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December Holiday Luncheon
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
11:00 am - 1:15 pm
Greenbriar Hills Country Club
Join your fellow Chamber members for the Business Advantage luncheon at Greenbriar Hills Country Club. Doors open at 11, networking starts at 11:30 am, and the program begins at Noon. The luncheon is sponsored by Combs Auto Service and Tire Center AND James Durbin Jewelry Design
Cost for the luncheon is $20 for Chamber members who RSVP, $25 for non-Chamber of Commerce Members and walk-ins. Walk-ins are welcome, but meals are not guaranteed.
If you would like to participate in the Holiday Gift Exchange at the luncheon, we ask that you bring a wrapped gift valued at $10-$15. (Please no discount coupons for goods or services)
Want to Sell? For only $50 you can showcase your products to 125 - 150 people within two hours. Attendees will be looking for holiday hostess gifts, office gifts, holiday party gifts, etc. To reserve your holiday booth contact Gina at the Chamber office at 821.4161.
Want to shop?
Doors Open at 11 for Holiday Shopping!
Click Here For Complete Information Or To RSVP |
President's Article - December
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by Jim Wright
 Last Saturday morning I received a phone call from our five year old grandson Wesley. He had a question for me. "Bub," he said, "is great grandma older than Santa?" "Well no, I replied, Santa is much older than great grandma." Wesley waited a moment and said, "Are you sure, she really looks older. And" (I am sure he was thinking of how wrinkled her face is) he continued, "her skin doesn't even fit her face!"
The Holidays are so much fun, not just for the children, but also for us adults. It is very special when business persons help spread the joy. Many Chamber members have stopped by the Chamber office bringing homemade goodies to share with the staff and other visitors to the office. Several have had or are planning open houses. Restaurants are sharing their luncheon specials on the Chamber's LinkedIn and Facebook pages. Some have even Tweeted Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday messages. For these things the staff and I are very appreciative.
Yesterday I saw a sweater on a mannequin displayed at one member's store. I asked if I could possible try on the sweater in the window and the clerk said no, I'd have to try it on in the dressing room just like everyone else. More humor, more joy!
Click Here To Read The Rest Of The Article
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Breakfast With Santa!
|  Thanks to everyone who participated in the Breakfast with Santa and all who helped to make it a huge success! A special thanks to Red Robin Gourmet Burgers of Des Peres for opening their doors early to the public and hosting this special event.
Pictured right: Wesley Wright is presented a 25 dollar gift certificate from Colleen Schluter of Red Robin as winner in the breakfast with Santa coloring contest.
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How To Stay Healthy This Holiday Season
| New Year, New You - learn more about weight loss surgery options at Des Peres Hospital's MyNewSelf Surgical Weight Loss Program. Seminars held December 5 and December 13 at 6 p.m. Call 1-866-573-5673 or visit http://www.mynewselfbariatrics.com/ more information.
Heart Healthy Options for the Holidays - Join registered dietitian, Carol Walsh, for a special Healthy Eating Bootcamp session on eating heart healthy during the holidays. Two sessions offered by Des Peres Hospital and held at Schnucks Des Peres on December 7 and December 17. For more information http://www.despereshospital.com/en-US/ourServices/communityServices/Documents/Healthy%20Eating%20Bootcamp%20Fall%202011.pdf
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Fighting Family Friction During The Holidays
| Being together with family. It's what many people cite as the number one best thing about the holiday season. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the season offers a multitude of opportunities to visit with family. But for some, increased time with family isn't necessarily a good thing and, in fact, can spell trouble.
Family friction during the holidays not unusual, says Lori Tagger, Ph.D., a psychologist on staff at St. Anthony's Medical Center's Hyland Behavioral Health.
Tagger says many factors can contribute to strained family relationships during the holidays, including unhappy memories from childhood or previous holidays, financial stress and feelings of obligation. Many people set themselves up for family problems because they have unrealistic expectations, she says.
"I call it the Hallmark influence - the fantasy that Christmas has to be picture-perfect; we all have to love one another, get along, sing carols around the tree, etc.," Tagger says. "The fact is, not all families get along, and spending time with people you don't get along with and expecting that it'll be different this time or you have to be happy about it isn't realistic."
So what can people do to survive the relative encounters during the upcoming holidays? Tagger offers the following suggestions:
- Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or "just like last year." As families change and grow, traditions and rituals change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.
- Set aside differences and grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. Understand that others are feeling the effects of holiday stress, too, and don't expect miracles in relationships that are tense.
- Set time limitations based on how much togetherness you and your family can take before feeling negative stress. Try a smaller time frame or alternate who you visit.
- Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.
- Be aware of your financial limitations. Stick to a budget you can afford and don't try to buy happiness or respect with an avalanche of gifts. Remember, it's the thought that's important
Tagger notes that it's important for people to actively work at counteracting things that lower their defenses and coping skills.
"Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Get plenty of sleep and physical activity," she advises.
"Taking time for yourself or time to relax improves your ability to cope with things." Most importantly, Tagger says, people should acknowledge their feelings during the holidays - a move that may make it easier to get along with others.
"It's okay to express your feelings," Tagger says. "You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season."
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RHAF Founder Honored with Award
|  Ellen O'Brien, past President of the St. Louis Association of REALTORS®- a trade association of over 7,000 members, was recently honored with the prestigious President's Award. O'Brien, who has been an active member of SLAR for many years, was recognized for her outstanding dedication and contribution to the Association's charitable arm- the REALTOR® Housing Assistance Fund!
RHAF was created in 1989 through the inspiration and love of Ellen O'Brien. The goal of this not-for -profit charity is to provide a venue for REALTORS® to give back to their communities in which they live, and at the same time- help defeat the plight of homelessness. To date since RHAF's inception, over $692,000 has been allocated to more than 40 organizations assisting the homeless throughout St. Louis City, County and St. Charles.
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Communication Sponsors:
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