Go for the Gold, our Total Resource Campaign 2008

Dear Chamber Members,

This year the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a two-fold PR campaign and fundraising effort called the Total Resource Campaign. We have themed it "Go for the Gold" in honor of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The campaign begins September 3, and ends officially at 12noon on September 30th. We will host our opening ceremony during the lunch hour on the 3rd and have weekly Medal Ceremonies until our closing ceremony on October 1.

The Board of Directors has set a goal of $20,000 to be raised through sales of memberships and sponsorships for various Chamber programs and services. If the Chamber reaches its goal, I have agreed to allow our members to vote on something they want to see me do. Kind of in the same spirit of the coach shaving his head when the team wins the state championship, but I just don't think I'll look good bald.

The most wonderful part of this campaign is that our volunteers will be paid for their efforts. They will receive 10% of whatever they bring in to the Chamber. In addition, if our teams and volunteers raise over $20,000 all those who have sold something during the campaign will be entered to win a $1000 bonus.

There will also be prizes and giveaways and recognition along the way. This is meant to be fun AND rewarding to our volunteers. More details will be provided as we get closer to the start.

In the meantime, please submit your vote for "WWAD" (what will Amy do?). The top 3 vote getters will be put in a hat and on October 1 will be drawn at the closing ceremony. If we reach our goal, you will find out what I am going to do.

Thanks to everyone who continues to support the Chamber. My door is always open (actually, I don't even have a door!) so please let me know your thoughts and suggestions for the future of the Chamber.

So many things, so little time!

It's the fourth of July weekend! Get out there and enjoy. We have so many wonderful events this weekend (from the www.sandpointonline.com calendar):

JULY
3 Faith and Freedom Celebration. Panida Theater hosts the event, sponsored by the Christian Faith and Freedom Coalition, at 7 p.m. 208-263-9191

4 Fourth of July. The Lions Club sponsors this celebration with a parade in downtown Sandpoint at 10 a.m., plus stage performances and a fireworks show at City Beach. 208-263-0887

4 Jazz Club Music. Three Glasses Wine Bar and Restaurant, 202 1/2 First St., hosts jazz piano and bass duo Bill Reid and Larry Hanna on jazz piano and bass duo from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 208-265-0230

5 Sandpoint Fly-in. The Sandpoint Airport hosts the third annual Sandpoint Fly-in from 7 a.m. to noon. The fly-in includes displays dozens of unique planes and a pancake breakfast. The event is open to the public. Sponsored by the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. 208-255-9954

5-6 Bird Aviation Museum Open House Weekend. The Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center hosts an Open House and 1st Birthday Celebration from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. During this special event, there will be fly-ins at the Bird Airstrip, and special guests including aviators and inventors will be at the museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. The Shriners will be hosting a cookout, and there will be scavenger hunts and activities. Museum admission is free. Click to view a press release detailing the full line-up of special guests and events, or visit BirdAviationMuseum.com. 208-255-4321

5 Summer Sounds. This free, summer-long concert series features Bright Moments Trio, performing from noon to 2 p.m. at Park Place stage, located at First and Cedar. 208-263-6139

5 Sandpoint Events Center Grand Re-opening Celebration. Sandpoint Events Center, at the corner of Pine and Euclid, will hold an Opening Ceremony at 1:30 p.m., with daylong self-guided tours, a book signing of "Sandpoint School Days - A Photographic Homecoming" with Bob Gunter, food booths, entertainment, free root beer floats and cake, and a free sock hop from 7 p.m. to midnight featuring Kenny and the Cruisers along with a no-host bar provided by Eichardt's. 208-263-7770

5 Winery Music. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 220 Cedar St., hosts Kristi Nelson on soulful blues and folk from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 208-265-8545

5 Alexey Koltakov Piano Recital. A free piano recital by international pianist Alexey Koltakov will be performed at the Panida Theater at 7 p.m. The classical piano recital is sponsored by the family of Paul Rechnitzer in honor of the Sagle resident's 90th birthday. The concert is free and open to the public; donations at the door go to the Bonner County Historical Society. Read a press release about the event, and learn more about Koltakov, a prize-winning pianist, by visiting his Web site at www.koltakov.com. 817-228-8948

5 Cellar Music. Stage Right Cellars, 302 N. 1st Ave., hosts Vance Bergeson on original jazz and blues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 208-265-8116

5 Jazz Club Music. Three Glasses Wine Bar and Restaurant, 202 1/2 First St., hosts jazz piano and bass duo Bill Reid and Larry Hanna from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 208-265-0230

6 Sunday Concerts on the Lawn. The POAC sponsors this free live concert series featuring Generations at the Dover Bay Marina at 2 p.m. Click to read a press release. 208-263-6139

6 Matsiko. The Panida Theater hosts the Uganda Children's Choir of the International Children's Network. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. To learn more, click to view a press release. 208-263-9191

And don't forget while you are out and about to support our local businesses!

Happy Fourth of July!

Sincerely,


Amy Little