Message from the Chair...     Although the state legislative session concluded last month, your Chamber continues to actively monitor and talk with our elected officials to position the business agenda of the greater Lakewood area with our lawmakers. We continue to stay vigilant and encourage you to let our elected officials know that their votes are being carefully scrutinized.  We have serious questions and concerns.  This includes the supplemental budget passed by the legislature that includes $308 million in new spending. That brings total new spending under our current administration to $8.5 billion -- more than a 33 percent increase.   What the legislature didn’t do this session was address key issues important to our state including; transportation respite, further property tax relief, a funding plan for the family leave program, basic education funding, and more. We have two opportunities in the near future.  The first is our April 3rd General Membership Luncheon – A wrap-up of the 2008 Legislative Session.  This event will discuss the recently completed session, focusing on how it will affect you and your business.  Representatives Kelley, Conway and Kirby, as well as Senator Carrell will be our guest speakers.  The May 1st General Membership Luncheon will feature Governor Chris Gregoire.  This is your opportunity to hear your governor’s take on the past session – and ask her the relevant questions that impact you and your employees.  November is just around the corner, and I encourage you to take a look at the voting record of the elected officials who represent you to see whether they are voting “pro business.” We have a Blue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, April 9th at BathFitter beginning at 5:15 p.m.   Come check out the showroom that is North America's leading bath, shower and wall system company. Their products are custom molded to fit right over existing fixtures for quick and clean bath remodeling that is complete in less than a day. Be sure to join us for the next ShowCase Lakewood, “Another Bloomin’ Tradeshow” on April 16 at the Great American Casino.  I urge you to invite your staff, vendors and customers.   This biannual table-top trade show is open to the public and is free of charge.  There’s always great networking, door prizes, complimentary hors d’oeuvres -- and beverages are available from the ho-host bar.  What a great way to do business! Spring is in full gear – and your Chamber staff and volunteers have also picked up the pace – offering you a variety of events and activities to learn, network and increase your business.  Get involved. You’ll be glad you did!     Mike Stevenson, CPA, CMA, MBA Brink & Sadler, CPA’s 2007-08 Chair of the Board	Avoid schedule conflicts on the day of your special event Check out the Chamber's web site at www.lakewood-wa.com and click onto "Community Calendar."  Our web site lists upcoming events submitted by other clubs and organizations in the greater Lakewood area, so you don't have to compete with a slew of other events.   And remember, make sure you notify us of your special event so that we can include it for others to compare dates. ______________________________________   Be a Hero to Your Employees - At No Cost to You! Nationwide is offering free quotes to Chamber Members and their employees that could help save their hard earned cash.  Nationwide offers all Chamber Members in good standing an opportunity to help your employee's lower their personal auto insurance rates.  You can call Capital Financial Group to obtain easy-to-fill fax forms to include in your employee's payroll envelope - or they are happy to come to your next staff meeting to introduce this member benefit to your employees and answer questions.  Another solution would be to have a representative come by and provide information in your staff break room -- without any pressure to switch.  Want to know more?  Call 253-476-8100 and find out how you can be a hero to your employees ... at no cost to you!   _________________________________________ Friendship Festival Kicks Off with Art Show The Northwest Korean-American Cultural Foundation will be hosting the first in a series of events and activities during Friendship Festival 2008.  Seventeen professional artists from Korea will be showing and demonstating their works at an Art Show from April 28 through May 1 at the Sharon McGavick Conference Center from 11 am through 7 pm daily.  These professional artisans will showcase traditional, as well as modern paintings and sculptures.  This 7 month-long festival is designed as an effort to increase awareness of the Korean culture, and to develop better relationships -- providing an excellent opportunity to expand your business relationships and contacts. The Northwest Korean-American Cultural Foundation has been successfully highlighting Korean culture by bringing professional dancers, artists and sports players over to the Pacific Northwest since 1987, helping boost the local economy by bringing people together, including cultural ambassadors from other communities and countries.  Sponsors will have the opportunity to advertise their organizations to those who come to watch performances, as well as to our traveling guests. The Foundation is currently looking for sponsors to help defray the costs of bringing these cultural ambassadors to make the Friendship Festival a huge success.  You can find more information at their website - www.nwkcf.org
Lakewood Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon Thursday, April 3, 2008 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Great American Casino   Luncheon Cost - $20 prepaid -- $30 at the door  (Cost of the luncheon is set regardless of attendees' acceptance of a meal) Reservations Required - Please call  253-582-9400 today!    Program:   Report from the 28th & 29th legislative districts...   Representatives Conway, Kelley, and Kirby & Senator Carrell   Join us to hear from Lakewood's state representatives on what legislation was enacted and how it affects your bottom line.

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Lakewood Chamber of Commerce & Great American Casino present:

Another Bloomin’ Trade Show!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Great American Casino

10117 South Tacoma Way

Lakewood, WA  98499

*Admission is free of charge

Must be 21 years and older

To ensure we have enough refreshments, please RSVP to 253-582-9400 today!

Spring has sprung, and it’s time to get out and mix it up with other community partners to plant some seeds for future business growth.  Join us at the Chamber’s biannual table-top Trade Show for an evening of relaxed networking, fabulous hors d’oeuvres, a no-host bar and tons of great door prizes!

Members and Non-Members are encouraged to attend!

To secure a booth for ShowCase Lakewood, contact Mary Ann Miller at 253.582.9400,

677-4922 or maryann@lakewood-wa.com

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 Quick Takes

Governor Gregoire is Featured Speaker Next Month

We’re delighted to announce that Governor Chris Gregoire will be the Chamber’s keynote speaker at the May 1st General Membership Luncheon.  Sure to be a sell-out, make sure to call and make your reservations today!

Greenhouse gas bill may dictate how many miles you drive

Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed HB 2815, a bill related to greenhouse gas emissions and “green-collar” jobs. The Chamber opposed Section 8 of this bill, that addresses transportation and might lead to mandatory restrictions on miles driven by Washington state residents. The economic viability of our state depends on our citizens’ ability to move freely between the home and the workplace. This is especially true for those who live in rural areas and have no choice but to drive to work. Unfortunately, the governor chose to ignore concerns and signed the bill with Section 8 intact.

Please see these related links:  HB 2815, sponsored by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish

Paid Family Leave pushed on to 2009

Unable to agree on a source of funds for the Paid Family Leave benefits established last year, and unable to agree on an implementation bill vesting a state agency with the legal authority to operate the program, the Legislature instead deferred to the budget process to appropriate start-up funds for a computer system necessary to run the program and implied theoretical legal authority for the Employment Security Department to begin administering the program. Otherwise, the final shape of the program will not emerge until next year. For more information, see www.olympiabusinesswatch.com/2008/03/paid-family-lea.html.

Wal-Mart shows way to cut prescription drug costs

Here’s more evidence that the real solutions to spiraling health care costs are within the private sector: Wal-Mart’s national $4 generic prescription drug program has saved Americans more than $1 billion since it began in 2006. At Wal-Mart pharmacies, all customers — insured or uninsured — can get prescriptions filled for 361 of the most commonly prescribed generic medications used for treating a wide range of medical conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. The cost: four bucks. In Washington alone, Wal-Mart has saved its customers more than $11 million on prescription drug costs. Way to go, Wal-Mart!

Dental hygiene students at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom now scheduling spring appointments

 We all know brushing and flossing regularly, and keeping up on twice-yearly cleanings and checkups are critical to maintaining a healthy, bright smile. But recent research has proved that good oral health plays an important role in reducing the risks of such health problems as heart disease and stroke, and in controlling diabetes.

Doctors now know that a healthy mouth contributes to an overall healthy body. Unfortunately, with roughly half of Washington residents lacking dental insurance, many put off or neglect dental cleanings and exams for lack of resources thereby putting their long-term overall health in jeopardy.

The Pierce College Dental Hygiene program helps eliminate this price barrier by offering gentle, qualified dental services at costs that are at least one-third of local consumer prices.

The dental hygiene program at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom offers a full range of dental health services, including:

• Comprehensive evaluation of oral health and teeth;

• Preventative teeth cleaning for both children and adults;

• X-rays;

• Sealants;

• Desensitizing;

• Treatment for adult patients with infrequent dental care;

• Treatment of adult periodontal disease (dependent on the extent of the disease);

• Amalgam (silver) or composite (white) fillings (dependent on severity).

Dental hygiene students are able to perform these and other critical services at a cost that is more manageable for working individuals and families, and seniors. The students practice under the guidance and expertise of the highly qualified dental hygiene faculty, and the dental hygiene clinic works with area dentists and other low-fee clinics to refer patients for additional follow-up care when necessary.

To access these lower-cost services, contact the Dental Hygiene program at (253) 964-6694 to schedule a free consultation. From there, if you are accepted for treatment in the program, a customized treatment plan will be devised and appointments will be scheduled.

Students schedule their own appointments with patients directly. Since the appointment times align with Pierce College’s academic calendar, this is a perfect time to get started, as the spring quarter began March 31.

Payment is required at the time of service. Medicaid coupons are accepted.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about a career in dental hygiene, please call (253) 964-6694 or visit the program Web site at www.pierce.ctc.edu/Denhyg.

        Save The Date!

Park Appreciation Day - April 19, 2008

Join your friends and neighbors in celebrating the 7th annual Parks Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The purpose of this event is to come together as a community, celebrate spring, beautify the parks and help prepare them for the spring/summer season.  Approximately 400 volunteers from local community groups, churches, businesses and neighborhoods support this event every year.  This is another way we can work together to create a healthy community through people, parks and programs.

Volunteers are needed to plant flowers, pull weeds, pick up garbage, paint buildings and undertake miscellaneous repairs.  We also need funds and supplies to support the park projects and provide refreshments for our volunteer workers.  This year we will be working on special projects at Springbook Park, Harry Todd Park, Fort Steilacoom Park, as well as continuing our restoration of the blueberry fields.

Let us know if you are interested in participating in this important community event.   Please call Suzi in the City of Lakewood Parks and Recreation Department at 253-589-2489 to volunteer! 

 
Lakewood United’s April Programs

The Lakewood United group meets at 7 AM every Thursday at Burs Restaurant, which is located at 6151 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood.  The events for the next four weeks are as follows:

Lakewood United website: http://communities.southsound.com/main.wsi?group_id=138

April 3, 2008 – An Update on Lakewood Parks – A Virtual Tour – Mary Dodsworth, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Lakewood

April 10, 2008 – Transparency in Government – Bob Williams, President of Evergreen Freedom Foundation

April 17, 2008 – End of Life Planning – Pamela Maddess, New Tacoma Cemeteries and Funeral Home

We’re Fishing for Ideas…YOURS

Yes!  We’re interested in what’s going on with your business.  And so are other Chamber Members. 

Please pass this along to the person who maintains your mailing list and ask that they add lsmith@lakewood-wa.com to your mailing list for story inclusion in the Chamber Newsletter.  Thank you!

110% Club!

Add an additional 10% of your annual dues to belong to the 110% Club. We thank the following businesses for their support!

Bohn’s Biz

City of Lakewood

Columbia Bank

Huntington Learning Center

Liberty Tax Service

Nation Wide Insurance

Northwest Abatement Services, Inc.

Peaceful Atmosphere Massage

Signsations, Inc.

March

Ambassadors of the Month

Platinum

Cindy Sims

Venture Bank

Gold

Kathleen Larkin-Kuehn

Venture Bank

Silver

Darcie Walser

Coldwell Banker Bain

Photo Gallery

Business After Hours - ShowCase for Better Living

Sharon McGavick Conference Center

  

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April Events Calendar