What’s New with Business
By Sue Thurman, Business Relationship Manager
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
The Gilroy Dispatch proudly welcomes Dana Arvig, as their new Vice President of Advertising for the Mainstreet Media Group and South Valley Newspapers. Dana brings 14 years of newspaper advertising and marketing experience and three years in commercial real estate and construction management to her position and is excited to work with the Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Hollister retailers and businesses. She is looking forward to meeting you soon and can be reached at 408-842-8313.
Out & About Magazine has moved but South County’s premier Art and Entertainment Magazine is still available to promote your business. Focusing on families and the Community it is the only publication to serve five Counties — Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Merced. Attention, Chamber members only: sign up for a new three-month advertising contract and receive a 20% discount. Reach editor, Bobbi Jo Palmer at 408-842-7071 to be a part of this local and well-read magazine.
Tickets for the California Rodeo Monster Jam (May 20th) are on sale at the Salinas Sport Complex Box office or check the website at www.carodeo.com or www.tickets.com or call 800-549-4989. This show sells out each year so be sure to get your tickets early. Box Seats are $32; Grandstand seats for adults, $20 and for Children, $10.
Affordable Roofing and Solar was just certified as the first GAF Solar Roofer in California and awarded the GAF Master Elite Training Excellence Award (only2% of roofing contractors in the country have earned this status). Affordable Roofing has been serving South County for 17 years and Pamela Garcia, CEO, says that as a Master Elite Contractor, GAF will warranty the entire roof, including under the solar panels, leak-free for 25 years bringing great piece of mind to solar customers.
Score Giants Tickets with AAA (California State Automobile Association): get a quote today for your chance to win two luxury suite tickets, plus AAA will make a $5 donation to the Giants community Fund for every quote (1 per household), until they reach the donation goal of $50,000. Offer runs through May and June. Contact Pearl Canales, Pearl.Canales@goaaa.com or call 408-847-9221.
The Morgan Hill office of Guild Mortgage is pleased to announce that Branch Manager/Loan Officer, Jayson Stebbins was invited to the 2011 Guild Mortgage Presidents Club, a celebration of the top loan officers in the company, nationwide. Also significant, Jayson and Loan Officer Jeni Henson were both members of the 2011 Circle of Honor, recognizing the Top 50 Loan Officers in the company nationwide. Guild Mortgage was also recognized recently in Mortgage Executive Magazine as #12 in the country in loan originations. Guild is a privately held Mortgage Banking Firm that opened in 1960, and 2011 was a milestone year for the company in volume and in growth. Reach Jayson at 408-825-0220 or visit them at 18525 Sutter Blvd, Ste 140, Morgan Hill.
Solis Winery brought home the highest honor, a Double Gold Medal, for its 2008 Syrah Estate at the 2012 New World International Wine Competition. They also received a Gold Medal for their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate ($28) and a Siler Medal for the 2009 Sangioese, Estate ($20). Owner Vic Vanni said that these three awards “reflect the high principles and the inherent passion for winemaking at Solis Winery. Sample them personally at the tasting room, 3920 Hecker Pass or visit www.soliswinery.com.
American Association of University Women – Gilroy Branch will hold their 5th annual quilt show at a private garden on Fifth Street, Saturday May 12 from 11-2 p.m. Bring your mother or your daughter for a Mother’s Day treat. The show includes a light ladies luncheon. Tickets are $15 at the Nimble Thimble,7550 Monterey Street.
Did you know you don’t need cable to watch CMAP TV? You can now watch it on your computer! CMAP TV Live-online means that more people from all over Northern California can watch your video spot on CMAP. Sponsor CMAP’s Garlic Festival TV coverage and receive a 15-second sponsor video featuring your business or organization, or advertise in print in the 2012 Garlic Festival TV Guide, picked up by locals and Garlic Festival visitors. Sign up today with Joanna at Joanna@cmap.tv; visit cmap.tv/join/sponsorship, or call 408-846-4983 by 6/15.
Hole in One (win a car) sponsored by Gilroy South County Nissan/Hyunda; longest drive; closest to the pin are just some of the contests that Gilroy Sunrise Rotary will host during their 2nd Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on June 8, 2012. The day will include lunch and a barbecue dinner for the golfers with the dinner/raffle open to non-golfers too. Funds from this event will help provide a $5,000 scholarship to a deserving college-bound, Gilroy High School Senior. To learn how you can participate contact Tony Marandos, 408-710-5974 or Tonymarandos@yahoo.com.
Gilroy LeTip is announces that there is a new Board of Directors for the upcoming year: President, Jenn Beninger (JennBen.com), Vice President, Lori Longoria (Union Bank), Tip Master, Brian Dauenhauer (Gina Lopez State Farm), Membership Chair, Jina Caranza (Silicon Valley Credit Repair; Joe Walton and Christine Powell round out the board as Treasurer and Secretary. Gina Lopez (State Farm) will move into the Past President role.
Jenn Beninger with JennBen.com ~ Social Media Navigator announces that she is offering a “Spring Cleaning” deal for all Chamber Members that includes a detailed analysis of all Social Media platforms, one hour of personalized coaching on the new Facebook Timeline, creation of Facebook Business Page set up to optimize engagement-for $147 (a $497 value)! Please contact Jenn at 408-667-0620 or jenn@jennben.com and be sure to mention the Chamber Spring Cleaning Promotion. Contact Jenn if you would like her to speak (for free) at your event on the “7 Deadly Sins Businesses Make On Facebook!”
Operation Freedoms Paws will be hosting a Golf Tournament at Gilroy Golf Course on June 16. Sponsor for $100 or $50 or play for $85-Veterans pay $75. With room for up to 80 golfers this looks to be an enjoyable way to support the local Service Dog program for Veterans and others with disabilities. Visit the website to donate, learn more about the tournament or to join them at dinner (only $20) at www.operationfreedomspaws.org or call CarrollConnell@macquarie.com, 408-621-3299.
Lisa Faria & Peter Fleming – The LPF team of Intero Real Estate, have completed the Luxury Portfolio and Relocation Direct training program. This training allows them to assist homeowners interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate for the high end luxury home market, and relocation assistance anywhere in the world. In addition, Lisa and Pete have become part of Intero’s new Prestigio program. This amazing new program is the luxury collection and most exclusive homes in the real estate market. For more information Call Lisa or Pete at 408-857-9924, or online at www.LPFteam.com.
For the 4th time in as many studies, Edward Jones financial advisors rate the firm “highest in employee Advisor satisfaction among Financial Investment Firms”, according to a newly released study by J.D. Power and Associates. Local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Tim Fortino stressed that the support they receive makes it clear that everything is aligned around one purpose: doing the best possible jobs for their clients as they strive to make a positive difference in their lives. Tim can be reached at 8060 Santa Teresa Bld., Ste 140 or call 408-846-7748.
Integrated Financial Benefits Network recently hosted the first in an annual series of ‘woman only’ seminars, entitled Worth. In this seminar, women were encouraged to look at their own retirement plans and take charge of their financial future. Typically, women take about 12 years out of the workforce to care for children and/or aging parents. As a result, they often have less saved for retirement and lower social security benefits. In addition, women tend to outlive men by four to five years, which makes funding retirement that much more important. Women walked away from this seminar with strategies to help them better plan for a successful financial future. Check our website at www.ifitfinancial.com for links to information on Worth and their future seminars, or give them a call (408-842-2716) for a complimentary consultation on how you too can make plans for a successful financial future.
South Valley Symphony and Opera San Jose is presenting Opera at the Mission, Sunday, May 13 @ 4:30pm at the Mission in San Juan Bautista. Guests will enjoy selections from La Bohème, The Barber of Seville, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, La Cenerentola, The Pearl Fishers and Thais and a reception in the Mission Garden immediately following the concert. General Admission is $35.00; children under 18 and Students with ID are free. For tickets & information go to http://www.southvalleysymphony.org.
Christi Garcia, Wealth Management Advisor with LPL Financial helps individuals and families work towards financial security and freedom. She develops a strategy, takes action and then monitors and manages your assets. If you are looking for direction in an uncertain market and aren’t sure where to get your financial advice, come meet Christi at her Coffee Corner. Next month’s guest speaker will be Rebecca Martin, Career Coach with Dear Jane. Join them for coffee, conversation and market conditions at 8339 Church Street, Suite 102 or call 408-842-5200.
For business needs or assistance, the City of San Jose’s Office of Economic Development can be a resource. Visit the website, www.BusinessOwnerSpace.com and www.work2future.biz where business owners will find a host of resources ranging from networking events to very specific workshops. They also focus on connecting job-seekers with employers. For more information contact Casey Estorga, Business Services Coordinator at casey.estorga@sanjoseca.gov.
Dear Jim — We have been following several of Assembly Member Alejo’s bills. Another bill we opposed, AB 1543, sponsored by Assembly Member Alejo, would have required state and local governing entities to contract only for goods and building projects that use materials and structural components made in the U.S. Although the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce believes strongly in supporting local business, this bill would have created a barrier to international trade and created a protectionist environment for business development. Assembly Member Alejo pulled the bill from committee. A prior bill, SB 1543 had already been found unconstitutional as a violation of the U.S. Constitution ) 1963 California Buy American Act).
Due to a very small staff, we are limited on how much time we spend on researching legislation and try to follow those that can have an adverse effect on business, especially if the bill is introduced by an elected representative from our District. Assembly Member Alejo will most likely be re-introducing the minimum wage bill tied to annual indexing again.