Makin' Pizza Pies

Local Domino's Pizza restaurant has taken pizza making to a new level......and a new location.  Owner Mike Brown, has opened his newest Domino's at 11416 Canyon Road E, and is implementing the new corporate brand of Pizza Theater which simply means that you can watch your own pizza being made from start to finish and have a seat in their smart and retro dining area while it's being made.  Our Ambassadors joined me in welcoming Mike and his pizza making team to their new location where they had us sample oven baked Philly sandwiches, cakes and desserts and yummy Parmesan Bites.  But this Chamber ribbon cutting event was one of my most memorable because they also invited me to learn how to make one of their pizzas from scratch.  Keep in mind it's supposed to be a 12-13 minute process, start to finish.  I will confess right now that it took me about 7 minutes longer than it should have and I ended up with cornmeal in my shoes.  But according to our Ambassadors in Blue, my pizza was tasty indeed.  If you haven't tried their new style pizzas, you should.  And they've even got a new App for ordering and tracking.  Big Chamber thanks to Mike and his team for a really fun grand opening.

Lil' Miss Meeker

It was a great afternoon of pageantry as I showed up for judging at the Lil' Miss Meeker event this last weekend.  Sixteen talented young ladies ranging from ages 6 to 9 all vied for the title of Lil' Miss Meeker.  I was really impressed with all the information I learned about Ezra Meeker and his family during their speeches.  Congratulations to Lennox Hopkins who was crowned 2013 Lil' Miss Meeker and to all the girls who participated including board member Patty Denny's granddaughter, Cora, who was one of the younger participants. 

 

These Shoes Were Made for Walking

Without a single thought for comfort, Chamber Chairman, John Rader from Green Mt. Coffee Roasters and Dave Radcliff from the Old Cannery Furniture Warhouse, donned women's shoes to participate in the 1st annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event at the Meeker's Days Festival to raise money for victims of domestic violence.  Puyallup Councilmen, Steve Vermillion, John Knutsen and Tom Swanson all looked pretty spiffy in their chosen foot attire as they followed Daffodil Festival Queen McKenna and two Princesses during the walk.  Councilman Vermillion asked me to lead the way on the new route so I arrived in my own 4" heels and walked with them just to make sure there was no complaining.  Congratulations to my board members for finishing the walk (even with blisters), to Kevin Yamamoto and Nancy Shattuck from the City for a successful 1st event, and to Puyallup Main Street for another great downtown celebration. 

2013 Leadership Graduation

Chamber Board Members, Mayors Hansen and Enslow, Paul Mackay, and more gathered for the graduation of the Leadership Institute Class of 2013.

Participants invited spouses, family and friends to celebrate and reminisce about their last nine months attending the Chamber program and the work they did for their Hearts for Hygiene project that benefited both the Puyallup and Sumner Food Banks.  A big Chamber congratulations to all the participants, a huge thank you to Paul Mackay for traveling to speak to our students about servant leadership, and lots of appreciation for the Hampton Inn & Suites' generous hospitality in hosting the event.  I'm looking forward to meeting our new class of 2014 this next fall.  If you are interested in participating, contact the Chamber office.

Introducing the Blue Review

"Where's a good place to eat?" is the most asked question in our visitor centers and at our Chamber Booth.  So our Blue Jacketed Chamber Ambassadors have risen to the occasion and are dedicating one night a month to coordinate a Blue Invasion at local eateries.  They order different items on the menu to share and sample with local wines and ales, and then they leave a Blue Review note card behind for the restaurant owner.  Afterwards they forward their comments and reviews to our Chamber to include on their new blog, and soon on our website dining page so that others can read about how great our local restaurants are.  So the next time you are eating out and you see a group of great folks wearing blue blazers, pull up a chair, join the fun and support our local businesses!   These photos are from their H G Bistro invasion.

Ship Ahoy Capt Radcliff

Wednesday was the annual Tacoma Chamber's Evergreen Fleet Cruise which honors our military leaders and the service they provide for our country.  Chamber Board Member, Dave Radcliff, once again captained one of the host yachts.  It was great to see Maj. Gen. Stephen Lanza and Lt. Col. Anna Sullivan during the event.  The annual event is a great way to connect with our military partners on JBLM.

Tiger at the 2013 U. S. Open

Last week our Chamber was represented at the 2013 U.S. Open in Merion, PA, as part of the Pierce County/Chambers Bay Advance Team.  The USGA hosts advance teams at current Opens to assist with the preparation of hosting upcoming U.S. Opens.  Event infrastructure like law enforcement, emergency services, transportation, logistics, etc. are all critical areas of importance for a host community in order to provide a good experience for visitors, media and the USGA.  It was a surprise to learn that the NBC news correspondents were also staying at our hotel during the event.  While riding in an elevator, one news associate commented on our Chambers Bay shirts and announced that they would be coming to Washington State to cover the event in two years.  Music to this Chamber Lady's ears.  We will be presenting more information on the 2015 U. S. Open at Chambers Bay later this year,

so stay tuned.   

Chamber celebrates with Eterna

The Chamber celebrated the grand opening of Eterna Vein and Medical Asthetics on Tuesday, June 18th, at their new offices located at 1803 South Meridian in Puyallup.  Owner's Dr. Robert Osborne and Karyn Osborne, their friendly and experienced staff, plus many of their patients and friends, attended the Ribbon Cutting and reading of the traditional Chamber Proclamation. One observation by this Chamber President is that this new office looks more like a spa than a medical procedure office.  Amazing.  All of the Eterna staff was welcoming and friendly and it was great to spend time with Dr. Osborne and his wife.  Many thanks to our Ambassadors and board members who also attended to welcome this new medical office to our community.  For more information visit their website at www.eternaasthetic.com.

Hearts for Hygiene

The 2013 Class Project for Leadership Institute once again involved our local food banks.  After talking with the directors of the Puyallup and Sumner food banks, this year's class learned that personal hygiene products are not covered in most public assistance programs.  So the class decided to spearhead a project that highlighted a specific need and they created the Hearts for Hygiene drive.  They collected over 3,000 lbs of products which is amazing if you consider how much items like toilet paper weigh.  They delivered approx. 1,800 lbs of product to the Sumner Food Bank and approx. 1,500 lbs of hygiene products to the Puyallup Food Bank.  Both organizations were very appreciative as they had almost no items in their inventory available for distribution.  Our chamber is very proud of this year's class and their commitment to our communities.  Each year is a revelation of compassion and resources for our class participants and upon graduation they all agree they are better leaders in our communities.  If you are interested in participating in our growing program, please contact the Chamber office.

 

High Heels for a Cause

Puyallup City Council members have issued a challenge to the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  And they have done it in style!  Pictured above is a photo of four of Puyallup's electeds in 2012 in downtown Tacoma as they got ready to walk a mile in their new heels to raise money for domestic violence victims.  This year they have brought the challenge home and incorporated it into the annual Meeker Day's celebration, June 22nd.  The proceeds form the walk and run events will benefit the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County and Good Samaritan Behavioral Health.  The 5k run is at 9am and the mile walk starts at 10am.  You can participate or donate by going to the City of Puyallup's website.  So far, Chamber Chairman of the Board, John Rader, and Executive Committee officer, Dave Radcliffe, have agreed to don a pair of snazzy shoes and join the crowd.  Come see us as we support this great community cause.....and don't forget your camera!

Leadership Institute Graduation

The Chamber is proud to announce the graduation of the Leadership Institute Class of 2013.  Graduation will take place June 20th, 6:00pm at the Hampton Inn and Suites where more than a dozen local participants will receive recognition of their accomplishment.  Our guest speaker at this year's graduation ceremony is Paul McKay, owner of El Gaucho's, who will speak about Servant Leadership.  Congratulations to the Class of 2013.

Fond Farewell to JBLM Friends

Many of us at the Puyallup Sumner Chamber

are a little melancholy about the announcement of the change of command and new assignments for three of our military favorites at JBLM.  Our Chamber enjoys a great relationship with the 2nd Stryker Brigade, our Puyallup connector unit at Fort Lewis.  We have partnered with the local chapter of AUSA to host going away and welcome home parties, hosted award ceremonies recognizing local troops for their involvement in the communities, invited them to events, hosted local tours both on and off base, and even communicated with them in Afghanistan over Skype for our Military Affairs Committee meetings.  So it is with fond memories and sincere gratitude that we wish safe travels for Col. Barry Huggins, Maj. Joe Mason and Maj. Elvis Coronado, who have all received new assignments to other parts of the country and world.   This week Col. Huggins presented Eric Kantor from AUSA, Carlene Joseph and myself with American flags that were flown in Afghanistan during the 2nd Stryker’s deployment there last year.  So to Col. Huggins, Joe and Elvis, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your commitment to our local communities and for your service to our country.  Godspeed and stay in touch.

Leadership Institute Generations

Today was the final session for the 2013 Leadership Institute Class.  I hung around for today's class speaker because he's a great friend and I love his Generations presentation.  John Doan, City Administrator for the City of Tumwater, shared with this year'

s participants insightful observations of the various character traits of Veterans, Boomers, X'ers, Nexters/Generation Y and Gen Z.   Graduation for the class of 2013 is June 20th at the Hampton Inn & Suites.  Thanks again, John, for participating in our program.

Brickhouse Bistro at PHS

Another first today, I had the pleasure of meeting with several Puyallup community leaders for lunch at the PHS Brickhouse Bistro.  I was astonished to see filet mignon with creamy cauliflower and Yukon gold potato puree and Copper River Salmon with couscous on the menu, all of which was being prepared by students.  In an effort of full disclosure, I have to admit I am a PHS mom so I am a little partial to Vikings, but it makes me smile to see Puyallup School District student education include a focus on careers for which they have a passion.  Bon appetit!

New Beginnings

Since we are starting a new blog for the Chamber today, I thought it was appropriate to post about a new beginning in Sumner.   The sign raising event for the new Sumner YMCA was held today in a newly mowed field which will eventually become the new Y site.  Several

of our Chamber board members were there to support fellow Board Member, Bob Ecklund, President & CEO of the Pierce and Kitsap YMCA.  Sumner's Mayor Dave Enslow, and more than a hundred other community members turned out for the much awaited event.  It was great to see John Rader, Dave Radcliffe and Patty Denny there from our Chamber.