Brownwood Area

Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Newsletter—February 2015

BrownwoodChamber.org

Inside This Issue

Page 2

*Luncheon

*Chamber Banquet

Page 3

*Legislative Day Wrap

Page 4

*Renewing Members

*Upcoming Events

Page 5

*New Members

Page 6

*Ribbon Cutting

*Conaway Town Hall

*Business After Hours

Page 7

*Bridal Fair “Thank You”

Page 8

*Brownwood Store

Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit Continues

Landscape photography, Micro Mosa-

ics, Drawing with Munster and Mixed

Media are just a few of the demon-

strations happening at the Stars of

Texas exhibit. The exhibit runs

through February 20th with daily

demonstrations from 9 am– 3:00 pm

and features several local artists. This

years $1,000 Dorothy Mays Best of

Show Award was given to Jana Herndon, pictured left, for her piece “Lazy

Fall Afternoon.” The Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit was conceived in 1999

to showcase the newly restored Santa Fe Depot. The exhibit is featured

every February at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center.

Pieces by local artists

entered but not accept-

ed into the Stars of Tex-

as are on display in the

Brownwood Art Associ-

ation’s Salon des Refus-

es, pictured right, and

can be seen Monday-

Friday from 10am to

5pm, Saturday from

10am-4pm and Sunday

1pm-4pm in the Art Center at 215 Fisk Street. The Salon des Refuses is

French for “exhibition of rejects.” This famous tradition originally began

with French Emperor Napoleon III in 1863 after a public outcry from artists

when works of art were not accepted into The Paris Salon.

Chamber Luncheon to feature Wayne Huddleston February 20th Sponsored by Edward Jones

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon will be Friday, February 20th at

the Brownwood Country Club from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. The luncheon, which is open to members

and guests, will feature Wayne Huddleston from the Small Business Administration and will also

include door prizes, introduction of new members and the “Aces Wild” Cash Drawing sponsored

by Ranger College —which features a guaranteed winner each month.

Wayne Huddleston is an Economic Development Specialist and the Veteran’s Business Develop-

ment Officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Dallas/Fort Worth District Office. In this

role, Huddleston is responsible for collaborating with an extensive network of public and private

sector partners to further SBA’s mission of helping businesses start, grow and succeed in North

Texas.

The SBA District Office covers 72 counties in North Texas and serves approximately 860,000 small

businesses. During fiscal year 2014, the DFW district office approved 1,675 loans for a total dollar value of $881 million.

Huddleston is also a U.S. Army veteran, last serving as a Sergeant in the 345th Psychological Operations Company (Airborne) in Dal-

las.

The cost for the luncheon is $12 per person and can be paid at the door. Register by calling the Brownwood Area Chamber of Com-

merce at 325-646-9535 or go online at BrownwoodChamber.org.

This luncheon is sponsored by Edward Jones.

Door Prizes Provided by Baird Brothers Express Car Wash, Cooks Fish Barn, Elliott Electric Supply Company , and IntegraCare Home

Health

The 2015 Annual Chamber Banquet Set for April 9th Community Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce will host their 2015 Annu-al Chamber Banquet on April 9, 2015. The celebration will be held in the Brownwood Coliseum with the reception at 6:00 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM and the awards presentation slated to begin about 7:00 PM.

Community Service Awards will be presented during the banquet includ-ing Good Neighbors, Community Partner, Business of the Year, Man and Woman of the Year and the Groner Pitts “Lifetime of Service” Award.

Nominations are currently being taken for these awards. Forms are available at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce office and are due March 2.

The sponsors of the 2015 Annual Banquet will be sold through the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign and will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about sponsoring the banquet or corporate re-served VIP tables, see a Team Member of the Total Resource Campaign or call the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535.

Brownwood Legislative Day 2015 A Great Success

Brownwood showed up in full force at the Capitol as 40 locals climbed on the bus and made the trip to Austin on February 3rd.

The delegation met with officials and was recognized on the House Floor. At the conclusion of the day, House Speaker Joe Straus

was inducted into the “Brownwood Mafia.” Presiding at the induction ceremony was Brownwood business owner Robert Porter.

He described the “Brownwood Mafia” as a loosely organized group whose single-minded interest is promoting Brownwood, and

whose ranks include former presidents, governors, Congressmen and U.S. Senators. Pictured above from left to right: Robert Por-

ter, Dr. Steve Kelly, House Speaker Joe Straus and Brad Locker.

Sponsors for the 2015 Brownwood Legislative Day included: Presenting Sponsor: Texas Bank; Legislative Partners: Brownwood

Regional Medical Center, Texas State Optical, and Brown County Abstract Company; and VIP Reception Sponsor: Brownwood

Economic Development Corporation.

Brownwood Chamber Kicks Off 2015 Total Resource Campaign

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off their fifth an-

nual Total Resource Campaign (TRC) on January 27, 2015.

The TRC is designed to give Chamber members numerous opportuni-

ties to become more involved with the Chamber on various levels

through greater public awareness of Chamber programs, projects and

events. In addition, the TRC makes it easier for businesses to budget

for the coming year and helps improve the efficiency of Chamber-

sponsored events.

The Total Resource Campaign reviews and evaluates current Chamber

programs and develops a menu of sponsorship opportunities tailored

to fit any budget, big or small. Over a six-week period, beginning Janu-

ary 27th, 6 local volunteers will work with Chamber members to design

an ideal sponsorship plan for the entire year. The TRC is designed to be

fun and exciting for team members with rewards available throughout

the campaign. The theme for this year's campaign is "2015 Total Resource Campaign....The SMART Choice!"

For more information about the campaign or sponsorship opportunities, contact Missi Malone, Director of Member Services by calling 325-646-

9535 or email membership@brownwoodchamber.org.

Pictured are this year's TRC Volunteers and staff during their kick-off party Tuesday at Early Game & Skate. From left to right, Adam Lancaster,

TexasBank; Missi Malone, Brownwood Chamber; Kim Peterson, Heartland Mall; Don Bostic, Ranger College; Sheri Wells, Coldwell Banker; Daniel

FEBRUARY

19 Town Hall with Congressman Mike Conaway—Brownwood Cham-ber of Commerce

19 Business After Hours at Docs Brownwood

20 Chamber Monthly Luncheon Brownwood Country Club

24 Physicians Welcome Reception - Depot Civic and Cultural Center

25 Soul Food Luncheon—Bennie Houston Recreation Center

28 Daddy Daughter Dance at the Depot

MARCH

4-7 NJCAA Region V Basketball Tournament Brownwood Coliseum

5 BCCA presents Craig Toungate Victory Life Auditorium

5 Everyone Deserves a Birth-day Coggin Connection Center

14 Heart Association Gala Brownwood Country Club

20 Chamber Monthly Luncheon

Brownwood Country Club

20 Canines, Cats, & Cabernet Depot Civic & Cultural Center

Art Classes every Tuesday evening at The Brownwood Art Center

Farmer’s Market Every Saturday be-hind the courthouse square on Fisk

Ave.

First Saturday of Every Month is Fami-

ly Day Lehnis Railroad Museum

Upcoming

Events

Angerstein Concrete

Arts Council of Brownwood

Bangs Flower and Gift Shop

BCAC TJJD

Black Plumbing

Bostick’s Auto

Brasher & Co.

Brown County Animal Clinic

Brownwood Glass and Mirror

Brownwood Municipal Police Association

Buffalo Wild Wings

Choice Hire Staffing

Circle B Ranch

CT Ham Insurance

Dairy Queen

Davis Floral

Davis-Morris Funeral Home

Doc’s Drugstore

Gentiva Hospice

Harlow RV

Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers

Heartland Mall

Hi Way Auto Parts

Hope for Tomorrow

Humphrey Pete’s

IntegraCare Home Health

Jerry Dehay

Julie Gribble Town and Country Real Estate

Legacy IT

Mi Familia

Mid-Tex Cellular

Nesa Morelock, Realtor

Ranger College

Skillet’s

Songbird Lodge

Southwest Appliance

Stephen Kelly

Taylors Mini Mall

The Chatfield Assisted Living

This Ol’ House

Wal-Mart

Wildwood Trails

Young’s Jewelers

A Special THANK YOU to the following businesses that renewed their Member-ship in the month of January. We greatly appreciate your continued support of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce

and the Brownwood Community

WELCOME NEW

CHAMBER MEMBERS!

Experience Works, Inc. – Experience Works is a national nonprofit organization providing training, community ser-

vice, and employment opportunities for older workers in 30 states and Puerto Rico. Experience Works' programs im-

prove the lives of low-income older workers. They began in 1965 as Green Thumb, a rural demonstration project that

provided work for poor farmers, and have grown to become a leader in helping older adults develop skills to secure em-

ployment and break out of poverty. For more information on their programs can benefit you or your organization visit

their website, www.experienceworks.org, or call Klaus Szabo at (325) 641-1319.

Sparkles and Spurs Wedding Venue – Take a drive down a quiet country road to visit Sparkles and Spurs where all

your vintage and rustic wedding dreams come true. From the antique wedding arbor, and perfectly whitewashed pews

complete with burlap bows, to the chandelier lit barnwood dance floor. DIY and bring your own food and décor, or en-

list experienced wedding coordinator Karen and she will handle it for you. For more information contact Karen Fisher

at (325) 642-5572.

Racks N Rustics – As the newest boutique in town, Racks N Rustics offers mixed traditional western wear with a mod-

ern flare for men and women. They carry brands such as Silver Jeans, Dusty Rocker, Giddy Up Glamour, Crazy Train,

Wrangler, Rock 47, and more. Stop by today and shop for your favourite guy or gal, 1507 Austin Avenue, or call Dan-

ielle or Nikki for more information at (325) 643-1540.

River Crest Hospital - River Crest is a modern 80-bed hospital, specializing in the treatment of behavioral health and

chemical dependency disorders that can afflict persons of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and the elder-

ly. Services include evaluation, crisis stabilization, treatment, education, prevention, and aftercare. For more infor-

mation visit www.rivercresthospital.com or call Shawna at (325) 949-5722.

Ribbon Cuttings

RIBBON CUTTING FOR RACKS N RUSTICS The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, February 5th for Racks N Rustics, one of the new-est chamber members

The new store offers mixed traditional western wear with a modern flare for men and women. They will carry brands such as Sil-ver Jeans, Dusty Rocker, Giddy Up Glamour, Crazy Train, Wrangler, Rock 47, and more.

The store is located at 1507 Austin Avenue in Brownwood. For more info, call Racks N Rustics at (325) 643-1540.

Pictured is Racks N Rustics owners and staff cutting the ribbon with Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.to

have another unique no shortage of great shopping right here in Brownwood and we are thrilled to have an-

other unique boutique in the area! The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting, welcoming its

Congressman Mike Con-

way To Hold Town Hall

Meeting in Brownwood

February 19th

U.S. Representative K. Mi-

chael Conaway (R-Texas) will

hold a town hall meeting in

the Board Room at the Brown-

wood Area Chamber of Com-

merce, in Brownwood, Texas,

from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on

Thursday, February 19, 2015.

The town hall is open to members of the media and the public.

For more information or questions, please call (325) 646-

1950.

February Business After

Hours

Hosted by Doc’s Drugstore

of Brownwood!

Join us on Thursday, February 19th

at Doc’s Drugstore of Brownwood,

3800 Hwy 377 S , from 4:00 PM to

6:00 PM. Enjoy delicious refresh-

ments and great shopping!

Chip Camp —President

BRMC

Tim Espinoza—President-Elect

TexasBank

Kim Peterson

Heartland Mall

Jill Evans

Family Services Center

James Simmons

Loadcraft

Priscilla Monson

West Central Texas Valuation Services

Daniel Hutson

Council Finance

Marisha Stidom

Superior Essex

David Robnett

Robnett Insurance

Paul Underwood

Underwoods Cafeteria

Donna Wilhelm

Auto Glass Magic

Jodie Armstrong

Care Nursing and Rehab

Kim Bruton

Runaway Train Cafe

Brownwood Area Chamber of

Commerce Board of Directors

2014-2015

Chamber Staff

—————————————————————

Ray Tipton—Executive Director

Sunni Modawell—Tourism Director

Missi Malone—Membership Director

Martha Faetche—Visitor Center & Brownwood

Store Manager

Dawn Norway—Office Manager

Brandi Lancaster—Events Coordinator

The Brownwood Store

Call Martha at the Brownwood Store at

325-646-9535 for more info or visit us in-

side the Brownwood Area Chamber of

Commerce (600 E. Depot St. )