Long Beach Merchants Association | Regular Meeting

Friday, February 6, 2009, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S Pacific in Long Beach; 642-3300

 

CALL TO ORDER  8:00 am

 

INTRODUCTIONS Kim McAbee, Wendy Murry, Ruth Ann Hocking, Cheri Diehl, Troy Rodenbaugh, Craig Smith, Merry Scharfe, Dian Barker-Sayce, Mary DeLong, Sherry Hash, Gene Miles, DeeDee Eaton, Peter Bale, Jeff Harrell, Jill  Grey, David Glasson, Kimberly Armstrong, Gayle Borchard, Kay Buesing, Eve O’Dell, Wayne O’Dell, Dave Little, Keith Schwartz, Steven Linhart, Ragan Andrew, Steven Kidd, Jessica Kidd, Kathy Kidd, Flint Wright, Jeff Kunkle, Kelly Berg.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES.  Motion to approve as written by R Andrew,  2nd D Barker-Sayce.  Unanimously approved.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT. Given verbally and attached in the Secretary’s notebook.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

2009 Budget.  Sherry Hash and Steven Linhart noted that the Board is still finalizing the budget and will bring it before the membership next month.  Dues drive the budget, with support from festivals.  Dues are down this month, as are festival incomes, both of which will affect the general fund.

NEW BUSINESS

 

Long Beach Fire Chief Dave Glasson, re pre-fire inspections. Dave is looking for volunteers, as are Ilwaco and PCFD1.  There was an explosion in a business recently and neither employees nor fire department knew where to turn off the gas because the location had changed.  As a result, he is doing pre-fire inspections and would like businesses to phone him at City Hall (360-642-4421) or at home to schedule.

 

Kelly Berg & Jeff Kunkle from Vintage Roadside out of Portland explained the particular niche of their t-shirt production company.  They feature vintage roadside attractions on their shirts and sell them with stories, contributing a portion of sales to historic preservation.  They are working with Wendy Murry to develop the Jake’s Birthday t-shirts this year.  They will be taking the shirts to their events other than Jake, which will help with sales.  They also participate in extensive social networking online to promote their shirts.  http://www.vintageroadside.com

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Blue Grass Festival. Ruth Ann Hocking thanked the City for getting the banner up downtown, and businesses who have the event up on their reader boards.  She passed a flyer on the event (also on http://www.funbeach.com/events/bluegrass).  Charie Sizemore is a big name in the bluegrass world.  There is also a guest from Italy.  Others are notable in the local bluegrass culture and are hand-picked by Ruth Ann.  The event is very family-friendly.

 

Beach To Chowder Run/Walk.  Steven reported things are on schedule.

 

Doggie Olympic Games.  Jill Grey reported their next meeting is on the 11th @ 6pm @ PUD.   She displayed items, done by Lost Weekend Clothing, for the event.  Bags, hoodies, pull-overs.  Pre-ordering forms were distributed; pre-ordering continues through April 14th.

 

SandSations.  Dian Barker-Sayce noted that Bank of the Pacific will be unable to donate to Doggie Olympics and SandSations was cut from $3500 to $1000. Other events will be funded at the same level.  Sondra Eaton is doing publicity.  Jeff Harrell is on t-shirts Steven Linhart is logistics.  Dian has been acting chair but did not volunteer for the position.  The event needs a chair, and more support, or it will not continue past this year.  Kim McAbee volunteered to shadow Dian chairing this year.

 

Jake’s Birthday.  Wendy Murry reported there will be an addition of a car show element this year because it is an easy and inexpensive addition that draws a good crowd.  Kelly from Vintage Roadside echoed that she has been able to help promote because their following includes quite a few car fans. They will also take area marketing collateral with them to shows. The band will be Rockabilly.

 

Kite Festival.  Kay Buesing reported that the foreign guest is from Switzerland this year.  He makes centipede kites and kites like Pied Piper with all the rats.

 

Holidays at the Beach.  Steven Linhart; no report.

 

LBMA Holiday After Hours. Ruth Ann Hocking noted that it will be in December again this year.

 

OTHER REPORTS 

 

Kite Museum.  Kay Buesing noted this weekend is Asian New Year and this year’s theme is “China Then & Now”.  Sorry; school events are closed.  There are tons of activities at the museum; display and hands-on.  The following weekend there is a kite making workshop with 18 registered and taught by John Freeman.  The next event is Spring Break activities.

 

Loyalty Days.  Ruth Ann reported that exciting plans are in the works.  This is the 59th annual event.  Abraham Lincoln will be in attendance;  this is the fellow that performs for key events on the east coast.  The event is honoring the air force this year;  the theme is “Patriotism: Aim High”.   There will be an air force flyover.   Tables seat eight, six guests and two dignitaries.

 

Surf Perch Derby. No report.

 

SummerFest.  Ragan Andrew reported she is finalizing the schedule, which will be out by the second week of March.

 

Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau. No report.  Keleigh Schwartz noted the Quilt Guild Show date change affecting the pocket calendar, She asked all businesses to check their info on funbeach.com and pick up Beach Vacation Planners for distribution.

 

Liaison to Long Beach City Council.  Steve Kidd reported that much time has been spent recently discussing the impending closure of Ocean View Convalescent Center.  Options are being explored in hopes of re-opening the facility.  Steven Linhart asked Gene Miles if he wanted to report on the 28th Street Lift Station emergency.  Gene Miles declined.

 

City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.  Wayne O’Dell will give a more extensive report next month.

 

Liaison to Ocean Park, Ilwaco.  Dave Little reported Ilwaco received about 85 crab pots for the Christmas tree next year. Library funds were discussed.  Black Lake Fishing Derby is in April; they’re looking for businesses that would like to sponsor t-shirts @ $150 and also those who would like to donate fishing supplies for the derby.  There is an improvement survey happening about the same time for the facilities at Black Lake.  Not much to report from Ocean Park as their was no quorum at the last meeting.

 

National Heritage Area.  Gayle Borchard reported that Destination: The Pacific is winding down its involvement as the torch is passed to Enterprise Cascadia for the next steps.  A public meeting will be held in April.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Steven Linhart reported on a yellow page fraud scam circulating.

 

Dave Little noted there is a virus presenting through Windows Live instant Messenging that then asks you to pay $30 to remove it.

 

The final stretch of Discovery Trail, being paved by Ilwaco, is scheduled for completion this Spring.

 

Peter Bale, President of Ilwaco Merchants, noted how pleased he is to see so much participation in both our  merchant groups,   He also noted Chuck O’Neil’s memorial will be held this afternoon at 3pm.  Darcelle is again coming to Inn at Harbour Village this Sunday, 6pm, tickets are $25.

 

Wayne O’Dell spoke with Andrew Renwick about participating in LBMA; stay tuned.

 

Keleigh Schwartz announced Oysters & Art will be held at Chautauqua Lodge on March 7th at Chautauqua.  Tickets are $25 and benefit local children’s programs.

 

Tues, Feb 10 there will be a tsunami evacuation training at Chautauqua Lodge.  Contact Ragan Andrew at City Hall for more information 360-642-4421.

 

LB City Council Meeting: February 17, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall NOTE THAT THE MEETING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 TO ACCOMMODATE PRESIDENTS’ DAY.  Water treatment facility tested yielding good results.

 

LBMA Board Meeting: February 20, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s

 

LB City Council Meeting: March 2, 2009, 7:00 pm, City Hall

 

LBMA Meeting: March 6, 2009, 8:00 am, Benson’s

 

ADJOURNMENT  8:51 am