MEMBER NEWS
Send Your Member News to the Westminster Chamber.  We will post it in this space and on our website Member News section.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF WESTMINSTER
Soroptimist International of Westminster, “Organization of the Year” for 2007 is holding their annual "For Women Only" Fundraiser on Friday May 14, 2010.  The event will be held at the Rose Center located at 14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA. Doors open at 5:00 and the cost is $40.00; tickets may be purchased at the door. Evening events include dinner, silent and live auctions, raffles, door prizes and a live comedienne.  Proceeds go to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. For tickets or questions call Patty McAdams at 714.437.7500


ABRAZAR, INC. - Abrazar, Inc. is offering Free Tax Filing for households whose income was less than $100,000.00. To prepare taxes at Abrazar Inc., the filers will need to bring:
-  Social Security Card or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for each family member
-  W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2009
-  All 1099 forms for other income
-  All 1098 forms for educational expenses
-  Childcare provider information: name, address and Tax ID number (if available)
-  Picture ID
-  Prior Year’s Tax Return
-  Pin # to E-File
  Abrazar Community Tax Days are held on Saturdays through April 10: March 28, April 3 and April 10, 2010, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at 7101 Wyoming Street, Westminster. Call 714.893.3581 to make the required appointment. A computer lab is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for those wishing to prepare their taxes themselves or can be prepared at home through the internet by linking to www.icanefile.org?caller=485.

PANERA BREAD BAKERY & CAFE - Panera Bread Bakery & Cafe in Westminster celebrates every Sunday as Family Day.  They offer a Free Kids Meal with the purchase of a lunch or dinner item at their Westminster location at 16340 Beach Boulevard (in the Target shopping center) from 11:00 am to close every Sunday! Panera Bread offers a delicious variety of sandwiches, salads, soups and healthy kids meal options including white wholegrain bread, organic cheese and yogurt.  Panera Bread's BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad was recently Ranked #1 on "Good Morning America." The next time you're in try it for yourself and Chamber Members, be sure to introduce yourself to the Store Manager Leslie Nicol!

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - Westminster Chamber welcomes Brett Southern as the new Store Manager of Harbor Freight Tools.  On your next visit to the store to pick up your tools and hardware, be sure to stop by and introduce yourself to Brett. Harbor Freight Tools is located at 15436 Goldenwest Street, Westminster. You can contact the store by calling 714.896.9737.

COASTLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND RAINBOW DISPOSAL - Coastline Community College President, Dr. Ding-Jo Currie, and Rainbow Disposal Vice President, Environmental and Public Affairs, Sue Gordon, will be among those honored with the “Women Making a Difference” awards. Dr. Currie will receive the “Women Making a Difference in Education” award and Sue Gordon will receive the “Women Making a Difference in the Environment” award. The “Women of Distinction Ruby Awards Luncheon” will be held Friday, April 9, at 11:00 am hosted by Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach and will celebrate remarkable women. RSVP’s are requested by April 2. To attend the event or for further information, contact Nouha Hreish at 714.840.5558 or email her at Diamondnunu@aol.com.

GOODWILL STORE & DONATION CENTER- The Goodwill Store & Donation Center provides a reliable and convenient attended donation center at 5948 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683  open seven days a week.  Local businesses can utilize our donation centers for free e-waste recycling, used office equipment collections-- as well as a convenient place for residents to drop off gently used household goods and clothing. The items collected are either recycled or sold in our retail stores. Our business model ensures donated items are converted to revenue for our programs and services while effectively diverting local landfills.

BEST WESTERN WESTMINSTER INN - Best Western Westminster Inn located at 5755 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, CA 92683 was named “Best of the Best in Customer Care” at Best Western International’s annual North American Convention held recently in Phoenix, AZ. The hotel was one of only 106 of Best Western’s more than 2,400 properties in the U.S. and Canada to receive this designation, an honor bestowed upon those Member properties that best exemplify exceptional levels of service and care and meets the design standards and other membership requirements to qualify. Best Western Westminster Inn features 45 guest rooms and offers a variety of amenities including free high speed internet access, a complimentary hot continental breakfast, oversized guest rooms with patios, microwave & refrigerator in every room, heated pool and Jacuzzi, cable plus HBO and starting soon, every Tuesday evening between 5:00 and 6:00 pm guest social mixer with food & drinks includes.


2009 ANNUAL INSTALLATION & BUSINESS AWARDS

2009-2010 Officers:
President-Elect: Frances Nguyen, Golden Trophy & Awards
President-Elect: Joanne Vogelsang, Huntington Westminster - Senior Apartment Homes
Chief Financial Officer/Corporate Secretary: Gloria Reyes, Abrazar, Inc.
Co-Vice Presidents, Business Education:
   Frank Cobo, Cobo-Care
   Jack Wanstreet, Bolsa Chica Self Storage
Vice President, Membership: Randy Reay, Tropic Shield Mobile Detailing
Vice President, Legislation: Stephen Nevarez, Eagle Real Estate
Vice President, Community: Robyn Sottile, Girl Scout Council of Orange County
Past President: Sandra McClure, Baskin Robbins

Directors, 2009-2010:
Quy Huynh, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Theresa Kasprzyk, Kiwanis Club of Westminster
Chuck Keough, Outback Steakhouse
Jacko Luong, Avant Outdoor Advertising
Mickey Morrissey, Minuteman Press 
Linh Nguyen, Nguoi Viet Daily News
Lori Pappas, Uncle Pete’s Cafe
Debra Wanbaugh, First Bank

2008 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
RIVIERA AT THE FIRESIDE
The story of Riviera at the Fireside has two chapters. In 1967, Riviera Restaurant opened at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and provided 30 years of fine dining at its best in an elegant atmosphere. And The Fireside, located at 13950 Springdale Street in Westminster, established here in Westminster, joined the Chamber of Commerce in August 1973. When the Riviera Restaurant left South Coast Plaza in 1998, it found The Fireside a perfect match with a great location and easy freeway access. Riviera Restaurant merged with The Fireside, renovated the location and re-opened in September 1998 as Riviera at the Fireside bringing their excellence in fine dining to our City.
   Riviera at the Fireside is a renowned dining place far beyond Southern California. They offer traditional French continental cuisine including table side flambé preparations and their service is impeccable. Riviera at the Fireside has been honored with many culinary awards.  Since its opening in Westminster, it has received awards each year from the Southern California Restaurant Writers. They were honored in 2008-2009 for the second time with the Golden Sceptre Award with a Five Star rating in the Continental category. They have been rated by Zagat which is "The Web's Most Trusted Guide to Restaurant Reviews and Ratings" and they were featured twice on The Food Channel, once in the “Top Five” series for their flambé and once in the “Incredible Eats” series.
   Riviera at the Fireside hosts many Chamber luncheons and has provided hors d’oeuvres and dinner gift certificates for various Chamber, City and charitable events.  They support many local groups including Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, the Orange County Council of Boy Scouts of America, Westminster and Marina High School sports programs, C.H.O.C. Hospital and the Westminster Mayor’s Ball.
   The Westminster Chamber of Commerce is extremely proud to name Riviera at the Fireside as their 2008 Business of the Year!

2008-2009 CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR
JACK WANSTREET
Bolsa Chica Self Storage
Each year the Chamber presents the Chamber Member of the Year award to an individual who has gone well above and beyond the call of duty in service to Westminster Chamber of Commerce. Continuous giving and wisdom are two of the main traits of our Chamber Member of the Year.
   Jack Wanstreet is known for a constant commitment to the Chamber. In 2008-2009, he attended Networking Breakfasts, Luncheons and Mixers plus numerous Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings. Jack served on numerous Chamber event committees including E-Waste Collection, Founder's Day, Open House, Orange County Largest Mixer Booth and Public Service Awards. 
  Jack not only served as bartender at Mixers, but was willing to taken on the less visible but more strenuous tasks of an event by  serving on transportation committees, picking up various items and equipment for events, and being on hand to set up and clean up at events. This willingness to serve seems endless.  Calls to the office are frequent to see if anything needs to be done in the days prior to an event or more directly  dropping by to lend a hand.
   As a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, Jack regularly attended meetings. Although he’s quiet, his insights are keen. The 2008-2009 Chamber Member of the year was always looking for ways to  serve the Chamber. He never craved the spotlight, but he’s not afraid to take it if need be. When he recognizes that held is needed, he simply seeks ways to assist.
   For all this and more, Westminster Chamber of Commerce was proud to name Jack Wanstreet of Bolsa Chica Self Storage the 2008-2009 Chamber Member of the Year!