Long Beach Merchants Association – Regular Meeting
Friday, March 5, 2010, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S. Pacific in Long Beach; 360 642-3300
CALL TO ORDER: 8:05 am
INTRODUCTIONS
Steven Linhart, Paula Mraz, Dave Little, Keith Schwartz, Diane Baker Sayce, Jeff Harrell, RuthAnn Hocking, Ragan Andrew, Bob Andrew, Flint Wright, Missy Bageant, Brandy Ferguson, Wendy Murry, Sherry Hash, Wayne O’Dell, Becky Johnson, Cheri Drehl, Troy, Rodenbaugh, Jane Holeman, Keleigh Schwartz, Craig Smith, Merry Scharfe, Kay Buessing, Cathi Bonnan
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion to approve as written by Jane Hollman and seconded by Merry Scharfe
TREASURER’S REPORT – Given verbally and attached
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The 2010 Budget all members were in favor no one opposed
NEW BUSINESS
Gina at Willapa Valley Events Guide did a presentation on advertising in the visitors guide and handed out brochures regarding the same.  Mark Simmons, High School Principal for Ilwaco presented what the students of “Ilwaco Industries” at his school may do for the merchants. Ilwaco Industries is a career and technical club at Ilwaco High School in Ilwaco, Washington.  Students involved in Ilwaco Industries learn advanced technical skills and entrepreneurial skills  while creating custom products for clients.  Students committed to Ilwaco Industries will further their technical skills through competitions, and the desire to contribute to the community.  They have capabilities to put logos on T-shirts, using laser engraving.  They do not compete with Local businesses only work on products other businesses don’t offer.     For further information check out their website ilwacoindustries.com

COMMITTEE REPORTS
BLUEGRASS – Ruthann Hocking reported all excited for the event 3/26-28; everything moving forward.
BEACH RUN – Paula Mraz reported that committee is finalizing brochures and working on the clam dollars.
D.O. GAMES – Brandy Ferguson reported that the brochures are printed; still looking for people to volunteer to help with first aide.  Inquiries  to Long Beach Fire Department.
SANDSATIONS – Becky Johnson reported that she met with city crew; merchant letters were sent out.
JAKE’S BDAY – Nothing new to report.
WSIKF – Jane Holeman reported well underway; Brochure being worked on it’s the 30th annual.  They will be having well known kite makers kites for the past 30 years for said kites to be displayed.  Travel arrangements are being made.
Holidays at the Beach – Rack cards were dropped off at the Visitors Bureau.  Mayor Bob working on having more Christmas lighting for next years Holiday at the Beach.
LOYALTY DAYS – Ragan Andrew – Six weeks away; 50 entries; Governor unable to attend; have new float built by then.  It was mentioned that the Ilwaco Band needs to submit an application in order to participate.
SURF PERCH – No Report
SUMMERFEST – Ragan Andrew reported that schedule is out soon and waiting for confirmation of Mother Goose.
LONG BEACH VISITORS BUREAU – Nothing to report
LIASON TO Long Beach CITY COUNCIL- Jerry Phillips reported that they are hosting the QR Codes you should be seeing them around town.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 am
Next Meeting April 9, 2010 at 8:00 am at Bensons. (Rescheduled from the original date of April 2, 2010)

Long Beach Merchants Association | Regular Meeting
Friday, February 5th, 2010, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S Pacific in Long Beach; 642-3300

CALL TO ORDER:  8:05 am

INTRODUCTIONS
Steven Linhart, Paula Mraz, Merry Scharfe, Craig Smith, Ruth Ann Hocking, Jane Holeman, Diane Barker-Sayce, Jeff Harrell, Sherry Hash, Bob Andrew, Ragan Andrew, Jerry Phillips, Wayne O’Dell, Judie Andrew, Nancy Little, Dave Little, Keith Schwartz, Robert Merrill, Holly Beller, Gayle Borchard, Stu Freese, Liz Rogers, Lacie Dewitt, Laura Price, Lois Roberts, Becky Johnson and Cathi Bonney

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes were approved unanimously as written

TREASURER’S REPORT –Given verbally and attached in the Secretary’s binder

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
•    2010 Budget

NEW BUSINESS
Camel Ulbricht – Autism Awareness Walk/Fundraiser on March 20th, 2010.  Camel gave out handouts and spoke about the Walk for Autism.

***No actions were taken in said meeting*** Secretary’s laptop was stolen and therefore all notes taken with*** Secretary has learned to back up said documents.

Below are the reports that were given

COMMITTEE REPORTS
•    Blue Grass Festival
•    Beach To Chowder Run/Walk
•    Doggie Olympic Games
•    SandSations
•    Jake’s Birthday
•    Kite Festival
•    Holidays at the Beach
•    LBMA Holiday After Hours,

OTHER REPORTS
•    Kite Museum
•    Loyalty Days
•    Surf Perch Derby
•    SummerFest
•    Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau
•    Liaison to Long Beach City Council
•    Liaison to Ocean Park, Ilwaco

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next LBMA Meeting: March 5, 2010, 8:00 am, Benson’s
The meeting was adjourned.

Long Beach Merchants Association – Regular Meeting
Friday, January 8, 2010, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S. Pacific in Long Beach; 360 642-3300

CALL TO ORDER: 8:05 am

INTRODUCTIONS

Steven Linhart, Paula Mraz, Dave Little, Keith Schwartz, Diane Barker-Sayce, Jeff Harrell, Ruth Ann Hocking, Ragan Andrew, Bob Andrew, Flint Wright, Missy Bageant, Brandy Ferguson, Wendy Murry, Sherry Hash, Wayne O’Dell, Becky Johnson, Cheri Diehl, Troy, Rodenbaugh, Jane Holeman, Keleigh Schwartz, Craig Smith, Merry Scharfe, Kay Buessing, Cathi Bonney

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes were approved unanimously as written.

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

NEW BUSINESS

Kendall Briggs came to LB City Council would like LBMA to hold a Fun Run the weekend before Labor Day in honor of Lisa Bonney and benefiting Crisis hotline. Date still being negotiated. Kendall was referred to the Beach Run Committee.

Craig Smith spoke regarding US Census overview and employment opportunities. Contact Craig in interested in jobs. Or contact the Census Bureau toll-free at 1-866-861-2010. Sample tests and qualifications go to www.2010censusjobs.gov

COMMITTEE REPORTS

BLUEGRASS – Ruthann Hocking reported that the committee is gearing up this spring’s event. New this year is gift certificate tickets for Christmas.

BEACH RUN – Paula Mraz reported that committee is finalizing donations so they can get the brochures and online donations going. Jeff is finalizing shirts; sell at $15.00 and it will be a $5.00 profit. New this year Sand Dollars given to runners and businesses who would like to participate honor them as cash.

DOGGIE OLYMPIC GAMES – Brandy Ferguson reported that they are working on Press Release. Has 12 volunteers; needs judges and other volunteers. Keleigh Schwartz has photos of the event available to Brandy.

SANDSATIONS – Becky Johnson reported Sand in the City starts on Wednesday of SandSations week, with Masters team the Veilings, downtown. Photo Ops. “Long Beach” on sculpture. Next meeting Monday @ 12 pm @ El Compadre.

JAKE’S BDAY – Introduction of Missy Bageant, Co-chair. Showed media coverage; full page spread in Rebel Rods Magazine.

WSIKF – Jane Holeman reported that Frannie O’Neil is not well and is no longer on committee and at this time needs to update the signature cards and add Jane Holeman; Merry Scharfe; Marla Johnson and Dian Barker-Sayce. Motion to approve by Keleigh Schwartz, Second by Cheri Diehl, Unanimously approved.

HOLIDAYS AT THE BEACH – No report. Mayor Bob thanked Merchants for all the decorating as well as in Chinook. He also noted His Supper Table had sent thanks to the Merchants for our donation of food and money.

KITE MUSEUM – Windless kites at Long Beach Elementary on January 16 & 17^th. February 13-15 John Freeman workshop and 20+ kite making exhibits. Rodeway Inn offered discount and has 20+ rooms booked.

LOYALTY DAYS – Mayor Bob noted band applications have been sent out. George Washington is coming. Banquet planning is underway.

SURF PERCH – No Report

SUMMERFEST –Ragan noted the tentative schedule is set. She also invited all to attend the Wash Festivals & Events (WFEA) Conference in Seaside; Contact Ragan for details.

LONG BEACH PENINSULA VISITORS BUREAU – Kay Buesing reported on The Depot’s shindig to honor volunteers. At the last Visitors Bureau meeting the letter regarding action for the upcoming July 4 letter was tabled.

LIASON TO LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL- Wayne O’Dell reported on Ragan Andrew and Jerry Phillips’ trip regarding tour group professionals; status on the QR Enablement Project; 2010 Budget; Wayne would like to work with the event committee members on cost/benefit analysis.

NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA -At this time we will be taking off the agenda and invite ShoreBank occasionally to provide updates.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

– Eye of the storm “Run for the Hills” disaster preparedness exercise September 25, 2010.

– Next LBMA Meeting: February 5, 2010 at 8:00 am at Bensons.

– Next LBMA Board Meeting: February 19, 2010 at 8:00 am at Bensons.

– Upcoming Long Beach City Council Meetings: Jan 19, Feb 1 & 15, 2010 at City Hall

The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 am

Click the pic for a closer look!

And a good time was had!  Thanks to Keith Schwartz for the photos.  Or is it curse Keith Schwartz for the photos?  :-}

Click any photo for a closer look.

Long Beach Merchants Association  |  Regular Meeting
Friday, December 4, 2009, 8:00 am
Benson’s by the Beach Restaurant; 504 S Pacific in Long Beach; 642-3300

CALL TO ORDER 8:10 am

INTRODUCTIONS
Sherry Hash, Ruth Ann Hocking, Troy Rodenbaugh, Rick Schimelpfenig, Bob Andrew, Ragan Andrew, Judy Andrew, Dian Barker-Sayce, Steven Linhart, Keith Schwartz, Keleigh Schwartz, Craig Smith, Paula Mraz, Jane Holeman, Wendy Murry, Holli Beller, Brandy Ferguson, Dennis Roberts.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve as written by Dave Little, 2^nd by Ragan Andrew. Unanimously approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT Sherry Hash gave a verbal report (attached).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Election of Officers.  Written ballots were used to elect the following slate of officers:  President Steven Linhart, Vice President Merry Scharfe, Treasurer Craig Smith, Secretary Paula Mraz, Board Member Sherry Hash.

Appointed by President Steven Linhart were Ruth Ann Hocking (1-year Board seat), Kay Buesing (Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau Board), Jerry Phillips (Liaison to Long Beach City Council), Dave Little (Liaison to Ilwaco and Ocean Park Merchants).

NEW BUSINESS

Rick Schimelpfenig gave a presentation on QR Codes, which will be showing up on points of interest around town.  Some will include information while others will be part of a tour of Discovery Trail.  Merchants should contact Rick http://www.qrable.com or Keleigh http://www.beachdog.com for more info.

Sherry Hash distributed “Tri-Power”, a newspaper of the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association, which includes information on the group’s cleanup on our beach.

Steven Linhart reported there is an event on January 14^th at the Peninsula Senior Center, 11 am – 3 pm, a volunteerism fair organized by Ernie Henson.  LBMA will have a booth and events chairs are requested to attend.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• LBMA After Hours.  Ruth Ann Hocking reported on a fun party last night!  Thanks to Kay for letting us use the Kite Museum.
• Blue Grass Festival.  Ruth Ann Hocking reported that advertising is going out over the radio and in publications, all free.
• Beach To Chowder Run/Walk.  Sherry Hash reported she is transitioning leadership to Paula Mraz.  Paula and Jeff Harrell have been working on t-shirts and logo, registration software and donations.
• Doggie Olympic Games.  Brandy Ferguson reported she has contacted all her volunteers (25) and has heard back from 7.  She’ll be putting an article in the paper to see if she can drum up more help.
• SandSations.  Becky Johnson.  No report.
• Jake’s Birthday.  Wendy Murry.  No report.
• Kite Festival.  Jane Holeman reported that Nancy Campiche is not doing posters this year, so the committee will take on the 30^th Annual poster this year and then they will decide if poster competition will be annual in the future.  Foreign guests are set.  Applied for matching grant with BELO for TV advertising.  Advertising space commitments happening now.
• Holidays at the Beach.  Holly Beller reported on a very successful event.  Donations were received.  About 200 kids pictures were taken with Santa.  Attendance for Frosty’s birthday was the best seen.  Holly would like to bring back the raffle next year; stay tuned.  10 of the 13 coloring contest winners were present for the trolley ride.  Keleigh received an email from an out-of-town family who come every year and have volunteered to help next year.  Anecdotally, there are a lot of people who commented they come back every year.  Bob Andrew reported that he got bids back for lighting the Boardwalk and initial numbers came in at about $75,000, making it not plausible.  Now investigating decorating the pocket parks.  Jane Holeman recommended that volunteer groups could bid for the right to decorate, with funds going to charity.  Ruth Ann asked about the white lights downtown and the need for them to be brighter and last longer; Bob has put that challenge out to the City’s vendor; there are technical issues but they are still working on it.

OTHER REPORTS

• Kite Museum.  Kay Buesing noted January and February are very busy months at the Museum with the Indoor Kite Fly on Jan 16-17.  We are the longest running indoor kite fly in the nation at 9 years.  February brings John Freeman to the museum.  John has taught at the museum for several years. 25 kites will be made this year, making it a BIG event on February 13-14-15.  Come watch!  Asian New Year is the following weekend with a focus on the Singapore area, which is one of the first places to ever have kite festivals.  Spring Fling is a 3+ week event over Spring Breaks.
• Loyalty Days.  Judy Andrew noted that applications are in the works; Midway Printery sustained about $25,000 in damage during the last power outage so things are a bit behind.  This year is the 60^th Annual Loyalty Days.  Coast Guard is being honored.  Coronation will be in April.
• Surf Perch Derby.  No report.
• SummerFest.  No report.
• Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau. Kay Buesing reported on further discussion, at the last meeting, on having conversation with the State to control some of the chaos around fireworks/Independence Day.  Other news was primarily updates from Board members representing all parts of the Peninsula on holiday activities, and a presentation on QR codes.
• Liaison to Long Beach City Council. Steven Linhart reported the budget process has been finished.
• City Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Ragan noted the next meeting will be December 15^th.  Sherry Hash reported that QR Coding is the group’s focus at the moment.
• Liaison to Ocean Park, Ilwaco.  Dave Little reported on Ilwaco’s holiday festivities this weekend; see http://www.funbeach.com/events/holidays/ilwaco.html for details.  Peninsula Players holiday presentation opens tonight.  Apron Auction at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum raised approximately $3,000.  Ocean Park saw 94 visitors last month, plus phone calls.  Lots of response from the Woodall’s Camping Guide.  Ocean Park Area Chamber office is now open 7 days a week, 4 hours per day, which has had a good response.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• LB City Council Meeting: Dec 7, 2009, 7pm, City Hall
• LBMA Board Meeting: December meeting canceled
• LB City Council Meeting: Dec 21, 2009, 7 pm, City Hall
• LB City Council Meeting: Jan 4, 2010, 7 pm, City Hall
• LBMA Meeting: Jan 8, 2010, 8am, Benson’s

ADJOURNMENT 8:58 am