YAMAHA Piano Dealer “The Piano Guys” in St. George, Utah Outscores The Harlem Globetrotters to Take Top Spot in YouTube Contest

Photo: From Left to Right - Standing Jeremy Crawford, Shaye Scott, and Tel Stewart
Kneeling - Paul Anderson and Devin Graham

Musical Artists Jon Schmidt, Jarrod Radnich, and Steven Sharp Nelson
Lead the Team to Victory

As sales and marketing gurus continue to explore ways to utilize the new media, it appears that The Piano Guys have struck just the right chord.  Up against big names like The Harlem Globetrotters, The Piano Guys took home well over half the votes to determine that it was the most deserving of the “Most Up-And-Coming” You-Tube Channel among the top four chosen by YouTube to compete in its June contest.  The world-wide contest took place over the course of a week-long voting period, ending just last Wednesday, with the winner’s channel being posted on You-Tube’s home page today and expected to be seen by over 40 million viewers.

“We were extremely excited to even be chosen by YouTube to be part of this contest, and to win the entire thing is hard to grasp,” explains Paul Anderson, the owner of The Piano Guys.  “We started producing our videos as a way to market our Yamaha piano business and show the public and our potential customers how special these instruments are and how fun music-making can and should be. What ended up happening was that people from around the world were drawn to our channel’s music videos where we bring to light the amazing talent of the artists we work with – Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, Spencer Schmidt, and Jarrod Radnich -- and these artists’ work also highlights the fun and entertainment value people can have playing and listening to live music,” continued Anderson.

The Piano Guys videography team includes Paul Anderson, Tel Stewart, and Shaye Scott, who were joined by Devin Graham for the Michael Meets Mozart video featuring Jon Schmidt on piano and Steven Sharp Nelson on cello that is one of two videos headed toward one-million views on The Piano Guys channel. The other video headed for the million-view mark is Jarrod Radnich performing his copyrighted arrangement of a piano medley from Pirates of the Caribbean, which is the same arrangement he “virtually” performs “live” on a Yamaha Disklavier each day at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland.

The Piano Guys team has a goal of introducing one amazing music video each week.  “We are producing ‘cool’ music videos of talented musicians performing their best work, and it takes a lot of work and creativity to be true to the artist’s music and performance while keeping the YouTube audience’s eyes glued to the video,” explained Tel Stewart.   Anderson added, “But it’s well worth it.  We’ve had many people tell us that they are returning to their piano lessons or have decided to start playing – all because of seeing performances of our artists and the kind of music that they make and share.  It’s a good feeling and good for business at the same time.”

For more information on the artists or The Piano Guys visit www.ThePianoGuys.com; www.JonSchmidt.com; www.JarrodRadnich.com; and www.StevenSharpNelson.com.

Ichiban Gourmet Sushi TV Spots

 

Here are two new spots we just created for Ichiban. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Dg81LaiDs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca67LLkLg54 

If you love sushi, you have to give them a try.

They are located on the way to Costco between Albertsons and Sportsman's Warehouse.

Students of the Month Honored by St. George Exchange Club

St. George, UT, November 4, 2010 — All the students that are honored throughout the year are seniors and are recognized for their scholastic achievements, community involvement, and leadership at their respective school. One student from the eight students honored from each high school throughout the school year as a Student of the Month will have the opportunity to become Student of the Year from their school and receive a college scholarship to the college of their choice from the St. George Exchange Club.

The following students were recognized for their outstanding contributions to their schools and selected as the October 2010
Student of the Month by the St. George Exchange Club.  Left to right -

Bill Hudson, Club President
Regina Grogan, Snow Canyon High School, daughter of Dara A. Tancredi
Stephen Nielsen, Millcreek High School, son of Ann Barry
Bianca Alverd, Pine View High School, daughter of Angela Canfield and Tony Alverd
Nathan Hunt, Dixie High School, son of Christena Hunt
Victoria Graff, Tuacahn High School, daughter of Ken & Kerrie Graff.

High School Sports Programs Get Boost from HintonBurdick

St. George, UT, November 4, 2010 — Several area coaches and student athletes are now using state-of-the art statistics software to improve performance and prepare for games, thanks to the generosity of HintonBudick CPAs and Advisors, hintonburdick.com.

The St. George-based accounting firm is offering local high schools sports programs handheld computers and access to software needed to record, analyze, and evaluate player statistics in order to improve individual and team performance.

According to HintonBurdick managing partner Morris Peacock, Enterprise High School has already received two handheld computers and software for football, basketball, and volleyball stats while Dixie, Pine View, Desert Hills, Cedar, and Hurricane High Schools have received a handheld computer each and the software for football statistics.  HintonBurdick will supply a handheld devise with basketball software on it and is currently working to get the basketball program up and running. 

Peacock also pointed out that HintonBurdick has assigned a staff member to create professional-looking statistics reports to be distributed at all home games, creating a more knowledgeable, motivated fan base.  “We also create a script for game announcers to use,” he said, “when referring to stats at any point in the game.”

“Our intention with this program,” Peacock explained, “is to support the community that has helped make us one of the largest accounting firms in the state.  Helping local coaches and athletes all perform to the best of their abilities is one way of doing that.  Besides,” he added, “we all enjoy athletic events more when the teams are well-prepared.  In addition to the report provided to fans at home games, coaches can run custom reports from the data entered, which allows them to have more meaningful data to make coaching decisions.”

Desert Hills High School Varsity Football Coach Randy Cowdin, one of the schools  that took advantage of HintonBurdick’s offer, said, “The stats program has been a real benefit to us.  The professionalism of the stats report, along with the information it contains helps motivate our players.  The folks from HintonBurdick have been great to work with on all aspects of the program.”

HintonBurdick CPAs and Advisors provides accounting and audit services, litigation support, computer training and systems management, payroll services, tax planning and consulting services to clients in 47 states and some foreign countries.  Offices are located in St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, and Richfield, Utah, and in Mesquite, Nevada.

The Village Bank hosted amputee, Steve Walquist as he finished his walk on crutches from Salt Lake on Saturday, November 6

Photos by Tracie McFarlin

St. George, UT, November 5, 2010 — On September 10, 2010, Steve Wahlquist, a cancer survivor began a walk from Salt Lake City headed to St. George to raise awareness for the Limbs for Life Foundation.  On Saturday, November 6 at 2:00PM, Steve will conclude his walk at The Village Bank Main Office located at 294 East Tabernacle.  The public is invited to come to The Village Bank and meet Steve and congratulate him on completing his journey.  For information about this meet and greet contact Shauna Ottesen at The Village Bank,  674-5200, thevillagebank.com.

 Steve was born with cancer, his leg and hip joint were removed within days. Given only a 50/50 chance he would see his first birthday, Steve has made a point of beating the odds ever since. His current challenge is walking from Salt Lake City, UT to St. George, UT, 365 miles - on crutches. No one has ever done it. Steve proposes to be the first.  Now a 50 year veteran amputee, Steve has accepted another challenge he sees as far more important than his personal quest to walk across Utah. For more information go to walkstevewalk.com.

Over 133,000 people lose a limb each year in the United States.  Hundreds of these amputees are children who will need artificial limbs, physical therapy and emotional support to adjust to a new life.  Costs for prosthetics are rising; insurance is paying less, while some parents are losing their jobs and the insurance benefits that go with them. The cost of providing artificial limbs is prohibitive for far too many families, especially when young and growing kids have to be refitted with new prosthetics every 6-24 months.

 Children who experience the loss of a limb and don’t have the benefit of prosthetics have far greater risk of being less active, overweight, less socially integrated, while suffering with additional emotional and psychological trauma. It doesn’t have to be this way. Artificial limbs change lives.Most kids who lose a limb are faced with a devastating, life-altering physical and psychological experience that can shake them to their very core. Some see no future in a life without their missing leg or arm. They know what it is like to feel “less”.  Steve wants to show them a different future: a future that is not defined by the loss of a limb. He believes while losing a limb is inconvenient, it does not have to be disabling.  Steve is passionate about helping these kids. This year hundreds of children will need artificial limbs, physical therapy and emotional support to adjust to their new life.  Far too many children will not get the help they need simply because they do not know help is available.

Steve, who has never had an artificial limb, is walking on crutches from Salt Lake City to St. George, Utah to raise awareness of the challenges these kids face and how obtaining prosthetics can greatly improve their lives. He also wants to encourage people to help turn tragedy into triumph by providing funds for these kids to obtain prosthetics.

 But Steve’s walk is about more than just raising money. He hopes to send these kids a message by doing what most would consider improbable, if not impossible. Losing a limb is a challenge. How these kids choose to meet that challenge will make all the difference. Together we can help give them hope for a healthier, happier, fuller life. The Salt Lake Shriners Hospital reports that they expect to fit over 250 artificial limbs for children this year alone. With a declining budget and increased need, they are having to make decisions which will limit the help that will be made available for these children.

 When an organization, such as Shriners or Limbs for Life takes a child into their care, they have made a commitment to provide limbs and services even into young-adulthood. The costs are staggering. I intend to help create the funds to allow any child who needs this service to have access to the best limbs and therapy available.

Allstate Foundation funds economic empowerment program for victims of domestic violence

Economic empowerment is a concern for many families in southwestern Utah.  It is especially critical to those who are survivors of domestic violence.  “If I can’t take care of us financially, I will never be free to choose a relationship that is healthy,” explained  J. Z., a 22 year old mother of two currently participating in the Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation’s H.O.M.E. program.   The Allstate Foundation in a national alliance with the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women and the National Network to End Domestic Violence is addressing economic empowerment for survivors through curriculum and training researched and funded by Allstate.   Locally that training is being funded through a $20,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation to the Erin Kimball Memorial Foundation.

J.Z. like other survivors of family violence served by the H.O.M.E. (Housing, Options, Mentoring and Empowerment) program is working to gain economic independence and it hasn’t been easy.  “The women coming into our program have been forced into homelessness because of the violence they have experienced in their homes,” explained Sue Kimball, founder and Executive Director of the organization.  “They arrive literally destitute, cut off from resources, and often without the education and skills to survive.”  Education, job training and employment opportunities are keys to success for participants, but increasing income is not enough without an understanding of finances and wise asset management.

Richard Harris, Erin Kimball Board Trustee and Allstate agent will be assisting with the implementation of the program. “Allstate’s focus has always been to create a safer and healthier community,” commented Harris.  “It feels good to invest in programs that help families succeed and provide long-term benefits for the community.”

Survivors of domestic violence who would like more information about the economic empowerment program can contact Michele@erinkimball.org, or call the Foundation’s office at 673-1659.

HintonBurdick Names New Hurricane Branch Manager

St. George, UT, October 13, 2010 – Morris Peacock, managing partner of HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors, announced today that Jeff Hunt, a graduate of Hurricane High School has been appointed manager of the firm’s Hurricane office.

Hunt joined HintonBurdick in 2007 upon earning an MBA degree from Southern Utah University with an emphasis in accounting.  He had previously received a bachelor of business administration degree from Dixie State College, graduating cum laude.  While there, he consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List and placed second in an international business competition.  He passed the CPA exam in November 2009.  Hunt is a 2001 graduate of Hurricane High School.

Speaking of the appointment, Peacock said, “We are pleased to be able to appoint someone of Jeff Hunt’s caliber to manage our Hurricane branch and especially pleased that he has a longstanding connection to the community.  With HintonBurdick partner Philip Peine having partner oversight of the office and Jeff Hunt managing day-to-day operations, we feel that we have the best possible team in place to provide our Hurricane area clients with the first-rate customer service that has become our hallmark.”

“Jeff has specialized in individual, non-profit and business tax and brings a substantial experience to the office.  He has also been active in providing businesses with accounting and consulting services” said Peacock.  “In addition to managing the office, Jeff will coordinate with the over 40 HintonBurdick CPAs to provide a broad range of specialized services to the residents and businesses of the Hurricane Valley.  The size of our firm has allowed our professional staff to specialize and as a result the firm is truly a full service CPA firm.”

Hunt’s is married to the former Becky Mitchell.  They have a one-year-old son.

One of the largest accounting firms in the state of Utah, HintonBurdick provides accounting and audit services, litigation support, computer training and systems management, payroll services, tax planning and consulting services to clients in 47 states and some foreign countries.  Offices are located in St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, and Richfield, Utah, and in Mesquite, Nevada.