STATE BUDGET NOT YET SET: Local lawmakers said Friday afternoon that while much of the state's next two-year budget appears set, there could be more changes once it goes through the Ohio Senate. On hand at the chamber's Legislative Luncheon were state Sen. John Carey (left) and state Reps. John Schlichter (center) and Clyde Evans. Schlichter and Evans voted for the budget bill on Tuesday when it was approved by the full House. Next, hearings are set from now until June in Carey's Finance Committee. A final version is expected to be signed by the governor by June 30.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY: Is your business using the latest technology to build profits? Want to know the latest trends in high-tech? Garry Little might be able to help. The director of the Information Technology Alliance of Appalachian Ohio is the guest speaker at the Networking Luncheon Wednesday, April 27. The luncheon also will feature 30-second infomercials by a representative of each company there so it's a great opportunity for new members to introduce themselves and for other members to talk about what's new. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Chillicothe Country Club. The cost is $15. The time to register is now: Networking Luncheon registration.

BAB TO BE HISTORIC: Wednesday's Business After Business at Globe Furniture on Main Street is a good opportunity for everyone to congratulate the firm on its 100th birthday. Instead of bringing gifts, though, Globe is going to draw four names of winners of $250 gift certificates. Make sure to get your ticket at the registration desk and you must be present to win. Scattered throughout the store will be displays of old advertisements and other items from its century in business. The event runs 5-7 p.m. and make sure to sign up: BAB registration

GET SOME EXTRA EXPOSURE: Are you proud of your website? Want to drive more people to it? The chamber provides one page on our site that features links to members' websites: Member Web Sites. Also, when people search for members using the directory link, those same websites are accessible. The cost for a year to be on the member website page is $100. For more information, call us at 702-2722.

SLOW GROWING: The latest numbers from the Census Bureau show Ross County has grown in population by 1,021 from 2000, or 1.4 percent. The bureau puts the county at 74,466 as of July 2004. Ohio grew only 0.8 percent. Surrounding counties: Pickaway up 1.5 percent (53,656), Pike up 1.9 percent (28,294), Jackson up 2.4 percent (33,411), Vinton up 4.2 percent (13,352), Highland up 3.9 percent (42,610). There was no breakdown available for cities.

EXHIBITS SPOTLIGHT STUDENTS, SUPPORTS LEVY: Lynn Berry at Picture This, adjacent to E.M. Smith Jewelers on North Bridge Street, is hosting a display of works from members of the National Art Honor Society at Chillicothe High School. She said she was in the first chapter of the group when it started in 1983 and hopes the levy in May will be approved so the chapter can continue. The show runs until May 6.

EVENTS TO NOTE:

• Tonight's Pre-season Party with the Paints presented by Budweiser at Horizon Technology is a good chance to meet new manager Glenn Wilson. Starts at 7:05 and the $20 admission includes food and drink.
• "Dollars for Scholars" dance by the Chillicothe Education Foundation Saturday at the Elks. Doors open at 6:30 and the band Della Street starts at 8. Admission is $10 with proceeds to benefits the scholarship fund.

HIGH TECH INTERNS AVAILABLE: Companies can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per intern by participating in a program funded through the state's Third Frontier program. Companies involved in advanced manufacturing, advanced materials development and production, bioscience, information technology, instruments, controls and electronics and power and propulsion can be eligible. More information is available: itaao@itaao.org or by calling 740-597-1211 or 740-597-1408.

NEWEST MEMBER: Joining the chamber recently is Liberty Fitness Women's Health Club at 62 Consumer Drive in Shawnee Square by Pam and Jerry Uhrig. The club will be opening next month. The phone for now is 775-5453; www.libertyfitness.com.

NEWS FROM MEMBERS:

• Michael Martin of CiCi's Pizza is planning to open another store in Zanesville near the new Home Depot on U.S. 60. He also is offering free dinners to all teachers and staff at Unioto schools during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Each year he chooses one school for the program "to show how much we care about them and the work they do."
• Thomas Cremer has joined Value Added Business Services as director of supply chain management. VABS operates Mourning's Office Supplies in Chillicothe.
• Five employees of Traditions of Chillicothe were honored for their service at a luncheon in Columbus sponsored by an organization that represents 300 not-for-profit senior housing apartments, home and community-based service providers. Honored: Beth Hutchinson, Ron Hatton, Edith Seymour, Shelley Pummill and Emerson Montgomery.
• Kevin and Amy Mears of Mears Photography took home several honors from a six-state regional competition recently. Kevin earned one blue ribbon print and the Ohio Valley Professional Photographers Award of Excellence while Amy earned three blue ribbon print scores.
• John Adkins of Adkins Financial Services recently won his fourth consecutive Gold Award from Allianz Life for exceptional sales and service. The honor also included a Caribbean cruise for his family.

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

• Fit for Life Massage, 1957 U.S. 23, by Robert David Blanco.
• Imboden Construction, 1249 Brown Hollow Road, by Anthony and Michele Imboden.
• 26, at 268 Rinehart Road, by Sharon Kaye Carr.