This newsletter is another one of the hometown services provided by the Orting Chamber of Commerce caring member businesses. If you have suggestions for content, would like someone added to receive this free newsletter, or if you'd like to stop receiving it, email Executive Director Rhonda Madison at [email protected] or call 253-223-7045. Mail can be sent to: Orting Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1418, Orting, WA 98360 |
Get Ready For Orting Daffodil Festivities
Photo by Kim Lemka of DK Designs Photography
 9000 visitors come to Orting on Daffodil Parade Day, making it a terrific opportunity for businesses to market their goods and services. Krista Butler and her team of volunteers is already up and running to get the OCC's Orting Community Daffodil Float ready for the 2009 parade on April 4th. Her efforts last year resulted in the float winning the Judges award. It takes many volunteers and donations to make this wonderful hometown promotion happen. If you can donate time or funds contact Krista at (253)375-2047. |
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Feb. 11, 2009 General Meeting Agenda
The OCC meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Eagles 7-9 AM.
Members & visitors are invited to experience the benefits of networking!
●Breakfast courtesy of Baxter Mfg. Coffee courtesy of Eagles.
●Introductions
●Chamber of Commerce Legislative Day in Olympia
Steve Rodrigues and Rhonda Madison convey business needs
●Minutes from Nov. 2008 & Jan. 2009
●Financial Reports
●Krista Butler Daffodil Float
● Dan Bunker Food Vending Volunteers
Business/ Community Cleanup Report
●Customer Service Spotlight - Marlene Bartram
●Barbara Hanson - Senior Center Director
●Keynote - Communities In Schools Youth Forum
Kim Farnes and Team
●Other business & announcements
OCC Mission: The Orting Chamber of Commerce is a collective group of businesses promoting a strong local economy through networking, referral opportunities and business advocacy.
OCC Vision: The Orting Chamber of Commerce promotes hometown commerce, serving the needs and values of the Orting community. |
 Welcome New Member
Los Pinos Restaurant
Owner, Cleminta Perez, was happy to have the Governor's husband, Mike Gregoire, stop in for lunch recently at the restaurant along the director of Washington Department of Veteran's Affairs. She was presented with an autographed card from Gregoire complimented the restaurant on their 'very good food'. Clementina stays very busy managing Los Pinos, serving on the Orting Planning Commission and the CISO board of directors, and being an active mom to her children who attend Orting school. Los Pinos is located at 228 Washington Ave. South, is open 7 days a week and can be reached at 360-893-2333.
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Cascade Towing Inc. Opens Business In Orting
New OCC member Cascade Towing is expanding their operations to Orting, renovating the building at 124 Whitesell Street to house their business. They currently have operations in Enumclaw and Bonney Lake and serve the areas of Orting, Sumner, Buckley, South Prairie, Greenwater, Wilkeson, Carbonado, Puyallup, Auburn and Crystal Mountain with reliable towing services including first-response collision and flat bed towing services and roadside assistance. They are a family owned and operated business. Owner Chuck Heitstuman takes pride in the personalized customer service and rapid response times offered by the business.Cascade Towing can be reached 24 hours a day at 1-888-869-8725.
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Motorcycles Coming To Town
The Big O Poker Run is coming back to Orting with a bevy of big, beautiful motorcycles of all shapes, sizes and species, on July 18th for their 2nd annual event hosted by Orting Eagles. According to event coordinator Dick Ford, last year's event had 122 participants, sold 130 entry tickets and generated a$1040 donation to local Communities In Schools. Eagles staffs the checkpoints, serves breakfast at the start of the ride and barbeque burgers after the ride. Local businesses support the event with door prize donations. |
Welcome New Members Orting Valley Senior Center
By Director, Barbara Hansen 360-893-5827 [email protected]
Seniors in Orting are snapping photos, attending government meetings and recording public events as they launch a community print newspaper within the month.  The Orting Valley Senior Center hopes the newspaper, Valley Voice, will fill the void left when The Gazette, published weekly by Lafromboise Publishers, folded in January 2008. "Who better to perform the essential functions of a community watchdog than our active seniors?" said Alice Glockner, president of the senior center's board of directors. "Our seniors have experience with business, civic groups and government; they possess judgment borne of having led successful lives; and they have the willingness to devote their time and abilities."But even more, seniors hope profits from copy sales and advertising will fill the void left when OVSC's largest single contributor, Pierce County, cut its grant by 45 percent this year. The Center's second largest single contributor, the City of Orting, continued its annual funding level of $10,000. "Our center needs to look for funding from a variety of sources as we enter these difficult economic times," Glockner said. The Orting Valley Senior Center has relied primarily on grants and local events to fund its many activities, which include a daily hot meal site, food bank, foot care and health screenings, exercise classes and enrichment activities. Other sources of income are partial fees for meal services and donations. "By providing an on-going service that community members need and are willing to pay for, we will create a more solid funding base for our senior center," Glockner said. The center faces a fore-seeable future of slow donations, as individuals and companies - and government -- tighten their own belts with the slowing economy. "We won't survive if we rely entirely on charity. We need to raise our own money using the resources available," said Barbara Hansen, senior center director. Resources available include a talented membership of retired columnists and reporters, including former Country Gazette publisher and editor, Pat Wilson. Hansen saw the talents of the Seniors and the community's need for a print newspaper as a perfect match. Besides supporting the newspaper, citizens who would like to contribute to The Orting Valley Senior Center can designate the center as their United Way payroll deduction. Local employers who offer designated giving programs include the Orting School District and Hobart-Baxter Mfg. At Boeing, the Orting Senior Center can be designated through the Boeing Employees Community Fund."Orting residents who routinely donate through work may not even realize they can direct their donation to The Orting Valley Senior Center," Hansen said. "We're working hard to get the word out about that." Launch date for the first issue of Valley Voice is Thursday, February 19. The paper will publish monthly initially but plans to become a weekly publication by year's end. |
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Call Rhonda at 253-223-7045
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OCC Meeting Minutes Nov. 12, 2008 7:30-9 AM Eagles Hall
The meeting was opened by President Dave Harman
-Chief Drake gave attendee update on flooding and what is being done to prevent major flooding along the Puyallup. Chief Drake encouraged all to contact the Pierce County Weather Emergency Operations Center, 253-798-7070 for the latest news .
- Executive Director Rhonda Madison gave a update on 2009 membership dues. There are three levels of membership from $200 to $1000, with increasing advertising opportunities for the $500 and $1000 levels.
-Breakfast was provided by Around the Corner Cafe and Key Bank.
-Brenda White of Key Bank recognized Kim Farnes as one of the Business Examiner's 2008 Women of Influence.
-Steve Rodrigues spoke of the Business Examiner featured articles on Around the Corner Cafe and OCC Executive Director Rhonda Madison.
-Jeff Davis, Orting School District Superintendent, introduced Mike Boring. Mr. Boring is conducting a national search for a new Orting School District superintendent. Copies of a brief input survey was distributed and comments solicited to help him identify our school districts specific needs. For a copy of this survey contact Terry Van Zanten of the Orting District Office at 360-893-6500. Mr. Boring can be contacted directly at [email protected], or 5414 Marian Drive N.E., Olympia, 98516, fax 360-456-4245.
-Brenda White gave an update of Orting "Home for the Holidays". The next meeting is noon, November 17, at Around the Corner Cafe.
-Mark Bethune gave an update on upcoming city events. January 31 the city is hosting a Emergency Preparedness Fair. So far over 40 vendors have signed up and there is room for more.
-Financial Storm Survival Panel gave a 30 minute action information packed discussion of conserving wealth in these financially difficult times and resounded to questions that specifically related to small business survival.
-Rhonda reminded all that the City Meeting is tonight
-2009 Election Results were announced. President is Steve Rodrigues,(full 2 year term), 1st Vice President, one year vacancy term is Dan Bunker, 2nd Vice President (full 2 year term) is Brenda Daniels-White, Secretary (full 2 year term) is Marlene Bartram,1st Board Member (full 2 year term) is Dawn Balogh. Appointment for 2 additional Board Members is pending.
-After brief discussion, the membership agreed to host a Christmas Party, Tuesday, the evening of December 9th in lieu of the December meeting. The Eagles will provide dinner as a nominal fee. Attendees are asked to bring a $5.00 valued gift for a raucous gift exchange!
-Kim Farnes announced that Community in Schools is partnering with other organizations to present a Coalition Against Drinking and Drugs at the Orting High School Library on November 17th, 2008, at 10 am.
-The winner of the 50/50 cash raffle was Marlene Bartram who donated her winnings of $13 to the Orting Eagles.
-Dave introduced two new business members, Jason Smith of American Family Insurance and Jennifer Rauschner of Liberty Insurance.
Minutes by Secretary Marlene Bartram |
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Meeting Minutes January 14, 2009 7:30-9 AM Orting Eagle's
Immediate Past President Dave Harman opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests. Self Introductions followed. Dave reviewed accomplishments and growth of the OCC since he was elected President 2 years ago. The transition from Orting Business and Civic Association (OBCA) to our current viable and growing OCC led the list of goals reached. Other accomplishments included the launch of an official website, purchase of the OCC reader board, and the creation of the Chamber's first paid staff position of Executive Director.
Dave introduced the membership to OCC's new President, Steve Rodrigues, and presented Steve the President's Trophy Clock. OCC Executive Director Rhonda Madison presented Steve with a hand turned gavel made from Orting maple. The gavel was recently made by Rhonda's husband Jim Madison.
President Steve Rodrigues introduced the current elected and appointed directors that will serve the OCC - Dan Bunker VP, Brenda White second VP, Marlene Bartram Secretary, Pam Giles Treasurer, Directors: Dawn Balough, Marlene Wade, Jason Smith, Past President Dave Harman, Staff: Executive Director Rhonda Madison. Steve recognized with special thanks the out going Board for their service, Susan Rigley, Madeline Jones, Kim Lemka. Steve then asked for special recognition of all those who worked on the transition team from OBCA to OCC.
OCC January Board Retreat Review: Steve announced that Lions Clubs International has funds available to help flood victims. Contact Dave Harman for details. The monthly Board meeting has been changed from the first Tuesday of each month to the third Tuesday of each month, 0700-0900. The Board is currently developing 1 and 3 year growth plans. Of special consideration:
-Formation of an effective Business Advocacy Committee
-Chamber participation of those businesses located outside of downtown Orting
-Encourage business growth by partnering with the City of Orting to provide a business friendly environment
-Locate a physical location for the Chamber office
-Promote local business activity for the 2009 Daffodil Parade scheduled for April 4
-Seriously explore feasibility of managing the Saturday Market
-Explore feasibility of management and growth of the 4th of July celebration
-Procure 2 additional reader boards to be placed on WA State Hwy 162 south and the Orting Kapowsin Hwy west of Orting
-Business focused customer service training
-Expansion of "Home for the Holidays"
-Quarterly scheduled evening Chamber meetings
Effective immediately, the OCC will no longer manage and actively promote the "Festival in the Park". In an effort to boost this event from a marginally profitable event to a highly profitable event, a paid event coordinator was hired for the 2008 season. In spite all the work and effort, the event expenses were much greater than the event income.
Rhonda Madison is designing a printed OCC brochure reflecting the location of all Orting businesses. This brochure with the business map will be distributed to all business and organizations. SHOP ORTING!
Membership dues clarification: -Annual dues for nonprofits are the same as for profit businesses. Business sponsorship of the nonprofits is strongly encouraged. Multiple businesses or private parties could sponsor the membership dues for the nonprofits like the Senior Center and others. -If two businesses are owned by the same person, each business is considered an independent business and must purchase membership individually. Keynote Speaker: Quindola Crowley, Superintendent, Washington Soldiers Home, Orting. -State budget cuts have resulted in a reduction in force (RIF) of 2  positions. The internal pharmacy is closed, logistical and medical supply has been consolidated into one department. The state approved $200K ($275K had been requested) to begin design plans for a new nursing care facility. Goal for groundbreaking: 2013.Orting Soldier's Home is at top of the list at the federal level for matching state funds. The state funds have not yet been approved. -The State is partnering with the nonprofit organization Metropolitan Development Council for the renovation of Garfield Barracks. Garfield Barracks has been leased to this Council who is responsible for 100% of the fund raising and reconstruction management. Proposed use of Garfield Barracks is for 30 transitional housing units to house homeless Vets, Vets with mild TBI, and provide respite care. - Internal programs include the development of an enclosed therapeutic garden located adjacent to the present nursing facility and the planned new facility (funded by the University of Washington and nonprofits), and the development of a new game room in Chilton Hall, complete with a wet "bar", and large screen TV (donated), and Nintendo "Wii" interactive game (donated). The residents are hoping to root for their favorite 2009 Superbowl team from their new activity room. -Flood update: Quindola gave special recognition to Orting Valley Fire Chief Shelton and his crew for responding immediately to the call to assess flooding potential. The Piece County Emergency Management (PCEM) was "a bit slow" in responding. The PCEM voiced concern regarding where the 120 patients could be evacuated locally since local hospital beds were not available. The PC Water Surface crew inspected the river and flood plains adjacent to the Home and ascertained that the Home was in no danger of flooding. Just in case, Quindola had secured 16 buses including 8 wheel chair accessible buses, approved land travel routing and patient housing at the Washington Soldier's Home located in Port Orchard. The superintendent plans to increase the emergency capacity to open the doors of the Home to Orting citizens during times of emergency. -Questions raised by the members included increasing the range of the Soldier's Home recreational bus from the Safeway shopping center to the downtown area of Orting, possible availability of medical services to local nonresident Medicare (part A) approved veterans and dependents, how can the city of Orting citizens could better serve our resident Veterans, can the Soldiers' Home public event calendar be included in the local community calendar? Executive Director Report: Rhonda is working to immediately increase effective communication by promoting local businesses through the monthly newsletter which will be distributed in a printed and electronic copy, by upgrading the website platform, and by promoting and advertising businesses at the planned OCC office. Rhonda has acquired local experts who are volunteering their time and resources to the website project. Rhonda is requesting volunteers to man the proposed office during business hours. The City of Orting (Coordinator Jeanne Pestinger) is planning an Emergency Preparedness Fair on Sat., Jan. 31, at OHS. All area welcome to this timely event. City of Orting Report: Mayor Cheryl Temple, Chief Bill Drake and Chief  Randy Shelton discussed in detail the flood events that lead to the prudent decision to evacuate the City of Orting On January 14, 2009. OCC Minutes and Treasurer's Report: Due to technical difficulties with computer peripherals, the reports were not available at the time of the meeting. Motions were made and seconded and passed to table approval of the Treasurer's report and November meeting meetings until the February meeting.
Minutes by Secretary Elect Marlene Bartram |
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Thanks to Sponsor
Proven Technology Authentic Results |
February
14 Valentines Day
16 Presidents Day 17 Board Meeting
25 Ash Wednesday City Council at
Safety Bldg. 7 pm
March
8 Daylight Savings 17 St. Patrick's Day
20 1st Day Spring
For current chamber info and archived newsletters go to OCC website. |
Reach 19000 Readers
An amazing 19,000 cars go past the OCC Hwy 162 sign making it one of the best places possible to get the word out about your business & events. The cost is only $70 per week to have both sides of the sign. You need to be a member to qualify, so sign up soon and get your weeks reserved. There is a limited amount available on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve your space contact: Rhonda Madison [email protected] 253-223-7045.
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Party for a Party
Dawn Balogh, owner of Orting Liquor, has been hard at work this year raising funds for the OHS class of 2009's (which includes her son Augustus) Project Graduation, alcohol free celebration. She is busy selling tickets to a Valentines Day party. On Saturday Feb. 14th Orting Eagles is the place to go for "A Party for a Party" with doors opening at 6pm and games beginning at 7pm. The menu includes home-made chili, cornbread, salad and desert. Games include Fantasy Casino with Black Jack and Texas Hold'em tournaments. Prizes will be awarded to the top high rollers and raffles will be held throughout the evening. Tickets for the meal and Fantasy Money are available in advance at Orting Liquor Store or at the event door that evening for $20 per person or $30 per couple. Another event will be held April 11 with lasagna, salad and bread on the menu and details to come. |
Condolences
Phyllis Dwyer of Orting Dental lost her 6 year old son, Sebastian Hizey, in a tragic accident at the Tacoma Dome when metal flew into the grandstands at a monster truck show the family was attending, killing the boy and injuring another spectator.Donations to assist the family can be made at any US Bank branch. The Park Bench Cafe sponsored a 'Hearts of Love' fundraiser to assist Sebastian's family offering heart shaped greeting cards room for donors to sign with personal sympathy messages for a $1 donation and have. |
Career Seminar & Broadcast
At a time when many U.S. businesses are experiencing zero growth or are actually downsizing, the financial services firm Edward Jones is aggressively expanding its sales force. With healthy aggressive growth a substantial goal, the firm will host a career seminar and broadcast Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at High Cedars Golf Club 14604 St Ct E, Orting Washington. The St. Louis-based firm is looking for high achievers who have a desire to run a business with the support of a much larger organization. Its financial advisors live in the communities where they work and serve individual investors exclusively.
Edward Jones financial advisors come from diverse backgrounds. Teachers, bankers and engineers all have joined the ranks of Edward Jones. They all, however, have one thing in common: They are self-starters who enjoy working with and helping other people.The firm offers an extensive training program for new financial advisors. As part of that training, Edward Jones financial advisors build their businesses by calling on people face to face in the communities where they have chosen to live. Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 10,000-plus financial advisors work directly with more than 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today. Edward Jones is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones interactive Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC. |
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Kingsmen 500 Car Show
Mark your calendars for this big annual event that returns on June 20th, filling the parks and streets with car buffs. It's a great time to welcome visitors to town with sidewalk sales, inviting signage, and special offers. |
| CISO Town Hall Meeting
The Coalition for a drug and alcohol free Orting is holding a town hall meeting on April 9th from 6:00 - 8:30 PM in the New High School Commons to inform the community about how youth view alcohol and drug usage in Orting. The coalition, with its 10 members currently, has spoken with 170 local youth in grades 5 - 12 and discovered that 128 or 75% of those participating in that forum feel that there is a drug and/or alcohol problem in Orting. The town hall meeting goal is simple: inform local parents, community leaders and business owners about local underage usage and give information on how to address these issues with youth. The evening will begin at 6:00 PM with a free spaghetti dinner, compliments of Around the Corner Caf� for attendees. Eric Munson, who is both a student assistance counselor and a parent who lost his daughter in a DUI accident over 4 years ago, will share his story and his family's story with our group. Data from the youth forum will be discussed and students will share from their perspective, how they view Orting. Break out sessions will follow dinner starting at 6:30. Topics will include drug recognition information, the legalities of hosting parties where underage drinking may happen, what party patrols are and all group discussions will focus on how the community can become involved and learn how to begin taking active steps to curb underage use. If you have children now or are planning on having children, now is the time to learn about these important issues. Melia LaCour, Puget Sound Educational Services District (253)778-7848. |
Library Growth
City Administrator Mark Bethune and OCC Executive Director Rhonda Madison attended the Pierce County Library 2030 Facilities Master Plan meeting January 28th. Orting's Library hopes to grow in the near future. The facilities master plan process includes strategic vision workshops to explore how they should adapt services and facilities to meet the needs of growing and changing communities. Planned participants include 60 community leaders representing fire districts, local governments, businesses, community organizations, school districts, colleges, and other organizations. They will be exploring opportunities for potential partnerships. The next meeting ,"Building Value for our Communities", workshop is at Pierce County's Environmental Services Center, 9850 64th St. W., University Place, on Thursday, February 12, 2009, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| Nestl� Pulls Out
City of Orting
Nestl� Waters North America (Nestl�) initiated discussions with the City of Orting in spring 2008 as a part of the company's efforts to develop a new spring water bottling facility in the Pacific Northwest. Nestl� was looking to build and operate a facility in the Pacific Northwest to meet regional market needs.
As part of Nestl�'s due diligence when siting any new facility, they performed a scientific evaluation of Orting's Wingate Spring as a potential source for a spring water bottling plant. As results of the analysis of Orting's watershed are compared with other potential spring water sources in the Northwest, there are other sites that better meet Nestl�'s long-term need for protection from the effects of long-term development patterns in the spring watershed. Therefore, Nestl� has determined it will not be looking further at the Wingate Springs water source, and is no longer planning to pursue building its new bottling facility in Orting.
"We are disappointed as we had hoped to bring more employment to our City, and Nestles' staff had proven themselves easy to work with," said Mayor Cheryl Temple. "The process had been completely open to the public who were invited to ask questions and make comments during council meetings when Nestles was on the agenda."
Nestl� informed the City that it was very appreciative of the Council's and staff's efforts and professionalism during the evaluation process. They noted how open the City and the community were to the idea of bringing new business to Orting. They were particularly impressed with the City's commitment to informing the citizens of Orting about the process and keeping the public's interest at the forefront. | |
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