Member to Member News

MIXER:
Join Andrews Distributing on Wednesday, November 10 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at their location at 254 Junior Beck Drive for a Joint Chamber Mixer. Lot’s of refreshments with a sports expo highlighting our local teams along with the Dallas Cowboy Trailer filled with memorabilia and items for purchase. Mark you calendar now to attend this great networking event.


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RIBBON CUTTINGS/GRAND OPENINGS:

Tuesday, October 26 at 10:00 am Ribbon Cutting for Elite Nails located in the Kohl’s Plaza, 5638 Saratoga Blvd., Suite 118. Come out and see this new business venture for Van Nguyen.

Tuesday, October 26 at 11:00 am Ribbon Cutting for Sprint PCS new location at Kohl’s Plaza.

Thursday, October 28 at 9:00 am Ribbon Cutting for Texas Store Fixtures located on 2626-B S. Padre Island Drive between Kostoryz & Ayers. Join us for their grand opening celebration and see the many fixtures and products they carry to make you run your business more successful.

Friday, October 29 at 9:30 am Ribbon Cutting for My Favorite Muffin in Kohl’s Plaza. Join us for their official opening and the first 30 people in attendance will receive a special gift from Hot Z.95 Radio

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Member Events & Offers


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Chamber member RSI & Associates is sponsoring a Backyard Tent Revival entitled “Restoring the Family” on October 28, 29 and 30th. The event is free to the public and child care will be provided. For more information click here.


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O' SI YO (CHEROKEE GREETING) DIANE & BILL LAREW/CHEROKEE ACCENTS INVITES YOU TO OUR HARVEST MOON FINE ARTS SHOWING ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22-23, 2004 FROM 12:00-8:00 PM at Water Street Market. Refreshments and cash bar at Water Street patio from 6:00-8:00 PM. Please come meet the artists and view the award winning Cherokee historical artwork of Talmadge.. Internationally recognized artifact craftsmanship of Dan Corley...Leather and Beadwork by Jacque Hanna...and Pottery by Crystal Hanna, winner of the 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market for the Traditional Cherokee Pottery pision. Listen to KOUL 103.7 FM Monday-Friday for an opportunity to call in and register to win a giclee print of "Walkabout - A Warrior's Spirit" by Talmadge. Talmadge and Dan will be doing a radio interview on KOUL 103.7 FM at 9:00 AM on Friday, October 22nd and on KUNO 1400 AM at 10:00 AM with Vicente Carranza.


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October 25th, Monday 7pm – Breath-Meditation Class with Dr. Mary Meadows at the Seaside Sanctuary Clinic, 1001 Third St. Ste. 7, Corpus Christi. Come learn to breathe and also experience a healing meditation. Wonderful for pain relief, stress management and relaxation. Free, 2 hrs long Call 883-6600 for more information


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The American Advertising Federation is sponsoring a MEDIA AUCTION on Thursday, October 28 at 6:30 pm at the Solomon P. Ortiz Center. Tickets are only $20 and tables of eight are available for $150. The event features a live auction of valuable media packages donated by local media. It’s a great night of fun with a total media/advertising package of over $50,000 worth of items to be auctioned. Don’t miss out! Call 993-4444 for reservations.


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The 3rd Annual Corpus Christi Classic Open 9 Ball will be held at Paradise Pool & Billiards on October 29 – 31, 2004. With only $100 entry fee you can play with some of the best in the industry. Some of great players planning on attending include: Jeremy Jones, Thorsten Hohmann from Germany and Bobby Hunter from Nevada. For more information you can visit www.azbilliards.com or contact Paradise at 852-9252.


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The Harbor Playhouse will be hosting it's Annual Haunted House October 27-31. Come experience the TOUR of Terror ! You will never be the same ! The Haunted House runs October 27 and 28 from 8 pm until 11 pm and October 29, 30, and 31 from 9 pm until 12 pm. Tickets are only $5 and are available at the door. So bring your friends, bring your family, and have a howling good time !


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The City of Corpus Christi Park and Recreation Department’s Multicultural Services, along with KSAB 99.9 and Oldies 93.9 invite you to the 9th Annual Scaritage Park, Sunday, October 31, 2004 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Come join us at Heritage Park for a fun and safe place to take the kids on Halloween night. Admission is free and open to the public. Scaritage Park is partially sponsored by H-E-B, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Valero and IBC Bank. For more information, please call or visit the City of Corpus Christi Park and Recreation Department’s Multicultural Center at 883-0639, www.ccparkandrec.com.


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Special Olympics presents 2004 “Fashion Police” Style Show, Dinner & Dance on Friday, October 29 from 6:30 pm – 12 Midnight at the Omni Corpus Christi Bayfront Hotel. Special celebrity Guest is Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives), Music by Sugar Iced Tea with a silent auction. For more information or reservations call Iris Martinez at 980-3900. Tables are $750 or inpidual tickets are $65.00.


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Get ready cowboys and cowgirls, because Clint Black will soon be shakin’ things up at the new American Bank Center arena November 12 to help support the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars scholarship fund, or STARS.


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For more than 12 years L & F Distributors, Anheuser-Busch, and the local community have awarded over 2,600 scholarships to deserving students in South Texas to attend the college of their choice. In 2002, the group of dedicated local sponsors raised $1.8 million dollars and to date, over $5 million through the STARS program. Scholarship recipients will be chosen on the basis of academic achievement, personal strengths, leadership and financial need. For more information on STARS, please visit www.southtexasstars.org Tickets will be available at the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium box office and all Ticketmaster ticket centers including Foley’s, Rich’s in Sunrise Mall, and FYE in Padre Staples Mall. You can charge-by-phone at 361-881-8499 or purchase tickets on-line at Ticketmaster.com. The seats will be situated in the bowl area of the American Bank Center arena and will be priced at $40.50 and $30.50


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FUNDRAISER FOR KIDS RANCH
November 20, at the Flour Bluff Convention Center. We are delighted to present Dennis Gilley and the Milestone Band, a catered dinner with cocktails will also be included. A silent auction with a reverse raffle drawing will begin after the dinner. Featuring a 2004 Ford Special Edition Harley Davidson truck, and a Road King 100 year Special Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson motorcycle. The last ticket drawn will be the winner of both the truck and the motorcycle! So make plans to join us for dinner and give us a call and we’ll be happy to personally deliver your ticket to the dinner, and or the raffle ticket for the truck and motorcycle. Both tickets to either the dinner or raffle are tax deductible. Call Sandi Maddox at 688-0426 for more information and ticket sales.

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Community News
The City of Corpus Christi Park & Recreation Department’s Ben Garza Gym will host a Community Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 23, 2004 from 12:00pm to 4:30pm at Ben Garza Gym, 1815 Howard Street. Activities for the fun and exciting event will consist of the following: Volleyball, Dodge-ball, Kickball and much more. This event is FREE and open to the public. This event promotes positive recreation for youth and families — and benefits the community as a whole! For more information, please contact Rianard Jackson at 884-2194 or the Athletics Office at 826-4382. We invite you to Discover the Benefits…™


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Best Places to Work 2004


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Toys for Tots Benefit Football Game Nueces County Sheriff's Officers VS. Refinery Terminal Fire Company Sat. Oct 30, 2004; 3:00 PM; Tuloso Midway High School Football Stadium; 2653 Mckenzie Road; Admission: One new unwrapped toy per person FREE Admission for children 12 and under


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Corpus Christi Metro Ministries continues tradition by hosting their annual Poor Man’s Supper fundraiser. Gerda Weissmann Klein, author of All But My Life will unfold her unforgettable and disturbing story of survival during and after the Holocaust. Funds raised at this event will help support the growing number of men, women and children served by Corpus Christi Metro Ministries in this region in an effort to help people make the transition from homelessness and dependence to self-sustainability and independence.

Wednesday, November 3, 2004; Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center; 6:00 p.m.; Jenifer Morse for ticket information @ 361-887-0151; Tables/inpidual tickets available. Sylvia Ford, Public Relations @ 361-844-1213


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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is pleased to announce the Request for Applications (RFA) for the TERP Small Business Grant Program. The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) grant funds are available for small businesses that own up to two vehicles or pieces of equipment in eligible counties. Small businesses, dealers and vendors are encouraged to attend free workshops for more information. A schedule of the workshops and more information is attached. You may also visit our website at www.terpgrants.org. Applications for Small Business Grants will be accepted through March 31, 2005. Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served process, so early submission is encouraged. For information on the Small Business Grants program, please call 1(800) 919-8377 (TERP). If you are interested in our regular grants program, the Request for Applications, application forms and other information will be available on our website soon.

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Harbor Playhouse Update


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Government

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City Council meeting Tuesday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall, City Council Chambers. Agenda
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City Board, Committee and Commission Vacancies November, 2004

Arts and Cultural Commission - Two (2) vacancies with terms to 9-01-07 representing Music and Dance. Meets the 2nd Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m.

Citizens Advisory Health Board – Two (2) vacancies with terms to 11-11-05 and 11-11-07. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 3:00 p.m.

Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau Board – One (1) vacancy with term to 7-31-06 representing the Restaurant category. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 12:00 p.m.

Ethics Commission - Three (3) vacancies with term to 10-01-06. Meets 2nd Thursday of the month.

Landmark Commission – Six (6) vacancies with terms to 11-20-05 and 11-20-07 representing the following categories: 3 – Regular Members, 1 – History teacher, 1 – Architect and 1 – Title Search. Meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m.

Library Board – Three (3) vacancies with two-year terms to 11-05-06. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 1:00 p.m.

Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board – Three (3) vacancies with term to 1-02-05 and 1-02-07 representing the following categories: 1-Commercial Builder, 1–Air conditioning and Master Plumber.

Weed and Seed Steering Committee – Two (2) vacancies with terms to 11-01-06 representing Site 1 and Site 2. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming boards for December:

Electrical Advisory Committee; Oil and Gas Advisory Committee; Economic Development Corporation; Port of Corpus Christi

For more information on these vacancies or regarding any other city board, commission, or committee, please contact Monique Gonzales at (361) 880-3109 or by e-mail at moniqueg@cctexas.com. You may also refer to the city’s web page at www.cctexas.com.

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SBDC


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International Trade Center

Small Business International Trade Resource

Go To http://www.sba.gov/sbasolutions to read SBA Solutions on the Web.

SEMINARS:

Advertising & Marketing, Keys to Business Success

Tuesday, October 26, 2004; 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm; Del Mar College, 101 Baldwin, Venters Business Bldg. Room 350; $20.00

What is Marketing?

Marketing is all about finding, targeting, and keeping customers. Marketing is an ongoing exercise that is essential to a growing and prosperous business.

What is Advertising?

Advertising is the art of disseminating information about your business. While being creative, you must never forget the basics.

Agenda

Marketing - What is marketing and how to do it properly.

Advertising - There are good ads and bad ads. We will investigate some of these and try to show you the difference.

Hands On - Every attendee will have the opportunity to work on some marketing plans and advertising pieces.

The workshop will be put on by three SCORE Counselors who have numerous years in the marketing and advertising fields and are available to help you and your business. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your business. Read more about the presenters on the following page.

To make a reservation contact Lisa at (361) 698-1021.

Renewal Community Corpus Christi; Tax Incentives for Corpus Christi Business

Thursday, October 28, 2004; 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Del Mar College (East Campus), Venters Business Bldg. Room 350; Free

In 2002, five census tracts of Corpus Christi were named a “Renewal Community.” This HUD designation permits businesses located in this area to take advantage of Federal Income Tax incentives designed to stimulate employment and investment. The Renewal Community incentives started in 2002, and will last through 2009, and can only be obtained by filing a properly prepared U.S. Federal Income Tax Return. Businesses located in Downtown, North Beach, Northside and Westside are eligible for these tax breaks during the eight years of 2002 through 2009.

This seminar will show you how to turn these incentives into cash with proper planning and implementation of the programs applicable to Renewal Community Corpus Christi, as well as answer questions such as:

Where is Renewal Community Corpus Christi?

All of Downtown, North Beach, and substantial portions of the Northside & Westside comprise Census Tracks 1, 3, 4, 10 & 11 as the Renewal Community area.

How can I lower my tax bill with the Renewal Community provisions?

Attend this seminar and learn how to take advantage of these & other Federal Income Tax incentives such as:

Renewal Community Employment Credit

Commercial Revitalization Deduction

Zero – Percent Capital Gains

Additional First Year Depreciation

New Markets Tax Credit

Discussion Leaders: Mannti Cummins, CPA - has taken a leading role in the implementation of the Renewal Community provisions in Corpus Christi. In the 2002 competitive allocation process of the Commercial Revitalization Deduction, Cummins CPA presented over $16 million dollars of successful applications with a 100% success rate. This seminar will focus on hands-on, real life solutions to help put the Renewal Community provisions to work for you and pay less income tax, now and in the future.

Paticia Garcia - City of Corpus Christi. Ms. Garcia is the Renewal Community Coordinator for the City of Corpus Christi. In this position, she not only directed the successful application process with U.S. Housing and Urban Development, but also had led the implementation of the Renewal Community programs in Corpus Christi. She has directed over $40 million dollars of allocations of the Community Revitalization Deduction.

To make a reservation contact Lisa at 361-698-1021. (Seminars are subject to change – please call in advance)