about your community and its economic success.

Rick Stevens, GEICO

2009-2010 Chair of the Board

Welcome Our Newest Members!

A Steve’s Professional Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning

Steve Short

4711 39th Avenue SE

Lacey, WA  98509

253-691-3150

I clean all carpet:  Oriental, nylon, wool, plastic carpets & vinyl, tile, cement & scottard & microban for a cleaner, fresher, healthier!

BN Expo

Haejin Lee

8720 South Tacoma Way

Lakewood, WA  98499

Finished Building Materials.  Kitchen, bathroom, home and business remodel and/or consultation.

The Down Under Diva

Mary Backous

8701 Dresden Lane SW

Lakewood, WA  98498

253-584-0920

Aussie Specialist Premier Agent.  New Zealand (Aussie) Specialist – South Pacific Travel Specialist – Cruising.

I.M.P.A.C.T. Marketing

Terry Hayes

P.O. Box 436

Tacoma, WA  98401

253-961-9576

Financial Education & Cash Flow Management.

Queen’s Closet

Sandy Alonzo

9614 40th Avenue SW

Lakewood, WA  98499

253-475-9576

Queen’s Closet is a consignment boutique for women, sizes 12-6/7X.  We specialize in plus sizes.

Retirement Plan Counseling

Derek Dee Sanders

1145 Broadway, Ste. 1330

Tacoma, WA  98402

253-779-9265

I help individuals and business owners establish a set of goals for their retirement and a plan for how they are going to get there. 

Thank You for Reinvesting in the Chamber!

35 & more years

Chambers Creek Veterinary Hospital

Harold LeMay Enterprises, Inc.

St. Clare Hospital

15 & more years

Merit Construction Northwest

10 & more years

Automotive Service Association

Pollard Group

Rainier Connect

5 & more years

AIM Mail Center

Lakewood Historical Society

Sound Transit

1 to 4 years

FMWR Fort Lewis

Getting Personal Imprinting

Northwest Skin Center

Rainier Welding Supplies

Sage Terrace Apartments

Westwood Apartments

Military Affairs Committee MEETING

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

8:00 am

Burs Restaurant

Update of previous meetings, time for testimonials, and a challenge for the year to really apply these meetings to your business practice, to make the Military Market a part of your Strategic Plans as it is a sure way to increase your business with a multi billion dollar market.

Program:

Military Partners Updates

Sponsorships at Military Installations

Budgeting for 2010 programs

Adopt a Company with the 4th Stryker Brigade Program Continues to Grow!

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce continues to serve as the spearhead of the Adopt A Company Program with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.  There are 30 units that we have in the Bridge and the Chamber has recruited over 40 businesses and organizations to participate.  We’ve had many small businesses step up and are adding additional business to team up so they won’t have to shoulder the project alone.

The Raider Adopt A Company Program is a volunteer-based program that connects supportive Lakewood businesses and organizations with Raider Soldiers and offers a channel by which to strengthen relationships, and improve community relations.  Business volunteers are needed to support companies while deployed. 

Suggests for support would be:
-Writing Letters
-Exchanging of photos

-Sending care packages

Army units will
- Return letters
- Exchange photos
- Keep organizations informed about the units deployment

A reception was successfully launched where businesses and company commanders met to launch the program.  Sponsoring organizations were invited to – and attended – the Deployment & Casing Ceremony, as well as the Deployment Ball.  Many of the organizations have hosted events and many more are planning something special prior to the company’s deployments.

Your organization is urged to join us and support our troops!  Please contact the Chamber to sign up today!

Promote Your Business to New Army Personnel

Let us promote your business at the Fort Lewis Newcomers orientation in the Lakewood Chamber booth, reaching over 500 new personnel and their families each month for only $200 a year!   Increase your businesses’ foot traffic with coupons and giveaways.  You are encouraged to provide items that are useful and imaginative – discount coupons, magnets, rulers, calendars, etc. will be of more interest and use than a simple brochure.

For details, contact Scott Jonson at 253-582-9400 at the Chamber.

Thank You Letter from 446th AW

Harborstone Credit Union and PMBA members,

I cannot convey the excitement of the 446th Airlift Wing Airmen who attended the Seattle Mariners Game.  Harborstone Board's generosity in donating the Moyer Luxury Suite, along with Pierce Military Alliance's contribution of food made for an amazing event. 

As you can see from the attached photo, the Mariner Moose even showed up. 

The Airmen of this wing often perform their duties away from home, and away from public notice, and they cannot be as aware as Col Flanigan and I of the wonderful community support this wing enjoys. Each and every one of them was delighted by the opportunity and they will never forget the event. 

Please pass along our heartfelt appreciation for your recognition for these citizen Airmen. 

Lt Col Anna Sullivan, for Col William N. Flanigan, 446th Airlift Wing Commander. 

Thank You to Swarner Communications & PMBA!

The Chamber salutes all involved in the Children’s Deployment Fair.  Special thanks to Ken Swarner for brainstorming and executing this great event to keep our military families and deployed troops in touch.

“This morning started quite early for me today, but it was an excellent way to be woke up; my Husband called me from Afghanistan. We talked until that horribly melodic voice announced we had two minutes remaining. Considering the time difference, I wished him sweet dreams and got out of bed to start my day.

I knew today was the Children’s Deployment Fair, and while my child is currently only of the furry four-legged kind, there was the promise of pictures with Santa and care packages sent downrange for free. The last drawing tid-bit caught me hook line and sinker. If you are a Military Spouse, you know that those little packages mean a lot to the soldiers receiving them, but can cause the pocketbook to take a hit. So, with the glimmering idea of the care packages (and only 1,000 going out), I wanted to be there when the fair opened.

I arrived at the Evergreen Elementary on Blaine St. at 9:05 and there already was a line to get into the fair. The weather was blustery and wet, but the line moved quickly. Upon passing through the doors of Evergreen Elementary, I knew why it was the chosen location. The Disney themed facades just gave it a cheery atmosphere. The ladies at the front desk were very cheerful as well and was more than helpful. I was given a red ticket to claim my care box and then told where to go for the pet pictures.

There were obviously many families with deployed spouses and parents, but the lines weren’t too bad around the opening of the fair. At the pet photo line, I was next to go in to sit with Santa. While I was waiting I had a very charming chat with a lady who was working for the fair. With this past sentence, you’ll have to forgive me for forgetting her name, but I am HORRIBLE at remembering them. But back to Santa photos, it was my turn and I went in, rolling Teddy Bear’s “Stryker” (rolling backpack) behind me. I unzipped Teddy’s bag, and we had our picture taken with the big guy of Christmas. Teddy had to sniff him out before posing for the picture. The photographer was lovely, and the picture was perfect.

After the photo, I was told that there was a station where you could read a storybook to your soldier. I jumped at that and waited in another short line. I was worried when I saw that the computers were of the Macintosh brand, but the gentleman working that station was more than helpful. Teddy was again out of his bag and in my lap as we read my Husband a book; I added in my own commentary to make it more personal.

From storybook land, I entered the cafeteria and was given a picture to color. I hadn’t colored for ages! It put a big grin on my face, as I felt a youthful sense of happiness return. Once I was done coloring, I got in a snaked line towards the USO. The freebies they passed out were for the families, with promises of other goodies for the packages just beyond the gymnasium doors.

Once through the doors, I produced my red ticket and was given a flat rate box to fill for my soldier. After my container of cookies took up a third of the box, I gave away a bag of animal crackers so that I might fit in more of the free gifts they were giving out as the line continued. I received candy, coffee, lotions, soaps, and even hair gel. Just beyond these items were DVDs and CDs. I picked up White Christmas and a copy of Queen’s Greatest Hits. Books followed the CDs, and I knew I was running out of room. So, I topped off the package with a Reader’s Digest and a book of Brain Teasers.

My box was overflowing with items. So, I decided to sit down and repack this box. I must say, I have really learned to pack a lot into a flat rate box since this deployment. I packed it, addressed it, and filled out a customs form. There was a few tables with ladies there to assist in checking everything off and getting the box on its way. On my way out I was once again greeted with the lady I spoke to in the pet picture line. I received warm wishes, a bag full of goodies, and a greatly needed hug. I shipped off a package to my Husband, and was set with a smile for the rest of the day. I tried to thank everyone I could while I was there, but words cannot express my gratitude. So, to all involved in organizing this event… THANK YOU!!!”

Guardian Angel Stryker Pins

Special thanks go to CoinForce.com who donated these beautiful guardian angel Stryker pins to assist the Association of the US Army to support their efforts.    Please make all checks out to:  AUSA. 

Quick Takes

Check Out Chamber Membership Benefit!

 LOCAL

3/50 Project

As you drive to work and home, you're seeing it more frequently ... stores closing.  The 3/50 project (pick 3 spend 50) encourages you to shop locally.  Please go to http://www.the350project.net/home.html to find out how we can save our traditional bricks & mortar businesses in our community!

Upcoming Lakewood United Schedule

The Lakewood United group meets at 7 AM every Thursday at Burs Restaurant, located at 6151 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood.  The events for the month is as follows:

November 12 - LeMay Museum Update – Stacy Vogel, Event Coordinator

November 19 – Clover Park School District Bond Proposal – Keith Rittel, Deputy Superintendent

November 26, 2009 – No meeting – Happy Thanksgiving

December 3, 2009 - Rebuilding Together South Sound - Rehabilitating Communities With Free Home Repairs and Modifications – Drew Carrigan, Community Outreach Coordinator, AmeriCorps Member

Lakewood United website: http://communities.southsound.com/main.wsi?group_id=138

We’re Fishing for Ideas…YOURS

Yes!  We’re interested in what’s going on with your business.  And so are other Chamber Members. 

Please pass this along to the person who maintains your mailing list and ask that they add lsmith@lakewood-wa.com to your mailing list for story inclusion in the Chamber Newsletter.  Thank you!

NATIONAL

Boeing's decision and what it says about Washington's Competitiveness

There's been a lot said over the past few days about Boeing's decision to open its second 787 line in Charleston. Naturally, finger-pointing comes next. The Governor is dismayed, senators and representatives are now chiming in. This sure isn't pretty; hanging out in the loser's circle never is.

But OK, what now? Policymakers just got slapped upside the head by a corporation based out of Chicago. Boeing officials looked at Washington and sized us up and looked at Charleston and sized them up. They made a business decision and we lost. That should say something about what we are offering the business community.

Of course there is an internal labor/management dynamic that the state can't influence. Or can it? South Carolina is a right-to-work state, where workers do not have to be members of a union as a condition for employment (a novel concept). Of course, this will never fly in Washington state -- just as long as we're prepared to lose business over it apparently. Should we have the discussion on mandatory unionization if that is truly one of the big causes for Boeing's decision yesterday? If so, then the question really is, why shouldn't we discuss it?

There are many reasons why some states are more competitive than others. Some reasons cannot be helped -- natural resources and open-water access are some of the reasons why Washington is more competitive in lumber, shipping, and agriculture than, say, a Midwest state. Likewise, it would be a bit of a challenge for Washington to compete with Florida over oranges, or Alaska for oil or Louisiana for catfish.

However, beyond natural resource advantages, policymakers and entrepreneurs can make a difference in how a state is perceived viz a viz business friendliness or an infrastructure for innovation. Those are intangibles not decided upon by nature. Microsoft didn't grow and succeed here because of the air, water or lumber. Neither did Boeing, Amazon, T-Mobile, Costco, UPS or most of the other of hundreds of thousands of businesses that were founded in this state. 

This is just the type of issue we'll talk about at Washington Policy Center's 2009 Statewide Small Business Conference. We'll talk about the things that policymakers can control and can improve upon to make our state more attractive to people. Because that seems to be getting lost in the discussion. Businesses don't make these decisions, people make these decisions, often based upon what's best for the company so that it can continue to offer goods or services to its customers -- who just happen to be people as well.

NATIONAL

  House approves historically costly new $1.2 trillion health 

  care bill, a step backwards on reform

  The "Affordable Health Care for America Act" was narrowly approved by  

  the House of Representatives on Saturday by a 220-215 vote. It now goes  

   to the Senate where it faces tough opposition.  The Chamber supports    

health care reforms that lower cost and increase coverage, such as medical malpractice reform and government incentives rather than mandates. Unfortunately, this bill doesn’t accomplish any of these objectives, and it will have significant negative impacts on businesses of all sizes in our state and nation at a time we can least afford it.  Washington’s delegation voted 5-4 in favor of the bill. U.S. Representative Brian Baird, (D)Vancouver, joined Republicans Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Doc Hastings and Dave Reichert in voting against it.  Below are links to  your representatives.  Please contact them to let them know your thoughts  on the passage of the House Bill.

1st District:    U.S. Representative Jay Inslee

2nd District:    U.S. Representative Rick Larsen

3rd District:    U.S. Representative Brian Baird

4th District:    U.S. Representative Doc Hastings

5th District:    U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris

6th District:    U.S. Representative Norm Dicks

7th District:    U.S. Representative Jim McDermott

8th District:    U.S. Representative Dave Reichert

9th District:    U.S. Representative Adam Smith

Game isn’t over – just starting

Now that the House barely passed its 2,000 page bill, lawmakers must figure out the details of it and the Senate has to chart its course.  The pitched battle centers over abortion, costs and whether or not that will be a public option – government financed health insurance plan to compete against private insurers. Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) vows to join Republicans in filibustering any plan with the government-run insurance program. Without Lieberman, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) does not have the votes to end debate or a filibuster as long as the Republicans hold together.

Unemployment rate is highest in 26 years reaching 10.2 percent

The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent in October, the Labor Department reported Friday. This is the highest level of joblessness in 26 years, reflecting the loss of another 190,000 jobs. The jump into double-digit unemployment — from 9.8 percent in September — shows that, despite the apparent end of the Great Recession, economic expansion has yet to generate jobs, leaving tens of millions of people out of work.

“The guy on the street is going to ask, ‘What recovery?’” Stuart G. Hoffman, chief economist at the PNC Financial Services Group told The New York Times. “The job market is still in reverse.”