February 2010

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Melrose Chamber of Commerce
Melrose Chamber of Commerce
Spotlight on a Member
The Arc of East Middlesex
 
By Joan Ford Mongeau
Executive Director of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce
 
One of the great benefits of my job is that I have the opportunity to visit with member organizations to learn about their businesses.  Recently I spoke with some of the directors of The Arc of East Middlesex, including Executive Director Terry Kennedy, and directors Beth Celona, Judy SantaMaria, Shawn Nault and Marci Lundin.  During this eye-opening conversation, I realized The Arc offers a broad array of services to our friends and neighbors with developmental disabilities.  These services are not only offered to individuals, but to families as well.  The goal of the organization is to help those with disabilities live, work and play in our communities.
 
The Arc looks at the individual with disabilities as part of a whole-part of a community and part of a family.  For families of adults with developmental disabilities, there is a range of services.   With the goal of keeping families together, The Arc provides in-home support, home training and parent education, funding for essential respite care and recreational opportunities.  These programs frequently prevent institutionalization.
 
For individuals, The Arc has many programs designed to fit the needs, skills and interests of its participants.  The Life-Skills Training Program shows our young adults how to take care of themselves and be independent, learning everything from how to manage money to how to take public transportation.  Additionally, The Arc provides both job training and the chance for meaningful work for its community.  At sites in Reading, Production Services provides much needed mailing and packaging services for local businesses, including mass mailing and labeling.  On-site work crews are also available.  Furthermore, job training by The Arc prepares members of the community for work assignments in their home communities.
 
The Center for Emerging Artists is one of the most unique programs at The Arc.  Creativity abounds within the community and artists are busy at work, producing everything from beautiful jewelry to hand designed note cards.  All items made in the Center are sold at the retail store located at 20 Gould Street in Reading.
 
The Arc of East Middlesex is an integral part of our community.  It gives those who need it most the chance to live a full life; to do meaningful work; to give back to our community. The Arc clearly lives up to its motto of "Realizing Potential. Achieving Goals."  If any Melrose Chamber of Commerce Member wants to learn more about The Arc, please visit the website at www.theemarc.org 


News from Members:
 
Congratulations!

Congratulations to Turner's Seafood Grill and Market for being awarded TV Diner's Platinum Award
 
Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc. is pleased to announce the grand opening of their new State of the Art Operations Center located at 25 Eastern Avenue, Malden
 
On the Move--New Addresses
 
Pepperberry Florist--539 Main Street
Re/Max Heritage--536 Main Street
 
Save the Dates for these Member Events
 
Ameriprise invites you to "Optimizing Your Business in a Tough Economy" Thursday, February 18th, 6:30 -8:00 pm at 2 Constitution Plaza, Charlestown.  For more information contact [email protected]
 
Melrose Therapeutic and Wholistic Center is holding a fundraiser to benefit Haitian families affected by the earthquake on Sunday, February 28th from 10:00 am -3:00 pm at 414 Main Street.  For more information call 781.979.0178
 
Join the Roosevelt School for its 6th Annual Auction on Friday, March 12th from 7:00 pm - 11 pm at the Hilton Hotel, 2 Forbes Road in Woburn.  For  information email [email protected]
 
Show how smart you are at the ninth annual Melrose Adult Trivia Bee on Saturday, March 27th at 7:00 pm at Memorial Hall to benefit the Bridge.  Contact Emily Rubenstein for more information at [email protected]
 
On April 10th, Tedy's Team asks you to  come to Comedy Night at Memorial Hall to raise money for the American Stroke Association.  Contact Steve Hamilton for details at [email protected]
 
 
The Annual Arts Festival, sponsored by MACA, will be held April 16-18th at Memorial Hall.  More details can be found at www.melrosearts.com/artsfestival2010.html.
 
Hallmark Health's Stride for Health, to benefit the Cardiac and Endovascular Center,  will be held this year on Sunday, June 6th at 5:00 pm at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield.  Contact Shery Nadworny to volunteer or donate at 781.979.6116
Upcoming Events:
 
February 23rd: 5:00 pm -6:30 pm After Hours Networking Event at Flex Express, 969 Main Street, Wakefield.  Tour this state of the art fitness center and learn about exciting programs.
 
 February 25th : 7:30 am -9:00 am Breakfast with Mayor Dolan at Oak Grove Village
 
March 16th: After Hours Networking Event with the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce at Melrose Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon Street. Hosted by Hallmark Health
 
March Date to be Determined: Breakfast with Tedy's Team
 
April 13th:  After Hours Networking Event and Guest Speaker hosted by Bellevue Golf Club.  Come and hear Celeste Begley of Hire4Ed talk about this unique school to work program.
 
April 29th: Comedy Night at Prince Pizza
 
May 1st: (Tentative) Downtown Festival to benefit Melrose charities.
 
May 11th:  After Hours Networking Event hosted by East Boston Savings Bank, 108 Main Street.  Watch for details on an exciting program.
 
June Date to Be Determined: After Hours Networking Event hosted by Epoch Senior Living Centers and Absolutely Fabulous
 
September 12: 30th Annual Victorian Fair
 
September 16th:  After Hours Networking Event hosted by Golden Living Centers.  Details to be announced.
 
October 29: Trick or Treat at Melrose Businesses
 
December 3-4: Home for the Holidays
Welcome New Chamber of Commerce Members!
 
John Marroni
  14 Geneva Road, Melrose, MA 02176
 
 The Stoneham Theater
395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
 
Boston Metro Hi-Liners
99 Essex Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Ciulla's Home Design
43 Forest Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Beacon Hill Wine and Gourmet
538 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
McDonough's Fine Wine
4 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Memorial Hall
590 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Flex Express Fitness
969 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Northeast Fitness
445 Franklin Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Complements
47 Wave Avenue, Wakefield, MA 01880
 
William B. Dailey, Attorney
One West Foster Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Neighborhood Landscaping
49 Myrtle Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Jayn Krasco Stillson, Consultant
PO Box 760893, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Roman Music Therapy Services
423 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Melrose Boot Camp
149 Essex Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Karen Kirwan
29 Cedar Park, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Keramaris & Keramaris, Attorneys
400 Trade Center, Suite 5900, Woburn, MA 01801
 
Melrose Sharing and Caring
P.O. Box 760, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Melrose Arts and Cultural Association (MACA)
562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Creative Pathways
47 Henry Ave, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Baker Designs
66 Richardson Road, Melrose, MA 02176
 
Iconblock
380 Porter Street, Melrose, MA 02176
Issue: 3
 
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In This Issue
Spotlight on a Member: The Arc of East Middlesex
News from Members
Upcoming Events
Welcome New Chamber of Commerce Members
A Letter from the Executive Director
Welcome New Businesses
A Message from the Melrose Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
 
2010 is going to be a very active year in the Melrose Chamber of Commerce and I want to share with you some plans we have to broaden our services to you.  I am always mindful of the fact that this is your organization, so I do want to hear from you if you have any suggestions.
 
Networking:
The Chamber of Commerce, with the help of its gracious members, will host at least one networking event per month.  Whether it's an After Hours or a Breakfast, the Chamber will give you many chances to get to know one another better.  To see the updated calendar, please check our website at www.melrosechamber.org.
 
Advertising and Sponsorship:
We will continue to look for new ways to give your businesses exposure.  Our large events such as the Victorian Fair and Home for the Holidays give you the chance to promote your business to the wider Melrose community and beyond.  We offer the chance too for smaller, more focused advertising as well.  For example, any business can be a sponsor of the First Stop Melrose Gift Certificate program.  Or, you may want to consider sponsoring one of our bimonthly newsletters. 
 
Communications:
The Chamber will continue to use email as its primary source of communication.  Our e-newsletter and our e-invitations to our events are well received, and, with the help of our social networking committee, we will look at using Facebook and Twitter as a way to reach more people.
 
Advocacy:
You may have heard about Mayor Dolan's initiative to promote Melrose as an attractive city in which to do business.  The Chamber is actively involved in this project, so stay tuned to hear more about how the Chamber and the City will work together to both attract new businesses, as well as efforts to retain you, our existing businesses.
 
Benefits:
Offering health insurance to our members is one of our most significant services.  But we want to expand our benefits services to include member to member discounts.  I know many of you extend a discount to Chamber members, so please make sure I know so this can be communicated. 
 
There is a lot happening in the Melrose Chamber of Commerce this year.  Feel free to call, email or stop by the office if you have any questions.  My email is [email protected] and the office phone is 781.665.3033.
 
I thank you sincerely for being a member.
 
Joan Ford Mongeau
Executive Director, Melrose Chamber of Commerce
 
 

 

Welcome New Businesses!
 
beaconhillfinal
Beacon Hill Wine and Gourmet

sweet thoughts
Sweet Thoughts
zuzu
Zuzu's Healing Arts 
mcdonoughs
McDonoughs Fine Wine 
clothesvine
The Clothesvine 
get in shape
 Get in Shape for Women
Edward Jones
Edward Jones Investments
Flex Express
Flex Express
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 Are you interested in sponsoring a newsletter?  For only $50 per issue, you can display your company logo, advertise specials, or offer coupons in a newsletter that reaches more than 300 mail boxes.

Contact Joan Ford Mongeau at [email protected] or call 781.665.3033 for more information. 

Joan Ford Mongeau
Melrose Chamber of Commerce
781-665-3033