Pasadena Chamber blog at www.pasadena-chamber.org/blog

If you are interested in following the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce blog, it has moved to http://www.pasadena-chamber.org/blog .

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Blog moves to new address, too

We moved our offices to 844 East Green Street, Suite 208 in Pasadena (upstairs on the second floor of the Prado Building at Green and Lake).

We moved our blog too.  The new address for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce blog is:

http://www.pasadena-chamber.org/blog

See you at the new place…

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce events and activities

Join us at any of our many networking, informational, fun or fundraising activities. At the Chamber, we are always interested in your feedback. Please feel free to email comments to paul@pasadena-chamber.org.

REGISTER AND PAY FOR CHAMBER EVENTS ONLINE at our website. Click on EVENT REGISTRATION to access the forms. You can also renew your membership online. New members can sign up online, as well. Please note, for new members we are currently waiving the $25 processing fee. Paying online also means no credit card service charges.

Luncheon Alliance
Join fellow members in promoting your business at the Chamber’s monthly lunchtime networking event on Wednesday, February 3rd at Altadena Town and Country Club at 11:45 a.m. Alta Media Group produced a promotional video for our Luncheon Alliance. Watch it here and share it with others who could benefit from our networking experience.

Breakfast Connection
Enjoy fellowship, friendship and networking at the monthly Breakfast Connection on Thursday, February 11th at 7:00 a.m. at The University Club.

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning in January, 2010, the Breakfast Connection will move to the University Club. Breakfast Connection will still be held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 a.m. Advance registration prices will remain the same. The University Club is located at 175 North Oakland Avenue (just south of Walnut) in Pasadena. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the club.

For more information or to register for lunch or breakfast call Kelly at (626) 795-3355 or email here.

Sponsorships are available for 2010 Breakfast Connection and Luncheon Alliance events. Get your business in front of your peers, your business name and logo on the event flyer and seven minutes to talk about what you do, how you can serve and why your business is better than your competitors. For more information or to become a lunch or breakfast sponsor, call Kelly at (626) 795-3355 or email kelly@pasadena-chamber.org.

Robin’s Woodfire BBQ and Grill hosts the January Chamber After Hours Social and Mixer on Thursday, January 21^st at 5:00 p.m. at 395 North Rosemead Boulevard in the Hastings Ranch area of Pasadena. Admission is $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Come enjoy a taste of one of Pasadena’s favorite restaurants with friends and business associates. Drinks are offered at Happy Hour prices.

For more information or to register for a Chamber event, visit www.pasadena-chamber.org or call (626) 795-3355 and ask for Linda.

PASADENA CHAMBER DAY AT THE RACES

Join the Pasadena Chamber Board, members, family and friends at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, March 20th for Pasadena Chamber Day at the Races. Come at noon for a catered barbecue featuring BBQ brisket, tequila lime chicken, vegetable pasta primavera, hot dogs and more. Soft drinks are included. Wagering, souvenirs and alcoholic beverages are extra. Cost, which includes parking, admission, program and the buffet is $29 for adults, $23 for ages 13-18 and 14 for those 12 and under. For more information call the Chamber office at (626) 795-3355.

SAVE THE DATE: Pasadena Chamber Golf Tournament Friday, April 9, 2010
Join the Chamber for our annual Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament on Friday, April 9, 2010 at Brookside Golf Club. Golfers of all abilities are welcome. We can only accommodate 144 golfers, so register early to ensure a place. The Chamber hosts a raffle, sells mulligan packages and adds a few special nuances to play to make the tournament fun for everyone involved. Local restaurants and caterers provide food samples on the course, as well. You can register online at http://www.pasadena-chamber.org/sg_forms/index.htm

Chamber and ResultWorx Technology Group partner for Technology Tuesday seminars

Beginning on Tuesday, January 19th at 9:00 a.m. at the University Club in Pasadena, Jim Locke of ResultWorx Technology Group (formerly Axon Tech) hosts Technology Tuesday on the third Tuesday of each month. The first session, entitled Evaluating Technology Needs for Small Business, will cover how to determine technology needs and how to be cost-effective in acquiring hardware and software. Technology Tuesday is sponsored by ResultWorx Technology Group, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Microsoft.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce , Foothill Workforce Investment Board and the Economic Development Department of the City of Pasadena host a series of free workshops: The Art of Small Business Survival. A wide variety of topics are covered over the course of the series. Presentations by experts in various aspects of business management, resources, marketing and other aspects of starting or running a business will present information. Continental breakfast is served. These workshops are free, but registration is required.

SCHEDULE:

• Making Business Memorable: Branding and Identity, with Pat Rosengren, Jan. 19
• Tax for Small Business, with Jim Wong, Feb. 9
• Where Does the Money Come From? Financing for Small Business, with Dan Lien and others, Mar. 9
• In Business No One Can Hear You Scream: Triage for Business, various, Apr. 13
• First Impressions: Networking Works, with Craig Valine, May 11
• Get Fit, Be Fit, Stay Fit: Healthy Business, Healthy You, with Dr. Seth Mittleman and Rick Caputo, June 8

All workshops are held at 8:00 a.m. in the Press Box at the Rose Bowl unless otherwise noted.For more information or to register, call (626) 744-4660 or email rmartinez@cityofpasadena.net.

News and information for members

At its meeting of January 11th, the Pasadena City Council reviewed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The CAFR is the city’s annual audit of all its finances and offers a snapshot of City finances as of June 30, 2009. The Council accepted the report from Finance Director Andy Green. At the end of FY 2009 (June 30, 2009) the City of Pasadena held $954,199,439 in assets, $118,261490 of which is unrestricted. The city experienced a $49,166,110 increase in net assets during FY 2009. The City’s total debt had decreased by $17,484,960 during FY 2009. The auditors found no significant problems with the City’s internal control systems, though the auditors made some recommendations that could tighten up material inventory handling and controls.

The Council also received a demonstration of the Housing Resource Center website which is designed to enable those in need of a place to rent in Pasadena to access appropriate housing in the low to moderate price range. For employees and employers, the free site can be very helpful by simplifying the housing search. The information is available at www.pasadenahousingsearch.com.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved $275,000 to convert an existing 144 unit Pasadena  residential facility into housing for the homeless.  $294,000 was approved to assist the Sheriff’s Department in dealing with gang-related crimes.

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) release a study on the econnmic impacts of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2A (Pasadena to Azusa) project. The study concludes that Phase 2A is estimated to generate nearly 7000 jobs, #1 billion in economic output (aka business revenue) and $40 million in tax revenue (state, county and local). The study finds these benefits will occur during the project’s 30-month construction period; with additional , significant long-term benefits occurring from developments spurred by the project and future phases of construction. Click here to read the results of the full study.

Brookings Institute and National League of Cities event focuses on financial challenges facing cities. The Brookings Institute held a symposium on the fiscal realities facing cities in the current economy. The event report states, “The current economic crisis is not only a national crisis; it is also a metropolitan crisis. And soon the downturn will bring a local government fiscal crisis. Given the normal lag time of 18–24 months between changes in the economic cycle and its impact on city fiscal conditions, local officials anticipate that the next year or two will bring large-scale city government layoffs, deep cuts to local government services, and halted or delayed capital projects. Just as federal stimulus package spending trails off, city fiscal dynamics could well place a serious drag on economic recovery.” You can view the webcast here.

The U.S. Census Bureau will hold an open house at their local office at 299 North Altadena Drive in Pasadena on January 25th at 1:00 p.m. The census office is intended to help ensure a complete and accurate count of local residents.  Funding from the Federal and state government to local municipalities is often tied to population. An accurate count of residents ensures the local area receives its fair share of funding for a wide range of programs.

News by and about Pasadena Chamber members

Member News Pasadena Chamber members are among the best at what they do. Here’s what some are up to:

Caltech presents A Conversation with Anne Mulcahy, chair of Xerox Corporation, on Wednesday, February 3rd at 8:00 p.m. For information on this FREE event, please call (626) 395-4652. Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus will have a female barbershop quartet sing to your Valentine for you. To order a Singing Valentine call (626) 797-1732. Kidspace Children’s Museum is offering Chamber members 20% off the cost of facility rental through January 2010. Book your holiday party or team building event at Kidspace and save. Email Jsando@kidspacemuseum.org for more information. Bernards is seeking local subcontractors. Chamber member Bernards is a construction and construction management firm that is competing for work with the Pasadena Unified School District. Bernards is seeking local subcontactors in all fields. For more information email clientservices@bernards.com. The Huell Howser series “California’s Communities” features Old Pasadena. Huell tours the streets around Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard, where historic buildings have been preserved and turned into today’s bustling marketplace. PIHRA, an organization of human resources professionals, offers Chamber members the opportunity to take part in seminars and meetings hosted at Huntington Hospital on the second Tuesday of each month. Through a reciprocal agreement, PIHRA is offering Chamber members the opportunity to participate at PIHRA member rates. For more information, email pihra3@yahoo.com. Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine hosts an open house at 890 South Arroyo Parkway on January 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. RSVP to (626) 403-9000 if you would like to attend. A Noise Within reprises its award-wining production of Waiting for Godot from January 16th through January 26th. Tickets are lmited. Call (818) 265-7964 or visit www.anoisewithin.org for more information. The Pasadena Senior Center at 85 East holy Street hosts the Pasadena Literary Festival of Women Authors on Saturday, February 6th. The Festival showcases the talent of four award-wining contemporary writers: Reyna Grande, Claire LaZebnick, Nichole Mones and Marisa Silver. Authors will discuss and signtheir work. Lunch is catered. Proceeds benefit the Pasadena Senior Center. For more information call (626) 685-6724. Japon Bistro at 927 east Colorado celebrates Sake with a wonderful collection of new and exciting sake at the Sale Only Store. Santa Anita Park hosts the Sunshine Millions on Saturday, January 30th at The Great Race Place. See some of the nation’s finest thoroughbreds race at one of the greatest race courses in the world. www.santaanita.com for more information. Join fellow Chamber members for Pasadena Chamber Day at the races on Saturday, March 20th. Call (626) 795-3355 for details or to sign up for this fun event. The Ice House at 24 North Mentor Avenue presents Saturday Night Live alum Norm MacDonald on Saturday, January 30th. Call (626) 449-4053 for reservations. The Pasadena Museum of History hosts a tour of the Zane Grey Estate in Altadena on Thursday, January 28th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guest speaker and former Chamber Board Chair Nat Read will discuss his book, Don Benito Wilson: From Mountain Man to Mayor – Los Angeles 1841- 1878. he event also includes a light supper, wine, coffee and dessert. Tickets are $50. For more information email info@pasadenahistory.org. New Tang Dynasty TV presents Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion from February 5th to February 14th. For more information call (800) 880-0188 or visit www.laspectacular.com. Dr. Maria Sulindro-Ma and her staff at Aesthetic and Anti Aging Medicine at 890 South Arroyo Parkway host an open house on January 18th at 4:00 p.m. To RSVP please call (626) 403-9000. Pasadena Highlands, an independent and assisted living facility, hosts a Senior Driving Safety seminar on Thursday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. Ann Love, senior ombudsman from the state Department of Motor Vehicles will suggest ways seniors can continue driving. The event is free, but RSVPs are requested at (626) 791-1981. The Lincoln Training Center hosts the 26th Annual Affair of the Heart celebrating everyday heroes on March 20th. For more information visit www.lincolntc.org. The Langham Huntington Hotel’s Michael Voltaggio was named the winner of this season’s Top Chef television show. Voltaggio, Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room, has brought his innovative techniques and vision to Pasadena’s Michelin-rated restaurant. For information or reservations call (626) 568-3900 or visit www.pasadena.langhamhotels.com. The Theatre @ Boston Court announced its 2010 Season of World Premieres. Works by Luis Alfaro’s Oedipus El Rey opens February 27th. Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, the classic tale is reimagined in an East Los Angeles bar. For tickets or information, call (626) 683-6883 or visit www.bostoncourt.org. Allan Company is an authorized E-waste collector. Bring your computer equipment, electronics, microwaves and more to their 540 West Chevy Chase Drive in Glendale location to dispose of them properly. Neurofeedback and NeuroRehab Institute, Inc. (NNRI, Inc.) hosts an Open House and free Train Your Brain for Successful New Years Resolutions workshop on Wednesday, January 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at their 65 North Madison Avenue in Pasadena. To RSVP call (626) 577-2202 or email dribric@sbcglobal.net. Vroman’s Bookstore presents Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl discussing and signing Beautiful Creatures on Monday, February 1st at 7:00 p.m. Ian Whitcomb, Britiain’s one-hit-wonder of the 1960s signs Letters from Lotusland on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Vroman’s is located at 695 EAst Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. For more information visit www.vromansbookstore.com. First Tee of Pasadena invites golf lovers to experience the Northern Trust Open PGA Tour event February 2nd to 7th at L.A.’s Riviera Country Club. One day grounds passes cost $35 and include a round of golf at Brookside Golf Club. A week-long pass costs $100 and includes golf for two at Brookside. For information call (626) 543-4708 or email: thefirstteepasadena@gmail.com. Bethune Theatredanse celebrates its 30th anniversary with four performances of the Wyland-inspired multimedia production of Silent Roar on February 5th through February 7th, 2010 at the Glendale Community College Theatre. Discounts are available for Chamber members. A special fundraising gala for Infinite Dreams, Bethune Theatredanse’s participatory dance and drama program for disabled children precedes the February 5th performance. For tickets call (800) 838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com. For information on BethuneTheatredanse call (323) 874-0481 or visit www.bethunetheatredanse.com. Union Station Homeless Services and Sources could use your help. Sources helps enable formerly homeless persons to re-enter the workforce. Their training program helps individuals polish their resume, hone their application and interview skills and get ready to apply for and find a job. They can use our help. Applicants are in need of cell phones and cell phone minutes to ensure they get that very important call about a job or interview. If you can purchase a prepaid cell phone or card to support this effort, please contact Sue at sshanley@unionstationhs.org.

You can get text message reminders of Pasadena Chamber events

Sign up for Text Message Reminders of Chamber Events and Activities

Active Chamber members thrive! Subscribe to our reminder alerts sent via text messages to your cell phone. This service is free (normal carrier charges apply). Using your mobile phone, text PASADENACHAMBER to  37398 to get Chamber event and activity reminders on your cell phone. This service is provided to the Chamber courtesy of Heather and frextr.com. Pasadena Chamber Member Discount from Frextr Advertise locally with Frextr. Expand your ability to reach your customers with important information. Take a monthly program and get 33% off messaging fees. Keep it simple. Keep it fresh. Keep it green. Email Heather@frextr.com for details.

Pasadena Chamber to initiate effort to attract Southern California visitors to Pasadena area

Interested in Attracting Customers from Southern California?

The Chamber will initiate an informational and public relations campaign aimed at bringing our neighbors in Southern California to our area to dine, shop, visit, stay and patronize your business. If you would like to offer a discount to our neighbors from Santa Barbara to San Diego, please email paul@pasadena-chamber.org. We anticipate rolling out this campaign in early spring. You can take part by offering visitors something special, a discount, behind the scenes tour, group rate, two-for-one deal — anything you think will attract our neighbors to spend a day, weekend, week or longer in Pasadena.

Pasadena Chamber member discount offers

The following Chamber members offer discounts and/or special items to their fellow Pasadena Chamber members. Always ask for the Chamber member discount when you purchase a product or service from a Chamber member. Most provide some form of reward to their fellow Chamber members. If you have a special offer to make to fellow Pasadena Chamber members, please email Paul@pasadena-chamber.org.

Member-to-Member Discounts

BRAVO urban spa | salon offers special winter discounts. Enjoy a full European massage and European Facial for just $150. Escape for two hours at a significant savings. Other specials are in effect, too. Visit www.bravosalon.com or email info @bravosalon.com. Bravo is located at 455 South Lake Avenue, Suite 101, next to Macy’s.

Western Justice Center has a small office available to nonprofit organization at 65 South Grand Avenue, Room 204. The 79 sq. ft.  second floor office has a shared pantry and  bathroom and free access to meeting rooms at the headquarters building. Rent is $200 per month including utilities, janitorial service and parking.  for more information, please contact Janny Kum at (626) 584-7494, ext. 18 or visit our website at www.westernjustice.org.

Promote your business with the Pasadena Marathon. Hurry! Inexpensive ads are still available in the Official Pasadena Marathon Program. Ad sales close for publication on Friday, January 22nd. Call Beacon Media at (626) 301-1010 or email advertising@beaconmedianews.com to take advantage of special low rates.

Gina Haber with Health Advantage Health and Wellness Center at 1450 North Lake Avenue offers a free consultation for either Acupuncture or Quantum Reflex Analysis. For more information or to make an appointment call (626) 798-7805, extension 214.

Kidspace Children’s Museum offers local businesses 20% off facility rental fees through January, 2010. For information or to book your meeting or event call (626) 449-9144, extension 5218.

ix.tapa Cantina at 119 East Colorado in Old Pasadena offers a 2 for 1 lunch special for a limited time. Visit www.cantinaixtapa.com for more information.

Smart for Life Weight Management offers 15% off all their weight management products to Pasadena Chamber members. Chamber members can also receive a complimentary body composition analysis. Eat Cookies! Lose Weight. Call (626) 486-0321 or visit www.smartforlife.com.

Micro Trends offers Chamber members free diagnostics on all laptops-desktops-servers & laser printers, 20% off labor costs, a free one-hour on-site Technology assessment with a comprehensive report using Microsoft assessment tools and a 5% discount on any computer hardware purchase. For more information visit www.micro-trends.com, email rick@micro-trends.com or call (626) 432-5990, extension 104.

Holiday Inn Express Pasadena introduces Flights Anywhere. Earn points with your stay and turn your points into flights. You can choose to redeem your points or combine points and cash for flights. Visit www.priorityclub.com/flightsanywhere or call Sabrina at (626) 792-1363 for more information.

Donate $95 directly to Child Care Information Service Pasadena, and Halper Fine Art will honor Chamber members’ gifts with a Complimentary FAMILY Portrait Session and a $100 Credit towards your order.

You can see examples of Mark Robert Halper’s work here:

http://HalperFineArt.com. Call the studio by the end of the year to set your appointment, and sit for the actual photography before March 1, 2010. Call (888) 273-2838 for details or to take advantage of this very special offer.

Charter Business is offering $100 credit to Chamber members who sign up for any two (2) Charter Business services. These include Charter Business Telephone, Charter Business Internet and Charter Business Cable TV. For more information, email Danica.Taylor@chartercom.com.

Jos. A. Bank offers Chamber members the opportunity to get exclusive Corporate Discounts through the Corporate Card program. For information or to sign up email corporatecard@jos-a-bank.com or call their South Lake Avenue store at (626) 666-5878. Jos. A. Bank also has regular sales and specials.Visit the web site or go by the store to see what is on sale now.

300 Pasadena gives Chamber members a 30% discount off the regular rates for walk-ins Monday through Thursday. You can experience Pasadena’s new bowling sensation and save some money doing it! Contact Jennifer Robinson at (626) 768-4860 or email jrobinson@threehundred.com for more information.

Accounting 4 It takes $300 off the annual cost for basic bookkeeping services. The discount, which reduces the monthly rate from $175 to $150 is good for the first five people who respond. To take advantage, call (626) 676-1141 or (619) 231-5734 or visit www.accounting4it.com.

DROBE Custom Clothiers offers Chamber members a 2for1 discount. Purchase one custom made shirt at regular prices and receive a second free. DROBE has dressed Al Pacino, Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Leno. They can dress you, too. Visit www.drobe.com or call (626) 744-3334 for more information or to take advantage of this generous offer.

BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) Wednesday is being hosted by several Pasadena Chamber member restaurants. On any Wednesday, you can bring your own wine and pay no corkage fee when you purchase dinner. Restaurants participating include Barn Burner BBQ, Beckham Grill, The Boiling Pot Shabu-Shabu Restaurant, Derek’s Bistro, The Dining Room at the Langham, El Cholo, La Grande Orange Cafe, The Raymond, Robin’s Woodfire BBQ and Grill, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Sushi Roku and The Terrace at the Langham. So bring a bottle of your favorite wine on Wednesday and enjoy a wonderful dinner with it, and pay no corkage fee.

Only $100	Alta Media Group will create a short video promo for your company for only $100. Your message will be scripted, storyboarded, shot, edited and delivered for a very low Chamber member price. You pay when you approve the final product. For more information call (310) 614-1321 or email dennis@altamediagroup.com
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20% off	Corcoran Bookkeeping and Tax Service offers Chamber members 20% off the first three months of bookkeeping, representation or tax preparation. For more information email corcorank@charter.net.
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$1.25 Menu at Barn Burner	Barn Burner BBQ offers a very special menu on T-days, Tuesday and Thursday. Selected menu items are only $1.25. Beer and wine is only $1.50. Visit Barn Burner at 1000 South Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. (626) 403-7427
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	Please patronize your fellow Pasadena Chamber of Commerce members. We all can help by supporting our colleagues and friends in business.

Save 15%	Magic Cleaners offers Chamber members a 15% discount off green cleaning services. Magic Cleaners uses non-toxic products and hypo-allergenic vacuums. For more information, call (626) 577-7067.
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Save 10% on Promo Items	Ellen’s Silkscreening is offering a 10% discount to Pasadena Chamber members. To take advantage, contact Andrea Damian at (626) 441-4415.
For more information, visit www.ellenssilkscreening.com. ——————————

Save 10% on all food items	Picasso’s Cafe, Bakery and Catering Company offers a 10% discount to Pasadena Chamber members. Enjoy the finest cuisine, prepared by experts and delivered to your home or office, or prepared for you at Picasso’s at 6070 North Irwindale Avenue. For more information or to place an order call (626) 969-6100.
Visit the website at www.picassoscafe.com. —————————–

Free Service Call	Benedict and Benedict is offering a free plumbing service call to Pasadena Chamber members. For more information on this offer, please contact Raymond at (626) 795-5881.
For more information, visit the website at www.benedictandbenedict.com. ————————–

Save 50% on Self Storage	Arroyo Parkway Self Storage at 411 South Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena is giving 50% off the first three months of storage to Chamber members who bring in this coupon.
For more info, call (626) 585-0521 or visit the web site at www.arroyoparkwayselfstorage.com. ——————————

New Members Save $25	If you refer a new member to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, you can save them $25. If your new member includes this coupon, we’ll waive the registration fee and sign them up for only the annual dues. The member who signs up the most new members will receive special recognition.
I was referred for membership by ________________________________________

If you would like to offer your fellow Chamber members a discount or special product or service, please email paul@pasadena-chamber.org to be included.

Member survey shows satisfaction with Chamber service, points out areas to improve

Last fall, students from the USC Marshall School of Business examined some of the operations of the Chamber. Students looked at our members service and business development activities and our technology to see how the Chamber can enhance each to better serve the membership.

As part of that work, a group of students surveyed Chamber members to gain their satisfaction with current services provided and to learn what services the Chamber could better perform.

We learned that our communications activities are well received, as are our networking events and social activities. We were also told, through the survey, that we need to devote more effort and energy to providing referrals for members.

This information, along with input from the Board and other members informs our workplan for the year.  AS a member, you should always feel free to suggest ways in which we can improve our services or add new activities that can help you prosper.

The complete results of the survey can be found here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=UN_2bZ50CWXs7su0vm7diDZjRByz0RaUDvWHhTu7Qto8M_3d

Chamber staff will be following up on the students’ recommendations and continue to work to provide better, more focused, and more meaningful services for Chamber members.

New business incubator opens in east Pasadena

Mayor Bill Bogaard and Episcopal Bishop John Bruno were on hand for an open house at Mama’s Small Business Kitchen Incubator. Joe Colletti, working with the Episcopal Church’s Economic Development Office, has put together a facility where aspiring caterers and restauranteurs can access equipment and kitchen facilities, as well as expert technical help.

The facility is completely modern and features everything necessary to prepare, cook and deliver food. Expert assistance is provided by General Manager, chef Larry Bressler, and instructor chef Farid Zadi.

New Chamber member Bonnie B’s BBQ on North Lake Avenue started at Mama’s Incubator.

For the open house, clients and patrons offered samples of their food and drink. Everyone attending had a chance to taste some of the work of Mama’s Incubator clients.

It is great to see a grass roots enterprise dedicated to helping people achieve success as small business people.