Bedfordtimesregister.com - Bedford Chamber Chatter

Chamber Chatter
January 2009
The Official Publication of the Bedford Chamber of Commerce

2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phil Switz, President
Catered Elegance Party Center and Catering

Michael Guyer, L.P.C.C., Vice President
Guyer Counseling
Joanne Reardon, Secretary
Light of Hearts Villa
Dale Witt, Treasurer
Dale Witt, CPA

Trustees:
Lori DeVore
DeVore Technologies
Clyde Dubeansky
Sterling Oaks Independent Living Community
Scott Gongos
St. Peter Chanel High School
Gina Pieragostine
Re-Max Haven Realty
Mike Romito
Romito Funeral Home
Scott Shick
National City Bank

Visit our Website at:
HYPERLINK "http://www.bedfordchamberoh.org"www.bedfordchamberoh.org

Our e-mail address is:
bedfordchamberoh@sbcglobal.net

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
State of the City Address and Dinner
Catered Elegance, 1160 Broadway Avenue
Bedford, Ohio, 44146
6:30 pm " Networking
7:00 pm " Dinner
7:30 pm " State of the City Address
Dinner- $10.00 Members and Residents
$15.00 Non-Members and Non-Residents
State of the City Address portion is free to all.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year,

I know we all live a busy lifestyle trying to juggle work, family and our social events. Next thing you know, WHAM! The year is gone and the holidays have passed by us and the New Year has started. This can be a good thing. Your chamber is here to help you have a wonderful and prosperous 2009. As I sit here writing my first "Presidents Column" I am reminded of one of my favorite holiday movies, "The Bells of St. Mary's." I've watched it many, many times, I could probably recite most of it by heart. The best part to me is the bantering back and forth between Father O'Malley, Bing Crosby's character, and Sister Benedict, Ingrid Bergman's character. They had a wonderful relationship of give and take, and mutual admiration and respect for each other.
That's how I have come to feel about a lot of the people I have met through the Bedford Chamber of Commerce. It is such fun to come to our dinner meetings, educational and networking events, because there is that give and take. We are a stronger chamber when we come together and learn from each other, and do business with each other. One of the famous lines from Father O'Malley on his first day, " - one of the shortest speeches you'll ever hear - It's a holiday. Everyone take the day off!"
Now, you may not take the entire day, but be sure to take time to attend some of our many chamber events and programs. You'll be glad you did. And I am sure, with everything we are working on, you will find they are well worth your time. Just as Bing says, "If there is anything you ever need, just dial "O' for O'Malley," I hope that if there is anything that we can assist you with at the Chamber, please, just dial 440.232.0115. We would welcome your input, your suggestions and your participation, and hopefully we can help you and your business grow.
Have a great month and we will see you at our State of the City dinner meeting on January 28, 2009.

Philip Switz
Catered Elegance

Message from the Vice President
Mike Guyer

WINTERS HERE!Hope the holidays went well! A very promising year is underway for the chamber. Many new projects are under way and you will be reading about them in future editions of this newsletter. We have a very solid board with lots of energy and ideas about how to improve your business. Congratulations to Phil Switz as our new board president and Clyde Dubeansky as our new board member. Returning members are Lori DeVore, Scott Schick, Gina Pierogostine, Mike Romito,andScott Gongos. Don't forget to attend The "State of the City" on January 28th, 2009. See the attached invitation.Mike Guyer

A Message from the Past President
Now that I am referred to in the past tense, I thought a brief note to all would be appropriate.
For me, 2008 was a good year concerning the Chamber. Oh yes, there are many "should of, would of, could of" opinions that make it easy to criticize, but we are only volunteers doing the best we can. With the help of an excellent Chamber Board, we have once again tried to grow as a Chamber, and we have, so 2009 should be another positive year. There are many who have helped, but to avoid overlooking someone, I prefer not to mention names. Let's just say that those who were there when needed know who they are and to those I say Thanks.
I have made it clear that I will continue to be an active member of the Bedford Chamber. No longer being a Board member may just give me the opportunity to concentrate on some matters that need more attention, at the direction of our new president.
One person I do need to publicly thank is our office secretary Jeri Smith. We worked together very nicely and that made things much easier for me as president.
In closing, may I encourage our membership to become pro-active for the Bedford Chamber. Attend the meetings and events and get to know one another better. With the economy being a concern, all of us should be net-working our businesses among our Chamber members.
Thanks- It was a good ride!
Chuck St. John

Member-to-Member Discounts
WE NEED YOU!!!!!
We are looking for businesses that would be interested in offering member-to-member discounts to other Bedford Chamber businesses and their employees. This would be a great way to promote your business and support other businesses in our chamber. If you are interested please call our office at 440-232-0115.

News from your Bedford Chamber of Commerce Office

In my last mailing for dues I mailed information for the new BWC plan for 2009 through NOACC. I hope this is something that your company can take a part of and save money by doing so! If you need more information on this benefit or any other benefit I can help with please call the office at 440-232-0115. I look forward to working with our businesses this year!

Payroll and Supply Discounts for Members

There is now a discount available to our members through the chamber and NOACC for payroll through Heartland and business supplies through Independence Business Supply Company. Please go to our website at HYPERLINK "http://www.bedfordchamber.org"www.bedfordchamber.org and I have put the forms and information up under chamber member benefits. I can also mail them to you if interested. Just call 440-232-0115 and let me know!

SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business
For Chambers of Commerce Members:
SCORE is offering free and confidential mentoring to help keep your business on track. SCORE counselors are experienced business owners or managers who have had the same or similar concerns in their business careers that you might be experiencing. They will listen and guide your through ANY concerns you might have at your business or a SCORE location. SCORE offices are located in Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Huron and Erie Counties. The main office is located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Or stop in or call 216-522-4194 to arrange an appointment. Check out: HYPERLINK "http://www.scorecleveland.org/"www.scorecleveland.org for more info.
NOACC NEWS
Do not forget to check the NOACC website for all member discounts you can receive including the sign up for BWC and health insurance with discounts to benefit our members! Go to HYPERLINK "http://www.bedfordchamberoh"www.bedfordchamberoh and click on the link to NOACC for your savings!
Save money on Health Benefits without pinching pennies. As a chamber member with 2-50 employees, you can get a discount on any health plan from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield " including industry-leading HSAs, HRAs and HIAs.* While your competition is busy cutting corners, you get preventive care programs, prescription drug coverage and one-stop shopping for a complete benefits package. Click here: HYPERLINK "http://www.chambersaver.com/noacc" \t "_blank"www.chambersaver.com/noacc to request a FREE quote online. You can also contact your broker or call 800-551-3119 for more information. *Discount only applies to Chamber members who do not already have Anthem insurance.
Big benefits for small business NOACC and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have teamed up to save you money on your group health insurance. As a chamber member, you have access to a full range of health insurance offerings, from traditional to industry-leading consumer-driven health plans like HRAs and HSAs.
Save money with members-only discounts- Chamber members who do not already have Anthem insurance are eligible for a discount on group health plans.
The convenience of one-stop shopping-Take advantage of the administrative convenience of one-stop shopping for all your health, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability and employee assistance benefits.
Get more for your money with Healthy Solutions-Go ahead. Compare Anthem's Healthy Solutions to the competition's programs. With Anthem, your employees get comprehensive wellness and disease management programs. Online resources to help them make smart decisions about their care. And, innovative tools that help them choose a hospital based on their specific needs.
Save the penny pinching for the supply closet. Click here: HYPERLINK "http://www.chambersaver.com/noacc" \t "_blank"www.chambersaver.com/noacc to request a FREE quote online. You can also contact your broker or call 800-551-3119 for more information
News from our Current Members
Berwyn Technologies
Berwyn Technologies will continue to offer a 50% labor discount to residents and business in the city, when they purchase products from us. Residents and businesses in Bedford get free pickup/delivery as always. Senior citizen discounts are also available Thanks! Chris Bulanda Visit us on the web!HYPERLINK "http://www.berwyntech.net"www.berwyntech.net
ST. PETER CHANEL HIGH SCHOOL
St. Peter Chanel Annual Benefit Auction Proceeds support scholarships and provide financial assistance to programs at St. Peter Chanel High School. Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 6:00p.m. Landerhaven Grand Ballroom 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Tickets are $60 per person Please RSVP by February 6, 2009 For more information, please contact: Pat DeFranco at 440-232-5900, ext. 145 or Julie Kennedy at 440-232-5900, ext. 133
50 Years of Chanel Basketball

St. Peter Chanel High School
Alumni Basketball Reunion Game
Friday, February 6, 2009
St. Peter Chanel Firebirds
vs. Elyria Catholic Panthers
5:30 p.m. Meet and Greet in the school cafeteria
Honoring
1959 First Team
and
1999 State Champions
All Chanel Basketball Alumni are
invited to attend the Reunion Game
Come and meet Firebird alumni
basketball players, coaches and teammates.
Make your reservation today!
Call Mrs. Pat DeFranco at 440-232-5900 ext 145
Holy Spirit Academy
SAVE THE DATES!! Scholastic Book Fair!
Holy Spirit Academy PTO will be sponsoring the Scholastic Book Fair on the following dates: Sunday, January 25th from 12:00 " 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 27th from 11:00 " 1:00 pm Wednesday, January 28th from 11:00 " 1:00 pm Come and shop the extensive selection of books for children, teens and adults! 370 Center Rd., Bedford (St. Pius X)
Light of Hearts Villa
Spiritual Gathering Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month except in July.11:30am-12:30pm
Bedford Historical Society
Save the Date! March 7, 2009 is our annual Reverse Raffle. The main prizes will be $1000 and there will be a cash bar and live music. Ticket cost $45.00 per person. Tickets will be available through the museum or from Trustees.
UPCOMING CHAMBER DATES TO SAVE!
February 18th, 2009 " Chamber Dinner Meeting
March 18th, 2009 " Chamber Dinner Meeting
April 15th, 2009 " Chamber Dinner Meeting
May 20th, 2009-Chamber Dinner Meeting
June 10th, 2009 " 1st Wednesday of Parties in the Park
September- Chamber Golf Outing- More information coming
These are tentative dates based on last years schedule! Please watch for more dates and upcoming events in future news letters.