Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/17393
4A – Daily News – Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Commerce business With credit to Disney’s Alladin, it does feel like a whole new world in chamber circles these days. The chamber office has become one of the busiest business offices in Red Bluff. New and returning busi- nesses call or come in to join the chamber almost daily. Since April, chamber membership has increased by 54, without a single cancelation. When chamber volunteer leaders from the business community meet to discuss progress on solidifying chamber infrastructure and the many projects on the Chamber’s plate, the meetings tend to run long – there is so much that is underway. During the weeks preceding the Downtown Red Bluff Merchants Association’s recent "Beef n’ Brew" and monster trucks week- end, tickets were sold to a constant stream of residents and visitors into the chamber office at 100 Main in Red Bluff. The monster trucks event management happily joined the chamber as a new member. Coming up next is the chamber- sponsored Red Bluff City Council candidates forum at the Veterans Memorial Hall Monday, Oct. 11. Then it’s onward to the hot air balloon festival at Rolling Hills Casino Oct. 23-24, a big draw com- ponent to the casino’s second annu- al Ribs, Rods and Rides event that weekend, expected to pull thou- sands of visitors from California and adjacent states. A dozen or so business sponsors are already in hand to more than cover chamber costs for its part of the event. This week, we expect calls to the cham- & ber office to increase from locals and visitors in response to advertis- ing promoting free-flying hot air balloon rides both days of the festi- val, weather permitting. We have our fingers crossed for great flying weather both days, as the more rides that are filled, the more revenue will be produced to support the chamber’s core missions: To pro- mote the prosperity of local business, promote our commu- nities and county to locals, visitors, prospective residents and business operators, and to support and pro- duce local events that in turn serve the chamber’s other missions, above. Other events the chamber will be promoting in its newsletter, elec- tronic messaging billboard, Face- book and Twitter include the National Retriever Competition in Corning Oct. 10-18 and Western Open Fiddlers competition at the fairgrounds Oct. 21-23. This year the chamber is financially support- ing the fiddlers event, as well. Last evening saw the most recent presentation by chamber volunteer leadership to the Red Bluff City Council. Chamber Director Kathy Schmitz, CEO of the Job Training Center, updated the council on fundraising efforts to support the investment needed to develop a local and regional branding project. I took a few minutes to comment on the upcoming council candidates forum, and progress towards Ribs, Rods and Rides. Regular presenta- tions to council are now part of chamber leadership’s routine, one enterprise It’s a whole new world of the results of chamber leadership "Strategic Advance" (weekend planning session) held several months ago. Speaking of the results from the chamber advance, 10 days ago the chamber’s Executive Committee approved some changes that will position the organization better to aspire to the objectives determined at that pivotal event. Individual chamber directors will now be asked to assume responsibility for one of the categories of initiatives determined at the advance: Mem- bership Development, Group Cohesion, Branding and Commu- nications, so a few volunteers in key positions are not crushed by the weight of too many hats. Addi- tionally, to fit with modern models suggested by the California Cham- ber of Commerce, the title of the Chamber Manager has been changed to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The senior volunteer leader, to whom the CEO directly reports, is now the chairman or chairwoman, no longer called the president. Chamber officer posi- tions, terms of service and director position have also been stream- lined. Stay tuned. Better yet, if you’d like to get involved as a chamber leader or volunteer committee member, call Chamber CEO Dave Gowan at 527-6220, or Chamber Chairwoman Kristin Behrens at 529-8038. It’s an exciting time to be an active and involved member of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. Greg Stevens, publisher of the Daily News, is chairman-elect of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. Understanding the local economy Dr. David Gallo Ph.D., resident economist at the Center for Economic Development, and profes- sor emeritus at California State University, Chico, will present and discuss economic and demo- graphic information impacting Tehama Coun- ty 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Red Bluff Communi- ty and Senior Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Topics to be covered include state, national and local conditions; housing market condi- tions; forecasts of eco- nomic recovery, long- term population and income growth; and local economic base industries. Gallo will answer questions specifically related to Tehama County and encourages active The Shasta College Small Business Development Cen- ter (SBDC) is offering a workshop entitled: Setting Up Your Quickbooks Company 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 in the SBDC Training Room, 1420 Butte Street. This workshop will be presented by Quickbooks expert Mary Richmond and a full class is anticipated, so early reg- istration is encouraged. The cost to attend this class is $35 each. To register, or for more information, call the SBDC office at 225-2770. participation. This information, according to Dan Ripke, director of the center, “improves the ability of local businesses and com- munity leaders to suc- cessfully plan their future.” Pre-registration of $50 is required for the work- shop, and guarantees a free copy of the new Tehama County Quick Facts Document, a $50 value. Based upon customer feedback, document has been completely revised and has been designed to help you find important economic and demo- graphic facts about your county faster and more easily. To register online visit www.cedcal.com/work- shops or call 898-4598. • Spotlight – Equi-Journey/Denise Smith, LCSW, is a counseling service for children, adolescents, adults, families and groups, using Equine Assisted Psy- chotherapy here in Corning. Phone: (530) 354-5474. FAX: 824-1882. Hours: Friday/Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Weekday evenings and Sundays as needed. This is a family run business and is certified through EACALA to be able to do this work. They accept some insurances/Employee Assistance Program, Victim Wit- ness and have a sliding fee scale down to $30 per ses- sion. Sessions are a full 60 minutes. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learn- ing; this means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing or discussing feelings, behaviors and patterns. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is consid- ered a short-term or brief approach. The focus of EAP is not riding or horsemanship. It is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families and groups and addresses a wide variety of mental health and human development needs including behav- ioral issues, ADHD, PTSD, substance abuse eating dis- orders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, cre- ative thinking, problem solving, leadership taking responsibility and teamwork are several example of the tools utilized and developed by EAP. Denise Smith is married to Martin Twisselman, who is the Equine Specialist. They have five grown children. They raise AQHA horses, miniature horses, miniature cattle, stock dogs and Sphynx hairless cats. • Homecoming – The Homecoming Parade will be at 3 p.m. Friday beginning at Third Street going west. The turkey dinner will begin at 4:30 p.m., at the high school cafeteria. For more information call 824-8000. • Customer Service Week – This is National Cus- tomer Service Week and the Secret Shoppers have been about, prepared to catch great service in the act. Win- ners will receive a certificate of excellence and a gift donated by a local business. Also, businesses and agen- cies can host training at their site. Customer Service Training Camp: Season IV – A brand new experience, is a 1-hour session geared to revisit key skills with all staff. Camp times are available throughout October. Cost is just $25 per group. Training is provided by Tim Morehouse, Kathy Garcia and Carrie Clark of the Job Training Center. Businesses are encouraged to cele- brate your staff. Throw a party, thank your customers, give out treats, put up a banner, celebrate and reward great service. For more information, call the Job Train- ing Center at 529-7000 • Corning in the Evening – 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct.14 the Corning Rotary Club will host the monthly gathering at Martini Plaza. There will be a special pre- sentation, refreshments and a business card drawing. See you there. ——— This column is prepared and submitted by the Corning Chamber of Commerce. Setting up a Quickbooks co. Feds approve 2 Calif solar plants on public land To expedite environ- SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — For the first time, federal land managers gave final approval Tues- day for the construction of two large solar installa- tions on public lands that could power hundreds of thousands of homes with renewable energy. U.S. Interior Secretary CANDIDATES FORUM Red Bluff Veterans’ Memorial Hall Red Bluff City Council Corner Oak and Jackson, Red Bluff Monday, October 11 7:00 – 9:00 PM All candidates for Red Bluff City Council have committed to attend Free admission No reservations required Early arrival recommended Call the Chamber with any questions: 527-6220 Sponsored by: D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY Mail-in Ballot Recipients: Suggest waiting to return yours until you have the chance to hear the candidates speak or read the coverage in The Daily News. Ken Salazar said the pro- jects in Southern Califor- nia involve a square mile A Clean, Reliable, Trustworthy, Chimney Company... Possible? ”Their tarps are always clean and my home is always clean afterward. What I like best is their reliability and quality.” “I can trust them!” Dr. Evan Reasor Flue Season 527 3331 THE Chimney Professionals of glimmering solar panels near Victorville and a large array of satellite dish-like sun catchers cov- ering about 10 square miles in the remote Imper- ial Valley. Both could start trans- mitting electricity to the state grid by the end of 2011 or early 2012. The approval came soon after California regu- lators passed new rules requiring utilities to derive a third of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020, the most aggressive standards in the U.S. At full capacity, the two facilities would generate power for up to 566,000 homes and create almost 1,000 new jobs, officials said. ‘‘These projects are milestones in our focused effort to rapidly and responsibly capture Are your investments still aligned with your goals? Call me today for a complimentary portfolio review. Ameriprise Financial Alan Foley, CFP® , ChFC® Financial Advisor 2150 Main St., Suite 8 Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 528-1328 Toll Free: 800-283-6375 Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. renewable energy resources on public lands,’’ Salazar said. ‘‘It is an historic day.’’ The announcement came about five years after solar developers began asking the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for rights to develop hundreds of solar plants on millions of acres of federally owned desert in the South- west. The bureau opened fed- erally owned lands in 2005 to solar development, but an examination of records and interviews of officials by The Associated Press showed the program oper- ated a first-come, first- served leasing system that quickly overwhelmed its small staff and enabled companies, regardless of solar industry experience, to squat on land without any real plans to develop it. Red Bluff Garden Club presents “MASQUERADE” Design Program & Luncheon Saturday, October 30, 2010 Rolling Hills Casino Program Unmasking the Secrets of Floral & Garden Design VENDORS - SILENT AUCTION RAFFLE - LIVE AUCTION Plated Lunch: Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian RESERVED TICKETS $25 LAST DATE TO PURCHASE TICKETS IS OCTOBER 20TH Tickets: Shirley 529-2306 • Diane 824-5661 California Kitchen, 529-2482 The Plant Barn, Chico 345-3121 COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2995 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. mental review and bureau- cratic red tape, the Depart- ment of the Interior identi- fied 14 of the most promis- ing solar projects among the more than 180 current permit applications cover- ing about 23 million acres of federally owned desert in the Southwest. Those 14 so-called ‘‘fast-track’’ projects alone would produce more than 6,000 megawatts, enough to power 4 million homes for a day at peak usage. The newly approved permit for sites in Califor- nia were the first in a series Salazar expected to issue before the end of the year. Final approval by 2011 qualifies projects for federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvest- ment Act. ‘‘When I became secre- tary of the interior .... dozens of permit applica- tions had languished,’’ Salazar said. ‘‘There was no process for transform- ing ideas on paper to pro- jects on the ground.’’