Volume 2, Issue 39 Friday, June 4, 2004
SHIP TO SAIL IN ABOUT A MONTH: Sean Immell said he hopes to have his new Cajun seafood restaurant -- Blue Gill's -- open sometime in July. The new eatery on North Bridge Street next to Shawnee Lanes will feature a patio which will include this old boat he found recently. Meanwhile, Max & Erma's is shooting for a June 28 opening.
GUN LAW SAFETY TOPIC: Jim McKean of the Law Enforcement Technology program at Ohio University-Chillicothe will discuss Ohio's new concealed carry law and its impact on businesses at the next luncheon of the Ohio Valley Safety Council. The luncheon is Thursday, June 10 at the Ross County Service Center and costs $8 which includes lunch. Safety Council registration
ALWAYS AT THE TOP: In a survey of small businesses nationally, the cost of health insurance came out as the number one critical issue, which is not surprising as premiums continue to skyrocket, the same as pharmacy costs. Rounding out the top three were the cost and availability of liability insurance and workers' compensation costs. Moving from No. 2 to No. 5 were federal taxes on business income. The survey was done by the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation and Wells Fargo.
HEALTHY GRANTS AWARDED: Eleven non-profit organizations in four counties will receive $26,000 in the first grants to come from the Community Health Partners Fund of the Adena Health Foundation. The awards were announced this week by Dr. Keith Ames, chairman of the foundation's board of directors. "... I believe that these grants make a dramatic statement about the foundation's ability to focus local giving on the health concerns that challenge us throughout Adena's service area in south central Ohio." Donations for the fund came from the public, Adena Health System employees, physicians, patients and their families and area businesses. Receiving grants were the Ross County Health District, Academy for Kids Early Learning Center, Vinton County school district, Jackson County Board on Aging, Community Action of Pike County, Southern Hills Academy, Jackson County Health Department, Salvation Army, Jackson-Vinton Community Action, Scioto Valley school district in Piketon and the Southeast Ohio Emergency Management Services.
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR OSU MEMORABILIA: At the June 16 Business After Business at K-C Raceway, you'll have a chance to bid on a Buckeye print signed by Ben Hartsock. The proceeds benefit the cancer society Relay for Life team of Citizens National Bank.
SEMINAR LAST CALL: Registrations are still being taken for the U.S. Department of Labor seminar on June 9. On the agenda are discussions about wage and hour laws, COBRA and the Family and Medical Leave Act. It runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center and costs $10 which includes lunch. For more information and to register: Labor information seminar registration
SPIRITUALITY SESSION TOPIC: The VA Medical Center is making available its "Treating the Whole Person" seminar to be conducted on Monday, June 14, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dr. Harold Koenig of the Duke University Medical School will discuss the positive and negative impacts of spirituality and religion on an individual's physical and mental health. The cost is $51 and the deadline to register is Monday, June 7. For information on how to register, call 773-1141, Ext. 7201.
NEW MEMBERS: Joining the chamber recently were:
Preferred Medical of Ohio, 172 E. Main St.; by Ken Shelton and Abby Patches, 773-1340, ken@preferredstaffing.us
Fleshman Law Offices, 63 N. Paint St., Gary Fleshman, 773-9982
AFLAC Dean Family Insurance, 11 W. Main St., Logan; Sheryl Dean; 740-380-3326
Ross-Co Redi-Mix, 689 Marietta Pike; Connie Wrightsel, 775-4466
SALUTE TO SERVANT: John Hagen had a hand in every crucial highway project in southern Ohio, including seeing U.S. 35 become four-lane the length of his District 9. Hagen retired recently as deputy director, ending 40 years in the Ohio Department of Transportation. He was in his present position for seven years. No successor has been named.
VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County auditor:
Old Time General Store, 200 Burbridge Ave.
McMurry's Gardens, 10040 U.S. 41 north, Bainbridge
CHAMBER CALENDAR: