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April 2010

www.TulareChamber.org thethesave the dates

UpdateUpdate

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PERMITNO.232

TULARE,CA

2010 Officers

Patty RochaChair of the Board

Preferred Outlets at Tulare

Marie PintoChair Elect

Tulare Adult School

Mat SozinhoVice Chair of Finance

Sozinho Realty

Lance MorrisImmediate Past Chair

Adair & Evans

Daniel EnriquezVice Chair of Membership

Hazels Kitchen

Matt WeaverVice Chair of

Governmental AffairsEly Auto Parts

2010 BoardMarc Limas

TF Tire & Service

Marisa SimoesThree Sisters Farmstead Cheese

John Thomas

Bank of the Sierra

Terry BrazilTulare Historical Museum

Brian MartinhoMartinho Construction

Leanne SandlinMario Simoes Family Dairy

Sue Ann HillmanTulare City School District

Gary GermaineLand OLakes

Art ClarkKohler & Clark Screw

Products, Inc.

Geoff HindsTulare County Fair

Hector RamosHampton Inn & Suites

Traci MyersEx-Officio, City of Tulare

Dennis MederosLegal Counsel, Horswill,

Mederos, & Soares

Professional Staff

Joyce RauenOffice Manager Bette PenceInformation C oordinator

Nona WatsonPresident/CEO

Kary Mancebo-IngramMembership Program Coordinator

Spring is in the air and once again everythingaround us is turning green. Speaking of green,you might be surprised to know how many waysthe City of Tulare has been thinking green inour recent history while practicing sustainablegrowth.

I have to give credit to prior city councilaction that authorized one of the first com-pressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations in thecounty in 1996 and one of the first liquefiednatural gas (LNG) stations in 2001. In 2008,the first E85 station between San Diego andSacramento was opened in Tulare. The city haschanged almost our entire fleet from gasoline tonatural gas or E85, which is better for our airquality and less costly than gasoline.

The city has been a leader in water manage-ment by partnering with the Tulare IrrigationDistrict (TID) for purposes of a ground waterrecharge program. The first water delivery wasin 2006 and the goal was to recharge as much

ground water as is pumped out every year. TIDmanager, Paul Hendrix, recently informed usthat we have exceeded that goal by 6,500 acre/ft. In the last four years (some of which were

considered drought years) the city was able toground bank over 50,000 acre/ft of water.

In addition, in 2007 the city undertook andcompleted the ambitious project of meteringevery city water hook-up. We are also in the pro-

cess of developing 156 acres of land we purchasedin 2008 into a ponding basin. I dont know ofany city in the valley that has been as proactiveon water issues as the City of Tulare.

We have almost completed an $81 millionupgrade to our waste water treatment plant thatproduces a high quality effluent with negligiblenitrogen to protect our groundwater. In the pro-cess of this upgrade, we used new technology toharvest into renewable energy previously wastedbiogas. This reduces our carbon footprint andreduces considerable drain on the electricity grid,plus saves us over $3,000 per day.

Our new library and council chambers willbe one the most energy efficient buildings in thecounty, and will be one of the first to receive an

internationally recognized green building desig-nation known as, LEED Certification.

Last year we planted an urban forest alongJ Street with 96 trees. Another 519 trees were

planted in Del Lago Park.

The city has recentlyinstalled a 30kW solar pho-tovoltaic carport and hasreceived over $500 thousand

in stimulus funding to installsimilar systems at our wastewater treatment plantthat will further credit our citys electric bill. Inaddition, Tulare has been selected by SouthernCalifornia Edison to test pilot Light EmittingDiode (LED) street lights that use only 10% ofthe electricity of conventional street lights.

In the last few months, the city rolled out ournew Blue recyclable waste cans. The early resultshave been impressive and I will soon devote anarticle on how we can use Blue cans to better ourenvironment and save money in the process.

Space precludes me from listing the manymore examples of what the City of Tulare hasbeen doing in regards to planned growth that iseconomically and environmentally sustainable.

Suffice it to say that we can be proud of what wehave done thus far that is good for our environ-ment and good for our bottom line.

Mayors Corner By Craig Vejvoda

Craig Vejvoda

April 3rd Cars on K,

Downtown Tulare,

10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

April 14th Mixer at

Chilis, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

April 24th Ribbon

Cutting and Open

House at Dillyns, 5 p.m.

the updateis the official monthly

publication of theTulare Chamber of Commerce

220 E. Tulare Ave.P.O. Box 1435

Tulare, CA 93275-1435

email: info@tularechamber.org

eb: .tularechamber.org

Editor: Kary Mancebo-Ingram

For advertising information call:Colleen Ferreira (559) 735-3227

the update is published in partnershipith the Tulare Advance-Register

Labor Law Corner

Leave Deduction for Partial-Day Absences OK ifCompany Policy Allows

When an exempt employee is absent for part ofa day, are we limited to deducting from accruedvacation time only the time taken that equals orexceeds four hours?

An opinion letter issued by the CaliforniaDivision of Labor Standards Enforcement(DLSE) states that although employers cannotdeduct from the salary of an exempt employeefor partial-day absences, employers may deductfor such absences from employee leave balancesin accordance with the employers bona fideleave policies.

DLSE specifically repudiated its prior limita-tion on leave bank deductions to four or morehours (DLSE OL 2009.11.23).

Old Opinion LetterOn August 30, 2002, then-California Labor

Commissioner Art Lujan issued an advice letteragreeing with the U.S. Department of Laborinterpretation that no salary deduction is per-mitted for partial-day absences if the employeeseligibility for vacation has not vested, or theemployee has exhausted all accrued vacation.

The DLSE deviated from the federal ruleregarding the use of accrued time, however, byopining that employees could not be required to

use vacation time in partial-day increments with-out violating the states salary basis test.

The letter concluded: State law does not per-mit the deduction of accrued vacation or PTOwhen the employer already has an independentobligation to pay the exempt employees salary.

This reasoning constituted the foundation forthe DLSEs finding that, in contrast to federallaw, exempt employees in California could notbe allowed or required to use accrued vacation inpartial-day increments.

Court RulingThe legal landscape shifted in July 2005,

when Californias 1st District Court of Appealsdecided the case of John Conley v. Pacific Gas &

Electric Company.Under PG&Es policy, the employer made

deductions from vacation leave banks represent-ing days on which those employees had, in fact,

taken at least four hours off work.

The court ruled that PG&Es vacation leavepolicy neither imposed forfeiture nor operated to

prevent vacation pay from vesting as it is earned.All it did was regulate the timing of exemptemployees use of their vacation time, but requir-ing them to use it when they want or need to beabsent from work for four or more hours in asingle day.

In the opinion letter of November 23, 2009,Robert Roginson, chief counsel for the DLSE,pointed out that the court in the Conley case hadmerely validated the employers policy of allow-ing partial-day deductions of four or more hours.

Roginson went on to explain that no deduc-tion for a partial days absence might be madeif no accrued vacation time was available to theemployee because it had been exhausted or notyet earned.

He concluded that the employee would haveto receive a full days pay, including what was inthe bank, if the vacation bank was insufficient tocover all the partial days absence.

Excitement Revving Up for Cars on KCars on K is coming to downtown Tulare onSaturday, April 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Morethan 250 classic andcustom cars, trucks,motorcycles, and MadCow, the mini-modi-fied pulling tractor, willline the streets duringthis free, family-friendlyevent. There will be foodfrom local caterers andrestaurants, includingDillyns and Mikey Vs,music, raffle prizes, andlots of great sales at Tularesdowntown businesses. New thisyear is the addition of a beer garden area, spon-

sored by Sequoia Beverage, which is sureto be a hit. The Chamber of Commercehas secured local bands to performthroughout the event on the BudweiserStage. A big thank you to our spon-sors: Sturgeon & Beck, Lampe DodgeChrysler Jeep of Tulare, Merle StoneChevrolet, Will Tiesiera Ford-Mercury,Horswill, Mederos, and Soares, MagnoliaHealth Corporation, TF Tire & Service,Tulare Community Health Clinic, RuanTransport Corporation, and the City ofTulare. Without their support, this eventwould not be possible.

Downtown Tulare provides an atmo-sphere that gives participants, vendors,and sponsors plenty of space to show

off their wares and to interact with the crowd.Furthermore, spectators at this years show willhave the opportunity to win some great prizesand participate in our annual reverse drawing.Reverse drawing tickets will be on sale the day ofthe event for $25 each.

Bring the entire family and join us atthe Tulare Chamber of Commerces23rd Annual Cars on K, Saturday,April 3rd. There is something foreveryone to enjoy at this event. Formore information, please call 686-1547 or visi t tularechamber.org.

Join us for Tulare Chamber Night at the BallparkMark your calendars for Tuesday, May 11th

at 5:30 p.m. and join us for Tulare ChamberNight at the Ballpark. The Visalia Rawhide willbe playing the San Jose Giants in the beautifullyrenovated Recreation Park. Enjoy reserved seat-ing along the 1st base line, access to the Hall ofFame Club - complete with air-conditioning andfull bar, complimentary hot day and beverage,

plus lots of fun and great baseball! All of this foronly $20 per person! Recreation Ballpark hasbeen home to Tulare Countys only pro sportsteam since 1946. Recreation Park is located at300 North Giddings Street in Visalia. PleaseRSVP, by May 1st, to Kary Mancebo-Ingram at686-1547 or kingram@tularechamber.org. Seeyou at the game!

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On Monday February 22nd, our LeadershipTulare class traveled on an overnight trip to theState Capitol in Sacramento.

Upon arrival, we took a guided tour of theCapitol Building. The State Capitol is a mag-nificent structure, patterned after the NationsCapitol in Washington, D.C. Part of the Capitolhas been restored to its original state, includingthe Governors office, which is exactly how it wasdesigned in 1906. The architecture is brilliant,including the original furniture, office equip-ment, and paperwork including telegrams andnewspapers announcing the San Francisco earth-quake. The class as a whole was greatly impressedwith the overall magnitude of the State Capitol,

and the wide variety of informational optionsavailable to a group exploring its halls.

Assemblywoman, Connie Conway, andState Senator, Roy Ashburn, took time outof their schedules to give us their unique per-spective on state politics. We were also lucky

enough to observe the voting of bills in anAssembly Special Session. Prior to leavingthe Capitol, Assemblywoman Conwayarranged an acknowledgment of theLeadership Tulare class, which resulted inthe legislators giving us a standing ovation.Later in the evening, the class enjoyeddinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory andtoured Old Town Sacramento.

The following morning, the class vis-ited the California Chamber of Commerce. Theclass met with several different lobbyists whowork for the CalChamber. There was an interest-ing discussion that covered a variety of topicsincluding water, health care, education, technol-ogy, workers comp, transportation, green houseemissions, and taxes.

On our way home, we stopped in Modestoat the Great Valley Center. The Center is a non-profit organization focused on Californias greatCentral Valley. They provide information and

data, organize conferences and regional events,and operate leadership development programs.At the end of the session, they provided us witha tour of their unique location, which was a ret-rofitted church that had been designed aroundthe idea of creating the most Green workspacepossible.

Overall, it was a fantastic two days in whichthe Leadership Tulare class gained valuableinsight into how state government works. Asfuture leaders, this experience will assist us inworking with state government when dealingwith local issues and interests.

page 2 April 2010 tulare chamber the updatePROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Members RenewChamber Investment

Thank you for the folloing

businesses and individuals ho

reneed their membership during

the month of February.

AERO Dogs

AmeriPride Uniform Services

American General Finance

Building Maintenance ServicesChildrens House Montessori School

Farmer Boys Tulare

Great Valley Builders, Inc.

High Sierra Lumber & Truss, Inc.

Jacks Git N Go

Martella Livestock Market, Inc.

Mendonca Chiropractic Group

Meridian Pool & Spa

Merle Stone Chevrolet

Office Depot

The Orosco Group

Pizza Hut California Pizza, LLC

Premier Towing

Prosperity Avenue Baptist Church

Santa Fe Aggregates, Inc.

Storland of Tulare

Tulare Polaris

Tulares Pharmacy

Village ProfileWal-Mart

Leadership Tulare: Leadership TulareVisits The State Capitol

Written by: Samuel Tyler Houston, Racquel Avila, and Mike WatsonWelcome Aboard New Members

Congratulations and thank youto the new members that invested

in the Chamber.

Mike WatsonRacquel Avila

Consistency is Key to Optimal Healthand Wellness By: Andy Salazar

Andy Salazar

We all know that get fit quick schemes, pills,and lotions dont work. The only way to loseweight, gain muscle, and have lasting results isto be consistent with a regular workout routine.Make health and fitness a lifestyle, and not apassing fad.

For a lot of my clients exercise is not oneof their favorite activities, yet they tough it outbecause they know it is good for them. Manyof my clients have changed their attitudes aboutexercise, and it may be time to change yours aswell. If you go into it telling yourself how muchyou hate it and how you wish that you weredoing something else instead, chances are youwont enjoy it. I dont know about you, but I

dont often do things I dont enjoy. It is time toopen your mind to the possibility that you canenjoy exercise. In fact, when done correctly, exer-cise is an enjoyable experience.

Dont write off exercise because of one badexperience, try everything until you find some-thing that makes you happy. The truth of thematter is that there are many different forms ofexercises that will give you the results that youwant. If dont like the large gyms? Then find aPersonal training studio or semi private gym.If dont like running? Try incorporating a briskwalk or bike ride. Dont have the time? Thereare time friendly exercise routines like kettlebelltraining that combine resistance training and car

diovascular trainingin one workout.

Time +Consistency = results.Remember to findand exercise routinethat you enjoy, andthat excites you.Everyone needs helpalong the way so finda workout partner or fitness professional thatwill hold you accountable. Exercise should justbe a regular part of your day, like brushing yourteeth. No more excuses, choose today to behealthier and fitter, the benefits will last you alifetime.

Loves Travel Stops &County Stores

Gas Station Mini martBert Van Dyk

2700 S. Blackstone St.Tulare, CA 93274

(559) 686-1400Website: www.loves.com

AmVets Post 56Non-Profit Organiations

Rod Blackman240 E. King Ave.

Tulare, CA 93274(559) 686-9660

Western Executive ProtectionSecurity Corporate,

Personal & ConsultationDavid Jarrett

4500 S. Laspina, #222Tulare, CA 93274

(559) 687-8889Website: www.wep247.com

Samuel Tyler Houston

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Title Sponsor- $1500

Prominent placement of logo on all printed materials

including tickets and programsTable for eight with priority seating at eventOpportunity to place brochure/collateral material ontablesOpportunity to hang banner at eventMention in all Chamber newsletter articles and pressreleasesAnnounced recognition at event

Associate Sponsor- $250

Two complimentary tickets to eventLogo (secondary placement) on the event programs

Mention in all newsletter articles and press releasesAnnounced recognition at event

Company Phone

Contact E-mail

Address

Payment Method: Check Visa MasterCard AMEX Discover

Credit Card # Exp.

Signature

With everything going on in the nation and world, dont

miss out on hearing first hand the State of the CityAddress. Sponsorship opportunities are now available for

Tulares most important State of the City Address. Inaddition to Mayor Craig Vejvodas State of the City Address,

Tulare County Supervisor Pete Vander Poel will provide anupdate on County activities and there will be a period oftime for attendees to ask questions of elected officials.Please consider supporting the event and gaining exposurefor your business through sponsorship. Benefits ofsponsoring are:

Please return by May 5thfor maximum publicity to:PO Box 1435Tulare, CA 93275or fax to 686-1547

Company Phone

Contact E-mail

Address

PaymentMethod:q Checkq Visaq MasterCardq AMEXq Discover

CreditCard#

Signature Exp.

NameonCard

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tulare chamber the update April 2010 page 3ADVOCATING FOR BUSINESS

Member NewsBill Jordan, President/CEO ofCentury 21

ordan-Link & Company, today honored 10real estate agents for 10 years of continuous loyalservice to Tulare Countys largest real estate firm.

Jordan presented the ten agents beauti-ful pen sets praising them for their loyalty tothe firm. The long term agents included AnnShipman, Gina Gentili, Melva Dixon, JowanaLackey, Gilbert Requejo, Lino Pimentel, FrankieMendez, Tony Pires, Lee Duncan and PhilCarrasco.

Century 21 Jordan-Link is Tulare and KingsCountys largest real estate firm with 120 agentswith offices in Visalia and Tulare. The firm wasfounded 34 years ago in 1976 by President/CEOBill Jordan.

Carol A. Jones, a cor-porate officer at Buckman-

itchell Inc. and CharteredProperty CasualtyUnderwriter (CPCU),has been accepted intoCPCU Societys prestigiousContinuing ProfessionalDevelopment program.

Jones is the VicePresident, Sales & Marketing Manager atBuckman-Mitchell, Inc. and a member ofthe CPCU Society. Jones started her career atBuckman-Mitchell, Inc. in 1984 and received the

CPCU insurance designation in 1998. She hasan Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) and hasearned a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)designation.

The CPD program recognizes CPCU profes-sionals who are making a special voluntary effortto keep their knowledge current and their skillssharp through career-enhancing activities. Jonesis also an instructor for the Insurance Institute ofAmerica (INS series) at Buckman-Mitchell, Inc.

Founded in 1919, Buckman-Mitchell is oneof the largest independent insurance agencies inthe West and employs over 80 licensed insuranceprofessionals. It has been named to the presti-gious Top 100 Agencies in America. CliffordH. Dunbar serves as the firms Chairman of theBoard/Chief Executive Officer.

Bill Jordan, President/CEO ofCentury 21Jordan-Link & Company, today honored the

Top 21 Agents for 2009 at Tulareand Kings Countys largest real estatefirm. Jordan-Link & Company had1346 Closed Transaction Sides lastyear.

Salesperson of the Year wasMulti-Million Dollar Producer MikeBishop according to Jordan, whomade the presentation at Visalias

Lampliter Inn during a companybreakfast.

Number two in production for2009 was Lino Pimentel, followedclosely by Luis D. Mota, SherryBishop and Carol Marchant.

Others in the Top 21 were NancyTollack, Rito Valero, Randy Wood,Peggy Wilson, Tammy Johnston,Terry Cheeseborough, Patty Decker,Sam Sciacca, Hector Martinez,Margarita Mota, Matt Thompson,Luis A. Mota, Robert Cortez,Cynthia Kennemer, Tony Keller andMargaret Lupercio.

We are extremely pleased tohonor these top producers for 2009,

said Jordan, who founded the firm in1976. The professionalism, dedica-tion and hard work demonstrated byeveryone in our organization servesour clients well.

Jordan-Link is celebrating their 34thAnniversary this year. The company has morethan 120 agents with offices in Visalia andTulare.

The Cabrillo Civic Club of Tulare County#12 will be hosting the State Board Meeting andScholarship Screening on April 15, 16, and 17for California Civic Clubs. The three-day event,themed Wings of Hope, will include a golftournament on Thursday, Scholarship Screening

on Friday, and on Saturday evening, the StateMeeting and Dinner/Ball including both a liveand silent auction. All funds raised will beshared equally between the Lupus Foundation of

America and our youth scholarship fund. This isthe first time that Cabrillo Clubs have ever raisedmonies in the name of the Lupus Foundationof America. 2010 marks a banner year as theFood and Drug Administration has just clearedthe third and final trial for the first drug in 50years that will be solely used for the treatmentof Lupus. There are many ways to participate inthis worthy cause; donate an item for the auc-tion, play in the golf tournament, be a hole spon-sor, attend the Dinner Dance, or all of the above.For more information, please contact CherylBorba at 688-7162.

Tulare County will have the blues in April -blue ribbons that is - as the Tulare County Child

Abuse Prevention Counciland CASA of Tulare Countylaunch the 15th annual BlueRibbon Campaign and pinpledge.

The Tulare County ChildAbuse Prevention Counciland Court Appointed SpecialAdvocates (CASA) of TulareCounty are launching the campaign and pinpledge in honor of April as National ChildAbuse Prevention & Awareness Month. Thisyears focus is neglect.

If enough people in Tulare County committo wearing a blue ribbon every day in April andexplain what it means, it will make a huge dif-ference, said Billie Shawl, coordinator of theTulare County Child Abuse Prevention Council.

The pin pledge allows people to sign a pledgecard that they will wear a blue ribbon or bluepin each day of the month in April. Ribbonsand pins have been distributed throughout thecounty including at city councils and the TulareCounty Board of Supervisors. People who would

like blue ribbons or pins, may call 735-0456.Last year, there were 10,786 reports of sus-pected child abuse in Tulare County. Forty-threepercent of those cases alleged neglect, which isthe failure of a caregiver to provide a childs basicneeds. Neglect includes failure to provide food,shelter, appropriate supervision, medical or men-tal health treatment, education, emotional needsand psychological care. Signs of child neglectinclude: Wearing clothes that are dirty or not suitable

for the weather Unwashed appearances or offensive body odor Indications of hunger such as asking for or

stealing food Lack of supervision

Untreated colds, fevers or rashes School children who are frequently absent or

late.To report suspected child abuse 24 hours a

day, Tulare County residents can call the ChildWelfare Services Hotline at 1-800-331-1585.For more information on the 15th annual BlueRibbon Campaign, contact Billie Shawl at 735-0456.

Tulare United Methodist Church 2ndAnnual WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION.Dinner-Silent Auction-Concert. Saturday May8, 2010. 5pm-6:30pn - Dinner and silent auc-tion. 7pm - 8pm - Concert with our Church

Praise Band One Accord. $25.00 per person.Proceeds will support our restoration projectsfor our 100+ year old Church, our 1921 AustinPipe Organ and our Youth programs. For more

information and to purchase tickets, please call:686-8523

Don Gilles, ChiefExecutive Officer andPresident ofValley BusinessBankannounced todaythat Bill Kitchen has joined

the bank as Executive VicePresident and Chief CreditOfficer. Bill will assume theresponsibilities previouslyheld by Allan Stone, who iscurrently serving as Executive Vice President andChief Operating Officer for the Bank.

Bill is well known in Tulare, Kings andFresno counties and will be a valuable asset tous as the bank grows. His thirty plus years ofbanking experience will certainly broaden theknowledge base of our management team andwill serve our customers well, said Gilles.

Bill is a graduate of John Brown Universityand Pacific Coast Banking School and has alsobeen actively involved in many community

organizations. He is Past Director of the VisaliaCounty Center Rotary and Past President ofVisalians Interested in Affordable Housing.

Bill resides in Visalia with his wife, Jody.They have two adult children, Jori and Jill.

Valley Business Bank, a full-service com-mercial banking institution, was established in1996 and has been serving the banking needs ofits neighbors and friends for 14 years. The Bankoperates through conveniently located offices inVisalia, Fresno, Tulare, Tipton, and Woodlake,and can be found on the Internet at www.val-leybusinessbank.net. Valley Business Bank: OurBusiness is Your Success

Tulare Emergency Aid Council presents the1st Annual Chili and Ribs Cook-Off on April17, 2010. This event will be at Zumwalt Parkin beautiful downtown Tulare. Entry fee andpre-registration is $35. Registration on the dayof the event is $50. For more information andregistration forms, go to

The Tulare Western High School ColorGuard and Drum Line presents Its all aboutYOU raffle fundraiser. Tickets are $5.00each and will give you an opportunity to winone of these items or services: 6 months GymMembership for 2 at Evolutions, $100 gift cer-tificate from #1 Sports Fan, Car Wash certificatefrom Kwik N Kleen, Haagen-Dazs Ice CreamBasket, Teeth Whitening from Dr. Moran, and

many more prizes! Drawing to be held April 16,2010. For tickets and information, please con-tact Hilda at Dj Vu, 303-7620 or Gerri Souza-VanLeeuwen, 303-2483

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome RitchieBros. Auctioneers as a new member. In 1958, the three Ritchiebrothers conductedtheir first unreservedauction, selling$2,000 of surplusinventory fromtheir furniture store to pay a bank debt. Excited by this success,the brothers began conducting more regular auctions. They soonprogressed beyond furniture, and in 1963, conducted their firstunreserved industrial auction, selling more than $600,000 worthof equipment. As demand for the companys unreserved auctionservices increased, Ritchie Bros. began to expand across North

America, conducting their first United States auction in 1970.Ritchie Bros. is now the worlds largest industrial auctioneer, sell-ing more equipment to on-site and online bidders than any othercompany in the world. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada,Ritchie Bros. has more than 110 locations worldwide, with 40auction sites, including their newest location in Tipton. They sella broad range of used and unused equipment for the construc-tion, transportation, agricultural material handling, mining, forestry,petroleum, and marine industries. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers isproud to have maintained their principles of treating customers fairlyand maintaining the highest standard of business ethics for over50 years. For more information, please call 752-3343 or visit their

website at www.rbauction.com.

New Member - Ritchie Bros.Auctioneers

lare Chamber of Commerceis happy to welcome DanesVideo Productions as a newmember. Dane Fagundes is along-time Tularean and a gradu-ate of Tulare Western High

School. He spent four years inthe Marines after graduation.Dane began shooting videoas a hobby in 1982, during AYSO games forStraw Hat Pizza. His real job was for an autoparts distributor here in Tulare. By the late80s, Dane found himself starting up his own

video business. Danes Video Productionsspecializes in weddings but is willing to videoother special events, such as graduations,and most recently, the Tulare Chamber ofCommerces Annual Banquet. Danes VideoProductions offers high quality and profes-sional video service to preserve your specialmoments. For more information, please call

Dane at 688-0156.

New Member - Danes VideoProductions

Dane Fagundes

Carol A. Jones

Lino Pimentel

Sherry Bishop

Luis D. Mota

Mike Bishop

Carol Marchant

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcomeLoves Travel Stops & Country Stores as a new mem-ber. Founded in 1964by Tom Love, LovesTravel Stops is head-quartered in OklahomaCity, Oklahoma andremains family-ownedand operated. Lovesis currently ranked 15thon Forbes Magazines annual listing of Americas largestprivately-held companies. With more than 200 locationsin over 30 states, Loves current growth rate is 15 storesper year, and that includes a new location now open inTulare. In addition to being able to fuel your car or dieseltruck, you can grab a sandwich at Subway or a cheese-burger at Mc Donalds, both conveniently located insideLoves. Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores alsooffers merchandise and quick snacks inside their stores.Loves takes pride in having well-organized and cleanfacilities where you will always be greeted with excel-lent service and a smile. From that first filing station inWatonga, OK, the Loves commitment has remained thesame: Clean Places, Friendly Faces. Visit TularesLoves Travel Stops & Country Store at 2700 South

Blackstone. Their phone number is 686-1400.

New Member - Loves TravelStops & Country Stores

Bill Kitchen

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page 4 April 2010 tulare chamber the updateNETwORKING OPPORTUNITIES

AprilCalendarAprilCalendar The Chamber is always pleased to help our members celebrate new beginnings

with ribbon cutting ceremonies and networking opportunities.

The Leadership Tulare Class of 2010 on

the steps of our State Capitol.

Employment Connection celebrated the grand open-ing of their new location with a ribbon cutting. Guestsenjoyed catering by Hazels Kitchen, tours of thefacility, and wonderful door prizes. Whether you arean employer looking for employees or a job-seeker,Employment Connection can help you. Some benefitsto working with Employment Connection include cus-tomized training programs, short term on-line classes,and 50% wage reimbursement and hiring tax credits.This is truly a one-stop center where business and

talent connect. Employment Connection is locatedat 115 East Tulare Avenue. Their business hours areMonday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more infor-mation, call 684-1987 or visit their website at www.employmentconnection.org.

Thank you to Evolutions Fitness and WellnessCenter for hosting our March mixer.

Those in attendance enjoyedposing for professional photos,great food and drink fromFugazzis, and a fun game ofBingo. Guests networked and

mingled as they tried to filltheir Bingo cards for a chanceto win a 6-month membershipto Evolutions. A Power-Pointpresentation about the develop-ment of our new hospital wasviewed on a large screen. TulareRegional Medical Centers CEOShawn Bolouki and BoardPresident, Dr. Kumar, werethere to answer questions. Doorprizes included gift certificatesfrom Huckleberrys, Cool HandLukes, and La Quinta Inn &Suites. Evolutions is located at1425 East Prosperity Avenue andis open everyday.

3 Tulare Chamber o CommerceCars on K- car show.Downtown Tulare on K Street Show: 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Cars, Motorcycles, vendors, foodetc. Registration fees: Cars $25; Motorcycles$20. Check-in at San Joaquin Ave. & K Street,7-9:30 a.m.

12 Tulare Chamber o CommerceGovernmental Aairs Committeemeets 12 noon at Apple Annies in Tulare.

Information: 686-154713 Tulare Chamber o Commerce

Ambassadorsmeets 12 noon at various locations. For loca-tion and information call 686-1547

14 Tulare Chamber o CommerceBoard meeting, Chamber Ofce, 4 p.m. Forinformation: 686-1547

14 Mixerat Chilis Grill & Bar, 1292 East Prosperity,5:30-7 p.m.

15 Bereavement Support Group7-8:30 p.m. at the Tulare Regional MedicalCenter, Allied Service Building, 869 NorthCherry St. Free and open to adults who haveexperienced the death of a loved one. Forinformation call 685-3404.

15 Tulare County Cabrillo CivicClub #12 Gol Tournamentbenetting the Lupus Foundation of Americaand Cabrillo State Scholarship Fund. Shotgunstart at 1 pm at the Tulare Golf Course $85 perperson Four Person Scramble. Sponsorshipsare still available. More information: John

Tamariz 686-5140 or jmtamriz@pacbell.net17 Tulare Emergency Aid1st Annual Chili/Rib cook oZumwalt Park, in downtown Tulare, TulareAvenue & M Street. $35.00-$50.00 day ofevent. Contact: www.emergencyaid.com ordan@visaliaharp.com or Dan Harp 972-0411

17 Butterfy Ball Dinner Dancebenetting the Lupus Foundation of Americaand Cabrillo State Scholarship Fund. 7 pm to12 am cost is $35.00 per person. More infor-mation: Greg of Cheryl Borba 688-7162

17 Blood DriveBloodmobile to visit Tulare Emergency AidCouncils Chili and Rib Cookoff. ZumwaltPark in downtown Tulare, corner of TulareAve. & M Street, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All donorswill receive a free T-shirt plus a variety ofdiscounts from Valley businesses. More in-formation: Dan Harp (559) 972-0411 or DarlaSilvera (559) 288-6319

17-18 Antique Farm Equipment ShowInformation; (559) 688-1751 or 800-999-9186

24 Valley Oak Garden, Home Tour

11 am to 4 pm, tickets are $20.00 each. Moreinformation: Marisa at 686-6809 or 972-1077or Bernice at 686-4681

24 Ribbon Cutting / Open Houseat Dillyns, 210 East Tulare, 5 p.m.

28 Farmer o the Year LunchMore information soon.

30 Gol TournamentTulare Police Benet Association is hosting afundraising golf tournament at 11 a.m. at theValley Oaks Golf Course, 1800 South PlazaSt., Visalia. Four-man scramble. Shotgun start.Prizes. Registration fee: $400, includes greenfees, range balls, gift bag and dinner. Proceedsused for youth activities and scholarships.Information: Greg Merrill, 786-8452; BryanMoore, 358-6301; or Patrick ODonohoe

30 Blood DriveTulare Western High School Blood Drive,Tulare Western High Mini Gym, 824 W.Maple, Tulare, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donorswill receive a commemorative T-shirt plus avariety of discounts from Valley businesses.Information: Steve Amundson, (559) 686-8751or Darla Silvera (559) 288-6319.

Thank you to Tulares Best Western Town & CountryLodge and Tony Cota for hosting our New MemberReception. This gathering brought together our new-est Chamber members, Ambassadors, staff, and BoardMembers. Patty Rocha, Chair of the Board, gave a pre-sentation explaining how to get the most out of Chambermembership. Details about the benefits of attendingChamber events, networking, Circles of Excellence, andour Ambassador program, were also explained. Guestsenjoyed delicious pizza from new member, Tonys Pizza.The Tulare Chamber of Commerce sponsored this lun-cheon and it was free to all in attendance.

Ambassadorof the Month

Siobhan LeMay of Employment Connectionwas named our Ambassador of the Month forFebruary. Siobhan faithfully attends ambas-sador meetings, ribbon cuttings, and mixers.The Chamber is lucky to have an ambassa-dor like her. For more information about the

Ambassador Program, please call 686-1547.