brownwood chamber newsletter feb. 2015
DESCRIPTION
Monthly newsletter for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Brownwood, TXTRANSCRIPT
Brownwood Area
Chamber of Commerce
Monthly Newsletter—February 2015
BrownwoodChamber.org
Inside This Issue
Page 2
*Luncheon
*Chamber Banquet
Page 3
*Legislative Day Wrap
Page 4
*Renewing Members
*Upcoming Events
Page 5
*New Members
Page 6
*Ribbon Cutting
*Conaway Town Hall
*Business After Hours
Page 7
*Bridal Fair “Thank You”
Page 8
*Brownwood Store
Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit Continues
Landscape photography, Micro Mosa-
ics, Drawing with Munster and Mixed
Media are just a few of the demon-
strations happening at the Stars of
Texas exhibit. The exhibit runs
through February 20th with daily
demonstrations from 9 am– 3:00 pm
and features several local artists. This
years $1,000 Dorothy Mays Best of
Show Award was given to Jana Herndon, pictured left, for her piece “Lazy
Fall Afternoon.” The Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit was conceived in 1999
to showcase the newly restored Santa Fe Depot. The exhibit is featured
every February at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center.
Pieces by local artists
entered but not accept-
ed into the Stars of Tex-
as are on display in the
Brownwood Art Associ-
ation’s Salon des Refus-
es, pictured right, and
can be seen Monday-
Friday from 10am to
5pm, Saturday from
10am-4pm and Sunday
1pm-4pm in the Art Center at 215 Fisk Street. The Salon des Refuses is
French for “exhibition of rejects.” This famous tradition originally began
with French Emperor Napoleon III in 1863 after a public outcry from artists
when works of art were not accepted into The Paris Salon.
Chamber Luncheon to feature Wayne Huddleston February 20th Sponsored by Edward Jones
The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon will be Friday, February 20th at
the Brownwood Country Club from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. The luncheon, which is open to members
and guests, will feature Wayne Huddleston from the Small Business Administration and will also
include door prizes, introduction of new members and the “Aces Wild” Cash Drawing sponsored
by Ranger College —which features a guaranteed winner each month.
Wayne Huddleston is an Economic Development Specialist and the Veteran’s Business Develop-
ment Officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Dallas/Fort Worth District Office. In this
role, Huddleston is responsible for collaborating with an extensive network of public and private
sector partners to further SBA’s mission of helping businesses start, grow and succeed in North
Texas.
The SBA District Office covers 72 counties in North Texas and serves approximately 860,000 small
businesses. During fiscal year 2014, the DFW district office approved 1,675 loans for a total dollar value of $881 million.
Huddleston is also a U.S. Army veteran, last serving as a Sergeant in the 345th Psychological Operations Company (Airborne) in Dal-
las.
The cost for the luncheon is $12 per person and can be paid at the door. Register by calling the Brownwood Area Chamber of Com-
merce at 325-646-9535 or go online at BrownwoodChamber.org.
This luncheon is sponsored by Edward Jones.
Door Prizes Provided by Baird Brothers Express Car Wash, Cooks Fish Barn, Elliott Electric Supply Company , and IntegraCare Home
Health
The 2015 Annual Chamber Banquet Set for April 9th Community Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce will host their 2015 Annu-al Chamber Banquet on April 9, 2015. The celebration will be held in the Brownwood Coliseum with the reception at 6:00 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM and the awards presentation slated to begin about 7:00 PM.
Community Service Awards will be presented during the banquet includ-ing Good Neighbors, Community Partner, Business of the Year, Man and Woman of the Year and the Groner Pitts “Lifetime of Service” Award.
Nominations are currently being taken for these awards. Forms are available at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce office and are due March 2.
The sponsors of the 2015 Annual Banquet will be sold through the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign and will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about sponsoring the banquet or corporate re-served VIP tables, see a Team Member of the Total Resource Campaign or call the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535.
Brownwood Legislative Day 2015 A Great Success
Brownwood showed up in full force at the Capitol as 40 locals climbed on the bus and made the trip to Austin on February 3rd.
The delegation met with officials and was recognized on the House Floor. At the conclusion of the day, House Speaker Joe Straus
was inducted into the “Brownwood Mafia.” Presiding at the induction ceremony was Brownwood business owner Robert Porter.
He described the “Brownwood Mafia” as a loosely organized group whose single-minded interest is promoting Brownwood, and
whose ranks include former presidents, governors, Congressmen and U.S. Senators. Pictured above from left to right: Robert Por-
ter, Dr. Steve Kelly, House Speaker Joe Straus and Brad Locker.
Sponsors for the 2015 Brownwood Legislative Day included: Presenting Sponsor: Texas Bank; Legislative Partners: Brownwood
Regional Medical Center, Texas State Optical, and Brown County Abstract Company; and VIP Reception Sponsor: Brownwood
Economic Development Corporation.
Brownwood Chamber Kicks Off 2015 Total Resource Campaign
The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off their fifth an-
nual Total Resource Campaign (TRC) on January 27, 2015.
The TRC is designed to give Chamber members numerous opportuni-
ties to become more involved with the Chamber on various levels
through greater public awareness of Chamber programs, projects and
events. In addition, the TRC makes it easier for businesses to budget
for the coming year and helps improve the efficiency of Chamber-
sponsored events.
The Total Resource Campaign reviews and evaluates current Chamber
programs and develops a menu of sponsorship opportunities tailored
to fit any budget, big or small. Over a six-week period, beginning Janu-
ary 27th, 6 local volunteers will work with Chamber members to design
an ideal sponsorship plan for the entire year. The TRC is designed to be
fun and exciting for team members with rewards available throughout
the campaign. The theme for this year's campaign is "2015 Total Resource Campaign....The SMART Choice!"
For more information about the campaign or sponsorship opportunities, contact Missi Malone, Director of Member Services by calling 325-646-
9535 or email [email protected].
Pictured are this year's TRC Volunteers and staff during their kick-off party Tuesday at Early Game & Skate. From left to right, Adam Lancaster,
TexasBank; Missi Malone, Brownwood Chamber; Kim Peterson, Heartland Mall; Don Bostic, Ranger College; Sheri Wells, Coldwell Banker; Daniel
FEBRUARY
19 Town Hall with Congressman Mike Conaway—Brownwood Cham-ber of Commerce
19 Business After Hours at Docs Brownwood
20 Chamber Monthly Luncheon Brownwood Country Club
24 Physicians Welcome Reception - Depot Civic and Cultural Center
25 Soul Food Luncheon—Bennie Houston Recreation Center
28 Daddy Daughter Dance at the Depot
MARCH
4-7 NJCAA Region V Basketball Tournament Brownwood Coliseum
5 BCCA presents Craig Toungate Victory Life Auditorium
5 Everyone Deserves a Birth-day Coggin Connection Center
14 Heart Association Gala Brownwood Country Club
20 Chamber Monthly Luncheon
Brownwood Country Club
20 Canines, Cats, & Cabernet Depot Civic & Cultural Center
Art Classes every Tuesday evening at The Brownwood Art Center
Farmer’s Market Every Saturday be-hind the courthouse square on Fisk
Ave.
First Saturday of Every Month is Fami-
ly Day Lehnis Railroad Museum
Upcoming
Events
Angerstein Concrete
Arts Council of Brownwood
Bangs Flower and Gift Shop
BCAC TJJD
Black Plumbing
Bostick’s Auto
Brasher & Co.
Brown County Animal Clinic
Brownwood Glass and Mirror
Brownwood Municipal Police Association
Buffalo Wild Wings
Choice Hire Staffing
Circle B Ranch
CT Ham Insurance
Dairy Queen
Davis Floral
Davis-Morris Funeral Home
Doc’s Drugstore
Gentiva Hospice
Harlow RV
Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers
Heartland Mall
Hi Way Auto Parts
Hope for Tomorrow
Humphrey Pete’s
IntegraCare Home Health
Jerry Dehay
Julie Gribble Town and Country Real Estate
Legacy IT
Mi Familia
Mid-Tex Cellular
Nesa Morelock, Realtor
Ranger College
Skillet’s
Songbird Lodge
Southwest Appliance
Stephen Kelly
Taylors Mini Mall
The Chatfield Assisted Living
This Ol’ House
Wal-Mart
Wildwood Trails
Young’s Jewelers
A Special THANK YOU to the following businesses that renewed their Member-ship in the month of January. We greatly appreciate your continued support of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce
and the Brownwood Community
WELCOME NEW
CHAMBER MEMBERS!
Experience Works, Inc. – Experience Works is a national nonprofit organization providing training, community ser-
vice, and employment opportunities for older workers in 30 states and Puerto Rico. Experience Works' programs im-
prove the lives of low-income older workers. They began in 1965 as Green Thumb, a rural demonstration project that
provided work for poor farmers, and have grown to become a leader in helping older adults develop skills to secure em-
ployment and break out of poverty. For more information on their programs can benefit you or your organization visit
their website, www.experienceworks.org, or call Klaus Szabo at (325) 641-1319.
Sparkles and Spurs Wedding Venue – Take a drive down a quiet country road to visit Sparkles and Spurs where all
your vintage and rustic wedding dreams come true. From the antique wedding arbor, and perfectly whitewashed pews
complete with burlap bows, to the chandelier lit barnwood dance floor. DIY and bring your own food and décor, or en-
list experienced wedding coordinator Karen and she will handle it for you. For more information contact Karen Fisher
at (325) 642-5572.
Racks N Rustics – As the newest boutique in town, Racks N Rustics offers mixed traditional western wear with a mod-
ern flare for men and women. They carry brands such as Silver Jeans, Dusty Rocker, Giddy Up Glamour, Crazy Train,
Wrangler, Rock 47, and more. Stop by today and shop for your favourite guy or gal, 1507 Austin Avenue, or call Dan-
ielle or Nikki for more information at (325) 643-1540.
River Crest Hospital - River Crest is a modern 80-bed hospital, specializing in the treatment of behavioral health and
chemical dependency disorders that can afflict persons of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and the elder-
ly. Services include evaluation, crisis stabilization, treatment, education, prevention, and aftercare. For more infor-
mation visit www.rivercresthospital.com or call Shawna at (325) 949-5722.
Ribbon Cuttings
RIBBON CUTTING FOR RACKS N RUSTICS The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, February 5th for Racks N Rustics, one of the new-est chamber members
The new store offers mixed traditional western wear with a modern flare for men and women. They will carry brands such as Sil-ver Jeans, Dusty Rocker, Giddy Up Glamour, Crazy Train, Wrangler, Rock 47, and more.
The store is located at 1507 Austin Avenue in Brownwood. For more info, call Racks N Rustics at (325) 643-1540.
Pictured is Racks N Rustics owners and staff cutting the ribbon with Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.to
have another unique no shortage of great shopping right here in Brownwood and we are thrilled to have an-
other unique boutique in the area! The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting, welcoming its
Congressman Mike Con-
way To Hold Town Hall
Meeting in Brownwood
February 19th
U.S. Representative K. Mi-
chael Conaway (R-Texas) will
hold a town hall meeting in
the Board Room at the Brown-
wood Area Chamber of Com-
merce, in Brownwood, Texas,
from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on
Thursday, February 19, 2015.
The town hall is open to members of the media and the public.
For more information or questions, please call (325) 646-
1950.
February Business After
Hours
Hosted by Doc’s Drugstore
of Brownwood!
Join us on Thursday, February 19th
at Doc’s Drugstore of Brownwood,
3800 Hwy 377 S , from 4:00 PM to
6:00 PM. Enjoy delicious refresh-
ments and great shopping!
Chip Camp —President
BRMC
Tim Espinoza—President-Elect
TexasBank
Kim Peterson
Heartland Mall
Jill Evans
Family Services Center
James Simmons
Loadcraft
Priscilla Monson
West Central Texas Valuation Services
Daniel Hutson
Council Finance
Marisha Stidom
Superior Essex
David Robnett
Robnett Insurance
Paul Underwood
Underwoods Cafeteria
Donna Wilhelm
Auto Glass Magic
Jodie Armstrong
Care Nursing and Rehab
Kim Bruton
Runaway Train Cafe
Brownwood Area Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors
2014-2015
Chamber Staff
—————————————————————
Ray Tipton—Executive Director
Sunni Modawell—Tourism Director
Missi Malone—Membership Director
Martha Faetche—Visitor Center & Brownwood
Store Manager
Dawn Norway—Office Manager
Brandi Lancaster—Events Coordinator
The Brownwood Store
Call Martha at the Brownwood Store at
325-646-9535 for more info or visit us in-
side the Brownwood Area Chamber of
Commerce (600 E. Depot St. )