I would like to give special thanks to our Chamber Ambassadors for coordinating our ribbon cuttings and helping us celebrate our expanding business community. A special thanks to Elizabeth Loffredo for preparing our certificates for our ribbon cuttings, guest speakers and business of the month recipients. Attending ribbon cuttings is a great way to meet other members and welcome our new businesses.

Phyllis Swink from the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center was our guest speaker at our March 21st luncheon at the Wakonda Club. We had approximately 60 members in attendance. It was interesting learning about the history of the Fort. If you need a place to host a special event, consider using the Museum! Call Phyllis Swink for details.

Kim Poam Logan from the Iowa Asian Alliance is our guest speaker for April 18. Mark your calendars for the Heritage Festival which will be held on May 13th at Des Moines Waterworks. This event is economically beneficial to our south side businesses. We welcome this festival to our community!

Get ready for some fun on May 23rd! Our Annual Spring Fling will be a great way to kick off our spring events. Mardi Gras is our fun theme this year. Bring your masks and get ready for fun, food, drawings and contests!

Juliana Kincheloe, 2006 President
South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
554-7653

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The Columbus, Ohio-based company is expanding its insurance operations in the west and is writing new business in areas, including Des Moines, through exclusive Nationwide Insurance agents. Consumers will now have access to personal lines and commercial products along with the suite of Nationwide's financial services through a local agent.

As Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. looks to grow in the Des Moines market, there is opportunity for local entrepreneurs to open their own businesses. "Nationwide provides our exclusive agency principals the opportunity to run their own business," said Sam Bradshaw, Nationwide sales officer for the Des Moines market. "At the same time they have that freedom, they have the support of one of the largest insurance and financial services firms in the world." Bradshaw noted that the new exclusive agency principals will be looking for office staff as they set up and build their operations. This will bring more variety to the local community, from more employment opportunities to more options when shopping for insurance and financial services.

The western expansion fits in with the company's history of growth. When Nationwide was founded in 1926, it offered auto insurance only, and only to Ohio farmers. Expansion started two years later, and has continued so that the company has now grown to offer a full line in insurance, investments and retirement products to consumers. Nationwide now offers its products across the United States and on three continents. While growing, the company has maintained its financial stability - Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Co., an affiliate, is one of only 15 companies to be ranked A+ or higher by AM Best Co. every year for the last 50 years.

For more information about Nationwide Agency Opportunities, visit www.nationwide.com . Select "Apply for a Job" and "Agency Opportunities." For more information about job opportunities, visit www.nationwide.com/jobs/careers/.

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Lin is a graduate of both the University of Iowa and Drake University. She founded Career and Life Transition Counseling 13 years ago where she works as counselor and consultant. The company provides career planning and job search services to individuals; individual and group outplacement services to area companies; and school-to-career and career exploration consultation services to area school districts.

Previously, Lin has served on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa and ASPEN, an agency providing services to persons living with AIDS, as well as served as a member of the Advisory Council and later the director of the State of Iowa WorkStart School-to-Work Initiative. Currently Lin volunteers with the AmeriCorps Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA Learning Center as part of the training staff, and serves as a volunteer support group facilitator for the Alzheimer's Association. Her hobbies include stained glass, and, with her husband Skip, woodworking and home remodeling. Lin is a die-hard Hawkeye football fan. She and her husband, Skip, live in rural Northern Warren County and are the parents of adult son, Joel (a Lincoln High graduate).

Lin serves as the co-chairperson of the South Des Moines Chamber's Education Committee and is one of the photographers for the Chamber newsletter.

THANK YOU, LIN, FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THE CHAMBER BOARD!

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The April 18 membership luncheon at Wakonda Club at 11:30 am will feature Kim Poam Logan, Executive Director, from the Iowa Asian Alliance.

Kim will be discussing the upcoming 2006 Asian Heritage Festival on May 13th. She will also give us an update on what has been occurring in the Iowa Asian Alliance organization.

Cost $15 per person with reservation; $20 per person without reservation.

Please RSVP to 286-4996 by NOON on FRIDAY, APRIL 14!

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We welcome you, Jeff, and look forward to having you serve with us.

Jeff Segin
Airport Commerce Park
4949 Westown Parkway, Suite 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 222-5235
jsegin@knappproperties.com

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WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER!

IF YOU KNOW OF A NEW BUSINESS IN SOUTH DES MOINES, PLEASE CONTACT A BOARD MEMBER! WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH A "WELCOME" AND RIBBON CUTTING!

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Join Chamber members for a

SOUTH SIDE MARDI GRAS
Tuesday, May 23, 2006

AIB College of Business

5:00 Networking
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Program and Prizes

DRESS FOR THE PARTY

Cost $25.00 per person

RSVP: 286-4996 for tickets

DONATE A DOOR PRIZE OR MAKE A CASH CONTRIBUTION AT: WWW.SDMCHAMBER.COM

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May 16, 2006, Small to Big Business Forum - 7:45 - 1:00 @ Foxboro Conference Center, Johnston

May 23, 2006, Spring Fling @ AIB College of Business; 5:00 - 8:00 pm

May 25, 2006, Partnership Golf Outing @ Echo Valley Country Club

June 20, 2006, Membership Luncheon at Wakonda Club, 11:30 - 1:00; Greg Edwards of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau will be the speaker.

June 21, 2006, Golden Circle Games w/Partnership @ Fairgrounds

July 18, 2006, Membership Luncheon at Wakonda Club, 11:30 - 1:00

August 3, 2006, Chamber Night at Principal Park

August 18, 2006, Golf Outing w/East Des Moines & Carlisle Chambers @ Willow Creek - 11:30 Lunch/12:30 Shotgun start

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SOUTH DSM/EAST DSM/CARLISLE
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
on
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2006

WILLOW CREEK GOLF COURSE
140 Army Post Road - West Des Moines

LUNCH: 11:30 AM
SHOTGUN START: 12:30 PM

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Ø Elite Sponsorship - PRAIRIE MEADOWS RACETRACK & CASINO
Ø $600 - Eagle Sponsorship - Receives 1 Foursome - Exclusive Hole Sponsorship
- Advertising in all Mailings = COPY SYSTEMS, INC.
Ø $450 - Birdie Sponsorship - Receives 1 Foursome - Exclusive Hole Sponsorship
Ø $150 - Par Sponsorship - Receives Shared Hole - no golfers
Ø $250 - Beverage Sponsor - Help buy beverages for the golfers!

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If you would like to donate a door prize or make a cash contribution to support this event, please call the chamber office at 286-4996 OR visit our website: www.sdmchamber.com

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COST:
$85 per person - 18 holes w/cart, lunch & dinner
$65 for 18 holes - golf only & lunch
$20 per person for dinner only
(Lunch is included serving at 11:30 AM)

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Beving, Swanson & Forrest
Rodney L. Janssen
Phone: 288-6572
Fax: 288-9409

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AIB College of Business
Jennifer Downe is no longer at AIB
Add: Tim Hauber
haubert@aib.edu
515-246-5359

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Veridian Credit Union
Add: Amanda Jones
E-mail: AmandaKJ@Veridiancu.org.

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Public Workshop Notice

Polk County Conservation Board would like to hear from you regarding the potential expansion of Blank Park Zoo and how that could impact Fort Des Moines County Park. Help us take a broad look at the public lands in this south side area and determine how best to serve you and enhance the organizational missions of conservation, recreation and education.

Tuesday, April 18
6:30 - 8 p.m.
McCombs Middle School Cafeteria
(201 County Line Road, Des Moines)

Wednesday, April 26
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Southridge Mall

(vacant space east of Coach House Gifts: use north entrance )
(1111 East Army Post Rd., Des Moines)

For more information about these workshops or to provide feedback if you cannot attend, contact Polk County Conservation at 515.323.5300 or pccb_info@co.polk.ia.us.

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Beginning in the Fall of 2006, AIB graduates and community college graduates with an associate degree will be able to take classes at AIB to earn a Bachelor of Science. The program will offer practical business curriculum and convenient class times for working adults. The degree will combine humanities courses, technology, and best business practices. "This program will include learning with practical application," AIB Vice President and Academic Dean Dr. Susan Cigelman said of the baccalaureate program. "Students who enroll in the program must have earned an associate degree from an accredited college.

According to AIB President Nancy Williams, "The bachelor's degree completion program provides new and exciting educational opportunities for students with an associate degree to further their education. The program, as designed, will allow students to complete upper division coursework while continuing to further their careers."

AIB College of Business is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational college of business. The College was founded in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1921 and has nearly 8,000 alumni living in Iowa. AIB is well-known in the Des Moines area and has established a superior reputation over the last 84 years. The College is dedicated to its mission of providing quality educational opportunities that prepare students to build careers in business.

The College has an enrollment of nearly 900 day, evening and online students. The campus features 17 buildings on 20 acres near downtown Des Moines. Residential apartment-style housing is available for 520 students. AIB offers Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree programs in the fields of accounting, business administration, realtime reporting including judicial and closed captioning, office administration, travel and tourism, and information technology. Business administration degrees are offered in the areas of leadership, financial services, and sales and marketing.

For more information about AIB College of Business or for a transcript review, contact the AIB Admissions Office at 515-246-5358 and 1-800-444-1921 or go to www.aib.edu.

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