THE HOME-GROWN LOOK: If you haven't had a chance to stop by the McDonald's Restaurant at Bridge and Second streets and you're a local sports fan, make sure you do. A new "Ross County Wall of Fame" provides the decor for the newly renovated eatery. You'll find framed pictures, news stories and other memorabilia marking the careers of some of Ross County's best athletes, including John Herrnstein, Greg Cook, Ben Hartsock, Cindy Noble Houserman, Krystal Tharp, Dave Juenger and our best known lacrosse player, Jim Doersam of Doersam Marketing (shown below left). Real fans can spend hours taking it all in and it's a great way to provide our kids with local sports history.

DIRECTORIES AND CARDS NOW AVAILABLE: The chamber's 2005 Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide is now being distributed to advertisers and soon will go out to all members. If you'd like to stop by and get a copy in advance, please do so. Also, the card signifying 2005 membership for your plaques will be mailed once we've received your dues payment. And for those who've already paid, we thank you and we'll have your card and directory out shortly.

NRC HEARING RESCHEDULED: The public meeting of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the environmental review of USEC's American Centrifuge Project is now set for Tuesday, Jan. 18. At this meeting, the public gets a chance to discuss the scope of the review. The meeting, to be held at Zahn's Corner Middle School at 2379 Schuster Road in Piketon, originally was scheduled for October. It is scheduled to run 7-9:45 p.m. Click here for the agenda of the meeting.

A GREAT RESOURCE: If you aren't already subscribing, you might want to check out the monthly newsletter from the Small Business Administration that has great tips on a variety of topics. Here is the latest edition: SBA Solutions. And you can subscribe by going to www.sba.gov/sbanewsalterts.

NEW MEMBER: Joining the chamber recently was Custom Threads, 1560 Lunbeck Road, by Kelli Gothard, custom embroidered apparel, 663-6320.

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

• Q-Nails, 1080 N. Bridge St., by Chon Van Huynh

• Taco Bell, 1040 N. Bridge St., by CL Inc.

• Seeds of Sound, 1696 Western Ave.

NEWS FROM A MEMBER: Jeff Krider is the new sales manager for AMA Signs of America on West Water Street. He has 14 years of sales managing experience.

CONGRATS TO OUR CHAIRMAN: Early last week, Chairman of the Board Bill Beatty and his wife became grandparents three times over when his son Ryan and his wife gave birth to triplets.

A UNIQUE REVENUE STREAM: That's what Bob and Karen Giles are hoping will be the result of adding two self-service dog wash bays at their Spot-Free Car Wash on Western Avenue. They are hoping to have them open soon. The inside bays include stainless steel sinks the dogs use a ramp to access. They will be at waist level to make things easier and low-noise blow dryers also are available. They hadn't set pricing yet. The idea was found in a trade magazine and they checked one that's been open near Lancaster.

GAZETTE STARTS FAITH-BASED PUBLICATION: In January, the Chillicothe Gazette plans to start "Scioto Valley Faith", a publication focusing on Christian culture in southern Ohio. It will be distributed in churches, faith-based businesses and some retail outlets, and will not be included in the Gazette itself. It will go to outlets in Ross, Pickaway, Jackson, Highland and Pike counties. The first edition is planned Jan. 20 with an advertising deadline of Jan. 11. For more information: mrager@nncogannett.com.