Business Briefs (6/11)

Local starts Web site to help student finances

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 but $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 president

Goodwill of Central Arizona's Board of Directors has appointed the organizations 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 fitnesss 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 a 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 inflatioonary 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 fundraiser: one at 4 p.m. and one at 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.

Desert Schools raises $220K for Hospital

The 10th Annual Desert Schools Children's Miracle Network raised $220,000 for Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Proceeds from the tournament directly benefit the 1 Darn Cool School, an on-site classroom facility that benefits long-term patients at the hospital. The credit union has raised more than $1.5 million in funds for the Children's Miracle Network since 1998.

The 18-hole tournament was held April 21 at the Seville Golf & Country Club in Gilbert. It featured prizes and contests, including longest drive and closest to the pin competitions.

For more information on Desert Schools Credit Union, visit www.desertschools.org.

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 submission to ebehrendt@aztrib.com.