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NAS JRB Commander Michael Steffen appeared quite comfortable speaking to a Chamber luncheon group last week at Cendera Center. The lunch was catered by City Kitchen. "Thank you for inviting me to speak. It got me out of a human resource class. The meal was fantastic. Steak! I think I saw some of those out at the Stock Show yesterday." Read below for his comments about why he loves Texans, when not to panic and a guys' night out.

View additional pictures of the event here.

Roses are red, ...: As a public service to your relationships, Mr. B is running this outrageously generous (and beautiful) Valentine's Day offer from Gordon Boswell Flowers early. Some of you (Amy, Chuck, Rich) depend on Mr. B to annually come through for you on special occasions. You win an arrangement or a bouquet because of the generosity of Boswell's Courtney McCaleb, then pass it off as your schlepping to the florist, picking out an arrangement, blah, blah, blah. B2B Insider will select a winner tonight and if you don't win, you have 17 days on your own to take care of your sweetie. But if you are lucky (talking to you Amy, Chuck and Rich), Courtney has the most beautiful ensemble of THREE dozen roses, no thorns attached.

• Elizabeth Northern, Buxton
• Tucker Mullins, Key Personnel
• Matt Johns, Cooksey Communications
• Dale Brock, Visiting Angels
• Tracy Gilmour, Sundance Square
• Sue Holdridge, Barnett, Howard & Williams
• Doug Nix, ABM
• Megan Terrell, Clifton, Larson Allen
• Cathy Sheffield, Baylor-Scott White Health Foundation

Hepburn or heartburn? Audrey (Organized Chaos) Stewart has been promoted to account director at Balcom. How is that news? Only that the Chamber is one of her accounts, which as a "director," she might suddenly believe she, too, should be editing Mr. B in B2B Insider. BTW, the OC also is certified to lead True Colors personality workshops for Balcom clients.

Not fit to a T: Because it receives federal dollars and "shouldn't" compete with charter companies and because it was outside its route structure, The T no longer has bus service to Dallas Cowboys games, to TMS Speedway or its Christmas Lights tour. Separately, the T board has seen options for future routes in growth areas and is studying the plan for about another three weeks.

Who was that masked man? Bob Lutz at American National Services says bosses are ordering cubicles with lower panels (to better watch you!). Lower panels = more noise, so ANS is doing more "sound masking."

Friendly norther: In B2B's never-ending quest to save you dollars, you can buy this trip by tax day April 15 and save $100 (three percent). The Chamber's annual fall trip is to Ontario and Quebec from Oct. 1-8 and the approximate $3,100 fare includes seven nights' accommodation, sightseeing, meals and airfare from D/FW International Airport. The tour visits the province of Ontario, the lively, modern city of Toronto and the inspiring spectacle of Niagara Falls. In Quebec, you will visit the beautiful French cities of Montreal and Quebec City. Ask Monta for more info.

Running with scissors: If one of you lovely, outstanding, hard-working Am-Bass-Adorables could pick up a doggie bag of BBQ shrimp & grits and a future newsletter giveaway of a dinner for two from David Bryan at Flight on Eagle Mountain Lake, B2B Insider readers would be very happy. The Flight has sharp knives for the noon Tuesday ribbon cutting. Wednesday at 11:30, the Adorables are over hill and over dale to Overton Trails at 2450 Oak Hill Circle. Son NoBGood lived there and met the most wonderful woman who now is his wife and that could happen to you, too, unless you already have a wonderful wife.

Use for direct mail to Chamber businesses. (Avery 5160)
Available formats:

• Geographic area set (North, South, Central, West, East; see map here. Contact Christine directly to order.)- $75 for Chamber members   
   
• Full membership set (approx. 2,000 addresses)- $300 for Chamber members