Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/105086
6C Daily News – Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Commerce business&enterprise What is the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber? We have a mission statement, a vision statement but how does the Chamber play out in day to day life? We are a membership based organization here to promote business, tourism, organizations and events to strengthen our local economy. Practically speaking, have you been to a Red Bluff parade? That's the Chamber. How about one of the Wednesdays or Saturday Farmer's Market? That's the Chamber. We promote our 445 (and growing) members and our community through our website, Facebook, Friday eBLAST, newsletter and twitter. That's the Chamber. Have you seen the big scissors at a Ribbon Cutting celebration? That's the Chamber. We promote events large and small from the 11 Days of Round-Up to the Kelly Griggs Summer Ice Cream Social. Ribs, Rods and Rides, Murder Mystery, Monster Trucks, Beef and Brew, Art Walk; the list goes on and on… We are currently working on two new exciting projects; Our B.E.A.M. - Business Expo and Mixer to allow an avenue for businesses and organizations to promote themselves to the business community and the general public 5-7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Elks Lodge. The other new Chamber project is resurrecting the Cowboy Golf Tournament during Round-Up week. Stay tuned for more information on these and more events coming up! 12,000 plus vehicles see our Electronic Messaging Center in front of the office informing the public and tourists of great organizations and events, that's the Chamber. The blue "visitor information" signs from around the County and City lead visitors to us – we eat and breathe tourism on daily basis! We have maps, brochures and directions to promote great local establishments such as restaurants, shops, hotels/motels, organizations, events and various tourist stops in town and throughout the county. We supply inquiries with relocation packets and assist families and groups with information for their visits to our area. Have you seen a "Friday eBLAST" of current happenings or been to Good Morning, Red Bluff or to our newer networking event, Business After Hours? You've guessed it, it's the Chamber. We partner with the City, County, the Downtown Associa- tion, Branding, the Fairgrounds and so many more amazing groups to see further success in Red Bluff and Tehama County. We receive thousands of visits on our website from locals and visitors finding answers, suggestions and ideas for business, entertainment and organizations throughout our area. Please visit our website www.redbluchamber.com to see all our great members, tourism information the schedule of local events and visit us on Facebook for current activities. Thank you for your continued support! *** B.E.A.M. Update. Our Business Expo and Mixer scheduled for Feb. 21st is almost full! The response has been tremendous! Less than 10 spots left until cutoff for vendors for the event. A wide array of businesses and organizations have already reserved their tables. If you are interested, please visit our website to sign up on line, or call/email our office at 530-5276220 ext.301 or info@redbluffchamber.com. This event will be free to the public as well! Dave Gowan is the CEO of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at 527-6220 or by email at dave@redbluffchamber.com. Help your children avoid student debt burden It's not so easy being a college kid these days. The job market for recent graduates has been shaky while, at the same time, students are leaving school with more debt than ever before. If you have children who will someday be attending college, should you be worried? You might indeed have cause for concern. Americans now owe more on student loans than on credit cards, according to the Federal Bank of New York, the U.S. Department of Education and other sources. For the college class of 2011, the most recent year for which figures are available, the average student loan debt was about $26,500, according to the Institute for College Access and Success's Project on Student Debt. This type of debt load, coupled with the struggles to find a wellpaying job commensurate with their education, is causing many recent graduates to get off on the wrong foot in terms of developing savings and investment strategies that could help them throughout their lives. So, what can you do? If you want to help your kids pay for college, you may want to consider a 529 plan. When you invest in a 529 plan, all withdrawals will be free from federal income taxes, as long as the money is used for qualified college expenses. (However, non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to ordinary income tax plus a 10% penalty on the earnings portion.) Contribution limits are high, and, contributions may be eligible for a tax deduction or credit for residents in certain states. A 529 plan, while valuable, is not the only college savings vehicle available. You may also want to consider a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which, like a 529 plan, can generate tax-free earnings if the money is used for higher education expenses. However, a Coverdell account's contribution limits are much lower than those of a 529 plan. You could also establish a custodial account, known as an UGMA or UTMA, which offers some tax understanding how your benefits and no contri- goals interact, you can work to make sure you bution limits. inadvertently Nonetheless, while don't derail one when these vehicles saving for may help you another. save and invest Avoiding the for college, student loan they may also "debt trap" divert resources while still makthat you might ing progress have used for toward your other financial retirement savgoals — such ings will require as a comfortcreative thinkable retirement. ing — and both Of course, it's you and your not an "eitherSusie children may or" situation — have to make there's nothing some sacrifices stopping you along the way. from contributing to a 529 plan, But the ultimate goals — Coverdell account or a college degree that custodial account along isn't one big IOU and a with your 401(k) and comfortable retirement — are worth the effort. IRA. Clearly, though, it This article was writwill take discipline and perseverance on your ten by Edward Jones for part to save and invest use by your local for both your children's Edward Jones financial education and your own advisor. retirement. Like everySusie Mustaine is a a one else, you don't have unlimited resources. But financial advisor for you do have another ally Edward Jones, her — time. The earlier you office is at 2130 Main begin investing for edu- St., Ste. B, in Red Bluff can be cation and retirement, and she the greater your chances reached at 527-4729 or of achieving your goals susie.mustaine@edwar in these areas. And by djones.com. Mustaine Phil's named Business of the Year Installation Dinner – Congratulations to our Business of the Year Award winner, Phil's Towing, (also Phil's Automotive). For those of you who were not at the dinner here is a portion of what was said about our awardees: "This business owner does so many good deeds for individuals in the community, but does them so discreetly that not many people know about it. As an example, the Chamber received a letter a few months ago concerning this business and this is how it starts: "Dear Chamber, I am writing to "brag on one of Corning's businesses. If there is any kind of award or "good egg" award, I would like to nominate them for such an award." The letter goes on to explain how thankful they were to this business for going above and beyond what would be expected. The client describes what this business owner did for her and her husband and this is what she said at the end of the letter: "I have been singing the praises of Phil's Automotive all over town and thanking God for an answer to prayers… I just wanted to put in a good word for some really great people." For our Volunteer of the Year, Lisa Rodriguez, the nominator said of her, "This person is truly a quiet leader, not wanting to be in the forefront. She has the gift of bringing people together to make things happen without taking any of the credit. She is a great organizer and not only does she get people together for worthy causes, but works right along-side them. This person is not one to start something and then drop it, but follows through. She is a volunteer member of Corning Friends of the Library and is one of the founding members of Corning's Pay it Forward, a volunteer group committed to the improvement of Corning's downtown. But this person has also volunteered countless hours to other civic organizations that she's not even a member of, because she believes in their cause." A rare and unique award was given this year because the nominators wanted to do something special for Dot Emerson Linnet, who received the "Hometown Hero" award. It was said of Dot: "This person exemplifies the Spirit of Corning, in her giving, her many activities that bless others and giving back to the community what she can with what she has. Most of you have guessed by now who we are talking about - Dot Linnet. The lady with the vocabulary of quaint expressions like: "I'll be there, God willin, and the creek don't rise. Dot has, at times, introduced herself as the town character. She is our town character, our hometown hero and she has developed a lovely character." We want to thank Lin Lima for a wonderful dinner, Sonja Akers and Darrell Bofferding for the lovely decorations. Thank you to all the businesses who generously donated raffle prizes and thank you Gary Strack and the city of Corning for a very informative presentation of the State of the City to keep us up to date on what the city has accomplished and what is "in the works." • Business closing – It is with sadness that Peggy's Gift & Thrift announced that they will be closing their doors sometime in February due to health issues. They will be having a close-out sale beginning now with most items 50 percent off. Peggy's Gift & Thrift, 711 Fourth St., has new and used items and you are sure to find some good deals. • Student Art Contest – The Tehama County Arts Council, along with the Red Bluff Art Association are having a TCAC Student Art Contest which will be held in conjunction with their annual presentation by the Missoula Children's Theatre. This year's art contest theme is "Into the Woods." Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus honorable mention winners in each of four divisions, and the Best of Show receives $50. Entries are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, to the Tehama County Department of Education, 1135 Lincoln St., Red Bluff. Registration forms are available on the website: http://TehamaArts.org/programs/studetn-art-contest-2/. This column is prepared and submitted by the Corning Chamber of Commerce. 741 Main Street, Suite #2 Red Bluff, CA 96080 1-800-287-2187 (530) 527-2187 C & C PROPERTIES An Independently owned and operated Member of Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates. FOR 24/7 PROPERTY INFO CALL 1-888-902-7253 FORECLOSURES AND HOMES UNDER $200,000 3 BD 3 BD 3 BD 3 BD 3 BD 3 BD 2 BD 3 BD 1 BD 3 BD 3 BD 3 BD 3 BD 1 BD 2 BD 4 BD 6 BD 3 BD 3 BD 2 BA 2 BA 2 BA 2 BA 1 BA 1 BA 1 BA 2 BA 1 BA 2 BA 2 BA 2 BA 2 BA 1 BA 1 BA 2 BA 3 BA 2 BA 2 BA 1157 Sq Ft 1560 Sq Ft 945 Sq Ft 1320 Sq Ft 1033 Sq Ft 1144 Sq Ft 768 Sq Ft 1125 Sq Ft 384 Sq Ft 1114 Sq Ft 1493 Sq Ft 1299 Sq Ft 1152 Sq Ft 1080 Sq Ft 1356 Sq Ft 1592 Sq Ft 3000 Sq Ft 1701 Sq Ft 1701 Sq Ft 0 Acres $35,000 0.48 Acres $65,000 0.07 Acres $70,999 0.51 Acres $72,500 0 Acres $80,000 0.16 Acres $84,500 0.127 Acres $99,000 0.83 Acres $102,999 1.6 Acres $109,000 0.222 Acres $110,000 0.09 Acres $125,000 1.84 Acres $129,900 2.99 Acres $135,000 0.149 Acres $148,000 0.37 Acres $149,000 0.48 Acres $170,000 0.29 Acres $174,900 10.56 Acres $189,000 10.51 Acres $192,900 Prop Code 4729 Prop Code 4899 Prop Code 4159 Prop Code 4009 Prop Code 4199 Prop Code 4429 Prop Code 4379 Prop Code 4699 Prop Code 4389 Prop Code 4409 Prop Code 4019 Prop Code 4179 Prop Code 4399 Prop Code 4029 Prop Code 4169 Prop Code 4329 Prop Code 4439 Prop Code 4079 Prop Code 4099 See All Tehama County Listings at www.redbluffcoldwellbanker.com TEHAMA COUNTY REAL ESTATE TEAM • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Education News? clerk@redbluffdailynews.com