We would like to welcome and encourage all of our new members (current members, as well) to attend the Chamber mixers. Here's a great place to begin developing a network of business relationships that can provide support, leads, publicity, financing possibilities, you name it and, a good time. So, provide us with your e-mail address, by fax, phone, U.S. mail or, e-mail. We'll do the rest in ensuring that you are put in the mix! Speaking of new members, we'd like to welcome the League of Women Voters of the Pasadena Area to our Chamber family.

The Chamber's Installation Dinner is fast approaching its January 20, 2005 arrival date. Bigger and better, as usual, is the expectation. Tickets are available now and can be obtained at the Chamber office, at a cost of $55.00 per single ticket, and $50 each when purchased in tables of ten (10). Let us remind you that seating is limited to 250 and that tickets move very fast. A major highlight of the 2005 event will be the Citizen of the Year Awards, with two outstanding individuals nominated: Ms. Toni Stewart and Mrs. Francis Dyer, both of whom have contributed many years of service to the Altadena Chamber of Commerce and our community. You don't want to miss this event!

We are pleased to announce the selection of Eraca Allen and Chamber President; Jan Jouanicot, President-Elect; Carmen Drouet, Second Vice-President; Liz Watts, Treasurer; and Mary Spriesterbach, Secretary. Members of the Board of Directors include C. Jake, Virginia Lance, Gene Stevenson, Craig Washington, Bill Webster, Doug Colliflower, Roy Allen and John Jepson. We hope that you will take the opportunity to meet, greet, and wish all of the Chambers Officers and Directors well at the Installation Dinner.

The 84th Annual Crhistmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony, held on Saturday, December 11th, was a smashing success. Dedicated to the memory of Altadena's beloved Edna Smith, the event really lit up the evening with caroling, featuring the Carilee Raines'Altadena Boys and Girls Academy, the Santa Monica Oceanaires, and the Trinity Baptist Singers. Then, there was the presentation of the colors by Scout Troop 316 Don Benito and the Eliot Middle School Marching Band, under the direction of Karen Clagis. And, topping it off was master of ceremonies, Paul Lines,Pasadena Jazz Institute's Executive Director and Jennifer Gates, who sang the National Anthem. Then, Senator Jack Scott flipped the switch and there it was, a fantastic evening, under the lights of Christmas Tree Lane, in Altadena. They will continue to shine each night until January. We have Tony and Maureen Ward, Christmas Tree Lane Co-Co-Chairs and their volunteers to thank for this year's event. They succeeded former Chairs, Max Jouanicot, and the Chambers' own, Jan Jouanicot, who also performed magic with the event.

The Altadena Branch NAACP is hosting a Christmas Membership Party on Sunday, December 19th, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., at the Altadena Senior Center, 560 East Mariposa. Information may be obtained by calling Robert Powe 626-398-7737 or Angela Powe, at 626-398-8345.

Just as friendly reminder that the Chamber's next General Membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 11th, at 8:00 a.m., at the Altadena Community Center. We look forward to your being there.

For the second time in two years, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) ranked first in customer satisfaction among the major gas utilities in the western United States in a new customer satisfaction study, released yesterday by the research firm J.D. Power and Associates. The study was based on a random survey of residential gas utility customers.
"Earning top marks in the J.D. Power study reflects well on the dedication of all our employees to go above and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of our customers," said Michelle Mueller, vice president of customer services, for The Gas Company. "Our employees have a longstanding commitment to bring our customers safe, reliable energy and exceptional service."
The Gas Company continuously updates its service practices to meet its customers' changing needs, added Mueller. "We encourage our employees to be friendly, helpful and responsive, while being good problem-solvers and treating our customers with care and concern, the utmost respect -- all attributes that we believe drive customer satisfaction."
The J.D. Power study assigned The Gas Company a customer satisfaction score of 114, up six points from last year, the top score among nine utilities reviewed in the region. The average score for these utilities was 104. The Gas Company also ranked second in the nation, scoring only two points behind the utility ranked top in the study.

The J.D. Power study ranked 55 of the country's largest gas utilities and interviewed more than 11,000 customers during March and June 2004. The scores for each utility were based on five factors (in order of importance): company image, price and value, billing and payment, customer service and field service. The Gas Company received top scores for its region in all but one factor.
The Gas Company is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.2 million consumers through 5.4 million meters. The company’s service territory encompasses 23,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California. The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.