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Newsletter for April, 2015
BUSINESS EXPO 2015
Thursday, April 9 • 12 noon - 4 p.m. • Liberty Center
FREE
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Presented by
THE LIBERTY-DAYTON AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Meet with representatives from a variety of businesses and organizations, and learn about the
products and services available in our area.
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Join us for the annual
Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon
honoring office professionals in our area
Wednesday, April 22 , 11:30 a.m. at Liberty Center
Reservations: 936-336-5736 or e-mail: [email protected]
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
MEMBERS
APRIL EVENTS
MOBILE POS SYSTEMS
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The Liberty-Dayton Area
Chamber of Commerce
OFFICERS
Ken Coleman, Chairperson
- Arrow Realty
James Reese, Vice-Chairperson
- Chilis - Liberty
Gretchen Inman, Secretary-Treasurer
- Brighter Days Assisted Living
Carolyn Davis, Past Chairperson
- M & M Rent All
DIRECTORS
Term Expiring 12-2015
Randle Brock (Brock Construction)
Richard Brown (Individual Member)
Paula Campbell (FLNB Insurance)
Eliza Guidry (Individual Member)
Brenda McManus Jones (Individual Member)
James Leonard (CenterPoint Energy)
Lameka Trahan (Law Office of Lameka Trahan)
Eric Windham (Dayton Electric Company)
Term Expiring 12-2016
Bill Buchanan (KSHN Radio 99.9 FM)
Bessie Conn (Security State Bank, Liberty Banking Center)
Lana McCarty (Liberty County Central Appraisal District)
Lisa Rossow (G & L Pool-Scapes)
Sandra Sterling (Sterling Realty)
Kandace Wolfe (New Day Massage and Spa)
John Wright (Cedar Grove RV Park & Convenience Store)
Giovanna Trevizo (Trevizo Auctions & Services)
Term Expiring 12-2017
Liz Beausoleil (Loring Villa Apartments)
Martin Flukinger (McCoy’s-Dayton)
Felicia Hensel (FLNB-Dayton Financial Center)
Evelyn Killion (Texas Armory)
Mark McClelland (Lee College)
Sherry Mettlen (Carol Bond Health Foods)
Karyn Pitner (Sam’s Distribution Center #6698)
Skeet Raggio (Skeet Raggio Publishing)
STAFF
Mary Anne Campbell
- President
Christy Ewart
- Administrative Assistant
Bruce Campbell
- Dayton Office / Web & Technology Services
Nora Lee Ladd
- Special Events
Our thanks go to the many volunteers and supporters who
assist the Chamber throughout the year.
T
his month is the Chamber’s annual Business Expo, set for
April 9th at Liberty Center in downtown Liberty. The Expo
has always been one of the Chamber’s flagship events, as
it exemplifies a primary function of any chamber of commerce: to
promote the businesses that are so vital to our economy and local
infrastructure, and link these businesses to the people who are
most interested in the products and services they offer. The Expo
brings both the business sector and the buying public together under one roof where each has the opportunity to ask questions, exchange ideas and information, and put names with faces.
The Expo takes place from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., and there is no
charge to enter. Attendees may purchase tickets at $1.00 each at
the door. Walk through the booth area, select your favorite door
prize(s) to be given away and drop your ticket into the container for
the drawing at the end of the day for that prize. Also, a card with
names of all exhibitor’s and their booth number (‘Visit Every Booth’)
can be purchased at the door for $1.00. Fill in your name and cell
number on the card, visit every booth, and have your visit verified to
enter the drawing at the end of the event for a $100.00 Chamber
Gift Certificate.
The Chamber is still taking applications for exhibitor booth space
at the Expo. If you’d like to be an exhibitor just download the 2015
Business Expo Packet here from our website. Complete information regarding booth rentals are located in the registration packet.
As always we hope the Business Expo generates productive (and
profitable) contacts for everyone involved. See you there!
Also coming this month is the Chamber’s annual Administrative
Professionals Day Luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday the
22nd at Liberty Center. This is a day set aside each year worldwide
(with different dates in certain countries) to recognize the work of
receptionists, administrative assistants and other administrative
support professionals. Anyone who owns or manages a business,
or works in and around an office environment, knows how indispensable good office professionals are to the success of their business.
We thank them for their hard work.
This year’s Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon is graciously underwritten by Magnolia Place Health Care, LLP in Liberty.
Chef Amber Lawson will be preparing a fantastic meal for the
event consisting of roma tomato crustini, romaine & field greens
with fresh berries and balsamic vinaigrette, homemade lasagna,
grilled chicken with alfredo or marinara over linguini, assorted
cheesecake, chocolate mousse parfait, and Red Diamond sweet
tea and water.
Many thanks to those who have donated to prior luncheons—
Carol Bond Health Foods and Southeast Texas Olive.
Please return the registration form on page 9 of this newsletter by
Monday, April 20th.
(Continued on page 3)
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS from the Chamber
Listen to the monthly
C H A MB ER R AD I O
SHOW
Thursday, April 16, 8:30 a.m.
on KSHN 99.9 FM
CHAMBER EVENTS
ON THE RADAR
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
Annual Business Expo, Liberty City
Hall
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
Relay for Life (join the Chamber
Team!)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Administrative Professionals Day
Luncheon
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Chamber Radio Day on KSHN 99.9
FM
Listen to us!
It’s almost time for
Chamber Radio Day
Live on
KSHN 99.9 FM
Saturday, May 16
6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Chamber members and staff
take over the microphones to
deliver news, sports, weather,
music and more.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
See page 4 for details
Archived issues of Chamber News
are available online at:
libertydaytonchamber.com
(Chamber Briefs… continued from page 2)
We extend a big welcome to Liberty’s new police chief, Thomas Claunch, who served
many years with the City of Webster Police Department. A veteran of thirty years in law
enforcement, Chief Claunch held the position of assistant chief while in Webster, where
he spent twenty-three years of his career. He was sworn in to his new position at the
Liberty PD on March 20th with wife Becky in attendance.
LEE COLLEGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CLASSES
Lee College in Baytown continues to offer a variety of
professional development courses in Liberty (Liberty Library), Baytown (ATC Building) and Anahuac (Anahuac
High School). These courses are designed to increase
knowledge and skills that can be used for both personal
development and career advancement. Topics include
“Organization in the Workplace”, “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect”, “Time Management Skills” and more. They are three-hour sessions at $59 per class.
The Chamber strongly advocates continuing education and professional development
training for individuals in the workplace. If you, or anyone you know might be interested
in these courses just contact the Lee College Center for Workforce & Community
Development at 281-425-6311. You can also view the Spring 2015 schedule online with
upcoming courses and the different ways to register at www.lee.edu/workforce.
TRANSCANADA OFFERS GRANTS TO AREA NONPROFITS
Grant funding is available to East Texas nonprofits through the TransCanada Charitable Fund at East Texas Communities Foundation. The fund provides grants supporting strong projects that are based on good ideas and compelling needs having the potential to improve local communities and the lives of the people living there.
Funding is offered in East Texas counties currently traversed by Trans-Canada pipeline operations and projects. These include Angelina, Chambers, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Hardin, Harris, Hopkins, Jefferson, Lamar, Liberty, Nacogdoches, Polk,
Rusk, Smith, Upshur, and Wood Counties.
The company’s press release in late-2013 states “The fund is designed to help improve East Texas communities and the lives of their residents through grants to qualifying non-profit organizations in the counties where TransCanada pipeline operations and
projects exist. All funded projects and programs fall within three charitable categories:
community, safety, and the environment.”
Applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities. Their
services must be available to the community without regard to race or religion. The
online application, along with further information, can be found at the East Texas Communities Foundation website at www.etcf.org. Look under “Nonprofits”, then “Grant Information”. Up to $25,000 in total grants may be awarded.
The grant deadline is May 18. Recipients will be announced in August.
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS from the Chamber
CHAMBER RADIO DAY FUNDRAISER
Saturday, May 16 is the date set for Chamber Radio Day at
the KSHN 99.9 FM studios in Liberty. Members of the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Chamber volunteers, will take charge of the microphones and the
control board all day to bring you news, sports, weather,
music and on-air announcements from 6 a.m.—6 p.m.
There will be trivia questions on local facts with prizes for
the first caller with the correct answer. KSHN staff members
will be on hand to help when needed.
Proceeds from this fundraiser go to further the Chamber’s programs in the
area. You can help by purchasing three on-air commercials for a total of $75
to promote your business, club, organization, coming event or just congratulate a graduating senior or recognize a good deed.
Chamber Directors will be selling ads. If you need help contacting a director
please call or e-mail the Chamber offices. Advertising forms are available here
on libertydaytonchamber.com.
Be sure to visit KSHN’s website and “like” KSHN on Facebook. We appreciate Bill Buchanan and the KSHN staff for allowing us the opportunity to hold
this special event. Tune in to 99.9 FM on Saturday, May 16 and have fun with
us!
FREE SHREDDING EVENT
The City of Liberty will host another “Shred It and Forget It!” event on Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon (or until the truck is full).
Individuals are asked to bring old credit card statements, IRS tax records,
computer disks or anything that lists personal information to be commercially
shredded absolutely free. The City of Liberty stresses the importance of shredding customer and personal confidential information to prevent Identity Theft.
For more information contact the City of Liberty at 936-336-3684.
House Bill (HB) 2694 (Texas)
Filed March 9, 2015
Will provide a sales tax exemption for certain items for one day only during Small
Business Saturday, which is held each year
on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
This exemption would be for businesses
with $5 million dollars or less in taxable
gross receipts during the previous fiscal
year.
Read the full text of HB 2694.
Employment Opportunity
Subway Alkire, LP– Liberty
Scheduling interviews
for
Manager Position
Food Management Experience Required
Contact:
General Manager, Katrina Garrison
2211 N. Main, Liberty
Call 936-336-7827
The month of April is
CITY OF LIBERTY PRESS RELEASE
(Re. Woodsprings Drive street project) • www.cityofliberty.org
On Tuesday, April 7, 2015 the contractor for the Woodsprings Drive project will
close Lakeland Drive between Jefferson and Grand
Streets. Woodsprings Drive is the name of the connector street between HWY 146 Bypass and Lakeland
Drive. The closure is necessary to make the roadway
tie-in from Woodsprings to Lakeland in the vicinity of
Royal Street. During the closure, access will be provided to the adjacent properties from either the Jefferson Street or Grand Street end of Lakeland.
It is anticipated the road closure will last approximately one month, weather
permitting.
Motorists should find an alternate road during the closure and are requested
to obey all warning signs in the construction area.
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Child Abuse
Prevention Month
A candlelight vigil honoring victims
of crime and child abuse, their
families and those who serve and
protect them will be held locally
on:
Tuesday, April 21st
6:30 p.m. at Liberty Center
(Liberty City Hall)
The public is invited to attend.
MEMBERS
NEW MEMBERS
MEMBER TRANSITIONS
Liberty Cleaners
Ruben Mares, Jr., Manager
2333 North Main Street
Liberty, TX 77575
936-336-8622 • [email protected]
Dry cleaning, laundry, starch, alterations, wash & fold,
leather cleaning, fur cleaning, wedding preservation, prespotting, super cleaning, fire proofing, waterproofing, stain
removal, odor removal.
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RIBBON CUTTINGS
State Farm Agent Tracy Williams will
celebrate their 10-year anniversary with
a ribbon cutting on Friday, May 1 starting
at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will follow immediately afterward. The office is located at
1400 N. Travis in Liberty, across from
Liberty-Dayton Regional Medical Center.
The public is invited to attend.
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Southeast Texas Drug Screening has changed their
name to Select Safety & Occupational Services, Inc.
Their address is 3820 Beaumont Ave. in Liberty. Telephone 936-334-9990. Owner: Heather Price. E-mail:
[email protected].
District 18 State Rep. John Otto of Dayton has a new
office established in Shepherd to better serve the citizens
of San Jacinto County. Rep. Otto and his staff will use the
office approximately three days each month.
The new Prairie Shopping Center on Hwy. 90 in Dayton
is almost complete, and the first tenant will be Subway
restaurant, formerly located at Hwy. 90 and S. Main. Their
projected opening is sometime in April.
Renovations are almost complete at the prior Dayton Subway restaurant location on Hwy. 90 and S. Main, which
will be the new home for Domino’s.
Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant (Hardin location)
will begin serving breakfast on Saturdays during the
month of April.
NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
A'Dair & Company Florist & Gifts
Allison Funeral Service
Randel Arnold, State Farm
Bridgehaven Children's Advocacy Center
Carol Bond Health Foods
City of Ames
City of Daisetta
City of Liberty
Dale's RV Park
Steve Elliott, D.C.
First Liberty National Bank
FLNB Insurance Agency, Inc.
Fontenot's
Forest Grand Apartments
Frank's Collision Repair
G & L Pool-Scapes
Giglio Distributing Company, Inc.
Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital
Hylton Construction, Inc.
Insteel Wire Products
Kemptech Computers
Lee Real Estate
Liberty-Dayton Chrysler
Liberty County EMS
Liberty Independent School District
Liberty Systems
Linda's Catering
New Work Family Worship Center
The Old & New Shoppe
Pickett Joint Properties
Precision Lawns
Sherwin Williams-Liberty
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Superior Storage
Tarver Abstract
Tri-County Services
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
Trinity Valley Exposition-TVE
The Vindicator
Andy Waldrop
Waste Management, Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank
Wiggins & Smith
CHAMBER MEMBERS:
Please let us know of any changes or milestones at your
business such as new management, ownership changes,
facility upgrades, new products, employee promotions, relocations, etc. We will post it here in the newsletter. We appreciate your help and your membership!
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MEMBERS
A ribbon cutting for The Bark Resort & K-9 Connection was held on Saturday, March 21st at 3950 Beaumont
Rd. in Liberty. They offer services such as daycare for dogs, boarding, grooming, training, pet portraits and a
dog park. Call 936-718-7079 or visit the website: www.thebarkresort.com.
DAYTON OLE TYME DAYS
BJ FORD HOSTS FORD FUSION SHOWCAR
Bring the family and come on out to the annual Dayton Ole Tyme Days Festival at
the Dayton Community Center, Friday
through Sunday, April 17–19. Attendees can
enjoy a BBQ cook-off, arts & crafts, carnival,
car show, junior chili cook-off, tractor show,
pageant and live entertainment.
BJ Ford (3560 Hwy. 90 in Liberty) will feature the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford
Fusion Showcar at the dealership on Friday, April 3rd from 9 a.m.—5 p.m.
and again on Saturday, April 4th from 9 a.m.—3 p.m. The car is owned by
Wood Brothers Racing and is currently driven by Ryan Blaney.
Many famous names have driven for the Wood Brothers Race Team over
the years including A.J. Foyt, Neil Bonnett, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliott, Kyle Petty,
Michael Waltrip and more. The Guinness Book of Word Records officially recognizes Wood Brothers Racing as the longest active NASCAR team, competing 64 years.
The mission of Dayton Ole Tyme Days is to
promote Dayton and to raise money for local
youth scholarships. For details on all activities, including sponsorship opportunities,
visit oletymedays.com.
See the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford Fusion at BJ Ford,
April 3rd and 4th.
There will be free food and drinks at the event from 11 a.m.—1 p.m. Guests
can also register to win free prizes. For more information call BJ Ford at 936336-2215
BJ Ford is again sponsoring the annual KIDFISH event at Liberty Municipal Park!
Saturday, May 2nd from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
For information contact Robert Dunn @ 936-336-2215 • Learn more about KIDFISH
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BACK PAGE NOTES
EXPLORE TEXAS DRILLING
Ever wonder which counties in Texas rank
highest in oil production? Where drilling
permits are being issued in your area?
What the latest job openings are in the oil
and gas industry?
Find answers to these questions and
more online at TexasDrilling.com, a website that provides data on drilling locations
and oil wells across the state.
Users can view the quantity of producing leases in each
county, the number (and names) of producing operators,
number of drilled wells, amount of oil and gas produced,
and a breakdown of recently spudded wells. Google maps
are used to show the locations of well sites.
In addition, persons seeking employment can view job
postings for positions in the oil and gas industry that can
be filtered by location. The site uses oil and gas data from
the Railroad Commission of Texas, and makes it easy to
find what you’re looking for.
An optional subscription service is available that provides users with additional features if needed.
APRIL EVENTS
For updates and additions please visit the online calendar at libertydaytonchamber.com.
3-5
Fri-Sun
4
Sat
9
Thurs
10
Fri
17-19
Fri-Sun
18
Sat
21
Tue
22
Wed
23-26
Thurs-Sun
30—May 2
Easter Rodeo, Trail Ride & Zydeco Weekend
Trinity Valley Expo Fairgrounds, Liberty
KSHN Radio—Annual Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m.—Liberty Municipal Park
Chamber Business Expo
12 noon—4 p.m., Liberty Center (Liberty City Hall)
Relay for Life
6:30 p.m. –12 a.m.—War Memorial Stadium, Grand Ave. in Liberty
Dayton Ole Tyme Days Festival
Dayton Community Center
“Shred It and Forget It”
9 a.m.—noon, Liberty City Hall parking lot
Candlelight vigil for victims of crime and child abuse
6:30 p.m.—Liberty Center (Liberty City Hall)
Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon
11:30 a.m., Liberty Center (Liberty City Hall)
Faux Real Trade Days and Community Wide Garage Sale
Trinity Valley Exposition Fairgrounds (see flyer on page 10)
33rd Hull-Daisetta Mayhaw Festival
Downtown Daisetta
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BACK PAGE NOTES
MOBILE POINT OF SALE GROWTH TO SKYROCKET
Retailers are planning to greatly increase their use of mobile POS (Point of Sale) systems during the next two
years. According to Boston Retail Partners almost 300% more retailers plan to make use of mobile POS, 200%
more plan to use geolocation over the next three years, and 350% more will look to support NFC (Near Field Communication) payments by October 2015.
A mobile POS system is basically a smartphone, tablet or dedicated wireless device
capable of performing the functions of a cash register or common point of sale terminal
“Mobile technology
seen in every store. Purchases and financial transactions can be conducted on the device as opposed to a regular countertop register. For business, this can save the owner enables retailers to
having to purchase a separate electronic register and the support that goes with it. break down barriers
Customer data from the transaction is encrypted and usually stored in the cloud as opbetween the digital
posed to being stored on the device.
environment and
“Mobile technology enables retailers to break down barriers between the digital environment and the physical store,” Boston Retail Partners principal Ken Morris explained. the physical store.”
“Advancements in mobile capabilities are driving retailers to upgrade and replace technology to keep ahead of the competition, and keep up with their very informed, technology-savvy customers.”
(Data source: Texas Workforce Commission)
Chamber News is published monthly by The Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce as a business and community information
resource for our members and the general public. Archived issues of the newsletter, along with the current issue, can be found in PDF format
on our website at libertydaytonchamber.com.
LIBERTY OFFICE
1801 Trinity Street | 936-336-5736 | [email protected]
DAYTON OFFICE
109 S. Main | 936-257-8926 | [email protected]
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Thanks a million!
for your hard work in the fight against cancer.
Relay For Life of South Liberty County
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 * 6 P.M.—12 A.M.
Join with the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce team, “Batting for a Cure”,
to help eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives,
and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and services.
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