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Glendale's
Manager of Tourism receives accolades and a surprise
breakfast from adoring downtown merchants
or...
Lorraine's
Super Magical Surprise Party!
Photos
and story by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet 11-12-2009
Bud Zomok (Right)
from Shoez in Motion, a downtown Glendale Business merchant
presents Lorraine Pino Glendale Tourism Office
Manager a star shaped glass award in behalf of all the
merchants in the historic downtown area comprised of
historic Catlin Court and Old Towne Glendale...
Lorraine's
favorite expression is YAY!.... so the star
trophy the is inscribed with
YAY!
Lorraine
You Are Our
Superstar!
In addition Lorraine
was presented with a a crystal clock that said
Lorraine
Pino
Thank you for all the "Extra" time and
dedication
The
Glendale Merchants thank you.
November 12 2009
More
article and photos to follow!
Back row -
Jennifer Reichelt - Marketing and Communications, Becky
Shady - Vistor Center Volunteer, Jennifer Stein -
Marketing and Communications
Front row -
Varerie - Owner, Bears and More in Catlin Court,
Lorraine Pino Tourism Manager, Glendale Office of
Tourism & Visitor Center -
Bud Zolmok - Shoez in Motion in downtown Glendale AZ
The
Game's Afoot - The Party is Gonna Happen!
Lorraine Pino,
Tourism Manager of Glendale Office of Tourism
& Visitor Center,
is a face and a star that has shone down
on all of us here downtown over the years. Starting
out 9 years ago as a part time employee, when
the visitor center was founded, Lorraine rose to the
position of the manager of Glendale Office of
Tourism & Visitor Center. We all got together
November 12. 2009 at Bit-zee Mama's in downtown
Glendale to salute her.
A great plan
has to start somewhere!
Bud Zolmok
of Shoez in Motion, A downtown Glendale merchant,
tells us "This idea started about two months
ago when I was talking with a the merchants from Papa
Ed's Ice Cream and Country Maiden in Catlin Court. We
were talking about ideas to bring more folks to the
different event's and Lorraine's name and how hard she
works came up."
"Just for fun I said
we really should do something for her. At first a few
folks thought maybe getting her some kind of a gift
certificate would be nice and I said no I was thinking
something a bit more personal than a gift
certificate... Maybe a "Thank You"
breakfast. They seemed to like that idea but it also
seemed a bit big to pull off in a short period of
time"
Success of a surprise party
relies on getting the subject to the party totally
unaware that they are going to be surprised! Bud
tells us how he pulled this off...
"I made a phone call to Terry Williams in
Lorraine's office and found a date in November that
was open on her calendar. I then spoke with Valerie
Burner (Bears and More) and arranged to have her
call Lorraine and schedule a meeting for that morning.
I knew Valerie is not a early morning person so if she
asked Lorraine to meet first thing in the morning I
knew Lorraine would take this very serious!"
The next step to success in
planning a surprise party is getting the general
population notified but not have the 'secret' slip
out!
"Once I had the date
locked in, I created an invite flier and solicited
help from Cheryl Kappes from Country Maiden) and Linda
Whittley from Papa Ed's Ice Cream) to distribute
the flier throughout Catlin Court."
Bud handled the
downtown distribution of the flyer in the downtown
area along Glendale Avenue. "I would open my
shop, work a few hours, shut it down for ten minute
and run like a crazy man delivering invites. Then back
to the shop... It took me four days to hand deliver
all the flier... The one thing I was most worried
about was keeping this a secret!"
The response from the
merchants was even more than Bud had anticipated, "What
I found most interesting was everyone I spoke with
weather they could attend or not all had great things
to say about Lorraine. I did not encounter one
negative comment as I handed out the invites. With the
economic concerns of some of the businesses I feel
their comments are even more a tribute to the hard
work Lorraine does for this area."
A week before the event
Bud Zomok once again would shut his shop and ran
reminder fliers to the business that had not RSVP'd.
This added effort resulted in another 12 folks calling
and showing up.
Lorraine was very surprised
as she walked into the banquet room at Bitz-ee
Mama’s. A spontaneous standing ovation occurred and
within a few seconds the tears were flowing from both
Lorraine and several of the attendees.
Lorraine gave an impromptu
speech about how much the downtown community
meant to her, "that they are like her
family" and that "she loves each and
every one of them." She expressed "she
is a very lucky girl to get to have the job she has
and she should be thanking us." In addition,
with great elation, she brought up the fact she
is "looking forward to the 10 year anniversary
of the Glendale Visitor Center."
After the event Lorraine told
'The Planet, “What a wonderful and
exciting morning at Bitz-ee Mama’s! It is a true
blessing to be the Tourism Manager for the city of
Glendale. I am the luckiest girl in the world and
today’s celebration was such a special surprise. I
am so very thankful for the downtown business
community, for their passion, energy, creativity and
caring. I look forward to many years ahead filled with
events and activities that continue to showcase the
unique aspects of our downtown and giving our visitors
an unforgettable experience. Many, many thanks to all
of my downtown friends who truly gave me one of the
best days ever.”
Ed Sharpe, Publisher -
and his staff noted, "Lorraine has
always offered us ideas, assisted us with
stories and provided positive critique on our
efforts here at the Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV"
Sharpe continued, "Many times, late at night,
we are still working on a story and need some facts or
a relevant quote and Lorraine pops up with a
what we need from the keyboard of her trusty
blackberry!" In a disturbing era of changing
work ethics Sharpe states "Lorraine is a
breath of fresh air with the enthusiasm and energy she
brings to her workplace and the entire downtown
core."
In closing Bud Zomok told the
'Planet, "in addition to thanking Lorraine,
the second most important part of this event was
watching the merchants come together for a cause...
and once at the meeting they talked, laughed and
shared with each other. For a few minutes they forgot
if they were Catlin Court or Downtown Merchants and
joined as Glendale Merchants thanking Lorraine."
======= Some thoughts
express during the process and after the
fact... =======
Kelly Norton - Executive
Director, The Bead Museum
"Loraine’s dependability in providing
communication for The Bead Museum has been
extraordinarily important. Her newsletters are full of
important information that keeps me up to date on events
and changes in our local business community. She is
personable and always so very friendly! Many thanks
Loraine!"
Jim Eggleston - Kathy
Corner
"She's the real deal... "
Jennifer Stein - City of
Glendale
"I think I'm going to cry just hearing about
this..."
Cheryl Kappes -
The Country Maiden - Catlin Court
“After purchasing the Country Maiden, in early
2007, I called Lorraine at the Visitor center to learn
more about That Thursday Thing. Lorraine immediately put
me at ease, and really helped me to learn the ropes.
Lorraine is so very good at listening, giving her
undivided attention to the question at the moment, and
not afraid to dig in and help with whatever ideas we
come up with. Lorraine is just the right mix of energy,
enthusiasm, laughter, and real passion for the Merchants
success. Our City of Glendale, is very lucky to have
her!”
Valerie Burner - Bears &
More
"We remember when Lorraine was a part time
volunteer - and her love and enthusiasm for Downtown
Glendale has never wavered. What would we do without
her?"
Cheryl from Country Maiden
"No one better..."
Rose Prescott - Matilda's
Vintage Closet
"Lorraine has always been looking out for us and
has called us at Matilda's "Stars" when they
get us out in the public eyes either by having us do a
fashion show or putting us on TV...we thank her for her
continued support in helping put our shop (Matilda's
Vintage Closet ) and Historical Downtown Glendale on the
map."
------
Other great comments flew
fast and furious and just a few were....
"Why didn't this happen
sooner... and Why didn't we think of this?"
"A gentle spirit who
bleeds Glendale..."
"Wouldn't miss this for
the world..."
"What a
gem..."
====================================================================
Emmy
Award (R) winning Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV"
is Glendale's and the Metro Westside Valley of the
Sun's 'Independent Online Journalism Initiative'.
Read us... watch us... www.glendaledailyplanet.com
More
article and photos to follow!
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