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Wake Up Wednesday News

Johan Vineyard

Coming August 25th Johan Vineyards will be hosting their annual “Dinner in The Vineyard”. Johan Vineyards will partner with Fimbul Nordic Supper Club who will be carefully preparing dishes inspired by the Nordic landscape and ancient Scandinavian traditions, while Johan will pair each course with a biodynamically farmed wine that pays homage to those same influences. The entire dinner is served tin the heart of the vineyard, just before harvest, when the vines are in their full glory. It is an intimate and exclusive experience not to be missed. Space is limited to 30 guests. The menu and ingredients are limited, so please contact Johan Vineyards prior to reservation regarding dietary restrictions. Cost is $160 per person, $145 for Wine Club Members all inclusive. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

 

Pacific Power

Pacific Power presented a check today to the City of Dallas, Mayor Dalton, and the Booster Club. This check will go to the new Turf at Dallas High School that we have all worked so hard as a community to make possible. During the ground breaking of the turn it was announced that for the first time ever the project was completely funded before it began. According to the construction workers this is something that had never been seen before. Why to go Dallas, and thank you Pacific Power for helping to make the new turf possible!

The Solar Power Grants deadline is August 16th, 2018. This is a grant that Pacific Power funds dedicated to promoting the switch to solar power. The funds are available to any service or community building. If awarded the grant Pacific Power will pay a portion or up to the total that it would cost to install solar panels and make the switch. This is a great opportunity if you have been wanting to convert to solar power, but have not had the funding. Don’t miss this opportunity!

 

CASA

CASAs Golf Tournament “Fore” The Kids was a great success! They report that they filled almost all of their team slots, and thanks to the generosity of the community had terrific prizes awaiting the participants. Prizes that included a movie night for the family, day at Enchanted Forest, or a romantic night out for two. CASA is now preparing for their second largest event of the year, themed CASA Blanca – Casino Night out! CASA Blanca will be held October 20th, with more details to come. If you are interested in sponsoring or volunteering then please reach out to CASA to see how you can help.

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Dallas Rotary Club

Dallas Rotary Club is more than a service organization that’s making a difference in your community. They are an international membership organization made up of people who share a passion for and commitment to enhancing communities and improving lives across the world. The difference they make starts with their members.

With more than 1.2 million members in clubs in almost every country, they are improving communities around the world. As a member of Rotary, they have opportunities to change lives locally and to connect with other clubs to work on international projects that address today’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, including fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, and promoting peace.

Their largest and proudest effort to date is their work to eradicate polio. They initiated the audacious polio eradication campaign in 1979, by vaccinating children in the Philippines. With the help of their partners, they have since reduced polio cases worldwide by 99.9 percent.

They are problem solvers working together to achieve a better world. Their members are deeply ingrained in the communities in which they live and serve, affording them insight into local challenges and access to the leaders, resources, and networking opportunities needed to strategize and take action to make lasting change.

As Rotary members they hold themselves to the highest ethical standards. Community members, community leaders, and other organizations see them out because they know they can trust the Dallas Rotary to be effective partners and deliver on their promises.

Rotary clubs reflect the diversity of their communities and the breadth of viewpoints that comes from their members’ varied professional and personal experiences. For more than 100 years, they have been applying different perspectives to create innovative, sustainable solutions that address the needs and challenges affecting their communities.

Harnessing their unique perspectives and ideas gives the Dallas Rotary Club a shared purpose – one that compels them to take action. They roll up their sleeves, leverage their personal relationships with local partners and businesses, and apply their leadership skill as a way to get the job done and bring to life the changes they envision.

The impact their members make takes shape at Rotary club meetings and activities. These gatherings allow you to join other passionate, visionary women and men regularly to discuss and act upon community needs. Rotary club meetings are also a place to strengthen connections to friends and neighbors and form meaningful relationships that last a lifetime.

Just a Rotary helps you invest in your community, it gives you an opportunity to invest in yourself. Many clubs offer continuous learning opportunities, with a broad range of workshops, conferences, guest speakers, and more – all aimed at helping you grow personally and professionally.

Connect with a Rotary Club today. Rotary members join clubs by invitation. With 35,000 clubs around the world, and others that meet online, Rotary makes it easy to get involved and start making a difference today. Be a part of the Rotary difference. Bring your passion, your perspective, and your purpose to Rotary. To connect with a club in your area and learn more, visit them at www.rotary.org/join.

By dallaschamber DACC • General Information • Member News • motivation • Uncategorized • Upcoming Events • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Chamber Luncheon – Shawn Howe

This next speaker series luncheon on Monday, July 16th, will be from a Dallas High School graduate who has coached on some of the nation’s largest stages including University of Tennessee, USC, Memphis, and others. Shawn Howe, new Defensive Coordinator at Coastal Carolina University, will be sharing his story with us.

On February 23rd, Shawn Howe was named the Defensive Line Coach by Coastal Carolina head football coach Joe Moglia.

Howe spent the last three seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Dixie State University. Last season, Howe’s defense ranked 21st in the nation in fewest passing yards allowed and picked off 13 passes.

Prior to his arrival to DSU, he was the defensive line coach at Humboldt State University for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. During his tenure at HSU, Howe coached one All-American and six all-conference performers while his 2014 unit led the nation in sacks.

Howe worked with the Southern California football program for two seasons, including the 2012 season with current CCU defensive coordinator Marvin Sanders. Howe as a graduate assistant working with the defensive line in 2012 and was a defensive assistant in 2011. Before his time with the Trojans, Howe spent four years in the state of Tennessee with a brief stint at Gardner-Webb. In 2010, he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Tennessee helping the Volunteers reach the Music City Bowl. However, from January to June 2010 Howe was the defensive line coach with the Runnin’ Bulldogs. He spent the previous three years as a graduate assistant coach at Memphis. He worked the Tigers’ defense the first two years and coached the tight ends in 2009. Memphis played in the New Orleans Bowl in 2007, and the St. Petersburg Bowl in 2008.

He came to Memphis after working as a volunteer assistant at North Carolina State in 2006, helping with the defensive line. He began his coaching career at Rocky Mountain College, his alma mater, serving as the outside linebackers coach in 2004, and 2005.

Howe played defensive end and linebacker at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA in 2000, and 2001, earning All-Mid-Empire Conference first team honors in 2000 when he was the team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. He then transferred to Rocky Mountain College, where he was a two-year starter at defensive end. He graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health.

This Monday Shawn Howe will be speaking on his journey from small town Dallas, to some of the biggest fields in the nation. You don’t want to miss this!

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Polk County Historical Society

A group met December 18, 1958, to formulate a Polk County Historical Society. Mrs. Clares Powell invited fourteen ladies to her home on January 1, 1959 to explore interest in organizing a society.

Iris Powell was appointed temporary chairman and Emma Henkle was the temporary secretary. On January 21, 1959, a permanent organization was formed. A constitution was adopted and officers elected. Those elected were: Francis B. Haines, President; Mrs. Delwen Reinemer, Vice President; Mrs. Leland Prather, Secretary; Mrs. O.G. Lyday, Treasurer.

In an April 23, 1959, news article, Dr. Haines stated there were ninety-five signed as charter members.

Meanwhile, the Polk County Museum Commission had dreams of sharing their love of all things historical with residents and visitors alike, long before there was any building to call home. When the Commission disbanded in 1989, the Museum Association continued fundraising efforts while reorganizing into a non-profit organization. Until a permanent building could be realized, the Association became temporary tenants in the 1912 Carnegie Library Building provided by the City of Dallas. On February 16, 1991, the Polk County Museum opened for business.

The Museum Association had been collecting treasures, both donated and on loan, for years. These treasures were now available to be seen and shared with the public, no longer hidden in attics, garages and sheds. The artifacts and documents collected reflected the diversity of cultures and people of the Polk County area. Opening ceremonies included talks by local collectors and historians, performances by local musicians and songs sung by Grand Ronde elders to the beating of a skin drum.

Today, the Polk County Historical Society is a public-benefit, non-profit corporation managed by a Board of Directors consisting of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, nine Directors and the immediate Past President. Board members are elected to the Annual Membership Meeting held each January. The volunteer Board of Directors meets monthly to implement the pronouncements comprising the PCHS Mission Statement.

Fourth of July is a day to celebrate not only freedom, but our history. I encourage you to visit the Polk County Historical Society, and remember just what it is our ancestors fought and died for; what soldiers today continue to fight to protect. Thank you to those who have served, and thank you to those that work to preserve our history.

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The 10 Don’ts of Networking

Don’t dress down. Looks matter, whether you like it or not. Before you can “wow” people with your impressive set of skills, you’ll need to awe them with your appearance and body language.

Don’t dismiss people who don’t look important. “You should behave here like everyone you interact with has the potential… to get you a cover story in The New York Times.” Sometimes it’s the secretary that will get the job done, not the president.

Don’t expect a job. Getting a job might be more about who you know than what you know – but don’t be so obvious about it.

Don’t be uninformed. No card, no contact. Be up to date with what is going on in your field and in the field whose business you are trying to get. It’s okay to learn something new, but if you don’t know something crucial then you have just lost their faith in your abilities.

Don’t collect business cards like candy. “Don’t trick-or-treat for business cards.” Make an honest connection with someone before you start soliciting for business. They are more likely to give it after a positive interaction verses a cold call.

Don’t only think about yourself. “Networking can be described as the process of interacting or engaging in communication with other for mutual assistance or support.”

Don’t be vague. “I want to go back to school… maybe do something in the business world.” Almost everything has something to do with business. Have clear goals in mind.

Don’t reach too high. Having Mark Cuban, Warren Buffet, or John Maxwell on speed dial would be great – for you. But would you really be able to offer them much help? Maybe… but probably not.

Don’t monopolize anyone’s time. This isn’t a phone call or an email exchange, so give people space to mingle. If they are giving hand signals to a partner across the room to help them escape, you’ve lost the opportunity.

Don’t follow up with a sales pitch. Before you ask for a favor, you need to develop the relationship further, Sue Clement writes on Businessknowhow.com. She recommends referencing something you spoke about at the networking event and then offering the person something they can use – whether that is an introduction or a helpful article.

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Kurt Van Meter

“Straight up, I should be dead,” Kurt Van Meter once cheerfully told a reporter. At 1:30 pm Friday, November 21, 2009, then police officer Van Meter responded to a call from his sergeant saying that shots had been fired in downtown Hillsboro. When the high-speed car chase through the busiest stretch of Portland’s sprawling suburb ended, Van Meter stood only a few paces from the deranged gunman.

“He jumped out of the Honda with the silver .50 caliber Desert Eagle in one hand and a black .45 caliber Desert Eagle in the other,” Van Meter told a reporter from Police One shortly after the incident. Van Meter remembers the man leveling one of the pistols directly at him before two officers from neighboring Cornelius opened fire and killed the gunman.

Van Meter’s brush with death gave way to a moment of clarity in which he decided to pursue his life-long dream and follow in the footsteps of his country music hero, Garth Brooks.

Van Meter can remember the moment he knew he wanted to be a singer.

“My brother was giving me a ride to school – I think I was a freshman or sophomore – and he put in this CD and told me that I had to hear this song,” Van Meter said. “It was ‘Friends in Low Places’ by Garth Brooks. I was instantly hooked. I was like, I don’t know what this is, but whatever it is, I want to be a part of it.”

But life seemed to take him in every direction but the music. Van Meter played football and became a bull rider at Oregon State University before entering the police force. There, he would sing in the office – but his coworkers didn’t seem to share in the joy.

“My first gig was marine patrol and they give you a partner. He told me one day, ‘Kurt have I ever told you how much I love your singing?’ I said no and he goes, ‘then shut up.’” Van Meter figured maybe he wasn’t that good of a singer, after all. The first person who told him he had a good voice was an ex-girlfriend. But music seemed to be an out-of-reach dream.

The shooting changed all of that and about a year later Van Meter decided to chase his dream. He hoped on Youtube and started to learn how to play the guitar. He also began attending local jam sessions in Hillsboro. The next challenge was finding a way to get his music heard. Van Meter was put in contact with Scott Mahalick and told him, “If you believe in me, I can be the next Garth Brooks.” Van Meter had no songs, no band, and nothing to offer but his voice. Despite that, Garth Brooks and Scott attempted to contact Van Meter. A missed phone call that he still cringes about.

Van Meter’s career took off relatively quickly and he opened for country stars like Montgomery Gentry. In 2013, he committed to music full-time and played the Bi-Mart Country Music Festival in 2014, alongside artists Eric Church and Blake Shelton. When he started, Van Meter said his songs had a couple hundred streams and downloads per month. By 2015, those numbers were up to more than 100,000.

As Van Meter has seen his popularity rise, he’s quick to point to his bandmates as reasons for his success. “When you have a team as strong as this one, it’s in your best interest to get the hell out of the way,” he said. “My role is to not forget the lyrics and not suck.”

Van Meter hopes his kids and others can see his journey and decide to follow their passion and to not be afraid of failure. “Two things are important, one is don’t wait until you’re ready to do something. If you want to do it, just go for it. I didn’t know what I was doing. Sometimes, you just gotta go for it. The second thing is you’re never too old. I was 33 when I learned how to play the guitar.”

Van Meter will be performing tomorrow night at Sounds of Summer kicking off the summer series. Come join us, and enjoy good music, food, and drinks. Vendors will start serving at 6 pm and the fun will begin at 6:30 pm. His CDs will be on sale both at the info booth, as well as after the concert at the Chamber of Commerce.

“Kurt, you are obviously doing something right. Stay with what works.” – Garth Brooks

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Wake Up Wednesday

For the last month now Dallas Chamber of Commerce has been participating in Wake Up Wednesday alongside your business neighbors. During this time we are able to connect with local business, share both struggles, and solutions, and grow as a community.

The Wake Up Wednesday today was hosted by Citizens Bank, and Jake shared with us what is new with Citizens Bank. Recently they celebrated their 60th anniversary of the first Citizens Bank opening in Corvallis. There was even a photo available for their grand opening! Jake discussed how Citizens Bank focuses on their customers and not with meeting a sales quota like bigger banks do. If they do not have the best option for you they will send you to someone who does. In this day and age, such banking transparency is appreciated!

West Valley Taphouse kicked off their Discover Dallas Wine Walkabout Series this last Sunday with over 50 participants. The goal is to partner with local business in order to drive tourism in the area. If you attended Sam would love to hear any feedback you might have. If you are interested in participating in the next Wine Walkabout on June 24th you can find out more information or purchase a ticket on their website discoverdallas.wine.

Washington Street Steakhouse and Pub is preparing for Fathers Day! For breakfast dad can look forward to big daddy chicken fried steak and eggs, porterhouse peppered pork chops and eggs, or slow smoked prime rib and eggs. If dad is a late riser then bring him in to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner of big daddy chick fried steak with mashed potatoes, porterhouse peppered pork chops with baked potato, or a slow smoked prime rib with baked potato.

Tuesday on the Square is getting ready to kick off on June 12th. The City of Dallas departments and community partners such as Pacific Power, West Valley Hospital, and many more will be on the courthouse lawn from 4 pm to 7 pm. They will be highlighting their services with plenty of fun for the whole family; good food, bouncy houses, and lots of giveaways.

MV Advancements is growing! While we love to see Dallas businesses grow it’s left them in a tight spot. They are in need of volunteers for two positions. They are looking for business that are in need of help to place their clients, as well as Assessment setters. If you would like to help with either of these positions please contact them for more information.

Last but certainly not least, Turf ground breaking. We pulled together as a community to make it happen and it all kicks off Monday at 4 pm. Ground breaking will take place at Ron August Field and everyone is invited!

If you would like to meet with your fellow business members, and hear firsthand what is going on in our community then contact the Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to seeing you there, and to our community growing!

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Winston Churchill Day April 9th

Let’s be honest, life is hard. Sometimes it feels like the odds are stacked against us and we are not sure where to go or what to do next.

Winston Churchill, Britain’s great hero and Prime Minister during World War II, was once asked to give a commencement address at Oxford University. Churchill was a leader admired and loved by the people. He had led Great Britain through a time of defeat, despair, and great loss, but had continued to provide inspiration exactly when it was needed. You can imagine the anticipation of the students, faculty, and family members as Winston Churchill made his way to the platform. Dressed in coattails, he carefully removed his gloves and top hat to deliver these words, “Never give up. Never, never give up” He then turned and went back to his seat. It was perhaps the shortest speech on record but also the most remembered at Oxford University and around the world. It was a message of hope and encouragement.

Without going into a lot of drama and details I will tell you that I recently went through one of those life-changing events. This event should have left me a mess, feeling alone and no idea how to pick myself back up. Instead, I found a community standing behind me, willing to give me a shoulder to cry on or an encouraging hug.

Yes, life is hard. There are always going to be challenges, some greater than others. The nice thing is that we don’t have to surmount them alone. We have people in our lives that want to help us; whether it’s personal or professional. The trick is to reach out and ask for it. We at the Chamber of Commerce would love to help in any way we can. If we can’t help you then we darn will help you find someone who can. Today, in honor of Winston Churchill, we at the Chamber say, “Never give up.”

~Sarah Javins