01 19 2010 Newsletter

Dear Delaney, I am happy to introduce you to the new Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce Weekly E-Newsletter!  CHAMBER EVENTS LifeStyles Home and Family Expo!    To get in on the ultimate marketing and promotional event of the year, sign up today for the 2010 Lifestyles Home and Family Expo! The 2010 Lifestyles Home and Family Expo, which takes place Saturday, March 6, at the Waxahachie Civic Center, features businesses of every kind and offers something for everyone. There will be kids activities and product demos, door prizes and giveaways. Also, "A Taste of Waxahachie," will be featured in the Crape Myrtle room, where local eateries will give away delicious samplings of what they have to offer. Lifestyles Home and Family Expo welcomes over 5,000 attendees through its doors, making it a vital marketing tool. Marketing is something no business should neglect, especially in today's climate. Every business interested in expanding their customer base should be there. Luckily, it's not too late. Booths are still available! Go to http://waxahachiechamber.com/calendar/expo.php for more information including the application and booth layout, click on the LifeStyles logo above or e-mail mfinch@waxahachiechamber.com.  Networking Business LUNCH BUNCH & FUN BUNCH kicks off Feb. 3!   Here's the exciting Network News you have all been waiting for! The newest addtion to Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce networking events are the Lunch Bunch and the Fun Bunch. Join us twice a month at: Fat Daddy's 1011 N. Hwy. 77  Waxahachie, TX 75165 Lunch Bunch- Every 1st Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fun Bunch- Every 3rd Friday, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. These meetings promise to be a fun and effective way to promote your business, exchange referrals, bring in new and repeat business and generate more revenue! Reap the rewards as member-to-member relationships strengthen in this causal yet proffessional atmosphere. Have your one minute commercial ready and bring lots of business cards! The first meeting is set for Wednesday, February 3! For more information call 972-937-2790. The 82nd Annual Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet!  It's almost time for the night of all nights! The Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet, held at the Waxahachie Civic Center is slated for Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 7 p.m. At this yearly event, the Chamber recognizes the outgoing Chair and presents awards for Ambassador of the Year, Business of the Year, Industry of the Year, and more. This year's generous sponsors include Baylor Medical Center Waxahachie,  Southwest Securities FSB, Vintage Bank, Custom Caregivers, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Criminal Defense Attorney Joe Gallo and Bell Insurance Agency. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit www.waxahachiechamber.com  or call 972-937-2790. MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS Buffalo Creek Theater Special Events Star Bar now open and featuring the following: Every Monday- WWE Raw - World class wrestling on the big screen along with 5.1 digital sound and projection. Watch your favorite WWE Superstars in action on the big screen. Showtime is 8:00 PM - Free Admission Tue - Wed - American Idol 7:00 Friday - Dallas Mavericks 7:30 Saturday & Sunday - NFL Play Off Games Daily Buffalo Creek Specials Monday- Dollar Dog Day Tuesday-Two for one Admission Wednesday-Sweet and Salty- Buy a large popcorn, get a free small candy Thursday- Last Chance Thursday, Select movies are two for one admission Call 972-937-1333 ext 201 to book Birthday Parties or Fundraisers. For more information visit www.buffalocreek6.com. Ellis County Division Home Builders Association Luncheon Please note update: topic will be Building Your Community One Brick at a Time.    THE TEXAS BACK TO WORK INITIATIVE IS IN FULL SWING! Texas Back To Work Initiative is an EMPLOYER bonus whereby you could receive $2000 per qualified job seekerhired. There are just 9 slots for Waxahachie and 4 slots for Ennis that are available.  These slots are on a first come basis. To qualify: * Must not be in Layoff/Shared Work Status * The qualified employee must work an average of 30 or more hours per week. * To receive the $2000 bonus (not a tax credit but money directly paid back to you) the qualified employee must retain the position for at least 120 consecutive days. Qualified job seekers have been selected by the State and are marked in our system with a blue icon.  To be qualified, a job seeker must have filed for the first time for unemployment after September 1, 2009 and have made less than $15 per hour in their previous job. If you are interested in participating in this program, please email Loree Scott at lscott@dfwjobs.com.  JUST! ALCOHOL AND DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM, STATE APPROVED AND CERTIFIED DWI CLASSES JUST! Acohol & Drug Education Program, is a new state approved and mandated DWI Program here in Ellis County, that will provide DWI classes certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services.  The standardized program is a 12-hour course and is designed to help DWI offenders increase their knowledge about alcohol and drugs as these substances relate to driving skills, to identify their own individual drinking/drug  use and driving patterns, and to assist them in developing a plan that will reduce the probability of future DWI behavior. Instructor:  Matilda Jerry-Williams, Owner/CEO Just! Fish Restaurant State Certified DWI Administrator/Instructor                    Location: JUST! FISH RESTAURANT102 SISSOM AVENUE AVALON, TEXAS 76623 972-627-3667 Business Phone 972-977-9452 Business Cell

Hope you are all having a wonderful 2010 so far!   Sincerely, Michelle R. Finch Membership Director  Waxahachie Chamber Of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Mission of the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce is to foster a positive business environment that encourages desirable economic activity, to assist in the creation and preservation of jobs, providing leadership on public, community issues, and chamber membership that enhance the quality of life of our community.