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January 2010

Chamberline The

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Investment

Center

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The Mission of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce

“The Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce provides leadership towards a

a progressive business community.”

If you would like to be a coffee If you would like to be a coffee If you would like to be a coffee If you would like to be a coffee Sponsor contact the Sponsor contact the Sponsor contact the Sponsor contact the Chamber at 225Chamber at 225Chamber at 225Chamber at 225----5115511551155115

Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors

Klint Sickler ……………. ...................... President

Chris Johnson ....................................... Pres-Elect

Nathan Bouray ..................................... Treasurer

Elaine Myran ......................................... Director

Mike Renner .......................................... Director

Dennis Cannon ..................................... Director

Harmony Kolling ................................. Director

Blaine Stockert..................................... Past President

Rachelle Schroeder ............................ Director

Christian Kostelecky ......................... Director

Terry Kovacevich ............................... Director

Craig Kubas ........................................... Director

Committee Chairperson

Agriculture ............................................. Mary Urlacher

Airport Promotions Committee. Matt Remynse

Ambassador .......................................... Jeff Reisenauer

Education ............................................... Joleen Praus

Governmental Affairs ....................... Shirley Dukart

Promotions and Retail ..................... Mary Massad

3on3 Hoopfest...................................... Blaine Stockert/Lynn Andres

STAFF

Lexi Sebastian ...................................... Executive Director

Kristi Tessier ........................................ Events & Marketing Coordinator

Cindy Brock ........................................... Administrative Assistant

Publication

First Day of the Month

Published By C. Brock

Deadline

Fourth Monday of the month - For both copy and advertising

Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce

314 3rd Avenue West •P.O. Box C

Dickinson, ND 58601

Phone: 701-225-5115 • Fax: 701-225-5116

E-mail: team@dickinsonchamber.org

Board of Directors monthly meeting minutes

and annual financial statements are available to Chamber Members.

.

The Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce encour-

ages all members to do business with each other. The

following companies and organizations have made an

important investment in their business by joining the

Chamber. Please consider them for your professional

and personal needs.

Parties Plus—Meg Dollinger

Life of the Party—Stacy Ludwig

Kacey Martinson Trucking—Kacey Martinson

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Medcenter One’s Grant Judah becomes

certified ergonomics specialist

BISMARCK, N.D.-—Medcenter One Oc-

cupational Health Clinics’ Grant Judah,

physical therapist and injury prevention

and rehabilitation specialist, recently

became a certified specialist in health

ergonomics by ErgoRehab, Inc.

Ergonomics refers to the fit between workers

and their workplace environment. Workers in office,

industrial, healthcare and construction settings can

benefit from ergonomic evaluations. Ergonomics may

be used proactively to avoid workplace injuries. It

also can be used as a tool in the rehabilitation process

if the workstation causes or contributes to a worker’s

injury.

ErgoRehab, Inc. is a nationally recognized

certifying agency for ergonomics. Medcenter One Oc-

cupational Health Clinic in Bismarck and Dickinson,

are the only clinics in the state certified by ErgoRe-

hab, Inc.

Dickinson, North Dakota is gonna be

STEAMING!

Experience the Mardi Gras and celebrate the 18th Annual St. Benedict’s Health Center Candlelight Dinner. The evening heats up with cocktails, din-ner and Big Easy music on Sunday, February 28, 2010, at the Days Hotel Grand Dakota Lodge.

Begin your Mardi Gras experience with a cham-pagne social at 6:00pm. Then follow the party into the dining area and enjoy a gourmet meal prepared exclusively by Executive Chef Renae Sticka and Chef Joe D’Amico of the Grand Dakota Lodge. This year’s menu pairs Cajun cuisine with Creole fair, in a four-course gourmet meal.

The Mardi Gras atmosphere comes to life with the vibrant purples, golds and greens of a New Orleans carnival. Vivid colors, beautiful masks, fleur de lis, peacock feathers and beads will set the backdrop for an evening of revelry, friendship and cheer: the perfect fit for the royal celebration of Mardi Gras!

St. Benedict’s uses the funds raised from the Can-dlelight Dinner for specific projects every year. The proceeds from this event will help with costs associ-ated with future renovations to improve the living space and quality of life for many current and fu-ture residents of St. Benedict’s Health Center.

In addition to the work of the dedicated staff at St. Benedict’s Health Center, this annual event in-cludes the following members of the volunteer planning committee: Cheryl Brooke (chair), Angie Schank (co-chair), Renae Sticka (Executive Chef), Todd Schweitzer (sponsorship), Angela Mackey (publicity), Rose Marie Ehresman (decorating).

Let’s jazz it up, N’Orleans style! Come “Pass a Good Time” and support St. Benedict’s Health Center! Like a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, reservations for the Can-dlelight Dinner are limited. We encourage anyone in-terested in attending to reserve their place as soon as possible.

For more information on this festive evening, please contact St. Benedict’s Health Center at 456-7242.

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BOB LARSON WINS HIGHEST AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT

FOR THE DALE CARNEGIE COURSE

Bob Larson has won the highest award for

achievement for his participation in the Dale

Carnegie Course he completed in Dickinson, ND.

The recipient for the award is voted on by class

members upon completion of the course series.

The criteria for this award is to exemplify the

principles of Dale Carnegie training throughout

the course, demonstrate significant personal and

professional development, careful preparation

and are a leader in the class. Bob is the Director

of Logistics with Baker Boy, where he has been

employed for 16 years and located in Dickinson,

ND where he currently resides with his wife Syl-

via. Together they have three children and one

granddaughter.

The Dale Carnegie Course is the flagship course

of the Dale Carnegie organization. Used by over

450 of the Fortune 500 companies, this training

teaches practical skills to help participants be-

come more successful.

Dale Carnegie Training also offers the Sales Ad-

vantage, Leadership Training for Managers, High

Impact Presentations and Customized Corporate

Solutions. For more information regarding

courses, please contact Michelle Wall at 701-

255.8476 or through email at

mwall@eidebailly.com.

Carson Steiner Joins American Insurance Center

American Insurance Center is pleased to announce

that Carson Steiner has joined it’s team of experi-

enced producers. Carson brings 30 years insurance

experience and is licensed in all lines including per-

sonal and commercial.

Carson would welcome anyone to stop by and visit him at his

new location to see how he can make your live easier.

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FINANCIAL FOCUS

Don’t Be an “Opposite Day” Investor

Article 9 — Jan. 25, 2010

On Jan. 25, some of us celebrate Opposite Day. Its origins are murky and even its exact date is in some dispute, but Opposite Day has

proved to be a source of fun for many people, especially children, who choose to eat breakfast at suppertime and otherwise do things in reverse.

However, you may find that acting in an “oppositional” manner is not so harmless at other times in your life — such as when you’re investing.

What types of “oppositional” moves should you avoid? Consider the following:

• Buying when prices are high — When the financial markets keep rising, many people continue buying more shares in the mistaken be-

lief that “up” is the only direction their investments can go. But while it may be human nature to want to continue racking up gains, it’s not neces-

sarily smart investing. The higher an investment has gone, the more likely it becomes that it will plateau or potentially even drop in value. Of

course, an investment may one day rise again, but for the near term, its “upside potential” may be limited, so you might do better by finding other

opportunities.

• Selling because prices are low — Just as some investors keep buying when prices are rising, others will sell when prices have dropped,

just so they can “cut their losses.” This may be a mistake. If the investment still plays a role in your balanced portfolio, and you believe its pros-

pects are still good, you may want to hold on to it despite its price. Furthermore, if your investment’s decline is due more to an overall drop in the

market than a change in its own fundamentals, it may bounce back when the market recovers. Generally speaking, you should sell an investment if

your goals or risk tolerance have changed, if you need to rebalance your portfolio or if the investment itself has undergone some type of shift that

no longer makes it compatible with your needs.

• Investing too conservatively — Given the volatility we’ve seen in the last couple of years, it’s probably not too surprising that many

investors have “pulled back” from the market and put a lot of money in certificates of deposit and other fixed-rate, low-return investments. While

there is a place for these vehicles in your portfolio, you won’t want them to become too dominant — because you still need to invest for growth if

you’re going to achieve your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. The amount of growth-oriented investments you own will depend

on your risk tolerance and time horizon, but there’s no point in your life — even your retirement years — when you won’t need some growth poten-

tial.

• Failing to diversify — It is important to diversify your dollars among stocks, bonds, government securities and other investments. Even

within these broad classes, you should diversify — for example, you should consider owning stocks representing different industries and bonds

with a variety of issuers and maturities. While diversification, by itself, cannot guarantee a profit or protect against loss, it can help reduce the ef-

fects of volatility on your portfolio.

Opposite Day comes but once a year. But making “oppositional” investment moves can have long-lasting — and potentially harmful —

effects. So take the time to explore your investment decisions carefully.

Jay J. Bleth

623 State Ave., Suite C

Dickinson, ND 58601

701-225-0015

www.edwardjones.com

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We are working on the Bull Day Showcase

which is January 16. The new 2010 Calen-

dars are out and can be picked up at the

Chamber of Commerce and the major Ag

sponsors. We also elected officers. Chair-

man is Mary Urlacher and Vice Chair is

Kwirt Johnson.

We are working on a plan to reach

10,000 passengers for 2010.

We just finished a ribbon cuttings on January 30. We

are working on the Sampling of Sicily which will be

January 18 at the Elks.

We just elected our new officers. The

Chairman is Joleen Praus and Vice

Chair is Marty Odermann Gardner

Meetings TBA.

We are planning another Business After Hours,

Shop Dickinson Campaigns and the schedule for

next years season of lights.

We will begin to meet in January to

plan this years 3 on 3 Hoopfest and will

be working on new upcoming events

during the year.

If you would like more information contact the Dickinson Area Chamber at 225-5115

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INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS

OFFERED AT

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP

Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Offered at Community Action Partnership Individual Develop-ment Accounts are savings accounts that can be used for college education, first time home purchase, starting or expanding a small business.

Money deposited into these must come from earned income and every dollar deposited into the IDA by the participant is matched by a combination of federal and nonfederal funds at a rate of 2:1. In North Dakota par-ticipants are able to save up to $2,000 for a match of $4,000. This means if the maximum amount is saved, the participant gets a total of $6,000 to use for their asset purchase.

If you or someone you know is interested in this pro-gram, please contact Amy at Community Action Part-nership 701-227-0131.

The Chamber Implements

Welcome to Dickinson Program

The Chamber would like to give those who relo-

cate to the area a warm welcome. We are invit-

ing our Chamber members to participate. If

your business has any items they would like to

include, please drop them off at the Chamber of

Commerce at 314 3rd Avenue West. If you have

any questions please contact the Chamber of

Commerce at 225-5115 or e-mail at

team@dickinsonchamber.org.

Alpha 6, Inc.

Alpha 6, Inc. is looking to start a courier route between Dickinson and Williston starting twice a week. If you are interested in this service or have questions please call the office at 225-9335.

ND Department of Human Services’ Voca-tional Rehabilitation Program Honors

Employees

MANDAN, ND – The North Dakota Department of Hu-man Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program recently honored a Dickinson employee for her out-standing work in assisting North Dakotans with disabili-ties to obtain employment. The award was presented at the department’s annual Vocational Rehabilitation awards banquet and training conference.

Martha Soine was the recipient of the Director’s Award for Counselor Achievement. Soine placed in the top 10 percent of counselors with the highest number of indi-viduals placed into employment.

North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation is a division of the North Department of Human Services. Its mission is to assist individuals with disabilities to maximize their em-ployment opportunities and to assist businesses owners and employers in finding solutions to disability-related issues.

Information about Vocational Rehabilitation services is on the Web at www.nd.gov/dhs/rcs/index.html and is also available by calling 701-328-8950, toll free 800-755-2745, or TTY 701-328-8968.

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From the office of: Tasha Gartner & Dream O’Brien

46 1st St W

Dickinson, ND 58601

701-456-3390

TAX ALERT: PLAN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 2010

The Bush tax cuts are set to expire – and other big changes are poised to occur.

Do you see a warning light flashing? Americans with high net worth and high incomes are preparing for the likelihood of higher taxes in 2011 and subsequent years. High earners are almost certainly going to take the hit if the EGTRRA and JGTRRA cuts fade away at the end of 2010. Here’s a summary of what’s happening – and a look at what might happen. There are some develop-ments you will want to remember, and some tax breaks you might very well want to exploit.

No phaseouts on itemized deductions and personal exemptions in 2010. This may provide you with an opportunity for some notable tax savings. Historically, high-income taxpayers have been subject to a reduction in the value of itemized deductions and personal exemptions. That has gradually decreased in this decade. In 2010, the phaseouts are gone entirely. In 2011, they are poised to return.1

As IRS standard deduction and personal exemption amounts are indexed to inflation, you’ll see very little change there for 2010. The standard deduction for heads of household will rise by $50 to $8,400 for the 2010 tax year. Other standard deductions will stay put, and the personal exemption amount will remain at $3,650 for 2010.1

Lower long-term capital gains rates through 2010. Unless Congress decides to extend these Bush-era cuts, capital gains tax rates will revert to pre-2003 levels in 2011. For 2010, the long-term capital gains rate for those in the 10% and 15% tax brackets is 0%. In 2011, it is set to go to 10%. If you fall into the 25%, 28%, 33% or 35% tax brackets, the capital gains rate is 15% in 2010 and 20% in 2011.2

The Tax Extenders Act of 2009. The House passed this legislation on December 9, and the Senate is likely to follow suit. The final version of this bill would likely extend the additional standard deduction for real property taxes, the deduction for state and local sales tax, and deductions for tuition/education expenses and teachers' classroom expenses into 2010.3

The estate tax. 0% estate taxes in 2010? That was the plan … but the reality is that estate taxes are likely to remain at current levels in 2010 with some retroactive lawmaking. In early December, the House voted to restore the estate tax for 2010; a week later, the Senate voted against temporarily extending 2009 estate tax levels into the coming year. The Senate will almost cer-tainly take up the issue again in January. However, to prevent a complete repeal of the estate tax next year, any new legisla-tion is expected to contain a retroactive provision. So instead of taking effect upon passage, any new estate tax law would likely be made retroactive to January 1, 2010.4

The AMT. You know how it works – Congress comes up with another AMT patch at the stroke of midnight and middle-class tax-payers are saved once more. Well, just to make things interesting, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 doesn’t include an AMT patch for 2010. Many tax professionals think the 2010 patch issue will be addressed early next year, with the patch for the 2010 tax year made retroactive.5

How will marginal tax rates rise in 2011? Does anyone think taxes won’t increase in the near future? At present, the marginal tax rates are 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33% and 35%. If Congress doesn’t act by the end of 2010, the tax brackets will reset to 15%, 28%, 31%, 36% and 39.6%. By the way, President Obama and some Democrats have proposed future tax brackets of 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 36% and 39.6% for 2011 (that is, only the highest two brackets would revert to pre-EGGTRA levels).3

A healthcare surtax? If the healthcare reforms pass in 2010, taxpayers in the highest brackets might pay even more to the IRS. For example, the legislation that the House passed would require couples with MAGI of $1,000,000 or more or individuals with MAGI of $500,000 or more to pay an additional 5.4% surtax.3

And finally, a dilemma for Congress. Congress would like to extend the Bush-era tax cuts further to protect lower-income and middle-income taxpayers. However, some analysts say it would cost the federal government more than $1 trillion over the next decade to do so.3

Have you talked to your financial or tax advisor lately? If you have, good for you. If you haven’t, do so now. Prepare for change, and plan to take advantage of extended and potentially expiring tax breaks.

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Lady J’s Club & Catering

20 East Broadway

Dickinson, ND 58601

701-483-6833

Www.ladyjscatering.com

We would like to introduce one of our New Chamber Mem-

bers, Lady J’s Club & Catering! Janice Martin, a southwest-

ern ND native, owns and operates Lady J’s Club & Catering.

Janice has created a great new business that specializes in a

great weekly lunch buffet and a full service catering business.

Lady J’s offers a lunch buffet Monday – Friday from 11:30

– 1:30. They have a homemade entree along with soup and

salad bar and a variety of desserts. Every Friday is they offer

a German Entrée which includes a variety of Cheese Buttons,

Fleishkiekle, knoephla, and for dessert a variety of Kuchen.

Everything is made from scratch, nothing is pre-made. Lady

J’s really likes to keep their attention to detail.

Lady J’s has a full service catering business. They make

all their food, deliver and leave or they can cater the full

event, which includes delivery, serve and clean-up. They also

rent all china, silverware, glassware, and linens (tablecloths,

napkins), tables, and chairs. Lady J’s has 4 separate rooms

for booking. They have the Woodland room with can accom-

modate up to 40 people, the Garden Room that can accom-

modate 70 people. These two rooms can also be put together

and have a dance floor. Lady J’s has the Main Room and

Dance Floor which accommodates 500 people. This spring

Lady J’s is planning on renovating the next two lots next door

and having a garden area for outdoor weddings or events.

Anyone can book their event with Lady J’s! Lady J’s can

accommodate large wedding parties, funerals, anniversaries,

business luncheons, auctions, and much more. You just bring

in your own music and the place is yours.

In the past Lady J’s has held some fundraiser events with

Kids Teen Night and a Pinochle Party. They will be hosting

Theme nights in the coming year: Fondue night, Hunters

Feed, Mexican Night, German Night, Beach Party, and a Big

St. Patty’s Day Party.

Look for more happenings with Lady J’s through the Dick-inson Area Chamber of Commerce website calendar. www.dickinsonchamber.org

American Insurance Center

118 First Avenue West

Dickinson, ND 58601

701-483-9104

www.wecareamerican.com

American Insurance Center began in 1998 when Ameri-

can Bank Center purchased the Wald Agency. On January

7, 2002 American Insurance became an affiliate of Bank

Center First in Bismarck when the holding company of

American Bank Center & Trust merged with Bismarck

Bankshares, the holding company of Bank Center First.

In May 2002, American Insurance acquired First Insur-

ance Agency of Bismarck and in August 2002 acquired

King Insurance, also of Bismarck. This helped establish a

market in Bismarck. American Insurance has branched out

to other areas as well as Dickinson, including Bismarck,

Minot, Stanley, Jamestown and Lemmon. In the January

of this coming year they will be in Devils Lake.

The Dickinson branch has 21 people working at locally.

Jerry Shobe, CEO/ Agency Manger, says that we have peo-

ple that just specialize in their area of insurance and know

that insurance well. This helps our customers get the best

service. We strive towards excellence in customer service,

provided by a professional and knowledgeable staff.

The different areas and who sells that insurance are:

Personal Insurance: Carson Stiener, Wendi Larson,

Delores Raab, and Stacy Ludwig; Commercial Insurance:

Nita O’Brien, Don Anderson, Garrett Nodland; Life &

Health: Frank Wald, Rhonda Paluck; Ag Insurance:

Lonnie Ficek, and Deanne Naumann.

American Insurance Center is committed to providing

our clients with financial security, through a wide range of

quality insurance products at a competitive price. Ameri-

can Insurance is part of American Bank Center and Ameri-

can Trust Center, were they can meet all of your financial

needs.