February 15 - Public Forum at the Expo Annex
February 19 - Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball
February 28 - Frankie Avalon at the BPAC
March 12-13 - 4th Annual Italian Festival of Mississippi
Please be sure to check the Quick Links in the right column for other events.
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Above: A picture of Anderson Short playing on the children's bocce court, just one of many children's activities we have at the festival. |
| Board Meeting Recap |
Above: A group of volunteers waiting the lunch rush at last year's Italian Festival
One new member approved for membership: Patrick Davis-State Farm Agent We have added 20 new members so far this year.
Young Leaders Network: met to set out plans for the year. They will be working on community service and a membership drive.
We served refreshments to the Census Count Committee that met Wednesday, February 10th at the Expo Annex.
Chamber Scholars: Letters were recently sent to all principals and superintendents notifying them that the Chamber Scholars Applications have been sent to each of their guidance counselors. The Education Committee also stressed the point that each and every graduating senior should be made aware of the scholarship and be encouraged to apply. The selection of the winners will be made by a panel of judges who decide if the student meets the requirements.The deadline for the application is March 5th. A notice will be sent to all guidance counselors around the middle of February.
The Education Committee: Met on Wednesday, January 27th to discuss the evaluations that we received from students and exhibitors at the College Career Day 2009. We will also be discussing another ACT Workshop, Teacher Appreciation Week, and Teacher of the Year. The Committee discussed the ACT Workshop and it was suggested that it be offered twice a year. The committee also met on February 2 to discuss the need for a public forum for the Cleveland School Board to explain recent changes they have approved.
Heritage Park: A meeting with Tom Ashcraft concerning the Heritage Park was held on January 14. Ashcraft gave a presentation on his design. The conclusion of the group was that the concept was a good one but they were not pleased with his design. The group wants to come up with a RFP to send to archetics and artist. Bruce Levingston, one of the committee members, has already discussed it with an archetic in New York. They will continue to go forward with the concept.
There is also a group that is discussing a Music Hall of Fame to locate here. The City is interested in seeing this collection as a "start" to our possible future collection. The thought is that it and the Heritage Park plans could be tied together.
Bootsie Lyon talked to the Woman's Club at their program recently and discussed the need to have a source of entities that are in need of volunteers along with a list of citizens that would register to be a volunteer. The committee agreed that the possibility of having a Volunteer Committee at the Chamber that would develop this concept would be benificial to the community. Bootsie will chair this committee.
Above: Members of the Hand-Me-Downs cooking team sample food and hang out in their booth at last year's Italian Festival.
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| Italian Festival of Mississippi |
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, March 12 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Authentic Italian Store
Children's Activities
Bocce
Entertainment provided by:
Dr. Zarr's Amazing Funk Monsters
Saturday, March 13
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Authentic Italian Store
Children's Activities
Cooking Demonstrations
Spaghetti Eating Contest
Grape Stomping Contest
Bocce Tournament
Italian Cooking Contest
Arts and Crafts Booths
Live Entertainment All Day:
Delta Rox
Ol' Skool Revue
Headliner
Almost Famous
Sponsors Include:
Godfather
Cleveland Current
The Bolivar Commercial
Majic 107.5
Jammin' 104
AM 1490 Rejoice
KIX 92.1
Jimmy Sanders, Inc.
City of Cleveland
Topa Dog
Clark's Beverage Group
Delta State University
Mitchell Distributors
Nehi Bottling Co.
WABG-TV/DeltaFox10
Wade, Inc.
WXVT
Mama MiaAutoMark of Cleveland Cleveland Lunber & Supply Denton Dairy Products, Inc. JANTRAN TJ's Spirits Entergy Bolivar Medical Center Joe Reed & Company, Inc. State Bank & Trust Company-In Memory of Dominic Rizzo Sam's Town
Guda BoyBolivar Urology Clinic Bostick Brothers, Inc. Cleveland State Bank Delta OB/GYN Fleming Lumber Co., Inc The Image Specialist K & D Associates Haire Drug Center M & F Bank Boyle Flying Service Advanced Mosquito Control Mid-South Water Delta State University Alumni Assoc. Povall & Jeffreys, P.A. Servpro of Greenville/Cleveland Mississippi Land Bank,FLCA Southstreet Pharmacy Griffith Real Estate and Appraisals C.P. House Gas Co. Planter's Bank & Trust Guaranty Bank Hardy&Associates, P.A. Shelby Air Service Robinson Electric Co.
Acino Piccolo
Byrd Service Station Mr. and Mrs. David(Boo) Ferris Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Ellis Walker |
| Italiano Autentica Cucina |
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ITALIANO AUTIENTICA CUCINA is an added attraction to the Italian Fest of Mississippi this year. We are very excited about Chef John Lewis of the Blue Levee and several of the Delta's finest chefs joining together to prepare an authentic five course Italian meal, complete with wine selection! The meal will take place Friday night, March 12, at the Bolivar County Expo Annex. Serving will begin at 6:30PM and we promise you will be more than satisfied when the last course is served. The event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, but seating is limited. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased by contacting Frances Janoush at the Chamber at 662-843-2712.
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| Public Forum |
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The Chamber will be hosting a Public Forum on Monday, February 15th, at the Bolivar County Expo Annex at 6:00PM. The Forum is for the Cleveland School District Board of Trustees to answer questions on the recent changes that have been made within the district. ALL submitted questions will be addressed. Questions can be submitted at the forum in a written form. We would like to encourage all parents and other interested persons to attend this very important meeting concerning our children.
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Thank You,
Brian Blansett
Marketing and Communications Director
Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce
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Member Spotlight |
Please Support and Congratulate our members!
Patrick Davis- State Farm Insurance
Patrick is our newest State Farm agent in town and thoroughly looks forward to continuing the level of excellence you have come to expect. Whether it be car, home or life insurance, Patrick is eager and willing to serve you. He is located at 103 Cotton Row in Cleveland, MS 38732 across from City Hall. Either stop by or give him a call at 662-843-1591. The office is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday thru Friday and by appointment on Saturday.
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| Letter From The Board |
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Dear Chamber Members,
On behalf of the Cleveland - Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce I ask each of you to join the Chamber if you are not currently a member.
Cleveland has not become the City it is by mistake. It has happened because of great leadership and very active volunteers. The Chamber of Commerce has played an instrumental role in the development of Cleveland and helping develop and implement the long range plans that have made our City and County what they are.
The long range plans are set by members of the Chamber. Being simply said, we work on what the membership feels we should be working on.
I know everyone of you has an opinion on where this community should be heading because I hear it when I am getting coffee in the mornings and when I go out to eat at night.
To make sure you are a part of shaping our community, join the Chamber, get involved in a committee and become a volunteer. Not only will you have great exposure for your business, you will be making the community you live in a better place for the next generation.
Chris Collins |
| What is Cleveland Cash? |
Cleveland Cash Q&A
For Consumers:
Q. What is Cleveland Cash?
A. Cleveland Cash is basically a gift certificate that is good at many of Cleveland's locally owned businesses.
Q. How do I purchase Cleveland Cash?
A. Call or go by the Cleveland/Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce.
Q. How do I know which businesses are participating in Cleveland Cash?
A. Below is a list of stores who are already accepting Cleveland Cash (check back because this list will grow!), or you can look for the "We accept Cleveland Cash" on the door of the store.
Q. I have a Cleveland Cash certificate. What happens if I make a purchase for less than my certificate?
A. Cleveland Cash and/or the change from a purchase is not redeemable for cash, so you will receive change in the form of that store's gift certificate.
For Merchants:
Q. How do I receive payment for the Cleveland Cash certificates?
A. Call or E-mail Anne Dilworth at the Chamber with the amount you have received, and she will come collect the certificates and bring you a check. PLEASE don't call her more than once per week!!! 662-843-2712 or anne@clevelandmschamber.com
Q. A customer uses the Cleveland Cash certificate, but is owed change. What do I do?
A. Give change in the form of store credit or gift certificate at your store.
Q. I am a merchant who didn't sign up to accept Cleveland Cash. Can I still accept it?
A. YES!!! Accept the certificate just like cash. Also, call Anne at 662-843-2712, and she will get you a store sign and add you to the website list below.
Q. How do I determine if the Cleveland Cash certificate is authentic?
A. The certificates are all numbered and printed on copy protected paper. Here are some of the easiest ways to check to see if the certificate is authentic:
- Hidden "VOID" image printed in background of the document
- Fine-line border design which will distort when copied
- Heat-reactive "PROTECTED" logo that will disappear when rubbed
- Call the Chamber to make sure that certificate number is valid
Participating Merchants
Neysa's Fireside Shop
Hometown Gifts and Jewelry
Heidi's
Christina's Exquisite Edibles
Kids Korner
Nancy's Hallmark
Fox Road
Posh
Wishing Well
Nancy's Frame Shop
Cotton Row Bookstore
Gilbow's
Punkin Patch
Warehouse
Airport Grocery
Bean Counter
Kutworks Flowers 'N Things Timily's Home Fabrics & Etc. |
| New Service Offered |
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Frances Pantin Janoush is now a Notary Public and would like to help with any notary needs you may have.
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| Ribbon Cuttings |
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The Chamber offers ribbon cuttings for grand openings and grand re-openings. If you would like to schedule a ribbon cutting please contact Anne Dilworth at 662-843-2712.
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Mission Statement
The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the civic, commercial, industrial, economic, social, and general interest of the people of Cleveland and Bolivar County. It shall encourage the growth of existing industries and businesses while giving all proper assistance to any new firms or individuals seeking to locate in Cleveland and Bolivar County. This organization will support all those activities believed to be beneficial to the community and the area and will oppose those which might be detrimental. And in general, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce shall follow always those policies intended to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number.
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