North Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce

Clackamas Community College (CCC) is one of three Oregon employers named semifinalists for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Award. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the DoD to employers for exceptional support of their Guard and Reserve employees.

Nationally, 133 semifinalists were selected from among 3,236 nominees. In Oregon, Cayuse Technologies in Pendleton, and the Wal-Mart Store in Hermiston, were also named semifinalists.

The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) will announce 2012 Freedom Award finalists in May after a review board comprised of military and civilian leaders selects the 30 most supportive employers from the semifinalists. The 15 award recipients will be announced early this summer and honored in Washington D.C. at a ceremony in September.

Under the leadership of President Joanne Truesdell, CCC has greatly increased service to veterans over the past few years including job training opportunities, credit for prior learning, dedicated counselors to work with veterans, a veterans’ club and financial aid support. The CCC Foundation established the Military Families Scholarship Endowment, providing scholarship support to the families of service members and veterans.

The Oregon ESGR has honored CCC with both the My Boss is a Patriot Award and the Pro Patria Award. CCC was a semifinalist for the Freedom Award last year.

“It is an honor to be nominated for the Freedom Award,” said Truesdell. “CCC is committed to helping those who have served our country achieve continued success.”

For more information, please contact Janet Paulson at 503-594-3162.

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Reed College has announced that the selection of Oregon’s Attorney General, John Kroger, as their next President.

Attorney General Kroger, who was not seeking reelection, said, “I’m very excited about this opportunity to help lead this great Oregon college. Because I will need to be on campus for the beginning of the fall semester, I will be stepping down later this summer as Attorney General. I have informed the Governor of my plans and will work with him to ensure a smooth transition for my successor. It has been a great honor to serve as Oregon’s Attorney General.”

The former United States Marine received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Philosophy from Yale University and graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. Prior to his election as Attorney General, was a law professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland.

Under Kroger’s leadership the past term several new initiatives have been launched to prosecute environmental crimes, protect civil rights and combat mortgage fraud. In other agency work over the past three and a half years the AG’s office has taken legal action against banks, pharmaceutical companies and big tobacco, recovering over $150 million for Oregon.

A flurry of activities on May 19^th will celebrate the grand opening of a several years’ project in Boring. Beginning at 11 am the public is invited to ceremonies to inaugurate the Boring Station Trailhead Park in the middle of downtown Boring.

Activities include a flag raising ceremony, color guard pipe and drum, unveiling of the paving stones in the park courtyard and cake cutting and refreshments. The park is the result of efforts of many, including the Chamber through tourism funding over the years. In addition to the Boring community members and tourism funding, others who were instrumental in the development of the site include Oregon State Parks, Metro and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Join in the fun and festivities from 11 am to 12 noon on Saturday, May 19 to celebrate a great community-wide effort.

Columbia State Bank announces Gary Abramson as residential loan officer of Portland’s Gateway branch.  In his new position, Gary will be working as a trusted advisor to all bank customers seeking mortgage loan information in the Western Oregon and Southwest Washington regions.

“Gary has created a reputation for himself in the banking community through his integrity and commitment to his clients,” said Barbara Kaye, SVP and Regional Manager. “His knowledge and passion for providing outstanding customer service make him an exceptional addition to the team.”

With 11 years of banking experience, Gary has a strong background in lending. He enjoys working with first time home buyers by educating and involving them through the entire home loan process.  Gary previously managed the mortgage department at Town Center Bank.

Gary has been involved with the Chamber and Rotary International and currently volunteers as a youth sports coach.  He proudly led his girls fast pitch softball team to the Oregon State Championships 12U-B in 2011.

About Columbia Bank

Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is the holding Company of Columbia State Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank which was again awarded one of Seattle Business Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For 2011 and was designated one of  Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Washington’s Best Workplaces 2011”.

Including the recent acquisitions of Bank of Whitman, Summit Bank and First Heritage Bank, Columbia Banking System has 102 banking offices, including 77 branches in Washington State and 25 branches in Oregon. Columbia Bank does business under the Bank of Astoria name in Astoria, Warrenton, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Tillamook in Oregon. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.

Every year for the last 20 years, each of Oregon’s 17 community colleges have selected two outstanding students to be recognized for their academic achievements and community involvement. In recognition of their accomplishments, Clackamas Community College (CCC) students Blaine Gobler and Kelly Ragalie joined 36 other students for brunch on Thursday, April 12, in Salem for the All-Oregon Academic Team.

The Oregon Community College Association hosted the brunch honoring the 38 students, ranging in age from 19 to 55 and coming from all walks of life. Following the brunch, Gov. John Kitzhaber greeted the students, posing for a group photo on the steps of the Rotunda.

Gobler, 19, is an honor roll student and an officer in Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for students at two-year colleges. He plans to transfer to the University of Oregon and study dentistry. Ragalie, 33, is a mother of four, who owns and operates a flooring company. She is a volunteer for Providence St. Vincent and the American Red Cross. She is an officer with Phi Theta Kappa and a scholarship recipient and maintains a 3.75 grade point average. She plans to transfer to Portland State University and work toward a career as a physician’s assistant.

For more information, please contact Janis Rosenlof at 503-594-3022.

Exceed Enterprises has been selected to receive a $20,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente’s Community Benefit program to help pay for an instructor’s salary to launch our Work Assessment & Readiness Program that will provide vocational training, skill development and job readiness for people with disabilities.

Kaiser Permanente’s Community Benefit program contributes millions of dollars each year to support a range of programs, projects and organizations that contribute to individual and community health. In 2011, Kaiser Permanente Northwest contributed almost $120 million to communities in their service area.

With this grant support, Exceed will hire a full-time vocational instructor to lead a program aimed at developing the skills some of our workers need to effectively transition from facility-based employment to competitive employment in the broader community.

“We are excited to partner with Kaiser to create an entirely new pathway towards integrated employment for adults with developmental disabilities who have traditionally experienced significant barriers to obtaining employment,” says Philip Stuva, Exceed’s Director of Development.

The hiring of this instructor and the overall creation of this new program will be a valuable tool for Exceed as we strive to align our goal’s with the State’s Employment First initiative that will promote integrated, community-based employment for people with even the most severe disabilities.

Established in 1968, Exceed Enterprises is a nonprofit organization that provides vocational and personal development services for people with mental, emotional and physical disabilities. Exceed offers meaningful employment and personal development services to more than 150 adults and students. For more information, please visit www.exceedpdx.com or call 503.652.9036.

Kaiser Permanente Northwest is part of the national Kaiser Permanente network, one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Kaiser Permanente Northwest serves about 480,000 members in northwestern Oregon and Southwest Washington. Through its dedication to care innovations, electronic medical records, clinical research, health education and community health, Kaiser Permanente is helping shape the future of health care in America. For more information, go to kp.org/newscenter.

How do personal documents, identification cards and cell phones end up in the wrong hands? Identity thieves break into homes, offices, vehicles, mailboxes and dumpsters; while pickpockets physically lift items from individuals.
• Never store private documents in unsecured locations.
• Avoid carrying unneeded cards or saving compromising details on electronic devices.
• Shred unnecessary, expired private documents, such as old: credit card applications, financial statements, bills, insurance paperwork, health forms and junk mail.

To help prevent identity theft and secure data during Money Smart Week—April 21 to 28—shred documents and recycle old cell phones at Better Business Bureau’s free Secure Your ID Day: Oregon.bbb.org/secure-your-id.

On Saturday, April 21, join BBB and ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions at US Bank of Oregon at 4505 SW Hall Blvd. in Beaverton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as items are shred on-the-spot by Shred-it for free. Drive up to drop off up to three bags or boxes of unwanted documents per person; no cardboard or three-ring binders. Also, donate old cell phones to Verizon’s HopeLine, supporting victims of domestic abuse.

For event information, contact BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington at 503-212-3022 or events@thebbb.org.

Your business is invited to assist in creating a strong local economy and representing business before government as a Vision Sponsor for 2012-13.

Thanks to several members this past year, the Chamber has been able to have a very active presence in a number of public policy areas this past year. Vision Sponsors have given us the ability to sponsor candidate events, host members to the Oregon State Chamber Day at the Capitol, hold a successful candidate training workshop, advocate for business interests with TriMet, Metro, City of Milwaukie, State of Oregon and other jurisdictions.

Additionally we have kept a strong presence at Metro’s MPAC, Clackamas County Business Alliance, Clackamas County Economic Development Commission the county’s Transportation System Plan update and Bike-Ped update and several others. We have worked with the unincorporated urban area in many ways, and also with our four cities on issues of interest to business.

Vice President, External Affairs, Wilda Parks, is now taking reservations for 2012-13 Vision Sponsors to carry out a similar platform for the upcoming organizational year. Members with interest in creating a strong local economy through representation, advocacy and access may become a 2012-13 Vision Sponsor in one of two levels.

In the next few months, prior to the general election in November, our goal is to host several candidate and ballot measure events. Next spring, during the full legislative session, we will sponsor member attendance for the Oregon Chamber Day at the Capitol, with an afternoon of visits to our state Senators and Representatives. There will be other activities, including the monthly Public Policy Team meetings, which will be sponsored by our Vision Sponsors.

Your Chamber is pleased to present this once a year opportunity for business to support this area of program as we strive for a strong local economy.  As a Vision Sponsor you can be part of a collective business effort to maintain a program that includes economic development, advocating for business before government, public policy, community outreach, legislative programs and information, candidate training and, when needed, lobbying at local, regional, state and federal levels for good business practices.

There are two levels to this sponsorship, each stays in place for the fiscal year, July 1 2012 to June 30 2013. Each level, $500 and $1,000 offers benefits to you and to your business. Each level assists the Chamber in completing its policy program for the benefit of the area.

An overview and the listing of all benefits is available by contacting Parks at the chamber (503-654-7777, or wilda@yourchamber.com) or the complete details of the program are on the chamber website at http://yourchamber.com/public-policy/vision-sponsor/ .

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12:01 April 28th marks the opening of fishing season and the 49th annual Sportsman’s Breakfast!!  Sandy Fire District continues to celebrate this event in an unusual but “tasteful” way!!

Since 1963 Sandy’s Main Fire Station has transformed its engine bay into a 19 hour, feasting paradise.  Sandy Volunteer Firefighters will have been serving food for 7 hours by the time fishing season officially begins.

This is a fantastic traditional Fire House style spread with pancakes, ham, and eggs prepared just about any way you want them.  “Everyone knows firefighters love to eat great food, we have a reputation for being terrific cooks too!” said, Firefighter Glenn Yeager “This also allows us to reach out to our community in a meaningful way.  All proceeds from The Breakfast go back to our citizens in the form of scholarships for local high school students and Christmas Baskets to families in need”.

What:
All-You-Can-Eat Sportsman’s Breakfast

How Much:
$5 Adults / $4 Children/Seniors, Cash and Checks only please

When:
FRIDAY – April 27th, 5:00 pm until 12:00 pm on Saturday, April 28th

Where:
Sandy Fire Main Station, 17460 Bruns Ave, Just off of Hwy 26

A LOT OF GREAT STUFF GOING ON AT THE FIREHOUSE!!

RAFFLE TICKETS
Raffle Tickets will be available prior to the breakfast as well as day of.  You can purchase these tickets for only $1.00 each, prior to the breakfast by visiting the fire station or finding any Sandy Firefighter.

Local businesses pitch in to make this one of the best raffles around!  TOO MANY ITEMS TO LIST, however, all will be on display at the breakfast.  These raffle tickets offer you not only a chance to win prizes, but an opportunity to support your community as well.

FREE PHOTOS WITH THE FIRE ENGINE
On Saturday, April 28th from 8am to noon you are invited to get your photo taken dressed up as a firefighter beside our antique fire engine. Your free photo is printed on the spot and comes with a magnetic frame so you can put it on your refrigerator for the whole family to admire!  Our very own professional photographers make the process super FUN and help arrange children and/or entire families or just parents and grandparents to create a great looking photo.

COLLECTOR T-SHIRTS FOR SALE
These collectable shirts are highly sought after with a unique design that changes every year.  This year’s design is another must have!  $10 for youth; $12 for adult S-XL; $14 for adult XXL; $16 for adult XXXL

LIFE SAVING HELMETS
Once you enter Sandy Fire District’s Main station you will be greeted with the sounds and smells of a wonderful family style meal and a host of safety booths and information, you can even purchase a properly fitted helmet (Bike $7, Skate/All Sport $12 or Ski $25)! Any opportunity to help save lives and you can be sure Sandy Fire will take advantage of it.

The only ‘catch’ is —the head that the helmet is for MUST be present so that firefighters can PROPERLY fit it! NO exceptions.

The helmet booth will be operating from 5-8 p.m. on Friday and again from 8 a.m. — 12 noon on Saturday.  It can take a bit of time to properly fit a helmet, so set some aside during your stay at the station and SAVE A LIFE !

Feel free to contact 503-668-8093 and ask for Margaret or email M.Grassl@sandyfire.org with any questions.  You can also visit:  OHSU’s – Think First (Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention) Website for a brochure on how to properly measure (and fit) a helmet.    http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/outreach/programs/thinkfirst/helmets/upload/Helmet-Fitting-Instructions.pdf

For Additional Information about the Breakfast or the Raffle, Contact:
Dave Holmes at 503-668-8093