March/April 2009
FAN CLUB The FAN club takes place the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. *Special Date* March 10, 2009 Marketing & Promotions Fair Reel Deal Theater 2551 Central Ave Los Alamos, NM April 22, 2009 Russ Gordon Concert Fans Los Alamos Visitor Center 109 Central Park Square Los Alamos, NM
BUSINESS BREAKFAST
1st Thursday of every month at UNM-LA 7:15 - 7:30 a.m. -Networking 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. -Program
*Special Date, Time, Place* April 16, 2009 Destination Development Dialog Research Park Conference Room 8 AM to 10 AM ~Coming Soon~ Legislative Recap Jeannette Wallace Please contact Katy Korkos at katyk@losalamos.org for info on future topics.
WHAT'S INSIDE:
LACDC
pages 1,2,3
SBDC
pages 4
CHAMBER
pages 5-7
MAINSTREET
pages 8,9
LAMVB
pages 10,11
Event Photos page
12
Networking & Promotion at the March Fan Club
The UNM-LA SBDC is teaming up with the Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation to provide you with opportunities to learn about marketing and how to do it effectively. At the end of March, we will be giving a One Year Membership in the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce to one lucky winner! On Tuesday, March 10, 2009 beginning at 5:30 pm at the Reel Deal Theater, local avenues of communication, promotion and advertising will gather in one place to ensure you have all the necessary contacts and information for your 2009 Marketing Strategies. This event is brought to you for FREE to give you great ideas that will help you market your business more effectively! Receive your own MARKETING TOOLKIT filled with tips, tools and resources when you attend this "March Marketing Madness" FAN Club and enter for your chance to win valuable door prizes, 'free advertising space' with local businesses or a One Year Membership in the Los Alamos Chamber!The SBDC will issue a "March Marketing Madness Pass" that will need to be punched at each workshop you attend in March (at least 4 out of the 6 workshops) and at the 3rd Annual Marketing & Promotions Fair on March 10, 2009 to be eligable to win membership. Promotional Businesses attending are: AM 1490 KRSN Los Alamos Monitor Mountain Images Reel Deal Advertising Southwest Office Solutions PAC 8 Don Taylor's and Many More! Call 505.661.4815 for more information
LACDC News
Did you miss this?
Portals Make it Easy to Connect Two new web portals offered by LACDC make it easy to connect with a broad variety of important information. www.fyiLA.com is targeted at the general population living and working in the Los Alamos & White Rock community. Finding local businesses and services, event schedules and information, news, jobs information, and links to key community resources has never been easier.
The Chamber of Commerce online member directory is already heavily used by many people to find local businesses and fyiLA.com becomes one more way to get people to the directory. In the last six months of 2008, visitors to Chamber websites (including the Chamber site and the on-line visitor guide) conducted 43,795 member directory searches. Through these searches, Los Alamos Chamber members experienced 935,939 member exposures resulting in 49,115 click-thrus to member websites and directory information. We expect that a portal targeted specifically to locals will increase these results.
New Mexico Women in Business
A unique feature of fyiLA.com is a powerful search engine specifically for our community powered by Google. Only indexed local area businesses and organizations (e.g. chamber members) appear in search results. fyiLA.com will be promoted within our community and area as a convenient source of information that uses search technology that everyone is familiar with, Google. The second new portal, www.LABizInfo.com is targeted specifically to business PEEC
people and aspiring business people in our area to provide information and tools that will help in starting, growing, and improving their enterprise. In addition to a business directory, calendar of business events and workshops, a job posting board, and local links, LACDC is partnering with a service called “Tools for Business Success� to provide links to a broad variety of business assistance information and tools. Examples of useful tools include: a business formation kit, financial calculators, business planning tools, and human resource management tools. This portal integrates access to the full range of resources available in our community to support business start-up and growth. To visit with a UNM-LA Small Business Development Center business counselor to learn more about how to put this resource to best use for your business or organization, call 661-0004.
AM 1490 KRSN
Is your business celebrating an ANNIVERSARY or GRAND OPENING? The Chamber wants to help you celebrate! Call or e-mail today for more information on how we can help. Katy Korkos:(505)662-4816
2
katyk@losalamos.org
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
LACDC News Community Assessment Will Provide Independent Perspective Ever wonder how our community is perceived by visitors, tourists, and potential new residents? The Chamber Business Breakfast in April will be a special program that is not to be missed. Roger Brooks and Monica Dixon of DDI, Inc. will provide a stimulating and engaging perspective on our community as it is perceived from the outside-in. LACDC has engaged Seattle-based DDI as part of our efforts addressing our strategic goals for downtown improvement and for obtaining greater economic benefit from visitors and tourism. The results of the assessment and the suggestions that come from it will provide the basis for continuing work, facilitating collaborative efforts with stakeholders, and for garnering support for continuing actions. DDI brings expertise in performing community assessments, downtown development, and branding/ marketing plan development. They have worked with hundreds of communities throughout the country and they specialize in working with small communities that are working to create greater vitality in their downtowns. The two-hour “Assessment Findings & Suggestions” program will incorporate dozens of photos, examples, suggestions and new ideas, and a wealth of information designed to provide the basis for collective community discussion and action. “We think that the information that will be gained and the discussions and ideas that will be prompted from this process will be helpful to addressing our goals of improving downtown vitality and increasing economic benefit from visitors and tourists,” says LACDC and Chamber Executive Director Kevin Holsapple. An estimated 300,000 visitors and tourists come to our immediate area each year and the Lodgers Tax Board is working to retain and increase that number. These visitors and tourists bring considerable benefit to the community in the form of business activity for merchants, restaurants, and lodging establishments. In addition, they contribute to the local tax base: visitors and tourists staying at hotels generate an estimated $150,000 in local GRT and $230,000 in lodger tax obligations annually just from their hotel stays. If each visitor spent $10 locally we could expect 100,000 in GRT.
The benefits that our community can derive from visitation/ tourism go beyond just the direct economic effects. Improvements for visitors and tourists can also improve quality of life for current residents and make our community a more attractive place to recruit and retain workers for the Lab and other employers as well. The community assessment will provide a sound, factual basis for engaging and facilitating collaborative efforts and for prioritizing specific potential actions. The April Business Breakfast will be held from 8-10 am on Thursday, April 16th in rooms 203A/B at the Los Alamos Research Park. It is a free event open to all current and prospective members of the Chamber. Light breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 am to provide time for networking, and the program will begin promptly at 8 am. There are a limited number of seats, so advance registration is required. Email katyk@losalamos.org to register.
Need to do a Fundraiser? Reusable shopping bags are available to Los Alamos and White Rock community organizations, clubs, teams, churches, and other organizations for use in your fundraising project • No risk to fundraising organization • Environmentally friendly – help reduce disposable bag blight • Product immediately available • We’ll assist in publicizing your fundraising project Contact Claire Roybal, 661-4836
3 March/April 2009
UNM-LA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER 2009 Spring Workshop Schedule March is Marketing Madness Month
March What is the Market Potential of you Product or Service? Simplifying Market Research 03/03/09 Tuesday 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Small Business Center Fee: $25.00
This workshop will focus on gathering the necessary market data and its practical uses to make your business a success. The custom market research process will be covered in depth, using the Web and other free or low-cost resources that will result in data that can be used for such activities as: competition analysis, business development, prioritization of potential customer sectors, whether or not to launch a new product, or how to find new customers. If you are interested in learning how to research and apply market data to your business so that you can generate sales, this workshop is for you.
Speaker: Donna Berg, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Technology Transfer Division Learn the Art of Building Alliance... The Power of Networking 03/12/09 Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Small Business Center Fee: $25.00 The ability to network effectively may be the difference between success and failure. For a small business owner, networking can create more business, as well as, increase confidence and dramatically lower expenses, if used properly. This hands-on workshop will provide you with tools, techniques and strategies designed to create powerful networking skills that will boost the presence of your small business.
Speaker: Rosanne M. Roberts, R.M. Roberts and Associates Create a compelling story that goes to Print! The Press Release Workshop 03/19/09 Thursday 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Small Business Center Fee: $25.00 One of the most cost effective ways to get press for your business is to send out a timely and newsworthy release to local and national media. But, writing a press release that is relevant, interesting, and is formatted to the likes of the media outlets can be a daunting task. This workshop is designed to guide you through the basics of a well-written press release using the guidelines of storytelling. It will teach you all of the necessary steps of creating press releases that get published as well as equip you with the resources and tools to develop a media relations plan that is easy to implement.
Speaker: Rubina Cohen, Firefly Santa Fe
Dealing with Creative Block? Learn to Think Like a Marketer and LOVE it! -Marketing Plan Basics 03/05/09 Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Small Business Center Fee: $25.00 A sound marketing plan is key for the success of your business and preparation for laying out your plan is essential in getting started. You will learn how to define your product/ service, look at market segments and create a strategy for communicating your message to reach those segments. This hands-on workshop will give you the opportunity to fine tune your products/services, differentiate between features and benefits and learn which to communicate to your customers. Come prepared to share ideas and spend time brainstorming with fellow attendees to learn the strategies that work in a small community and how to apply them to your business. This ‘back-to-basics’ workshop is designed to get you started in the development of your plan, encourage your creative process and provide you with the necessary tools to begin an effective marketing plan.
Speaker: Venessa De Los Santos (formerly Finn), Business Advisor, UNM-LA SBDC The Benefits of Building Media Relationships.... Media & Public Relations Planning 03/17/09 Tuesday 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Small Business Center Fee: $25.00 Writing a great press release and distributing it hastily may get you immediate results, but it probably won't last. Building relationships with key media contacts and establishing yourself as an expert in your field takes time. Why is it better to approach one media channel versus another? What contacts would benefit your business specifically? This workshop was created to help you answer these questions and others. Since every business is different, your map to success will be different than others. You will leave with your very own Micro-Media & Public Relations Plan and all the necessary tools for immediate implementation.
Speaker: Rubina Cohen, Firefly Santa Fe Learn to Deal with Difficult People and Much More The Customer Service Workshop 03/26/09 Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Small Business Center Fee: $25.00 As a small business owner, you recognize that the ability to deal with difficult customers, employees, vendors and situations is essential to your success! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to deal with impossible scenarios and learn to successfully communicate on the telephone and in person to effectively prevent future conflicts. This seminar will help you increase customer satisfaction to ensure a boost in sales
Speaker: Rosanne M. Roberts, R.M. Roberts and Associates Attend at least 4 of the 6 'March Marketing Madness' Workshops & the 3rd Annual Marketing & Promotions Fair on March 10th, to enter for your chance to win a One Year Membership with the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce ($200 Value). Entries will be collected at the end of March and one card will be drawn randomly for the winner on March 31, 2009. Call 505.661.4803 for more information
How to register for SBDC workshops!
Please visit the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce www.losalamoschamber.com Click on calendar of events ….then the date of the workshop. You can complete registration and pay by credit card. Any questions? Call or email Heather Campbell at 505-661-4803 heather@losalamos.org
4
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Connections March/April 2009
CHAMBER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Reel Deal Theater Jim O'Donnell, Director of Operations
It’s the “Reel Deal” What’s a town without a movie theater? An average of 10,000 moviegoers each month would be devastated if they could not see the latest Hollywood offerings here on the hill. After the town’s last movie theater, the High Society closed, Bill Deal and his family asked themselves that question, and also how they could give something back to the community where they had made their home. They had intended to sell the land on the corner of Central and Oppenheimer to someone for an office building, but when that sale fell through, they decided to rethink whether the town really needed another office building. Although the space was not perfectly suited to a theater, by working with a talented architect with experience in theaters, they were able to make it work and opened for business with a splash in 2003, showing the first “Lord of the Rings” movie as their premiere to a grateful audience. Being an independent theater has both its pluses and its minuses, according to Jim O’Donnell, the director of operations and Bill Deal’s son-in-law. The main advantage is knowing the March/April 2009
local audience means Jim can bring the movies that will be popular to town and not have his choices dictated to him by one studio. A disadvantage is that he doesn’t have the purchasing power offered by the chains. “I literally have to arm-wrestle for movies every Monday,” Jim said. “The studios don’t like us cherry-picking.” Jim says he would like to bring in more art films, but often doesn’t see the turnout he would like for the films that don’t get the national advertising. When an art film gets national recognition such as an Academy Award, for example Slumdog Millionaire or Milk, he is happy to show it. Childrens’ movies are proving to be the most well-attended, so they will always be a staple at the Reel Deal. The theater is open year-round, but during the slower months of winter it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. “We’ll go back to seven days a week in the spring,” Jim said. He and wife Kate (Deal) O’Donnell are happy to be providing the service to the community, and gratified with the community’s response.
We can help you by finding exactly what you need for all of your document needs
Products Available Copiers Printers Fax Machines Wide Format Engineering Machines
Services Available Digital Scanning and Archiving Various Document Production
Agent Owner-Tracy Kitts 1789 Central Ave. Ste. 4 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 661-2554
5
Connections
Chamber News
Member opportunities
Summer Concert series
As this issue goes to press, Russ Gordon is finalizing another exciting summer concert series which will run from May to September. This is Russ’ twentieth year of producing the summer concerts, and loyal music fans are sure to turn out in droves. The county is one of the major sponsors of the summer concert series, but without the help of additional sponsors the show would not go on. Those sponsors will be listed on all of the advertising and banners throughout the season, and thanked loudly and publicly by Russ. He’ll be bringing back some of the most popular bands from previous years, along with some new acts, with all styles of music represented, from Alternative rock to Zydeco. To talk to Russ about sponsorship, give him a call at 6614891or e-mail russ@gordonsconcerts.com The Chamber will set up a booth at each concert, offering members an opportunity to reach happy concertgoers with information about their businesses and community organizations. If you think this would be a good place to showcase your business or event, contact Katy Korkos to reserve space at the Chamber table, 661-4816.
Keep an eye out for your member opportunities e-mail
One important e-mail to watch out for is the “Member Opportunities and Promotions” which should land in your in-boxes on the last Thursday of each month. In it you’ll find news about all of the upcoming Chamber events, and ways to promote your business. Reading this newsletter is probably the single best way to stay in the loop about events like Chamberfest and the Next Big Idea. And if you are doing something you’d like other chamber members to hear about, submit your news item to Katy Korkos for possible inclusion in that e-mail, which goes out to more than 350 addresses. Recent “member opportunities” e-mails have included items from the Marketing and Promotions Fair to the roll-out of the chamber’s new fyiLA website. In coming months, we’ll have more about the car show being held in conjunction with Chamberfest, more 60th anniversary events, Fair and Rodeo and much more.
Coming June 12th & 13th! Sign up NOW online! www.LosAlamosChamber.com
Map locations are determined by order of sign ups
6
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Business Name
Address
Contact Name
Awareness Enterprises, LLC 1229 41st Street Los Alamos NM 87544 Unitarian Church of LA 1738 N. Sage Los Alamos NM 87544 Karen Wray Fine Art 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite B-2 LA, NM 87544 Laboratory Retiree Group, Inc.PO Box 546Los Alamos NM 87544 New Mexico Consortium 4200 W Jemez Rd Suite 301 LA, NM 87544 CaJaP Creations, LLC 540 Todd Loop Los Alamos NM 87544 United Church of Los Alamos 2525 Canyon Road Los Alamos NM 87544
Pam Houghteling Stephen Tenbrink Karen Wray Dale Thompson Irina Izvekova Jo Ann Painter Bernadette Lauritzen
Phone
Type of Business
505-662-0012 505-662-2346 505-660-6382 505-660-2144 505-412-4178 505-672-1583 505-662-2971
Health & Medical Churches & Faith Communities Culture Information Clubs/Non-Profit Organizations Science LANL/DOE Contractors Gifts & Art Business Member Churches & Faith Communities
Chamber Member Anniversaries March
Business Name
Otowi Station Bookstore American Red Cross Mountain Images Quality New Mexico Hand Precision Machining United Way - NNM Habitat for Humanity Coronado Paint & Decorating E2 Consulting Engineers, Inc. Home Instead Senior Care University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Hytec, Inc Technology Management Consulting Services NetProCity Pet Pangaea LLC. Prudential Los Alamos Real Estate Pajarito Greenhouse J&M Management, LLC American Cancer Society Bilingual Montessori School
April
Date Joined 1990 1993 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2005 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008
Business Name Del Norte Credit Union Los Alamos Monitor Finishing Touch Steve Stoddard Canyon Inn Holiday Inn Los Alamos Public Schools PMTec, Inc. Blackrock Networks Association of Commerce & Industry Chaparral Siding & Windows Family Strengths Network Bob's Bodacious BBQ Grubb & Ellis Los Alamos Schools Credit Union Los Alamos Inc., Realtors Self Help, Inc. Los Alamos Association of Realtors B-Fit Chiropractic Caring Therapy Astrolabe LLC
! s n o i t a l u t a r g n Co
Date Joined 1978 1978 1979 1991 1994 1998 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008
Looking for Summer Help or Volunteers? Know of any students or youth looking for something productive to do this Summer? Tell them to view RocktheTop.net for ideas on how to get involved with the community this summer. Businesses/organizations can also search the website for Summer help! March/April 2009
7
MainStreet News For more information on the MainStreet Program please contact: Jeremy Varela. Phone: 505.661.4844 E-mail: jvarela@losalamos.org www.LAmainstreet.com
MainStreet Committee Works on Downtown Plan Policy Input A committee of LACDC’s Los Alamos MainStreet program will be developing policy input to the Planning & Zoning Commission’s anticipated upcoming Downtown Plan review and update process. The MainStreet Future (MSF) Committee, as it was constituted in 2001, championed the creation and adoption by the County of the current Downtown Plan and since then has played a key role in the development code update that followed, the formation of the Trinity Site development initiative, and support and advocacy for several other project initiatives to implement the plan. The P&Z indicated late last year that they would be undertaking an update to the plan so the time is right to develop policy input. The economic environment has changed considerably over the past few years and there have been many
lessons learned from the various downtown project initiatives as well. The goal in developing policy recommendations will be to consider the changes in environment and what has been learned in order to increase prospects for implementing the plan. Public investment goals, regulatory processes and incentives, strategies for assembling land, and potential catalytic projects are examples of policy areas to be considered. Although the timeframe for County action on the plan update is not clear at this point, the MSF committee will be working to develop and communicate their inputs over the next 60 days. For more information about this initiative, contact Kevin Holsapple at the LACDC/Chamber.
Downtown Plan Timeline 2000
Los Alamos MainStreet Futures formed to develop a downtown plan to propose for adoption by Los Alamos County as an element of the County Comprehensive Plan; raises private funding for plan development
2000
Public Information Gathering; Public Charrette
2000
Fire!!!!
2001
Committee gains P&Z and Council Approval for action plan to get Downtown Plan back on track
2002
Downtown Plan Endorsed by P&Z and adopted by County Council as an element of the County Comprehensive Plan
2004
County Development Code for downtown is approved. This code establishes the enabling regulatory framework for implementing the adopted Downtown Plan
20052007
Los Alamos MainStreet facilitates private sector interest in projects to implement the Downtown Plan. Several projects including Trinity Place, LA Plaza, Bradbury Row, and the Center Block planning initiative emerge.
2007
Ordinance 529 referendum provides for clearing Trinity Site
20072008
Advocacy for siting County office building in the downtown; 15th & Trinity project proposal is tendered
Update on Downtown Street Standards Committee The work of the Los Alamos County organized Downtown Street Design Committee is continuing to focus in on recommendations for the future of Trinity Drive. Trinity is the first priority for the committee that will eventually look at street issues throughout the downtown area. As reported in the last edition of MYB, several alternatives (including leaving Trinity as-is) have been characterized. The alternatives can be viewed and commented on online at www. LAStreets.info. A public open house was held in late January to gather feedback and input and an additional workshop providing opportunity for input was slated for early in March. The work of the committee will now shift to narrowing in on a recommended alternative. The goal will be to seek County Council approval of the recommended alternative by the end of June. The driver for this timeline is to be able to provide input into and influence the
8
work of the State Highway Department which intends to begin finalizing bid requirements for changes to the intersection of 4th Street and Trinity in July. Coordinating the work to be done on the intersection with the future plans for Trinity presents a significant opportunity. Businesses are invited to submit comments on the alternatives at www.LAStreets.info where there is also a link to sign up to receive information about the work of the committee by email. Watch for additional workshop dates where there will be opportunity to provide feedback and input about a recommended alternative. Committee meetings are generally held on alternating Thursday mornings and participation is welcomed. MainStreet manager Jeremy Varela and LACDC/Chamber Executive Director Kevin Holsapple (662-0001) are active participants on the committee and can be contacted for more information. Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
MainStreet News For more information on the MainStreet Program please contact: Jeremy Varela Phone: 505.661.4844 E-mail: jvarela@losalamos.org www.LAmainstreet.com
MainStreet Revolving Loan Fund New Mexico MainStreet has unveiled the MainStreet Revolving Loan Fund through the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (NMHPD). This is a loan that has a below-market interest rate and is available to property owners who are the sole owners, joint owners, or owner in partnership and the property is in the MainStreet district. Funds from this loan can be used for: • Costs of architecture, design, graphic design services; construction & engineering documents & planning; inspection of work in progress. • Contracted costs necessary to meet code compliance. Loans up to $75,000 can be obtained for a maximum of five years. Each loan must be made in participation with a bank. Los Alamos National Bank is familiar with this loan process and would act as the lender of record and service the loan. The preliminary loan application will be submitted to the NMHPD. Applications must include a detailed description of work, impact of work on each building feature, photos of
building features, and cost estimates. NMHPD will rate the application based on: • • • • • • •
Architectural design quality Economic viability Preservation impact Severity of deterioration Compatibility with other district properties Emphasis on structural repair & maintenance Leverage of other funding
For more information about the MainStreet Revolving Loan Fund please contact Keith Kjelstrom at 505.454.1187 or keithkjelstrom@msn.com.
MainStreet Teaming up with State STEM Program MainStreet’s newest event is gearing up for its second year. The Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce has agreed to partner up with Jamai Blivin and Innovate - Educate New Mexico which is a statewide science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program. We want to showcase these students in the STEM program and also give them the opportunity to meet professionals in different industries. The Chamber is contacting other chambers from around the state and connecting them with STEM students. The participating chamber will then inquire within their memberships to sponsor the student to cover
Knock! Knock! Next Big Idea is Coming July 18th March/April 2009
the expenses associated with the travel to Los Alamos. Los Alamos MainStreet with the help of Los Alamos Meeting and Visitors Bureau will put together an agenda so students can have time to discover the museums, landscapes, scientists, and facilities of Los Alamos. Businesses and Organizations: we invite you to be a part of this year’s festival of discovery, invention, and innovation. There are many ways you can be a part of the event and get visibility in the process. In particular we are looking for artists and restaurants to have a significant presence at this event. For more information about gaining visibility through the Next Big Idea please contact MainStreet Manager Jeremy Varela
9
CALENDAR OF  EVENTS
Go to fyiLA.com for a complete and detailed list of events.
March 2009
April 2009
6,7,8 Light Opera Performance - The Sound of Music 7 College Day at Pajarito Mountain 7 Annual Spring Resale Little Forest Preschool Fundraiser 7 Family Strengths Family Festival 10 LA Historical Society Lecture - Hidden History: Manhattan Project 13,14 Light Opera Performance - The Sound of Music 14 16th Annual Empty Bowls Project 14 Skiesta Ski Festival at Pajarito Mountain 19 60th Anniversary - Women in Politics Panel Discussion 20,21 LA Little Theater - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 21 Fabulous 50's Sock Hop 26 Author Speeks Series: New Mexico Travel Author 26 Guitars and Gateaux: David Gonzales 27,28,29 LA Little Theater - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 27 Art Center @ Fuller Lodge Reception - Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Every Weekend Crosscountry Skiiing and Snowshoeing on the Caldera
2 Free Film: Salt of the Earth 14 LA Historical Society Lecture: Historic Roads and Pathways 16 Los Alamos Winter Farmers' Market 17 Annual Kiwanis Dinner/Dance and Auction 17 LA Symphony Orchestra: Brahms and Barber 18 Dog Jog 2009 19 60th Anniversary Living Treasures Ceremony 23 Author Speaks Series Poetry by Michelle Holland 25 Earth Day Festival 2009 - The Tree of Life 25 Earth Day Dedication of a Nature Trail 26 Atomic Man Duathlon 26 Annual Party for PEEC - Benefit Dinner 26,30 Theater: Bye, Bye Birdie
White Rock Tourist Information Center Spotlight...
Barbara Croley has worked at the White Rock Tourist Information Center (WRTIC) since 1996. She and her husband, Dale who passed in 1981, moved from Grand Junction, Colorado to Los Alamos in 1956 when he was assigned to the labs. Mr. Croley worked as a chemist in what was then called the CNB1 division at the labs.
They moved from Los Alamos to White Rock in 1964 right after White Rock was revived as a bedroom neighborhood to the main town or the "hill." Barbara says she loves Los Alamos and White Rock because "it's a beautiful area with good schools, great people and low crime." They were one of the first new residents to the community and chose to move to White Rock because they didn't need a duplex in town and wanted to build their own home. Barbara also prefers the climate of White Rock to Los Alamos Barbara raised three children in Los Alamos. They all graduated from Los Alamos High School and went on to college. One is a CPA in Albuquerque, one is a teacher in Palm Springs, California, and one is an executive at St. John's College in Santa Fe. She also has three
10
grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel and Rebecca.
Her daughters were girl scouts and Barbara was an active leader in the early years. She also has spent time in the Los Alamos school system as a substitute teacher, and since 1962 has been very active with the local HELP group (Los Alamos Lions Club) an organization whose key service in Los Alamos is to offer transportation to those who need a ride to a medical appointment in Albuquerque, Espanola and Santa Fe. She's the one to call for these services. She became involved through her husband who joined in 1962. Dale held many offices over the years including President of the club. Women weren't allowed to be members so the Los Alamos women formed a sort of "wives auxiliary" and helped their husbands run the club but it wasn't until the late 80's that the Lions Club let women join officially as members. Barbara will become more involved in the newest project called "Kids Sight." She will help test pre-school children for potential eye diseases that can be caught early and treated before serious problems arise such as blindness. This is a new state-wide Lions Club initiative which will include a computerized high-tech program that Barbara will help implement. She's also served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army in Los Alamos. The Lions Club Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
The LAMVB, a program of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, operates the Visitor Center in Los Alamos and the White Rock Tourist & Information Center (WRTIC). The LAMVB also produces and distributes advertising and marketing materials such as the Los Alamos Visitor Guide. We also maintain the online visitor guide at visit.losalamos.com.
Coupon Book Program Popular With Participants A popular new Chamber benefit in 2008 has been the offering to all members to be included in the “Los Alamos Chamber Welcome” coupon book. All members can participate as a benefit of their membership and currently, there is no additional charge. “To start with, we have made the coupon book a feature of our CommunityMatters initiative and costs are being borne by that activity,” says Katy Korkos. “The coupon book is not a match to the customer base of every business, but it can help to get visibility, particularly for members who want visitors to the community to know about them.” More than 6500 coupon books have been distributed since the program began in 2008 as follows: • 57% go to visiting groups (athletic events, reunions, meetings bringing people from out of town, etc.) • 23% go to Students (both LANL and UNM) • 10% go to New Hires and Relocation Guides • 10% go to individual visitors/tourists through hotels and the WR & LA visitor centers
Claire Roybal of LACDC has worked hard on this program to help members get their coupons or special offers into the book. Twenty-five to thirty members have participated in the past year. Members have the ability to submit and manage their coupons or special offers via the web through their Chamber member account, or they can contact Claire to get her assistance in setting them up. Claire surveyed participating members in January to see what they thought of the program and to see if any improvements were needed. The overall results were that participating members who responded liked the program and wanted us to keep it up. Results: We asked participants to rate the value of the coupon book benefits to their business:
• 100% felt that it was valuable to distribute to LANL new-hires • 100% felt that it was valuable to distribute to “newcomers” in the community • 90.9% felt it was valuable because it gave a “mini ad” that is seen by potential clients and customers.
members work with the local Salvation Army and volunteer for this community service every year - surely you've seen Barbara at Smith's in White rock over the many years. You can also see Barbara in many a parade riding in the Club's "Flagship" vehicle - that old mustard yellow convertible with the Lion's logo on the side. She would have helped with the 79th Annual State Convention held in Pojoaque in 2007 but had to take some time off due to health issues. She's now doing great and is as active as ever in the club. Between tending groups of visitors, Barbara spends time at the TIC reading up on local history and updating handouts for visitors. One of her favorite visitor experiences was when a visitor asked, "are the roads from here to Bandelier as bad as the ones from Santa Fe?" She says her experience over the years has "all been good. There are so many interesting people and 99% are pleasant and appreciative. Only once in all the years have I been a little uneasy about a visitor but there turned out to be no real problem." March/April 2009
• 90.9% felt it was valuable because it gave potential customers an incentive to call you or visit their business. • 72.7% felt that it was valuable to distribute to visiting groups (e.g. conferences, reunions, ect.) • 72.7% felt that it was valuable to distribute to tourists at visitor centers in White Rock & Los Alamos • 72.7% felt that it was valuable to distribute to hotel guests at local hotels • 63.6% felt that it was valuable to distribute to LANL students • 54.5% felt that it was valuable to distribute to UNM-LA students • 54.5% felt that it was valuable to distribute to participants at sporting events. (e.g. duathalon, triathlons, tournaments, ect.) When we give the booklets out for inclusion in “goody bags”, an 8.5”by 1.5”bright, neon colored flag will be attached to the back of the coupon book to make it more visible. Please call or email Claire Roybal (661.4836, claire@ losalamos.org) to find out how to put this benefit to work for you.
Naturally, as a long-time resident of White Rock, Barbara is a strong proponent of the White Rock Master Plan. The commercial centre of White Rock has been in decline since about 1990 and Los Alamos County recently began a major effort to revitalize the White Rock commercial center by improving infrastructure and seeking to attract new businesses. Part of the motivation for this effort is the transfer to Los Alamos County of Department of Energy lands just north of State Road 4. The revitalization effort has emphasized community input and is Barbara Croley presently being driven by the White Rock Master Plan Implementation Committee with the support of the County Council. Thank you Barbara for your dedication throughout the years. We're glad you're looking forward to working with us at the new WRTIC and hope it meets what your vision as the "ideal" visitor center for White Rock.
11
Read LACDC Publications online! the
e c n Esse nd os a
m s Ala
o
of L
e Whit
uary Febr
FAN
k Roc 2, Issue 2
CLU
B
The F the AN cl ub 3 e rd W ta 5:3 very m edne kes pla 0p .m. onth sday o ce to 7 from f Jan :00 uary p.m . 2 354 PEE 1, 200 0 C 9 Los Orang Alam e Str eet os, Feb N M rua ry 1 A M 145 8 1 Ce 490 , 200 Los ntral Pa KRSN 9 Alam rk S os, quare NM Ma Marc rke tingh 11, 2 Ree & P 009 255 l Deal T romo Los 1Centra heater tions Alam l Ave os, NM .
e olum 09, V
0 rch 2 –Ma
Bili ngu al M ont ess Jan ori uary /Feb S ruary Los chool 200 9 Rec Ala o mo s Su gnize da cce s ss C lien t Oda
ly has s Gonzá lez F teac been erná he a nde M and r for th e la ontess z h ori st 2 of o as alw In M wning ays ha 0 years d dre her ay 2 a o 0 m w 06, s n sc purs she ue hoo l. that beg eve t 5 she an dre 7:30 - 7:30 UNM-L ry mo fi nth - 8:3 a.m. A cou rst visi am w to nselo h te 0 a.m -Netw r a d with en LA . -Pro orkin Feb Bilin gram g gua a Sma t the U Cou State ruary 5 D l e fo ll Mon ve N nty A of th , 2 r Lo 00 dmin Busi MThro lopmen e nece s Alam tessori S ness istra Coun 9 o c ss years ugh th t tor M ty well ary to s becau hool (B Ple hou e n Center. ax B , sh se M rs follo as h katy ase co aker e sp ext k@lo ntact the w th of her S). O and with ent two scho er conti d ro sala c K a c fr o a ly o u ie her ty mm nue un ol. itme s was c designin nds, d eff gh with futu mos.org Korko cou tless s re to re h n orts g h h BMS pics. for info at er n searchin nselor in su er com t to follo osen as , a on mit ew ccess g a th w he colo for con nd r dre e 2008 fully ment, le rf as ams mark to o arning ul 5,00 Succ cept fo o p and 0 sq eting e r prep ening, n June the ss Clien uare ded Fe a 2 -f WH icati t of 2 ring the rnánde , 2008 oot fa on A L AC 0 z c DC T'S IN new 08 and new sch spent in Whit ility, op an a e Ro ened ool SIDE scho its in SBD fo c u b o k niqu trod und r an C . P l h pag : es of a e appro as rece uction to Open ance of rior CHA 1,2,3 iv H d a pag MB es ope equate ch to c ed muc the co ouse in time MAIN ER hildc 4 ning mm h a child May pag u a tt STR for es Mrs. of the sc care in re and ention nity. Th EET LAM 5 -7 be du e h com Fern Lo VB pag m ánd ool is no s Ala cause o e to it es mos ez b s and unity. 8,9 Even f the t on pag u B S ly C t t Ph la M p ou me ‘a an ck es S min otos 10,1 d an ish lang combin ets a re dream nty. Th pag 1 com d to es th e uag al n e e e e p e tr e in repa 12 BMS re c structio power d within ue’ of hildre n th teac now em n to to deve Montess e h ploys lo 9 exce of to er and 200 l as p the yo ori rch a vo five o morr the ung Mrs. u –Ma lu ts 9 le o n 0 ta w b Fern ade 0 ánde ry 2 y co teer wh nding rs o a z inte ru f tom o te mbin ractin Feb orro g wi ing aim to achers th he w. prep inclu an e r stu dent a d xclu s. sive re their ing Mrs curr stud . Fern iculu e m b nts to e ández, ased xcel an a a on b ssista s oth young n t lea Mo conti ntessori ders nue d on and pg. 4
BUS BRE INESS AKF 1st T hurs AST da 7:1 a y of
te LIC FRO to Ska r THEFreedom arksteine yM The and by M
afé
se C
Hou
SS Coffee INE : BUSJava Jiveos The ty Kork a by K
s:”
ddie
t
as Bu d’s P GHT and “ INSI , a Bear, to the Pon
s Boy se in nson a limp a G ristel H h SON oted By C o PER IAL Deeply R T N : ESSE n Sutton os a li rk il o NTS G K aty EV E by K R OF NDAnd March E L CA ary a ru Feb
la
.losa www
ea w.R
com
ber.
ham
mosc
eEss
dTh
ww
om
e.c enc
ww
w.R e
adM
YB.
com
Find archived issues and embedded links
Newsletter Managing Editor: Jeremy Varela- please call 661-4844 for comments and information. Contributions by: Venessa De Los Santos, Katy Korkos, Kevin Holsapple, Chelo Rojas, Claire Roybal, Jeremy Varela
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
PAID
P.O. Box 460 Los Alamos, NM 87544
LOS ALAMOS, NM
Permit No. 152