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Wintzell's Oyster House will host our next “Chamber Connects” mixer on May 19 from 5-7pm. Come join us for great networking and seafood. Plus, a hot air balloon ride for 2 will be given away, courtesy of the upcoming Sunrise Community Hot Air Balloon Race organizers! All employees of Chamber member businesses are invited as well as prospective members so bring a friend.
Our April mixer was hosted by the Tuscaloosa Galleria and was very well-attended. We enjoyed networking outdoors in the great weather, shopping, bites by Evangeline’s and 2 lucky members walked away with $500 in cash from a drawing!
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Post a comment on our Blog. There’s a click through on our homepage at www.tuscaloosachamber.com. Here’s an excerpt from the most current post entitled “Looking Beyond the Current Economy.”
Can our community achieve a new standard of economic vitality, competitiveness and quality that is equal to or beyond that enjoyed by other successful areas? Can we develop the range of quality diverse educational and economic opportunities needed to move our community to new heights of achievement? Can we maintain a laser-like focus on visions and strategies that will indeed contribute to a higher standard of living for all citizens? Can we work together to meet challenges and solve problems that benefit the whole community?
If you’re on www.Facebook.com, check us out and become our friend and a member of our group. Search "Tuscaloosa Chamber."
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 "Crimson Literacy: Up Close and Personal" will be hosted on June 26 by the Literacy Council of West Alabama and will feature many great authors, all with ties to the Capstone. A free Book Signing will take place at Barnes & Noble from 5-6:30pm and an Authors Reception will follow at I.O. Metro from 6:30-8pm. The latter is a ticketed event to include one-on-one time with authors, food, drinks, live music and silent auction; cost is $50/couple. Both venues are located in Midtown Village in Tuscaloosa. Authors will be announced soon! Tickets go on sale June 1 and will be available at The West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, 2200 University Blvd, in downtown Tuscaloosa. Proceeds will help the Literacy Council of West Alabama with our region’s literacy challenge. Call 758.7588 more info. |
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 Ladies, the Women In Business Council invites you to a Roundtable on Thurs, June 11 from noon to 1pm entitled “Speak Your Mind.” It’s a mediated Q & A luncheon on the Bama Belle with guests Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon, Tuscaloosa City Councilwoman Cynthia Almond and Julie Ramm, Northport Community Relations Coordinator. Please make your reservations early because space will be limited! Attendees are asked to submit one question for Tuscaloosa and one for Northport; please submit these with your reservation. Call 391.0559 or email stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com by May 22 with questions or by June 5 without questions. Refunds (or invoice write-off) will not be issued after June 3. Boat boarding begins at 11:30am. Cost is $25 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members, which includes lunch. |
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 The annual Adopt-A-School Breakfast & Workshop, which kicks off each school year, will be held on July 30 at Shelton State Community College's Martin (main) Campus. A networking breakfast will be held in the atrium at 7am and the speaker and awards will be presented afterwards in the Bean-Brown Theatre. Workshops will follow and tours of Shelton Technical programs will be available. More details and registration to come. Call 391.0563 or 391.0556 for more info. |
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You’ve got the basics down, now learn how to run meaningful reports, track receivables and keep customers current. We’ll discuss invoices, statements, customized reports and financial reporting. “QuickBooks-Session II” is set for May 20 from 7:30am-9:30am at West Alabama Bank & Trust. Cost is only $20. Call 758.7588 today or click here to register online. Non-members are welcome at a different cost.
This is the last class in our Spring Tech Breakfast Series. |
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“It’s Your Business–Lead it to Success” will be presented on June 10 from 11am-1pm at Cypress Inn. Cost for members is only $30, which includes top-notch professional training plus a great meal in a beautiful setting with fellow Chamber members.
Challenging times require a business leader to be at his/her very best all the time. Each of us has strengths that we need to capitalize on to insure that we provide a positive influence on organizational performance. Learn how to assess your strengths and challenges and what it takes to be a successful strategic leader.
Call 758.7588 today or click here to register online. Non-members are welcome at a different cost.
This is the last class in our Spring Lunch Series. |
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The 2009 Class of Leadership Tuscaloosa graduated at a ceremony at Hotel Capstone on May 13. Steering Committee chairperson was Marie Lawrence of RealtySouth and event keynote speaker was Mercedes-Benz USI Pres & CEO Bill Taylor, who discussed “leadership and a vision for West Alabama’s economic future.”
During the last 9 months, the classmates worked on projects that included promoting literacy at Southview Elementary School, working to endow a Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Assn Scholarship for a high school student in Tuscaloosa Co, holding a 1st annual “Hoop It Up Fun Day” to raise money for Holt Elementary, and providing volunteer staff for the UPC of West Alabama Telethon.
Leadership Tuscaloosa is sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and coordinated by The UA College of Continuing Studies. Its goal is to help meet the community's need for informed, responsible and effective leadership. Participants are selected for their demonstrated leadership skills, active involvement in the community, and a willingness to invest the time, effort, and energy required for the program. This year's class of 41 participants was the 26th class to graduate. Alumni of Leadership Tuscaloosa now number 897 graduates.
Recruiting for the next class begins in July; classes begin in Sept. To get an application or more info, contact Stacey Gann at 391.0559 or stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com.
The 2009 graduates are (not in order as pictured): James Brazil, Jessup, Ingram & Associates, LLP; Dave Brewer, UA; Joseph Brown, Alabama Power Company; Kristy Brown, Child Development Resources; Lesley Bruinton, Tuscaloosa City Schools; Vanessa J. Cade, Russell Realty and Development; Miranda Carlisle, UA; Debbie Crawford, Holt Elementary School; Jenine Daly, American Red Cross; Ryan Delfin, The Arc of Tuscaloosa Co; Josh Denney, Cadence Bank; Brenda Ewart, United Cerebral Palsy of West AL; Laura Farmer, Chamber of Commerce; Mary Katherine Gerkin, CHOM; Michelle Goodbread, Regions Bank; Sharon Hester; Community Programs of West Alabama, Inc.; Robin Huebner, Tuscaloosa Housing Authority; Max Karrh, Bryant Bank; Stacie Kirkland, Jamison, Money, Farmer & Co, PC; Debbie Lee, Hamner Real Estate; Alice Maxwell, Advantage Realty; Chris McGee, Hunt Refining Co; Garrett McKone, Realty South; Izette McNealy, Alabama Cooperative Extension Center; Trey Moseley, Eagles’ Wings, Inc; Gary Moses, Cintas; Nicole Nolen, RBC Bank; Andy Norris, Tuscaloosa Co Sheriffs Office; Derek Osborn, Bigham Construction; Sloan Patrick, Capstone Bank; Nicki Simmons, Tuscaloosa Assn of Realtors; Rusty Smith, United Way; Kris Sodergren, Rosen Harden, PA; Chris Spencer, Center for Community Based Partnerships; Ashley Taylor, The Westervelt Company; Chad Tindol, UA System; Carrie Williams, Key Staff Source; Justin Williams, Tanner & Guin, LLC; David Wilson, UA; Jennifer Wilson, Barnett Jones Wilson, LLC; Darrell Wright, Shelton State Community College. |
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The Women’s Division of The Chamber held its annual Spring Membership Tea on April 23 at the home of Jimmy and Jean Hinton in Indian Hills. The group enjoyed finger foods and wine donated by Spirits. Special guest was Miss University of Alabama 2009, Nicole Jordan (pictured with current Women's Division president, Shana Milligan).
Around 100 ladies attended and $2000 was raised in membership fees; Goal is to give $10,000 back to the community each year so new members are needed! All area ladies interested in a pure service group are invited to join. A membership payment of $20 may be mailed anytime to PO Box 20534 Tuscaloosa, AL 35402.
The group’s next fundraising event is its Fall Luncheon on Oct 7 at Indian Hills Country Club. Special guest speaker will be Rushan Smyth, founder of Peniel Pillows. Cost and more details TBA. Contact Shana Milligan at 348.2240 or smilliga@bama.ua.edu for more info. |
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 The new DCH Cancer Center has officially opened and is now treating patients. We are proud of the new center and what it means to the citizens of West Alabama.
It features the most advanced treatment equipment anywhere, a staff of caring and compassionate people, terrace garden, wellness room, chapel, patient boutique, resource library, art gallery, convenient parking and front door patient pick up and drop off.
On Apr 15, Congressman Artur Davis held a press conference in the rotunda of the new building to announce a $333,000 appropriation for the center, the first appropriation DCH has ever received from Congress.
The official grand opening program, including a ribbon cutting, was held on May 3. For more info, visit www.dchsystem.com/cancer. |
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 Anders Hardware is celebrating its 100th year of business in historic downtown Northport this spring. The store is in the same location on Main Ave. where it began and still has some fixtures from the 1920’s, including shelving, nail bins and a pot belly stove, which once heated the building.
General manager Rich Anders says the business was started by his great-great uncle, JH Anders as a mercantile company in the spring of 1909. And, in the early 1920’s, his great-grandfather, Lewis Anders, and his great-great uncle, James Anders, joined the business and changed the name to Anders Hardware, as they became more focused on that merchandise. Rich’s grandfather worked there for a time, too, until Rich’s father took over and began growing the business.
The Anders family bought the Faucett hardware business in 1981 and added a back portion to the store. In 1991, the family opened Five Points Hardware in the Cottondale area and a store on 15th St was opened in 2002. There’s also a souvenir store, the Trunk, on Bryant Dr.
Rich began working full time in 1998 and an online presence has been added, www.andershardware.com, which ships about 77,000 items. They try to stay out of direct competition with Lowe’s and Home Depot--You’ll find things at Anders that you won’t find there, like older items that many stores have stopped carrying.
A service area has been developed that repairs tools, sharpens blades and offers minor tune ups to lawn mowers. They also make and repair window screens. Folks are looking to Anders during these tough economic times as they do more repairs themselves. Also, this is proving to be a big gardening season.
The Anders enjoy being located in the downtown Northport area, where other families, like the Faucetts and Adams, have also operated stores for generations. For more info, call 752.0461. Photo source: www.druidcityonline.com. |
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This spring, Kyle Office Supply celebrates its 80th year of service to West Alabama. The company was started in 1929 by Leonard C. Kyle, when he was appointed Sales Agent for the Underwood Typewriter Company. The firm’s first location was a shared office space on University Blvd.
The production of typewriters and adding machines was drastically curtailed during World War II, which lead Leonard Kyle to also enter the printing business. When the founder died in l961, management passed to his son Chris Kyle, Sr.
In 1967, the business moved into a new building at its current address, 1020-21st Ave. In 1984, Kyle Office Supply joined an office products group that buys in bulk with the savings passed on to customers. That same year Kyle Office Supply was appointed Sales Agent for Xerox copiers and fax machines for Tuscaloosa, Bibb and Pickens County.
Following the retirement of Chris Kyle, Sr in 1992, his sons Chris Jr and Drew assumed management of the firm. Office furniture has been an important part of the firm’s business since 1945. In 1993 Kyle Office Supply was awarded the Office Furniture USA franchise for West Alabama, and was the first office furniture dealer in West Alabama to employ a full time designer.
 In 1998, the emphasis and growth of office furniture sales made it possible to build a new 5,000 sq ft showroom. The expansion also included a new on-site warehouse and loading dock. In the past few years the firm has experienced significant growth with the addition of a fine stationary department and expanded printing services. For more info, contact Drew Kyle at 345.5573.
Photo caption: Kyle celebrated it’s anniversary with an open house and consumer show. About 375 guests attended and were treated to a BBQ lunch. |
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 The Tuscaloosa Public Library held a dedication ceremony for its newest resource, the Bookmobile, on April 21 at the main branch.
It was funded in part by generous donations from the Community Foundation of West Alabama in memory of Eugenia Patton (Pat) Faucett and the TPL Friends of the Library.
The Bookmobile will visit schools and assisted living centers regularly. For more info, call 345.5820. |
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 Your business may be facing challenges in collecting accounts receivable, and a customer’s bankruptcy filing places significant restrictions upon your rights as a creditor. Although the West Alabama business community has not suffered some of the more dire economic struggles faced by businesses in other regions of the country, local businesses are facing financial struggles that require timely collection of accounts receivable. Businesses that fail to take a proactive approach to managing AR often find themselves at the bottom of the collection barrel when a customer seeks bankruptcy court protection.
When a customer files for bankruptcy protection, your business has important rights and responsibilities as a bankruptcy creditor. Once you receive notice of a bankruptcy filing, you must stop any attempts to collect the debt, or you could be held liable for violation of the debtor’s automatic stay of protection. However, don’t ignore the bankruptcy notice. Depending upon the type of bankruptcy case filed, you may be required to file a “proof of claim” with the bankruptcy court, and if you fail to do so, you may lose your rights to collect further on debt owed your business. You also have a right to appear at a meeting of creditors where you may question the debtor under oath regarding its assets, liabilities and financial history.
What steps can you take in advance to shore up your position? One of the most frustrating issues faced by creditors in bankruptcy is the bankruptcy trustee’s “preference” power. That power allows the trustee to recover payments made by the debtor in the 90-day period prior to the debtor’s filing bankruptcy. If you receive a preference demand letter, you may either simply pay the amount demanded (usually not your preferred choice), attempt to negotiate a settlement for a lesser amount, or defend against the preference claim. The most common defenses to a preference claim are (1) the payment was a contemporaneous exchange, or (2) the payment was made in the “ordinary course of the debtor’s business.” “Contemporaneous exchanges” include payments for goods or services made upon receipt of those goods or services. A successful “ordinary course of business” defense requires that you show that the debt was incurred and payment was made in the ordinary course of business between you and the debtor as well as in the ordinary course of business within your industry. This can often present a challenge where the debtor’s payments were made late.
If you would like additional info regarding managing your AR and protecting your business, please join Armstrong & Desai for a more in-depth discussion of this topic on June 24. Please visit www.adgloballaw.com for registration and details.
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A grand opening with ribbon cutting was held on Apr 29 for Armstrong & Desai, LLC. The law office is located in a charming house at 2809 8th St in downtown Tuscaloosa. Owners are Carol Armstrong and Sheetal Desai. The firm specializes in global business matters including formation and planning, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, tax planning, sales and acquisitions, succession planning, immigration and naturalization, employment law defense and claim prevention, estate planning, probate and trademarks, service marks and copyrights. For more info, visit www.adgloballaw.com. Phone number is 210.4713. |
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Allstate Insurance-The Toni Storey Agency hosted a ribbon cutting event on Apr 23. Office is located at 2013 8th St (behind Central Supply) in downtown Tuscaloosa’s Historic District.
Toni believes in “Uncommon Service” and offers a wide range of products that can help meet your needs through every stage of your life. For a complimentary insurance and financial review, contact her at 205.331.4454. |
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Bryant Bank’s new NorthRiver location held a grand opening with ribbon cutting ceremony on the evening of April 30. Event featured great food and live music. The Bank is located at 1755 New Watermelon Rd in Tuscaloosa, across from Publix. Phone number is 344.8200. Drive-Through hours are 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. Lobby hours are 9am-4pm Mon-Thurs and 9am-5pm on Fri. Branch manager is Regina Sharp. Visit www.bryantbank.com for more info. |
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The following joined from Apr 1 to date.
The Trunk
Debrick, Inc
Sips n Strokes
Wood Village Mobile Home Park
Lorna Group/Twice the Ice
Tuscaloosa's One Place, Inc
Bottomfeeders
Marcum Architects, LLC
Publix-1253
Red Elephant Realty
Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
Unifirst Corp
Campbell Cleaning Service
American Family Care
Liberty National Life
Budget Blinds of Tuscaloosa
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