July 2011 4-page Newsletter

July 2011
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce “ We Mean Business”
BUSIESS EWS
Serving Big Bear Valley Since 1947
Volume 4, Number 76
Annual Meeting Hits All the Right Notes
The Chamber was “Rockin’ and Rollin”
at its Annual Meeting & Community Honors Luncheon on June 16 at Northwoods
Resort and Conference Center. The celebratory musical theme reflected the
many accomplishments of the 20102011 year and took a peek at
the year ahead. Each attendee
received a CD featuring all thirteen songs of the meeting.
In addition to the “note-worthy”
presentations by Committee
Chairs and CEO Sara Russ (Alan
Sharp, Government Affairs: “You
Can’t Always Get What You
Want”; Tom Benson, Economic
Development: “Taking Care of
Business”; Lisa Patterson, Membership: “We Are Family”; Neal
Hertzmann, Finance: “Money,
Money, Money, Money”; Sara
Russ, Communications and Special Events: “You Ain’t Seen
Nothin’ Yet”), members enjoyed
learning all about Big Bear demographics courtesy of keynote Census
speaker Tommy Randle, including housing, economic, and top occupations statistics (see inside for more Big Bear census information). Mr. Randle presented
each member with a comprehensive
packet of Big Bear information gleaned
from the recent American Community
Survey.
The 2010-2011 projects spanned all
spheres of influence--local, city, county
and state. Examples include the “Shop
Big Bear” program, the 2nd homeowner
marketing campaign, the Village Specific
Plan update, the Bridge Task Force, the
reduction of the 330 closure (from 2 years
to 8 months), the additional Big Bear signage off the hill, the upcoming Sign Ordi-
ber benefits--and each other!
Chairman Marlene Cain thanked the outgoing Board of Directors for a very productive year. “We proved what a good TEAM
means: that Together, Everyone Achieves
More,” said Cain.
Mayor Bill Jahn installed the incoming 2011-2012 ChamberMaid
Board and the Chamber Board of
Directors.
The new Board of Directors will
meet next month at its annual planning retreat to set the priorities for
next year. Already on the radar:
• Work with the State of California
to allow Chambers of Commerce to
offer health insurance to its members
• Help create a Village Business
Improvement District
nance revision, and the new portable event
stage, purchased just in time for the Grand
Opening Ceremony for the new Bridge!
Member benefits increased this year, too,
with the launch of the new website,
www.bigbearchamber.com. Every member
can now customize his/her own web page,
including a key word directory, referral
tracking, coupon placement, and much
more. Also introduced this year is the quarterly New Member Reception to acquaint
new and prospective members with Cham-
• Implement a Small Business
Academy
•
Assist with creation of an Emergency
Task Force
•
Work with the City on implementation
of new Sign Ordinance
•
Push for additional off-the-mountain
signage
•
Publish electronic version of the Business News.
But as CEO Sara Russ said, “You Ain’t
Seen Nothin’ Yet!”
Chamber Honors those that Go Above and Beyond
On June 16th, the Chamber recognized
outstanding businesses and individuals at
its Annual Meeting and Community Honors Luncheon.
“It is important for us to recognize the
efforts of those members of our community that work hard every day to make Big
Bear a better place to live, work and play,”
said Sara Russ, President and CEO of the
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce. “Without
the extraordinary efforts of our volunteers,
employees, and small business owners,
Big Bear wouldn’t be what it is today. Our
Community Honors Awards are just one
way the Chamber recognizes these outstanding people and their contributions.”
2011 award recipients included:
Volunteer of the Year – Karon Michel for
her outstanding volunteer efforts for the
Friends of the Moonridge Zoo, Historical
Society, and Big Bear Chamber of Commerce.
Continued on pg 3
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 2860
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Standard Rate
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 86
Big Bear Lake
CA, 92315
BUSINESS NEWS
Board of
Directors
Executive Committee
Marlene Cain—
Cain—Chairman
Marcain Communication
Bill Young—
Young—Past Chairman
Realty Executives
Brent Tregaskis—
Tregaskis—CoCo-GAC/RTAC
Big Bear Mountain Resorts Bear Mountain
Alan Sharp—
Sharp—CoCo-GAC/RTAC
Big Bear Marina
Tom Benson—
Benson—Economic
Development
Premier Properties Sotheby’s
Lisa Patterson—
Patterson—Membership
Altitude Financial Planning
Directors
Marcus Dietz
Big Bear Today
Austin Marshal
Mitsubishi Cement Corp.
Karon Michel
Affiliate Member
Linda Ricchiuti
The Copper Q
Steve Schindler
Big Bear Area Regional
Wastewater Agency
Dick Shaw
Stone and Youngberg
Jan Stoll
ChamberMaids’ President
From the President/CEO
Chamber Board Sees a Changing of the Guard
On July 1st a changing of the guard took place for the Chamber’ Board of Directors. Neal
Hertzmann stepped down from the Chamber board to move on to other volunteer opportunities, and Austin Marshal stepped in to fill Neal’s big shoes.
Neal served on the Chamber board for three years, having
filled a vacant seat. Within months of his appointment,
Neal took over the Finance Committee and worked one-onone with myself and other board members to overhaul the
Chamber’s finances and budgeting practices, In response
to the economic downturn and recession. “Within a year,
Sara Russ and I had to cut over $25,000 out of the Chamber’s annual budget, which equaled 8% of our total
budget,” said Neal Hertzmann. “It was a difficult challenge,
but we managed to keep the Chamber in the black and the
organization moving forward in a positive direction even
with the cuts.”
“Neal led the Finance Committee through a very challenging
economic time, and the Board was and is very appreciative
of all his efforts,” said Marlene Cain. “In addition,, I think the
Board will agree that Neal’s humor and witty antidotes are
equally memorable.”
Sara Russ
Stepping into Neal’s shoes is Austin Marshal. Austin is the Mine Superintendent for Mitsubishi Cement Corp. and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He recently moved to Big Bear a
year and half ago with his wife and three children. Austin started at Mitsubishi Cement
Corp as an intern in 2005 and was hired full-time after completing his bachelor’s degrees
in general and environmental geology. In 2009 he was promoted to Mine Superintendent.
“All of us at the Chamber are excited to have Austin on the Board. We are eager to
bring him up to speed on the Chamber’s projects, programs, and where we are heading in
the coming year,” said Marlene Cain. “I think he will bring a positive and unique perspective to the board that will continue to help us move forward with all of our endeavors.”
Also joining the board is the new President of the ChamberMaids, Jan Stoll. Jan is an old
hand at representing the ChamberMaids on the board of the directors for the Chamber
since this is her fifth time serving as President. Since joining the ChamberMaids in 1998,
Jan has helped the Chamber raise over $100,000 through both the ChamberMaids’ fundraising efforts and as the Chair of several of the Chamber’s special events committees. “She will be a valuable and resourceful contributor to the Board in the coming year,
and we are glad to have her,” said Marlene Cain.
Staff
Sara Russ
President/CEO
Pam Scannell
Membership Sales &
Development
Page 2
Her predecessor, Lynne Arviso, was a joy to work with and will also be greatly missed. She
has helped the ChamberMaids raise over $7,000 this past year, which is an increase of
more than 50% over the prior fiscal year.
As the guard changes for two board positions, the Chamber’s mission remains the same:: to
improve the economy of Big Bear and provide exceptional benefits and services to our over
450 members. The entire Board is eager set our agenda for the 2011-12 fiscal year,
which will be highlighted in the August edition of the Business News. Please help me welcome our new Board members and the 2011-12 fiscal year!
Volume 4, Number 7
BigBearChamber.com
Community Honors Awards—
Awards—Continued
Employee of the Year – Cari Gerlich for her exemplary work in patient care, office management, and consistently positive attitude as
an employee of Pramann Chiropractic Center.
Small Business of the Year – KBHR 93.3FM Radio and Outdoor for their outstanding efforts to “Shop Big Bear” in the creation of
their new building, and their volunteer service and promotion of local events and non-profits throughout the Big Bear Valley.
Small Business of the Year – The Copper Q for their dedicated community involvement, outstanding customer service, and significant contributions to improving business in Big Bear.
The Chamber also recognized three volunteers for their outstanding efforts in the last year. The following award recipients were
peer selected Ambassador of the Year – Steve Cain for his enthusiastic and team oriented commitment to promote the Chamber, its members and
Big Bear, as well as his positive and creative guidance to help the Chamber fulfill its mission.
ChamberMaid of the Year – Nickie Betty
Bradley for her many dedicated years of service to the ChamberMaids and the Big Bear
Chamber of Commerce.
Director of the Year – Lisa Patterson for her
enthusiastic, professional and creative support of the Chamber’s mission.
Please join us in congratulating the 2011
award recipients, and in tipping our hat to the
many amazing and positive volunteers, employees and small businesses Big Bear is
lucky to have. The Chamber appreciates everyone’s contributions and efforts and looks
forward to recognizing more individuals and
businesses in 2012.
July Community Events
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 CATS: “My Fair Lady” at the PAC
2- 4 Independence Day Festival at the Convention Center
2- 4 Pine Knot Village Artwalk
2-3 Zoocasion at the Moonridge Animal Park
3 Phat Cat Swingers Jazz Band at Swim Beach
4 Fireworks Show over Big Bear Lake
8-10 Corvettes West Big Bear Bash in the Village - Various Locations
9-10 Big Bear Lake Paddlefest at Meadow Park
10 Music at the Mansion #2 w/ “Wake the Bard” at the Knickerbocker Mansion
15-16 Big Bear Women’s Club Flower Show at the PAC
16 Big Bear Chili Cook-off in the Village
16 Movies on the Beach at Meadow Park “Despicable Me”
16 Xeriscape Garden Tour sponsored by the Sierra Club of Big Bear
16 Old Miners Days Horseshoe Tournament at B’s Backyard BBQ
17 Old Miners Days Clementine & 1800’s Church Picnic @ B’s Backyard BBQ
23 Chautauqua: History Alive at the Big Bear Library
23 Old Miners Parade on Big Bear Blvd and Village
23 Old Miners Days Carnival & Outhouse Races at Bartlett Lot in the Village
24 Old Miners Days Carnival & Burro Derby at Bartlett Lot in the Village
25-27 Old Miners Days Donkey Ball at Los Vaqueros Grounds
30 Big Bear Twilight Mountain Music Festival at the Discovery Center
Page 3
BIG BEAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(909)866-4607
Welcome to our New Members
Garcia Wilde Associates
ABD Office Solutions
ABD Office Solutions has been serving
the mountains for over 20 years. Most
orders can be received the next business day. We have USA made toners,
and all of our products are 100% guaranteed. As a green company, we focus
on refurbished toners and equipment,
saving you money. We service and sell
all major brands and are authorized
Randy Deatherage
dealers of Xerox, Sharp ,HP, Brother and
Cannon. 909-991-8207 www,randystonersandprinters,com.
GWA’s business model incorporates
three stragtegies for life planning: estate (living trust), retirement, financial
life planning. Additional services we
provide are mobile notary public and
certified notary signing agents
(mortgage loan documents). We are
“Family Serving Family”.
Karen L. Wilde
www.garciawildeassociates.com
Upcoming Chamber Events
July 7
Power Lunch at Nottingham’s—Topic is Internet Marketing for Small Business
July 12
MIXER—Pleasure Point Marina—5-7pm
July 16
Big Bear Chili Cook-off—in the Village and FREE ENTRY
July 26
MIXER—Azteca Grill Mexican Restaurant—5-7pm
EVENT PRICES
Thank You to our Renewing Members
Ark Books & Gifts, LLC.
Law Office of T. Reagan-Blood
Big Bear Cowboy Gathering
Licensed Home Improvement
Big Bear Municipal Water District
Mama Bear Cleaning Service
Big Bear Off Road Adventures
Marine Corps League-Detachment
Big Bear Real Estate / Keller Williams
McDonald's of Big Bear Accounting Office
Boulder Bay Real Estate
Mountain Patrol
C.A.T.S
CHIMINEY KKRRIKITT"S SMOKES OR
BROKE Inc.
North Shore Trading Company
Denise Cavalli, Caterer
Pine Knot Guest Ranch
Evergreen
Pine Knot Marina, LLC.
Evil Kitty Productions
Reverse Mortgage Co.
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Rhodeshow Productions
Himalayan Restaurant
St. Columba's Episcopal Church
Kitten Kapoodle Pet Sitting
Stone & Youngberg, LLC.
Lakeside Home Furnishings
WOW Services
Page 4
Peroutka, Linda
MIXER
Members FREE
Non-members $5
POWER LUNCH
Members $15
Non-members $20
COTACT US
Big Bear Chamber
of Commerce
P.O. Box 2860
or 630 Bartlett Rd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 866-4607 ext 3
BigBearChamber.com
Email—Pscannell
@bigbearchamber.com
© Volume 4, Number 7– Big Chamber of
Commerce Business News. This publication
is owned, written and edited by the Big Bear
Chamber of Commerce. All information
contained in this publication is believed
accurate. No portion of this publication may
be reprinted without the written consent of the
Big Bear Chamber of Commerce.