Tinkler Funeral Chapel and Crematory- June Mixer

On June 17th, Tinkler Funeral Chapel and Crematory hosted the June mixer and were very gracious and hospitable hosts who take pride in their facility and what they do. Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been serving Central Valley families since 1919. Their building located at 475 North Broadway Street, was designated a historical building as was added to the local official roster of historical buildings on September 27, 1979. This unique facility has a lovely courtyard and this is where the Chamber Ambassadors, member and their guests relaxed, visited with one another and listened to the wonderful mariachi music provided by Roberto Lopez. They hosted an abundance of wonderful appetizers, desserts and beverages that were provided by Grand Occasions. They also had wonderful gift baskets from Sierra Nut House that were given out for raffle prizes. The weather was wonderful and the company as well. It was a lovely event.

The Chapel is available for services of all denominations ranging from traditional to contemporary and alternative memorials to cremation services. Their location is convenient for gathering of any size, and is equipped to respect all funeral customs. The Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory employs a highly trained, compassionate and caring staff. All are committed to the continuation of a proven professional approach to caring personal attention. Their grief management library of award- winning DVDs, brochures and booklets, is designed to help family and friends through difficult times and is available to the public.

The Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory provides 24 hour a day response. Their staff is available to answer any question you may have. Tinkler is proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. Dignity Memorial provider offer exclusive benefits, including National Transferability of Prearranged Services, the Bereavement Travel Program, the 24-Hour Compassion Helpline and access to an acclaimed grief management library. As North America's premier provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, the Dignity Memorial brand is your assurance of quality, value, caring service and exceptional customer satisfaction. For more information call them at (559)233-2101

This blog provided by: Cheryl Hansen-Abshere of Real Goods Solar

Ribbon Cutting for Real Goods Solar

Real Goods Solar celebrated a new addition to their building with the Fresno Chamber and a ribbon cutting! Real Goods Solar extended the warehouse for products and easy entry way and the local sales team for the Central Valley now has a bigger office to work in. Ambassadors learned a lot that day about solar energy. We started off viewing a video about the President & Founder, John Schaeffer on Fox Business News. Real Goods Solar is offering a customized home built with Solar Energy to power throughout the whole home. Since most of us are going green these days, this would be a new trend toward home building. After the video and a tour of the office, we were welcomed with food from Five Star Catering, the tri-tip was awesome, and I could not say more about the delicious spinach and strawberry salads. Ambassador's Terri and Andrew sat next to me, our whole conversation that evening was about solar panels for our home since it would be more affordable for us to have in the long run versus the monthly PG&E bills. Real Goods Solar offer affordable financing options for those home owner interested in getting solar panels for their home. For those of you interested in saving money, and going green, please contact Cheryl Hansen-Abshere at

(559) 457-8365, or visit http://www.realgoodssolar.com/.

This blog provided by Nichole C. Castillo of the Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau

Ribbon Cutting at Belfor Property Restorations

Belfor Property Restorations had a ribbon cutting with the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce on June 22, 2010. Belfor located at 3461 W. Holland Ave in Fresno, actually has sites all over the US and even Chile with their corporate headquarters based in Birmingham Michigan. The Ambassadors from the Chamber were able to get quite an education as we leaned about the many things Belfor can do. From large catastrophes to small domestic jobs they have help for you with their 24/7 immediate response. I think they are a perfect number to have on the speed dial right there next to 911! Here are a few of the things Belfor Property Restorations can do: water extraction, structural dehumidification, smoke/odor removal, structural cleaning and decontamination, contents pack out/ restoration, mold remediation, electronics restoration, magnetic media and data recovery, equipment and machinery restoration, book and document reclamation and consulting services.

Belfor also takes part in the community and as part of the ribbon cutting we were able to see Brian McGrath Project Manager and Kevin Lahey General Manager receive the Community Partner document framed from Hap Wood Salvation Army Chairman- Community Partners. It was a wonderful ribbon cutting with a fantastic live display of their water extraction machine. Welcome Belfor to the Fresno Chamber. For more information on how Belfor can help you or your company please call them at 559 244-0811 or visit them online at http://www.belfor.com/. "Belfor's emergency teams bring extensive experience to the rescue, saving property, recovery time and peace of mind."

This blog provided by Hannah DeGroot of Realty Concepts

Fresno Chamber Ambassador Julie Luft interviews Fresno’s Rick Whitsell and Hannah DeGroot on their thoughts about Chamber participation.

The installation Dinner for the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce was held at the New Exhibit Hall the evening of January 29, 2010. Al Smith, the President and CEO of the Chamber officiated the black tie event. Rick Whitsell, President and CEO of Fresno First Bank was installed as the 2010 Chairman of the Board. Our very own Ambassador Hannah DeGroot of Realty Concepts was named the Ambassador of the year and her award was presented by Moe Bagunu, Senior Manager, Property Management, of Fashion Fair Mall. The new board of directors was sworn in by John Wallace.

Julie Luft, Specialty Manger, Fashion Fair Mall and Chamber Ambassador, recently had the opportunity to interview Rick Whitsell and Hannah DeGroot and ask them their thoughts about Chamber participation.

Rick Whitsell has the desire to give back to our community. Read on..........

Julie: What is your official chamber title?

Rick: Chairman of the Board for the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.

Julie: What is your official bank title?

Rick: President and CEO of Fresno First Bank.

Julie: You participate wholeheartedly, what led you to the Chamber?

Rick: The need to contribute to a professional organization which is well respected for representing business in the Fresno area.

Julie: What motivates your continued participation in the Chamber?

Rick: My desire to give back to our community.

Julie: Why did you accept the position?

Rick: The responsibilities of the Chairman's position allow me the opportunity to make a contribution to our community.

Julie: What qualities have you admired in past Presidents?

Rick: They are all successful business leaders who continue to make a difference in our community.

Julie: Who do you look up to in the Chamber?

Rick: Al Smith, the President and CEO of the Chamber, for his leadership and accomplishments made over the last four plus years.

Julie: What is your vision for this year?

Rick: To continue to build a strong Chamber organization built on a stable financial foundation.

And for the second year in a row Hannah DeGroot was chosen as the 2009 Ambassador of the Year. Hannah enjoys meeting people, making connections and strengthening relationships. Here's what else Hannah had to say....

Julie: You participate wholeheartedly, what led you to the Chamber?

Hannah: What led me to the Fresno Chamber was their reputation for supporting business, great networking opportunities and the wonderful programs they have such as the Ambassador Program and Leadership Fresno.

Julie: Why do you think you received this award for the second time?

Hannah: The Ambassador of the Year Award is structured on a point system. All Ambassadors receive points for the various things they volunteer for like ribbon cuttings, ground breaking ceremonies, grand openings, monthly mixers and of course blogging for our new Ambassador blog which recounts these things. The blog can be found at http://www.fresnochamberambassadors.blogspot.com/. I think in the end I did the most blogging!

Julie: What qualities do you think are required to become a successful Ambassador?

Hannah: Showing up and making the most of the opportunities provided you by the Fresno Chamber. It's like anything, when you're out of site you are out of mind. I think we all need top of mind awareness. I love telling people what Realty Concepts Corporate Client Program along with our other services can do for them. As an Ambassador I am able to reach people in a way I would not have access to otherwise.

Julie: Who do you look up to in the Chamber?

Hannah: I have yet to meet anyone I do not look up to at the Chamber. There are so many people sharing their talents at the Chamber to make Fresno business blossom.

Julie: What motivates your participation?

Hannah: Meeting people, making connections and strengthening relationships I have made.

Julie: What is your focus for this year?

Hannah: My focus this year is to get more participation in the Ambassador Blog so the Internet Marketing Committee which I Chair can start a new project I think members will love.

This blog provided by Julie Luft /Specialty Leasing Manager Fashion Fair Mall- Macerich

Ribbon Cutting for Health Net of California

The Fresno Greater Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador committee was invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony by Health Net of California on May 19th. This was a Grand Opening of its Fresno Community Solution Center and the presentation of the Health Net community Solution Makers Awards. The awards ceremony recognized those who make a difference in the health and well being of the communities they serve. Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea presented an award to Nichole Mosqueda-Curtin, Regional Director for the Central Valley Health Network, a consortium of 13 Federally Qualified Health Centers. The award was given for its service to a half a million patients annually in 21 counties. Fresno City Council member Cynthia Sterling presented an award to Yolanda Randles, Executive Director of the West Fresno Health Care Coalition for the organization's mission to provide health care opportunities for low-income residents, around 15,000 annually. Reyna Torres General Consul of Mexico presented an award to Tim Curlee, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Fresno County Children's Health Initiative, for its work in enrolling more than 10,000 children in health plans where they would otherwise not have access. This was a great opportunity for all present to see what Valley organizations are doing for the community. After the awards ceremony, the ribbon cutting took place then there was food and socializing. Thank you Health Net for joining the Fresno Chamber and having us as part of your event. For more information about Health Net you can visit them online at http://www.healthnet.com/ or or call them at 559 445-8700.

This post provided by Hannah DeGroot of Realty Concepts

Mayor's Youth Job Fair

Nearly 1,300 youth turned out this year to the mayor's Youth Job Fair that was held at Fresno City on Saturday, May 1, 2010 for youth ages 16-24. It was hosted this year by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Ashley Swearingen, Fresno City College, the State Center Consortium and Fresno ROP. Amazingly, the groups were able to put on the job fair on a zero budget. They were able to accomplish this through the help of volunteers and generous donations.

The job fair had 25 area representatives come set up booths for the job seekers to apply and interview that day. The job seekers were able to walk around to the individual booths and meet their potential employers.

City councilman Blong Xiong gave his sentiments concerning the youth in our community wanting to work and how the employers should support them. A big thank you went out to Mayor Ashley Swearingen for organizing the event, Dixie Wilson, the Programs & Committees Manager for the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of commerce, Darryl Du'Chene the Community Coordinator for the City of Fresno and May Beth Wynn the Interim Coordinator for the Employee Resource Center at Fresno City College.

Some of the employers that turned up this year to the Mayor's Youth Job Fair were Ann Taylor, Spherion, Buckle, The Air National Guard, Kaplan, Payless Shoe Source and Valley Children's Hospital. Good luck candidates. We hope that you find the job that you are looking for!

This blog provided by Lynnette Schetselaar of American Tax-Credits Group, Inc.

Ribbon Cutting Keller Williams Realty

The Fresno Chamber Ambassadors gathered on April 22, 2010 to welcome Keller Williams Realty as new members to the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Joanna Odabashian who is the team leader of the Fresno office gave us a tour of the office and we had the opportunity to mingle with other agents in the office while enjoying some delicious sandwiches, soft drinks and desserts. Everyone in the office was very nice and it was like visiting with family. The name Keller Williams is new to the Fresno Area. However, it is the third largest Real Estate Franchise in North America. Though the name is new to Fresno the ownership and many agents of KW Fresno were formerly of Westland Realty and Investments, Inc. and have been selling real estate for over 25 years in the Fresno Area.

Keller Williams has a lot of support for their agents and offers ongoing training. They want agents to succeed and grow their businesses as big as they desire. They also have weekly classes open to who ever would like to attend. Every Monday night at 5:15 pm they host a commercial contract strategy class for commercial agents and every Tuesday night at 5:15 pm they host a residential contract strategy class where anyone is welcome to drop in and learn. To learn more about the classes you can contact the Keller Williams Office at 559 320-0600, or stop by and visit them at 1175 W Shaw Ave in Fresno. You can also find more information at http://www.whywewentkw.com/.

This blog provided by Javier Morales of the FresnoBee