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Post Your Events on our Community Calendar
Don't forget to post your community events on our free calendar at www.tuscaloosachamber.com.
You can subscribe to get a daily email/RSS feed & add items to your own calendar! You can also get a reminder email or text.
We now offer groups an online event registration service for a nominal fee.
Also, a group may put our calendar on its website and may even purchase a sublicense to customize it.
Call 758.7588 for more info.
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Tax Free Weekend is Aug 6-8
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.jpg) Fri Aug 6 thru Sun Aug 8, Alabama will hold its sales tax holiday again this year. Shoppers may purchase specified school supplies, school clothing, computers, computer accessories free of state and local sales tax. With all major municipalities in Tuscaloosa County participating, you can shop smart & shop Tuscaloosa County!
Click here for a complete list of items that meet the state’s exempt status. Click here to see the TV spot.
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Tailgate with Bryant Bank
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ROLL TIDE! Come tailgate with Bryant Bank at the Bryant Museum at our next Chamber Connects mixer on Aug 10 from 5-7pm. This event has become a tradition that we look forward to. Features Robertson’s BBQ and Crimson Tide spirit! We’ll network while gearing up for football season. Plan now to come and bring a friend. All employees of Chamber member businesses are welcome as well as prospective members.
Our last mixer was “Christmas in July” hosted by a very festive Hilton Garden Inn. Many mingled while getting great ideas for the holiday season.
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WIB Annual Empowerment Conference: Striving for Excellence
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The 4th Annual Women in Business Council Empowerment Conference and Awards Luncheon is scheduled for Aug 26 at the University Church of Christ. This year’s focus is "Striving for Excellence" and the conference will feature proven workshop leaders discussing subjects such as: cooking, health and wellness, dealing with difficult people, employment law changes, dressing for success, marketing hints, social media and financial fundamentals.
Awards will be given at our annual luncheon following the workshops. You do not have to attend the workshops to attend the luncheon.
Our motivational speaker will be Barbara Dooley, author, motivational speaker, successful businesswoman and wife of former Georgia Bulldogs Coach Vince Dooley. Dooley will be available to sign her books after the luncheon.
You can find the complete registration form with more details at www.tuscaloosachamber.com. Print a copy, fill it out and get it back to the Chamber soon. This is a popular conference with inspiring workshops and seats will fill up fast! Call Stacey Gann at 391.0559 or e-mail stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com with questions/concerns.
If you would like to provide promotional items for the conference bags, please deliver 75 pieces to Stacey at The Chamber by Aug 23. This is a good way to get your name in front of the women attending our workshops.
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Northport Advisory Council Hosts Candidate Forum
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 The next meeting of the Northport Advisory Council will be a candidate forum for State Senate District 21 with Sen Phil Poole and Rep Gerald Allen. Event will take place at Wintzell's Restaurant from 6-7:30pm and will include a great dinner and networking time. Potential questions for candidates to be presented at forum may be directed to donny@tuscaloosachamber.com. Cost is $18 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Registration is required. Call 758.7588 or email tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com by Aug 5. |
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2010 Washington Fly In Set for September
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The Chamber’s annual Washington Fly In has been set for Sept 29 & 30. The Fly In, known for its effectiveness and impact, is open to any Chamber member. Once again, the Chamber delegation will be headquartered at the Hotel George, only two blocks from Capitol Hill.
Arrangements are currently underway for visits with all members and professional staff of the Alabama Congressional delegation as well as the annual Congressional dinner. Watch for details and reservation info coming soon. Space is limited! Email johnnie@tuscaloosachamber.com to reserve your spot.
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Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament Set
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 Register now for the AAS Golf Tournament and take advantage of the “Early Bird” special! The special price of $500/team is available now through Aug 9. After that, regular registration will resume and cost will be $600/per team. Ol’ Colony will host the tournament on Sept 9. Teams in the four-man scramble will begin play with a shotgun start at 1pm. Registration fees include greens fees, range balls, cart and lunch.
Don’t miss this opportunity to help our local schools and save money at the same time! Visit www.tuscaloosachamber.com for entry and sponsor forms--A variety of sponsorships are available. For more info, contact Loo Whitfield at loo@tuscaloosachamber.com or 391.0563.
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Livability Team to Focus on Two Key Priorities
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  Under the leadership of Pam Smith of Ellis Architects and Jason Walker of Almon & Associates, The Chamber’s livability initiative, which is a 2010 priority of The Chamber, is moving forward with a focus on two essential elements – development of a “livability scorecard” and improvement of gateways leading into the Tuscaloosa-Northport metro area.
The ‘livability scorecard’ team will work to define appropriate measurable benchmarks and livability metrics; and develop an appropriate method to communicate the scorecard . To accomplish this particular goal, the team is currently researching 12 identified peer communities as well as defining what factors should be included for ongoing assessment and measurement. At this point, the peer communities under consideration include many of the ‘top ten’ livability communities in America which includes several university communities.
The gateways team will identify opportunities to improve the metro community’s physical image, and identify actions and recommendations to enhance the area’s “gateways” in the community. This is a key strategy that was part of a set of priority initiatives recommended by the original “culture
build” report.
The livability team meets monthly at The Chamber, and any member interested in getting more involved in this important initiative can email: johnnie@tuscaloosachamber.com or call 758.7588.
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Tuscaloosa County Career-Tech Council Formed
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As an outgrowth of The Chamber’s work on improving and expanding career-technical education in Tuscaloosa County, a new Tuscaloosa County Career-Tech Council has been established to provide a more coordinated approach to technical education issues among the Tuscaloosa City and County boards of education and The Chamber representing the business community.
Both the city and county boards of education along with The Chamber’s board of directors have approved and agreed to work in a more coordinated, integrated manner to address growing career-technical education demands and needs. The 20-member council is made up of five representatives each from the city and county boards of education and ten business-employer leaders. Gary Phillips of Premier Service Company and The Chamber’s vice chair of education & workforce development, is currently serving as the chair of the council.
The scope and purpose of the career-tech council is to establish an ongoing business-education partnership to provide counsel, leadership, coordination and accountability for policy, curriculum, access and guidance for career-technical education in the Tuscaloosa County & City systems.
One of the early issues identified that the council is addressing is a concern about recruitment of technical education teachers and program instructors and the barriers associated with certification. Other identified issues include technical education curriculum and programs; marketing and awareness of technical education career opportunities among students, parents and the general community; and better communications and ongoing partnerships between education and employers. |
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Need More Input on Workforce Development
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Through The Chamber’s technology, we are able to survey our members on a wide range of issues and needs. By your participation, we are able to gauge current issues and attitudes and keep our ‘fingers on the pulse’ of our member firms concerning a variety of questions. But to be successful, your input and participation is important.
Our surveys are designed to be easy to use and respond, normally only taking a few moments to complete. In the future, we will be surveying on public and legislative policy issues, candidates for office, and other questions. Once we have a reasonable response, we will be publishing results so you can see what our membership feels and thinks about issues.
For example, we have been surveying about some workforce issues recently and we now request your participation in this revised (shortened) survey, even if you did the last one. We're asking your opinion on current demand for various occupations and skills (both soft skills, which include working with people, communications, work ethic and interpersonal skills, and hard technical skills).
We need your input on career-tech curriculum and programs, especially as they relate to plans to build a new Tuscaloosa Center for Technology, as well as for analysis and use by our new Career-Tech Council at The Chamber.
PLEASE click here to take the new survey. It’s easy. It’s quick. And your response makes a real difference! |
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Literacy Council Appoints Inaugural Executive Director
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 The Literacy Council of West Alabama, an independent, non-profit organization focused on providing coordination and support services for literacy in Alabama, is pleased to welcome Stephen Bridgers as the newly appointed Executive Director. Bridgers is the first official staff member of the Literacy Council of West Alabama.
Prior to joining the Council, Bridgers served as an associate at Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler Law Firm in Tuscaloosa, where he focused on tax exempt bonds, state and federal tax issues, estate planning and general corporate cases. In this position, Bridgers assisted as bond counsel and also represented clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the Alabama Department of Revenue.
Bridgers received his LLM in Taxation from Northwestern University School of Law and his JD from Wake Forest University School of Law. He obtained his BS in Business Administration with a focus on economics from Auburn University in 2004.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Stephen’s educational background, community ties and passion for literacy serve as the founding executive director of The Literacy Council of West Alabama. Stephen’s strong work ethic and skill set made him an excellent match for the position,” said Jackie Wuska Hurt, chair of the Literacy Council of West Alabama.
In addition to Bridgers’ financial background, he has related community service experience with obtaining grants, exploring funding opportunities and assisting low-income families with filing their taxes—an ideal background for building a strong foundation for the Council.
"I am delighted to be joining an organization which will devote its time, effort and resources into West Alabama for such a wonderful cause,” Bridgers said. “Most of us take for granted the ability to read and write to communicate effectively with others without realizing the crippling effect that illiteracy has on our fellow citizens. Because illiteracy affects all of us in one way or another, an investment in fighting it is an investment in our future citizens, work force, and continued development of West Alabama."
The Literacy Council of West Alabama formed in 2008 and was originally housed under the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. Johnnie Aycock, president of the Chamber, led development of the Council and helped forge key partnerships and promote literacy in the community. In 2010, after receiving a quarter-million dollar federal grant, the Council became an independent organization and is in the process of relocating its offices to Shelton State Community College—Fred Campus and hiring a small full-time staff.
For more info on the Literacy Council of West Alabama, contact Jackie Wuska Hurt at Jackie.hurt@ua.edu.
The Literacy Council of West Alabama is an independent, non-profit organization focused on providing coordination and support services for literacy providers in the West Alabama area. The Council serves Tuscaloosa, Hale, Lamar, Greene, Pickens, Fayette, Bibb and Sumter counties. |
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3rd Annual Literacy Council Event to be Held
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The Literacy Council of West Alabama will hold its 3rd annual Literacy Day Luncheon and awards program on Wed, Sept 8 at 11:30am at Hotel Capstone. Among other organizations, The Chamber was instrumental in establishing the regional literacy council. Jackie Hurt is the current 2010 Chair, and Stephen Bridgers was recently named the organization’s first executive director.
Plans for the literacy day event, which coincides with International Literacy Day, are currently being completed that will include a grants development workshop for literacy service providers, a special keynote speaker and a reception for the new executive director. Watch for more details coming soon or contact johnnie@tuscaloosachamber.com.
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Social Media Toolbox: LinkedIn to Legal
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by Donna Gilliland, Social Media Specialist
I am going to start off by saying WOW! LinkedIn’s newest application Legal Updates® rocks! Lawyers, legal professionals and the general populous of LinkedIn stand to gain big benefits from this great and easy-to-install application that provides a wealth of legal content.
JD Supra as of July, 2010 is now partnering with LinkedIn. JD Supra is a well-known and leading web site for sharing legal content. Their tag line is “Give Content. Get Noticed.” JD Supra content is now being integrated into LinkedIn.
The partnership between LinkedIn and JD Supra is a tremendous benefit for lawyers and legal professionals but it doesn’t stop there. The benefits extend to those of us who are not legal professionals. Read on to find out more.
Lawyers and Legal Professionals Benefit
The Legal Updates® application has been created to distribute legal content. What a huge benefit for lawyers and legal professionals. As quoted from an article by Aviva Cuyler on Permalink - “Lawyers and legal professionals can use the app to upload their documents within LinkedIn; include a portfolio of written work directly on their LinkedIn profile; and choose to distribute their legal content to people on LinkedIn in the industries and fields they serve.”
LinkedIn Users Benefit
You don’t have to be an attorney to benefit from Legal Updates. As a LinkedIn user you can add the Legal Updates application and receive targeted legal content from JD Supra. Once you install the application the content feed will be based upon your industry, which is determined by your LinkedIn profile. For example, your profile may be HR, Real Estate, among others and thus your content feed will relate to your industry. However, you can customize your feed to your liking by adding or removing subjects of interest to you. You can even search through the legal content to find exactly what you are looking for. I love this new application. I have already begun customizing my legal feed based upon my interests.
Installing the Legal Updates application is easy…
1. Login to your LinkedIn account
2. Click More (located on horiz menu bar at top of page)
3. Choose Application Directory
4. Locate Legal Updates by JD Supra to begin the installation. Easy!
Learn More!
Article: Read post about Legal Updates by Robert Ambrogi’s Law Sites.
Video: Quick YouTube video: Introducing Legal Updates on LinkedIn.
Preview by LinkedIn: Click to view preview of Legal Updates.
Follow Donna on Twitter for up-to-date social media tips at http://www.Twitter.com/MOSTraining. Connect with Donna on LinkedIn.
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Members in Motion
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Baila Venues Opens
Baila Venues will host a grand opening with ribbon cutting on July 30 at 2pm. Located at 100 McFarland Blvd in Northport (old Johnny Ray’s), this is a warm space for all occasions and rental fees are based on blocked hours of time. Call 799.1440 or email zanjon@att.blackberry.net for more info.
Gridiron Men’s Conference at Coleman Coliseum
The Gridiron Men’s Conference will be held at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus July 30-31. Event is designed to impact the lives of men and boys with the gospel of Christ. Get details and registration info at www.gridironmen.org.
Miles for Miracles Motorcycle Ride
Scenic ride benefiting Children's Hospital of Alabama on July 31 will begin at 10am at Sam’s Club on Skyland Blvd, include a lunch stop at Bob Sykes BBQ inside Tannehill State Park and end in Birmingham at Children’s Hospital. Cost is $20/bike plus $10 for each passenger. Lunch & t-shirt included. Sponsored by Sam’s Club; Lunch provided by Bob Sykes BBQ. For more info, please call 750.8374. Registration starts at 8am.
New TCBY on The Strip
The new TCBY on The Strip (in former coffee house space near Cold Stone) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug 5 at 11:30am. Address is 1130 University Blvd. Hope to see you there!
Ol’ Colony to Host 4th Tuscaloosa Co Golf Championship
PARA’s Ol’ Colony Golf Complex will host the 4th annual Tuscaloosa Co Golf Championship Aug 7-8. Tourney is a 36-hole play event and is open to golfers ages 18 and older. Contestants must have a verifiable handicap. Cost is $100/player, which includes one practice round the week of tournament and 2 playing rounds during tournament. Cart fees are extra. Deadline for entries is Aug 5 at 6pm. The tournament will be divided into divisions and each division will feature 1st, 2nd and 3rd flights. Championship division is for golfers ages 18- 49. Women’s division will include a championship and 1st flight. There will also be a senior division for ages 50-59 and a super senior division for those 60 and older. Tourney begins with an 8am tee time each day. Winners will be awarded trophies and gift certificates. For more info, call 562.3201.
AACU Kicks Off Secret Meals Program
Alabama Credit Union has partnered with the West Alabama Food Bank to develop Secret Meals for Hungry Children, also known as the Backpack Program. Please support this wonderful effort. Kick off week events are: Hamburger/Hotdog Cookout at ACU on Bryant Dr on Aug 2 for $5/plate—tickets available at event; Wine Tasting at Letters on Bryant Dr on Aug 5 for $10/person—tickets available at event; Ice Cream Friday inside ACO on Bryant Dr for $1/serving; Newk’s Day is Aug 10—Mention program and %age of purchase at Newk’s on University Blvd will be donated. Fore more info, call 348.9976 or email kjjones@alabamacu.com.
Art Night is Aug 5
The next Art Night at Kentuck (5-9pm) offers two new exhibitions, pizza and gelato, live music, and a Raku firing to make Thurs, Aug 5 one to mark in your calendar! Also, selected items from Kentuck’s jewelry collection will be discounted 40-60% off. For more info, check out www.kentuck.org.
Line Dancing with Soul & Zumba Classes Begin
Line Dancing with Soul will teach you basic steps and choreography of the Electric Slide, Cha-Cha Slide, Detroit Shuffle, Salsa and other party favorites! It’s great exercise and a lot of fun! Thurs classes run Aug 5-Sept 16 (no class Sep 2) from 5:45-6:45pm at Belk Center in Bower’s Park. Cost is $40/session/person, CD included.
ZUMBA is a revolutionary fitness program that features fast and slow Latin rhythms and resistance training to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Routines are easy to follow! Thurs classes run Aug 5-Sept 16 (no class Sept 2) from 7-7:50pm at Belk Center in Bower’s Park. Cost is $40/session/person OR $8/person/day.
Register for both kinds of classes for only $55. All are conducted by the Chamber’s own Lowanda James. Pre-registration required; Call 562.3230 to register or get more info.
ATTN MERCEDES EMPLOYEES: Zumba is offered on Wed at 5:30pm in your fitness center.
Meet Salon Serenity
A ribbon cutting will be held for Salon Serenity at the Lakes of North River (across from Publix) on Aug 6 at 3pm. Address is 4930 Rice Mine Road NE in Tuscaloosa. You’re invited to stop by for a tour! Call Ashley Martin at 462.3192 for more info.
United Way Campaign Kickoff is Aug 12
United Way’s 2010 Campaign Kickoff Breakfast will be Thurs, Aug 12 from 7:30am-9am (short program at 8:15 am) at the Recruiting Room in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Event is being sponsored by Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa so it is free of charge and no RSVP is required. Attendees are asked to bring an item to donate in support of Education (like supplies for teachers), Income (canned goods), or Health (jump ropes, balls of any kind, bat, etc). Call 345.6640 or email rusty@uwwa.org for more info.
Rombauer Wine Dinner at Epiphany
Epiphany Café will present a special 5-course Wine Dinner featuring Rombauer wines (from fabulous family-run winery in California) on Aug 12 at 7pm. Cost is $79/person. Call 344.5583 for reservations. |
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Welcome, New Members!
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The following joined from June 1 to date.
Imagination Station Child Development Center
Baila Venues, LLC
Netquirk, LLC
Angel Flight
Vanguard Cleaning System of North Alabama
The Core
Al.com
Greene Beverage Co, Inc
Chongwah Express
T-Town Tickets, LLC
K&K Cleaning Services
Salon Serenity
NoJobMonsterHere.com
Shabazz Video Productions
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