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SOCORRO, NM
PERMIT NO. 50
P.O. Box 743, Socorro, NM 87801
575-835-0424 www.socorro-nm.com
www.facebook.com/SocorroChamber
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Chamber News
Quality, Reliability & Excellence
November 2014
Chamber hosts Economic Development & Tourism brainstorming session
As a part of the Chamber of Commerce's partnership with City of Socorro on Economic Development and
Tourism, we are hosting a short session on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at NM GRADS, 310
Fisher Avenue.
At this meeting, a process called SWOT will be used, where we discuss Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,
and Threats facing our area when it comes to attracting business and tourism. While leaders in the City and
County of Socorro have specifically been invited, the session will be open to other attendees from the broader
community, as well. Don Boyd, an organizational consultant (www.danceswithopportunity.com), has agreed to
facilitate. The Chamber will document what we learn in this session for future use in acquiring grants, strategic
planning, analysis, and execution.
For more information, please contact Deb Caldwell at 575-835-0424 (office) or 575-202-5970 (cell).
Reception for Fiber Arts Guild, Chamber Artists of the Month
The Socorro County Fiber Arts Guild is a group that celebrates crafting and handiwork of
all types. Their members sew, quilt, knit, crochet, spin, weave, bead, and more. They meet
on the second Saturday of each month to share their work and teach other members new
techniques. Arrive in Epiphany Episcopal Church’s community room (908 Leroy) at 9:30
a.m. for coffee and socializing, with the meeting beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Fiber Arts
Guild is made up of 53 members (mostly women and a few men) and was founded eleven
years ago. All are welcome to attend!
Would you like us to help you advertise?
1) To include a flyer in our November newsletter, please have it to us no later than November 19. Please send digital
copies to Susann Mikkelson at socorrochamber@gmail.com or drop a black and white paper copy off at the Chamber
office. If inserting a color flyer, members must provide us with 350 copies. Each member is welcome to include a flyer in
the newsletter once per year.
2) In order to have your sales, events, etc. advertised in our next mid-month Member E-News you
must specifically request it and have the information to Jennifer Polle at coccommunications@gmail.com by no later than November 12.
3) Items for the Chamber’s Facebook page or website announcements page can be emailed to Jennifer at any time.
Do we have your email address?
At the middle of each month, we send out our E-News, which is full of useful information about things going on
in Socorro County and with our members. If you aren’t receiving it, that means we don’t have a current email
address for you. Please email Jennifer Polle with your email address at coccommunications@gmail.com. Thanks!
Displayed in the Chamber’s gallery this month will be a selection of fiber art pieces by
many local Fiber Arts Guild artisans. On Friday, November 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., join
the Guild for a reception at the Chamber office to enjoy the art, mingle, and sample edible
treats.
Opportunity to nominate our 2014 Community Awards recipients
Enclosed in this edition of our newsletter, you’ll find a nomination form for our Community Awards recipients. Please
take some time to fill it out and return it to the Chamber office at 101 Plaza Street. This is one of your membership
benefits and we hope you take advantage of it—only Socorro County Chamber of Commerce members are eligible
to nominate and vote for the recipients.
Community Awards will be given at our 2015 banquet in the following categories: small business, large business, volunteer, man, woman, and organization of the year. Thanks for your help in honoring some of the people who make
Socorro a great place to live. We value your input and suggestions!
Your Chamber of Commerce Newsletter is printed with the assistance of
the City of Socorro Tourism Department’s Heritage and Visitor Center.
Officers
President
Lauren Finley
President-Elect
Theresa Kappel
Past President
Edie Steinhoff
Treasurer
Cindy Lam
Board Members
Bo Beames
Deborah Dean
Lauren Finley
Prescott Grey
Theresa Kappel
Cindy Lam
Mehrdad Moradi
Vannetta Perry
Victoria Pino
Jenilyn Rincones
Peter Romero
Edie Steinhoff
Nico Vassol
Staff
Executive Director
Deb Caldwell
Associate Director
Susann Mikkelson
Communications
Director
Jennifer Polle
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November’s
CHAMBER
ARTISTS OF THE
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Fiber Arts Guild
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www.facebook.com/
SocorroFiberArtsGuild
AAUW’s Christmas Tour of Homes, December 7
Once again, the Socorro branch of the American Association of
University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring the annual Visitas de
Natividad, or the Christmas Tour of Homes, an event that dates
back to the late 1960s. Four homeowners have generously
agreed to open their doors to visitors on this year’s tour, scheduled from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7. An $8 donation is requested. Tickets are available from any AAUW member
or at any of the homes on the day of the tour.
Gloria and Bob Tacker—635 Newberry
Gloria and Bob Tacker enjoy country living just minutes from town, in an area of the city
that once was farmland. Indeed, the couple enjoys modern comforts in a pastoral setting,
from lush landscaping and a football-field-sized backyard to a home designed for privacy,
relaxation and entertaining from its open kitchen design to a sunken living room flanked
by portals. Look for artifacts from Kenya, Thailand, Turkey and other countries that reflect the couple’s early years in the Peace Corps, along with works by New Mexico artists. Refreshments will be served here.
Sandy and Tom Kieft—1103 Bullock
The home of Sandy and Tom Kieft is making its second appearance on the AAUW home
tour, having first opened its doors to visitors in 1971. The home has an interesting history dating back to 1951 when it was designed and built by a NMT faculty member on sabbatical named Cassity (yes, like the street). The home has undergone several transformations since then. Look for oak parquet floors, family heirloom furniture and built-in
kitchen cabinets that have stood the test of time – and a 1920 Victrola that really works.
Mary Kairouz—1205 Vista Drive
The changes Mary Kairouz made to her home on “Tech Hill” were, she said, to make it
“a home to grow old in.” In the meantime, she has transformed the mid-century design of
Clay and Sallie Smith into a contemporary home with a feeling of spaciousness, right up to
raising the ceiling over the kitchen-dining area. The ambience is country French, from the
custom-designed cabinets to textured walls overlooking a panoramic view. Porcelain tile
has replaced carpeting, and a small kitchen is now a mini-bar. Look for comfortable furnishings and a guest suite.
Ruby Mendez-Harris—116 Stallion Circle
Ruby Mendez-Harris described the home she decorated with her husband, Dave, as “an
old museum in a ghost town” or “a well organized garage sale.” In fact, the home is filled
with treasures, many of them with a Japanese theme, artfully arranged from room to
room. These artistic touches extend to the backyard and its layers of landscaping, anchored by a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, designed by Ruby. The home reflects a
love of sunlight and invites a mood of serenity. Look for Ruby’s stained glass art creations,
and vintage Japanese wall prints that belonged to Dave’s grandfather.
Give Socorro County the gift of a stronger economy this holiday season
With Albuquerque shopping outlets an hour away and online retailers only a click away, why support our local businesses
and organizations with your holiday shopping? When shopping locally, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services through gross receipts tax, invest in neighborhood improvement, and promote community development. Also, locally
owned businesses tend to build strong neighborhoods by linking neighbors and by contributing more to local causes. We
all have the power to help our community thrive with how we choose to spend our dollars this season.
Socorro County has fantastic businesses supplying unique products that your friends and family would love to receive as
gifts. Aside from popular gift items such as art, jewelry, clothing, tools, and home décor, consider gift certificates to local
restaurants and shops, tickets to Socorro Community Theater or Performing Arts Series events, or even a night’s getaway
at a local hotel or B & B. Many of our Chamber members also offer services that would be welcomed by loved ones in the
form of a gift certificate. Think window cleaning, plumbing services, baked goods, and more. Thanks for shopping locally!
A warm welcome to our newest members
Washington Federal operates in eight western states, including Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas,
Utah and New Mexico. From checking, savings and retirement accounts to home loan and corporate real estate financing,
Washington Federal is ready to help bring clarity to banking. In Socorro, they are located at 201 Plaza Street and can be
contacted at socorro.office@wafd.com or 575-835-4479.
Lightning Dance Studio is owned and operated by Shawn LaBrier. The studio produces spectacular fused glass art pieces, dishware, one-of-a-kind gifts, and jewelry, in a wide price range. Lightning Dance Studio creations are available at Alamo
Gallery and Gifts, 1008 North California, Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 6:00 p.m. Peruse Shawn LaBrier’s work online on
Facebook or at www.lightningdancestudio.com and contact her at 575-835-3404 or slabrier@powerc.net.
Business Print Center is owned and operated by Bruce Fleming and located at 92 Norma Street in Belen, NM. They
provide all types of commercial printing - stationery, business cards, special print jobs, tee shirts, and more. Contact Business Print Center for more information at 505-864-3553 (phone), 966-648-7537 (fax), or bruce@businessprintcenter.com.
Learn more or place your order online at www.businessprintcenter.com.
Social Media Marketing for Business workshop
On November 21, we welcome Kelly Fajardo, owner of KKF Media, who will present this very popular workshop on using
social media to market businesses. This is another in a continuing series of training opportunities that the Chamber is coordinating with the New Mexico Small Business Development Center.
Kelly Fajardo has been building websites for nearly 20 years. She now specializes in designing websites with content management systems for small business and individuals. She incorporates her experience and knowledge of social media and
internet marketing to assist her clients in developing online marketing strategies. As more businesses realize the importance of a competitive online presence, Kelly helps her clients traverse the complex world of ROI and link building, as
well as tools like Facebook and Twitter.
Seating is limited for this free workshop, which will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Socorro Public Library.
Please reserve your spot soon by calling 575-835-0424 or registering online at www.nmsbdc.org/loslunas/showevent.html.
New Registered Businesses—October 2014
Networking and wine tasting at Black’s Smuggler Winery
See the enclosed flyer for information about our joint networking event with the Belen
Chamber of Commerce at Black’s Smuggler Winery on Thursday, November 6. We hope
to see you there!
APO Express
Tillery Chevrolet—GMCj
JJosephine
Scooter’s Computers
Pat Alexander Enterprises
Rick’s Blankets
Member Spotlight
Lucky Signs is owned and operated by Kimberly Meyer and located in Magdalena, NM. Lucky Signs' philosophy
is simple: to provide the highest quality work at the lowest possible price. They offer a wide variety of products
from wood, sandblasted, magnetic, and vinyl signs to banners, window lettering, truck lettering, real estate signs,
and more. For more information, contact Lucky Signs at 575-854-2264 or luckysigns.kim@gmail.com. Learn
more on the Lucky Signs website at www.socorro-nm.com/luckysigns.htm.
Capitol Bar, owned by Earl and Joanna DeBrine, has been Socorro's favorite watering hole for over a century.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy sidling up to the bar in this historic locale on the Plaza or relaxing in the shade of a
cottonwood tree on the comfortable patio. A popular venue for musicians, The Cap has live music on weekends
and a DJ on Wednesdays. For more information, visit www.socorro-nm.com/capitolbar.htm, check out the
Bucket List of Bars at www.bucketlistbars.com/new-mexico/79-capitol-bar-socorro-nm, and follow the Capitol
Bar on Facebook. Contact The Cap by phone at 575-835-1193.
Midway Mobile Home and RV Park, at 2206 State Road 1 in Luis Lopez, is a quiet and peaceful place to call
home. The recently remodeled park has 14 spaces, some of which are currently available for short or long-term
stays. With beautiful views of the mountains, Midway is perfectly situated: close to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, but still only minutes from downtown Socorro. Public water, sewer, and trash pick-up are
included in the rent, and a caretaker/manager is on-site and always available. For more information, call 575-4187475. Learn more on Midway’s website at www.socorro-nm.com/midway-mobile-rv.htm.
Blue Collar Construction, LLC is a full service asphalt paving company, owned by Tracy Turner and Kimberly Massey-Dimsha. Their team specializes in chip spreading and oil distribution, using state of the art equipment.
They are also available for other types of general construction contracting. Blue Collar Construction is located
at 1000 Grefco Road, in the Industrial Park in Socorro. For more information, contact them by phone at 505553-0651 or 575-313-2323 or by email at office@chipseal.net.
EAPCO Incorporated is owned by Edward Pencak and has been serving the Socorro area since 1989. They
offer residential and commercial heating and air conditioning services and maintain and repair most brands of
commercial refrigeration equipment. As well, they fabricate sheet metal duct and provide curbside recycling pick
-up services. To learn more about their business, contact them by phone at 575-835-4723 or by email at
sales@eapco.com. Visit EAPCO on the web at www.eapco.com.
Mine Country 102.1 (KYRN) is owned and operated by Socorro resident Steve Edmondson, who purchased
the station in January 2014 from Tamara Pace. The goal of Mine Country 102.1 is to serve Socorro and the surrounding communities by providing Classic Country and other locally popular music, live coverage of Socorro
Warrior and University of New Mexico Lobo sports, local news and weather updates, as well as national and
community news. Follow Mine Country on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MineCountry1021 and learn more
on their website at www.minecountry1021.com.
Enclosed membership survey seeks input from all members
A subcommittee of the Board of Directors and members of our staff have
worked together to develop the survey enclosed in this newsletter. As members,
we want to hear from you about what’s working for your business or organization and what you might need more help with. Please take some time to fill it out
and return to the Chamber office by Saturday, November 15. Your feedback will
help us, the Chamber staff and Board of Directors, to focus our time and energy
on what’s most important to you. We’ll be following up soon via email with a
digital version of the survey, for those that prefer that. Thank you for your very
valuable input!