* Creating a strong local economy

* Promoting the community

* Providing networking opportunities

* Representing the interests of business with government

CHAMBER NOTES

February 26, 2008

A weekly summary of events, activities and information of interest to members of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce.

DID YOU KNOW......... "The Chamber lists military discounts offered by members on the web site at www.yubasutterchamber.com. Check out the list from the menu on the left of the home page. To be added to the list call the Chamber at 743-6501."

Member Notes

BCB reservations deadline: We are filling up fast for the "State of the Counties" Business Connection Breakfast on Friday, February 29th. Wednesday at 4 p.m. is the deadline for early-bird reservations. County Administrators Robert Bendorf (Yuba County) and Larry Combs (Sutter County) will be the featured speakers. The cost is $12 by Wednesday, February 27, at 4 p.m. and $15 after. Call 743-6501.

"The Chamber Challenge, Athena Edition:" airs Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m. on Comcast Channel 19. Athena winners Jackie Sillman, Jami Marros and DeeDee Brady will compete for a $500 cash award to be given to the charity of their choice. Jackie is playing for The Lioness Club "Coats for Kids" program; Jami is playing for the Parent Teacher Organizations at Arboga and Olivehurst elementary schools and DeeDee is playing for Olivehurst Little League. Our thanks to our sponsors Cambridge Career College, Hudspeth Corporation, Umpqua Bank, Bridge Street and PIP Printing & Document Services. It's really fun so make sure to watch.

Chamber Challenge sponsorships: With the "Chamber Challenge" with host Rich Gabel in full swing, this is a great sponsorship opportunity for your business. Sponsorships are $250 and include the hosting of a category with recognition on the show, pre-show publicity and recognition in Business Today, the Chamber's monthly magazine distributed in the Appeal-Democrat to 22,000 subscribers, and in the monthly mailer to 900 Chamber members. Call Chamber Challenge Chair Tina Williams at Express Personnel Services at 671-9202 to sponsor a category.

Workforce Development Awards: Brochures and applications are now available for the Chamber's Workforce Development Program, a unique awards program for students of all ages who are studying to work in the Yuba-Sutter area. The non-academic based awards focus on motivation and desire to work in the Yuba-Sutter community and range from $500 to $2,000. The information is available on the front page of www.yubasutterchamber.com or at the Chamber office. Download both the brochure and the application.

Map Sales: April 1 is the deadline to reserve space on the new full-size Yuba-Sutter maps the Chamber will produce for 2008. The cost for advertising is $350-$900 depending on size and placement. These four-color maps are considered the most inclusive for the area and feature new roads, parks, boat docks, religious institutions, schools and government buildings. We print 7,500 copies which are distributed throughout the community and to Beale Air Force Base personnel. Call Mandy Jones at 743-3497 for more information.

This Week's Chamber Events

Thursday, February 28, 5:30 p.m., Ribbon Cutting: Valley Christian Academy, 1302 Hooper Rd, Yuba City.

Friday, February 29, 7:30 a.m., Business Connection Breakfast: "State of the Counties" with featured speakers Larry Combs, Sutter County Administrator and Robert Bendorf, Yuba County Administrator. Join us at Marcello's, 1235 Bridge St in Yuba City. Thank you Colusa Casino Resort, the 2008 Business Connection Breakfast sponsor. $12 with reservation by Wednesday, February 27, 4:00 p.m., $15 after.

Upcoming Chamber Events

Tuesday, March 4, 5:30 pm, Ribbon Cutting: Posh Décor, 669 Plumas St, Ste B, Yuba City.

Thursday, March 6, 5:30 pm, Ribbon Cutting: VN Nails, Salon & Spa, 1054 Harter Rd, Ste 7, Yuba City.

Other Member Community Business Events

Tuesday, March 4, 9 am - noon, E-Commerce for Government Contracting: Learn to save time searching the web for contracting opportunities. This introductory class, presented by The Federal Technology Center discusses the initial steps vendors must take to conduct e-commerce with the government providing a hands-on experience to learn about: government websites, federal bid opportunities, e-commerce procedures and use of e-commerce secure links. This class is free and will be held at the Yuba College Regional Small Business Development Center, 1227 Bridge St, Ste C (behind Umpqua Bank) in Yuba City. Pre-registration is required and can be done online at www.TheFTC.org. For questions call 866-382-7822 toll-free.

Tuesday, March 11, 11:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m., Yuba/Sutter Identity Theft Luncheon: The Yuba/Sutter area ranked 11th in the nation regarding ID theft crimes! Learn how your business can be in compliance with multiple State and Federal Laws in protecting your customers and employees from this rising crime. Join us at Ruthy's Restaurant at 11:30 for networking and 12:00 for the presentation. Please RSVP with Heather DeRosa at 530-329-2868 or empoweringfuture@yahoo.com before March 7th for complimentary lunch.

Thursday, March 27, 7 p.m., UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF DISNEY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE: Make your reservations now for motivational Speaker Doug Lipp, former head of corporate training at Walt Disney University and a customer service expert with clients including Frito Lay, Wells Fargo Bank, Honda, Marriott and IBM. This is a great opportunity to reward your employees and associates while giving them invaluable customer service information. Doug will be the featured speaker Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at the Yuba College Theatre. The evening includes a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and costs $35 per person. Call Terra Yaney at 751-8555 or e-mail tyaney@ysedc.org. This is a project of the Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium, which includes the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce.

Next Issue of Business Today

Monday, March 3, 2008, Sponsor: Sutter Community Bank

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