klc biz 4 16

Business ConnectionK e l s o L o n g v i e w C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

Volume 8, No. 4 April 2016

By Marissa Luck Longview Daily News – [email protected]

This article was published March 23, 2016, in the Longview Daily News and reproduced with permission.

After years of negotiations, along with the occasional rumor, it’s official: McMenamins is coming to Kalama.

The popular chain announced Wednesday it has agreed to a deal to bring a new $9.8 mil-lion hotel to the Port of Kalama. Construction is expected to start this fall or early next year, and the company wants to open the hotel next summer.

Port of Kalama commissioners Wednesday night unanimously approved a lease agree-ment with McMenamins Inc., after more than eight years of on-and-off negotiations.

“We’ve worked on this for so long and I’m so tired of waiting,” quipped Randy Sweet, Port of Kalama commissioner.

McMenamins strikes deal with Port of Kalama for new hotel

An artist’s rendering of the three-story, $9.8 million McMenamins hotel and restaurant the chain plans to build next to Kalama’s marina. Courtesy of McMenamins Inc./Longview Daily News

FridayApril 1 – 7:30 a.m.

Boot Camp – BoardmanshipFacilitating and Leading Meetings

LCC Heritage Room

April 1 – 11 a.m.Ribbon Cutting – Cowlitz PUD

961 12th Ave., Longview

ThursdayApril 7 – 7:30 a.m.

Ambassador CommitteeCanterbury Park

FridayApril 8 – 7:30 a.m.

Boot Camp – BoardmanshipStrategic and Succession Planning

LCC Heritage Room

TuesdayApril 12 – 5:30 p.m.

Business After HoursPrestige Senior Living Monticello Park

605 Broadway St., Longview

WednesdayApril 13 – 11:30 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting – Cowlitz CobrasChamber Office

Every Wednesday Chamber Connections

KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 p.m.Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com

Local guest and current events

Calendar

Please see McMenamins, page 3

By Ted Sprague President – Cowlitz Economic Development Council

The SEPA Hearing for the job creating NW Innovation Works project held in Kalama on March 22 was a resounding success. With more than 20 years in economic development I have par-ticipated in more public meetings then I can count. Generally, they are all very similar. There is a group loudly in favor of a project and there is a much larger group loudly opposed to a project. Typically out of every 100 people attending, 70 are against and 30 are supportive. It is simply easier to motivate people to opposition with scare tactics and other methods than it is to be supportive and positive in a public meeting. The SEPA Hearing for the $1.8 billion NW Innovations Works project was decidedly different.

The day began with a pro-project rally at the Columbia Inn in downtown Kalama. I had a feeling it was going to be a good night when I tried to enter the restaurant and it was filled wall to wall with supporters wearing green shirts. As I made my way to Kalama High School, the site of the hearing, I saw more and more green shirts. The optics of the event were terrific – green (GO) was in favor of the project, while red (STOP) was against. When I walked into the Kalama High School gym, I couldn’t believe what I saw – a room dominated by green shirts! With more than 500 people attending at least 380 were in green. I have never seen such a positive turn out by people who took the time to publicly show their commitment for job creation and

capital investment.

The people running the meeting did an excellent job with such a large group. Comments were kept to a strict two-minute time limit. There was one noticeable exception. A woman from Tacoma, dressed in red, did not think the rules applied to her and she shout-ed her comments into the microphone well after the two-minute limit. When people began to shout complaints of not respecting the rules, guess what she did? She extended her middle finger to the crowd and gave a hearty, “F YOU” to all seated around her. I scratch my head (to the point I am now bald) when I hear people questioning why America’s manufac-turing has moved off shore. In part, it is due to people like her who do not want manufacturing in the United States. They op-pose any use of our infrastructure to create jobs. I am proud to say the pro-project side obeyed the rules, respected the process and gave mature testimony.

It is not too late to participate in the process, as the public comment period is open until April 18. Please take a moment and go to the website http://kalamamfgfacilitysepa.com. There is useful information on the project and a comment form so you can express your support for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the project.

Kelso Longview Business Connection April 2016

2

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Local supporters give project green light

Residential & [email protected]

Facilitating Growth Through Leadership and Action

We are a membership based not-for-profit

organization. Join us today!

1452 Hudson St. • US Bank BuildingSuite 208 • Longview, WA

360.423.9921www.cowlitzedc.com

Resources•

Access•

Partnerships


3

www.expresslongview.com

CALL EXPRESS TODAY!

360.414.1200 • www.expresslongview.com

Express, Chamber Newsletter, size 4” x 2.5”, Sept 23, 2015

LOOKING FOR A GREAT EMPLOYEE?

The Portland-based company, famous for historic hotels, brew-eries and pubs throughout the region, has long wanted to build a hotel on the Columbia River, said co-owner Mike McMenamin. Yet talks between the port and McMenamins Inc. were put on hold when the economic recession hit and the company missed its opportunity to get a $5.5 million federal tax break in 2010.

In 2013, state law changed to allow ports to invest in tourism projects, said Mark Wilson, Port of Kalama executive direc-tor. That gave the port more flexibility in its talks with McMe-namins, he said.

Under the agreement, the port will invest $6.8 million to con-struct a basic building for a 30,000 square-foot hotel. Then, Mc-Menamins will invest another $3 million on design work and customization.

Neither the port nor the company are ready to speculate on how many jobs the project will add to the local economy.

The three-story hotel will have 40 rooms, plus a rooftop bar with a view of the Columbia River, according to the company. The first floor will have brewery, restaurant/pub and bottle shop. There also will be two meeting room spaces, each capable of holding 50 people.

The design will be reminiscent of the Pioneer Hotel on Maui, with green siding and white wraparound porches, according

to Mike McMenamin. The red roof and crossbeams along the porch will be a nod to an 1870s-era former railroad hospital in Kalama (where Sweet now lives).

“History collided to a point there. Kalama was named John Kalama, who is Hawaiian, and we loved this building (the Pi-oneer Hotel) … It always captured our imagination,” McMe-namin said.

The design theme will be “Hawaiian Tiki but also with a North-west component,” he said.

The company also hopes to build a 300 foot “pub shack” sepa-rate from the hotel along the waterfront walkway.

Under the 50-year lease, the company will pay the port 8 per-cent of the total costs of construction to rent two acres of prop-erty.

Cowlitz County will most likely pitch in $250,000 in rural eco-nomic development funds to assist the port with the construc-tion, said Cowlitz County Commissioner Mike Karnofski.

“McMenamins is a great brand to be associated with Kalama and Cowlitz County. It will be nice to have a place that can be a destination,” Karnofski said.

The Daily News, Longview, Wash.

McMenamins, from page 1

1413 Commerce Ave. 360-575-9804 www.elamshf.com

Locally Owned, Family Owned and Here to Stay!Offering the best in quality and selection.

4


By Bill Marcum CEO – Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Have you been to one of our Boot Camp sessions? We are cur-rently finishing our six-part series on Boardmanship 101. It is built for business people who have been asked to serve on a nonprofit board thinking it is just “an hour” a month responsi-bility. This six-class workshop is designed to help you as a board member know your responsibilities, ask the right questions be-fore you settle into a seat, and understand how to best partici-pate in the organization’s strategic direction.

We have only one session left on April 8, 7:30 a.m., at the Heri-tage Room in the Lower Columbia College Admin Building; however, it is a very important class on Succession Planning. Who will be guiding the organization next year? Through the next five years? Ten years? Do you have potential board mem-bers picked out? This session can help any and all non-profit organizations and their board. Erin Zeiger, executive director of the LCC Foundation, will be leading this session. The cost is nominal, $25 for members, and up to three board members or

staff can attend, call the Chamber, 360-423-8400, to get signed up.

Our second series Business Basics 201 is a follow up on the initial 101 series last year. All classes will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the Heritage Room in the Admin Building on the LCC campus. We have a great line up of six classes starting May 6 with No Cost Marketing facilitated by Russ Meder from M-Y Agency. Russ will talk about ways you can market your business for little or no cost.

It looks like we will be voting on a new minimum wage in November. That means if it passes the new minimum wage be-ginning January 1, 2017, will be $11 – a dollar and a half jump overnight. Our class on Minimum Wage Increase – How to Survive is scheduled for May 13.

Our popular Customer Service class facilitated by LCC Presi-dent Chris Bailey returns May 20. This is one class you’ll want to bring as many staff members as possible.

Dave Taylor, with Taylor Insurance, will be at Business Basics May 27 to talk about the Health Exchange: What are Your Op-tions? Pay or Not Pay?

June starts out with a class on Pricing for Profit by Jerry Pet-rick with the Small Business Development Council on June 3. How do you know if what you are pricing your products covers all the costs and puts food on your table as the owner? Jerry has a very good strategy for verifying your pricing structure. Jerry finishes off our Business Basics 201 series with the final class, June 10 on What’s your Strategy? Do you have a strategy? Do you have purchasing strategy? Marketing strategy? Promotional strategy? Pricing strategy? Hiring strategy? Jerry will help you identify how to put your strategy on paper and make it work for your business.

Again, Business Basics 201 starts May 6 and runs through June 10, every Friday, 7:30 to 9 a.m. and for $100 (member price) you can bring up to three people from your business to gain more knowledge to ensure business success and profitability. Call the Chamber at 360-423-8400 to reserve your spot.

Rebooting: Boot Camp series expands coverage for businesses

CEO’s Message

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

Bill Marcum, CEOKaren Sisson, Project ManagerAmy Hallock, Bookkeeper

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400

To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or e-mail [email protected] Deadline: 20th of each month.

BOOT CAMPSmall Business

2016 Series begins Friday, March 4

Friday Mornings ★ Lower Columbia College7:30 am - 9 am ★ Heritage Room at LCC - Admin. Bldg.

The Boardmanship Boot Camp is perfect for those boards who want to go to the next level. From basic board principles to finances to strategic planning, it has everything your board needs to make the next year what you want it to be. If you’re sick of just getting by and want to be an active board of directors to help your non-profit, I highly recommend this Boot Camp for you. Gary Chapin KLTV Board President

❝

❞

ALL

NEW FOR

2016!

360-423-8400 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Pricing same as 2013! $100 Members ★ $160 Non-Members

2016

BUSINESS BASICS 201 Six Pack

Starts May 6

March 4 Strategic and Succession Planning Facilitator: Erin Zeiger, Executive Director LCC FoundationMarch 11 Handling Conflict Facilitator: Jennifer Leach, WSU Extension Faculty and

President of the Longview School Board.March 18 Financial Accountability Facilitator: Scott Davis, CPA, Davis and Associates, CPAs March 25 Working as a Team Facilitator: Frank McShane, Cascade NetworksApril 1 Facilitating and Leading Meetings Facilitator: Terry McLaughlin, Cowlitz County AssessorApril 8 Role of the Board vs the CEO Facilitator: Gary Healea, PNE Corp.

BOARDMANSHIP six pack

6


By Wendy Hall Director of Effectiveness and College Relations – Lower Columbia College

2016 was supposed to be an im-portant year for higher education nationally, with the long-anticipated renewal of the federal Higher Edu-cation Act. Several factors have con-tributed to a delay of that timeline, including partisan politics and re-lated dysfunction in our nation’s capital.

Now it’s looking like a renewal won’t happen until at least 2017. In the meantime, Congress and the Department of Education are grappling with four particularly large, complicated, and critical issues.

First and foremost is the issue of college affordability and stu-dent debt. This has emerged somewhat surprisingly as the big-gest issue for middle of the road voters in this year’s presidential campaign. While community colleges are not at the vortex of this issue (due to substantially lower tuition rates than four-

year universities and colleges), it is a concern for us as well. At LCC, we are continuing to work on making college affordable by accelerating pathways (including remedial coursework), de-veloping materials that substitute for expensive textbooks, and continuing to grow our Student Success Fund to help students through emergency situations without dropping out of school.

The second most critical issue in Washington is educational quality and the attainment of student learning outcomes. Mem-bers of the public rightfully expect to see a return on their in-vestment in public education, and we couldn’t agree more with this concept. Providing the evidence of student learning, how-ever, is not as simple (at least not at the collegiate level) as a few standardized test scores. The faculty at LCC have been working continuously over the past several years to better define and as-sess the specific learning outcomes that our students need to successfully transfer and go to work in the community.

The third issue is a return of a concept known as In Loco Pa-rentis, which is basically the idea that colleges have an obligation to care for students in similar ways to parents. More specifically, the discussion in Washington is focused on sexual assault and, to a lesser extent, social media. Although LCC does not operate

Lower Columbia College

The Year in Politics (and Higher Education)

Julie Rinard, President Community Home Health & Hospice

Lance Welch, President Elect PeaceHealth

Linda DiLembo Vice PresidentThree Rivers Mall

Neil Zick, TreasurerTwin City Bank

Michael Claxton, Legal CounselWalstead Mertsching

Diane Craft, Past PresidentKoelsch Senior Communities

Joel Hanson, Past Past PresidentKLOG/KUKN/The Wave

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Clayton J. Bartness, DCLongview Chiropractic Clinic Ken Botero Longview City Council

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

Michael JulianKelso Theater Pub

Bianca LemmonsCowlitz County Title Company

Frank PanarraFoster Farms

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/WeyerhaeuserTed SpragueCowlitz Economic Development CouncilSteve TaylorKelso City Manager

Dennis WeberCowlitz County Commissioner

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Please see LCC, page 7

7


Your Locally Owned and Operated

Community Bank

There’s a Difference.

• Checking, Savings and CDs• Business Loans• Construction Loans• SBA Loans

729 Vandercook Way, Longview

(360) 414-4101www.twincitybank.com

residential facilities, we do have a legal and ethical obligation to protect our students. In April of this year, we will be participat-ing in a statewide survey of college students to learn more about the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual violence at our col-lege. We will use the results of the survey to continue to develop our support structures to assist students (and faculty and staff) who have been traumatized by sexual violence.

Last, but certainly not least in terms of importance to students,

is the issue of the structure of student aid. Over the years the Department of Education has developed eight distinct pillars of financial aid. The criteria for aid has grown so complicated that only the experts fully understand the process. There is a growing sentiment that the application and distribution of aid needs to be simplified. We applaud any efforts that result in a more streamlined approach to getting students needed aid, and remain cautiously optimistic that financial aid reform can hap-pen without increasing the regulatory burden on college staff.

LCC, from page 6

Make your Reservations Early! Early Entry Fee

$500 per Team of 4 (Price goes to $600 on May 20th)

$125 per Individual ($150 after May 20th) Includes: Lunch, driving range, $5,000 putting contest, awards ceremony, BBQ dinner,

18 holes of fellowship, $10,000 hole-in-one opportunity and two carts per team.

We will give you a call the last week of May to secure the people playing on your team.

Register at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Monday, June 6th 1pm

Shotgun Start

9


By Jeanne Bennett CEO – Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

I’m pleased to announce the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) has hired Alyssa Joyner as its Cowlitz Wahkiakum Outreach Special-ist to increase partnerships and improve the access of businesses, education pro-viders and community organizations to public workforce system programs and services.

The workforce system, including WorkSource, provides no-cost employ-ment, education and training services to businesses and individuals. Alyssa is seeking opportunities to present work-force development program information to businesses, edu-cation and community groups so they can benefit from these services.

As the administrator and distributor of federal workforce funds, SWWDC is looking for ways to create or support pro-grams that will help businesses hire the skilled workers they need and help individuals get the training and education to be-come the skilled workers companies want to hire.

Alyssa will be making connections and seeking opportunities for SWWDC to be at the table as a partner and collaborate with others to develop solutions, implement programs and identify where we might potentially be able to invest resources to create, improve or expand workforce training and education programs.

In the last two years, SWWDC has invested more than $2.3 million in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties by funding pro-grams at WorkSource, Lower Columbia College, Educational Service District 112 and Goodwill. In the past year, SWWDC has provided Cowlitz companies more than $109,000 in grant funds to improve the skills of their existing employees, thereby helping the companies remain competitive.

We want to do more. We understand it can be difficult to think

of SWWDC when our primary office is in Vancouver, that’s why we hired Alyssa to be our Cowlitz Wahkiakum Outreach Specialist. A Longview resident, she has deep ties in the community and experience in workforce devel-opment.

Prior to joining SWWDC, Alyssa was a Vet Corps Navigator with the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs. Based at Lower Columbia College, she assisted returning veterans and their families with reintegration, including helping them devel-op education goals, enroll in training and education programs, gain experience through community service volunteering and make connections to support groups.

Alyssa is passionate about aiding returning veterans and their families and serves as secretary for the Cowlitz County Veteran Stand Down Committee to help bring resources to our veterans.

Alyssa has immersed herself in making connections and get-ting involved. She’s joined the Longview Early Edition Rotary and serves on its social events committee. She’s also a member of the Kelso Longview Chamber’s Education Foundation Com-mittee.

She continues her close relationship with Lower Columbia College, collaborating with their continuing education, corpo-rate and workforce services teams.

A Navy veteran, Alyssa grew up in Rainier and after leaving the service moved back home to Longview, where she contin-ued her education and began her career working in Veteran Services. Alyssa has an associate’s degree in business manage-ment from Lower Columbia College and is pursuing a bach-elor’s degree in human development at Warner Pacific College.

I hope you will welcome Alyssa and contact her at [email protected] or 360-921-2966 to schedule a meeting, to learn ways your business or nonprofit may be able to benefit from public workforce system services or to send her information about upcoming events and involvement opportunities.

Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

SWWDC hires Joyner as Cowlitz Wahkiakum Outreach Specialist

Alyssa Joyner

‘

‘Good at what you do’ and ‘good at what you might do’

10


By Chuck Nau Retail Consultant and Sales and Management Trainer Murray & Nau, Inc.

You love to sell even in a tough economy like today. Your customers and business, friends and associates have repeat-edly told you that you are good at what you do.

You are beginning to wonder if you would be good at what you may do, expand your business or service, slowly at first, and add employees – perhaps you could lead and manage others. Or more recently, you have been named manager, a first time event for you. You were named manager due in a large part to your success as a salesperson.

In either situation, you feel very competent and confident, even when business is tough to get in your small business environment. But now you are moving on to a new chal-lenge and you’re somewhat unsure about just what it is that management entails.

In the past, your independence, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, perfectionist streak, and the ability to get it done (in most cases by yourself!) have served you well.

However, your movement from “one who does” to “one who manages” is going to require a willingness to change, a focus on energy, and a steady and dependable perseverance.

Regardless of the size or scope of your business or service, management team, or your newly assigned staff, the follow-ing recommendations will serve you well in your develop-ment in becoming an effective manager and leader.

• Move off the field, into the dugout. You’re no longer a player or a doer; you are now the coach. Let go and coach your new staff. Develop a strong ability to communicate ideas and views so others will understand and accept them. Encourage initiative, while minimizing staff frustration.

• Listen. Of all the sources of information to help you know, understand, and evaluate the abilities and personali-ties of each of your staff, listening to individuals is the most-

important. Much like when you were selling, there were times to sell and times to ask questions and listen. Remember, too, that to be a good listener you should always strive to be objec-tive. Good listening skills are paramount to looking for ways to improve productivity, identify and solve problems, plus develop your people…and GROW your business!

• Embrace conflict. Conflict or complaints from your staff members and others about fellow employees or systems or procedural requirements are going to happen. Be prepared to handle the conflict fairly, positively, and in a timely fash-ion. Work to have all parties involved focus on the issues at hand rather than the personalities in the disagreement. Listen, and listen again!

• Start Strong, rather than easy, unsure, or misdirected. Communicate your expectations, particularly in this chal-lenging economic environment. When an employee or group of employees does not meet them, a casual reminder (...our work day is 8 to 5) rather than discipline may be all that it takes. However, when discipline is warranted, don’t hesitate to step up. As a collegiate soccer referee, I learned long ago that if a referee does not enforce the laws of the game, those players who were wronged will begin defending themselves. Discipline sets the parameters, it also confirms who is in charge and keeps everyone on track.

• The more you are successful, the louder your critics will be. Expect people to disagree with you. Be willing to defend what you believe is right and be flexible enough to know when to compromise.

• Goals – expectations – dreams. Begin developing, outlining, and communicating your goals and expectations (and those of the business or service, too) to your staff and others. Double check that they are S.M.A.R.T., Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon (in the business, or among the staff), Realistic, and Time sensitive.

Please see Nau, page 11


11

• Assess and enhance your resources – both your people and your physical resources. Observe, understand, and decide when it is best to utilize your staff ’s strengths, as individuals or as a group. Be sure you have thought through both individual and group reaction to your ideas or goals, or any changes in policies.

• Plan – plan – plan. Plan your work and work your plan. As-sign activities and assign responsibilities and continually seek feedback. Many staff members when asked will say that they want their new manager to succeed as their leader...usually they will also say that they are going to be sure she earns it!

Management is a challenge. It is also hard work. But though

the rewards are usually hard earned they are well deserved. Have fun!...and good luck

© Murray & Nau, Inc.Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based

publishing consultant and sales and management trainer. He has been a speaker for and conducted advertising, marketing, man-agement and sales training workshops with newspapers, niche publishers, publishing groups and press associations, throughout North America. Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via e-mail: [email protected]. or at 425-603-0984.

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Nau, from page 10

LeeRoy Parcel Manager/LPO

[email protected]

Alison Peters Escrow Officer/LPO

[email protected]

Bonnie Woodruff Escrow Officer/LPO

[email protected]

Diane Kenneway Escrow Assistant

[email protected]

Dennis Bird Senior Title Officer

[email protected]

Connie Bjornstrom Receptionist/Typist

[email protected]

Lindsey McTimmonds Marketing/Recording

[email protected]

1425 Maple St. Longview, WA 98632360.425.2950

www.cascade-title.com

12


PeaceHealth

By Jennifer RichardsPatient Concierge Lead – PeaceHealth Medical Group

Today, as healthcare consumers, it is important to know your benefits and what your insurance carrier offers in order to maximize your benefits. One of the most common benefits provided to you is a yearly preventive exam.

Getting your preventive exam is one of the most important things you can do to manage your health. Historically, a yearly physical was paid for by most insurance companies. You could bring your list of health concerns and ailments and have everything addressed at one appointment. Today, however, the majority of insurance companies have changed from covering yearly physicals to covering a yearly preventive exam.

So what is a preventive exam? Preventive care focuses on evaluating your current health status when you are symptom free; allowing you to obtain early diagnosis and treatment to help avoid more serious health problems.

It is important to know what services are covered under your

Preventive exams: An important health benefit

When one person beats cancer, weall feel better.Imagine if you could avoid hearing the words “You have cancer.” Many cancer deaths are preventable with simple lifestyle changes and regular screenings.

That’s why PeaceHealth offers nutrition classes to advanced cancer screenings. And if treatment is needed, our expert team is here to help you every step of the way. Let’s beat cancer together, visit peacehealth.org/cancer.

Please see PeaceHealth, page 13

13

health plan. With so many health plans available today, your provider does not know what your health plan benefits cover. Always review your summary of benefits prior to your preven-tive exam. Your insurance provider will have specific wellness guidelines for your age and gender. Most insurance providers have websites that are very helpful and easy to navigate that outline preventive care benefits specific to your plan.

When it comes time to schedule your appointment it is best to schedule it as your yearly preventive exam. Remind your

provider, again, at the appointment time, that you are there for your yearly preventive exam. If you are having health concerns, make sure and schedule an appointment to address your concerns at a separate diagnostic visit. If health concerns are addressed during your preventive exam, you most likely will have a charge related to the issue and your yearly preven-tive exam will no longer be covered in full by your insurance provider.

Following these guidelines for your preventive care visit helps to ensure you are on the right path to managing your health and staying well.

PeaceHealth, from page 12

WALSTEAD MERTSCHINGAT TO R N E YS AT L AW

A Full Service Civil Law Firm for 89 Years

CIVIC CENTER BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR1700 HUDSON ST., LONGVIEW, WA

(360) 423-5220 Longviewwww.walstead.com

Attorney Michael A. Claxton

Business & Corporation Law

Walstead Mertsching serves businesses of many sizes and in various stages of development. Whether your company is a small sole proprietorship or a large corporation, we can pro-vide assistance and guidance. Utilizing a solutions-oriented approach toward achieving defined objectives, our goal is to allow our clients to successfully execute their business plans.

• Complex Litigation• Formation, Reorganization, and Dissolution• Labor/Employment Issues• Mergers and Aquisitions• Purchases and Sales• Succession Planning


PeaceHealth

14


Council of Governments

Getting better all of the time

Over my career I have faced several new projects and chal-lenges. Each provided an opportunity for learning on-the-job, and recharged my efforts towards the tasks at hand. As a firm believer in personal development and continuing education, I have enjoyed being able to pay it forward, bringing learning op-portunities to others on many occasions. The CWCOG Annual Meeting is one such opportunity to bring members and stake-holders together to learn and share on issues of mutual interest.

Last year I had the opportunity to hear Patrick Ibarra speak at a training sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Fund. Patrick, a co-founder and partner of the Mejorando Group, provides a great overview of the issues local governments face. He speaks to a wide range of topics in his efforts to help local governments address the issues of tomorrow such as innova-tion, succession planning, leadership, and change. Based on this first-hand knowledge, Patrick was an easy choice to bring in to share his knowledge and get us thinking about possibilities.

Patrick points out during his presentation that the name of his company impacts the firm’s performance. Mejorando is Spanish for “getting better all the time.” The name reflects the firm’s ap-proach in working with clients to improve organizational per-formance, as well as the performance of the individuals within the company. The “getting better all the time” mantra resonated with me, and may resonate with some of you as well.

Innovation and continual improvement are important com-munity and economic development concepts. It is imperative that each of us serve a role in these areas within our own or-

ganizations and communities. We

must continue to search for better

ways to address the changes we

all face. Innovation has long been

a cornerstone of many economic development programs and

efforts. In order for communities to be successful, there must

be an inventive group of businesses hiring people and making

investments. These businesses bring a sense of curiosity to the

table challenging perspectives and creating opportunities in the

changes that follows.

The following quote from Patrick from There is No Box,

ICMA Public Management, outlines some of this type of think-

ing. “Leaders today must be effective catalysts and translate the

forces for change into better local government. They recognize

that ‘doing things different and doing different things’ is a pre-

requisite for transforming and creating a climate that can per-

meate the traditional risk-averse culture that limits the progres-

sive thinking desperately needed today.”

Government is different from the private sector; it has con-

straints and transparency issues that most private sector firms

do not, but local government in general can be innovative and

meet the needs of its constituents in more than one way. As

stated on our web site, the CWCOG is dedicated to enhanc-

ing our region through planning and projects that will build

more livable communities. To that end, we will continue to ask

questions, explore the data, and stretch our imagination as we

approach the planning issues of tomorrow.

By Bill Fashing Executive Director – Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments

Pillars of Strength and

Crystal Apple Awards

Thursday, May 26, 2016Cowlitz Regional

Conference Center5:30 pm - 6:15 pm ~ Cocktails and Dinner Buffet

6:15 pm ~ Program begins

$35 per person or $280 for a table of 8

Please register by Thursday, May 19 at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

2016

Your Locally Owned Stations

16

By Michael Karnofski County Commissioner

I just want to touch on some of the issues that have been in the news lately.

ParksDue to retirement, people moving

from the area, and catching up with redistricting we have had some significant changes in our Parks and Recreation Board, with 5 of the 7 members being new. However, the Board is energetic and enthusiastic and has taken on the task of updating the Parks Comprehensive Plan. The periodic update is required so that the plan reflects the variety of changes that have occurred in the County. Also, the County must have an updated plan to apply for State and other grants to improve our parks. If you have thoughts on what you would like to see for County Parks, please let one of the Commission-ers know.

We are also pleased that the Port of Longview will be taking over Willow Grove Park. The County does not have the resourc-es to maintain the park as it should be maintained. The Port has some great plans to make Willow Grove, a jewel of the lower Columbia River.

The County is also working with the City of Longview to pro-vide access for test wells at Riverside Park for a potential new water source. The Park Board has been involved in the plans and if Riverside is selected as the source, the great environment at Riverside will be maintained.

Building and PlanningBuilding and Planning has been working on updating, their

processes and County Codes to “facilitate growth and develop-

ment in Cowlitz County”. They are specifically looking at alter-

natives for fire protection requirements for buildings more than

3,600 square feet, and eliminating the requirement for peer re-

views on all critical areas.

On another subject, the Comprehensive Plan should come be-

fore the Commissioners during the fall.

Facilities StudyThe Citizens Advisory Group is continuing to meet to review

the County’s facilities in light of the Facilities Plan. They are get-

ting a lot of tours and information to ultimately make a recom-

mendation on a path forward for the County.

HomelessTaking care of the homeless population of the County contin-

ues to be a key issue for the Commissioners. I believe that we

have an obligation to deal with this issue in a comprehensive fair

manner. There is not a single solution but as Commissioners we

must follow the regulations covering the granting of money and

expect that those receiving the money follow the appropriate

regulation and provide the services that they have contractually

agree to. We continue to work to develop the most fair and ef-

ficient system that we can.

Tennant Way LandfillThe Tennant Way Landfill looks significantly better now than

when it was an active landfill. The Commissioners still intend to

have public meetings to discuss potential uses for the property.

Any public meetings have been put on hold while we are work-

ing on the opportunity for solar power generation on the site.

County turns Willow Grove Park over to Port


County Commissioners

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18


Kelso

Control vs. effectiveness for progressBy Mayor David Futcher

Partnerships can be valuable. The most effective govern-ment comes from entities working together. Whether it’s operating our sewer treat-ment plant or leveraging state and federal funds to fix our transportation infrastructure, no local government would be able to work as well without our fellow entities.

At the same time, working with others obviously involves, being able to work with them. In order for any partnership to be effective, the parties have to look out for more than just themselves. The best partnerships come when each member works to help the others be successful. In my per-sonal life, I’ve been in business partnerships of both types, and life is much easier and more profitable when everyone’s not watching out only for themselves.

Locally, though, there has been a disturbing trend of entities ignoring the greater good for their own perceived interest. It seems that this is stemming largely from desires to have full control without having to listen to positions held by others. Further, the trend seems to be demonstrated the strongest, but certainly not solely, by those whose political experience can be measured in months, not years.

What’s happening is the epitome of taking one’s toys and going home.

We all sit frustrated at the logjams that occur at the federal and state levels when legislators from different parties cre-ate inefficiency by continual bickering for no determinable benefit. When those same things happen locally, they’re less visible, but arguably more damaging.

I urge both my fellow local elected officials and the citizens who elected them to focus on the good we can do together. As it is said, a rising tide lifts all boats. Let’s work together to raise that water level.

Longview

Plenty of reasons to visit our homeBy City Councilmember Ken Botero

Every single day in America people make decisions about

where to live, where to invest, where to vacation and where to retire based on what communities look like. Consider tourism for example. The more any community comes to look like every other community the less reason there is to visit. On the other hand, the more a community does to protect and enhance its uniqueness, whether natural or architectural, the more people will want to visit. Tourism is about visiting places that are different, unusual, and unique. If everyplace was like everyplace else, there would be no reason to go anyplace.

We are fortunate that the cities of Longview and Kelso have awesome histories and uniqueness that set us apart from the larger cities, and you won’t get lost in finding the excit-ing adventures here in southwest Washington. The many unique shops in the newly refurbished downtown Longview or the two malls on the north end of town provide awe-some shopping opportunities. The historical and beautiful Lake Sacajawea and the R.A. Long Park in the center of town, along with a multitude of family parks, give visitors a feeling of family and security. Our local high schools and college give us the opportunity to brag about our escalating education system. The cities of Longview and Kelso boast about their three beautiful golf courses with acres of beauti-ful, green grass and a multitude of different trees and plant life. So you see WE are an awesome place to visit, and even more, a very quality of place to conduct business and raise positive families. Come and visit often, and we would wel-come you to join us in our quest for a Quality of Place.

With the above commentary about our Quality of Place I would like to point out that our successful communities, Longview and Kelso, have some very strong leaders and committed citizens. A small number of committed people

Please see Longview, page 19

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make a big difference in our communities. Most of these committed citizens are longtime residents that are upset with how unmanaged growth has changed what they love about our hometowns. On occasion we might find that the leaders in our communities might be newcomers who want to make sure that their adopted hometown doesn’t develop the same atmosphere as the one they left. More often than not, they are simply citizens who care a great deal about our communities. Historically, elected officials have tended to view neighboring communities as adversaries rather than allies. Successful communities know that today’s world re-quires cooperation for mutual benefit.

WELCOME TO LONGVIEW AND KELSO, two cities with amazing citizens who have a positive vision of tomor-row.

20


Recognizing a business opportunity

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

Whether you are contemplating a new business or want to re-energize or expand your current one, you need to be able to recognize a business opportunity when you see one. You have probably had visions of one – customers buy things, which cost you a fraction to produce and you be-come fabulously wealthy. A businessperson’s dreams come true! However, the reality is good business opportunities are sometimes hard to find – and they don’t always stand out or come with a neon sign blazing on them.

Even if you think you have found a great opportunity; it takes skill, ability, and timing to take advantage of it – and it may well come with risks. Risk attaches itself to any busi-ness opportunity. Therefore, objectively analyze the feasi-bility of your concept. Successful businesses have a product or service people want, at a price they are willing to pay, and it is easy for customers to get. If you offer something you think people want without knowing it, you are risking more than necessary.

Let’s say you think an opportunity exists for a new restau-rant. There are a number of things you can do to test your assumption/hypothesis. First, find out what is happening in the overall industry. Trade associations, magazines, and current research articles can give you an idea of current demand. Examples are the trends toward small, highly spe-cialized food establishments (e.g., pretzel, cookie, ethnic, etc.) and mixed-use restaurants (e.g. play areas, movies, games, Internet, etc.).

You can also gain a lot of information through observa-tion. Stay current with local news and business periodicals and gain insights from the perspective of other businesses. You should also gather statistics on consumer behavior for your type of business. For a restaurant, you need to know how often people eat out, how much they spend, common

personal or demographic char-acteristics, and preferences in dining atmosphere or services, etc. From there, you can evaluate your geographic area and see how well competitors are filling those needs. The great news is that much of this information is more widely avail-able than ever, often for low or no cost.

Note of caution: The plural of anecdotes is not data!Once you have gathered information, you can form a hy-

pothesis about supply and demand. A business opportunity could be lurking somewhere between what people want and what they are getting. Find out how they are currently meet-ing their needs. Your challenge is to find out how well needs are being met and where people go to meet them. If people need something, they will find it. Locating establishments on a map will give you a geographic sense of how far people must travel. If convenience is a significant buying factor, you will be able to identify underserved areas and markets. Once you complete this analysis, you will be in a better position to develop your own competitive strategy. At the heart of your competitive strategy is your distinctive competence. Your distinctive competence is something (e.g. a skill, specialty, level of service, etc.) that sets you apart when compared with competitors. This differentiation and your pricing strategy define your business in the minds of potential customers. A sound competitive strategy depends on your knowledge of prospects and their needs; the ways your competitors meet their needs and the perceived value of the goods and ser-vices you plan to offer – it’s what separates a business oppor-tunity from a good idea.

It takes money to make money, so that means every busi-ness opportunity will have costs associated with it. Take the time and effort to know exactly what resources are required to optimally run the business. Capital expenses include hard assets like equipment and beginning inventory. It may be

Business Toolbox

Please see Petrick, page 21

21


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difficult to find a site designed for your purpose; therefore, you must anticipate costs associated with renovating a space. Be sure not to underestimate your working capital needs. Working capital is used to replenish inventory, pay employee wages, and finance other continuing operating expenses. You will always have a need for working capital because the timing of cash coming into the business does not always match the timing of cash going out. It takes most businesses a long time to achieve a predictable profit. Be sure you know if you have the financial reserves to cover the costs of startup (or expansion) and operation. If you must lever-age your own money with a loan or line of credit, be prepared to offer sufficient collateral to secure it. A true business opportu-nity will generate sufficient sales to support the cost and provide a profit. A lesson from our friends in the construction business…measure twice, cut once.

There are many resources to help you analyze a business oppor-tunity. A good place to start is your local library – you can find books and articles on the above-mentioned topics; reference ma-terials, and access to periodicals. Most libraries have access to da-tabases online that will help you gain your initial understanding of your potential opportunity. When you have completed your initial analysis, take advantage of no fee, confidential business ad-vising from the Washington State University Small Business De-velopment Center. An adviser will help you evaluate your find-ings and assist you with the development of your business plan.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Adviser for the Washington State University Small Business De-velopment Center (SBDC) in Longview. He provides confidential, business advisory services by appointment. He can be contacted [email protected]

Petrick, from page 20


22

Ribbon Cuttings

A Sip of SuccessOwners Cheryl Padula, Kas Kennedy, Steve Padula and Rob Cummings launched Bateaux Cellars' ribbon cutting from the balcony of its 288 Smokey Valley Rd., Toledo, location March 25.

SuperService

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March 1.

23


By Chris Skaugset Director – Longview Public Library

Happy Birthday, Longview Public Library! Your library turns 90 this year and in honor of this momentous occasion we are announcing several new services, programs and events. We’ve changed a lot since the library was first dedicated – not only in size, but also in the types of programs and services we offer. In the past we offered the community access to the world through books and other printed materials, today we still do that but we also check out DVDs and Blu-ray, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, eBooks, eAudiobooks, theme boxes, Playaways, and equipment such as Lite Pros. We now also offer access to the world through the Internet via desktop computers and through Wi-Fi. Library programs run the gamut from early learning/early literacy story times for ba-bies, toddlers, and preschool children, to teen programs and our STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) MakerPlace class. We offer technology classes to learn computer basics, how to choose your next, or your first, tablet or e-Reader and weekly technology drop sessions to help you accomplish spe-cific tasks such as learning how to download an eBook, get on Facebook, or email photos to a friend. We have programs for adults as well including the PageTurners book club, Northwest Voices au-thor events, a Spanish conversation group, and other specific pro-grams geared for adults.

I have some new things to mention as well. Expanding upon the eBooks and eAudiobooks that we currently offer through the Washington Anytime Library and Overdrive, we now offer a simi-lar service called Hoopla. Hoopla offers library cardholders access to even more digital material including eBooks and eAudiobooks but also music and movies. You can check out up to five items a month from Hoopla without the wait that you might have from Overdrive. Try it out and let us know what you think. We are also

offering a language learning online service called Mango. Learn dozens of different languages including French, Chinese, Japanese, or even Pirate! All of these are available from the library’s website at www.longviewlibrary.org and you’ll just need your library card number and your pin (which should be the last 4 digits of your phone number). Also, we are currently in a pilot project of charging no overdue fines (except on high demand books, DVDs, and media equipment). We are hoping that we will encourage more people to use the great things we have without fear of accruing overdue fines that make it difficult, or impossible, for them to check out.

During our birthday month we will have a number of special events to commemorate our years of service to the Longview community. These will include a Northwest Voices event featur-ing mystery writer Kate Dyer-Seeley (who also writes as Ellie Al-exander) on April 13 and Seattle-based scholar Lance Rhoades will present a talk on Mary Shelley's “Frankenstein” on the April 12. In the latter presentation “Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Anatomy of a Masterpiece,” Rhoades will discuss how the book tackled complex issues that are still relevant today, from technology to voting rights. Part two of our Washington State University Extension Office gar-dening series will focus on preserving all the great things that you learned to grow in the first class. We will also have the duo Po-etry/Music visit the library on April 27, which, as the title indicates, combines poetry and music in new and exciting ways. Finally, on April 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. the library will be having on open house to celebrate the library and a chance for you to learn more about what your library has to offer.

To learn more about any of these specific events, or your library in general, call us, visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or come visit us in person and see what you can see/do/discover/learn today.

Happy birthday! Library celebrates 90 years with special events

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

24


Kelso School District

Improving student achievementBy Superintendent Dan Zorn

The improvement of student achievement is the primary goal of Longview Public Schools. However, we are increasingly aware that for some of our students we must first address their behavioral and emotional challenges if we are to have success increasing their academic achievement levels.

This is why we have instituted a Positive Behavior Inter-vention System (PBIS) approach throughout our schools. The PBIS core belief is that students must be taught what specific behaviors are expected. It also stresses that it is most effective to view student misbehavior as a learning deficit that must be filled.

Despite PBIS actions, we frequently deal with student behaviors whose solutions lie outside of the proactive man-agement structures we have in place. We are working to-wards more effectively addressing this area of concern, with the knowledge that professional intervention is required to meet the needs of our behaviorally-challenged students. To secure this support we are exploring the expansion of partnerships with local school districts, mental health providers, medical professionals, and community based organizations.

Through a partnership between Educational Service District 112 and all Cowlitz County school districts, the Quest Academy will be opening in the Fall of 2016. It is a day treatment program designed to meet the behavioral, emotional, and educational needs of our students with the most extreme behavioral and mental health challenges.

Longview Public Schools is also partnering with Colum-bia Wellness to provide school-based mental health ser-vices. Through this partnership, Medicaid-eligible students receive mental health therapy with trained mental health professionals at school. This approach is of great value to

Longview School District

Supported by a strong FoundationBy Superintendent Glenn Gelbrich

For 25 years, the students and staff of the Kelso School

District have been supported by a quiet group of dedicated individuals; nearly all of whom are themselves graduates of Kelso High School. In the two and one-half decades since they began, and with the support of others in our communi-ty, the Kelso Public Schools Foundation (KPSF) has contrib-uted more than $1 million to support student scholarships and staff innovation grants. Last year alone, they provided more than $90,000 in student scholarships.

KPSF is managed by an 11-member board, which employs part-time Executive Director Jana Clarke. The generosity of the Foundation is supported by individuals, families, busi-nesses, former KHS graduates and more. Those interested in learning more about the work of the Foundation can get information on their website: http://kelsokidz.org.

Kelso High School Principal John Gummel summed it up best, “The funds provided by the Kelso Public Schools Foundation provides hope for our students and is indicative of our community’s belief in and support of our students.”

Please see Longview Schools, page 25

25


our students and the school community. Our primary chal-lenge with this project has been recruiting skilled mental health professionals to provide the services.

Through our work with a number of groups and organiza-tions such as the Child Wellness Coalition, Youth and Family Link, The Healthy Living Collaborative, Strengthening Fami-lies Program, Cowlitz County, Longview Parks and Recreation and local family health practitioners, we are creating partner-ships that show great promise in better serving our students

with the most challenging issues. We are grateful for these partnerships as we work towards our shared goal of helping our children to be ready to learn and achieve.

Internally, our district has made the expansion of school-based social/behavioral services a priority. Our hope is that, as funding becomes available, we will be able to provide addition-al personnel focused upon meeting the social and behavioral needs of our students. This focused support and the partner-ships described above will help us better address the needs of our students, resulting in increased student achievement levels and reduced dropout rates.

Longview Schools, from page 24

26


Business After Hours

Back to SchoolThree Rivers Christian School hosted the Chamber’s March Business After Hours event. The evening included a tour and buffet.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

Parker Doolin, an 11th-grade student at the school, provided entertainment.

Three Rivers school administrator Erin Hart, Life Works’ Breoni Harkleroad and Principal Randy Lemiere

27


Ambassador of the Month

Erik McCrandall and Tina Hart will share the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Month honor for March.

Hart was recently hired to serve as Life Mortgage's marketing director. The position, which includes custom-er relations, acquiring more business and working within the community, dovetails with the duties of Chamber Ambassador.

Becoming more involved with the community and businesses in the area, and the opportunity to meet other professionals, were a few of the points that drew Hart to wearing a red coat for the Chamber.

Hart is also a member of the Early Edition Rotary, Lower Co-lumbia Professionals, Le Tip, Ridgefield Business and the Castle Rock and Kalama chambers.

She is married and has two teenage sons. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends and camping.

McCrandall is no stranger to the Ambassador of the Month honor, having earned it on at least two previous occasions. He is the facilities manager for Drug Abuse Prevention Center, also

known as DAPC. He has been with DAPC for more than a decade. Originally from Michigan, Mc-Crandall served four years in the Army before moving to Washing-ton state. In addition to his work with the Chamber Ambassadors, he sits on the Community House

board and volunteers with the Emer-gency Support Shelter, United Way, and the local Sandblaster event.

In his free time, he enjoys hiking, ar-chery and spending time outdoors.

Chamber Ambassadors, known as The Red Coats, are an inte-gral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities include meeting and greeting at Chamber events, welcoming new members and assisting at ribbon cuttings and communi-ty events. Ambassadors juggle busy professional careers while making time to assist the Chamber at a variety of events year long.

If you would be interested in wearing a red coat and representing the Chamber, contact CEO Bill Marcum at the Chamber office.

Duo shares March Chamber spotlight

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28

Glowing thanks for City’s funding help

Longview Downtown Partnership

By Marcel Goulet President – Longview Downtown Partnership

Earlier last year and throughout the holi-days, the Longview Downtown Partnership had been working hard on collecting funds through donations to add tree lighting and decorations to the Commerce Avenue area.

We did have success in gathering more than $600 ($601.37 to be exact) through a combina-tion of individual contributions and shopper donations to Christmas jars that were placed at various businesses downtown.

In heartfelt appreciation for the participation and coopera-tion of the individual business owners and their patrons, the Longview Downtown Partnership wishes to say “Thank You” for demonstrating your commitment and pride in helping to make Downtown a more inviting place for people to go and spend time and, hopefully, their dollars.

Despite these great efforts, it was clear that $601.37 would not go very far in meeting the objective to add decorative lighting to the trees in the new Commerce Ave streetscape.

Enter the Longview City Council to the rescue. At a Coun-cil Retreat that took place in February of this year, the City Council “authorized city staff to investigate the purchase and installation of decorative lighting in the new streetscape trees along Commerce Ave and Broadway as an economic encour-agement”.

City staff was asked to prepare an estimate of total costs for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of tree lighting for 61 trees decorated with one, 35-foot long string of clear lights.

Once everything was said and done, the total cost came out to $13,384. This also included the cost of electricity, which comes out to about $70 per month or $840 per year.

Needless to say the small amount collected by the Longview

Downtown Partnership and local businesses would

not make a dent toward meeting the estimated

need. It would take a whole lot of Christmas jars

and many more Christmases to even get close.

On March 10, the elected officials of the Longview

City Council in a show of commitment to contin-

ued Downtown improvement and a demonstration

of civic pride, voted to authorize the city manager,

to “expend the necessary funds in the approximate

amount $13,384 for the purchase, installation and mainte-

nance of white decorative tree lighting along the Commerce

Ave Corridor within the new streetscape area.”

Soooo, when you happen to go to a local restaurant; go win-

dow shopping; or go to the theater on some pleasant summer

evening; or when you attend one of the many events and fes-

tivities like the Longview Christmas Parade later in the year,

please take the time to appreciate the “new look” of Downtown

Longview and please say a quiet “thank you” for the efforts of

the local business owners, their patrons, the Longview Down-

town Partnership, and especially the Longview City Council

for helping to make our City a place that we can take great

pride in calling “home”.

PS: In a show of appreciation and support, The Longview

Downtown Partnership Board voted to add their collection of

the $601.37 to the City funds dedicated for this project. Now

we can truly all have a share of the personal pride that comes

with being a part of this great community.

29


A Lil’ Bit of Paradise: Taste of Tuscany event raises money for CHHH charity care

Event co-chairs Kristen Amrine and Rhonda Sandrettó and their committee are hard at work planning for the Community Home Health and Hospice (CHHH) charity care fundraiser. A Lil’ Bit of Paradise: Taste of Tuscany is scheduled for May 6 at the Cowlitz Regional Expo Center.

This year’s entertainment will be provided by Portland’s Mat-thew Casey Swing Trio. Then, taking the stage later in the eve-ning, will be the local King Brothers Band.

Don’t miss out on the various activities taking place through-out the night. Purchase a mystery gift, take a free photo with your friends and even have a chance to win airfare and lodging for your dream vacation by participating in a game of Heads

or Tails. Then, after you visit the wine wall, make sure you get your hands on a raffle ticket to win a beautiful 1.3-carat neck-lace valued at $1,000, specially designed by Bob Crisman at The Gallery of Diamonds.

Of course, what’s a party without a purpose? The Taste of Tus-cany gala is designed with purpose in mind. Last year, Commu-nity spent nearly $665,000 in charity care. Charity care ensures grief support, financial support and program support to our families. Come learn about the charity care program and have fun while supporting Community’s mission to ensure charity care to our communities!

You are invited to participate as a sponsor, host a table, pur-chase tickets or make a gift if you are unable to attend. To do so, please visit www.chhh.org/paradise or call 360-414-5465.

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Hello!Paulino Fajardo and Eric Puryear from U.S.

Cellular came by to get Carey Mackey and Karen Sisson up to speed.

Chamber Connection

Joel Royce with Cowlitz Cobras, a nonprofit amateur football team with the Western Washington Football Alliance, came by to promote the team, while Erin Hart, Three Rivers Christian School administrator, discussed the school’s upcoming 50th anniversary and Business After Hours event it is hosting for the Chamber.

31


Chamber Connection

Country BoysCountry Financial’s Kyle Strum, Ryan Schopp, Kevin Van Egdom and special guest Tom Hegna, who was in town presenting a seminar on how to retire happy.

Stream live at www.threeriversradio.comLocal guest and current events

“Your Chamber Connection”EVERY Wednesday Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union ; Lonnie Knowles, Stewart Title, and Karen Sisson, Kelso Longview Chamber.

Would you like an opportunity to be on Your Chamber Connection or to have more information about the qualifications of an open house or ribbon cutting? Contact Bill or Karen at the Chamber 360-423-8400

Director of Community Resources for United Way Brooke Fisher-Clark joined the girls to discuss the end of year campaign and Easter run.

Representative JD Rossetti caught listeners up on the latest in the legislature.

32


Welcome Back!

*American Medical Response*Beacon Hill Sewer District*Cascade Title Company*CCS*City of Kelso*City of Longview*Comcast Spotlight*Costco Wholesale*Cowlitz County*Cowlitz County CASA*Cowlitz County P.U.D.*Cowlitz County Title Company*Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments*David E. Houten, DDS*Diamond Showcase*Document Management Archives*Dorothy Bain Hanson*Emerald Kalama Chemical*Express Employment Professionals*Freddy’s Just for The Halibut*Gordon Sondker*Interwest Benefit Consultants*KapStone*Koelsch Senior Communities*L.G. Isaacson Company*Longview Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory*Lower Columbia College*Miller Paint*Pacific Tech Construction, Inc.*Port of Longview*Rodman Realty, Inc.*Steel Painters/Railco*Swanson Bark & Wood Products, Inc.*The Golden Palace*The Red Hat*Three Rivers Eye Care*Walstead Mertsching, PS*Watkins Tractor & Supply Co.*Columbia River Carpet One*Compendium Consulting

*Cowlitz County Guidance Association*Estetica Day Spa*State Farm Insurance – Scott Fischer*Diamond Residential*Applied Application*Broderick Gallery*American Legion*Coleman Cellular*Port of Woodland*Cowlitz Credit Union*Industrial Packing*Pacific Fibre Products*Errand Girl*American Family Kari-Ann Botero*Guild Mortgage*Cowlitz County Chaplaincy *Biggs Insurance Services*Clay Bartness*Comcast*Dick Hannah Toyota*Fred Meyer, Inc.*Heritage Bank, Kelso*Heritage Bank, Longview*Hometown National Bank*Island Sun Tanning, Inc.*Kemira Water*Longview Engineering and Design*McCord Bros. Nissan Dodge*Millennium Bulk Terminals*Minuteman Press*Professional Communications Services*Servpro of Longview/Kelso*Sierra Pacific Mortgage*Sterling Insurance*Twin City Bank*U.S. Cellular*Waste Control Recycling, Inc.*Woodford Commercial Real Estate*United States Army*Lexi’s Pizza*B & B Air Conditioning & Heating – Entek

Corp.*Bicoastal Media dba KLYK/KRQT/ KEDO/NEW COUNTRY*Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts*Community Health Partners/Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic*Craig Stein Beverage*Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes*Frontier Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center*Gibbs & Olson, Inc.*Humane Society of Cowlitz County*Life Mortgage*Music & More D.J.s*Noelle McLean PS*Pacific Lumber & Shipping Co.*Papé Machinery*PNE Corp*Pro-Caliber Longview Motorsports*Red Canoe Credit Union*Red Canoe Credit Union 30th*Red Canoe Credit Union Washington Way*Safway Services, Inc.*Searing Electric & Plumbing*Steel Chapel Longview Memorial Park*The Dog Zone*Utilize I.T., Inc.*Wal-Mart*Red Leaf Coffee*BA Design*American Red Cross*Animal Health Services*Suzanne Arnitz*Baxter Auto Parts*Behrends Body Shop*Bob’s Sporting Goods*Burger King*Collins Architectural Group*Country Village Nutrition Shoppe & Café

We at the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to give a SHOUT OUT and a big THANK YOU to the following loyal members

for renewing their partnership with us.

*Day Wireless Systems*Esteem Salon*Ethnic Support Council*Fiesta Bonita Mexican Grill & Cantina*Foster Farms*Gallery of Diamonds*Global Images Graphic Design & Marketing*Hilander Dental*Hydraulic Service, Inc.*Kelso Rotary*Les Schwab Tire Center*Northwest Motor Service*Overhead Door Company of Southwest *Washington*Peter C. Wagner, D.M.D., PS*ProBuild*Propel Insurance*Shamrock Tavern*Shirley L. Smith*Stirling Honda*Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt*Taco Time*The Daily News*The Roof Doctor*Twin City Glass Co.*Twin City Service Co.*Weatherguard, Inc.*Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company*Workplace Wellness*WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum*B & R Mini Storage*Banda’s Bouquets*Be Cause Business Resources, Inc.*Best Western Aladdin Inn*Busack Electric*Calportland*Columbia Security*Copies Today Speedy Litho, Inc.*Cowlitz Container & Diecutting*Edward Jones-Nick Lemiere*H & S Enterprises*Habitat For Humanity Cowlitz County*Hart Radiator*Heartsong Massage*J. L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc.*Kaiser Permanente

*Les Schwab Tire Center*Longview Timber Corp*Longview Urology*Ocean Beach Self Storage*P. T. Northwest*Pacific Office Automation*Papa Pete’s Pizza – Longview*PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center*Pets, Pawns & Imports*SW Washington Symphony*The UPS Store*TSYS Merchant Solutions*Washington State University Vancouver*Zip Local*Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance*Corwin Beverage*Cowlitz River Rigging, Inc.*Educational Service District No. 112*Emergency Support Shelter*Employers Overload*Fairway collections*Futcher Group*Kelso School District*Kelso Theater Pub*Kelso-Longview Television, Inc.*KeyBank*Longview Early Edition Rotary*Longview Eye & Vision*Longview Physical & Sports Therapy*Longview Self Storage*Northwest Hardwoods, Inc.*Opsahl, Dawson & Company, P.S.*Renaud Electric Company, Inc.*Reprographics, Inc.*Solvay*Southwest Washington Blood Program*United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties*Willamette Dental*Anderson & Anderson Advisory, LLC*Berkshire Hathaway*Better Business Bureau*C's Photography*Cowlitz County Museum*Cowlitz Economic Development Council*Cowlitz Indian Tribe

*Cowlitz River Dental *Epson Portland*Erickson Glass Co.*Estetica Day Spa*Fibre Federal Credit Union - Castle Rock *Branch*Guesthouse Inn & Suites*Kellogg Supply, Inc.*Longview Country Club*Lower Columbia Economic Development Council*Motion Industries, Inc.*Mt St Helens Creation Information Center*N. W. Deli Distribution, Inc.*Pathways 2020*Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park *Progress Center*Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center*Riverview Community Bank*Sessions Plumbing & Heating, Inc.*Three Rivers Christian School*Timothy E. Nelson, DDS*Weyerhaeuser*Advanced Message & Dispatch*Beacon Hill Rehabilitation*Bob Beal Insurance Agency Inc. – State Farm*Building Industry Association of Clark County*Cascade Networks, Inc.*Cascade Select Market*Columbia River Reader*Davis & Associates, CPAs, PS*Eldon Robbins Auto Sales, Inc.*Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region*Longview Downtowners*Longview Pawnbrokers & Bail Bonds*North Pacific Paper Corporation/NORPAC*Performance Sheet Metal, Inc.*Prographyx*Snap Fitness*Stageworks Northwest*Stewart Title*Super 8 of Kelso/Longview*Three Rivers Mall


Welcome Back!

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Welcome Back!

*Youth & Family Link*Altrusa International Inc. of Longview-Kelso*Be Cause Business Resources, Inc.*Canterbury Inn*Columbia Ford Hyundai Nissan*Ecological Land Services, Inc.*Eoff Electric Company*Fibre Federal Credit Union - Main Branch*Jansen Flowers & Gift Gallery*KLOG/KUKN/the WAVE Radio Stations*Longview Radiologists, P.S., Inc.*Omelets & More*PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation*Suburban Propane*Take Shape for Life with Brenda Courser*Teri's Restaurant*Dream Dentistry*Reality Homes*Longview Eagles*Service Master*Ricoh*Planet Fitness*WA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation*Acupuncture Northwest*Budget Blinds of Longview*Columbia Bank - Longview Branch*Columbia Funeral Service*Columbia River Mill Outlet*Columbia Wellness*Continental Investors Services, Inc.*DeFrancisco Lampitt and Brado PS*DSU Peterbilt*Fire Mountain Grill & Summerland Catering Services*G L Booth ~ J G Davis & Associates*Green Hills Crematory - Cascade NW Funeral Chapel*Kay Green*Lower Columbia Contractors Association*Signature Transport, Inc.*State Farm Insurance - Scott Fischer*Teague's Interiors*ASAP Business Solutions*My Agency*Area Agency on Aging Disabilities of

Southwest Washington*Dino Doozer*Windemere Kelso-Longview*Advanced Dental Services, LLC*All Out Sewer & Drain Service, Inc.*Baker Lumber Company, Inc.*Brusco Tug and Barge, Inc.*Carl's Towing Service & Repair, Inc.*Carlson's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.*Cascade Natural Gas Corporation*Coldwell Banker Bain*Cole's Appliance Repair*Comfort Inn*Community Home Health & Hospice*Cutright Wholesale Plumbing Supply*Family Health Center*Interiors Plus*Life Works*Longview Housing Authority*Longview Orthopedic Associates, PLLC*Longview Public Schools*Masthead Restaurant*McDonald's of Longview*McDonald's of Longview II*Nipp & Tuck Inc.*Ocean Beach Animal Hospital*Pacific Fibre Products, Inc.*Paperbacks Galore, Inc.*Rush Insurance/Financial Services, Inc.*Schlecht Construction, Inc.*Somerset Retirement Home and Assisted Living*T.C.'s R.V. & Mini Storage, Inc.*United Finance*Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company*Wasser & Winters Company*William (B. J. ) R. Boatsman

OUR LATEST RENEWING MEMBERS*Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce*Interstate Wood Products, Inc.*Kalama Chamber of Commerce*Lower Columbia CAP*M & R Painting, Inc.*Mint Valley Federal Credit Union*Newrock Homes, Inc.

*Northwest Auto Specialist, Inc.*Retirement Strategies*Simpson Timber Company - Longview Lumber Operations*Superior Tire Service, Inc.*Woodland Chamber of Commerce*Longview Outdoor Gallery*The OM Home*Triangle Bowl*Cowlitz County Chaplaincy

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Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

• Annual Meeting and Banquet• Networking Events• Committee Participation• Business Contacts• Quarterly Membership

Meetings• Civic Representation• Monthly Business After Hours

Business Services include marketing for your business, refer-rals and access to Chamber publications and research data.

• Mailing Labels• Membership Window Decals• Member Referrals• Ribbon Cutting• Website Links• Member to Member Discounts• Membership Directory• Tax Deduction• Newsletter• Business Card Display• Use of Chamber Logo

Representation through action committees, candidate fo-rums and up-to-date action alerts.

• Legislative Representation

• Issues Tracking and Information

• Task Forces

• Candidate Forums

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Demographics Publication

PackagesBasic Membership Package – $275 or $26 per month.Bronze Membership Package – $500 or $46.66 per month.Silver Membership Package – $1,000 or $86.33 per month.Gold Membership Package – $2,500 or $211.33 per month.Platinum Membership Package – $5,000 or $416.66 per

month.Diamond Club Membership Package – $10,000 or $834 per

month.Nonprofit Package – $180 or $18 per month.

Celebrate new Chamber members with us* Big Leaf Montessori

* Wheeler's Collision & Paint Inc.

* Cadillac Island Casino

Welcome New Members

Join today! Call 360-423-8400

Chamber membership has its privileges

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Rockin’ the RedThe Lonnie Knowles Benefit drew a lot of red and a bunch of green to help out the fellow Chamber Ambassador.


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Building Bridges

Catch a WavePaddle Flatts Kayaking let attendees at the Chamber’s

Building Bridges Business and Tourism Expo March 9 get up

close to the boats they rent. The Cowlitz Regional Conference

Center was filled with more than 100 businesses in the area.

ServePro serves the area with clean up. The rodeo is coming in July. Big smiles at Dream Dentistry.


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Documents