Greater Sandpoint Chamber welcomes AskSam Computer Services

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed AskSam Computer Services to the Chamber. Sam McGlothlin started AskSam Computer Services in 2009 and has been going strong ever since.

As a 30 year Sandpoint resident, he studied at University of Idaho after graduating high school here in Sandpoint. His passion for computer technology started at a young age; he spent countless hours in the computer lab learning all he could about computers and programming.

“I have a lot of hard earned experience in many different areas, but through it all, I have been the computer guy, the problem solver, the guy that people call when they need something done,” said Sam. “I am different from the other computer repair shops in town because I will work on most anything computer related including older computer systems.”

With more than 20 years of computer experience in computer repair and maintenance, Sam is extremely knowledgeable with common day computer woes and the more complex hardware issues that makes one pull their hair out. Sam has worked for three different Sandpoint companies as an IT manager, traveled and worked in several different countries so he has seen it all.

“My customers are mostly residential and small businesses, because I like to give one on one service. I will make sure that you understand what the problems are in a language you will understand.”

Sam provides his customers with various services: house calls, data recovery of all kinds, free diagnostics, hardware and software upgrades of all kinds, and software and program training. He is not solely a PC shop as he can work on Mac computers as well. Sam offers the cheapest rate in town and will charge you by the job and not by the hour. To top it off, Sam will not charge you if he cannot solve the problem. His policies show he stands by his services and his work.

“Viruses have become the number one problem for computers today,” explained Sam. “I can remove all viruses and install a new free Antivirus program. Slow and poor running computers are a sign that you need a major cleaning to get rid of a bunch of internet garbage that you have been unintentionally collecting. Heat is one of the biggest computer killers today. Dust removal can be dangerous for your health and your computers health if you do not know how to do it right.  Let me do it for you.”

*SPECIAL* Until further notice, Tuesdays are 50% off. If you bring your computer into the shop on a Tuesday, he will fix your computer for half price. House calls are not included in this discount.

AskSam Computer Services is located downtown at the corner of 3^rd and Pine St. next to the new bike shop. Normal hours of operation are 8:30am to 5:00pm weekdays however he does make service calls. For more information, visit Sam at his office, email ask4sam@live.com or call 208-610-8573 and ask for Sam.

In Photo: Owner Sam McGlothlin and family members are welcomed to the Chamber with Chamber Ambassador Carol Warren.

Chamber Honors Panhandle Animal Shelter

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Panhandle Animal Shelter as July’s Business of the Month. The Panhandle Animal Shelter is proud to serve our community by providing a haven for the lost, abandoned, neglected and abused animals of Bonner County. Last year 1400 dogs and cats entered through their doors and they helped 1383 find new homes or their “lost” families.

The dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers who work at the shelter every day are focused on providing a nurturing environment with the goal to help them leave the shelter promptly either through owner returns or adoptions. It is because of this focus they have been successful in reducing our average animal length of stay in half since January 2011.  

“We work to help control our animal population by advocating spaying and neutering,” explained Executive Director Mandy Evans. She added, “Our animals are ‘fixed’, vaccinated and micro-chipped prior to adoption and we provide low income coupons to families who cannot afford to neuter/spay their family pets. Our food bank supplies over a half ton of donated dog and cat food to families requiring temporary assistance feeding their animals.”

Their organization does not receive state or federal tax funding; they are a private 501(c)3 non-profit and the flagship animal shelter for Northern Idaho. The shelter serves various needs in our community. They are the only stray dog drop off location in our area. A majority of their canine occupants came in as strays and are waiting for their families to pick them up. In addition, Panhandle Animal Shelter supports activities that encourage the human-animal bond. Many reports and statistics demonstrate the positive outcome of this mutually beneficial relationship. Their dogs leave the shelter each week to visit senior centers, rehabilitation centers, and the Bonner County Library in Sandpoint for the PAWS to Read program which allows children to read to an unbiased listener, a dog.

“We sincerely appreciate our community’s support of our thrift store,” added Mandy. “The thrift store provides quality merchandise to those in need and in return funds a large portion of our animal shelter. Our manager, Christy Syth, has been with us for almost a year and has done an amazing job stabilizing our pricing and keeping fresh merchandise on the floor.”

“Our animals are lucky to temporarily reside in an amazing building located 870 Kootenai Cut-off Road in Ponderay,” said Mandy. “We invite you to visit the shelter during regular business hours seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 12p to 5:30p and Sundays 12p to 4:30p.”

Your continued support of Panhandle Animal shelter with your monetary gifts and/or by volunteering is greatly appreciated by the staff and animals of the shelter. Your help makes a difference in the lives of dogs, cats and their owners.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Panhandle Animal Shelter for their success and thanking them for their commitment and service to our community. For more information, visit them at 870 Kootenai Cut-Off Road in Ponderay or call them at 208-265-PAWS (7297).

In Photo: Panhandle Animal Shelter Executive Director, Mandy Evans, accepts the award with Chamber President, Kate McAlister and Chamber Ambassador, Ken Wood.

Chamber Women In Business Host 4th Annual Conference

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Women In Business Committee is pleased to present the 4th Annual Empowering Women In Business Conference: Becoming ‘Better Than Average’. Save the date for Thursday, November 8th. 

Sponsorship is available at a number of levels so that all businesses can participate and early registration starts now. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to promote your business and reach a dynamic group of business owners and employees. Sponsors range from $100-250 and include at least one complimentary conference attendance pass, exhibitor booth and promotion and advertising. There are very cost effective ways to get some exposure and promotion outside of the traditional sponsorship: provide a Raffle Item of minimum value of $25 or an item(s) for the attendee Welcome Bags.

This conference offers a premier stage to promote your business, be amongst like-minded professionals, and learn valuable tools to apply towards your business. The purpose of the Empowering Women In Business Conference is to enhance leadership skills, provide networking opportunities, as well as provide an educational platform for attendees. Cost of conference attendance is $55 for Chamber Members and $65 for Non-Chamber Members.

The conference will be held at the Coldwater Creek Auditorium on Thursday, November 8, from 8:30AM- 3:30PM. The Chamber would like to thank this year's Diamond Sponsor, STCU.

The conference is now taking registration for attendees, as well as sponsors. For more information about the sponsorships, the conference, and how to register, please call (208) 263-2161 or visit http://sandpointchamber.org.