HIGH WATER THREATENS COMMERCE: All of the rain this past week combined with melting snow north of us is making for some scary times as we watch the Scioto River, Paint Creek and all their tributaries rise to levels not seen in decades. At right, the water nears the south side of Shawnee Square on Thursday late morning. The worst is scheduled to be over by the early weekend and here's hoping that we can come through this with a minimum of disruption and damage.

RECOGNITION AND ROCK N ROLL: To shake things up a bit this year, the Networking Committee is planning on two major social events in 2005. In addition to the Annual Meeting on Feb. 17, the committee is planning "Rockin' Ross County" on Friday, May 13 at the Ross County Fairgrounds. This latter event will be open to the public and will feature dancing, great food, great beverages and plenty of socializing. The main event will be in the multipurpose room, but if the weather cooperates, there will be plenty of space to enjoy the festivities. So reserve the evening of May 13 on your calendar.

RESERVATIONS GOING FAST: The Annual Meeting on Feb. 17 at the Horizon Technology Center is proving to continue to be a good draw despite no sports superstar on the program. And the cost is $10 less than last year to compensate for having hearty appetizers and not a full dinner. And the celebration will be just as exciting as we honor the new Entrepreneur of the Year, the Volunteer of the Year and the Pride award winners. And the speaker will tell us how Ross County is doing a commendable job in economic development and how we might be able to improve. Because space will be limited, we encourage making early reservations. Click here to reserve your tickets: Annual Meeting reservations

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FRONTLINES: To learn firsthand what's being done to lure more business and jobs to Ross County, you'll need to be at the Economic Development Luncheon sponsored by the chamber on Wednesday, Jan. 26. On hand will be MarJean Kennedy of the regional office of the Ohio Department of Development, Doug Corcoran of the city's Economic Development Office, Dona Smith of the Community Improvement Corporation and Marvin Jones of the chamber. To reserve your spot at the 11:30 a.m. affair at the Chillicothe Country Club, call the chamber at 702-2722 or click here: Economic Development luncheon registration

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: USEC is moving forward to build its American Centrifuge project in Piketon that will employ 500 by 2010 and one part of the process is a public meeting on the scope of the environmental review to be done by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. That meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at Zahn's Corner Middle School in Piketon. To show your support, USEC is requesting attendance at the meeting and also speaking in favor of the project. You may register to speak by calling 800-368-5642, Ext. 7777 or emailing rcl1@nrc.gov right away. It'll be a great way to show USEC we back its efforts to bring more jobs here.

NEWS FROM MEMBERS: Here are items submitted by chamber members:

• Eric Gray, former manager of the local store, has been promoted to general manager of the new CiCi's location in Athens. And to celebrate one year in Chillicothe, owner Mike Martin is offering a large 15-inch cheese pizza for $3.99 for all of January.
• Amy Mears of Mears Photography won the trophy for Best Portrait in the recent Triangle Photographers Association competition that includes works from Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Kevin Mears, on the group's executive board, conducted the trade show that had more than 40 exhibitors.
• Steven Phillips received a top sales achievement award from Fairfield Mortgage Co. He is assistant manager of the local office at 246 E. Main St. He won the same award last year and also was Rookie of the Year in 2003.
• The YMCA of Ross County is offering free fitness classes for non-Y members until Jan. 31. There is an additional cost for Jazzercise.

CHANCE TO CHECK NEW CENTER: January's Business After Business at Southern Hills Academy will be a good chance for members and their guests to check out the school's new Innovation Invention Center for Excellence, only one of four in Ohio. The center opens Monday and is supported in part by the Adena Health Foundation. The BAB is Wednesday, Jan. 19 and also will feature frosty blender drinks, beer and mulled cider along with a variety of fondue pot dishes and vegetables. Make your reservation now: BAB registration

SALUTE TO PREMIUM MEMBERS: Twelve companies are taking advantage of the chamber's premium membership packages in 2005 which provide more exposure for their firms as well as financial rewards for the chamber.

Platinum level members:

• Personnel Solutions
• USEC
• MeadWestvaco
• Chillicothe Paints
• Chillicothe Nursing and Rehabilitation
• Preferred Staffing of Ohio
• Horizon Chillicothe Telephone
• Price Insurance, Real Estate and Auctions

Silver level members:

• Herlihy Moving and Storage
• Traditions of Chillicothe
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centers
• Preferred Medical Personnel

MEMBER OFFERS INSURANCE DISCOUNT: Tomlinson Insurance Agency is offering chamber members a chance to save 12 percent on their commercial insurance programs through a program underwritten by Auto Owners Insurance. To learn more about this offer, call Tomlinson at 773-4181.

VANQUISH THE FEAR: Petrified of speaking before a large audience? Want to make the best possible presentation to your boss? Ted Janusz, involved with several Toastmaster International chapters and an author, will provide tips, strategies and other devices to use to be confident when addressing groups or in one-on-one situations. The Workforce Academy is Thursday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 at the Ross County Service Center. Click here to register: Workforce Academy registration

RIBBON CUTTING SET: Mattress, Etc. at 1080 N. Bridge St. near Elder-Beerman, will cut the ribbon to open its store at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15. The store features bedding made at its factory in Kingston along with comforters and quilts. In addition, several Amish are to be on hand to talk about their furniture and bedroom sets that will be sold at the store.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:

• Frankfort Florist, 138 Main St., Frankfort, by Dennis Ray
• Carrie B. Company, 127 Church St., by Carrie Beisel.

(There will be no Weekly Update for January 14)