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October 6, 2011
CHAMBER NEWS
Meet Us at Wings U
Wings U in Midtown Village will host our next mixer on Tues, Oct 11 from 5-7pm. Come for great networking, coal oven cooked pizza and wings! Bring a friend. Prospective members are welcome.
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New Zoning Regulations Set
 The Chamber and The City of Tuscaloosa are hosting an Open House and Public Review with Code Studio, the consulting firm employed by the City to assist in the development of the commercial and mixed use zoning districts, regulations, and building standards for storm recovery zones. The meeting will be held at Bryant Conference Center on Monday, October 17, from 5-7pm+. Open House portion begins at 5pm (one-on-one discussions regarding specific site plans), consultants will present at 6pm, and a question and answer session begins at 7pm. Businesses and other interested citizens are encouraged to attend and bring written plans, architects, etc. Commercial and mixed use zoning districts will be discussed (residential discussion will happen at future meeting, to be set soon). For more information, call the Chamber at 758-7588 or the City of Tuscaloosa at 311.
2011 Civic Hall of Fame Honorees to be Inducted Oct 20
Each year, we honor “civic giants” that have made an impact on the quality, livability and economic progress of our community. The Civic Hall of Fame was born during The Chamber’s 100th anniversary year in 2000 and is designed to honor exceptional citizens who have made significant, long-term contributions to the overall development of Tuscaloosa County. Since its inception, 69 citizens have been inducted as members. Organizations, businesses and individual citizens submitted nominations for the 2011 class. These were reviewed by a committee and honorees were selected. 2011 Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame Honorees are: Willie “Dino” Fort, PF 'Fred' Hahn, James I Harrison III, Thomas (Tom) Joiner, and Rev. Ray Pradat. They will be inducted in downtown Tuscaloosa’s Government Plaza on Oct 20 at 3:30pm, at which time the newly-constructed Civic Hall of Fame monument will be dedicated.
Meet Our 2011 Northport Citizen Award Winners
Since 1976, citizens of Northport have come together to honor individuals that have gone the extra mile to build a quality, growing community. The 2011 Northport Citizen of the Year was named at a dinner banquet at Five Points Baptist Church on October 4. Also, five other awards were given. The program was coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. Nominations were accepted from the community.
Seated: Dan Morrison, Citizen of the Year. Left to right: Billy Gray, Religious Leader of the Year; Debbie Crawford, Educator of the Year; Heath Smitherman, Public Safety Leader of the Year; Myra Nodine, Business Leader of the Year; Lewis Fitts, Historian/Pioneer of the Year.
Half Day Training Series: Social Media Marketing Made Simple
Workshop will be presented by Donna Gilliland of MOSTraining on Oct 20, from 1-4pm at the Chamber. Cost is $75/participant. This info-packed seminar will review the essential strategies and best practices to successfully get started with social media marketing. We will cover: What social media marketing really is and why it’s important; Various social media networks and tools: how they interact, ways to leverage their strengths, and how to evaluate them for best use for your business or organization; How other businesses are using these low-cost tools to gain visibility, develop relationships, and drive sales and engagement; How to incorporate it into your business life without losing productivity. Call 391.0554 or email tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com to register or get more info.
Technology Breakfast Series: Facebook (2 Classes Left)
Facebook is approaching 700 million users and your customer base is among them! Get started learning how to create and market your Facebook Business page. All classes are from 7:30—9:30am at Northport Civic Center. Cost is $20/participant for each class (includes Continental breakfast). Trainer is Donna Gilliland of MOSTraining. Call 391.0554 or email tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com to register or get more info.
Design & Marketing is Oct 20. Covers: Using the 5 Photos Area as Call to Action; Designer Options; Landing Page; Sign-up Page; Getting First 25 Fans (can’t custom URL without them); Securing a Vanity URL; Posting Content Marketing Strategies; Posting Frequency; Handling Negative Posts; And more.
Installing and Leveraging Facebook Applications is Nov 17. Covers: Events, Notes, Reviews, Broadcast Applications; And more.
Lunch Training Series: Exceptional Customer Service …
Bring Out the Best in Your Employees
Workshop will be presented by Tim Lewis of TALA Professionals on Oct 26 from 11am—1pm at Country Club of Tuscaloosa. Cost is $30/participant, which includes a great Southern lunch. In this day and age, the company that wins and keeps a customer is the one that will succeed. Customers have more options than ever before and feel no loyalty. They want products and services quickly and inexpensively from whoever will provide them. This seminar is designed for anyone who has contact with the public. The competitive edge lies in your customer service ability. This seminar will cover: Understanding & Delivering What the Customer Wants, Developing a Customer Friendly Attitude, Making a Winning First Impression, Standing Out From the Competition, Defusing a Difficult & Demanding Customer, Managing Stress & Conflict. Call 391.0554 or email tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com to register or get more info.
Grants for Nonprofits Available;
 Applications Processed Monthly
Local non-profit organizations certified with (501 C) (3) status that are involved with long-term recovery from the April tornadoes are eligible to apply for money from the Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund. The Grant Application and Qualifications Attachment are available at www.givetuscaloosa.com. Applications are due on the 10th of each month to be considered for funding during that month. Each group applying must have a board of directors, be subject to an annual financial audit, and commit to use the funds allocated to provide direct aid or basic human services as part of the countywide recovery efforts. For more info, call 758.7588.
MEMBERS IN MOTION
Tradition Rolls On for UA Homecoming
UA welcomes students, parents, alumni and visitors to campus during Homecoming this week. This year’s theme is “The Tradition Rolls On.” Highlight be the UA football game against Vanderbilt on Sat. This year, a group of first responders will serve as Homecoming Parade grand marshals in honor of their service following the devastating tornado that hit here in April. Homecoming details can be found here.
Moundville Native American Festival On Now
The 2011 Moundville Native American Festival is being held through Sat, Oct 8 at UA's Moundville Archaeological Park. Enjoy storytelling and a variety of arts and craft demonstrations, living history enactments and musical performances. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 students; free for children ages 5 and younger. Group discounts with reservations are available. For more info, call 371.8732 or visit http://moundville.ua.edu.
UA Women's Basketball to Hold Kids' Clinic
The UA women's basketball team will be holding a Fall Kids' Clinic on Sun, Oct 9, from 2-3 p.m. CT in Foster Auditorium. Clinic is for 2nd-6th grade students and will teach children fundamental basketball skills. Registration will begin at 1pm, and admission is free. Following the clinic, an autograph session will take place. For more info, contact Martha King at 348.7077 or mking@ia.ua.edu. Camps and clinics are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.
Yellowhammer Inn Treats Small Business Owners
You're invited to The Yellowhammer Inn & Conference Center on Oct 12 from 6 to 9pm for an event called Keep it Local, a private gathering in recognition and appreciation of small business owners as they recover from the tornado. Join them on the back deck for an evening filled with live music, art, and local business fellowship. Hors d’ oeuvres and Cash Bar will be offered. Space is limited; please RSVP to Katherine Anderson at 343.4530 or kanderson@yellowhammerinn.com.
Theatre Tuscaloosa Holds Costume Sale
Theatre Tuscaloosa will be selling a large portion of its extensive costume inventory to raise money and create space for new costumes. The sale will take place Oct 12-15 in Theatre Tuscaloosa’s costume shop (rm 2925 at Shelton's Martin Campus). Costumes will be sold by the bag full, and each bag will cost just $5. This is a great opportunity to get an amazing Halloween costume at a great price! Sale hours will be as follows. Oct 12 & 13: Noon-7:30pm; Oct 14: 8am-5pm; Oct 15: 8am-5pm. For more info, call 391.2402.
Kentuck Festival is Oct 15 & 16
The Kentuck Festival, the annual arts event in Northport, will celebrate 40 years on Oct 15 & 16! An advance-purchase-only two-day pass is $15/person (available ar www.kentuck.org) and daily tickets are $10/day/person. No admission charge for children under 12. Festival hours are Oct 15: 9am-5pm and October 16: 9am-5pm. Limited parking is available at Kentuck Park and free continuous shuttles will run from downtown Northport from 8:45am to 6pm. Visit the website for details.
PARA Seeks Grand Marshal(s) for Christmas Parade
PARA's 35th annual Christmas parade is set for Mon, Dec 5 in downtown Tuscaloosa. The theme A Christmas of Hope is relative to the community rallying around each other and rebuilding after the April 27 tornado. Grand Marshall noms are due by Fri, Oct 14 and may be made by any individual or group.These are reviewed by a committee comprised of community representatives. Criteria for nominated persons: Significant community contributions; Lifetime achievements with a lasting community impact; Career Accomplishments. Parade entries are due by Mon, Nov 7. Fees are $25 per non-judged entry and $30 per judged entry. A late fee will apply after that. Lineup is limited to 200 total entries based on a first come, first served basis. For nomination and entry forms and more info, visit www.tcpara.org.
Heart Gallery at TPL
The Heart Gallery Alabama photo exhibit will run Oct 1-Oct 31 at the Tuscaloosa Public Library on Jack Warner Pkwy. This program promotes adoption for the 300+ children currently in Alabama's foster care system who are legally available for adoption and who are waiting for their forever family. Professional photographers help capture a child's unique personality and a social worker interviews the child to help him/her tell their story. Viewers may also visit www.heartgalleryalabama.comto see additional portraits, watch individual videos and listen to interviews. A reception and adoption info session will be held at the library on Oct 20 at 5pm.
Call 205.445.1293 for more info.
October Events at Bama Theatre
Check out all the Bama Theatre has to offer this month, including Acoustic Nights, Bryan Adams in concert, movies and a Laura Ingalls Wilder play. Get details at www.tuscarts.org.
Malibu Opens
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Sept 28 for Malibu Salon & Spa, located at 3817 McFarland Blvd,Ste D in Northport. Stop in and meet Lora Chung. Phone is 330.1800 and website is http://www.malibusalonandspa.com.
Provisions of Alabama
Taxpayer & Citizen Protection Act Blocked
Federal court issued an injunction on Sept 28 to block certain provisions of the Act; thus, provisions that were not blocked by that order went into effect on Sept 29. Click here for a summery, courtesy of Armstrong Law. This info may be updated later.
PLEASE REMEMBER…
Use Our Online Community Calendar
Please do check out all the features on our online calendar at www.tuscaloosachamber.com. See what’s going on in the area and utilize the upload feature to add your own listing.
Share Member News
All employees and associates of Chamber-member firms are members, too. So, please simply hit the forward button to share this issue with all team members in your business/organization. Thanks a lot!
If you'd like info about your events, programs or business news included in “Member News”, send details to us at The Chamber, PO Box 20410, Tuscaloosa, AL 35402 or FAX to 391.0565. Better yet, email them to robin@tuscaloosachamber.com.
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