|
|
A look at the week ahead... |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|
23 |
24 | 25 | 26 Thanksgiving Holiday--Chamber offices Closed |
27 Thanksgiving Holiday-Chamber offices Closed |
|
For
information on Calendar Events, click on the event
listing. |
|
Member News “A Dickens Of A Christmas” To Kick Off Christmas Season With Victorian Celebration And Denny’s Tree Lighting
The Victorian-era celebration complete with horse drawn carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, hand bell choirs, ballet dancers, characters from the Charles Dickens novel, living windows, holiday choirs, and the magical Denny’s Tree Lighting Ceremony has drawn tens of thousands of attendees for the last 15 years. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 8:00 p.m. with a community sing-along of favorite Christmas songs, led by the Spartanburg Community Band, University of South Carolina Upstate Gospel Choir and Park Hills Elementary School Chorus. Those attending A Dickens of a Christmas will find activities located on Main Street from South Converse Street to Daniel Morgan Avenue. The lobby of the Denny’s building will house a host of children’s activities such as cookie decorating, ornament making, demonstrations of Victorian games, and much more!
To learn more details about the December 1 celebration or to make a donation to A Dickens of a Christmas, visit dickensofachristmas@yahoo.com or call (864) 596-3501.
Integral’s Countdown to Continued Success
Integral Solutions for Managed Service Providers Worldwide Integral Solutions Group (ISG) announced to an international audience at the 2009 ConnectWise Partner Summit on November 4th, the launch of Integral Solutions Instant Managed Service Provider Channel Partner Program. The program was established to support System Integrators, VARs and technology service providers looking to increase the service set available to customers. By becoming an Instant Managed Service Provider (IMSP), channel partners are able to offer potential and existing clients a stronger base of monthly recurring services, supported by a 24 x 365 Network Operations Center (NOC) within a state-of-the-art Tier IV Data and Business Continuity Center. Partnership in the program includes the ability to offer StressFree I/T® branded or self branded services such as in-house developed Enterprise Monitoring Services (EMS), Internet Vaulting (IV), Tier IV Colocation, Business Continuity and Email Hosting. Easy to integrate, the IMSP Channel Partner Program offers geographic exclusivity to partners and is already being represented in some regions.
John and Lynne Poole Honored with Elaine T. Freeman Volunteer Award
“The Pooles are a strong voice for so many who cannot speak for themselves in the corridors of power,” said Charles Lea Center Foundation Chair Rob Freeman. The Pooles’ son Lee, who recently passed away, was in the Visions Program, a program they were instrumental in starting to serve the most profoundly disabled as they transition from childhood and school years into adulthood. Collectively, between the Center and Foundation boards, the Pooles have over 30 years of leadership service to the Center. John has served on two search committees - to hire David Kiely and now Jerry Bernard as Executive Directors, and is a lifetime board member of the Center currently serving on the finance committee and as chairman of the buildings and grounds committee. Lynne has chaired two Road Rallies for the Foundation and served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees for the last two years. They never miss a fundraiser or a pancake supper; they adopt a home at Christmas, but probably the strongest way in which the Pooles serve Charles Lea is through advocacy. John served on the State Board for Disabilities and Special Needs, and he and Lynne use their influence in the State Legislature to impact issues affecting those with disabilities such as the move to mainstream all children with disabilities into the public school system several years ago. The Pooles fought hard, even taking Lee to the floor of the State Senate, to insure that the McCarthy Teszler School would not go away as an educational option for families. When his influence is needed, John is always available to personally share his experiences with the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. John is president of Carolina Alliance Bank in Spartanburg; active in arts and business causes as well as in the area of disabilities, and Lynne is a community activist. In addition to Lee, they have a son Brad now working and living out of state.
Help My House Energy Makeover Completed
Work on the home began in October shortly after electric cooperative officials announced that Eric and Melissa had won the contest. Davis Services replaced the couple’s 20-year-old heating/air system with a new high efficiency Lennox heat pump. The company also added a programmable thermostat and sealed air leaks. Glenco Insulation added Icynene spray foam insulation in the attic and basement and installed a vapor barrier to prevent mold and mildew in the crawlspace. Don Williamson Electrical upgraded the electrical wiring to the heat pump system. Electric cooperatives across South Carolina created “Help My House” to promote home energy efficiency to all electric consumers. In August, the electric cooperatives held a contest among co-op homeowners to seek out homes that could realize the largest energy savings through a whole-house energy makeover. More than 4,000 consumers entered the contest. Including the home in Woodruff, seven homes statewide received up to $10,000 in energy efficiency upgrades. More information is available at www.HelpMyHouse.org.
The Piedmont Chapter and Pitney Bowes Invite Public to Send a “Touch of Home” to Service Members, Veterans and Family Members this Holiday Season The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cards to service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season. Now in its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans. Between November 2 and December 7, the public is invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays. Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and shipping at no charge. The Red Cross will utilize hundreds of volunteers to sort and box cards for delivery to service men and women, veterans and family members in November and December. Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to: Holiday Mail
for Heroes Please be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 7. Cards received after this date will be returned to senders. For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards. Visit Redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Additional ways to become involved with the campaign include connecting with fellow card senders through Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcross and #HMFH.
Renowned Trombonist Teaches Master Class at the Governor’s School The Music Foundation of Spartanburg will feature world-renowned trombone soloist Scott Hartman in a master class at The South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities at 2 p.m. at The South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities. The master class is designed to teach students and professionals in a non-competitive nurturing environment. A recital will take place following the master class at 8 p.m.
One of the
premiere trombone soloists of his generation, Hartman is head of the
trombone departments at both Yale and Boston Universities. He has been
a featured soloist with the Boston Esplanade Pops, the Philadelphia
Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, and the BBC Radio
Orchestra. A former member of the famed Empire Brass Quintet, he now
performs with the nation’s finest trombone quartet, “Four of a Kind.”
Hartman holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music. Sherman Returns to Original Name: Sherman College of Chiropractic Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic is now known as Sherman College of Chiropractic. The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to authorize the college’s name change on October 17, 2009, during its fall meeting. Sherman College of Chiropractic is the name under which the college was founded in 1973; the college added the word “straight” to the name in the late 1970s. “The college will always remain true to its roots, providing a curricular focus on traditional chiropractic,” says Sherman president Jon C. Schwartzbauer, D.C. “Our founding name better reflects who we are – a contemporary educational institution committed to providing the best education possible, an institution with a strong commitment to educational progress, and an institution geared to meeting the demands of chiropractic students, both today and in the future.” College personnel will spend the coming months revising college promotional materials as well as the college web site to reflect the change.
Spartanburg Regional Federal Credit Union Celebrates Grand Opening
This new location features a new, more personal style of banking, without a teller line. To conduct a transaction inside the branch the SRFCU member will sit at one of four pods with an MSR while the transaction takes place in the back, while our MSR can give undivided attention to our member to discuss other needs that the member may have. Other features of this new branch include two lobby and one drive-up ATM’s, three drive-thru tellers, a change sorter, and a children’s area. Liquid Highway is also located inside of this new branch, with a shared lobby for members to relax and enjoy refreshments from Liquid Highway and wireless internet service around the fireplace.
H&R Block Welcomes Two New Employees
H&R Block Associate Achieves Master Trainer Status H&R Block is pleased to announce that Barry Fox is now a Certified Master Trainer. As one of less than 100 certifications granted in the country, Barry Fox is joining a proud group of Tax Professionals who have proven themselves to be proficient in teaching classes to new and prior Tax Pros. In order to achieve this recognition, Barry had to go through two days of training, pass an extensive interview process, and record a video presentation, which was approved on a regional level with final approval given at Headquarters in Kansas City, MO. Fox has served 24 years with H&R Block. Eight of those years he has taught tax courses and for the past six years has been the Office Leader for the store located at 3245H Wade Hampton Blvd in Taylors. He also has certifications in Small Business/Sole Proprietors and Military taxes.
|
Welcome New Members:
Centerplate, Inc.
Mark Your Calendars...
Holiday Member Social Thursday, Sponsored By: Spartanburg Regional
Healthcare System
Thanks also to... Please join us at the Chamber as we celebrate the holiday season. There is no cost to attend. For admission, please bring an unused, unwrapped toy for donation to Toys for Tots. No RSVP is required--for questions, please contact Cindy Teaster at (864)594-5022 or email here. ______________________
Brown Bag
Lunch Series Presents:
Wednesday, Chamber Board Room Most of us know by now what Social Media IS, but are we really using it to its full potential to boost our business? Join us to hear expert insight into how Social Media can be used to build brand awareness and promote your marketing message. Bring your lunch and the Chamber will provide the drinks! Admission is free to members and $25 for non-members. To register, call Cindy Teaster at (864)594-5022 or email here. ______________________
December
Wednesday,
City Range
Steakhouse Grill
November Member of the Month Jade Cobb Three Words to Describe Yourself: Enthusiastic, Determined, and Intuitive. Why Join Spartanburg Young Professionals? When Jade moved to Spartanburg about a year ago, she met some Young Professionals members who encouraged her to join. She has found the organization very welcoming and active. Through Spartanburg Young Professionals, she hopes to become an integral part of the community. Learn more about the Spartanburg Young Professionals organization and upcoming events at www.sypspartanburg.com
Event Sponsorship Opportunities The following Chamber Events still have available opportunities for sponsorship. If your firm is interested in sponsoring an event, please contact Shirley Wicker at (864)585-5130 or email here. Economic Champions Luncheon 2010 Annual Meeting Legislative Outlook Breakfast 2010 2009 Holiday Member Social The following sponsorships are also available for Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce Publications. If your firm is interested in sponsoring any of the following, please contact Jessica Osborne at (864)594-5062 or email here. Website Sponsorships Weekly E-Newsletter InFOCUS
FOCUS newsletter
Need More Chamber News??? Check out
Chamber FOCUS every Tuesday in the Upstate section of the
Check us out on:
|
The
16th annual A Dickens of a Christmas will be held on
Tuesday, December 1 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in downtown Spartanburg. The
Herald Journal is this year’s presenting sponsor and the
Spartanburg County Historical Association is the organizing sponsor.
“If
you have little ones, be sure to stop in so they can participate,” said
Tammy Whaley, A Dickens of a Christmas co-chair. “Santa will have
his sleigh parked in Morgan Square where children can pay a quick visit
and have their photos taken so be sure to bring along your cameras.” An
outdoor food court will be located on Dunbar Street facing Extended
Stay. Participating restaurants include
Community
volunteers John and Lynne Poole have spent more than two decades as
advocates for people with disabilities. In recognition of their
dedication and passion, they recently were honored with the Elaine T.
Freeman Volunteer Award as presented by the Charles Lea Center
Foundation. This annual award is given to a volunteer (or volunteers)
for exceptional service to the Charles Lea Center. The award is named
the Elaine T. Freeman Award, in honor of her dedication to the Center.
Freeman was a founder of the Center and is the retired president of the
South Carolina ETV Endowment. .jpg)
Eric
Henking and Melissa Drummond’s home in Woodruff will use less energy
and save more money thanks to Blue Ridge, Broad River, Laurens and
Little River electric cooperatives. The couple received up to
$10,000 in energy efficiency upgrades in the co-ops’ “Help My House”
home energy efficiency contest.
Spartanburg
Regional Federal Credit Union (SRFCU) new location, located on Highway
290 in Duncan, celebrated the grand opening of its second branch
throughout the week last week, and opened for business to the community
officially on Monday November 16th. 
Michelle
Smith joins H&R Block as the Director of First Impressions for
Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties. In this position, she is responsible
for recruiting employees and providing leadership and training for
customer service professionals. Michelle has experience in management,
recruiting, training, and marketing. Michelle holds a B.S. Degree in
Business Administration from North Greenville University.
Sarah
Schuppert recently joined H&R Block as the Community Relations and
Marketing Coordinator for Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties. In this
role, she handles local area marketing and develops relationships in the
community by helping educate people on various tax issues and by
creating partnerships with non-profits in the area. A graduate of Bob
Jones University, Sarah most recently worked as an Account Manager &
Office Manager for an ad agency in Greenville and prior to that she
served as Director of Operations at a political and market research firm
in the Washington, D.C. area. 
