Again, this year, as we have always done, we'll be holding our Membership Blitz kickoff at 7:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 27th at Somerset Apartments Club House. For those of you who are membership committee members and board members and anyone else who wishes to join us, we'll have our usual membership contest. We will reward the person who brings in the most membership renewals to our Blitz kickoff with a $100.00 Hy Vee gift certificate. For the rest of our Blitz Day, other prizes include (1st Place) $100.00 gift certificate to Southridge Mall for the person bringing in the most renewals and new memberships and (2nd Place) dinner for 2 at Tumea & Sons Italian Restaurant.

Our Blitz is a fun event; helps you meet more members; network; and see more of our member businesses. For those interested in joining us, please contact either me (at 222-2377) or Mary Ellen (at 247-0000) and pick up your renewal cards and applications for new members.

Benefits of Chamber membership are many and we'd like to encourage as many new and existing businesses to join. I can't tell you how much I have benefited from my Chamber membership over the years - the many permanent relationships that have been formed, the organizations and events that I've been a part of that have resulted in absolute growth and development for the south side. There's no better time or place I'd rather be than right here, right now, in South Des Moines! We thrive on your membership, patronage with fellow members, and lasting business and personal relationships gained through networking and committee involvement.

If you would like to learn more about the Chamber, or how the Chamber can help promote your business, please contact me or any of our great volunteer board members. Please join us on Blitz Day, enjoy the fun, the networking, and the prizes. But above all, remember - that your success is our constant goal!

Craig Krouch, 222-2377
President

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Juliana and her husband Alan, who is also serving on the Chamber Board of Directors and was President of the SDM Chamber in 2002, are both life-long residents of the south-side. They have two wonderful children. Their son, Justin, is 21 years old and is a senior at Iowa State University. He's majoring in psychology and plans to go on to law school. Their daughter, Jessica, is 16 and is a 10th grader at Lincoln High/Central Campus. She loves to sing and is active in Lincoln's Sound Attraction.

Listing and selling homes on the south-side of Des Moines keeps Juliana busy. She especially enjoys helping first time home buyers find that special home. Attending ribbon cuttings and welcoming new businesses to the south-side has been very important. Supporting our businesses and our community is the key to south-side success!

Juliana also holds memberships in the National Association of Realtors, Iowa Association of Realtors, Des Moines Area Association of Realtors, Success Builders, Home Builder's Association of Greater Des Moines, Christ the King Church and the Lincoln High Alumni Association. Besides receiving her Real Estate License in 2001, she also received an Associate of Arts Degree/Paralegal from DMAAC

Spending time with family and friends, volunteering at church, painting, drawing, playing the drums, collecting Wizard of Oz items and shopping are some of her hobbies.

Juliana is looking forward to serving as President of the South Des Moines Chamber in 2006. She would like to encourage ALL businesses on the south-side to get involved in the South Des Moines Chamber and help make this a wonderful place to work and raise our families.

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This will be a joint membership luncheon with Norwalk, Carlisle and Indianola Chambers. It will be a great opportunity for you to meet your legislators and hear what issues they believe will be presented in 2006.

The following legislators have been invited:

Senator Matt McCoy, Senator Doug Shull, Representative Ed Fallon, Representative Bruce Hunter, Representative Mark Davitt, and Representative Jodi Tymeson.

Join us at the WAKONDA CLUB on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 11:45 a.m.

The cost is $15 with a reservation or $20 without a reservation payable at the door. Please call Mary at 286-4996 to make a reservation NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2005.

It is very important to RSVP by the DEADLINE DATE OF OCTOBER 14, so we may give the Wakonda Club an accurate count.

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NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Jeff Bass
1100 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 975-6458
(515) 462-1173
E-mail: bassj3@nationwide.com

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WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER!

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Craig Krouch, President of the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, is asking community residents to nominate candidates for the Citizen of the Year Award for 2005. This annual award is given in recognition of outstanding services to the community by a South Des Moines resident. This will be the fourteenth year of this event.

NOMINATING FORM

The South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce wishes to recognize a South Des Moines resident for exemplary service to the community; by maintaining business, civic and moral responsibilities with a commendable Code of Ethics; whose unselfish guidance and deeds, unmindful of pecuniary rewards, have aided and encouraged those things which have stimulated business, humanities, government, education and/or religion to a higher plain of attainment and by so doing, not only has created a better atmosphere for our citizens, but also has brought credit and honor to South Des Moines.

I nominate:

_______________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________

Why (name) ____________________________ should be the 2005 South Des Moines "Citizen of the Year":

________________________________________________________________

Achievements: ______________________________________________________________________

Please continue on reverse side, if necessary)

Name & Phone number of person/persons who may give the Nominating committee detailed information regarding the above named nominee:

________________________________________________________________

Please return to:
South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
700 Locust Street, Suite 100 Des Moines, IA 50309

NOMINATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 18, 2005
Fax: 286-4974
Phone: 286-4996

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Membership dues are $225 for businesses with six or more employees, or $200 for businesses with five or fewer employees. We encourage all members to renew during this blitz period. Renewal statements will be mailed and membership volunteers will be calling you soon. Please be receptive and welcoming to our statement and to our volunteers who all care about you and South Des Moines. Our goal is to renew all of our members now so we can set our budget for 2006, plan our meetings and events, and get our Membership Directory published as early as possible.

When you think about renewing your membership, there are a few key things to remember:

* There are countless opportunities to network throughout the year at membership lunch meetings, special events such as the spring fling, golf outing, annual dinner, member receptions and ribbon cuttings; We encourage you and your co-workers or guests to attend any of these events.

* We continue to promote your business through our newsletters, as business of the month, or welcome any articles about your business, successes, awards, recognitions, or promotions.

* You can market exclusively to 200+ members through the use of our Membership Directory and invite you to advertise in the directory as well.

* You may attend any chamber board meeting and we invite your comments and input anytime.

Please help us renew your membership and save you the price of a postage stamp by allowing our volunteers to pick up your renewal on Blitz Day - October 27, 2005!

If you would like to know more about how the South Des Moines Chamber can promote your business, please call me at 222-2377. If you would like to help during our Blitz, please call me or Mary Ellen Nicklaus at 247-0000.

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR CONSTANT GOAL!

Craig Krouch, Membership Chair
222-2377

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“Increased wedding, corporate, and private catering have created a need for us to grow our catering capacity,” explains Melissa Richardson, Guest Services Director. “We are pleased to be able to book more holiday and corporate events with this support.” Richardson says new holiday dates at the Zoo are now available for booking.

“We’re excited to help the Zoo in their time of growth and expansion, “says Joe Gatto, one of Baratta’s owners. “We will be able to accommodate any size of group in this very creative atmosphere.

Baratta’s Restaurant has been in business since 1976. Joe Gatto, and Lisa & Curt Kruger (all three south-siders and Lincoln High grads) have owned and operated it for the past 12 years.

Zoo and catering bookings should be directed to 515-323-8306.

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October 27, South Des Moines Membership Blitz

November 8, Ribbon Cutting @ Papa Murphy's, 4926 SE 14th Street

November 15, Membership Luncheon at Wakonda Club

November 18, Deadline for nominations of Citizen of the Year

December 13, Membership Luncheon at Wakonda Club (NOTE: Date Change)

January 17, 2006, Chamber Annual Dinner

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Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your gift of $1,000 to Orchard Place. We recognize that your gift shows your commitment to our mission - helping heal troubled hearts and minds, one life at a time. Our promise to you, in return, is to ensure that your contribution will directly benefit the over 5,500 children we serve each year across central Iowa.

Recently, our kids were asked to write about why they value Orchard Place. Let me share with you what some of our children wrote: "without the kind and caring staff, I wouldn't be getting the thorough treatment I need to succeed."

"Orchard Place has given me a lot, it has given me things such as a safe shelter, food, loving staff, and the ability to change." "What I have learned from Orchard Place is how to trust myself and how to trust others." With your gift, we have helped our kids to a brighter future, helping to position them for success!

With your help, we can serve more and more at-risk children in the community. We can turn lives of despair and suffering into lives of hope and success. As Marion Wright Edelman, founder o f the Children's Defense Fund, says, "When you save children, you save the world."

Sincerely,

Tina Postel
Stewardship Associate

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Southgate Lodge, at S.W. 12th & Randolph, will welcome those who would like to have Thanksgiving dinner. Dinner will be served from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24th).

Anyone who would like to help with food or cash donations, or with your personal time, please contact Dwayne Feight at 285-6805. This is a great way for the southside community to express our compassion for others and to urge NO ONE to be alone or go hungry on Thanksgiving Day!

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Owners Lori & David Landgren cuts the ribbon with the assistance of

Chamber President Craig Krouch, and Chamber Vice President Julie Kincheloe

The Landgren's were presented with a Certificate and the

South Des Moines Chamber's best wishes for success!

Some of the lovely items displayed for sale inside.

Paint It! Pottery Studio is located in the Wakonda Shopping Center at 4221 Fleur Drive, adjacent to Dot's Gallery & Frame Shop, which is also owned by the Landgrens. Call Lori at 287-7190 for upcoming classes and special events at Paint it! Pottery Shop.

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