Chamber Honors Ponderay Garden Center

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recognizes Ponderay Garden Center at September’s Business of the Month. They pride themselves as being an example of what can happen when agricultural space meets city expansion and when vision is combined with a sense of community. Their community centric focus allows them to prosper and help others do the same.

Watch Ponderay Garden Center accept their award here >>

Last summer they held another successful Concert for a Cause series, in conjunction with Horizon Credit Union, and was able to give out checks totaling $10,000 this year to non-profits including Friends of Ponderay Bay Trail, Panida Theater, Kinderhaven, Forest Bird Charter School and more. These free concerts are open to everyone and raise money by donations. Other annual events the Ponderay Garden Center hold are the Garden of Artistry and Easter Egg Hunt.

When general manager Kevin Mansoor was asked why and how is their staff is so good, he answered, “I give my staff free reign to go above and beyond.”

Their venue is 9.5 acres and open to events of all kinds. They’re open through the month of October from 8am-4pm before closing down and preparing for next year.

Information: Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Ponderay Garden Center in being honored as September’s Business of the Month. For more information or to reach out to them, call 208-255-4200 or visit www.ponderaygarden.com.

  

In Photo: left to right Clem Hackworthy, Angeline Ramsay, Kevin Mansoor and Ken Wood. 

Lewis-Clark State College and NIC Team Up

LEWISTON, Idaho – With the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon this summer in Sandpoint, Lewis-Clark State College embarked on a new cooperative initiative with North Idaho College (NIC).

In fall 2012, North Idaho College completed an extensive renovation of the old Sandpoint High School with the aim to accommodate a new administrative and classroom center for NIC.  The center, called NIC at Sandpoint, was completed in response to growing student enrollment from Boundary and Bonner counties and NIC’s commitment to offer a full associate’s degree in North Idaho by fall 2013.

“The next logical step was to offer bachelor’s degrees,” explained Rocky Owens, Director of LCSC-Coeur d’Alene.

Noting that LCSC maintains a historical tradition to serve outreach students with bachelor’s degrees, Sandpoint public officials, state legislators, and NIC administration encouraged LCSC to consider a presence in Idaho’s northernmost counties.  LCSC-CDA has been an active supporter and partner with NIC in offering degree opportunities in Coeur d’Alene for some 30 years and will continue to support efforts to increase transfer opportunities for Sandpoint students.  While the CDA Center continues to serve as the hub of operations for Region 1, LCSC-CDA officials believe that opportunities exist to expand LC’s presence in Sandpoint by maintaining a staff presence there, increasing institutional marketing, and facilitating course delivery technology to make LCSC courses more accessible.

As part of the initiative, during the fall 2013 semester LCSC-CDA will offer an on-site class in Sandpoint that fulfills an upper division core requirement for all LCSC bachelor’s degrees.  LCSC-CDA will also be offering instruction via video conferencing and sharing office and classroom space with NIC.  LCSC-CDA advisors will regularly be on-hand, making contact with current and future students.

At the dedication ceremony in Sandpoint, LCSC President J. Anthony (Tony) Fernández emphasized the importance of ties between North Idaho College and LCSC.

“This is just another example of the close relationship between NIC and LCSC,” said Fernández. “We value this relationship and look forward to doing more, along with NIC, for the citizens of Region 1.”

Fernández and Owens, along with Lori Stinson, LCSC Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chet Herbst, LCSC Vice President for Finance and Administration, Kathy Martin, LCSC Dean for Community Programs and Governmental Relations, NIC President Joe Dunlap, NIC Vice President Ron Dorn, and members of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee gathered at the Sandpoint center for the occasion.

Owens called the ceremony, “recognition of future things to come with regard to what we can build in Sandpoint.”  

Photo attached (left – right):  Ron Dorn, Joe Dunlap, J. Anthony (Tony) Fernández, Kathy Martin, and Chet Herbst

Chamber Honors Barb Schriber as Volunteer of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Barb Schriber as August’s Volunteer of the Month. In addition to raising two young boys and running a family construction business with her husband, she commits an enormous amount of hours to the Chamber.

Click here to watch Barb accept her award>>

“Although she is not pink, our volunteer of the month bares a striking resemblance to the Energizer Bunny at times,” explained Chamber Board Member, Amy Whalen.

Barb’s role in the Chamber is large. Currently, she is the chair of the Business Development Committee, a board member and actively chairs the board’s fundraising committee. Through the Business Development Committee, she’s implemented a number of new and innovative programs that help our local business community both learn and grow so they can contribute and be strong prosperous businesses. Barb was the driving force behind the success of the Chamber’s Ultimate Raffle.

“Her force of will often time was the catalyst that kept us moving forward and to a successful conclusion,” enlightened Amy.

Barb brings a lot to any organization she involves herself with. She always has a positive attitude, never shies away from a challenge and is first to raise her hand when something needs to get done. The only flaw her peers can pin on her is the inability to say no, but no one plans to try to correct her inability to do so. Barb and Selle Valley Construction also support and contribute to Panhandle Building Contractors Association, Head Start, Kinderhaven, Angels over Sandpoint, Bonner County Rodeo and Bonner County Fair.

“She makes me want to work harder and contribute more,” commended Amy.

Upon receiving the award, Barb told the crowd at the luncheon that, “this is one of my favorite parts about Sandpoint, we’re big enough to have great events and organizations yet small enough anyone with a little time and inability to say no can be a part of our community and make a difference.” Barb then added, “I’m humbled and honored, thank you very much.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Barb Schriber for being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking her for all of her contributions to our community and Chamber. From the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, as well as the whole community, Thank You Barb! 

Photo: Barb Schriber accepts the award from Chamber President, Kate McAlister.

Leadership Sandpoint and CAL team up to help Kinerhaven

Kinderhaven has a new base for its play area, thanks to the Leadership Sandpoint Class of 2012-2014 and a generous grant from the Community Assistance League. Leadership Sandpoint, a program of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, has a goal to motivate leaders toward greater involvement in our community and make a direct impact through projects. Assisting Kinderhaven with a much needed upgrade was a proud moment for the current Leadership Sandpoint class.

On July 2, eleven Leadership Sandpoint class members provided over 50 hours of hard labor, on what was the hottest day of the summer. Over 10,000 pounds of rubberized mulch was moved and spread. A forklift donated by Sun Rental of Sandpoint assisted, but each bag then needed to be hoisted over a fence and another 50 feet to the 43 x 22 foot play area. After the site was cleaned of old mulch and prepped with weed-proof fabric and new edging, then the new mulch was spread.

The rubberized playground mulch provides a safe play surface, doesn't decompose and never freezes, which means it will be around for a long time.  Additionally, the 130 feet of new rubberized edging replaced the old decaying wood edging, making the play area safer and keeps the new mulch in place.

“This project is especially meaningful to Kinderhaven because our play area offers the wonderful opportunity for unstructured play, which is extremely therapeutic for the children in our care,” stated Phyllis Horvath, Kinderhaven Executive Director.   “Abuse leaves deep wounds in its aftermath, affecting areas such as brain development, self-concept, and the ability to form healthy attachments.  Play is so essential for the development of all children, and especially so for ours.  It helps them begin to heal and, at the same time, have fun — just getting to be kids!” continued Horvath.

The project was funded by a 2013 grant from the Community Assistance League, which also provided a 2012 grant for the swings, monkey bars, and rings, in the play area.  So the entire play area was funded, built, and finished by community members.  

“This project was a great opportunity for the Leadership Sandpoint Class to work with Kinderhaven to provide an important improvement to their facilities,’ stated the Class President Eric Grace.  “The programs offered by Kinderhaven are vital to our community, so it was great that we could help out in this small way.”

Leadership Sandpoint is a program which identifies leaders in the Greater Sandpoint area and provides them an interactive experience to gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a citizen-leader in our multi-faceted community. Each class selects one service project to be completed during the program and fundraises to benefits their project or a cause the class chooses to support. For more information, contact the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at 263-2161 or leadership@sandpointchamber.com.

Photo: Leadership Sandpoint class and Kinderhaven employees pose for photo at Kinderhaven taken after the project was completed. In photo from left to right; Matt Diel, Daniel Moering, Stacey Darley, Crystal Gunter, Mandy Evans, Geraldine Lewis, Karen Robinson, Phyllis Horvath, Tami Stormo, Darcy Bilbo, Eric Grace and Steve Holt.

The Word is….Networking

by Kate McAlister, President/CEO

Networking (n) – The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions.

Whenever the Chamber puts out a survey asking our membership what they would like to see more of, we always hear ‘Networking’.  Which we offer at least three opportunities a month with the Women In Business lunch the first Tuesday of the month, our General Membership Luncheon the second Thursday of the month,  and our 5:01 Business After Hours the last Wednesday of every month, hosted each month by a different Chamber member business. In addition to these regularly scheduled opportunities we also have events throughout the year also offering networking opportunities through volunteering and attendance.

Beyond the items identified above, there are a multitude of FREE opportunities throughout your day and week to informally network with others.  Every time you are anywhere, it’s an opportunity to tell people about your business. Informal networking includes friends from a former job, people you meet when recreating, volunteering and community events.

You can also join networking groups online like LinkedIn, where you can connect or link your business and personal contacts as well as join a group specific to your business and interests. In writing this article I went to Google search and typed in “online networking groups”, the Google machine came back with, and I’m not kidding, 129 million results. Now that’s a lot of networking.  Some groups required a fee to join, but most were free and out of 129 million results I’m sure there is something for everyone.

If you don’t know where to start, or you are a little shy, you can follow Dale Carnegie’s basic rules for networking:

• Smile – be approachable.  If you walk round always looking serious and scowling, no one will want to talk to you.  Be friendly, people like to talk to friendly people.  Say ‘good morning’ when you meet someone on the street or at a restaurant or  while attending a community event.

• Ask a question – Think of a question of interest and pose it to the group. It will start a conversation and you never know what the outcome will be.

• Listen - This is often the most difficult lesson since we all like to hear ourselves talk about what we want to talk about.  If you can actively listen and get others to discuss their experiences and opinions you will be amazed at what you might learn about business and even yourself.

• Business Cards – Always, always, always carry your business cards.  You never know when you might need them.  Have your 30 second commercial ready to go.  How do you expect others to understand what you do if you can’t articulate it in a concise manner?  See yourself.

• Remember and say the person’s name – People like to hear their own name.  When you meet someone, use their name, maybe several times during the conversation.  It makes the other person feel more comfortable and willing to share information if you attempt to get to know them.

With all these opportunities available to Network, you will make strong connections wherever you go. 

See you at Farmin Park on June 27^th for Sandpoint’s kickoff to summer, the Summer Sampler.  Let’s Network!  

Chamber Honors Jon Sayler as June 2013 Volunteer of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Jon Sayler as June’s Volunteer of the Month for his service to our community and many of our non-profit organizations. Jon brings his passion for a project into everything he does, whether it's designing someone's dream home, assisting in the design and building a medical facility in Swaziland, raising funds for exchange student programs, installing lighting and advising on building issues at his church or making the dream of community access to a lakeside trail a reality.

Watch Jon accept his award, click here>>

‘Jon's passion is like a force of nature and his joy in the project sweeps his friends and colleagues along with him. Before you realize it, you've rolled up your sleeves alongside him and are in the middle of something wonderful.  He doesn't coerce, wheedle or bribe, his enthusiasm invites you to be a part of something and you find yourself as enthusiastic participant. Case in point, this woman standing before you refuses to apply anything to her car that requires a razor blade to remove and yet my car proudly displays a "Friends of Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail" sticker on the back window.  I guess you could call Jon Sayler the Pied Piper of volunteerism,’ said Anita Aurit.

Jon's community mind set is a gift to Sandpoint. He's that rare form of volunteer, a servant leader. He’s someone who's motivated by a passion for the cause and determined to put project above ego and self-promotion, rolls up his sleeves and invites others into the opportunity to serve. 

Jon's vision and passion has moved a dream of many to make the scenic Pend Oreille Bay Trail accessible to all into a reality. His ability to bring the right people together to make the project happen has resulted in a $75,000.00 grant, a $12,000.00 recent trail fundraiser and the momentum continues. Recently, they were awarded a large influx of grant funds totaling more than $650,000 and the dream of a community lake access trail is far closer than ever before.  

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Jon Sayler for being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking him for all of his contributions to our community. Jon’s hard work has done a lot for many organizations in our community. From the Greater Sandpoint Chamber, as well as the whole community, Thank You!

Photo: Jon Sayler accepts her award from Anita Aurit.

Chamber Welcomes Jupiter Jane Traveling Café

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Laura Calvert-Peitz. Laura, the original Dish Home Cooking, is now pursuing her latest cooking passion with Jupiter Jane Traveling Café, since 2011. Their motto is ‘curbside cooking at its finest.’

Jupiter Jane Traveling Café is currently curbside at 513 Oak St next to the Eureka Institute for the summer season and is open Monday through Saturday, 10am-4ish. They are happy to stay open for parties of 6 or more and open for other reservations in the evening. Also, the café is mobile and ready to cater your business, event, party or reunion at any time!

Customer service and hospitality are Laura’s background and it is also what brought her to Sandpoint from San Francisco. She managed the Coit House Bed & Breakfast and the K2 Inn. Her goal is to serve and feed people. Her easy access, very relaxed atmosphere, and affordable, healthy food options make Jupiter Jane Traveling Café a good option for lunch or dinner. Patrons can enjoy outside dining and eat while they watch their kids play, or dine inside with seating for more than ten people.

There are food options for everyone and every age group, including Gluten Free options. They have a wonderful kale salad and a Jersey sandwich which is grilled chicken, onions, peppers, provolone and basil pesto.

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome Jupiter Jane Traveling Café to the Chamber and wish them success. Get the good food while you can because they are seasonal! See them at the Saturday Market! For more information, find them on Facebook, visit the website at www.jupiterjane.com, email at jupiterjanecafe@yahoo.com, or call 408-759-2033.

In the Photo: Laura Calvert-Peitz and Chamber Ambassadors. 

Service Animals and Your Business

It has come to our attention that many businesses are unaware of the laws and regulations when it comes to service animals and their owners. We are here to help! 

Service animals come in all shapes and sizes. One myth you my believe is they all wear the vests like the dogs in the picture to the left. However, not all service animals wear their vests and by law they are not required to do so. Paperwork or certifications are also not legally required to grant them access into your place of business. 

Defining Service Animals: Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Please click here for more information>>

There are two things which you, a business, may ask when a service animals wishes to enter your place of business. First, you may ask if the dog or service animal is required because of a disability. Secondly, you may ask what work or task the service animal is trained to perform. The latter is a question that can vary quite a lot in answers. In today's world, service animals are used for a variety of things. You may not ask that the dog demonstrate the ability to perform the task, as well as, 

Please, click here to view the most commonly asked questions about service animals in places of business >>

It is illegal, as well has unethical, to misrepresent or fraudulently call your animals a Service Animal or Assistance Dog. 

If you have any questions about service animal requirements of the ADA, you may call the US Department of Justice's Information Line at (800) 514-0301. 

Record Snowpack at Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer’s summit depth reaches 109 inches, deepest early season snowpack on record

Sandpoint, ID – Schweitzer Mountain Resort has been pummeled with over 180 inches of snow this season. The early season snow has allowed Schweitzer to open all 2900 acres of terrain with a village depth of 77 inches and a summit depth of 109 inches. Snow report records dating back to the 82/83 season show this as the deepest early season snowpack on record.

Schweitzer’s Ski Patrol Director, Arlene Cook, has been patrolling at Schweitzer for 30 years and can’t remember a December with this much snow. “Simply put, it feels like February” said Cook. When asked about the season Cook replied “When you can’t count the number of powder days you’ve had in December, you know it’s been a good season.”

Schweitzer is currently enjoying some of the best snow conditions in the nation. With mid-winter snowpack in December, Schweitzer is expecting another outstanding winter. With a season running into April and snow continuing to blanket the resort, Schweitzer is well on its way to eclipsing their average annual snowfall of 300 inches.

“To see 180 inches this early in the season is extraordinary,” said Schweitzer Marketing and Sales Director Dave Kulis. “We are happy to be able to offer midwinter conditions this early on in the year. We are also excited to have these conditions entering the new year!”

Daily snow reports at Schweitzer first began being tracked in 76/77, however didn’t include summit or village snow depths until the 83/84 season. Daily, year-to-date, snow totals weren’t calculated until the 01/02 season. Schweitzer’s 180 inches to date, is the most on record as well.