A few weeks ago, I wandered into my favorite bagel joint, Sunrise Bagels, and the ambassadors were there. I suddenly found myself in the middle of free food and coffee.
I’m in!
Chambers do good work on the local level to bring the business community together. Chambers help local businesses develop local networks. And everyone knows networking is the key to success.
I love going to events like this, because it gives me a chance to hang out with good people.
So I see friends at gatherings like this.
Byron Jacobus was there. He was the 2014 Ambassador of the Year. (John Cozzi Jr. was this year’s Ambassador of the Year.) I mostly know Byron from his volunteer work with the “Green Eggs and Ham” event put on by Beaches restaurant. I try to also help with that event, so I end up riding around in a car with Byron and rushing from school to school to dish out — well — green eggs and ham.
Don Russo was there. He’s an attorney with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt who specializes in commercial property transactions.
Like me, Don is from the Chicago area. He actually went to high school a few miles from where I did. I got to know Don when we both signed up for “Dancing With The Local Stars.” OK, OK, Don managed to develop a knee issue and dropped out. I think he would have won it all.
Speaking of winning it all, if you go to this event next year, try to sit at Don’s table. One of the neat things about this event is a gift basket giveaway. A bunch of businesses put these baskets together, and you hope your number gets called.
I swear, I think everyone sitting at Don’s table won a basket. Maybe two baskets.
Since I was sitting next to his table, I leaned over and told him a reporter would be digging into this strange occurrence.
OK, OK, I also won a basket put together by Columbia Credit Union. I have no idea what I’m going to do with that bottle of Crater Lake Handcrafted American Rye Whiskey.
Jim Mains was there. Jim is sort of like Mr. Community Everything. He’s at all these events. He helps everyone he sees, and someday he’ll be the mayor of Vancouver. But first, he needs a little time to be a new dad. Then he’ll be the mayor.
Scott and Jody Campbell were there. They — along with their three sons — own The Columbian. More than just putting out a quality daily newspaper, they do a ton for this community.
You will often see The Columbian as one of the sponsors of community events.
Kelly Love was there. Kelly is the chamber’s CEO. I’ve always felt that Kelly would one day help govern this community in some sort of political job. But that may have to be put on hold, because she’s leaving the chamber and heading to a new adventure. She’ll be the public and community affairs representative at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center.
Today, I’ll drift back to Florida again, at least in my mind. My Mighty Gators will take on Alabama for the SEC championship. And I think we all know how that will turn out.
It will be great watching them from Salmon Creek. As long as the heat stays on.
