Volume 2, Issue 27                                                                March 5, 2004

HOPE ALIVE FOR SCHOOL ISSUE: In about two and a half weeks, we'll know the final outcome of the Chillicothe City Schools bond issue and permanent improvement levy. It's a shame the vote comes down to the 56 ballots that can't be counted until about March 22. The preference, of course, would have been for a victory in which those ballots didn't hold the answer. Even though it's trailing by 27 votes now, those 56 could put it over the top which means a victory for the kids of the district. We'll just hold our breath for awhile.

PHOTOS NOW AVAILABLE: More than 40 photos from the Annual Dinner featuring OSU Coach Jim Tressel are now available on the chamber's website. Just go to our homepage at www.chillicotheohio.com and follow the link.

BAB IN MARCH A WEEK LATER: With St. Patrick's Day falling on the third Wednesday in March, the next Business After Business has been moved to Wednesday, March 24. It will be held at the Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center on Ohio 159 next to Adena Regional Medical Center. And it's not too early to register: BAB registration

CELEBRATE BIRTH OF OU: It was 200 years ago in Chillicothe that Ohio University was born through legislation from the General Assembly meeting in the first capital. A celebration of the college's birth will be Saturday at 1:30 at the Majestic Theatre. It is free and open to the public. Tickets are available today at OU-C, the visitors bureau and the chamber. OU President Robert Glidden, Speaker of the House Larry Householder and other dignitaries will be on hand.

RESTAURANTS COMING RIGHT ALONG: Ground was being turned at the site of the new Max & Erma's near Wal-Mart this week which could mean an early summer opening. Blue Gill's, the new seafood restaurant of Chef Sean Immell is expected to be ready for customers sometime next month.

BWC REP AT LUNCHEON: Susan Mauk from the Portsmouth office of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation will be on hand Thursday at the monthly luncheon of the Ohio Valley Safety Council. It starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Ross County Service Center on Western Avenue. She will talk about recent changes at the bureau and take your questions. Register here: Safety Council luncheon

MAKING SMART HIRES: Former Army Ranger David Hart will present "Who's Packing Your Parachute" at the next Workforce Academy on Tuesday, March 16. It will be noon to 2 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center. He will address effective applicant screening and present ideas on using applications, resumes and background checks. Lunch will be provided and the cost is $10. To register: Workforce Academy registration

NEWEST MEMBERS: Here's who's joined the chamber recently:

CIRCUS TICKETS AVAILABLE: Free tickets for children 14 and under are available at the chamber office for the Walker Brothers Circus coming to the Pike County YMCA in Waverly Wednesday. Shows are at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

VISITORS GUIDE NOW ONLINE: The 2004 Visitors Guide of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau is now available on the Internet. The guide, handled by the Performance Publishing Group, is available at http://www.performancepub.com/PDF_Directory/Ross-Chillicothe_Visitor_Gd_2004.pdf

PAINTS WEBSITE UPGRADED: Matt Bruning and First Capital Photo recently overhauled the website of the Chillicothe Paints. Check it out at www.Chillicothe Paints.com

MEMBERS SPONSOR SEMINARS: Three chamber members are planning investment and other seminars in the coming days:

USEC SETS SAFETY RECORD: Workers at the Piketon plant had their safest year on record in 2003 based on the OSHA recordable injury/illness rate, according to the company. The plant uses a Triangle of Prevention Program that is union-led and management supported. It identifies causes and develops actions to prevent recurrences.

SUNSHINE GETS STAFFERS: Sunshine Tanning Studio recently hired two receptionists and trained tanning consultants. Heather Dunn is the daughter of Jack and Peggy Dunn of Frankfort and Chelsea Brooke is the daughter of Bob and Julie Speakman of Clarksburg.

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

PIONEER HANDING OUT HONORS: Pioneer Center is holding an awards ceremony Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Chillicothe  High School to honor individuals, businesses and organizations which have in some way assisted those with disabilities. Also honored will be those who have overcome disabilities. The featured speaker will be Kathy Buckley, a nationally known comedienne who has succeeded despite significant hearing loss she was born with. The program is open to the public.

DRAMA LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS: Our outdoor drama "Tecumseh!" is looking for volunteers for its hospitality staff this coming season. These are the people responsible for greeting and escorting groups of 25 or more peop0le to their seats, distributing and collecting questionnaires and spending time talking to visitors as they arrive for the play. Each volunteer receives four free passes to the show and a discount in the gift shop. Volunteers would devote at least one evening a week for a total of 12 weeks between June 11 and Sept. 4. If interested, call Beth Beatty at 775-4100.

NEW SHOW AT PUMP HOUSE: The Spring Open Exhibition of the Chillicothe Art League began Thursday and runs through April 24 at the Pump House Center of the Arts.

VETERANS JOB FAIR SET: Space is still available for exhibitors and employers at the March 24 South Central Ohio Employer Expo and Job/Information Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Shoemaker Center at OU-C. It is sponsored by the Ross County Veterans Council, OU-C, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service and the Workforce Investment Network. If interested, call the Kim Baker at the WIN office at 772-7603.

TECHIE JOB SITE LAUNCHED: Employers looking for IT folks and IT folks looking for jobs can now turn to www.itaajobs.org, a new website devoted to information technology people and businesses. It is designed to link would-be employees with employers in the 31-county area of southern and southeastern Ohio.

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

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