Business Briefs (6/18)

Multihousing Association names president

Tom Simplot has been named president of the Arizona Multihousing Association.

Simplot is responsible for the operations and general management of all association activities, including government affairs, education, public relations, communication, finance, membership, community relations and director of the 13-person professional team.

The statewide trade group for the apartment and rental housing industry represents more than 215,000 units in almost 1,100 properties.

Valley teen tries to save music with Web site

Joshua Elizetxe, a freshman at Alhambra High School, is a 15-year-old Web designing entrepreneur.

Elizetxe is the owner of more than 22 Web sites ranging from energy pollution awareness to music promotion. He also recently launched a Web site called apPieceofPixel.com, both to raise money for VH1's Save the Music Foundation and to fund his online election poll site for kids, Sylby.com.

For a dollar a piece, businesses and musicians around the world can purchase five years of advertising space where they can place a picture of their choice on aPieceofPixel.com in exchange for healthy traffic. About 2 percent of all proceeds go to will go to VH1.

Elizetxe plans to sell out before election day in hopes of fully launching his online voting destination for teens (Sylby.com). For more information, visit www.apieceofpixel.com.

Romp n' Roll now open

Ahwatukee Foothills residents Jim and Lisa Cook have opened Romp n' Roll play center, which focuses on "nurturing the genius, unleashing the goofball" in children ages 3 months to 6 years.

The brightly-colored facility has ramps, bridges, slides, tulles, a trapeze, balance beam and monkey bars.

Romp n' Roll is located at 4825 E. Warner Road. For more information, call (480) 961-7655 or visit www.rompnroll.com.

Marriage and money seminar June 26

Primerica is teaching a marriage and money seminar at 7:15 p.m. June 26, featuring the five keys to keeping the "Money-moon" alive.

Refreshments will be provided and free chair massages will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Primerica office is located at 1625 W. University Drive, Tempe. For more information, call Lynn Lowey at (480) 363-9483.

Local starts Web site to help students

Former Ahwatukee Foothills resident Daniel Berke has launched a nonprofit Web site asking for donations to help students pay off their student loans.

The Web site, www.donate5bucks.org, asks that people put $5 toward helping students with outstanding student loans, rather than spending the money on their morning latte. Berke came up with the idea for the Web site when he realized presidential candidates can raise $5 million a month in donations. His goal is to raise $50,000 within two months.

According to the College Board, the current cost of average annual tuition and fees for a four-year college ranges from $13,000 to $27,600. For four years of school, this adds up to roughly $58,800 to $125,000 due to tuition increases.

Requirements for those receiving the student loan help is that they must have at least a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA or higher, and they must be working in the field that their degree is in.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.donate5bucks.org.

The Buttes offers summer package

The Buttes is offering summer room rates valued at $89 per night.

With rooms starting at $139 per night, The Buttes also offers a $50 voucher per night good for food and beverage or spa treatments. The credit can be used at any of the resort's restaurants, lounges or room service. Restaurants include the Market Cafe, Thirsty Cactus and Top of the Rock.

The Buttes is located at 2000 Westcourt Way in Tempe. The summer package is available through Aug. 31. For more information, call (888) 867-7492.

Goodwill appoints Teter new CEO

Goodwill of Central Arizona's Board of Directors has appointed the organization's new president and chief executive officer last week.

James Teter, previously the chief operating officer at Calence, LLC in Tempe, brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience to Goodwill.

For more information, visit www.goodwillaz.org.

The BAR Fitness

Ahwatukee Foothills fitness center The BAR Fitness begins its summer program this week to engage young athletes in sport-specific training.

Participants of the BAR School of Athletic Performance will be spending up to four days each week in the weight room building strength, power and speed, as well as confidence, leadership, teamwork and service.

Map shows water, shelter locations

To ensure the safety of homeless people or older adults more vulnerable to heat, the MAG Continuum of Care Regional Committee on Homelessness has developed two maps indicating places to find water or shelter.

The first map shows where water hydration stations and refuge locations can be found throughout the county, while the second map shows water collection and donation sites in the county. People wanting to donate items such as water, sun block, lightweight clothing, hats and other items to provide relief can use the second map as a guide.

The maps are being distributed throughout the community. They are also available at www.mag.maricopa.gov.

Community college weigh tax increase

The Maricopa Community Colleges' Governing Board will consider raising primary property taxes by 2 percent at a public hearing June 10.

This increase in primary property taxes will result in a $1.51 tax increase on a $100,000 home, resulting in an estimated $6.8 million in revenues. District officials say the additional revenues are needed to pay for increased expenses to support its 235,000 student population on its 10 campuses and two skill centers.

Priority needs include student scholarships, new student retention and persistence programs, a public safety initiative, operating support and other inflationary adjustments such as the higher cost of insurance.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. June 10 at the Maricopa Community Colleges' District Office, 2411 W. 14th St. in Tempe. For more information, call (480) 731-8889.

Print provider changes name, Web site

Ahwatukee Foothills-based print provider Creacor Print Solutions said it changed its name to TurnKey Graphics LLC, and has launched a new Web site and online store.

"The name was chosen to better reflect our expanded products and services offerings," said founder Andy Smalley.

In addition to providing graphic design and custom printing for letterhead, envelopes, marketing brochures, postcards, signs and banners, the company also provides custom promotional items such as advertising apparel.

Visit the company's new Web site, www.turnkey-graphics.com. For more information, call (602) 451-3459.

Goodwill offers freepick-up services

Goodwill is offering Valley residents free pickup services to donate their gently-used household and clothing items.

Having partnered with eMoneyBay.com, a professional, uniformed team will come to residents' homes, pick up their items and leave them with a Goodwill tax receipt.

At customers' requests, eMoneyBay.com is also able to sell via consignment and additional high-quality new or used items for the costumer on the Internet. The company can price and sell items ranging from cars and furniture to small electronics and jewelry.

For more information or to schedule a donation pick-up, call (480) 663-0000 or visit www.emoneybay.com.

Venice Ristorante sponsors event

Venice Ristorante will sponsor an event to benefit HEAL International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing health care to underprivileged families.

Venice will hold a four-course dinner June 22, featuring different wines for each course. After the presentation, there will be a private Flamenco performance.

Cost is $100 per person, and all of the profits will go toward HEAL International. Space is limited to 40 guests, however, there are two times for the fund raiser: 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call Megan Pendergest at (513) 227-4592 or e-mail her at megan@healinternational.org.

Local man opens copy, imaging business

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Michael Corey announced the opening of Imaging Technology Solutions in Tempe.

Corey and CFO Don Adkins sold their previous company, Unicopy Digital Business Systems, to Tempe-based Sharp Electronics in the fourth quarter of 2007. Corey and Adkins were able to spearhead Unicopy to $10 million in revenue in three years.

Imaging Technology Solutions offers a variety of copiers, printers and business equipment, and also services and repairs products of major brand names. The company's goal is to respond quickly and keep offices running smoothly, and most service calls are completed in the same day.

Online tool for home improvement projects

The first online, secure payment and project management system that protects Arizona homeowners and contractors from remodeling risks launched this week.

Arizona homeowners experience up to $25 million in annual losses in the remodeling industry due to contractor fraud, so Scottsdale-based Buildproof allows for every project, regardless of size, to be paid for, managed and tracked online. Project funds are held by an independent third-party financial institution to ensure safe handling and timely payment processing. There is no cost for homeowners to use the system and contractors are only required to pay a small percentage of the total project cost.

For more information, visit www.buildproof.com.

Dance studio makes changes

Desert Dance Club, located in the Fry's/Melting Pot Shopping Center, has been purchased by Michael and Sheila Jewell and named ExquisiDance Ballroom Studio.

Instructors Tony and Margaret Long are five-time British and International Ballroom champions, eight-time Open French champions and Open British Latin champions.

For details, call (480) 706-0171 or e-mail ExquisiDance@cox.net.

Send submissions to ebehrendt@ahwatukee.com.