January 2015 The Number One Business Advocate In The Walla Walla Valley

29 East Sumach | PO Box 644 | Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Ph. 509.525.0850 | Fax 509.522.2038 | info@wwvchamber.com | wwvchamber.com

ChamberNews

anuary 1st. The whole new year stretches out in front of you like a Nevada highway. The open high-way is a good metaphor for how I

look at the coming year. New plans, new destinations, new friends and try to get somewhere you have not been before.

Before I talk about the year ahead, I want to take a look back. Way back. 2015 represents the 140th birthday of the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce. 140 years! Our Chamber is one of the oldest west of the Mississippi. In 1875, we were known as the Board of Immigration. While that title sounds a bit like the INS, it actually served as a point of contact for new immigrants relocating into the Walla Walla Valley. It helped people withinformation about how to get plugged into the community.

The name was later changed to the Walla Walla Valley Commercial Club and it helped promote the Valley in order to attract new business. In a way, that is a similar role to our current Chamber. Today, our primary roles are to promote the community, provide networking and business referrals, help develop a strong local economy and represent the interests of business with government and politicalbodies. Kinda has a ring to it! I am proud that our Chamber has had such a long standing and important role in thecommunity.

Looking ahead to the year 2015, there are a number of destinations and goals on

OUR MISSIONT h e Wa l l a Wa l l a Valley Chamber of Commerce is a mem-ber-focused organiza-tion and community partner that fosters a sustainable, healthy and vibrant economic environment through business promotion, education and services.

INSIDEPage 2—Together We Are Strong

Page 3—In the Service of Others: A New Year’s Resolution

Page 4-5—Members’ News Flash

Page 6-7— Congratulations to All!

Page 8-9—A Special Thanks to our Sponsors

Page 10—Monthly Statistics

Page 11—Welcome New Members—Business After Hours

Wide Open Highway• David Woolson, President and CEO

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my map:1) Public Policy and

Politics. We will continueour efforts in public pol-icy to make sure that business is represented and has a voice at the table. The Chamber will host its Legislative 411conference calls during the Legislative session with our elected offi cials. You are invited to attend these free calls and get briefed on issues or raise concerns onproposed legislation.

Additionally, there is a new coalition of Chambers that are aligning their interestswith the Association of WashingtonBusiness to address various public policy issues. This “Grassroot Alliance” will give Walla Walla access to current information,a voice in statewide issues and will have power in numbers with Chambers ofCommerce from all corners of the state.

2) Increase member value. We have invested in our website to better showcaseour members and their listings. TheChamber uses Chamber Master as ourwebsite engine. They are the industry leader and a good partner. I am continuing to explore programs and benefits that are relevant to you. Additionally, there will be no membership investment dues increase in 2015.

3) Raise the bar on our events. My goal is that our events and programs are

Continued on page 10

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2 | January 2015

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMDavid WoolsonPresident/CEO

Damien SinnottVice President of Public Policy and Business Development

Casi SmithDirector of Special Events

Jenny BuckleyOffi ce Manager and Executive Assistant

Marissa MillerSpecial ProjectsCoordinator

Noel SandersBookkeeper

Banner Bank

Capps Broadcast Group

Coffey Communications, Inc

Columbia REA

Gesa Credit Union

Inland Cellular

KUJ

Pacifi c Power

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

Wine Valley Golf Club

VISIONARY MEMBERS

Park PlazaIndependent Retirement Living1400 Dalles Military RoadWalla Walla, WA 99362

509-203-4079park-plaza.net

©2014 HARVEST MANAGEMENT SUB LLC 21839

Independent Living

at its Best Call Park Plaza

to schedule your personal visit and complimentary

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Together We Are Strong• Doug Simcock, Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chair

site; and offer member to member discounts to grow your business. Check to make sure your business profi le is up to date on the Chamber website to make sure the many folks wanting to do business with a Chamber member can fi nd you easily. And drop by promotionalrack cards for the visitor center. This year the Chamber received over 4000 calls for information which created lots ofreferrals to our members.

Take advantage of the numerous networking opportunities and events as well. Business After Hours, RibbonCuttings, and Quarterly Luncheons are great times to connect with the business community. Many times I have found a solution to a business challenge byrubbing shoulders with a colleague at one of these events.

Most importantly, I want to thank you for your membership. TheChamber’s Mission is to provide“a member-focused organization andcommunity partner that fosters asustainable, healthy and vibrant eco-nomic environment through business promotion, advocacy, education and services.” It’s a broad mission....one I’m grateful to be part of. Together we are strong.

t is my honor to serve as Chair of the Board of the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce for 2015! It is especially meaningful since my

father Manfred is a former Board Chair for the Chamber as well. I think we are the fi rst father/son duo to serve in this capacity! Please let me know if I can be helpful to you or your business in this role.

I hope this newsletter fi nds you with much to be thankful for from the past year! Most business owners I talk with can report business growth during2014. I certainly am grateful for thecontinued improvement to our local economy. With a front row view of Walla Walla’s real estate market, I was able to watch our steady improvement through-out the year. Most related businesses of building, lending, title & escrow, home inspectors, contractors and appraisers have shared stories of business growth during the past year. Good news!

I also hope this newsletter fi nds you fi lled with optimism for the new year! Yes, we could use more job creation and growth, but I’m grateful for the stability of our local economy. Most communities our size do not enjoy the level of health care facilities, educational institutions, governmental agencies, agriculture, tour-ism, manufacturing and retail that we do. While there are certainly challenges that must be faced, this is a great time to be a business owner in the Walla Walla Valley.

Your Chamber is here to help. I want to encourage you to make the most of your membership in 2015! Make sure to share what your business is doing with our 700+ members in the Valley Business News; post your job openings on our web

I

Together WeAre Strong!

January 2015 | 3

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBoard Chair Doug SimcockWindermere Real Estate

Vice Chair Keith Burghardt Community Bank

TreasurerJohn TombariBanner Bank

Immediate Past ChairTom ScribnerMinnick-Hayner

Past ChairTim LarkinWalla Walla Community College

SecretaryDavid WoolsonWalla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Continued on page 11

In the Service of Others: A New Year’s Resolution

believe volunteering is one of thefoundations of a strong community, and it is evident in our Valley. Our high school students need volunteer hours

to graduate, we have abundant non-profi ts that utilize volunteers, and we have success-ful youth recreation programs that thrivebecause of volunteers. However, I feel there is a shift in our community as my generation brings a new set of values and standards to volunteering. By this I mean that we havedifferent expectations of jobs, living, and community than my grandfather’s genera-tion.

So to begin let me defi ne who I mean when I say “my generation.” That would be mid-life, babes in arms, carpooling, sports traveling, summer camps families who schedule their days and weeks around work, pick up/drop off, meals, laundry, homework, practices and games. We are the ‘new’ Walla Walla. The future community leaders that need to take the reigns to sustain our way of life. There are many levels to this statement. Think, do you shop locally? Attend thesymphony? Use the library? Attend citycouncil or school board meetings? Do you volunteer in the community?

When I utter the last statement many are quick to point out “I coach my child’s (fi ll in sport here) team” and yes that is volun-teering. This community thrives on parentsvolunteering for their own children’s activi-tiesand school but my concern is the type of volunteering we are settling for as adults. When is the last time you volunteered foranother person’s child or family? Did you continue to coach when your child had grown out of the team or sport? When was the last time you volunteered and yourfamily was not with you or benefi ted from you volunteering?

I believe we all want great events and services for our community. We want a teen center so teens have a place to go, we want a women’s shelter so women and children are safe, we want great entertainment and

• Member Guest Editorial: Beth Swanson, The Mom’s Network

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I events. In most instancesall these services take volunteers. I have found that we have local coali-tions and groups that deal with early learn-ing, health, standards of living,nutrition, out-reach and they are made up of mostly volunteers. If we took away the committee or coalitionmembers who were paid to be there by their employer and the meetings were in theevening how many people would be on the committee?

And that is the crux of the situation. Our community needs us to volunteer at times that may not be convenient for our families. It is hard to give up a Friday or Saturday night after a long week of working and taking care of a household. It is hard to give time on a Sunday afternoon when that is our time to get ready for the week or just be with our families. The older and retired population is present in our community as volunteers. Maybe my generation is spread too thin, or maybe we are simply more selfi sh of our time. I don’t really care what the reason is, I just feel now is the time to raise the bar.

So I set a challenge to us all as we enterthe New Year. If every person who is in the throws of the family juggling act volunteered6 hours a year (yes 6 hours a year) it would pay forward in the lives of our local families. Now this means it might have to be during‘our time’ when the organization, event or nonprofi t needs us. But a lousy 6 hours is doable. So set the bar high in 2015 and fi nd a local organization that needs yourassistance. Try choosing an organization that is not in your comfort zone or that yourfamily is connected too. To get you started here are just a few organizations that need your help now:

The Warming Center needs adults and it is an overnight only cold weather job.

CCB 199419

4 |January 2015

Josh AllingtonBaker Boyer Bank

Meagan Anderson-PiraChildren’s Home Society

Shannon BergevinExpress Employment Professionals

Rob BlethenWalla Walla Union-Bulletin

Todd BrandenburgPocketiNet Communications

George BridgesWhitman College

Keith Burghardt Community Bank

David ElmenhurstCliftonLarsonAllen

Roger Esparza WilliamTeamHomes

Anita FunkKey Technology

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Members’ News Flashbusiness leaders. This event is timed for maximum impact one week before the start of one of the most importantlegislative sessions in state history and will consist of breakfast and lunchkeynote speakers, with breakout sessionsin the morning, featuring local andnational experts including Congressman Doc Hastings and Governor Butch Otter.

The Summit will be held at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. Register online at www.washingtonpolicy.org/2015EWASS, or contact Chris Cargill at 509-570-2384 with any questions.

Creative AwardsCreative work developed by CMBell

Company and clients has received one platinum, two gold and one honor-able mention award from the MarCom Awards competition, an international marketing awards program.

A platinum award was given fordeveloping Walla Walla University’sStudent Employment Kit designed to help students get jobs that help pay for their tuition. The kit can be seen atcmbell.com/blog/2014/6/23/get-noticed.

A gold award was given for develop-ing a video for Key Technology’s 2013 shareholder’s presentation. This video can be seen at vimeo.com/83544699.

A second gold award was given for one of a series of videos produced for LA-based White Memorial Medical Center’s Centennial Gala Celebration program. This video can be seen atcmbell.com/blog/2013/12/18/how-to-inspire-employees.html.

The honorable mention award also went to White Memorial MedicalCenter, for a video created for theircentennial celebration that honors their

Skyline Adventures OutreachSki Bluewood is offering an introduc-

tory winter program that provides youthwith a ski or snowboard adventure.Participants are provided with profes-sional instruction, equipment rentals, lift tickets and clothing if needed. A lunch voucher is included.

Designate one person in your groupas a go-to contact and supply SkiBluewood with the group information. Ski Bluewood will then send a packet with all of the documentation that needs to be completed before you come to the mountain and also how each student should prepare.

They strive to be a conduit that brings new perspectives into the lives of young people in our region as they “come to life” on this great gift of nature’smountain.

All included $40.00. Everybody pays the same. For more information contact Bill Pogue at 509-947-4403 or email bill@bluewood.com.

A Warm WelcomeWilliams Team Homes welcomes

Laura Billingsley as a Broker in their fi rm. Laura recently moved to Walla Walla with her husband and 3 children aftervisiting extended family for the past 15 years. Laura’s honesty, integrity and positive energy make her an effective and enjoyable person to work with through the buying or selling process.

2015 Solutions SummitTuesday, January 6th from 7:30am to

1:30pm will be the Washington Policy Center’s Statewide Policy Conference. The half-day conference will be attended by policy makers, elected offi cials, and

““We Care About Your Safety”

Electrical Wiring & Repair Pumps & Motors ~ Gates

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Members’ News Flashemployees. It can be seen at cmbell.com/blog/2014/4/9/build-corporate-culture.

MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. More than 6,500 entries were received from the United States, Canada and 15 other countries.

CMBell Company, led by PresidentDeLona Lang Bell, is in its 17th year ofbusiness. The fi rm provides communica-tions, branding and marketing servicesto clients nationwide. Their blog, Marketing Made Easy, offers free two minute marketing tips for the too busy professional and can be read atcmbell.com/blog/.

Family Fun Night PremiereJoin the Carnegie Picture Lab

January 17 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Walla Walla Public Library. This free event will feature a live drawing demon-stration with artist Todd Tealander, art activities with the Blue Mountain Land Trust and the Audubon Society, and live birds from Blue Mountain Wildlife.

Visit carnegiepicturelab.com for more information or call 509-526-6921.

Health & Wellness ExpoA new year, means a new you! Free

and open to the public, meet with well-ness experts, see demonstrations, receive health check-ups, donate blood and so much more! Come January 17 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center.

Banff Film Festival at Cordiner Hall On January 20th, doors open 6:30

pm. The program starts at 7:00 pm.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDoug HenryAce Hardware

Monty KnittelWalla Walla General Hospital

Tim Larkin

Chuck ReiningerReininger Winery

Steve RoseWalla Walla University

Tom ScribnerMinnick-Hayner

Doug SimcockWindermere Real Estate

Les TeelColumbia Rural Electric Association

John TombariBanner Bank

David WoolsonWalla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 17 and under, and FREE for Whitmanfaculty, staff, and students with valid ID. Tickets will be available for purchase starting January 12th at the Whitman bookstore and the Outdoor Program Rental Shop in the Reid Campus Center building at the corner of Park St. and Boyer Ave.

Winter Music Festival Join the Walla Walla Chamber Music

Festival for their 4th Annual WinterFestival beginning January 15th through the 18th. The Festival will include both ticketed and free events at variouslocations throughout Walla Walla. More information, including tickets, can be found online at http://www.wwcmf.org/.

Tickets For KidsIn an effort to work with local

businesses to help more youth enjoy, and be part of , the positive communityatmosphere at Borleske Stadium, the Walla Walla Sweets have launched the "Tickets For Kids" program. Every $10 contribution to the program delivers a ticket/hot dog/soft drink combo to organizations that serve youth in the Walla Walla Valley - on top of which the Sweets match, to make it (2) ticket/hot dog/soft drink combos. The Sweets work with respected local youth organizations to schedule groups on designated nights during the season.

Businesses that contribute $100 or more (on or before 3/15/15), will be recongized on the "Ticket For Kids” page of the 2015 Sweets Souvenir Program. For more information call 509-522-BALL 2255.

January 2015 | 5

Advertise your business or special event here.

For just $50 a month or $500 for one year, send us your print ready ad and your

advertisment will be in over 1,000 copies of this publication distributed throughout

the Walla Walla Valley.

Call the Chamber at 509-525-0850 or info@wwvchamber.com today.

6 | January 2015

RENEWING MEMBERS(SINCE)

AAA Washington (‘87)

Alterations By Nonie (‘09)

American Red Cross (‘02)

American RockProducts (‘09)

Anderson Perry &Associates, Inc (‘78)

Annie’s Trunk, LLC (‘11)

Capri Motel (‘05)

Castillo De Feliciana Vineyard & Winery (‘09)

CoffeyCommunications (‘91)

Colonial Motel (The)(‘05)

Community Bank (‘11)

Community Council (‘10)

Continued on page 7

Walla Walla 300 South 2nd Avenue | 509.876.4541

www.ColumbiaBasinHearing.com

Neil W. Aiello, Au.D.Doctor of Audiology

FREE Hearing Screenings! Comprehensive hearing evaluations Latest technology in hearing aids Tinnitus management Treatment for dizziness

Congratulations to All! The 132nd Annual Banquet, “A Winter Wonderland in Walla Walla” was hosted by The Walla

Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014 where top community honorees were awarded.

The Chamber was proud to honor individuals who have dedicated 15 or more years of service to our community with the Award of Meritwhich is given to the man and woman of the year. The Spirit of Excellence Award recognizes an individual who has volunteered with the Chamber over the past year. And the three higher education institutions recognized individuals who have made a signifi cant impact on our community and their respective institution with their volunteer efforts.

Award of MeritWoman of the Year – Cory Hewitt, General Manager, Walla Walla County Fairgrounds

Cory Hewitt served as Chamber Event Coor-dinator; grew the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede to one of the biggestballoon rallies in the Northwest; originally kicked off the OnionFestival and was a TourismWalla Walla Board member. Cory established the Pavilion Preservation Committee. Cory has taken the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days, plus its grounds to another level through her community partnerships while serving on a state level as past president of the Washington State Festivals & Events.

Man of the Year – Bill Clemens, Regional Community Manager, Pacifi c Power

Bill Clemens has served on the Walla Walla ValleyChamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Walla Walla County Fair Board as President; chaired the nine-county regional Workforce Development Council; a Sunrise Rotary Club member,

acted on the Walla Walla Joint Community Development Agency Board, as well as the City of Walla Walla’s Planning Commission. Bill was instrumental in developing the city’s new highway, as well as a leader for United Way of Walla Walla and serving on the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Warehouse Steering Committee.

Spirit of ExcellenceCasey Richards-MollerCasey currently serves as President of the distinguished Ambassador Program for the Walla Walla Valley Chamberof Commerce in which she has also served as Vice-President and Secretary. She has been instrumental in creating, developing andcarrying out numerous ideas, events and programs that better serve the ChamberAmbassador Program. She served as Event Coordinator for Campfire Walla Walla for numerous years before she recently took a job as Donors Services Associate with the Blue Mountain Community Foundation.

Walla Walla Community CollegeCommunity Service – Bobbi Hazeltine

Bobbi Hazeltine was high-ly honored as WWCC’s women’s basketball head coach, assistant athleticd i rec tor, f inanc ia l a idassistant and oral com-m u n i c a t i o n s t e a c h e r .Hazeltine also requires her basketball players to

have more than athletic ability, by askingthey be willing to give back to theircommunity through volunteer efforts, from cleaning Fort Walla Walla’s amphitheaterafter summer musicals to helping atAmerican Association of University Women book sales to raise local scholarship funds.

Higher Education Awards

January 2015 | 7

RENEWING MEMBERS(SINCE)

Custom Photo (‘11)

Diamond CutLandscape (‘09)

Edward Jones - Hank Worden (‘80)

Figgins Family Wine Estates (‘01)

Forgeron Cellars (‘01)

Grapeland Supply (‘04)

Graphic Apparel (‘96)

Green Gables Inn (‘10)

Health QuestTherapeutic Massage (‘13)

Inspired Enterprises Inc (‘12)

J. Eric Kimball, CPA (‘09)

Jon A. CampbellArchitect, PLLC (‘13)

Continued on page 10

Advertise your business or special event here.

For just $50 a month or $500 for one year, send us your print ready ad and your

advertisment will be in over 1,000 copies of this publication distributed throughout

the Walla Walla Valley.

Call the Chamber at 509-525-0850 or info@wwvchamber.com today.

InlandCellular.com

1605 SE Meadowbrook Blvd. Ste. 7 College Place |

(509) 629-2500

Higher Education Awards Continued

Jean Carwile Mastellar,former professor o fEnglish literature received one of two Whitman awards given in memory of Ed Foster, a former faculty dean and Englishprofessor. Mas te l la r has spent a lifetime of

volunteering and fundrais ing forProvidence St. Mary Regional CancerCenter after her own battle with cancer.

Walla Walla University Community Service – Janet OckermanProfessor of social work and sociology at WWU’s Wilmer Hepker School of Social Work, JanetOckerman’s lifetime inter-est and prolifi c research have been in areas ofmigrant education, Indianhealth care, welfare,housing and cultural implications of salmon fi shing in Washington and Alaska.

Whitman College Pete and Hedda Reid Award – Jean Carwile Mastellar

As associate dean forstudent engagement and pre-law student advisor, Noah Leavitt was presented with Whitman College’s second award in memory of Dr. Bob Schaeffer, a WallaWalla pediatrician who after retiring volunteered to teach biology at Whitman and adult education through the community’s Quest program. Leavitt’s work includes numerous contributions, including his work with the Interfaith Coalition on homelessness.

Whitman College Pete and Hedda Reid Award – Noah Leavitt

Annual Banquet Table WinnersAwards were presented to first, second and third place winners of the Best Table Design depicting the theme, “A Winter Wonderland in Walla Walla.” The monies were donated to the non-profi t of the winner’s choice.

3rd Place: Columbia READonated to: The Mom’s Network

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2nd Place: Swire Coca-ColaDonated to: United Way of Walla Walla

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1st Place: Community BankDonated to: Walla Walla Senior Citizen’s Center, Inc.

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8 |January 2015

AMBASSADORSCasey Richards-Moller President Blue MountainCommunity Foundation

Wade Robbins Vice PresidentBanner Bank

Kris Youd Past PresidentColdwell Banker First Realtors

Brenda BreshearsInterim SecretaryElsom Roofi ng, Inc.

Melissa Bieber LoanStar Home Lending

Shannon BlockBlock, Maughan & Associates

Willy BreshearsCH2M Hill

Sierra Burchell Olive Marketplace & Cafe

Peggy Chavez-Cazier Lloyd’s Insurance, Inc.

Tara Crain Copier Service, Inc.

Peter Early Abadan

Jessica Gilmore Walla Walla Community College

Tim HallowellCapps Broadcast Group

509.529.2020

Valley Vision Clinic 22 West Main Street

Walla Walla, WA 99362 www.valleyvisionclinic.com

Eye Examinations Eye Health Management

Contact Lenses / Sunglasses Large Frame Selection

Accepting New Patients

Optometric Physicians

Dennis Poffenroth, O.D. Luther Ness, O.D.

Rebecca Musick, O.D. Angela Ferguson, O.D.

Jeremy Beam, O.D. Rick Harrison, O.D.

Since 1949

TABLE HOSTS: Baker Boyer Bank ● Banner Bank ● Columbia REA ● Community Bank

Devfuzion ● GESA Credit Union ● Hapo Credit Union ● Inland Cellular ● Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center ● Pacific Power ● Patton & Associates ● Swire Coca-Cola, USA

Walla Walla Community College ● Walla Walla General Hospital ● Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Walla Walla University ● Whitman College ● Wildhorse Resort & Casino

TABLE SPONSORS: Abadan ● Blue Mountain Humane Society ● CAPPS Broadcast Group ● Chamber Ambassadors

Northwest MedStar ● Pop-Up Studios ● United Way of Walla Walla ● Walla Walla Sweets Baseball ● Walla Walla Community College ● KVEW/KAPP-TV

WINE SPONSORS: Cadaretta Winery ● Canoe Ridge ● The Chocolate Shop ● L’Ecole No. 41 ● Lodmell Cellars

Waterbrook Winery ● Browne Family Estates ● Northstar Winery y y o

January 2015 | 9

Kelsey KrebsWalla Walla Valley Honda

Terra LuthiCourtyard by Marriott Walla Walla

Diane PeaseWindermere Real Estate

Jim PeaseWindermere Real Estate

Sheila Peterson McDonald Zaring Insurance

Sandi Rowe Community Bank

Andre Selfa Gesa Credit Union

Heather Sengsavang Inland Cellular

Shannon Smith-McKeown Haulin’ Sass Mobile Boutique

Tom Stokes Windermere Real Estate

Erica Walter Premier Cellar

AMBASSADORS

Electrical ContractorResidential • Commercial

Security • Telecom24 Hour Service

Walla Walla Electric509-525-8672 Fx: 509-525-8642

www.wwelectric.com

Since

1975

176 Wine Valley Road, Walla Walla, Washington www.winevalleygolfclub.com

WREATH AUCTION DONATIONS CONT: Walla Walla Sweets Baseball Walla Walla Symphony Walla Walla Valley Honda Wingman Birdz & Brewz Windermere Real Estate SPECIAL THANKS TO: Walla Walla Valley Chamber Ambassadors Ambassador Banquet Committee:

(Shannon Smith-McKeown, Tara Crain, Diane Pease, Casey Richards-Moller, Willy & Brenda Breshears)

Chamber Board Banquet Committee: (Keith Burghardt, Roger Esparza, Monty Knittel)

Blue Mountain Humane Society Bill Clemens Choir Director Lori Parnicky Courtyard Marriott of Walla Walla Comfort Inn & Suites Cory Hewitt Denise Marr (Walla Walla Community

College) Dr. John McVay, President/WWU Exclaim Digital Multimedia & DJ Services Dr. George Bridges, President/Whitman

College Ginger Kelly Jim Bock Joe DeLeon/JEC-T Recording Studio Keith’s Custom Photo Linda Hardy Macon Auctioneers Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference

Center Marcus Whitman Chef Scott McLean &

Staff Mark Brown (Musician) Michael & Noel Sanders (Lighting) Pat Raey Sally Dixon Harmon Reininger Winery Rev. Ernest Campbell/St. Paul’s Episcopal

Church Sharpstein Elementary School Children’s

Choir Steve Moss Steven VanAusdle, President/WWCC Tangent Media Group Tom Scribner, Attorney/Minnick-Hayner Todd Brandenburg/PocketiNet United Way of Walla Walla

LIVE AUCTION SPONSORS: Alaska Airlines Andrae’s Kitchen (Chef Andrae Bopp) Basel Cellars Blue Mountain Humane Society Boise Ballet/Boise, Idaho Boise Hotel 43 Cadaretta Winery/Middleton Family Estate Chugach Outdoors’ Rafting Comfort Inn & Suites Community Bank Columbia REA Courtyard Marriott – Walla Walla Eagle Crest Resort (Monty & Patty Knittel) Ellensburg Valley Café Ellensburg Rodeo Express Employment Professionals (Shannon

Bergevin) Gesa Power House Theatre Great Alaska Adventure Lodge (Sterling, Alaska) Harper Joy Theatre (Whitman College) Hells Canyon Jet Boat Adventures The Boise Hotel 43 Jacobi’s Cafe and Catering Jim Peterson Joseph’s Bronze Antler B&B (Joseph, OR) Kenai River Fishing Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce (Pres/

CEO Jim Armstrong) Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center Mill Creek Brew Pub Northern Quest Resort & Casino (Spokane, WA) Northstar Winery Olive Catering/Olive Marketplace and Cafe Soldotna (Alaska) Chamber of Commerce &

Visitor Center Sedona Pines Resort, AZ Valley Café (Ellensburg) Vali’s Alpine Restaurant (Joseph, OR) Walla Walla General Hospital (Monty and Patty

Knittel) Walla Walla Sweets Baseball Club Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce Washington State Department of Corrections

(Supt. Don Holbrook) Wingman Birdz & Brewz Restaurant SILENT AUCTION SPONSORS Abadan Abeja Winery/John Tombari Ace Hardware Baker Boyer Bank

SILENT AUCTION SPONSORS CONT: Banner Bank Blue Palm Frozen Yogurt Brasserie Four CH2M Hill Columbia REA Copier Services, Inc. Elsom Roofing Haulin’ Sass Mobile Boutique Inland Cellular Keith’s Custom Photos LoneStar Home Lending Mary Kay Consultant Rachel Gallaway Minnick-Hayner/Tom Scribner, Attorney Northwest Farm Credit Services Red Monkey/Downtown Lounge Reininger Winery Sandy’s U-Rent Saviah Cellars Ski Bluewood Smith’s Family Restaurant Southfork Grill Spencer Steins-El Corazon Wine Stone Hut Bar & Grill Thompson Family Acupuncture Clinic Walla Walla Country Club Walla Walla Police Chief Scott Bieber Walla Walla River Estate Walla Walla Sweets Baseball Wildhorse Resort & Casino Wine Valley Golf Club WREATH AUCTION DONATIONS: 51 East Main Baker Boyer Bank Brushes ‘N Brix Ceremonial Wool Chamber Ambassadors Comfort Inn & Suites Community Bank Forward Boutique Gesa Powerhouse Theatre Hapo Credit Union Lions Gate Apartment Homes Lloyd’s Insurance LoneStar Home Lending Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference

Center Northwest MedStar Sandy’s U-Rent Thompson Family Acupuncture Wa-Hi FFA Walla Kids Pediatric Dentistry Walla Walla General Hospital

win

10 | January 2015

RENEWING MEMBERS (SINCE)

K Vintnersdba Charles Smith (‘08)

Long Shadows Winery (‘09)

Napa Auto Parts (‘05)

Nick Taruscio Farms (‘83)

Pendleton Grain Growers (‘13)

Planned Parenthood of GreaterWashington (‘83)

Rancho Villa Storage (‘09)

Regency at the Park (‘13)

Sears (‘12)

Seven Hills Winery (‘09)

Ski Bluewood (‘11)

State Farm Insurance -Mike Swinnerton (‘09)

Continued on page 11

Full Service Landscaping Professionals529-2175

info@diamondcutwallawalla.comwww.diamondcutwallawalla.com

FREE Estimates, Walla Walla Valley Chamber member discounts available!

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meaningful, fun and cost effective. I am very pleased how we have built theBusiness Summit over the last two years. The Summit will be held April 10th at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. The goal is toprovide a day of powerful businesseducation and intelligence to help make our local businesses better and more competitive. We keep the Summit very inexpensive at $99 for Chambermembers. Save the date and stay tuned as we announce this year’s Summitpresenters. Thanks to Community Bank, Pacifi c Power and the Port of Walla Walla for their support of the Summit

Some of the other events that we hope you will join us for this year is the Chamber Classic Golf Tournament in July at Wine Valley Golf Club. The Classic is sponsored by our friends at Columbia REA. Warning! I plan to actually practice this year! We will also present the Business Awards Showcase in September. This event acknowledges great business practices in seven categories. Maybe it’s you this year! Thanks to Baker Boyer Bank for its support of the Showcase. In 2015, the Chamber will also host the 133rd Annual Banquet in December.

We also have a dozen Business After Hours ahead of us. These have continued

to build interest and attendance and give our members a chance to connect on an informal basis and introduce our hosts to the business community. I hope you can join us!

The Chamber will also continue to hold our Quarterly Luncheons on a wide array of topics. Further, we will have a few educational workshops on business issues.

4) Build our alliances and coalitions. I am a believer in the power of partnerships. It helps broaden our resources and ability to tackle given opportunities and issues. We will continue to build the Chamber’srelationships on both a local andstatewide level. Locally, we enjoy a strong alliance with our economic development partners including the Port of Walla Walla, Tourism Walla Walla, the Wine Alliance and the Downtown Foundation.Additionally, I continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the Washington Chamber of Commerce Executives, the statewide Chamber association. This group is valuable in combining efforts on issues that impact our collective members.

So, the 2015 course is set. We have a full tank of gas. Jump in, it’s time to go! I am glad you are with us!

UNION-BULLETINWALLA WALLA

We Bring the Valley to YouUnion-Bulletin.com

THE U-B BRINGS NEW CUSTOMERS TO YOUR DOOR.

Call 525-3304 for more information.

Plan Center

Tourism Relocation Event Info

Business Assistance

Member Info/Referrals

Phone 15 142 22 182 51 156

Walk-in 16 98 12 102 34 122

Totals 31 240 34 281 85 278

YTD 447 2701 661 1877 1126 3466

Monthly Statistics - November

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January 2015 | 11

Stone Soup Cafe (‘09)

Super 8 Motel Walla Walla (‘91)

Sweet Valley Wines (‘09)

Terry Nealey, State Representative (‘09)

Treasure Valley Coffee Company (‘91)

Walla WallaElectric (‘82)

Walla WallaSymphony (‘93)

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (‘00)

Weinhard Hotel (‘05)

WilliamsTeamHomes.com (‘05)

Wine Valley Golf Club (‘08)

Z Pest Controll LLC (‘11)

Advertise your business or special event here.

For just $50 a month or $500 for one year, send us your print ready ad and your

advertisment will be in over 1,000 copies of this publication distributed throughout

the Walla Walla Valley.

Call the Chamber at 509-525-0850 or info@wwvchamber.com today.

RENEWING MEMBERS(SINCE)Welcome To Our New Chamber Members

EK Riley LLC 103 E. Main Street, Suite 303, WW, 509-956-3104

Registered Financial Advisors. Full brokerage and insurance products tailored to the individual. Individual stock and bond portfolios. Over 40 years of combined experience.

Tamastslikt Cultural Institute47106 Wildhorse Blvd., OR 541-966-9748 www.tamastslikt.org

Immerse yourself in the history, culture and hospitality of the people who have lived on this land for more than 10,000 years through interactive exhibits, special events and a Living Culture Village.

Do you have a new member to refer? Email David at dwoolson@wwvchamber.com.

volunteers to work the performances, simple and easy. Contact Ron Williams at ronw@phtww.com

All of these are great opportunities, but I know there are more so in 2015. The Moms’ Network will post volunteering needs each week on our Facebook page. So currentlythere are 1161 followers on the Moms’Network Facebook page. If each follower volunteered 6 hours in his or her commu-nity that would be 6966 volunteer hours added to benefi t our community.

Gandhi once said, “The best way to fi nd yourself is to lose yourself in the serviceof others.” Happy New Year and HappyVolunteering!

Contact Christy@unitedwayww.orgYCCY – Community Center for Youth

needs volunteers Friday and Saturday nights 6pm to 9pm so 80+ teens can have some-thing to do besides hang out where we do want them. Contact kfenton@wwymca.org

STEP Women’s Shelter needs volunteers in 3 hour shifts on Saturday and Sundays so women and children can sleep in, cook, do laundry and socialize. Contact kelsey@helplineww.org

Providence St. Mary Medical Centerneeds greeters, comfort rounding, andtransporting patients. Call Melinda Gee at 509-529-8972

Gesa Powerhoure Theatre needs

y

January 13, 2015Business After Hours at 6:30 pm!

If you have not experienced aBusiness After Hours, you aremissing out. This is one you won’t want to miss. Grab a stack of busi-ness cards and $1 for the 50/50 drawing and special door prizes. 2376 Taumarson Road,

Walla Walla

BUSINESS AFTER HOURSJanuary 13Hapo Credit Union2376 Taumarson Road, Walla Walla

February 10thPocketiNet

PO Box 644Walla Walla, WA 99362

Pre-SortedStandard U.S.Postage PaidCollege Place

WA 99324Permit #44

December Business After HoursThank you Cameo Heights Mansion for hosting Business After

Hours and your wonderful hospitality!

2015CHAMBER EVENTS

3rd AnnualChamber Business SummitApril 10th

CONTACT US AT THE CHAMBER29 East Sumach | PO Box 644 | Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Phone 509.525.0850 | Fax 509.522.2038 info@wwvchamber.com | wwvchamber.com

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