REMEMBER: Sets your clocks ahead one hour
COMMUNITY: Art Show
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016
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Rustad in town By Xuyun Zeng Houston Today
ART Auction & Gala
Robin Vander Heide/Houston Today
The 3rd Annual Art Auction and Gala, hosted by the Houston Hospice Society, took place this past weekend, March 4-5. Over 21 artists participated in the event, which had a wide range of artwork and craftsmanship on display. Pictured above with their beautiful beaded jewelry are Carmen Reduncinte-Austin and Tashina Joseph. To see some of the other artists who participated in this year’s Art Auction and Gala, please see page 8.
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Board members and members of the Chamber of Commerce, and Coun. John Siebenga attended a Chamberorganized noon luncheon with Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad last Friday. Rustad highlighted that Houston would benefit most from three areas in the budget this year. “The rural dividend fund, I think there’s a great opportunity. $75 million that will really help small communities like Houston,” said Rustad, listing the three areas. “I think the road improvements, both the capital work and improvement for maintenance could be a big thing for the community, and the support we’re putting in place for mining and the resource sectors to try to see us through these
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$75 million that will really help small communities like Houston,” - John Rustad Nechako Lakes MLA
challenging times.” Rustad said that communities under 25,000 will be eligible for the dividend, highlighting that Houston will be eligible, and can apply in April or October. Rustad responded that the towns will be able to use the rural dividend “in whatever way they want, to be able to help build their See RUSTAD on Page 2
A good year for Houston Merchant gift certificates By Xuyun Zeng Houston Today
Last year panned out as the best year for Houston Merchant Gift Certificates and the Chamber of Commerce would like to see further expansion of the program. According to a report made to council,
economic development officer Maureen Czirfusz attracted $90,546 in gift certificate purchases. Czirfusz credits the community’s involvement for making the program a success. “With incredible involvement of the community, because if it wasn’t for the commu-
“...economic development officer Maureen Czirfusz attracted $90,546 in gift certificate purchases.”
nity, we’d never could have done it,” she said. “We had a lot of businesses participating
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at $71,000 and $70,000 for 2014. When the Chamber first took over the program, they received $15,000 in sales. Last year’s $20,000 jump in sales can be attributed to more gift certificates around. “We had more companies involved this year. More com-
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panies were buying them either as incentives, safety programs, Christmas bonuses, or thank-you gifts,” she said. Currently, 27 companies accept the gift certificates. The latest adopter being the District of Houston. “It’s a very successful shop local
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program, encouraging people to spend money in Houston,” she said. “Our slogan at the bottom is, ‘Keeping businesses in town, while keeping your town in business.’ ” Czirfusz revealed that sales spiked in October 2013 when
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