FEBRUARY 2013

"Business Monthly"

Newly seated Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers will give his first “State of the City” address February 28 at the Glendale Civic Center as the Glendale Chamber of Commerce hosts its 62nd Annual Meeting from 5:30-8:30pm. Hall of Fame Broadcaster Al McCoy of the Phoenix Suns will serve as emcee and guest speaker.

Mayor Weiers brings an impressive record to his first term as Mayor.  He represented the West Valley in the Arizona State Legislature for nearly eight years, where he won awards for his common – sense record.  While serving as Chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, Weiers helped lead efforts to bring the F-35 to Luke Air Force Base, solidifying this critical economic engine for Glendale.  He also built a strong record on fiscal issues, helping the state recover from the over-spending of previous years and turning a multi-billion deficit into a budget surplus.   He has a long and impressive record of community service and has won recognition for his work on behalf of sportsmen, motorcyclists, and military veterans.  He is an accomplished pilot, motorcycle enthusiast, and a member of the El Zaribah Shriners Motorcycle Unit, performing in parades across the state.  He is also a reservist for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  Jerry has been an Arizona resident since 1966 and currently lives in Glendale with his wife, Sandy.

Al McCoy, “The Voice of the Suns” has been the radio broadcast announcer for the Phoenix Suns since 1972, which makes him the longest tenured broadcaster in the NBA.  He received the 2007 Curt Gowdy Media Award, an honor bestowed annually on one member of the print media and one member of the electronic media by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  Al is a member of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame and is a Glendale resident.

The Chamber will also introduce our board of directors and incoming Chairman, Dawn Johnson of Arizona State Credit Union.  A special “Bill Nelson Volunteer of the Year” Award will be presented in honor of the late 2002 Chamber Chairman of the Board, who passed away suddenly in December of 2012.

The February 28 event will be an evening reception and dinner at the Glendale Civic Center, beginning with a cocktail reception (cash bar) at 5:30pm, followed by dinner at 6:30 and program at 7:30.  Individual tickets are $70 per person and tables of 8 are available for $550.  For reservations, contact the Glendale Chamber at 623-937-4754.  Limited sponsorship opportunities for this event are still available. Contact Don Rinehart at 623-937-4754 for more information.

The Glendale Chamber’s after hours networking group returns on Thursday, February 7th, from 4:30pm to 6pm at Le Chalet, 5626 W. Bell Rd.  Chamber members are invited to meet other businesses to network and simply relax after a day of working.  There is no fee to attend for chamber members.  Food and refreshments are up to the individual.  Please call Harry Shapiro for information, 623-937-4754.

January First Friday Networking Breakfast at Bitzee Mama's.  Standing: Jim Estes, Gordon Graphics; Vic Suarez, Card Payment Direct; Ginny Davis, Access Information Protected; Leanna Griffin, Leonard F. Baker, CPA; Julie Young, Tri Young Business Solutions.  Sitting: Dani Estes, Gordon Graphics; Cathy McDaniel, I Was Framed Photography; David Mitchell, Ideal Insurance Agency; Jean June, Goldensun.

Relay For Life is the cancer fighting event in which we celebrate cancer survivors, remember those we have lost and fight back against the disease that takes too much from too many.  You are being asked to join for an experience you will never forget by being part of a committee, form your own relay team, invite a cancer survivor to be honored and volunteer at the event.  For information and registration, call Lindsey Langdon at 602-224-7472 or on line at Lindsey.langdon@cancer.org.

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE, 7701 W. Paradise Ln., Peoria  623-776-8400
Thru 2/17 Hello Dolly!
2/4 ABBA Fab
2/11 ABT 9th Season Announcement
2/15 ABT Cabaret
2/22 The Piano Man: The music of Billy Joel and Elton John
3/1-3/31 The Buddy Holly Story
3/8 ABT Cabaret
3/11 Paperback Writer: The Beatles Experience
3/22 ABT Cabaret
3/25 Martin & Lewis starring Robert Shaw and Mike Yarema

CAMELBACK RANCH BASEBALL, 10710 W. Camelback Rd.  623-302-5000
2/23 Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05pm
2/24 Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago White Sox, 1:05pm
2/25 Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05pm
2/26 San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05pm
2/27 Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox, 1:05pm
2/28 Los Angeles Angels vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:05pm

CASINO ARIZONA, 101& McKellips, Scottsdale   480-850-7777
2/22-23 DSB: Journey Tribute Band, 7:30pm

JOBING.COM ARENA, Westgate City Center, Glendale  623-772-3200
2/6 The Who: Quadrophenia, 7:30pm

PHOENIX COYOTES NHL HOCKEY, Jobing.Com Arena, Westgate City Center,
Glendale  623-772-3200
2/2 vs Dallas Stars, 6pm
2/4 vs Minnesota Wild, 7pm
2/7 vs Chicago Black Hawks, 7pm
2/16 vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 6pm
2/18 vs Calgary Flames, 7pm
2/28 vs Minnesota Wild, 7pm

TALKING STICK RESORT & CASINO, 101 & Indian Bend, Scottsdale  480-850-7743
Thru 4/8 Michael Grimm at Orange Tree, Sun-Mon, 7pm
2/2 David Alan Grier, Showroom, 8pm
2/16 Wynonna & Big Noise, Ballroom, 8pm
2/17 Jay Leno, Ballroom, 8pm
3/23 Kenny Rogers, Showroom, 8pm

WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL & CASINO, 5050 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler  1-800-946-4452
2/2 Dead or Alive: Bon Jovi Experience
2/8 Oak Ridge Boys
2/15 B.B. King
2/16 Viet Namese Lunar New Year Concert
2/17 Neil Sedaka
2/22 Reckless Kelly
2/23 Wilson Phillips
3/1 Bill Bellamy
3/9 Engelbert Humperdinck
3/15 Paul Riser
3/16 Chino y Nacho
3/22 Gladys Knight
3/23 Creedence Clearwater Revisited



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Chamber's Board of Directors

Sandy Petraitis, Salt River Project, CHAIR
Steve Adams, Alphagraphics, TREASURER
Jim Vogt, BMO HARRIS BANK, PAST CHAIR
Dawn Johnson, Arizona State Credit Union, Chair Elect

Jeff Blake, DeVry University
Dr. Arthur Dobbelaere, Midwestern University
Steve Harnden, Ameriprise Financial
Jean Higginbotham, Humana
Steve Hopkins, Wells Fargo Bank
Randy Johnson, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market
Elizabeth Langland, Arizona State University
Dave Mitchell, Ideal Insurance
Dr. Ron Natale, Glendale Community College
Mary Pritchard, Pritchard Group
Bill Toops, Pueblo Publishers

MONTHLY BUSINESS BLENDERS (3rd Thursday at 5pm)

2/21 Thunderbird Executive Inn, 15249 N. 59th Ave.
3/21 Pullano’s Pizza & Wings, 13848 N. 51st Ave.
4/18 Legend at Arrowhead Golf Course, 21027 N. 67th Ave. at Legend Blvd.
        Golf Day for chamber members at 12 noon.
5/16 Peoria Pines Golf Course, 8411 N. 107th Ave.
        Golf Day for chamber members at 12 noon.
6/20 Parker Hannifin, 7777 N. Glen Harbor Blvd.
7/18 Jobing.Com Arena/Phoenix Coyotes, Westgate City Center

January Business Blender at the Gaslight Inn, 5747 W. Glendale Ave.  Among the more than 60 attendees are Glendale Councilmembers Ian Hugh and Yvonne Knaack, Darrin Blomberg and Cyndee Rae Estrada of Corporate Capital Consulting; Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers; Bark Butterbusch and Joe Paul Wright of Gompers Habilitation Center.

Chocolate, Wine and Romance highlight the annual Glendale Chocolate Affaire in downtown Glendale, February 8th through the 10th.  Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather for this award winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well.  Besides buying and eating chocolate, the event is the largest gathering of romance novelists in the Southwest.  Literary fans can meet authors and attend free writing workshops.  Other activities include hands on arts and crafts, face painting, rock climbing and romantic horse drawn carriage rides. 
Event hours are 5pm-10pm on Friday, 10am-10pm on Saturday and 12noon to 5pm on Sunday.  The Chocolate Affaire is located in downtown Glendale, north and east of the intersection of N. 59th Ave. and W. Glendale.  For information, go to glendaleaz.com/events or call 623-930-2299.

Authentic Indian fry bread fans can rest easy as a very popular fry bread mobile facility is opening a permanent location at 20219 N. 59th Avenue in Glendale.  White Eyes Fresh Fry Bread will open on February 1st followed by a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Saturday, February 9th at 11am.  The authentic Indian fry bread can be topped with hamburger, carne asada, chicken, ground beef, butter, garlic butter and red or green chili.  Dessert toppings include chocolate, cinnamon sugar, honey, ice cream, Nutella or powdered sugar.  The mobile food truck will still be at festivals and events all over the southwest.  Upcoming events are listed at www.wefrybread.com.

32ND ANNUAL LUKE SHOOT OUT GOLF TOURNAMENT, MARCH 8TH
The annual golf event to benefit the Commander’s Project at Luke Air Force Base, “Operation Warm Heart”, will be held Friday, March 8th, with a 7:30am shotgun start at Falcon Dunes Golf Course.  The four person scramble will feature hole in one contests, a challenge hole, a putting contest, drawings, prizes and an awards lunch to follow golf.  Cost is $100 per person for civilian and $40 for LAFB military personnel.  Hole sponsorships are $125.  Contest sponsorships are $1000 each, which includes a foursome.  If you have a foursome and sponsor a hole, it is $495.  For information and registration, call Harry Shapiro, 623-937-4754.

BILL NELSON MEMORIAL SPRING GOLF LEAGUE BEGINS MARCH 25TH
The Annual Glendale Chamber Spring Golf League is now named for founding league golfer and chamber member, Bill Nelson, who passed away in December.  The weekly 9-hole league will begin Monday, March 25th and run every through June 10th.  Two person teams will play against each other weekly using basic handicap scoring so everyone has an opportunity to win.  There will be three closest to the pin prizes each week and a barbeque awards night following golf on June 10th.
Glen Lakes Golf Course, recently upgraded, will host the league.  It is located at 55th Ave. and Northern in Glendale.  Total cost for the league is $250 per golfer, which includes golf, cart, weekly contests and season ending barbeque.  For information and registration, call Harry Shapiro, 623-937-4754.

Three time boxing world champion, Fernando Vargas, has been named the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the inaugural NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series 75 race on Friday, March 1st at Phoenix International Raceway.  On Saturday, March 2nd, the NASCAR Nationwide 200 Series Race and the Casino Arizona 50 NASCAR K & N Pro Series West Race will be held.  The final race is the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, March 3rd.  For tickets and information, call 1-866-408-RACE or on line at www.phoenixraceway.com/tickets.

The Peoria Education Foundation’s Visionary Education Awards Dinner and Auction will be held Monday, March 4th at the Arizona Broadway Theatre.  Presentations will include the Visionary Award, Business Leader Award, Education Advocacy Award, Community Partner Award and the Non Profit Collaboration Award.  For tickets and information, contact Danielle Airey at 623-486-6100 or on line at dairey@peoriaud.k.12.az.us.

Chamber Day at Camelback Ranch Ballpark will be on Wednesday, March 13th, when the Chicago White Sox host the Cleveland Indians.  Suite tickets for chamber members are $20 each, which includes snacks and a soft drink.  Other food and refreshment items are available at the park.  Gametime is 1:05pm.  One of the Glendale Chamber attendees will be chosen to throw out the first pitch before the game.   For tickets and reservations, you must call the Glendale Chamber, 623-937-4754.  Payment for the suite tickets must be made by Friday, March 8th to guarantee your seat.  Camelback Ranch Ballpark is located at N. 107th Ave. and W. Camelback Rd.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sandy Coor Post 1433 presented awards to two Glendale Firefighters and a Glendale Policeman to acknowledge the efforts of men and women protecting our community at the Glendale Chamber Blender held in January.

Captain Paul Morales, a 15 year veteran of the Glendale Fire Department received the “Firefighter of the Year Award” for his outstanding service to the department and the safety of the community.  Engineer Michael Patten received the “EMT of the Year Award” for his outstanding service to the department through his expertise as a paramedic. 

Officer Brian Ong received the “Policeman of the Year Award” from not only the local VFW post but also the VFW District for his service to the Glendale Police Department and extensive community service.  He has been a recruiter and background investigator for the personnel management unit.  Plus he has been the lead defensive tactics instructor in the department.

Thank You To Our Chairman's Circle

PLATINUM PLUS
SALT RIVER PROJECT
CITY OF GLENDALE
HUMANA OF ARIZONA
WAL-MART CORPORATION
WELLS FARGO BANK
WILD HORSE PASS DEVEL. AUTHORITY

GOLD
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA
MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY
THE GLENDALE STAR
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE

SILVER
TRI WEST HEALTHCARE
ARIZONA STATE CREDIT UNION
BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER

BRONZE
BNC NATIONAL BANK
CASINO ARIZONA
CENTURY LINK
SANDERSON FORD
LARRY MILLER TOYOTA
BMO HARRIS BANK
SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE
STATE COMPENSATION FUND

Join us for great food and networking at Thunderbird School of Global Management’s “Thunderbird Executive Inn” (15249 N. 59th Ave – Just south of Greenway and 59th Ave intersection) on February 21
From 5-7pm.  Tours of the hotel as well as information on the School’s meeting and convention services will be available.  The Thunderbird Executive Inn wants to be the site of your next business meeting!
Please RSVP to info@glendaleazchamber.org or 623-937-4754.

Our next “First Friday” Membership Networking Breakfast will be February 1 at Bitzee Mama’s in downtown Glendale.  These monthly breakfasts offer great networking, and small business programs each month with different topics.  It’s only $5 for breakfast, and no reservation needed!  This month’s program will feature Dan Fink of Ideal Insurance, and the topic will be “Business Insurance…Are you Adequately Covered?”.  The following programs will be held through June 2013 :
March 1 – Healthcare and the Workplace
April 5 – Marketing Your Business and Affordable Networking
May 3 – Business Legal Issues – What You Should Know
June 7 – Business Phone Systems

Plan to attend….and bring your business cards!!!