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Member Columns |
Travel Recommendations for the Holiday
Season
By: Eric Jacobson
Better Business Bureau
Public Relations/Communications Manager
The winter holidays are a busy time for shopping,
getting together with friends and family and, of
course, traveling. Given the increased number of people
traveling on the roads and in the air, the BBB offers
the following tips:
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Remember not to take any wrapped or sealed packages;
they may be chosen for inspection.
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Try to mail packages ahead of time and shop online or
through catalogs to have items sent directly to the
recipient. Several companies, including Federal
Express, UPS, and major bus lines, offer
luggage-forwarding services.
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Plan your travel schedule carefully to avoid the
heaviest days. Not only are roads and airports packed
with holiday travelers, but adverse weather conditions
can also hinder your trip.
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Consider leaving a day earlier or later to avoid peak
travel days such as the Friday before Christmas (Dec.
20), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), and New Year's Eve.
Traveling on the holidays themselves (Dec. 25 or Jan. 1)
is also a good way to avoid traffic.
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Consider buying travel insurance. This can protect
against trip cancellation, emergency medical evacuation,
emergency medical expenses, baggage loss and baggage
delay.
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If using a travel agency or bureau, request all details
of the trip in writing, including total cost,
restrictions where applicable, cancellation penalties,
and exact names of the airlines and hotels included in
the packet, before you pay.
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Check expiration dates and added fees on coupons or
accommodation packages. Contact the actual airline,
hotel, or other accommodation provider to ask questions.
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Be cautious of high-pressure sales. Any reputable
travel agency or tour operator will not take your money
without giving you the details of your vacation,
tailoring it to your needs and requests.
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Always request a reliability report from your Better
Business Bureau.
For more information about holiday travel or travel
agencies, contact your Better Business Bureau online at
www.bbb.org.
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Trust the Kids
By: Kristina Knittel, Sortor Bushido Kai Karate
Trusting kids may seem a little counterintuitive at
times, like when your daughter lies to you (chocolate
covering her little cheeks) about snatching those
cookies off the cooling rack. Real trust, however, is
not blind. It is a long-term project; a way of thinking
and a way of treating children that will help us
encourage dramatic positive changes in our kids’
behavior, regardless of their age.
Children can tell whether or not we trust them. If a
child is asked to clean his room, and then is nagged
non-stop the rest of the day about it, he can tell that
he’s not trusted, and not really expected to follow
through on his word. He will act accordingly.
A parent who is practicing trust may instead say,
“Please have your room cleaned before bedtime, Sam. Can
I trust you to do that?” Sam will almost certainly say
yes. Even if he doesn’t follow through and actually
clean his room by the end of the day, you will have had
the opportunity either way to show him that you trusted
him to do so. You can follow through with an
appropriate reaction – say, no video games all weekend –
if he fails to clean his room. This follow-through
shows him that you really did trust him to do what he
said, and were surprised and disappointed that he did
not. Next time around, he'll know that when he says he
will do something, he is actually expected to do it.
Kids will follow our lead – if we treat them like
irresponsible hyperactive spazzes, we’re giving them
license to be just that. Treat them like responsible,
honest kids, and they'll rise to the occasion.
In my life I've found this to work in an astonishingly
clear and quick manner. This past month, several kids
in my karate school’s beginner class were getting ready
to take their very first rank test and earn their yellow
belts. Sensei Brian had been working with them for
weeks on the testing requirements, encouraging them to
practice at home, and explaining to them what they would
need to do in order to pass the test. I encouraged them
to push themselves harder, but I did not follow them
home and make them study, or ask their parents to make
them practice. I just had to trust that the kids would
do what Sensei had told them to do, or face up to the
consequences of their actions.
When test day rolled around, Sensei Brian tested what
they had be working on. He expected their personal best
from each of them. But because they had not given it
100% effort in class and had not studied very seriously
at home, they had a very hard time at the test. Three
of them did not pass.
I worried about the kids all weekend, and hoped and
prayed that they had understood the important and
valuable lessons that failure can teach. After about a
week or so, the three came in to privately try the test
again. This time around, they knew that if I had told
them to practice something for the test, I really DID
expect them to practice it on their own. And they knew
that if Sensei told them that it needed to be sharper or
stronger or done with more effort, that he really DID
expect them to do so.
And guess what - they did it! It had only taken one
hard lesson, and they had learned quickly that we
trusted them to give nothing but their best. I sat
choking back tears watching the kids blast through their
re-tests, showing more strength, more focus, and more
energy than I had ever seen from them before. What
triumphant kids went home that day, with huge smiles on
their faces and well-earned yellow belts tied around
their waists.
They passed their re-tests, and joined our yellow belt
class as some of the strongest and sharpest students
there - all because they realized that we trusted them
enough to put their training in their hands. It was up
to them – and they blew us away.
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Wise Holiday Spending
By: Mid Oregon Credit Union
Mid Oregon Credit Union offered the following tips to
consumers this holiday season to keep those budgets in
check:
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Budget holiday spending: Right now, decide how much
you can afford to spend and stay within that budget.
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Make
a list: Staying within this budget will be much
easier if you make a price list of all gifts and
other holiday items you plan to purchase. It’s easy
to overlook extra expenses for holiday foods, party
clothes, holiday decor, and postage.
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Comparison shop: You can easily save more than 10%
on most items, sometimes considerably more, by
comparing prices at different stores.
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Pay
off debts as quickly as possible: If you must make
holiday purchases using credit, pay off this debt as
soon as possible. Remember that credit card debt can
cost if you ignore the details. You may not realize
your card’s grace period (the time between your
purchase and when interest is charged) doesn’t apply
if you’re carrying over a balance. And if you only
make the required monthly payment, your debt will
remain for a long time.
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Plan for next year by opening a holiday savings
account. This provides a practical way to save small
amounts over time. The discipline of saving
reinforces your good budget intentions. “Even those
with tight budgets can survive the holiday season by
enlisting their whole family in the challenge of
living within an affordable budget during the
holiday months,” said CFA’s Steve Brobeck. “And if
it is necessary to finance purchases with a credit
card, don’t borrow more than you can repay in
several months.” A person doesn’t have to remember
to deposit to their holiday savings account at Mid
Oregon Credit Union, because all holiday savings
certificate deposits are made by automatic transfer
from their checking or savings account. The
automatic deposits work to a person’s advantage all
through the year, storing money away and earning
dividends for future spending. It’s simple, a person
has to pick the term, from three to twelve months,
and the amount that fits their budget to save each
month, and that’s it!
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A Holiday Story About
Collaboration
By Gayle Najera, Quota International of Central
Oregon
Collaboration is the hot word around town. If you’re not
actively collaborating, you’re really missing out. This
article tells the story of how a local nonprofit
collaborated (there’s that word again!) successfully
with other local nonprofits and all participants
benefited.
First, let me tell you a little about our service club.
Since 1980, our local Quota Club members have made
donations of time, service and dollars responding to
individuals and organizations needing support for the
hearing impaired and disadvantaged women and children.
We have an active membership of around 30 members. The
mix within our membership is diversified. Our members
work for other nonprofits, government, banks, and real
estate. Some of us work for small companies, large
companies, home-based businesses, or are enjoying
retirement. We are all joined by a common goal, to help
others in need.
Annually, Quota club donates the proceeds from our two
major fundraisers to those in need right here in Central
Oregon (approximately $30,000 each year). In 2006 we
reached out to other nonprofits and asked if they’d like
to participate in our Holiday Auction. We invited each
organization to utilize their board members and
volunteers to help them create a package to be
included in the oral auction portion of the
event. Each organization was fully described in the
program and their items were offered up for auction to
the audience.
Not only did we attract more attendees to our 2006
Holiday Auction than ever before, each participating
organization also received 100% of the final oral
auction bid for their item. In addition to the 85 silent
auction items available for bidding, seven of the 17
oral auction packages directly benefited the
participating nonprofits. Our oral auction partners in
2006 were: Healthy Beginnings, Women’s Resource Center
of Central Oregon, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery,
Meadowlark Manor, COBRA, Ronald McDonald House and
Grandma’s House.
Luckily not every nonprofit chooses to put on a great
Holiday Auction like Quota. It was fun for us to share
the proceeds of this holiday event with other
nonprofits. We didn’t just share the money, we shared
the experience and each organization was a true working
partner, not just a recipient. The seven nonprofits from
2006 benefited financially and we are all just a little
stronger from the experience.
Does your business adopt a needy family during the
holidays? I challenge you to take it a step further this
year. Consider adopting a nonprofit organization in
2008. Maybe your employees can donate time or services.
Ask a nonprofit for their “wish list,” they all have
them. Buy an extra case of paper the next time you order
supplies and donate it to a nonprofit organization. The
holidays are a time of giving. We all do it and feel
good about giving what we can to others less fortunate.
Please remember the needy are out there year-round.
If you would like to attend Quota’s 2007 Holiday
Auction & Dinner, it will be held on Wednesday, December
5th at St. Charles at 5:30 p.m. The price is
just $40 per person. To RSVP please contact Della Bjerk
at 389-2193.
Let’s make 2008 the year we collaborate and support
each other.
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What's New |
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COCC Business Development Center Launches
“bizHelp! Directory”
By: Beth Wickham, COCC Business
Development Center
COCC’s Small Business Development Center
has launched a brand new Web site to serve
Central Oregon’s small business community. The
site’s primary purpose is to help Central Oregon
small businesses find service providers. COCC
hopes the site, called the “bizHelp!
Directory,” will develop into small businesses’
first stop when they are searching for the best
service providers, or just a simple answer to a
question.
The site is unique because it only lists companies that
serve Central Oregon small businesses. It
provides special features such as information
grids in each Service Provider category, “How
To” articles, Tips, News, Classes, Support
Services and a load of other information links
aimed specifically at small businesses.
Users can access this new site at
http://bizhelp.cocc.edu.
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Sublime Design: Beyond Branding
By: Kelly Walker, Sublime Design
Sublime Design this month announced that it
offers many new services, extending beyond
branding and design. These new services
include:
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Comprehensive, Custom Marketing
Plans:
Can you know you are making the right
marketing decisions, that your marketing
dollars are invested wisely and can you
measure results? Absolutely! Put your brand
to work with a smart, powerful marketing
plan including market analysis, goals,
strategies, measuring results,
marketing/advertising schedule and 12-month
budget. As our marketing clients can tell
you, we create a plan you will feel
confident in, that will lead you to your
business goals. Our personalized plans
establish essential criteria for making
advertising/marketing decisions, thereby
eliminating guesswork and that nebulous
feeling that you may be throwing your money
away.
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Trademarking Guidance:
Is your brand identity (logo, name, tagline)
protected and secure? We offer
start-to-finish trademarking services.
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Vehicle Wraps and Graphics:
Full-vehicle wraps done right here in
Central Oregon (not "outsourced"). Realize
the benefits of a mobile billboard!
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English-Spanish, Spanish-English
Translation Service:
Central Oregon's Spanish-speaking population
is growing exponentially. Are you reaching
this important sector and gaining their
brand loyalty?
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Client Surveys: Do you know how your
clients perceive you? How about the market
in general? What may be impeding you from
gaining new clients? What are your strengths
and weaknesses? Sublime designs custom
surveys and focus groups to give you
valuable intelligence for waging successful
business!
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Members on the M-O-V-E |
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PEOPLE
Dr. Chris DiGiulio has
received his Aviation Medical Examiners
Certificate and can now perform flight physicals
at Cascade Occupational Medicine in Bend.
Michelle L. Lauerman, CIC, Commercial Agent for
Sage Insurance recently attended the Large
Commercial Ruble Seminar and successfully
completed the annual continuing education
requirement of the Society of Certified
Insurance Counselors. To earn this prestigious
designation, Michelle attended five courses
covering all phases of the insurance business
and passed five comprehensive examinations.
Ray Otterson is the new Associate Creative Director
at the Oregon ad agency, Citrus. In his new
position, Otterson will oversee the creative
services department and copy writing team.
Devon Pfeiffer has been named Production
Coordinator by Bend-based advertising agency
Citrus. In her new position, Pfeiffer will
coordinate and oversee the production and flow
of active jobs throughout the agency, and act as
a liaison with outside production vendors.
Steve Olson, Rachel Stemach and Stacey Stemach of
Steele Associates Architects have successfully
passed their Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED®) accreditation
exams. LEED® is a voluntary, consensus-based
national standard for developing
high-performance, sustainable buildings. Steele
Associates Architects, a member of the U.S.
Green Building Council and the Building Green
Council of Central Oregon is dedicated to
providing sensible and sustainable site and
building design solutions for their clients.
Tina DeCamp has been named Assistant Vice
President/Branch Manager of the upcoming Redmond
branch of Washington Federal Savings, which is
under construction at 5th and Dogwood in
downtown Redmond and plans to open in July,
2008. In the meantime, Tina will be based out
of the West Bend office at 560 SW Columbia in
Bend and is ready to assist clients with their
home loans. DeCamp, of Redmond, has been with
Washington Federal for over 21 years, managing
branches in the Salem area for the past 12
years.
Ann Gates, a
longtime Bend banker, has been named Customer
Service Manager at West Coast Bank's 359 SW
Century Drive branch. The twenty year financial
services veteran is a 4-H leader and a member of Business
Network International (BNI).
David Cox has been named Vice President of
Information Technology for Clear Choice Health
Plans, Inc. As a member of Clear Choice Health
Plans' executive team, David will be responsible
for all aspects of information technology
operations, and will contribute to the
formulation of corporate strategy and planning.
Joseph Johnson, MD has accepted the position as
Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical
Director for Clear Choice Health Plans. Dr.
Johnson joins Clear Choice Health Plans with
over 20 years experience as a clinician and over
10 years experience as a health care executive.
As a member of the executive team, Dr. Johnson
will provide strategic clinical direction,
oversee medical management, and develop programs
to support relationships with the provider
community.
Maggie Rabine has accepted a position as Clear
Choice Health Plans’ Manager of Provider
Relations and Network Development. Maggie joins
Clear Choice with more than 15 years experience
in the health care industry. In her new role
Maggie will be responsible for credentialing
coordination, contracting, communications and
servicing for care delivery systems. |
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BUSINESSES
Awbrey Glen Golf Club today
announced that its members have raised more than
$60,000 for needy Central Oregon families
through a volunteer group called “The Glen
Gives.” The group solicited donations from
members and residents of the Awbrey Glen and
Awbrey Butte communities, and these funds were
coupled with money raised at a successful chili
cook-off, live auction and direct mail campaign.
BBT Architects was recently selected by the City
of Redmond to design a new Public Works Complex.
The project, located at NE 11th Street and E
Antler Avenue in Redmond, will consist of four
separate buildings: a 15,375 sq. ft.
Administration Building; a 9,900 sq. ft. Vehicle
Maintenance Building; a 6,000 sq. ft. covered
Equipment Building; and a 16,000 sq. ft.
Warehouse. Todd Turner will be
Principal-in-Charge of the projects, with Don
Tompos serving as Project Architect.
Construction of the project is scheduled to
begin spring 2008.
LibertyBank, the largest privately-held bank
headquartered in Oregon, announced first quarter
results for the quarter ended September 20.
Solid deposit growth continues, with slower
growth in assets and earnings. Compared to one
year ago, total assets rose 10% to $927 million;
net loans receivable increased 10% to $847
million; and deposits rose 18% to $764 million.
Earnings for the quarter were $3.1 million, up
1% from the same period one year ago.
Newport Ave. Market, has announced that it has a
new gadget they have dubbed “The
Sweet-O-Meter.” The Sweet-O-Meter is a high
tech instrument that measures the level of sugar
in almost any food, and can tell customers the
sweetness of a food even before it is ripe.
Newport Ave. Market hopes this will help
customers learn to choose produce at their
desired level of sweetness.
Providence Health & Services received the Energy
Leadership Award on October 15, 2007 from Energy
Trust of Oregon, in recognition of their
outstanding commitment to energy efficiency and
the environment. Since 2004, Providence has
invested more than $10 million in energy
upgrades at 27 new and existing Oregon
facilities, resulting in combined annual
electricity savings of 10.6 million kilowatt
hours and 230,000 therms of natural gas.
Sortor Bushido Kai Karate congratulates November
Student of the Month Ben Lute. Ben is a
13-year-old blue belt student who is currently
in training to be an assistant instructor. He
is being recognized for his hard work,
commitment to the dojo family and exceptional
maturity in regard to his training. Info:
www.SortorKarate.com
Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy
program has just won the prestigious Green Power
Award, given annually by the EPA and the DOE.
The company won acclaim for advancing the
nation’s green power market. Become part of Blue
Sky yourself at
www.PacificPower.net.
EVENTS
A
citizen survey will be conducted starting in
the week of October 29 by the City of Bend in
order to gauge the community’s opinion on city
service delivery, quality of life in Bend and
satisfaction with local government. The survey
will be conducted via the telephone to
approximately 500 randomly selected registered
voters. The City commissioned a private
full-service research firm to conduct the
confidential survey.
Holiday Wonder 2007, this year’s KIDS Center
holiday fundraiser, will be held at the Tower
Theatre on November 24 and 25 at 2:00 and 7:00
p.m. each day and will feature pianist Michael
Allen Harrison, vocalist Julianne Johnson, and
saxophonist Patrick Lamb as they create an
amazing musical experience with Santa, the Youth
Choir of Central Oregon, and the Victorian
Carolers from Obsidian Opera Company. Ticket
prices are $20 (adults) or $10 (under 18) and
can be purchased at
www.towertheatre.com.
The Series: Celebrating Excellence In Film proudly
presents DR. BRONNER’S MAGIC SOAPBOX - a
documentary about obsession, compassion and
all-purpose soap! – will be held on November
27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Tower Theatre. On each
bottle of his wonderful soap, Dr. Bronner would
print an ever-evolving set of teachings he
called, “The Moral ABC’s,” designed, in his
words, “To unite all mankind free!” Tickets are
$7 at the Tower Theatre Ticket Office, 317-0700.
AdFed’s Non-Profit Conference will be held on December
4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the St. Charles
Medical Center. Continental breakfast is
included in the cost of $15 for AdFed members
($30 for nonmembers), and there will be a number
of door prizes. The topics covered include
“Fundraiser vs. Friendraiser,” web and database
management, sponsorship solicitation, and
branding. RSVP online at
www.adfedco.org
Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living and
COCC Cascade Chorale are pleased to announce the
3rd annual, Holiday Magic, a winter music
celebration, presented by SELCO Credit Union
and Tennant Development. The performances will
be held on December 7, 8, and 9 at the Tower
Theatre. The December 7 performance is at 7:00
p.m., and the December 8 and 9 performances are
at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $18, and $22.
Reserved tickets can be purchased at
www.towertheatre.org. All performances
have been sold out in the past.
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