Bab's Pizzeria Celebrates at New Location

The Chamber Ambassadors celebrated with co-owners and mother and daughter B.J. Tietjen and Babs Tietjen (pictured cutting the ribbon). The owners welcome the community to “come get a slice of New York” at their new location on Highway 2, next to the MountainWest Financial Center in Sandpoint and invite everyone to their grand opening this Friday, March 27th from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant not only serves delicious pizza but appetizers, heros, soups and salads, pasta dishes, and more. They are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call 265-7992.

Bonner County Career Fair Set for April 29th

With over 750 job seekers last year, organizers of the 2009 Career Fair expect continued growth at the 4th annual Career Fair slated for April 29th at the Bonner Mall. The event is designed to support businesses with their workforce needs and is open to businesses and organizations in the North Idaho region.

“This Career Fair is especially important to promote economic development by matching employers with job seekers,” said Sandpoint Office Manager Bridgette Bradshaw-Fleer of the Idaho Department of Labor, which is hosting the event with the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. “Although the economy is tough, businesses have available to them one of the largest pools of highly qualified and skilled workers in years. We hope the Bonner County Career Fair will help to boost employment in this area.”

New this year are a couple of free workshops leading up to the event for both employers and job seekers. On April 17th the Chamber’s Business Development committee hosts How to Make the Most of the Career Fair as a free workshop to help employers in recruiting efforts at the fair. On April 23rd, the Idaho Department of Labor hosts Job Search Workshop for Job Seekers – Preparing for the Career Fair as an all day event to help job seekers standout against other candidates.

The event is sponsored by Horizon Credit Union, Litehouse Inc., 95.3 KPND, and Bonner County Daily Bee. Organizers are running an early bird special for businesses until April 8th, so businesses are encouraged to register early.

To learn more about job listing information, please contact the Idaho Department of Labor at (209) 263-7544 and for registration for the Career Fair, contact the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at (208) 263-0887 or visit http://sandpointchamber.org/careerfair.html.

Building the Next Project Success Business - One Nail at a Time

Starting a business is one of the most rewarding, and yet most challenging, ventures one can take. The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development committee understands the challenges faced by businesses and entrepreneurs and strives to support them through educational workshops and mentoring partnerships, including Project Success.

“Project Success is an individual mentorship program for a selected business,” said Michael Aerni, chairman of the committee. “We help provide the tools and resources necessary for long-term growth,” he said.

The 2008 Project Success selected candidate Dr. Mika Tsongas, owner of Green Mountain Medicine, handed the “hammer” to the 2009 business owner Michelle Anderson, FNP, owner of Pend Oreille Health Care at the Chamber’s March Power Luncheon.

"I look forward to learning further about the business end of health care with the assistance of a great mentoring group such as the individuals who are part of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's Business Development Committee,” said Anderson. “They all have a different aspect of business experience that I am sure will bring a lot to my practice. I am honored to be the selected candidate," she said.

To learn more about the resources available to your business, contact the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at (208) 263-0887 or visit www.SandpointChamber.com.

Photo Caption: Pictured is Michelle Anderson, FNP, owner of Pend Oreille Health Care, receiving the Project Success hammer as the 2009 Project Success candidate from Dr. Mika Tsongas of Green Mountain Medicine, last year’s candidate. On right is Michael Aerni, chairman of the Chamber’s Business Development committee who runs this successful mentorship program for businesses.

Shane Parsons Recognized as Volunteer of the Month

For the last five years, the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center has been blessed by Shane Parsons, an individual who wears many hats throughout the community – but most notably wears a big smile and brings laughter and joy wherever he goes.

On March 12, 2009 the Chamber honored Shane for his volunteer contributions to the Chamber. He comes every Thursday afternoon to help with a variety of tasks. From helping load heavy boxes of brochures to cleaning the outside windows, Shane has been instrumental in keeping the offices in order and spreading cheer in the workplace.

“If he’s not talking about skiing the slopes at Schweitzer, he’s talking about riding the CorkScrew at Silverwood Theme Park or his latest bowling scores,” said the Chamber’s operations manager Corrie Greene. “Shane is our ‘buddy’ and is a hard worker who does a phenomenal job,” she said.

Shane volunteers through Panhandle Special Needs, a noteworthy nonprofit organization providing employment services for people who want to work and need assistance finding the right match for their skills and abilities.

“We are grateful that Panhandle Special Needs helps Shane come to our offices each week,” said executive director Amy Little. “Thank you, Shane, for your energy and excitement each and every week. You are a shining star.”

Photo Caption: Pictured is Shane Parsons receiving the award for Volunteer of the Month from the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce staff. From left is programs & communications manager Heather Bennett, executive director Amy Little, and on right operations manager Corrie Greene.