The Update - Tulare Chamber of Commerce

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www.TulareChamber.org the UpdateUpdateJan. 2014

Published date: Dec. 28, 2013the

Save the Date:

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce exists to serve its members and citizens by advocating for, and engaging in, efforts to encourage economic opportunity and business prosperity.

Officers

Art ClarkImmediate Past Chair

Kohler & Clark Screw Products, Inc

Marie PintoVice Chair ofMembership

Board

Professional Support

Sherrie BakkeTulare Regional Medical Center

Kerissa Postma-ChapmanInternational Agri-Center

Crystal CotaM. Green & Co.

Melissa FreitasValley Business Bank

Shea GowinGowin Green

Linda NoguesBacome Insurance

Manuel Ortiz, Jr.Manuel Ortiz Ag Real Estate

Keith ReynoldsTAE Inc.

Ronald SmithSterling & Smith Funeral Homes

Lonnie TiesieraWill Tiesiera

Ford-Mercury, Inc.

Patrick IsherwoodGovernmental Affairs

Committee Head

Dennis MederosLegal Counsel

Horswill, Mederos, & Soares

Professional StaffKathleen Johnson Chief Executive Officer

Sherry CarsonOffice Manager

Linda HowarthInformation Coordinator

Lauren RosenMarketing and Membership

the Update

is the official monthly publication of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce

220 E. Tulare Ave. , P.O. Box 1435 Tulare, CA 93275-1435 686-1547

email: [email protected]: www.tularechamber.org

For advertising information call:(559) 735-3235

the update is published in partnershipwith the Tulare Advance-Register

Philip SmithChairman of the BoardValley Business Bank

Crystal CotaChair Elect

M. Green & Co.

Mike WatsonVice Chair of Finance

Golden State Paint & Body

Megan MederosInformation Coordinator

January 24 Tulare Chamber Annual Awards Banquet, Heritage Complex, International Agri-Center, 6 pmJanuary 27 Leadership Tulare presents, “Civic and Service Organization Fair,” 6-9 pm at the International Agri-Center Banquet HallFebruary Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting will be canceled this month.February 4 QuickBooks Class, Tulare Chamber Banquet Room, 8am-5pm, $25 for non-members and $20 for members. Registration is required in advance. 559-686-1547February 11-13 World Ag Expo, International Agri-Center February 18 Ambassador Committee Meeting, Tulare Chamber Banquet Room, 8-9 amFebruary 21 Crush Party, 6-9 pm, COS Tulare Campus Building A

Tulare Chamber to honor community leaders at the Annual Awards Banquet

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

JoanneWatte

MAN OF THE YEAR

DennisMederos

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

California Office Liquidators

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

International Agri-Center

Joanne Watte has been an integral part of the communi-ty for many years now. The list of activities and organiza-tions she involves herself in are bountiful and we take pride in the fact that her dedication to Tulare is being recognized on the Chamber’s behalf.

Mrs. Watte has contrib-uted her t ime to educa-tional reform as a member of the COS Foundation for eight years, facilitating with the bond issue and build-ing of the Tulare Campus.

Dennis was born and raised on a dairy farm, west of Tulare. He graduated from Tulare Western High School in 1969, College of the Sequoias in 1971, and University of California, Los Angeles in 1973. He received his law degree from San Joaquin College of Law in Fresno in 1977, and began work at the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office in 1978. In 1980 he joined the law firm of Soares and Rowson. He has practiced in that firm, now named Horswill, Mederos, and Soares for over

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce hosts an Annual Awards Banquet recognizing

individuals and businesses who continuously strive for excellence in the community. The

2014 Banquet will be held on Friday, January 24 at 6:00pm at the Heritage Complex. The

2014 award recipients truly represent some of the most outstanding individuals and

businesses in the Tulare community. Tickets are now available for $50 through the Tulare Chamber and must be reserved and paid for

prior to the event. Tables of eight are available for companies and groups. Tables are avail-able to decorate with promotional items for

your company, free of charge. It is a great way to advertise your business at this prestigious

event. Please visit the Chamber website at www.tularechamber.org or call

559-686-1547 for additional information.

She contributed to the first COS Hall of Fame for the Tulare Campus and proudly worked to generate scholarship funds. Watte was a member of the Cal Poly Alumni Association where she helped organize the annual golf tournament held in Tulare in order to raise money to benefit local student scholarships. At the end of her term with the Alumni Association she was awarded a Life Member honor. She served as a member of the St. Aloysius Parents’ Club for 30 years and her involvement with St. Aloysius Church and School is extensive. She continues to assist with the St. Aloysius Centurion Dinner, in addition to her more than 20 years participation with the school Horseshoe Tournament.

Joanne is deeply immersed in the agricultural sector of the community and has committed a great deal of her time to the industry. She is a past presi-dent of the California Women for Agriculture organization, and has been a member of vari-ous other institutions including the Dairy Women’s Foundation. Additionally, she was on the original Heritage Complex Board that conceived and designed the AgVentures! Learning Center. She was denoted the Ag Ventures! Learning Center representative for the board and led children’s tours for many years at the center. She was a World Ag Expo volunteer for 15 years and a 4-H leader in the community. Joanne also had the distinct honor of receiving the Common Threads Award for Tulare County in 2006.

Philanthropic organizations are also near and dear to Joanne’s heart. She was a volunteer for Project Homeless Connect where she served and prepared food for the less fortunate, while also aiding the Lighthouse Rescue Mission as an auxiliary member. Her work with the Tulare Historical Museum includes being a member of the board and operating as decorative chair at a recent event.

Joanne also finds the time to offer her assistance to Happy Cookers Catering when she is not out golfing or enjoying her 10 grandchil-dren. She has been married to her husband Mark for 39 years and the couple has three married daughters who all reside in Tulare.

30 years. Dennis has served his community in many capaci-ties during these years. He strongly believes in economically

supporting the community and his passion for the city is evi-dent in his com-m i tmen t s i n various organi-zations. He has served on the board of the American Cancer Society, t h e T u l a r e City Historical Society, the COS Foundation, and

the Tulare County Bar Association. He served as past president of the Tulare-Angra do Heroismo Sister City Foundation, and from 1991-1992 served as president of the Tulare County Bar Association. Dennis has been a long time member of Roma Lodge Sons of Italy, and the Tulare County Cabrillo Civic Club, currently serving as their second vice-president. He now sits as an alternate public member of the Tulare County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Dennis served the commu-nity in 2002 as the chairman for the Tulare Joint Union High School District Boundary Redistricting Committee and he has volunteered his legal services for many causes in the community, including as legal counsel for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce and the Tulare Joint Union High School District Foundation. Dennis has also received numerous awards over the years for his commitment to the community and non-profit organiza-tions, including being a recipient of the Golden Apple Award for service to education given by the Tulare County Chapter of the Association of California School Administrators, and being a two time recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Esther Greenberg Memorial Award for fundraising efforts. Most Recently Dennis was honored by being the sixth inductee to the Tulare Western High School Wall of Fame.

California Office Liquidators has been part of the Myers family for 36 years. Current owner, Lee Myers’ father took over the original 1930s business in 1977. With a swift hand-

shake, the business was passed on from the Lewis family to the Myers family. Since taking over the busi-ness in 2002, Lee has been inspirational to many of his customers and peers. After Lee’s business suffered from a terrible fire in July of 2006, it has been a personal journey for him to regroup, refi-nance, rebuild, and stay

strong. In the face of adversity, Lee has impressed his employ-ees with his professionalism and positivity, in the midst of his own turmoil. There are many qualities that make California Office Liquidators an exceptional winner of the 2013 Small Business of the Year, including customer service, mutual busi-ness respect, employee retention, and community service.

California Office Liquidators was nominated by Diane Friend, who sums up Lee’s accomplishments perfectly.

“Customer service and mutual business respect has been a natural way to conduct business for Lee. No matter what a cus-tomer needs, he is always willing to go the extra mile to find it. When his inventory was destroyed, many other furniture deal-ers came to his rescue. Not because they wanted to profit from

See Small Business/3

This year’s Large Business of the Year recipient goes to the International Agri-Center. The Agri-Center was founded in 1976 and boasts a volunteer base of more than 1,200 in addition to their full-time staff, overseen by its volunteer-based board and CEO Jerry Sinift. Since its inception, the Agri-Center has worked tirelessly to promote the agricultural industry throughout California while also hosting the largest agricultural expo-sition in the world, the World Ag Expo, every February. Today, the event is attended by more than 100,000 visi-tors and 1,400 exhibitors from all over the world.

The International Agri-Center is also responsible for show-casing various events including the California Antique Farm Equipment Show. The Heritage Complex on site serves as a wed-ding venue and social hall for several of the Central Valley’s most renowned fundraisers, such as Tulare Regional Medical Center’s Christmas Tree Auction and the Tulare City Historical Society’s annual Taste Treats.

The AgVentures! Learning Center is a division of the Agri-Center that serves the public and is accessible to large groups and schools for educational tours. The center partners with

See Large Business/4

Mike WatsonGolden State Paint & Body

page 2 — January 2014 Tulare Chamber — the UpdateDecember 28, 2013 Tulare Advance-RegisterNETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

NEW MEMBERSTulare Volunteer Bureau

The Tulare Volunteer Bureau was formed in February 1973 by represen-tatives of local agencies and service groups with the support and assistance from the City of Tulare. With a board of directors as a governing body, the orga-nization was created to provide citizens of Tulare the opportunity to serve their community through schools, social ser-vice programs, recreation and non-profit agencies while maintaining contact with the community and its needs.

The Bureau was originally open just two hours a day, three days a week. With the growing requests for volunteer placements, the office then opened its doors five days a week with a full volun-teer staff. From 1973 to 1999 alone, the Bureau saw a jump to 46 volunteer staff members who were donating more than 36,000 hours to the community.

The Court Referral Program was added to the Bureau in 1976. A vol-

unteer coordinator organized the pro-gram throughout Tulare County with the Tulare Bureau being the central office for the program. The program, work-ing with municipal and justice courts, was instantly successful. The program has expanded so much that it is work-ing with courts statewide and nation-ally. Beginning in 1977, a fee was col-lected from each client to sustain the program, although the staff and director continued on a volunteer basis. By 1990, the growth was so rapid that a full-time director and secretary were added.

From its inception to present day, the Court Referral Program has produced more than $20 million in direct com-munity benefits and tax savings at no cost to the taxpayers of Tulare County. The Tulare Volunteer Bureau continues to serve and play a leading role in the community and we welcome them to the Tulare Chamber!

RENEWING MEMBERSn Dane’s Video Productions n Merritt Manor Convalescent

Hospitaln Pizza Hutn Twin Oaks Assisted Living Center n Twin Oaks Rehabilitation & Nursing

Centern CASA of Tulare County n Sons of Italy, Roma Lodge #1573 n Mendes Calf Ranch n Family Services of Tulare County n Tulare County Consolidated

Ambulance n Valley Air Crafts n UC Davis VMTRC n Charter Inn & Suites n Franey’s Floor Covering, Inc.

n Tulare Dairy Herd Improvement Assn.

n Buckman Mitchell, Inc.Insurance Agency

n Patricia Drilling, DDSn Frank De Pietro and Sons, LLC n Sid’s Upholstery n Magnolia Health Corp. n Saputo Dairy Foods USA,

Morningstar n Tulare Cabrillo Civic Club #12 n Amaral Dairy Service n Personnel Solutions Unlimited, INC n California Office Liquidators n The Diesel Doctor n Hapy Bear Surgery Center

St. Aloysius SchoolSt. Aloysius School is Tulare’s oldest

private school. The idea for the school dates back to 1947 when a Tularean, Frank L. Lucio, whose chronic illness led to frequent prayers, made a prom-ise to arrange a prop-

er thanksgiving and dinner in honor of “Our Lady of Fatima” when he recov-ered. His desire to organize a celebration grew while attending a Fatima procession and celebration in Artesia. With strong determination and dedicated help from Joe Lucio, Manuel A. Borba and Frank Tristao, Jimmie Ferasci and many others, the Fatima celebration became a real-ity in October of 1947. Hazel Gomes was selected queen. Her attendants were Pat Hill, Lorraine Girado, Marie Frutuoza and Mary Perez. Highlights of the festivities

were a coro-na t ion ba l l and crowning of the queen, dancing to the be s t mus i c avai lable, a parade to and

from St. Aloysius Church and the serving of barbecue steak. An estimated 5,000 people attended the weekend festivities.

In 1948, The Fatima Committee had grown to more than 50 men; and was approached by Rev. Mathew O’Brien of St. Aloysius Church to donate the pro-ceeds of the celebration to the building fund for a new Parochial school. Through hard work and strong dedication the “Our Lady of Fatima” celebration continues to support St. Aloysius Parochial School. It has grown to a week of prayer and prepa-ration. Activities include nightly Novenas, bullfights, game and food booths manned by church organizations, sopas, live auc-tion and dancing. People from all over California come annually and join in the parade and celebration.

The school serves children from Kindergarten through eighth grade. While St. Aloysius School is a Catholic school, it is also a catholic (definition: universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all) school. Children of all faiths are wel-comed. As a matter of fact, tuition is the same for Catholics and non-Catholics! Speaking of tuition, annual tuition at St. Aloysius is: a. lower than most other area private schools and b. less than the aver-age cost of daycare in Tulare County.

St. Aloysius School offers caring fac-ulty and staff and a family-oriented atmo-sphere. It also offers computer classes,

music and P.E. to all grades as well as foreign language classes to upper grades. Team sports and academic competitions e.g. Science Olympiad and Academic Decathlon are long-standing traditions at the school. All students have access to our library and computer lab. There is before- and after-school care available and home-made hot lunches are prepared in our own kitchen and served daily. Upper grade students also have the opportunity to serve others through Student Council and Builders’ Club.

St. Aloysius School has an average class size of 22. The average teacher and aide to child ratio is 18.1 and 15:1. The relatively small class size at Saint Aloysius School allows students plenty of indi-vidual attention. Class size and school size matter in education, as it is important that children not fall through the cracks and just become a number. St. Aloysius students can thrive in this environment. In fact, 80% of St. Aloysius graduates go on to make Honor Roll at some time in their high school career and 87% go on to attend some form of higher education after high school.

At St. Aloysius School, prayer is not just something said before a difficult test! Prayer is integrated throughout the school day. Prayers are both traditional Catholic prayers as well as prayers from the heart. Sacrament preparation is a hall-mark of St. Aloysius School. Second grad-ers are prepared for both the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as First Holy Communion.

Currently under the leadership of new principal Barbara Xavier (a former teach-er/principal in the Tulare City School District), St. Aloysius is undergoing a peri-od of growth and renewal. For further information, please visit our website at sastulare.com or check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/sastulare.

Our school motto is “St. Aloysius School is a family of God where we can grow in Catholic Faith, Character and Knowledge.” You are always welcome to visit the school and perhaps decide to join us as your school of choice, where authentic values are lived and where edu-cation is a process of discovering the amazing plan God has for every individ-ual and the journey toward realizing that goal in every student’s life. Come and see who we are. St. Aloysius School 627 N. Beatrice Drive, Tulare, CA. You just may leave amazed at how wonderful school can be! Please join the Tulare Chamber of Commerce is welcoming St. Aloysius School as a new member.

Kings Rehabilitation CenterKings Rehabilitation Center is a pri-

vate, non-profit corporation serving indi-viduals with mild to severe disabilities. Our primary focus is providing train-

ing to help people with their personal and vocational goals. Kings Rehabilitation Center’s objectives are achieved by pro-viding individuals

with extensive training in vocational skills, critical life skills and work oppor-tunities that are tailored to their unique interests and abilities.

Our goal is to assist those individuals

with disabilities to reach their full poten-tial. We take great pride in the variety of options we can make available to the clients we serve.

In addition, we constantly are broadening the viable options for out-source employment to the business community with numerous jobs our clients can perform at significant sav-ings to the employers. Please join the Tulare Chamber in welcoming Kings Rehabilitation Center as a new member.

388 E. Cross Ave. Tulare, CA 93274Office: 559-366-1407http://kingsrehab.com/

For your New Year’s Resolution, make sure you are insured in 2014! Check out ...

Renee Soto, State Farm Insurance306 North K Street, Tulare CA 93274

What is your Chamber membership worth? If you do not participate in any programs or events

your Chamber membership is still valuable! It will have you seeing GREEN! As a member of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce,

you automatically receive ALL of the following benefits; No effort is required: • Business listing in the Chamber’s Business Directory,

3,000 copies annually ..................................................................... $350

• Year-round listing on the Chamber’s website ............................. $3,600

• Access to advertise in the monthly Chamber Newsletter ........... $3,000

• Annual listing in monthly Chamber Newsletter for renewing your

membership ....................................................................................... $50

• Tax deduction for your Chamber membership investment *consult

your tax professional ...................................................................... $300

• Exclusive customer referral service ..........................................Priceless

• Collective business voice through the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs

Committee .................................................................................Priceless

• Opportunities to promote through your provided testimonials, press

releases ......................................................................................Priceless

Your total dollar value for doing nothing ...................................$7,300.00

n For simply being a Chamber member, your return on investment will

astonish youn This value is for doing nothing, imagine if you were ACTIVE!

n Contact the Tulare Chamber to find out how you can become a

member. Contact us today at 686-1547

Presale tickets are a great way to plan out your expenses for the week of the Expo and a great way to treat your customers and/or employees to lunch!

“The advanced

tickets worked very well and made lunch

very easy for all of

our people and guests involved with

the show. Thank

you so much for having this program

available. The food

was excellent ...”

Customer

DON’T MISS OUT!!!

United Way will host a food booth at the World Ag Expo. The money raised from this major fundraiser supports local nonprofit organizations throughout Tulare County that provide quality affordable childcare, support for families, and assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. For lunch, we will be serving tri-tip sandwiches, our famous chili beans, fried bologna sandwiches, frito boats with all the fixings,, and sodas. Our breakfast menu features tri-tip burritos. We are offering presale tickets printed with your company name, see the sample below. The cost is $8 which equals a $2 discount per ticket! If you would like to purchase tickets to give to your customers and employees, please complete the form below and return via email or fax by: January 30, 2014. Thank you, Lynn Gilliland United Way of Tulare County [email protected] / fax 559-685-9541

Name (Please Print)

Phone

Company(as you would like it to appear)

Email Address

Address

# of tickets

City, State, Zip

Payment enclosed

Please, send me an invoice

Signature

Date

World Ag Expo

United Way of Tulare County Meal Ticket

tri-tip breakfast burrito or tri-tip sandwich, homemade chili beans & drink

Complements of Your Name Here

We are located on the corner of South Greenbelt and J St

Thanks for your support!

S A M P

L E

S A M P

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“The advanced




the show. Thank


available. The food


Customer

DON’T MISS OUT!!!

United Way will host a food booth at the Annual World Ag Expo. The money raised from this major fundraiser supports local nonprofit organizations throughout Tulare County that provide quality affordable childcare, support for families, and assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. For lunch, we will be serving tri-tip sandwiches, our famous chili beans, fried bologna sandwiches, frito boats with all the fixings,, and sodas. Our breakfast menu features tri-tip burritos. We are offering presale tickets printed with your company name, see the sample below. The cost is $8 which equals a $2 discount per ticket! If you would like to purchase tickets to give to your customers and employees, please complete the form below and return via email or fax by: January 30, 2014. Thank you, Lynn Gilliland United Way of Tulare County [email protected] / fax 559-685-9541

Name (Please Print)

Phone


Email Address

Address

# of tickets

City, State, Zip

Payment enclosed


Signature

Date

1601 E. Prosperity Ave., Tulare, CA 93274 ◦ (559) 685-1766 ◦ (559) 685-9541 ◦ www.unitedwaytc.org

Annual World Ag Expo






S A M P

L E

S A M P

L E


“The advanced




the show. Thank


available. The food


Customer

DON’T MISS OUT!!!

United Way will host a food booth at the World Ag Expo. The money raised from this major fundraiser supports local nonprofit organizations throughout Tulare County that provide quality affordable childcare, support for families, and assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. For lunch, we will be serving tri-tip sandwiches, our famous chili beans, fried bologna sandwiches, frito boats with all the fixings,, and sodas. Our breakfast menu features tri-tip burritos. We are offering presale tickets printed with your company name, see the sample below. The cost is $8 which equals a $2 discount per ticket! If you would like to purchase tickets to give to your customers and employees, please complete the form below and return via email or fax by: January 30, 2014. Thank you, Lynn Gilliland United Way of Tulare County [email protected] / fax 559-685-9541

Name (Please Print)

Phone


Email Address

Address

# of tickets

City, State, Zip

Payment enclosed


Signature

Date

World Ag Expo






S A M P

L E

S A M P

L E

1 6 0 1 E . P r o s p e r i t y Av e . , Tu l a r e , C A 9 3 2 7 4 • ( 5 5 9 ) 6 8 5 - 1 7 6 6 • ( 5 5 9 ) 6 8 5 - 9 5 4 1 • w w w. u n i t e d w a y t c . o r g

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Enterprise zone expired – still time to access tax creditsAs tax time approaches, it’s impor-

tant for business owners to know they may be eligible for enterprise zone tax credits but the window of opportunity to claim those credits is quickly clos-ing. The Enterprise Zone Program was officially ended by legislative action effective December 31, 2013 but the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation is able to continue assist-ing business owners in capturing the

tax credits during 2014. “We current-ly have over 900 businesses in Tulare County utilizing the program” says pro-gram manager Lori Dunagan. “This program can have a profound effect on a business’s bottom line, but there are only a few months left so people need to act now.” One of the main benefits associated with the program is the hir-ing credit. If a business hired eligible employees between October 6, 2010

and December 2013, then a percentage of their wages, 50% in the first year, can be taken as a state tax credit. “90% of employees living in Tulare County are considered eligible based on their address at the time of hire, if hired before July 8, 2013” says Dunagan. “Because of this, there is a high prob-ability that your employees will be con-sidered qualified. Employees can still qualify based on their address after July

8th, but the percentage of qualifica-tion isn’t as high.” The enterprise zone hiring credit is a five year tax credit worth up to $37,000 per employee and unused credits will continue to carry forward to offset future tax liability for up to ten years. Additional information about the program can be found at www.sequoiavalley.com or by contact-ing Lori Dunagan at 688-6891 or [email protected].

Leadership class spends the day learning about public safety

‘Jazzy Christmas’ enjoyed throughout Tulare’s DowntownDevelop skills, strategies to get back in the game

By Gian Mettifogo and Matt Machado Leadership Class of 2014

O n T h u r s d a y , November 14, 2013, the Leadership Tulare class spent their second all-day session learn-ing about public safety in the City of Tulare. The day started with a briefing at the Tulare Chamber of Commerce where the class enjoyed a stereotypical “cop breakfast” of coffee and donuts.

The day off icial ly began with a visit to the Tulare Fire Department

Station 1. Captains Mike Davis and Wesley Vinson explained to the class how the department is structured and the dif-

ferent roles and responsibilities of the Suppression and Prevention divisions. Then, they then gave the class a com-plete tour of the newly renovated facility and the opportunity of a close look at Fire Engine 61. During the visit, the class learned that the Tulare Fire Department will no longer respond to urgent but non-life threatening medical calls unless an ambulance is unavailable. The Fire Department will continue to respond to priority 1 and priority 2 emergency calls.

Next, the class responded to the new state of the art Tulare Animal Services Facility, which opened its doors in 2013. Frank Furtaw, animal services manager, enlightened the class with detailed infor-mation on how the facility operates and gave an enjoyable tour during which the class had the opportunity to take sev-eral pictures and to interact with some of the dogs. It was a relief to find out

that the vast majority of dogs housed at the Tulare Animal Services Facility are adopted, reclaimed by their owners, or transferred to a rescue organization.

The next visit was the Tulare County Coroner’s Office where the class met with Detective Keith Matlock, who explained the role and responsibility of a coroner’s office. The class learned that deaths reported to the coroner are classified into one of the following five categories: natural, homicide, accident, suicide, undetermined. The class also learned that autopsies are not automati-cally performed on all deaths reported to the coroner’s office. After a visit to the morgue and the autopsy room, the class headed to Bella Notte where a delicious buffet of spaghetti and fettucini alfredo was served.

After lunch, the class continued their day with a visit to the Tulare Police

Department. The visit was led by Lt. Matt Machado and assisted by Officer Gian Mettifogo (both are also members of the Leadership Tulare class). The tour began with a K9 demonstration. Officer Dan Scott gave a live demonstration where his K9 partner took down Officer Scott Wilkinson wearing the bite suit. It was reassuring to know that there is now a K9 unit in every shift. The class then gathered in the police briefing room where they learned how the department is structured and operates. Members of the class had an excellent opportunity to see and put their hands on some of the weapons and equipment used by the SWAT team. The journey ended with a tour of the department which included a visit of the booking facility and a stop inside the dispatch room where dispatch-er Tammy Thomas explained the opera-tional duties of a dispatcher.

The 2013 Tulare Children’s Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting event com-bined for a “Jazzy Christmas” that filled the streets of downtown December 5. Hundreds gathered to watch the parade proceed down ‘K’ Street and Tulare Avenue following the tree lighting that kicked off the evening.

The Tulare Downtown Association and Tulare Chamber of Commerce col-laborated to coordinate the evening and bring the parade back to Tulare; an event that had been cancelled the previ-ous year due to weather. The parade was typically held during the day in years past, but the consensus was that with the tree lighting occurring on the same night, the parade lights would be more vivid if the event was held in the eve-ning. Despite the frigid weather, many felt that celebrating the occasion after sundown was more befitting of a festive scene.

Assistant downtown coordinator, Arlene Johnson, and two children from the crowd thrilled spectators when they lit the enormous John Gregory Memorial Tree that is now illuminated in Tulare’s downtown. Various dance organiza-

tions and choir groups performed in the square following the lighting of the tree.

The Kiwanis Club was on hand to gen-erously serve hot chocolate. Santa and Mrs. Claus came out to the photo booth where families lined up to be photo-graphed with the legendary couple.

The parade commenced after the tree lighting ceremony and the procession was led by grand marshal Flora Johnson. Flora was chosen as the grand marshal for her continuous involvement with children in the community and her genu-ine desire to see each child successfully transition into adulthood. Mrs. Johnson and other volunteers from Grandma’s House were accompanied by several enthusiastic children from the organiza-tion on their float.

In all, there were nearly 70 entries ranging from equestrian divisions like the Visalia Rockettes, to decorated classic cars such as the “Lady Birds on the Go” entry, a group of wonderful ladies who enjoy riding their T-birds around town.

The holiday celebration concluded with the Holiday Market, a street fair that saw more than 45 vendors selling holi-day goods and specialty items.

Mettifogo

Machado

By Terry A. SayreCFLC Coach-4-Change Leadership and Life Coach

Do you ever feel disconnected? Unplugged from your dreams/goals,

r e l a t i o n s h i p s , career, spirituality or self-fulfillment? Is there a break in your forward movement? Are you stuck? If you are experiencing this disconnect, I

can help you complete the circuit and you can get moving on your path to success and happiness.

By developing skills and strat-egies in the 4 “C”’s you can plug into your brilliance and achieve suc-cess. The 4 “C”are; Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking/ Problem Solving. Let’s work together to master your fears and connect to your inner strengths and move forward. As you connect to and move forward on your cho-sen path you can become the per-son you are meant to and want to be.

Contact me for a free consulta-tion in order to determine if we connect and I can be your Coach-4-Change. I can provide the connect-ing points that guide you to plug into what you want in your life. You can light your light through awareness, willingness and taking action. Let’s get plugged in today!

Sayre

Courtesy of Tulare Voice

Small Business(continued from page 1)

him, but rather, to re-pay him for the countless times he had helped them in the past. His customers are loyal because they know Lee is a man of his word; where a handshake means everything. Customer satisfaction comes before profit. Lee also feels strongly about employee retention and loyalty does not only belong to his customers. His five

employees have stayed with him through some of the hardest periods of business because of the respect and dedication Lee showers his employees with on a daily basis,” says Friend.

Community service is another deep passion of Mr. Myers’. It is not clear if Myers’ positive attitude is born from within or driven by the personal reward he gets from helping people. At any rate, he is no stranger to offering a helping hand. Donating time, money and fur-

niture to local charities such as Love Inc., the Tulare Rescue Mission, and the Battered Women’s Shelter, Myers has always believed in the importance of giv-ing back to the community. After coach-ing youth soccer for 13 years, Myers met a lot of different parents and children, who ultimately became loyal customers. He views Tulare as a community like “layers in a cake.” Lee has built his busi-ness on style flexing for each individual’s needs.

page 4 — January 2014 Tulare Chamber — the UpdateDecember 28, 2013 Tulare Advance-RegisterPROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

For the January Calendar, please visit our website, www.tularechamber.org

January

No workshops will take place. February 4QuickBooks with Lance Wilkins8 am - 5 pm8am-12pm Introductions to QuickBooks, 1-5pm Payroll and Reports ($30 for non-chamber mem-bers, $20 for members)

March 5QuickBooks with Lance Wilkins8 am - 5 pm8am-12pm Introductions to QuickBooks, 1-5pm Payroll and Reports ($30 for non-chamber mem-bers, $20 for members)

April 15 or 16Customer Service with The GardensThe Gardens is not only providing fabulous curb appeal to ‘J’ Street in Tulare, but they are tak-ing customer service to a new level. Learn what The Gardens is doing to enhance the customer experience. ($25 for non-chamber members, $15 for members)

May 7 or 8Workforce Investment Board with Bill DeLainBill DeLain currently sits as the Chair of the Workforce Investment Board in Tulare and the Region Manager of Southern California Edison. Learn how the WIB makes critical investments in workforce training and education so that busi-nesses can compete and prosper, and our com-munity can thrive. ($25 for non-chamber mem-bers, $15 for members)

All workshops will be held in the Tulare Chamber Trade Room, 220 E. Tulare Ave. This list includes the first half of the 2014 Professional Develop-ment Workshops. Registration will be required in advance.

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RUTH MEDLINCONSULTING

559-381-4745

Meeting FacilitationStrategic PlanningEmployee Coaching

Lessons In LeadershipBehavioral AssessmentsCustomer Service 101

Team BuildingRetreat Planning

Ruth Medlin Consultingoffers custom workshopsdelivered in a style thatemployees can understand.

Give Ruth a callor E-mail her at

[email protected] learn more about workshops,retreats and employee coaching.

OSHA’s top 10 frequently cited safety violations

ABLE Industries provides opportunities for those with disabilities

What type of workplace safety measures does your workplace need to comply with federal and state laws? Without the proper measures in place, accidents can and will

happen.T h e f e d e r -

a l Occupat ional Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) announced the top 10 most frequently cited violations for Fiscal Year 2013*:

1. Fall protection (construction)2. Hazard communication standard (gen-

eral industry)3. Scaffolding, general requirements (con-

struction)4. Respiratory protection (general indus-

try)5. Electrical, wiring methods, components

and equipment (general industry)6. Powered industrial trucks (general

industry)7. Ladders (construction)8. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/

tagout) (general industry9. Electrical systems design, general

requirements (general industry)

10. Machines, general requirements (gen-eral industry)

*Fiscal Year 2013 runs from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013

OSHA provides more detailed informa-tion on its Frequently Cited OSHA Standards site. At that site, you can generate a report on the most frequently cited federal or state OSHA standards using your company’s indus-trial classification code and the number of employees in your establishment.

States with their own safety and health plans, such as California, must set job safety and health standards that are “at least as effective as” comparable federal standards. The federal OSHA approves and monitors state plans. California’s Occupational Safety and Health program is, in many respects, more stringent than federal OSHA require-ments.

For more information on safety and health requirements for your workplace, visit the HR Library’s Workplace Safety section. Not a CalChamber member? Sign up for a 15-day Free Trial.

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans have a disability according to the 2010 US Census. In fact, people with disabilities comprise the largest minority in the nation. So it’s no small secret that people who have disabilities make up a sizeable part of our population. Yet how many people think of someone with a dis-ability as an asset to society, or a valuable-contributor to our community?

Fifty plus years ago, a small group of par-ents in Tulare thought just that. Even though their kids had to live with a disability, these parents felt they had value and could be productive members of the community. They came together with their children and gave them work. They called this enterprise ABLE Industries.

Today ABLE Industries is a multi-million dollar non-profit organization that provides

training services to Tulare County residents with disabilities. By providing a multitude of services to businesses in the area, trainees are able to gain valuable job and life skills under the guidance of ABLE staff.

What once started with basic work like building kits or assembling mailers has now grown exponentially into an impressive array of services. For example, within the walls of the ABLE facility, the agency now offers a full-service warehouse and distribution service, certified document destruction, and Secure Document Scanning, which turns your paper documents into digital, search-able computer files. But the scope of work doesn’t stop there.

ABLE also provides off-site services to businesses within the community. ABLE offers commercial landscaping and grounds

maintenance, parks clean-up, janitorial ser-vices, mobile catering and in-store retail ser-vices.

All of these services are provided for our community by a skilled workforce that is happy to meet your every need. Some train-ees are hired by local employers and ulti-mately enter the competitive workplace. And incidentally, they do so with a disability.

The agency also offers services for indi-viduals who are not work-ready. Life Skills Learning Center is a day training program that focuses on areas such as social skills, self-care and personal safety to name a few. Skills which, once obtained, can lead to per-sonal growth and more choices in life.

To find out how ABLE Industries can ben-efit your business, visit their website at www.ableindustries.org or call (559) 651-8150.

Join the Tulare Chamber of Commerce for its 2014 Annual Events! Professional

Development Workshopsn Annual Awards Banquet

January 24, 2014n The Crush Party

February 21, 2014n Cars on K

April 5, 2014n State of the City Address

May 23, 2014n Salute to Dairy

June 20, 2014n New Teacher Reception

August 14, 2014Dates are subject to change. Times and locations will be announced as the Chamber begins promoting each event. Ticket sales will be announced closer to the event date.

If you have ques-t i ons rega rd ing a specif ic event, sponsorship for a

specific event or any other concerns please contact the Tulare Chamber of Commerce at 559-686-1547, 220 E. Tulare Ave.

Large Business(continued from page 1)

other entities such as the Dairy Counci l of America and the American Farm Bureau to enlight-en the public regarding the impor-tance of agriculture as it pertains to California and specifically the region in which we live.

The Chamber and the rest of the community look to the International Agri-Center to keep Tulare informed on the events surrounding the agri-cultural industry, and their attention to the industry that so many depend on is truly a valuable asset.

Documents

The Update - Tulare Chamber of Commerce