Insurance Executive Accepted Into Continuing
Professional Development Program
Carol A. Jones, a corporate officer at Buckman-Mitchell Inc. and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), has been accepted into CPCU Soci- ety’s prestigious Continuing Professional Development program. Jones is the Vice President, Sales & Marketing Manager at Buckman-Mitchell, Inc. and a member of the CPCU Society. Jones started her career at Buckman-Mitchell, Inc. in 1984 and received the CPCU insurance designation in 1998. She has an Associate in Insurance Services and has earned a Certified Insurance Coun- selor designation. The CPD program recognizes CPCU professionals who are making a special voluntary effort to keep their knowledge current and their skills sharp through career-enhancing activities.

 

Company Announces Top Agents
Premier Real Estate has announced its top agents in overall sales for January 2010. Marcos Padilla was awarded top agent for the Tulare office and Ed- die Sanchez was awarded top agent for the Porterville office. “Both of these agents work hard for their clients and their efforts are rewarded month after month,” said Blain Dierkes, Broker/Owner. “They are exceptional in their work and continue to provide outstanding customer service and satisfaction to their clients.”

 

Debit Card Purchases Earn Cash Back For In-Store And Online Purchases
Bank of the Sierra recently announced the launch of CASHMoney, a new free rewards program which allows all Bank of the Sierra personal debit card cus- tomers to automatically earn cash when they make purchases with their Bank of the Sierra debit card at participating retailers. Affinity Solutions, the lead- ing provider of differentiated merchant-funded programs, developed and manages the program.
All Bank of the Sierra personal debit card holders have been automatically enrolled in CASHMoney, effective today. By using their debit card in-store, at national and local retailers, and online at over 250 participating retailers. Bank of the Sierra debit card holders can earn up to 35 percent cash back on everypurchase. MoredetailsontheBankoftheSierraCASHMoneyrewards program can be found at www.cashmoneydebitrewards.com.

 

Results from 4th Annual Gas Company Student

Entrepreneur Challenge
On Thursday, February 25, eight teams of young entrepreneurs from Fresno, Tulare and Kings County high schools presented projects developed in re- sponse to The Gas Company Student Entrepreneur Challenge. The Challenge is designed to encourage students to develop products, services or other eco- nomic growth ideas that can be applied in the San Joaquin Valley. Teams participating in the event submitted a written business plan and made a live presentation before a panel of business leaders, who served as judges, and then the top three teams presented before attendees at the Tulare County Eco- nomic Development Corporation’s Recognizing Excellence in Entrepreneur- ship luncheon. The student projects ranged from agricultural innovations to socially-oriented retail ventures.

Monache High School’s, “Agiva Coffee and Discotheque” project earned third place and received a $500 cash award. In the Best Exhibit category, Porterville High School’s Academy of Business tied for first. Also honored was Imran Noorali of Monache High School, who received the annual STEM Entrepreneur Scholarship of $1000, sponsored by TUCOEMAS Federal Cred- it Union. The scholarship was created to support students who exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit. Imran is a senior at Monache High School with a 4.24 GPA. His commitment to business and entrepreneurship is illustrated by his service as president of the Central Section of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He also served as the president of Monache’s FBLA chapter and has twice participated in the Student Entrepreneur Challenge. For the scholarship, he submitted an excellent essay on the potential of technology- based vertical farming.

 

 

Rotary Club Presents Porterville Spring Ball
The Rotary Club of Porterville will sponsor its 6th annual Porterville Spring Ball from 5:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday, April 10th at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 1900 West Olive Avenue. Though originally aimed at “Senior Citizens” that were unable to attend their Senior Proms, it was soon discovered that the positive interaction between the many generations in- volved was one of the greatest benefits of this event, so all are welcome.
Tickets are $12.50 each and include, drawings for door prizes, an individual photo, hors d’oeuvres and dance music by the Fabulous Studio Band. For more information, call Jimmie Howell at 784-4430 or Susan Bring at 539- 3170.

Golf Classic Planned
The Sierra View District Hospital Foundation is once again hosting the 6th Annual Sierra View Golf Classic on Friday, April 23rd, at River Island Country Club in Porterville. The tournament format will be a four-person scramble. The cost is $100 per player if paid before April 2 and $125 after- ward. Registration fee includes green fees, golf cart, tee prizes, lunch, dinner, and soft drinks on the course. Businesses and residents can assist by being a tournament sponsor, entering a four-member team, and/or donating a raffle prize. Additional details are on-line at www.sierra-view.com. Teams may also register on-line.
Enjoy A Pancake Breakfast Before Attending

 

The Iris Festival
The Porterville Gleaning Seniors’Annual Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the organization’s ware- house, located at 680 South Main Street. The public is invited to attend this fundraising event which includes a full breakfast with such mouthwatering items as; scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, juice, coffee, and of course, those famous pancakes. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children, under ten are free. For more information, contact the Gleaning Seniors at 784-1196.

 

Beef Dinner Drive Thru Announced
Porterville Breakfast Rotary is hosting its Annual Beef Dinner Drive Thru on Thursday, April 15th. The event will again be in the Eagles Lodge parking lot, entering from Laurel on the south side. The proceeds benefit various Porterville youth programs. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased from the members of Porterville Breakfast Rotary Club.

 

Blood Drives Provide Lifesaving Service
The month of April will be a busy one for the Central California Blood Center as three local events have been scheduled. Donors at all of the activities will receive a variety of discounts from Valley businesses for din- ing, recreation, entertainment, and services. The Blood Drive dates, times, and locations are as follows: Wednesday, April 7th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Porterville College north of the Student Center; Thursday, April 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rodeo Blood Drive at the Central Cali- fornia Blood Center; and, Friday, April 30th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Sierra View District Hospital, Old Lobby. The Porterville Donor Center may be reached at 781-5532.

 

Parish Hosts Fund-Raising Dinner
St. Anne’s Parish will host a fund-raising dinner, “Evening in the Plaza - A Formal Affair,” on Saturday, April 10th. The social hour is scheduled for 6 pm with dinner at 7 pm. This event will be held at Holy Cross Church, 1765 North North Newcomb. All proceeds will benefit Holy Cross Church and the on-grounds expansion projects.
Award winning wines from Napa Valley’s Brassfield Hills Winery, a variety of hors d’oeuvres, and a 6-course dinner, prepared by the Bella Donna Res- taurant and friends, will be served. Attendees will receive a complimentary photograph and end the evening with dancing on the plaza. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased at the following locations: St. Anne’s Parish, 378 North F Street, 784-2800; Porterville Tire, 28 South Westwood, 788-2024; or, Faggart Buick Pontiac GMC Truck, 133 South Main, 784-4595.

 

Recognized Cyclists to Ride Through Porterville
You’ve heard the news – yes it’s true! Cyclist Lance Armstrong and others will be in Porterville on Thursday, May 20th as they participate in Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California. Plans are underway for a variety of local ac- tivities to coincide with the event. Opportunities exist for local schools and businesses to become involved, and everyone is invited to head to down- town for lunch that day as the ride is scheduled to go through Main Street during the lunch hour. It will be quick, and it will be exciting. To find out how you can get involved, contact Donnette at the Chamber office, or Patrice Hildreth at City Hall. Volunteers are needed... Sponsors are needed... Ev- eryone is welcome!

 

Women’s Conference Planned

Women through-out the greater Tulare County area are invited to set aside a day for themselves... Saturday, May 8th. Local chambers have joined the efforts of women in business and leadership to coordinate a daylong conference of inspiration, information, networking, and fun. McDermont Field House will host the conference which will include general session speakers, a luncheon and fashion show, eight break-out sessions offered twice each, and an exhibitor marketplace of retailers, service offerings, and more. Conference registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and sessions take place through- out the day concluding with the closure of the marketplace at 4:30 p.m. The workshop topics are varied and have been designed to appeal to a wide range of women’s interests such as: safety and self defense, leadership, operating a successful business, social media, health and nutrition, managing personal finances, career resources, and furthering education. California Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has been invited to speak during a gen- eral session, and Liz Gonzalez of KMPH television will serve as emcee. The $20 per person cost includes lunch and participation in all of the sessions. Tickets are available at McDermont Field
House and the Porterville, Lindsay, and Exeter Chamber offices.