Clarkston Chamber eNews Connection

April 28, 2011

Welcome to the Electronic Newsletter of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce

www.clarkston.org

5856 S. Main St.

Clarkston, MI 48346

248-625-8055

From the President

Chamber President Bill Burr All Saints Cemetery

SPRING HAS SPRUNG well maybe.  Spring is a time for us to renew and refresh our lives.  We can do so by looking at our businesses and seeing what is old and outdated and try to recreate newness among our products and staff.  The thought of a new beginning can be daunting but it can be the perfect way to step up and make all things better.  I have found that spring is a good time to pick up a book that will improve my business approach.  I am currently reading John C. Maxwell’s “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.”  I am learning to manage better and not take leadership for granted rather see leadership as a form of serving. Your Chamber continues to track nicely with budget items hitting targets and in some cases surpassing them.  Wonderful events are on the horizon, Concerts in the Park, Challenge Cup Golf Outing and still events like Women in Business are moving along well ahead of predictions.  And don’t forget the Community Awards Breakfast sponsored by Clarkston Community Church coming up in May. There still plenty of time to step up and sponsor a variety of events.  Select one that will fit your business model or if that doesn’t work volunteer for an upcoming event.  You get out your Chamber membership what you put in. See you at the next event! Continue to prosper!

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Take5 (Five Fast Facts)

The Chamber office is upgrading our server and computers.  Please bear with us as we install our new systems, upgrade our hardware, software and train on the new features.

1.  DOWNTOWN RETAILERS are hosting a "Clartucky Derby" event this Saturday, April 30th from 11am - 4pm.  There will be  two bike races for kids under six at the Clarkston News parking lot.  In between the two races participants will be collecting punch holes on their ballots in hopes of winning a gift basket with donated items from our Clarkston Retailer's Group.  Also pg 23A of the Clarkston News features a picture to color for a coloring contest to be held on April 28th at the Clarkston News bldg.  All entries will be displayed in the News bldg windows and the three winners will get their picture in the paper and $10.

2.  DOWNTOWN RETAILERS want you to know that there is a Soldier based in a remote village of Afghanistan without a PX.  He commands 80-100 Soldiers.  He is a former student of Clarkston High School.  Sending the packages to his attention and he will distribute them.  Requesting:  sunblock, deodorant, body wash, shaving cream, and coffee, etc. Has also asked if we could supply some educational items for the village children such as: crayons, pencils, erasers, shapreners, paper, etc. To help with donations--please contact Peg Roth.

3. Rotary Wine Tasting Tickets are now available at the Chamber office.  $50 per person  May 11, 2011 Event at Oakhurst.

4. EVENT POSTPONED Clarkston Area Mothers & More  Spring Mom 2 Mom Sale! Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011  

5.  COMING SOON! Kaffe Connect  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 8:30-10 am IKEA Canton Ford Road & I-275  FLYER

Upcoming Networking events

Women in Business Who's Your Gladys? April 28, 2011 3:00-5:00 pm Oakland County Sportsmens Club Networking Cocktail Hour included (Calling all Women who Wine!)

MEMBERS registration $50/person. Non-members $50/person BEST VALUE--MEMBERS Save $20 when you sign up and pay in advance. ($30/person) Early Bird discounts apply to registrations received 48 hours prior to the event. Online Reservations

Contributor's Corner

• Check out Ron Delorme, Manage Max article in the Contributors Corner
• Check out State Representative Eileen Kowall's Capital Connection in the Contributors Corner 
• Check out State Senator Jim Marleau's Marleau's Michigan in the Contributors Corner
• Check out Lou Melone's Dbusiness Web Xtra columns in the Contributors Corner 
• Check out Stacy Himmelspach's newsletter in the Contributors Corner 
• Check out Advanced Counseling's newslettter in the Contributors Corner 
• Check out Chamber Member Lou Melone's interview on From the Top with DBusiness Magazine!

Members News

Concerts in the Park Summer Schedule

NEW HEALTH Jewels Yoga & Fitness  Come and experience your very own Spring renewal by participating in a Flow, Basic, Gentle or Blended Yoga class; all of which will help your inner spirit come alive!  Check out www.jewelsyogafitness.com for times and descriptions.  We're also offering CPR Recertification on May 21st from 2-4:00pm - a representative from Red Cross will be teaching, cost is $50. 

Call 248-390-9270 to reserve your spot.

Spring is almost here and the Clarkston SCAMP Walk & Roll is a great outdoor family event with free fun for everyone.  This year the Walk & Roll takes place on Sunday, May 1^st in Depot Park and all proceeds benefit Scamp.  Thanks to SCAMP, many local children with special needs have been able to attend a 5 week summer camp here in Clarkston.  Clarkston is lucky to have such dedicated, hard working citizens who help make this outstanding organization possible.  If you have never attended the Walk and Roll, this year is a great time to start.  If you are unable to attend the Walk and Roll, but would like to help support this great cause, please consider being a sponsor.  Or feel free to stop by your local Clarkston State Bank Branch to purchase a $1 paper kite or a $25 route sign to be displayed on the Walk.  Thank you for your support! For more info please visit:  http://clarkstonscamp.com/ or call the Scamp Office @ # 248-623-8089.  Hope to see you there!  MORE INFO HERE

Chamber and Community Events

NEW COFFEE CLUB EXPO THURSDAY, APRIL 28 - 4-8pm
Over 60 Local Businesses Please come and solicit our Vendors Pass out business cards and brochures
For over a year local businesses have been getting together weekly over a cup of coffee building relationships.
Open to everyone.
Clarkston United Methodist Church
Waldon Road - 1 Block East Of M-15
For more information go to: www.CoffeeClubExpo.com
Check out our 100's of members at: www.coffeeclubmembers.com
"Approximately 600 and growing" or Call the Clarkston News at: 248-625-3370

CHARITABLE GIVING  Kelley LaFontaine Woman of the Year Candidate--Fundraising for Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

• WIN A 2 YEAR LEASE ON A 2011 CADILLAC SRX OR 2011 CADILLAC CTS   
  Drawing to be held on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 5 p.m. Tickets $25 each or 5 for $100  Raffle information
• Our first event will be held on May 6^th  A Night of Dreams… at 6pm we’ll be rolling out the red carpet at the LaFontaine Manor – 4555 Chevron Drive Highland, Mi 48356.  Come show your support!  Tickets are $100 per person.  RSVP 248-714-1164 or email Kelley@lafontaine.com . 
• Our next event will be held on June 5^th Drive FORE Dreams… we have an action packed day planned at Mystic Creek Golf Course – One Champion Circle, Milford Mi 48380. 9am Registration 10am Shot Gun start. Sponsorship packages are available - Golf is $150 per person.  Dinner is $50 per person. One Lucky winners dream will come true. The Cadillac raffle ticket will be pulled at 5pm sharp. Our MC that night will be George Blaha. It will definitely be a night to remember!  RSVP 248-714-1164 or email cpeters@lafontaine.com or Kelley@lafontaine.com.
•  The last event is on June 10^thLeukemia Bash 2011 at the Westin Book Cadillac.  Sponsorship packages are available.  RSVP norb.promo@lls.org or 248-581-3903. 

NEW CHARITABLE GIVING Costco Children's Miracle Network

Would you like to help support Children’s Miracle Network & advertise your business at the same time?  

Dollars raised stay local and go to the William Beaumont Children’s Hospital. 

Here are the top ways to help the kids! 

Buy a large CMN balloon for $50 with your name displayed on it & hung at the front of our warehouse. (over 60,000 members pass by a month ) 

 Donate a WOW gift for our silent auction at the warehouse & your name displayed on a large CMN balloon!

 Enter your pets picture in our pet parade at the warehouse for $10.

(members vote with money for their favorite picture)

EDUCATION Investor Education @ Your Library

Even Smart People Get Scammed: Spotting the Red Flags of Investment Fraud

Thursday, April 28^th, 6:30-8:00pm

Investment fraud happens every day to people just like you.  You don’t have to be a millionaire to be a target, but you can protect yourself.  Become an informed consumer – learn how to spot scams, who to call to check out investment professionals and how to protect your money.  This is a non-commercial Investor Education program sponsored by Michigan's Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation Securities Section and the Friends of the Independence Township Library.

NO SOLICITATION - NO SALES PITCH

Independence Township Library

6495 Clarkston Road

248.625.2212

www.indelib.org

NETWORKING Kaffe Connect  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 8:30-10 am IKEA Canton Ford Road & I-275  FLYER

NEW CHARITABLE GIVING  BIG BOY – CLARKSTON FUNDRAISER Tuesday, May 3, 2011   5:00-10:00 P.M.

For the Benefit of the 4^th Annual Angels’ Place Race  

Clarkston Big Boy is located at 6440 Dixie Hwy, Clarkston, MI 48346, (248) 625-3344.
A portion of the customer’s total bill will go towards the upcoming 5-21-11 Angels’ Place Race  St. Daniel Church, Clarkston, 48346

1Mile Family Fun Walk – 9:30 am 5K Run/Walk – 10:00 am  and 10K Bruce Clifton Memorial Run – 10:00 am

Please refer to www.angelsplacerace.org for additional race information.

HEALTH  Smoking Cessation Series - two (two) hour classes offered at Great Lakes Cancer Institute, 5680 Bow Pointe, Clarkston please RSVP to Deanna Hart 248-922-6606.

May 11 and 18th - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

July 13 and 20th - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

NEW EDUCATION Fun with Fly Fishing

Friday, May 6^th at 7:00pm

CUMC Speakers Team and the Independence Township Library are teaming up to present Shawn Chalker from the White River Fly Shop located in Bass Pro Shops.  The free event will be a talk about fly fishing, tying flies, and casting.  Weather permitting Shawn will take the group outside to do some practice casting.  Registration is appreciated

Independence Township Library

6495 Clarkston Road

248.625.2212

www.indelib.org

RECYCLING Oxford Bank, a subsidiary of Oxford Bank Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: OXBC), and Cintas will host a FREE shredding event on Saturday, May 7^th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It will be held at the Bank’s Oxford Office, located at 60 S. Washington St. in downtown Oxford.  For more information, please call 248-628-2533.  This is Oxford Bank’s third shredding event.  The last event in Clarkston, Michigan on September 11, 2010 produced 5.24 tons of shredded and recycled paper; equating to the preservation of 89 trees.

HEALTH Sunday, May 15th, 2011 7 PM DRUM WORKSHOP at Jewels Yoga and Fitness FLYER

NEW EDUCATIONPeace of Mind Seminar: Preplanning your final wishes

Monday, May 16^th, 7:30pm

Losing a loved one is a difficult process especially when so many decisions need to be made.  Learn how to ease these difficult moments by organizing your wishes in advance.  Protect your family from unnecessary expense, discover the difference between Funeral Insurance and Funeral Trusts, ensure your farewell is uniquely your own and record your choices in an easy way.  Learn all this and more at an informative community awareness program presented by Coats Funeral Home.

Independence Township Library

6495 Clarkston Road

248.625.2212

www.indelib.org

NEW EDUCATION/HEALTH Mind & Body Wednesdays @ the Independence Township Library

Energy, Metabolism and Exercise with Cindy Crandall

Wednesday, May 18^th, 7:00pm

Cindy Crandell, RN, Certified Nutritionist and lifestyle educator of Nuview Nutrition, will share her expertise on energy, metabolism and exercise.  Learn the foods you should eat and the foods you should avoid to feel better and be healthier.

Independence Township Library

6495 Clarkston Road

248.625.2212

www.indelib.org 

NEW HEALTH Project Kidsight Free Preschool Vision Screening

Saturday, May 21, 2011, 1-4pm

Clarkston Area Lions Club is providing free vision screening for children ages 6 months to 5 years at the Independence Township Library.  Photos are taken of the child’s eyes to check for potential vision problems.  Results are immediate and a report is provided at the screening.

Independence Township Library

6495 Clarkston Road

248.625.2212

www.indelib.org

NEW FAMILY Friends of the Independence Township Library 8^th Annual Parking Lot Sale

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 10am-3pm

Got stuff to sell? We provide the advertising and parking.  You rent a space (or 2) and set up to sell.  Spots are just $10 and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.  We can’t guarantee the weather, so come prepared.  Spaces are going fast! Applications are available at the library and on the library’s website.

Independence Township Library

6495 Clarkston Road

248.625.2212

www.indelib.org

CHARITABLE RACE 4th Annual Angel's Place Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, May 21, 2011 in downtown Clarkston (start/finish at St. Daniel's Church). 

RACE Southern Michigan Adventure Racing Team (SMART) will be putting on an "Urban Hybrid" Adventure Race this year (The Blast) in The City of the Village of Clarkston on June 4, 2011.  The race will start and end in Depot Park.  This will be our second year in The City of the Village of Clarkston. for more information: (http://www.smartblast.org) What's an Urban Hybrid Race? It involves two-person teams competing on foot, on bike and by paddling a canoe. Along the way, each team completes special events. The types of special events as well as the course specifics are only found out on race day.

ENTERTAINMENT Peacefest June 4-5, 2011 is looking for bands and artists. Any questions call Darren Graunstadt at 248-623-1648 or Fax 248-666-3325 or e-mail : thepeacefest@aol.com

Join over 50 artists for our Third Annual Peacefest
When : Saturday and Sunday, June 4th & 5th
Where : 5815 Dixie Highway, Waterford MI 48329
and south down the Dixie Corridor to Bank of America
Our featured artist this year is Carl Lundgren Psychedelic Rock Poster Artist
check out his website : www.detroitrockposters.com or carllundgren.com
Featured band : The Rythm Kings of Oakland County & Tons of local bands
Sound provided by : McCourt’s Music of Waterford and Berkley
Stage provided by : Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Kayak Event by : Summit Sports of Rochester
Lodging Provided by : The Olde Mill Inn of Clarkston

ENTERTAINMENT June 4, 2011  M-15 Heritage Route Car Rally (1st Annual)  Clarkston to Vassar

FAMILY Quake on the Lake ... Oakland County's Greatest Summertime Happening, benefiting the Rainbow Connection as well as other grass root initiatives is gearing up for the 12th Annual Event, set for July 16-17 at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. 

FAMILY and ENTERTAINMENT September 2-5 Great Lakes Agricultural Fair at the Silverdome

FAMILY and ENTERTAINMENTTASTE of Clarkston September 25, 2011 Noon-6 pm on Main Street.

You can help save the July 4th Independence Day celebrations!  Community Challenge   July 4th Sponsorship Levels