Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Chamber of Commerce Fundraising Event Supports Local Scholarships

Chamber of commerce fundraising event supports local scholarships


 by Kristen Ashby as seen in Brecksville Magazine

 On Oct. 18, the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fall in the Valley fundraiser hosted over 175 guests on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The event, which featured a three-hour, round-trip ride through the Cuyahoga Valley, raises money for the chamber and provides scholarships to Brecksville/Broadview Heights high school students.

“This year’s event was awesome,” said chamber President Debra Branske. “We had four cars, and several local restaurants donated food.”

Guests on the train were treated to corn and lobster fritters from Creekside Restaurant & Bar, chili from Burntwood Tavern, and a variety of other hors d’oeuvres. Chamber of commerce restaurant owners donated the food. Close to $5,000 was raised at the annual event.
Founded in 1968, the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, member-based organization dedicated to advancing the economic growth of Brecksville. The chamber’s mission is to make Brecksville conducive to future and present business, and to help business owners attract new customers.

“(The chamber) leads to Brecksville buying Brecksville, promoting Brecksville residents and the community to utilize the services and purchase the goods of our local businesses,” said Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby. “We have enjoyed many Brecksville residents investing in our community by bringing their business here,” he added.

“These businesses hire our mothers, our brothers, our sisters, our kids,” added Branske. “So we want to help them be successful.”

In exchange for an annual fee, chamber members get access to discounted benefits and services, including health and dental insurance, credit card processing, payroll services, and Web design. In addition, members benefit from low-cost marketing opportunities and training sessions. The chamber hosts monthly luncheons where members can connect with one another, exchange stories and advice, and build camaraderie. It also offers after-hours events hosted by various members of the chamber, which gives members a comfortable setting to learn about each other and promote their business.

“I get to know the other people in our community who are running local businesses,” said Sean Sullivan, owner of Fitness Together and treasurer of the chamber’s board. “This makes me comfortable to send my clients to them. Our clients trust me when they ask if I know of a plumber or an electrician in the area, and I am always happy to point them in the right direction.”

By the same token, the connections Sullivan has made through the chamber of commerce have brought him new customers, as well. It’s also helped him learn best practices in the industry.
“I believe in strength in numbers. I realize that I don’t have all of the answers, and it’s extremely valuable for me to share ideas with other local business owners – to bounce ideas off of them,” Sullivan said. “Someone in the chamber may have already experienced what I am considering trying, so they can share how it worked for them.”

Branske, who works as a business development representative for Third Federal Savings and Loan in Brecksville, said she agrees with Sullivan and thinks the chamber’s biggest accomplishment has been unifying the local business community. “Bringing businesses together gives them the resources they need to improve their business and be successful,” she said. In order to continue doing that, Branske’s  main goal over the next few years is to recruit new members and diversify the chamber’s membership.

“When I started as president, we had maybe 80 members and we’ve now grown
to 120,” she said. “In five years, I hope our membership has doubled.”Although the mission of the chamber has not changed in its nearly 50-year history, the passion and involvement of its members has continued to grow. New and younger board members like Sullivan have brought an increased energy to the group, Branske said, and everyone has benefitted – including the Brecksville community.

“Brecksville has a deep sense of community support,” Sullivan said. “From the school district and the sports teams to the community center and local businesses... the people in this city will get behind you and support you as long as they see you getting involved and showing the same support. We take care of each other around here.” Sullivan said members of the chamber share a sense of solidarity and are quick to offer each other help. Many times, this help comes in defined perks, such as 10 percent off video editing services or custom framing. But mostly, it’s the friendships that develop between neighbors and business owners.

“Before I got involved as an active member with the chamber of commerce, I felt like I was alone running my own little business in my own little corner of town,” Sullivan said. “Now, I have a host of business associates and colleagues in town who are in the same boat as me. But more importantly, I have a group of friends that I have come to rely on.”

Business owners interested in joining the chamber can call 440-526-7350 or submit an application online at www.brecksvillechamber.com.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Trainer Tuesdays: What are you Most Grateful for in Regards to Health & Fitness?



Trainer Tuesdays

Welcome back to the weekly edition on Trainer Tuesdays. Make sure to check in at our blog every Tuesday evening to learn the expertise of our great staff. Aside from being fantastic exercise coaches, they are also extremely knowledgeable in many aspects of health and fitness; so, it's time that you get to know them a little better! Each week, we will post a frequently asked, or sometimes just a fun fitness related question followed by the answers of each of the trainers at Fitness Together Brecksville.
 
What are you Most Grateful for in Regards to Health & Fitness?

**Don't Forget to join us as we Burn The Bird on Thanksgiving morning. Meet at Fitness Together Brecksville at 8:00am for coffee, tea and group stretching before we hit the Brecksville Metroparks trail for a morning run and/or walk**

Adam Teplitz: Out of everything there is to be grateful for, I am most grateful for my overall health. More specifically , the strength gains that I have made over the last few years. I have always struggled gaining lower body strength in the past. Recently , I have been able to increase my squat weight and leg press. After making progress and having success increasing my lifts , strength and my overall health are two things I'll never take for granted.

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/brecksville/familypackKelly Bailey: With regard to health and fitness, I am most thankful for my family. The people you surround yourself with every day play a critical role in your health. I am so fortunate to have a family that is supportive of my health and fitness goals. They are understanding of my training schedule, accompany and support me at races, and are even willing to try some of my crazy healthy recipes and concoctions!

Steven Madden: I know this may sound cliché, but I am thankful for my job as a personal trainer.  I don't mean that I am thankful to have a job, I am thankful for the job that I have in this field.  As a trainer I have had a lot more fulfillment than I have at other jobs I have had in the past.  I enjoy the people I work with, and with a few exceptions (like sword fighting and jumping off buildings), this is one of the most fun things that I do.  I like reading up on the latest training research and adapting that to fit the needs of my clients as well as building solid programs for people.  Getting up in the morning (sometimes a little too early) to work in this field has been a fantastic experience for me. 

Bronson Rotaru: I am grateful for the wealth of knowledge we are able to get our hands on these days. There are so many great sources putting out excellent information, publications out for us today. I am grateful that I have had an interest in fitness naturally and never had to "force" myself to exercise or workout, I love it. It doesn't feel like a task for me ever, seeing progress is my main motivator. I hope it continues for me into my old age.

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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Trainer Tuesdays: What is your Favorite Thanksgiving Meal Food and how do you Plan for the Extra Calories?




Trainer Tuesdays

Welcome back to the weekly edition on Trainer Tuesdays. Make sure to check in at our blog every Tuesday evening to learn the expertise of our great staff. Aside from being fantastic exercise coaches, they are also extremely knowledgeable in many aspects of health and fitness; so, it's time that you get to know them a little better! Each week, we will post a frequently asked, or sometimes just a fun fitness related question followed by the answers of each of the trainers at Fitness Together Brecksville.


What is your Favorite Thanksgiving Meal Food and how do you Plan for the Extra Calories?

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/brecksville/nutrition
**Don't Forget to join us as we Burn The Bird on Thanksgiving morning. Meet at Fitness Together Brecksville at 8:00am for coffee, tea and group stretching before we hit the Brecksville Metroparks trail for a morning run and/or walk**

Kelly Bailey: I have to be honest in saying that I don't typically plan to compensate for calories consumed on Thanksgiving. The main reason is because I don't really find the food at the Thanksgiving meal all that special or tempting. I like turkey, could take or leave the mashed potatoes and gravy, and hardly consider pumpkin pie a dessert! I don't usually overdo the Thanksgiving meal. However, if you asked me the same question about Christmas, you'd get an entirely different answer. The cakes, cookies, and a few other family favorites are things I find irresistible, so I nearly always overeat at Christmas. I just make sure that I'm eating as clean as possible leading up to Christmas day. On Christmas day, I don't skimp on calories during the day, because that usually leads me to eat more at the main meal because I'm starving. I also normally do not work out on the day of a holiday, but I do try to take walks both before and after the main meal. Lastly, I go right back to my regular exercise and clean eating schedule the day after the holiday. Leftovers get fed to the dog and chickens!

https://www.facebook.com/FitnessTogetherBrecksvilleOhio/photos/a.570824189652841.1073741827.353711434697452/570826009652659/?type=3&theaterAdam Teplitz: If I had to choose just one thanksgiving food as a favorite, I'd have to go with stuffing. When it comes to balancing my calories out for it, I make it a priority to get in extra cardio earlier in the day and a strength training workout after. The cardio usually consists of a morning run and some thanksgiving football. As long as there's some sort of physical activity earlier in the day, I can indulge later in the day guilt free.


Monika Cotter: Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! I love getting together with family & friends to sit around playing games, cooking and watching football. Another reason why it is one of my favorite holidays is because I love green bean casserole! I love the crunchiness and the creaminess. Since Thanksgiving is an eating holiday (as most of them are) I always make sure that I eat light, healthy and clean in the days leading up to Thanksgiving; and I make sure I do some kind of workout in the morning. I try not to get too out of control at dinner. I put my fork and knife down between each bite and I always drink of glass of water right before we eat to help feel fuller faster. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!  

Bronson Rotaru: My favorite Thanksgiving foods are pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. I don't eat whipped cream anymore so that helps with the calorie intake. I also use very little gravy with potatoes. I try to eat balanced and healthy year round so I don't panic about bringing in some extra calories from meals like Thanksgiving. I'm a believer in eating some junk here and there in order to stay with the goal of clean eating the majority of the time. It's a good idea to indulge sometimes. The key is to limit your snacks.


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