Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/48907
6A Daily News –Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Business 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, organizations and events to strength- en our local econ- omy. Practically speaking, have you been to a Red Bluff parade? That's the chamber. How about one of the Wednesday or Saturday Farmers Markets? That's the Chamber. We promote our 445 (and growing) members through our website, Facebook, newsletter and twitter. That's the chamber. Have you seen the big scissors at a ribbon cutting celebra- tion? 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. You see our Electronic Mes- saging Center in front of the office informing the public of great organizations and events. That's the chamber. Have you seen a Friday eBLAST of current happenings, 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, downtown association, branding, the fairgrounds and so many more amazing groups to see further success in Red Bluff and Tehama County. Please visit our website at www.redbluffchamber.com to see all our great members, and visit us on Facebook for current activities. Thank you and have wonderful holidays. Dave Gowan is the CEO of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. Here's your year-end investment checklist As an investor, you've pretty much seen it all in 2011 — including slow- but-steady gains early in the year, a market correc- tion during the debt ceil- ing debate and the U.S. credit downgrade, and huge one-day price move- ments, both up and down — and there's still a month to go. But despite the volatility of the past 11 months, you can make some positive year-end investment moves, includ- ing the following: • Boost your 401(k) contributions. If your employer permits you to make extra contributions to your 401(k), put in as much as you can afford, up to contribution limits. You typically contribute pretax dollars, so the more you invest, the lower your taxable income. Plus, your earnings have the poten- tial to grow on a tax- deferred basis. • Consider converting to a Roth IRA. You might benefit by converting a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which offers tax- deferred earnings, to a Roth IRA, whose earnings grow tax free, providing you don't start taking withdrawals until you're at least age 591⁄2 and you've held your account for five years. Keep in mind, though, that you'd need the money available to pay the taxes that would be due on such a conver- sion. Also, income limits apply to Roth IRA contri- butions. This is a complex decision that you should discuss with your quali- fied tax professional. • Set up automatic con- tributions for 2012. Like most people, you may find it difficult to come up with a lump-sum payment to fully fund your IRA for the year. Why not set up an automatic investment plan for 2012? By direct- ing your bank to transfer the same amount each month from your check- ing or savings account to your IRA, you'll find it easier to "max out" on your IRA — and, at the same time, you'll boost your investment disci- pline. • Contribute to a 529 plan. When you contribute to a 529 plan, your earn- ings have the potential to grow tax free, provided they are used for qualified higher education expens- es. (However, 529 plan distributions not used for qualif ied expenses may be subject to income tax and a 10% penalty.) Furthermore, your 529 plan contributions may be deductible from your state taxes. Discuss this with your tax professional. • Re-evaluate • Review your insur- your investment mix. It's a good idea to review your invest- ment mix at least once a year to help ensure your portfolio is still aligned with your goals, risk toler- ance and time horizon. Due to changes in market value, your portfolio can undergo subtle, but signif- icant, changes — even if you took no action your- self. Consequently, take the time to review your holdings with your invest- ment professional to help ensure you're still "on track." Tyler Smail ance coverage. If you've experienced any changes in your life in 2011 — new spouse, new child, divorce, new job, etc. — you may need to review your life insur- ance coverage to make sure that it's still sufficient for your needs and that you still have the correct beneficiaries in place. To determine if any of these actions are right for your situa- tion, consult with your financial advisor and qualified tax professional. By taking these and other steps, you can close out 2011 on a positive note and get 2012 off to a good start. Tyler Smail is a a financial advisor for Edward Jones, his office is located at 733 Washington St. in Red Bluff. He can be reached at 529-3627 or tyler.smail@edwardjones. com. Foreclosure alternatives to be discussed Anyone facing foreclosure is invited to attend a foreclosures alter- natives and prevention clinic through Legal Services of Northern California. The clinic, beginning at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 9, will provide infor- mation on home ownership, mort- gage loan issues, foreclosure pre- vention and alternatives to foreclo- sure. Volunteer Attorney Joe Feist will meet individually with all clinic par- ticipants. Any eligible, low income 9491. Attention Tehama County Small Business Owners (5 or fewer employees, including self) Increase your company's business output, identify new customers and markets, sell more of your company's products and services, and manage existing resources more effectively. Receive professional assistance from the Business Incubator Program (BiP), but time is running out! Services are free to qualifying businesses. Companies that meet the program's eligibility criteria receive hands- on mentoring assistance targeted specifically to benefit your company. To apply, visit www.tehamabip.org today. There is no cost to apply and someone will get back to you shortly. This program is sponsored by the County of Tehama, Job Training Center, 3Core EDC, The ChicoProject, and the State CDBG program. Elks Lodge Dec. 4th following the Elks Memorial Service $ 11am-2pm 11.00 Red Bluff Elks 355 Gilmore Road, Red Bluff • 527-3421 Bake Sale provided by Emblem Club Hometown Christmas • The 16th Annual Hometown Christmas is Saturday and we hope you will join us a fun-filled day for the whole fam- ily with craft and food booths that ends with a beautiful lighted parade at 5:30 p.m. This year we will be honoring Mr. E.L. "Bud" Gott, who many in this community knew as Corning Union High School's Principal and Superintendent between the years 1961 to 1985. Mr. Gott died in June this year at the age of 88 and will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was truly an outstanding citizen of Corning. The theme for this year's Hometown Christmas is Christmas Tree Lane. The theme is carried out on the posters, sponsor book and ads that say, "Gott Trees?" The design for the Hometown Christmas logo was created by chamber director Skylar Gravatt to depict Christmas Tree Lane because the tradition of placing lighted and decorated Christmas trees on city light poles began 41 years ago when Mr. Gott was president of the Chamber of Commerce. "The idea of the Christmas trees came up and it stuck and we named it Christmas Tree Lane." he said. "Everyone was really pleased at how nice the street looked and people were very proud of the City's holiday decorations," Gott stated. Every year Bud sponsored a Christmas tree and put lights on it. This year Centennial High School will do the honors of decorating a tree for him and we plan to do this every year. The perpetual trophy that is topped with a painted ceram- ic tree made by Bud's wife, Jan is awarded to the winner of the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest during the Annual Christmas Mixer. Whoever wins the contest will keep the trophy for the upcoming year with their name engraved on it. Each year the Corning Chamber will host another contest with the winner to be announced during the Hometown Christmas mixer. A continuing tradition we feel Mr. Gott would approve of. The trees have been installed on the light poles with the names of the sponsors underneath. Thank you to those who sponsored and decorated a tree this year and also for the sponsors of the Christmas banners. • You are invited to the Christmas Mixer next Thursday, December 8, 5:30 pm, at PremierWest Bank, 1201 Solano. Besides the Christmas Tree Lane winners being announced, the Senior of the Year for 2012 will also be revealed. Come and enjoy some hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a good time. • Hometown Christmas Passport – You may have a chance to wind a beautiful gift basket by participating in the Passport Program. You must visit each business listed to receive a sticker that goes over their name in the book. When you have at least 30 out of 32 of the stickers bring it to the chamber office to fill out a ticket for the free drawing. You will have until December 8th to fill out your book and the winner will be announced at the Christmas Mixer host- ed by PremierWest Bank. The winners of Christmas Tree Lane will also be announced. • Little Miss Christmas – Congratulations to Emma Lee Ann Ferguson the winner of this year's Little Miss Christ- mas contest held last Saturday. persons and seniors are welcome. The free event will be at the Butte Regional Office at 541 Normal Ave., in Chico. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 345- • Lighted House Contest and TRAX Bus Tour – If you are interested in entering the free Lighted House Contest you may pick up an entry form at the chamber office. The TRAX Lighted House Tour will take place at 6 p.m. Friday Dec. 16. You must make reservations by calling 385— BUSS 0r 2877. Seating is limited so RSVP by Dec. 14. ——— This column is prepared and submitted by the Corning Chamber of Commerce.