Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
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2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA
71270
Chamber Connection CHAMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS December Dec. 5 Chamber & CVB Open House and 12 Days of Christmas Shopping Kick-Off, 11-2 p.m. Dec. 6 Story Time with Santa, Chamber/CVB office, 9-11 a.m. December 9 Business After Hours, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 5-7 p.m. December 11 Leadership Lincoln December 11 Merle Norman Ribbon Cutting December 25 Merry Christmas! December 25-26 Chamber & CVB office will be closed. January
January 29 Annual Awards Banquet, Civic Center, 6 p.m.
A Publication of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Deliver to:
December 2014
12 Days of Christmas Shopping in Lincoln Parish The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Ruston Daily Leader, Ruston Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, and The Peach 99.3 are collectively rolling out a #ShopRuston campaign sponsored by Community Trust Bank, 12 Days of Christmas Shopping in Lincoln Parish. This is your chance to win a grand prize of $1,000 or other Stocking Stuffer gifts! Shoppers, chose randomly will also win cash or gift cards during Surprise Santa visits at participating retailers.
This campaign will kickoff with an open house event on Friday, December 5, at the Chamber/CVB office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Players can pick up their passports at this Kick-Off party, admire the festive decorations by the Ruston Garden Club, and have coffee and treats. Passports will also be available at participating stores. 12 Days of Shopping
$1000 Cash Prize
begins Monday, December 8, and runs through Friday, December 19. Each player will pick-up a Passport listing all the participating retailers. As players visit these stores they will have their card validated. All who complete the Passport as instructed will be entered to win $1,000 on Monday, December 22. No
purchase is necessary to receive a Passport or for retailer verifications, however, you are encouraged to do your Christmas shopping with the neighborhood retailers, right here in Ruston-Lincoln Parish. Passports must be turned in by 4 p.m., Friday, December 19, to be eligible for Stocking Stuffer prizes including the grand prize of $1,000. Drop them off at these Community Trust Bank locations in Ruston: 1511 North Trenton St. 301 West Alabama Ave. 2010 Farmerville Hwy. 1011 Cooktown Rd.
A preview of Christmas events in Lincoln Parish Celebrate the Holidays locally The Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever
December 4-7 Dixie Center for the Arts, Ruston 318-255-1450 Thursday-Saturday: 7:00 p.m. Sunday: 2 p.m. Adults $12, Students $6
Story Time with Santa
December 6, 9-11 a.m. Chamber/CVB office Come by for story time in front of the fireplace. Wear your favorite pajamas and enjoy milk & cookies. Don’t forget your camera to take pictures with Santa. This event is designed for walking toddlers to children 5 years of age. Decorations by the Ruston Garden Club.
Flapjack Fundraiser with Santa December 6, 8-10 a.m. Applebee’s Ruston Produced by Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Take photos with Santa and enjoy flapjacks. Proceeds will benefit needy families at Christmastime. Tickets $5 p/p and can be purchased at the door or from any Zeta Rho member.
Winter Wonderland and Workshop December 6, Noon-3 p.m. SciTEC Center at LA Tech College of Education Activities will include ornament making and the grand opening of the Funnery, an exciting educational resource where
Come
the community can come and use tools including 3D printers, etchers, waterbots, laminators, eggbots and more. Gifts will be given to the first 100 guests.
Santa at Railroad Park December 6, 13 & 20, 10-2 p.m.
Ruston Christmas Parade
December 11, 6 p.m. Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston Tel: 318-255-2031 It’s time once again for the annual Ruston Christmas Parade! The parade will leave from the La Tech football stadium parking. This year’s theme is “A Blue Christmas”. Bring the whole family to welcome in the holidays!
with us.
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Russ-Town Band Dixie Center for the Arts, Ruston December 12, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tel: 318-255-1450 The Annual Christmas Concert is a free event with donations accepted for CCA & Toys for Tots.
School Choir Concert Railroad Park December 12, 6 p.m.
Grambling Christmas Parade December 13, 10 a.m. Downtown Grambling Tel: 318-247-6556 Come enjoy the Christmas Parade in downtown Grambling. Lots of floats and lots of candy! Fun for the whole family
3rd Annual Ruston Toy Run
December 13, 9 a.m. Call 318-680-0269 for details
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
Chamber Update By Judy Copeland, President, Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Happy December!
Congratulations to the five new members of the Board of Directors: Sheila Bordelon – LP Tax Assessor’s Office; Travis Lee – Chartreuse Pear; Randy Null – Ruston Artisans; Donna Ott – Hunt, Guillot & Associates; and Brandon Sutherland – Hampton Inn. Each of these community leaders has agreed to help direct the program of work of your Chamber of
Commerce for the annual open next three years. house on We appreciate each December 5, of you dedicating 2014. We’ll be your time and all decked out effort to the for Christmas Chamber. and want to As we roll into share some of December, the our holiday Judy Copeland Ruston-Lincoln spirit with you. Chamber of You can stop by Commerce and the between 11 am and 2 pm Ruston Lincoln Convention for light hors d’oeuvres and Visitors Bureau would and a warm beverage. like to invite you to our Do some networking
Notes From The Chair Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce – By Aaron Paul, Chairman
Serving has been an honor community. Our It has been an events have become honor to serve as more relevant the 2014 Chairman and stream lined of the Board. The to focus on our chamber’s success is member’s needs fueled by the spirit and interests. of volunteerism Leadership Lincoln in our business continues to grow community and and be a staple for Aaron Paul the persistence up-and-coming of our members leaders in the to make Lincoln community. Our advocacy Parish second to none in efforts are increasingly quality of life. I want to robust and helping to express my gratitude to the create economic prosperity board members and tireless for our members. The efforts of the staff, Melissa, professional trainings have Judy and Ivana, who work been revamped to focus on long and hard to make the current topics of interest. Ruston Lincoln Chamber of The Chamber’s social media Commerce a major voice for campaign has been ignited, business. and our organization is in The Chamber has the press more than ever. experienced many changes It has been a great year in its continued progression to serve as Chairman and forward creating a significant to work with a great staff impact on the continued that focuses on the needs growth and success of our of its members, both small
and large. We have continued to grow the membership, even during this challenging economic time, and even more important, we have continued to retain our existing members. The best way for you and your company to get the most value from your Chamber membership is to get involved. Attend some events. Join a committee. Increase your visibility. Let your voice be heard. Make a positive difference in this community we love to call home. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Chamber. Contact me at aaron@ btgruston.com or 318-251-8993 ext 206 to find out how to get plugged in. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in OUR Chamber. Aaron Paul Chairman, Ruston Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
A Solid Board John Rosenthall, JD Grambling State University
VP for Research, Advancement and Economic Development (318) 274-2245 rosenthallj@gram.edu Briefly describe your career path. After college I attend graduate school for one year and was drafted into the army. During my army years, I got married, worked for five years and fathered a child. After seven years in the labor force, I attended and graduated from law school. The next thirty years presented a number of work experiences as an independent consultant for various government entities and twelve (12) different HBCUs in a consulting capacity. In those years, there were two full-time opportunities, five years as director of the Urban Environment Institute at Howard University and one year as Vice President for Research Development and Public Service at South Carolina State University.
Who is your favorite role model—and why? My favorite role models are my parents. Neither had much formal education but insisted that their children would get the best education they could provide. My mother taught her children to read, some prior to starting elementary school. They attended school functions, assumed active roles in school activities and visited instructors when any of us received a bad grade. No instructor look forward to a visit by Mrs. Rosenthall following a bad grade, and neither did we. They showered us with love and affection, but made it clear that capital punishment was always their option. Never administered, but we felt it was a possibility.
and admire the Christmas decorations provided by the Ruston Garden Club. We’ll be rolling out our 12 Days of Christmas Shopping in Lincoln Parish on this day by handing out prize passports. This is just another program the Chamber is doing to help encourage people to shop in Ruston. The passports require the participant to get a stamp from each participating business in order to be eligible for a grand prize drawing of $1000. We will also be making “Surprise Santa” stops at random times to participating businesses for
cash or gift card giveaways to random shoppers who happen to have a passport with them. The holiday season can be quite frustrating for some, so remember a kind word, a smile, a helping hand, a compliment, a little encouragement and giving to others less fortunate goes a long way and makes a better day for the giver and the receiver! On behalf of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a successful and prosperous 2015! God bless.
Executive Board Chairman Aaron Paul, Business Technology Group Chairman Elect Mike Jones, Argent Financial Vice Chair, Community Development Kathy Crowder, Crowder Concepts Vice Chair, Program Development Lee Denny, Bank of Ruston Vice Chair, Organizational Development Patrick Blanchard LA Methodist Children’s Home Vice Chair, Economic Development Doug Postel, LA Delta Community College
Board of Directors Neal Carter Community Trust Bank Cathi Cox-Boniol Lincoln Parish School Board Heath Hattaway Law Office of Rick Gallot Rodney Manning The Ensure Agency Donna Ott Hunt, Guillot & Associates Richard Raue Hi-Tech Computers Sharon Shrell First National Bank
Erica Wheelis Centric Federal Credit Union Ex-Officio Board Members Les Guice La. Tech University Courtney Hall Lincoln Parish Police Jury Kristi Lumpkin City of Ruston Gregg Phillips Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitor’s Bureau John Rosenthall GSU Ranaee Thomas-Walley Ruston/Lincoln Crime Stopper
Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Staff
Judy Copeland, President Ivana Flowers, Communications & Special Events Melissa Carpenter, Office Manager
Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff
Travis Napper, Executive Director Amanda Quimby, Marketing Director
Deana Sherrill, Administrative Assistant
Deadline for submitting newsletter information is the 15th of the month.
Business Spotlight
Lincoln Achieve When Danny Bell became superintendent of Lincoln Parish schools, he had one goal at heart-strengthen our public schools while accelerating student academics at all grade and ability levels. Research has shown that the most successful schools not only have solid community support, but active interest and participation from its members. Therefore his vision included the implementation of one critically important component—effective community partnerships. Toward this effort, Lincoln ACHIEVE was launched. And from its beginning in August of 2006, this new initiative has worked to promote “Accelerating Children Higher In Educational Values Everywhere.” Coordinated within the parish’s twelve public schools, ACHIEVE provides a mechanism for strategies and resources to be customized in order to meet the unique needs of a school’s student body.
Within its areas of focus are the district’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) emphasis, enhanced fine arts opportunities, authentic and applied learning experiences through job shadowing and internships, expanded literacy efforts, and community service projects, as well as
comprehensive community and public relations initiatives that includes student, teacher, and community partner awards and recognitions. ACHIEVE recognizes that in order to make a successful, sustainable school and school system, ALL participants must bring
CHAMBER CONNECTION
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their gifts to the table. Through ACHIEVE, the Lincoln Parish District welcomes its community to the table as it strives to provide “A Quality Education for a Quality Life.” For more information contact Cathi Cox-Boniol, Achieve Coordinator at ccox@lincolnschools.org
Robert E. Russ Award Nominations being sought The Robert E. Russ Award is one of the most prestigious civic honors that can be obtained by a citizen of Lincoln Parish. This award, first given in 1984, is designed to recognize those who have contributed to the civic, business or cultural advancement or development of this region in an outstanding manner during the preceding year. The following guidelines are strictly adhered to in selection for the award: 1 The nominee must have been a citizen of Lincoln Parish since Jan. 1, 2013; 2 An individual can be nominated in multiple and successive years, but can only be honored by the award one time. 3 It is not required that the Russ Award be given every year. 4 It is the selection committee’s responsibility to critique and consider nominations and select a recipient based on the nominee’s personal contributions toward the civic, business or cultural advancement or development of this region in an outstanding manner during the preceding year. The nomination form can be downloaded from www. rustonlincoln.org or can be picked up at the Chamber office, 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
Ribbon Cuttings
Announcements
December Business After Hours
Erin’s Attic Thanks to all who joined us at the ribbon cutting celebration for our new chamber member Erin's Attic. Owner Erin Foster started the boutique and it is managed by her sister Michelle Miller. She has 3 amazing young stylists to help customers with all of their shopping needs: Allie Brown, Sarah Beth Slack, and Brooke Fraiser. Erin's Attic even has a Fleur De Vie line in their store with Dianne Reed, Erin's mother, as their in-store beauty consultant.
Please join us for Business After Hours at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott on December 9, 5-7 p.m. 1707 Roberta Ave., Ruston
Erin’s Attic 1102 Cooktown Rd., Ste. A Ruston (318) 548-4798 Find them on Facebook
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McCarter Financial Group, LLC
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JPS Realty A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the grand opening of JPS Realty. Tami Alexander, broker and owner was proud to have her parents, John & Connie Lockwood in attendance, visiting from Ohio. Stop by to meet Tami and her agents, Kim Brasher, Turner Brasher, Briley Cotton, and Aimee Rambin.
JPS Realty LLC 2314 Commons CT, Suite 6 Ruston (318) 224-8998 www.jpsrealtyllc.com Find them on Facebook
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The Chamber Connection (023/623) is published monthly for $12 a year by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270. Application to mail at Periodicals postage rates paid at Ruston, LA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Chamber Connection, 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270-4420. All contents copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Printed by Ruston Newspapers, Inc.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
Tech Support
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By Matt Orr, Systems Analyst at Hi-Tech Computers in Ruston
PCI DSS COMPLIANCE If your business accepts credit cards you have one major question that needs to be answered. Are you PCI DSS Compliant? If you aren’t sure of what this is, then there is a very good chance you are getting hit with a higher percentage charge on your credit card transactions because of noncompliance. Who does this apply to? Any business that accepts credit card payments. What happens if I am not compliant? The purpose of being compliant with PCI security standards is to help protect sensitive cardholder data from thieves. If your business isn’t PCI compliant, you are putting your business at greater risk from the growing threat of payment card data breaches and theft, which would result in major penalties (such as fines from banks, regulatory agencies, and card organizations), fraud and charge backs, as well as legal costs and lost customers. In addition to this, if you fail to become PCI DSS compliant or to report your PCI DSS-compliant status via a third-party vendor to your merchant services provider, you may also be charged a monthly fee until you do so. If your business experiences a data security breach, you could even lose your ability to process credit card payments. More importantly, you risk the loss of customers. Research shows that 43% of customers who have been victims of fraud stop doing business with the merchant where the fraud occurred.
What it means to your business
This is a direct statement from MasterCard: MasterCard non-compliance Fines: Level 1 & 2 Merchants First Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $25,000 Second Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $50,000 Third Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $100,000 Fourth Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $200,000 Level 3 Merchants First Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $10,000 Second Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $20,000 Third Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $40,000 Fourth Violation – Assessment Amount: Up to $80,000 This is a direct statement from VISA: Visa expects their merchants to demonstrate that they are actively engaged in the PCI DSS program to become compliant. If they are not compliant the penalty is: Level 1 Merchants $25,000/ MONTHLY, Level 2 Merchants $5,000/ MONTHLY.
category your business is in. What is PCI DSS Compliance? If you aren’t sure of what this is, then you are getting hit with a higher percentage charge on your credit card transactions because of non-compliance. PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. Your credit card processor will be able to provide you with a PCI product/service that will let you fill out a PCI questionnaire that is called a SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire). The SAQ is several pages long that asks simple questions about your type of business all the way to more complicated questions about your network setup, data storage, physical and logical data security, in house policies along with the audit procedures currently in place as well as tracking, training and awareness. This process also includes a tool to scan your network and IP address to verify that everything is correct at your place of business and to verify that the answers given during the SAQ are legally accurate. If you have questions about how PCI Compliance relates to your business please give Hi-Tech Computers a call at 318-255-1110 ext. 113 and we will be glad to help with any questions you might have. Public Tag Agent We Title’em
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What initially sparked your interest in working in your field? After working in home health for 5 1/2 years, I decided to make the switch to hospice. I've found that there are many misconceptions regarding hospice and the services that it can provide. With my role at Hospice of Caring Hearts, I can now educate families and our community about the benefits hospice can provide to a loved one and his/her family facing a terminal illness. God gave me a passion for helping others and I believe He put me in this career for that very reason.
Kristi Hardaway Community Education Representative Hospice of Caring Hearts (318)278-0874 khardaway.ch@gmail.com
How has membership in the RustonLincoln Chamber of Commerce been of value to you and your professional development? Being a member of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce as well as an Ambassador has allowed me to give back to a community I love. As a native of Ruston, I have grown to appreciate all that this city has to offer. As a member, Hospice of Caring Hearts can show the support that we have for Ruston as a local business. Being an Ambassador enables me to personally volunteer my time and help our local businesses feel like they are not just part of a city, but a family!
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
A Pause at the Podium By Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln Achieve Coordinator
Standing in the Gap for Glory Days I simply can’t hide my excitement when that’s the fact that we have entirely too many this time of year finally arrives. Anyone students entering kindergarten without the who knows me knows why—it’s time to skills needed for learning and success. officially break out the holiday tunes and Now before anybody wants to start enjoy them every waking minute of each pointing fingers, let’s get down to the nuts day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. and bolts. The bottom line is that the vast There’s nothing else on Earth like becoming majority of these young students—in fact, absolutely lost in the eclectic assortment of the percentages are staggering—are not holiday music that fills our home! ready for kindergarten based on their Of course there’s an phonemic awareness. In extensive collection of Elvis other words, their vocabulary holiday treasures. But development is non-existent. nestled among his signature That includes the words the arrangements will be stylings child understands when he/ from Johnny Mathis, Nat King she hears or reads them as Cole, Travis Tritt, Robert well as the words the child Goulet, Barbra Streisand, Aaron uses when he/she speaks. And Neville, Mariah Carey, Dwight both types of vocabulary begin Yoakam, Frank Sinatra, The developing during the first few Beach Boys, Andy Williams, years of life. Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Rod Let’s look at the critical Stewart, Dolly Parton . . . you development that is required get the picture. Our collection during the years leading up to is all over the place. kindergarten: by the time a Cathi Cox-Boniol However, within this widechild reaches school age and ranging world of Christmas heads to kindergarten, he/she music is one particular favorite should have between a 2,100 that probably takes the cake as the most and 2,200 vocabulary in order to be ready unusual. It’s the 1977 pairing of Bing to tackle the expected learning outcomes. Crosby with David Bowie on the duet “The Sadly, we have a large majority of children Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.” I who enter kindergarten with no more than remember watching the Bing Crosby 500 words in their toolkit. Yet even if they Christmas special that featured this surreal have managed up to 1,000 words within pairing and marveling at the magic produced their vocabulary, they are sorely behind. between the holiday traditionalist and a That means not having anywhere near the rocker once known as Ziggy Stardust. It necessary Common Core skills. was something else, showing that even the So what do we do? Somehow we must oddest combination can be wonderful. But collectively determine the course of action the greatest thing was the message delivered necessary to put our youngsters in contact through this unique and unexpected duo. with adults who can help stand in the gap. In For amidst the familiar strains of “Little order to encourage vocabulary development, Drummer Boy” came a tender yet poignant children must be read to and with. They message of peace, hope, and glory. need to hear oral language. This means Within the lyrics of “Peace on Earth,” adults need to be talking to the children you find sentiments like “years from now, daily, discussing the environment around perhaps we’ll see . . . the day of glory” and them, what took place during the day, who “every child must be made aware, every they played with at school or sat by on the child must be made to care” and more. It’s a bus—just talk to them. There must be an holiday message that I find resonating with across-the-board emphasis on the need me even more today. for vocabulary development because it As we continue to work toward excellence strongly relates to reading comprehension, and achievement within our public schools, intelligence, and general ability. If we we must address an underlying problem don’t get across this hurdle, the chances of that has the potential to derail any chance these children being on grade level by third we have at reaching our potential much less grade are slim to none. And we all know positioning Lincoln Parish as the premiere the statistics about students who aren’t on school system in the state of Louisiana. And grade level by then and fail—the state bases
the number of jail and prison cells that will be needed on this number because of the propensity of them to get farther behind and eventually dropout. We currently have almost 500 kindergarten students in our public schools. Yet we can only service about 240 through the Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center. That means there are a lot of children out there that are being served through other entities. Therefore we need everybody to get on the same page and commit to working together to help assure that these children are exposed to the necessary experiences that will allow them to reach their developmental potential. Otherwise, we are going to continue to dig ourselves into a hole we can never get out of. I’m grateful for the commitment of folks like the United Way of Northeast Louisiana and Goodwill Lunching who have become staunch advocates for and partners in literacy success within our school. Most recently, the Lincoln Parish Library has announced the “1000 Books by Kindergarten” initiative to help parents and guardians by providing tools and resources to help them succeed. But it’s going to take more than just these organizations. I am convinced it is going to take our community banding together through an expectation that every student WILL have appropriate vocabulary development and be ready to learn when they enter kindergarten. Is this just a Christmas wish? I hope not. Just like our Christmas “odd couple” partnered up to create some inspired magic, our community must be willing to step out of its comfort zone and go to the mats about this. It will mean going where we haven’t gone before and doing things differently than we have before. It may sound like a risk, but we must be willing to try. Whatever it takes, we need to commit to being adaptive and daring and maybe even a little crazy or risk this community being left behind. And we simply can’t afford to take that chance. It’s like the words Bing and Bowie sang together—“I pray my wish will come true, for my child and your child too. He’ll see the day of glory . . . men of good will.” If we’re to see the days of glory years from now, there must be an awareness of what every child needs to succeed. And that starts right now with each of us seeing where we can stand in the gap for these children. Imagine the excitement we’ll experience when those glory days are here.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
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Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau – By Travis Napper and Amanda Quimby
Christmas Activities for the Family Ruston-Lincoln Parish has some great events in store this holiday season that are sure to be big fun for the entire family. December 4-7, join Ruston Community Theatre for this delightful comedy about a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant and casting the most inventively awful kids. Throw in some mayhem and a few favorite Christmas carols and you’re in for a night of laughs! December 6, the Ruston Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will host Story Time with Santa at their
Member Anniversaries 15 Years Suddenlink Don M. McGehee, APAC Green Clinic Hampton Inn Holstead’s Inc. Lewis Boutique Lincoln Builders McIntyre & Associates Bank of Ruston SpeeDee Oil Change & Tune Up Walpole Tire Service John L. Ward, D.D.S. 10 Years Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC Heartland Payment Systems
office from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Dress the kids in their Christmas ornaments, decorations, and small gifts! favorite pajamas and bring them by to sit around Santa is a busy man this month, but he’ll be the fireplace and enjoy milk and making appearances at Railroad Park cookies while listening to a Christmas in Downtown Ruston December 6, 13 & story read by Santa. Don’t forget your 20. Bring the kids to visit and get their camera! picture taken with Old Saint Nick from December 6 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. the SciTEC Center in LA Tech's An evening we all look forward to is College of Education will present their the Ruston Christmas Parade. Thursday, Winter Wonderland and Workshop. December 11 everyone is invited to come Activities will include the grand out and celebrate a "Blue Christmas." The opening of the Funnery, an extension parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Joe Aillet of the Thingery operated by LA Tech’s Stadium at Louisiana Tech University, Enterprise Center. The Funnery will head out on Alabama Avenue and then serve an exciting educational resource travel to Downtown Ruston. Bundle up Amanda Quimby where the community can come and and bring the family out to welcome in use tools including 3D printers, etchers, waterbots, the holidays! laminators, eggbots and more. Gifts will be given For more information on these events and to the first 100 guests. Those who join us will also more, visit www.experienceruston.com or call have an opportunity to make unique handmade (318) 255-2031.
New Chamber Program: Young Entrepreneurs Academy The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking and exciting year long class that transforms middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs. Throughout the class, students develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch their plans to a panel of investors, and actually launch and run their own real, legal, fully formed companies and social movements. Complete with dynamic guest speakers from the local business community and exciting behind-the-scenes trips to local companies, the fun, projects-based YEA! approach empowers students to take charge of their futures in a profound way. Founded in 2004 at the University of Rochester with support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy today serves thousands of students in communities
5 years Rolling Hills Ministries, Inc. Louisiana HomeCare Ruston Gnemi Financial Strategies Ruston Tractor, Inc. Industrial Insulation Group, LLC MOEbiz Solutions Jim Taylor Collision Repair Village of Simsboro 1 Year Ponchatoulas Log Cabin Cowan Financial Group
Pam Jones, Program Manager
across America. In 2011, the United States Chamber of Commerce and Campaign for Free Enterprise became a national sponsor and partner of the Academy to help celebrate the spirit of enterprise among today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders. We are more than excited to revive the spirit of entrepreneurship in our young students of Lincoln Parish! Classes begin in the fall of 2015. Watch for more details at the beginning of the year. You can visit www.yeausa.org for more information as well.
• 3 Meeting Rooms • Free Breakfast Bar • Fre WiFi Internet Holiday Inn Express & Suites® Ruston 1825 Roberta Ave Ruston, LA 71270 318-513-9777 holidayInnexpress.com/
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
Business After Hours emerson centre
“Helping put the pieces back together...”
(318) 251-91003
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Business After Hours held at Lanrdy Vineyards There was lots of mixing and mingling with Ruston-Lincoln and West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce members at the November Business After Hours hosted by Landry Vineyards. Good food, great company, and lots of door prizes. Thanks to Jeff and Libby Landry for hosting and for the delicious red beans & rice. Twin City Hot Club was the musical entertainment. Landry Vineyards was established in 1999 by
Jeff, Libby and their four sons; Ethan, Kohen, Noah and Micah along with the loving labor of family and friends.
Landry Vineyards
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5699 New Nachitoches Rd. • West Monroe (318) 557-9050 www.landryvineyards.com Find them on Facebook
RUSTON
(OFF 1-20 BEHIND RAISING CANE’S)
(318) 254-5117 | OPEN 11AM
NEW MEMBERS
MIDNIGHT | 7 DAYS A WEEK
David T. Cole, CPA
921 North Trenton St., Ruston (318) 232-2422 www.cparuston.com •
Store your stuff at
Merle Norman Ruston 722 Celebrity Dr., Ruston (318) 232-6000
Serving Ruston over 30 years! Conveniently located near Tech Campus 821 W. California • (318) 255-8750
Southern Lace Boutique
2314 Commons Court, Ste. 1, Ruston (318) 255-5223 Find them on Facebook
www.ensureagency.com