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Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce
| E-Newsletter 1/23/2012 | |
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Rochester Regional Chamber E-Newsletter Presented by
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Greetings!
This week welcomes the return of Coffee Talk! We are thrilled to have a new location for this year's Coffee Talk events. Please join us on Friday, January 27 at 8:30 am at Concorde Inn located at 1919 Star Batt Drive in Rochester Hills for this fun, fast paced networking event!
If you have any good news or testimonials to share, we want to hear from you! Please send your information to Kelly at info@rrc-mi.com.
Please check out the following link to the newest promotion from Pure Michigan. Pure Michigan Video
Remember to "Go Create Commerce!" Remember to send us your "Good News!" 50 words or less should be sent to info@rrc-mi.com. Please join us online on the following sites - TwitterClick here to view our FaceBook page! Everyone, don't forget we have a section on our website for job postings. Click here to see our listings.

Sheri Heiney Executive Director
As always, we'd like to thank our partners!
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Featured Business of the Month - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
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Upcoming Chamber Events
Click here to register

Friday January 27, 2012 Coffee Talk 8:30 a.m. Concorde Inn 1919 Star Batt Dr. Rochester Hills, MI 48306 No Charge
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Economic Development Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m. Chamber Office 71 Walnut, Suite 110 Rochester, MI 48307 No charge
Monday, February 13, 2012 Sales Class 9:00 a.m. Chamber Office 71 Walnut, Suite 110 Rochester, MI 48307 No charge
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Community Outlook Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Oakland University - Oakland Center Banquet Rooms Rochester, MI 48307 $35/member, $40/non-member
Monday, February 27, 2012 Chamber Orientation 9:00 a.m. Chamber Office 71 Walnut, Suite 110 Rochester, MI 48307 No charge
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Automation Alley IMPACT 2012
Join Automation Alley at IMPACT 2012 on Tuesday, Feb. 7 for a day-long conference exploring what it means to have IMPACT in today's business environment. Our keynote panel will share predictions on upcoming trends in finance, information technology, manufacturing and an overall forecast for Southeast Michigan in 2012. Breakout panels will range from "Finding the 'and' in your Brand" to cloud computing and "LinkedIn for Business" to the Pure Michigan State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program. Sponsorships are available and include vendor space and/or admission to the event. Visit automationalley.com/IMPACT2012 or call (800) 427-5100 for more information.
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Member Spotlight - Mr. Steamy's
At Mr's Steamy's, we intend to spread the real meaning of the the word "clean" by utilizing green cleaning and steam sanitizing Our sanitizing specialists eliminate allergens, destroy bacteria & evict pet odors with power of steam & EPA-registered cleaning products
Mr. Steamy's insured and bonded grime fighters knock out bacteria and allergens with a one-two combination of dry-vapor solutions and eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for children and pets. Their steam machines--which can be applied to a variety of surfaces including all types of flooring and upholstered furniture, --use thermal ionic-sanitization technology that emits temperatures of up to 320 degrees to destroy germs, mold, viruses, and pet odors. The chemical-free cleaning process also eliminates overstaying pests, such as fleas and flea eggs, and the hot vapors contain only 5% water, which minimizes the moisture that causes off-putting odors. In addition to steam cleaning, we employ the nontoxic, hydrogen-peroxide-based H2Orange2 to expunge incriminating dirt from bathrooms, kitchens, and any other more difficult tasks. P: 586-530-6171 www.mrsteamys.com
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Office Depot
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Welcome New Chamber Members
Daniel Shepherd, Student
1924 Axtell Rd., #6
Troy, MI 48084
248-792-2727
Student at Oakland University
Pura Vida, LLC
Chris Sarris, President
Kristen Sarris
210 University, Suite 6
Rochester, MI 48307
248-761-6390
www.puravidacoach.com
Life Coach/Executive Coaching and Consulting
Independence Innovations, Inc.
Dr. David Spencer, Managing Director
Michael Kaszubski, Director
375 East Second Street
Rochester, MI 48307
248-453-5613
Business Incubator/Accelerator
Morgan Stanley
Larry Spencer, SVP
Jason Spencer, VP
220 Park St., #220
Birmingham, MI 48009
248-670-7209
Estate Planning/Commercial BankingMichigan Youth Theater
Kathy Miller, Incoming President
P.O. Box 82401
Rochester, MI 48308
248-656-2979
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Upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
Mark Your Calendar! Thursday February 2, 2012 - 4:00 p.m. Independent Expressions 302 W. University Dr. Rochester, MI 48307
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - 4:00 p.m. First Light Home Care 1639 W. Big Beaver Troy, MI 48084
Friday, February 24, 2012 - 4:30 p.m. Carthew Law Firm 701 N. Main St. Rochester, MI 48307
Thursday, March 1, 2012 - 4:00 p.m. Main Street Bank Home Loan Center 1235 N. Main St., #150 Rochester, MI 48307
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YPR PCN Group Looking for New Members!
The Young Professionals of Rochester Preferred Client Network Group is growing and needs new members! If you are a professional under the age of 40, we welcome you as a guest to our next meeting.
Please RSVP with Rob VanDette (248) 770-8408 rob@awspecialists.com, or Brad Saarela (248) 736-0888 brad@somersetlendingcorp.com.
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Member Spotlight - H&R Block Premium Office
The H & R Block Premium Office in the Rochester Hills Office Plaza is ready to serve you. Our Master Tax Advisors serve foreign and domestic clients with trust and estate taxes, businesses, IRS audits and all types of individual returns. Our tax season hours are Monday through Friday 9a.m. until 9p.m., Saturday, 9a.m. until 5p.m. and Sunday by appointment. Our executive offices are located at 1460 Walton Blvd, Suite 107 on the corner of Rockdale Rd and Walton Blvd. Stop by or give Joyce a call at 248.652.2250 to schedule an appointment.
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Rochester Community Schools Mentor Program
Available to high school junior and seniors, the Rochester Community School Mentorship Program is an opportunity for hands-on experience in careers students are considering after high school. Working alongside a mentor, students are assigned tasks that give them a sense of what this profession requires in terms of aptitude, ability, and interest. The goal is for students to have a better understanding of whether this career is something they are interested in.
The Mentor Program will be starting up second semester. The second semester mentorship will be starting February 6, 2012 and all mentorships will need to be completed by May 18, 2012.
A list of possible mentorship's is attached to the application; however, if there is a mentorship a student is interested in that is not listed, the mentor committee will try and find a mentor.
SEEKING INTERESTED MENTORS!
We are seeking interested businesses to help us support our students hands- on education in various career fields, such as Dentistry, Engineering, Journalism, Lawyer, Pediatrician, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Pre-school Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Veterinary Clinics, Video Productions and more!
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF MENTORS?
- Acquaint students with the workplace, dynamics and provide general exposure to the profession via observation, participation and discussion.
- Help student decide on a general project or activity
- Assign specific tasks under proper sand safe supervision to provide a "hands on" experience in the work environment
- Students need to spend 20-40 hours outside of the school day over the semester, observing, participating and learning about the field and work environment.
WHY BE A MENTOR?
- Increase public relations and community support for education
- Enhance and continuously improve the educational process by detailing future trends in business, technology, and careers
- Provide input to curriculum development
- Provide hands-on experience to students
If you're interested in supporting our young adults by providing a mentorship opportunity, please contact Linda Cianferra at 248.726.5959.
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Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Celebrations Independent Expressions LLC's New Downtown Rochester Location
Rochester, MI - The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rochester Downtown Development Authority will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Independent Expressions LLC, Photography and Graphic Design by Laurie Puscas in her new downtown location. Independent Expressions has been doing business in the greater Rochester area since 2004 and became an LLC in February of 2009. Laurie studied photography at Oakland University. Her photography has appeared regularly in The Oakland Press and C & G Newspapers. "I love the creativity of photojournalism and the opportunity to meet individuals who are doing something interesting or spectacular and then be able to capture their unique situation for all to see and share," said Puscas. Independent Expressions LLC provides portrait, wedding and commercial photography. Portrait photography consists of studio and location photography for families, children, high school seniors and pets. Prints are offered in various finishes including the popular metallic finish, canvas wraps, mouse pads, decks of playing cards and even holiday ornaments. Custom designed greeting cards and custom framing are also available. Owner Laurie Puscas explained, "We began offering custom framing as a convenience after a number of clients asked where to have their images framed. We have a computer program that shows the client what specific frames will actually look like on their image. It is very helpful. You can choose a beautiful frame and have a magnificent image, but we help to make sure they complement one another." Laurie has truly enjoyed giving her time and talent to the greater Rochester Community over the years. She has taken photos for press releases promoting numerous musicals at Notre Dame Preparatory School and has taken and donated cast photos for numerous musical productions at Rochester High School. She has taken photos for various non-profit organizations including the Rochester Symphony Guild, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, and her personal favorite, The Animal Rescue League. Laurie has always been active in the community, including running for office in a recent city council election. Please join the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 4 p.m. in the new Independent Expressions LLC downtown Rochester location at 302 W. University Drive. More information can be found at www.independentexpressions.com or www.facebook.com/independentexpressions <http://www.facebook.com/independentexpressions> .
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks their partners Oakland University, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, Shelton Buick GMC, Fox Automotive Group, Bill Fox Chevrolet, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber. The Mission of the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership by advancing business development in partnership with civic, cultural and educational interests for the benefit of its members and the community.
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Member Advertisements
sponsored by Health Alliance Plan of Michigan |
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Oakland University's Homecoming Celebration
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Genisys Credit Union
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J. Thomas Jewelers
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Sprint of Rochester
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Crowne Plaza Auburn Hills Hosts Bridal Show
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KidzKare, Inc. - A Community Connection for Kids
KidzKare, Inc. is a new non-profit in the greater Rochester area that is all for and about kids.
"The purpose of KidzKare, Inc. is to create, provide, and support activities that improve the physical, mental, emotional, social and educational health of infants, children, and adolescents in the greater Rochester, Michigan area."
Affiliated with local pediatric practice - Kidz1st Pediatrics - we have three initial goals:
* Provide books for Reach Out and Read - a literacy project that presents new, age and culturally appropriate books to children at their 6 month - 5 year well visits. Financial donations are welcome.
* Collect and provide gently used clothing & books, new formula and diapers to needy families in the area.
* Offer free workshops, discussions and presentations to local PTA's, moms clubs, church, school, and community groups on the pediatric health topic of your choice!
Donate used items to us, support us, volunteer, or request a speaker today!
KidzKare, Inc. is a 501 (c) organization
2370 Walton Blvd. Ste. # 3 Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309
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Travel and Vacation Packages Expanded for Tradefirst
WHILE MANY CUTBACK OR CANCEL VACATIONS, TRADEFIRST MEMBERS ARE BOOKING EXCITING "TRADE" VACATION PACKAGES FOR 2012.
OAK PARK, MI - TRADEFIRST announced today it has expanded travel options for members by securing opportunities with new hotels, resort destinations throughout the United States, Caribbean and Mexico.
"We have been working diligently to expand the number of hotels, resorts and vacation destinations that accept Trade Dollars in lieu of cash," said President and CEO Fred Detwiler. "For many of these luxury hotels and resorts taking trade for space that may otherwise go unused is just smart business in addition to being a great value for our members."
Detwiler said the company recently hired a national expert to help secure barter opportunities with hotels and resorts to provide members with options for sunning and swimming at high end resorts from Mexico to St. Barts, to shopping in Chicago, deep sea fishing in Florida, playing in Vegas, skiing in Colorado and golfing in Palm Desert - the Trade First travel department has hundreds of ways for members to getaway. Some 500 hotels, resorts, restaurants - including the famed "Bitter End Yacht Club" -- are doing business with TradeFirst members.
TradeFirst has 5,000 business members and 15,000-plus TradeFirst card holders that can use their trade cards like credit cards in lieu of cash at thousands of locations for every imaginable product or service - including travel. "You could literally go on vacation for a week without spending a dime!," says Detwiler.
"This has been and remains a tough economy," said Detwiler. "While some businesses and families are cutting back, the use of Trade allows our members to fulfill dream travel plans they deserve for working so hard to build their businesses. Trade is the new business currency and we had a great year at TradeFirst building our business and helping contribute to Michigan's turnaround."
TRADEFIRST EXPANDS TRAVEL AND HOTEL OFFERINGS "Using trade makes a lot of sense and is why we have done more than $40 million in business transactions this year," said Stephen Schroeder, a marketing and media executive with TradeFirst. "For any business that could use a growing marketing network and ready customers, they should consider trade or barter." Schroeder said the company's development of an automated computer-based system for use of electronic "trade dollars" makes transactions easy to execute. The company offers credit card-like swipe cards, mobile phone apps and instant web-based transaction recording and receipts to keep member accounts updated and automated.
"This is not your grandfather's barter and trade system, we are using technology to make trade as easy as cash," Schroeder said.
Schroeder says with the local and national and even world economy going through extraordinary swings, TradeFirst helps stabilize values and allows businesses stability and growth while conserving cash flow. "TradeFirst - is the new business currency," said Schroeder.
TradeFirst was founded in May of 1978 and has been an industry pioneer. The company helped make modern trade and barter a common and accepted practice for virtually any type of business. TradeFirst is headquarted in Oak Park, Michigan and has offices in Denver, Toledo, Ohio and, Pompano Beach, Florida. For more information please visit www.TradeFirst.Com.
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MG Photography & Design

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Save The Date

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DATE SET FOR THE 2012 RELAY FOR LIFE
OF GREATER ROCHESTER
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.
(ROCHESTER, MI) - It's time to fight back against cancer. This year's Relay For Life will take place on June 23rd at Hart Middle School begining at 9:00 a.m. and continuing through 9:00 a.m. on June 24th.
Relay For Life is dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds to fight cancer. As the Society's signature event, Relay has been bringing cancer survivors and anyone touched by the disease together for more than 20 years.
Held overnight in honor of the fact that cancer never sleeps, Relay For Life has grown from a single event to the largest grassroots movement nationwide. The event will celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and provide participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease.
Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups - people from all walks of life - all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society's vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Teams of not only raise dollars and camp out overnight, but also participate in fun activities and ceremonies. Last year, 34 teams participated in the Greater Rochester event raising $115.704.
"Relay For Life provides an enviormnment where everyone in our community to join in the fight against cancer," said Anne Buechel, Event Co-Chairperson. "It is truly inspiring to witness the cancer survivors in our community celebrate their victory over the disease."
Community members can also start or join a team by following the links to our local Relay event on www.relayforlife.org/rochestermi or donations can also be made at this website.
Anyone interested in learning more about Relay for Life or in joining a team are encouraged to please contact Dave Thompson by phone at 586-491-3087 or by email at dmthompson76@gmail.com or you can visit our website at www.relayforlife.org/rochestermi to get more information on the event, start a team online or make a donation. You can also follow us on Facebook at "Relay for Life of Greater Rochester." |
Cooking Class & Brunch at the Royal Park Hotel 
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St. John Lutheran School
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Pet of the Week - Monkey
Say hello to Monkey! This 9-year-old Maine Coon has the energy of a cat half her age! Weighing in at 13 pounds, she loves playing with toys and is quite affectionate, seeking people out for love and attention. The adoption fee includes microchipping, sterilization, age-appropriate vaccinations and much more! Visit or call the Michigan Humane Society's Rochester Hills Center for Animal Care at (248) 852-7420 and provide the pet ID number, 707312. Photo by Heidi Waeschle-Gabel.
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