The monthly membership meeting for the Chamber of Commerce is this Wednesday, April 14th. Doors open at 11:30 AM at Kristenwood. If you plan to eat lunch, the cost is $10 per person. The actual meeting starts at noon. It is a networking meeting, so come prepared to mingle and meet new people.

Taxes are due this Thursday, April 15th. If you are mailing your tax forms, they must be postmarked by Wednesday, Apri 14th.

Remember to come to Magnolia Square this weekend for Cooking in Central. The crawfish boil begins at 5 PM Friday, and Saturday's activities begin at 10 AM.

Ochsner Announces the Grand Opening of "The Family Birthing Center" ribbon cutting ceremony being held on Saturday, April 10th at 10AM at 17000 Medical Center Drive, Baton Rouge. All Chamber members are invited! 

Mark your calendars for the following dates:

Apr 6
Cooking in Central Meeting 12noon @ Elegant Memories
 
Apr 10
Grand Opening at Ochsner
 
Apr 12
School Board Meeting 6PM @ Kristenwood
 
Apr 13
City Council 6PM @ Kristenwood
 
Apr 14
Chamber Membership Meeting 11:30AM @ Kristenwood
 
Apr 16&17
Cooking in Central @ Magnolia Square

Cookin' in Central is still in need of donations and volunteers. You can find details under the Community section on CentralSpeak.com. You are welcome to contact the Chamber at 261-5818 if you find a way you can help.

The Central Chamber ofCommerce is excited to announce that they are now in the process of putting together an Ambassadors Council. The CCCC Ambassadors Council is a select committee of volunteer professionals who support the development and growth of the Chamber by enhancing public relations and communication endeavors, retaining membership, attracting new membership, and serving as business liaisons to members of the City of Central Chamber of Commerce.  If you are interested in applying to be apart of this group please contact the Chamber office at 261-5818.  Additional information is as follows:.
 
Qualifications
· Ambassadors must have been a member of the City of Central Chamber of Commerce for the last twelve months.
· Ambassadors should be self-motivated and openly enthusiastic about his/her involvement with the Chamber and its activities.
·  Ambassadors should have the ability to devote time and expertise to the growth, development and retention of the membership of the City of Central Chamber of Commerce.
· Ambassadors should be knowledgeable about the Chamber services, programs, and activities.
 
Policies and Responsibilities
· Ambassadors Council will consist of approximately 10 people who have passed the interview process and meet the qualifications.
· Ambassadors will attend an orientation and receive updated training during regular required Ambassadors Council monthly meetings.  9 out of 12 meetings must be attended to remain active as an Ambassador.
· The term of service is for one year.

For members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Directory is out, featuring member businesses.

The Chamber is currently working hard on an updated website, which should be ready to go by May. We will let you know when it is up and running. This should provide an eaier way for members to stay updated and for the general public to learn more about the Chamber of Commerce.

Whatever candidates you choose, make your opinion count and VOTE THIS SATURDAY.

The Chamber would like to thank everyone who helped make last week’s Mayoral Forum a success. The VIDEO from the Mayoral Forum is now available.

The Chamber co-sponsored another candidate forum with the CCA on Tuesday night. You can find the video HERE.

The Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Council is now being put in place. Contact the Chamber office if you would like more information.

The Chamber would like to remind everyone participating in the Census to mark City of Central as your city.

The CHamber of Commerce monthly membership meeting is this Wednesday, March 10. Doors open at 11:30 AM at Kristenwood for the meeting. If you plan to eat lunch there, the cost is $10. This is a special meeting, as the candidates running in this month’s election have been invited to come and introduce themselves during the meeting.

Melissa Guilbeau of Central Florist has been asked to help with the Teacher of the Year recognition for CCSS schools. Next week, there will be one teacher chosen from Central High, one from Central Middle, and one from the elementary schools to be recognized as Teacher of the Year. These teachers will be honored at the March 22 School Board meeting. If you would like to volunteer something from your business to help honor these teachers, please call Melissa at 261-6482. You can also contact the Chamber of Commerce office about it.

Reminder- there is a Cooking in Central meeting today (Tuesday) at noon at Elegant Memories. If you would like to help or learn more, feel free to come.

The monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting for March will take place on Wednesday, March 10. Candidates running for various positns in this month’s election are being contacted and invited to come speak at this meeting to introduce themselves.

Posters from the 2010 Krewe de Centrale Mardi Gras Ball are on sale for $15 each. Contact the Chamber of Commerce office if you are interested.

The Capital City Caper is a community fundraising event benefiting Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baton Rouge.  Boys Hope Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children-in- need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college. Sponsorships and teams are being sought for the Capital City Caper to be held on March 14th. Contact the Boys Hope Girls Hope office at 225-346-5095 or email emalone@bhgh.org to find out how you can be part of the fun.

Census 2010 starts in March.  While we may not all agree on political view points, the census is one event we hopefully can rally around. This census is vitally important to all the residents of Central.  We must be counted, as Central residents, so that the many benefits that could be ours become ours.  When your form comes your way, take a few moments and fill it out.  Make sure to mark your place of residence as “The City of Central!”

For Chamber members, mail outs will begin next month. In March the Chamber is going to do their first mail out.  The Central Chamber is constantly trying to develop ways to help you promote your business in an economical way.  For $25 your add, coupon. or both will be mailed out to about 300 residents of Central.  You may even have an event you would like to announce.  Your add will be on a 4″X5″ sheet and can be one or two sided. Simply get your design to the Chamber and they will take care of the rest. This will be done on a first come -first pay basis.  Spaces are limited, this first time, to 30 businesses that are current Chamber Members.  As time goes on we plan to expand to more businesses and a larger number of mail outs. Contact the Chamber office for more information.

The Chamber is developing new ways for people to get more involved. Next month, they will kick off their Ambassador Council plans. This council will be made up of people who want to help encourage Chamber membership and attract new members.

Some upcoming dates to remember:

FEB 23
City Council Meeting @ Kristenwood 6PM
 
FEB 25
Families in Transition Meeting @ Blackwater United Methodist 10AM
For information contact: Dr Janet Stevens 261-1919
 
Board of Adjustments Meeting @ Kristenwood 5:30PM
 
Planning and Zoning Meeting @ Kristenwood 6PM
 
FEB 27
7th Annual Sportsman’s Banquet @ Greenwell Springs Baptist
Saturday, February 27, 2010
5:30 PM in the Gym (Dinner) 7:00 PM in Sanctuary (Speaker)
Guest Speaker: Ted Dibiase
There is no cost to attend this event.
      For More Information Contact: Greenwell Springs Baptist Church
                                                19421 Greenwell Springs Road
                                                Ph. 225-261-2246
 
MAR 16
Candidate Forum @ Central High School Theater
Sponsored by the Central Community Alliance and 
the City of Central Chamber of Commerce
Doors open at 6:30PM and Forum starts at 7PM
Due to number of candidates (14) time will not allow live
questions
from the audience.  Please submit your questions
prior to MAR 14 to:
P.O. Box 78310 City of Central, LA 70837
or email
Centralcommunityalliance@gmail.com

The Central Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with the Central Community Alliance to sponsor the candidate forum for the candidates participating in the March 27 election. The forum will happen on March 16 at 7 PM in the Central High School gym. Come out to learn more about the candidates so you can make an educated decision on March 27.

 The Chamber would like to remind you about the following upcoming meetings:

Today (Tuesday): Central Area Pastors Association (CAPA) meeting- 11:30 AM at Cornerstone Fellowship on Blackwater Road

Central Community Alliance (CCA) PUBLIC FORUM at 7 PM in the DEMCO meeting room

Monday, February 22: School Board meeting at 6 PM @ Kristenwood

Tuesday, February 23: City Council meeting at 6 PM @ Kristenwood

The 4th Annual Krewe de Centrale Mardi Gras Ball was this past weekend, and it was a great success. The Chember of Commerce woul;d like to thank all of those who attended and those businesses that sponsored the event, as well as the Mardi Gras Committee who worked hard to make the event fun and memorable.

Sunday is Valentine’s Day. That means lots of shopping for flowers, candy, and other gifts. Remember that Central is home to many businesses, from florists to unique gift shops, who sell these items. Keep shopping in Central and give our local economy a boost.

Remember that the monthly Chamber Membership Meeting is tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon at Kristenwood. Doors open at 11:30. Lunch will be served at a cost of $10 per person. Other meetings of interest this week are the Cooking in Central meeting (today at noon at Elegant Memories) and the City Council meeting (tonight at 6 PM at Kristenwood).