Volume 6 Issue 9

September 2005

Exclusive Insurance Benefits Package for Chamber Members We are pleased to announce to our members and the Johnson County community the availability of an affordable and Exclusive Insurance Benefits Package through the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce and its affiliation with the Chamber Alliance Program (CAP)* and Symetra Select Benefits Plan.** Members in good standing now have the opportunity to select from a list of comprehensive and reasonably priced insurance packages made especially for small businesses and its employees. The lowest insurance plan available starts at under $20 a month per employee. This program was made available through the Arkansas Legislature passing the Health Insurance Purchasing Group (HIPG) act in 2001. The "law permits the formation of purchasing groups in order to create affordable health premiums." *** How can you enroll in the program(s)? Contact the Chamber office. We will forward your interest to the participating local insurance agencies and they will gladly contact you. Benefits & Information will be sent to your physical address.

Members of the Month June Hampton Inn 2630 W. Clarks Rd. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-4444 July King & Jacobs 1216 S. Rogers Ave. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-2478 August Nowotny Service 700 W. Main St. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-8077 New Chamber Members Stage Department Store #780 Gary Jobe, District Manager 1135 S. Rogers Ave. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-3316 Knight Insurance & Investment Services Nathan Knight, Vice Pres. 300 N. College Ave. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-1164 RE/MAX Plus Realty Doug Wharton, Broker/Owner 1208 S. Rogers Ave. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 705-7587 Holy Smoke BBQ Mike Rylee, Owner 1623 W. Main St. PO Box 376 Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-4406 Pizza Hut Alicia Freeman, Manager PO Box 666 Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-6900 Clarksville Realty Matt Hurst & Associates Matt Hurst, Broker/Owner 305 E. Cherry St. Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-5060 Art Waves, Inc. Tammy Morris, Treasurer 1107 CR 3291 Clarksville, AR 72830 (479) 754-2399

Did You Know.... …You have been paying a 3% "Temporary" Tax on every phone bill since 1898 to fund the Spanish-American war? It has become a "priority of Americans for Tax Reform to repeal the federal excise tax on telephones - a 107-year-old 'temporary' tax that American businesses pay on every telephone line they use." "This tax costs individuals and businesses approximately $5 billion a year." "Today, the telephone is a ubiquitous part of the everyday lives of businesses and individuals." "Worse, the tax now funds no specific purpose, but instead goes into general revenue." "Recent statements by the Treasury Department, IRS, and the Joint Committee on Taxation indicate that some in government wish to expand the tax to include the Internet access and Internet phone calls." "This market distorting tax would hurt penetration of current and future technology in communication services and place the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage." "HR 1898 in the house and S. 1321 in the Senate will finally repeal the law that has been taxing our talk for over a century." "Urge Congress to support the repeal of the Spanish-American War Tax." "Contact your senators and representatives today, and tell them to support the repeal of the Spanish-American War Tax." For further information visit www.atr.org

Paint the Town Red Bertie Golden, President of the Clarksville Booster Club announced today a new program to promote Panther Pride, and the release of its new logo depicting a panther painting a sign that says "Paint the Town Red". The Booster Club is urging businesses to partnership in the program and to promote Panther Pride by purchasing t-shirts for their employees with the new "Paint the Town Red" logo to wear on game days. They are also asking businesses to help promote the program by placing the slogan on their marquee or window front. Support all Panther sports. Purchase t-shirts for $12.00 at Panther games; or to order your shirts contact Bertie Golden at (479) 754-6556 or the Chamber at (479) 754-2340.

4TH Annual Teacup Auction for the Kids - DHS October 8th, Johnson County Fair Building. Tickets @ 5 for $1; sales start at 4:30 pm. Drawings begin at 6:00 pm. Live auction items throughout the evening. All proceeds got to help Johnson County Children. DHS 479-754-2355.

Interested in Fostering and/or Adopting Children? ORIENTATION MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULES FOR SEPTEMBER 6TH, AND OCTOBER 4TH @ 6PM AT THE DHS OFFICE. Contact Carol Geels, 479-754-2355. Johnson County DHS/DCFS 900 South Rogers PO Box 1636 Clarksville, AR 72830

Annual Fall Litter Pick Up at Petit Jean State Park On September 10th, starting 8:30am volunteers are welcome at Petit Jean State Park's Pavilion A. Greeters will provide volunteers with trash bags and work gloves. Put together a cleanup crew and pitch in with your local civic & service organizations, church & youth groups, school groups & clubs, scouts, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses. We don't realize that everyone's small amount of litter builds up- affecting our wildlife. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Cleanup- Keep Arkansas Beautiful, affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. "Last year, the cleanup was the most successful ever, involving 197 events in 54 Arkansas counties. Just over 20,000 volunteers picked up almost 4 million pounds of trash; cleaned up 4.678 miles of roadway, 136 parks & public areas, and 1,063 miles of shoreline; and closed 42 illegal dumps. Approximately one-quarter of the trash was diverted from landfills and recycled. The volunteer-driven effort provided the state & participating communities a cost-saving value of just over $2 million." For more information about Keep Arkansas Beautiful, call 1-888-742-8701 or visit www.KeepAmericaBeautiful.com.

Watercolor Workshop Art Waves presents a 3 day watercolor workshop by Sheila Parsons. Sheila is an internationally renowned artist, which works hang in public and private exhibits nationwide. The workshop will be held through September 23-25 (Fri. 23: 3pm-9pm; Sat. 24: 9am-4pm; & Sun. 25: 1pm-6pm). Cost: $75 one day, $100 two days, & $125 three days. All levels invited, note for beginners- must attend 2 days & all three encouraged. Register with Jim Reasoner, 479-754-2399, meljim@cswnet.com. Maximum class size: 18.

Successful Stuff the School Bus River Valley's United Way collected close to 3,000 supplies at the recent Stuff the School Bus school supply drive on July 30. Five school districts in the River Valley (Russellville, Dardanelle, Atkins, and Johnson County) participated in the drive. Supplies from Dardanelle, Atkins, and Danville were given to Primary and Elementary schools. Supplies from Russellville were provided to the Office of Special Services who will distribute to those in need. Supplies from Johnson County were presented to the Clarksville Junior Auxiliary for use in the "School Store" program. Ms. Erin Baker said, "We were overwhelmed with the response in Johnson County. Here alone 2,084 supplies were donated! This is a very giving community, and we're very thankful to everyone who donated even one pencil. And we're very excited about planning the program for next year. We have ideas to make it even bigger and better." Ms. Janice Joyce, DHS volunteer, reported giving supplies to "570 students in Johnson County schools - not just Clarksville"; and preparing "132 extra 'teacher bags' for all grades and delivering them." Ms. Joyce says she's already prepared an extra 10 bags since calls from students continue. Some supplies are kept in storage to be given throughout the entire school year, and teachers are truly appreciative.

NEWS FROM UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS A NEW SEMESTER HAS BEGUN, AUGUST 23RD OVER 200 FRESHMEN AND OTHER RETURNING STUDENTS RETURNED TO CAMPUS FOR THE KICK OFF OF THE 2005-2006 ACADEMIC YEAR. FRESHMEN WERE WELCOMED AUGUST 19TH FOR THE NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION WEEK. THEY HAD A CHANCE TO ENJOY SEVERAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S PICNIC, A MATRICULATION CEREMONY AT RAYMOND MUNGER CHAPEL, AND SMALL GROUP SESSIONS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS. CLASS REGISTRATION GOES THROUGH AUGUST 29TH. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ENROLLING AT OZARKS, CALL THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE AT 479-979-1227. "U OF O RANKED AS 'TOP-TIER' FOR SEVENTH YEAR THE "U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, WHICH ANALYZES INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, HAS RANKED THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS AS 'TOP-TIER' FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR." THE UNIVERSITY "RANKED EIGHTH AMONG 106 UNIVERSITIES IN THE CATEGORY OF COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGES (BACHELOR'S) IN THE SOUTH REGION," AS PUBLISHED "IN THE 2006 EDITION OF "AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGES." THESE PUBLICATIONS "RANK OVER 1,400 ACCREDITED SCHOOLS NATIONALLY, BASED ON SUCH CRITERIA AS ACADEMIC REPUTATION, GRADUATION AND RETENTION RATES, FACULTY RESOURCES, STUDENT SELECTIVITY, FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND ALUMNI GIVING." OZARKS "RANKED SIXTH OVERALL AMONG THE SOUTH'S 106 COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGES (BACHELOR'S)," AS PUBLISHED IN THE "MAGAZINE'S 'GREAT SCHOOLS, GREAT PRICES.'" RANKINGS ARE CALCULATED RELATIVE "TO THE COST OF ATTENDING A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND THE QUALITY OF THE INSTITUTION." DR. RICK NIECE, OZARK'S PRESIDENT EXPRESSED PRIDE, AND SAID IT WAS "A VERY WELL-DESERVED TRIBUTE TO THE FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS." HE BELIEVES THE RANKING "VALIDATES" THAT THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ITS STUDENTS AN "OUTSTANDING EDUCATION AT A REASONABLE COST." AN INTERESTING YEAR FOR THE WALTON ARTS & IDEAS SERIES AN EXCITING YEAR FOLLOWS FOR THE SERIES WHICH STARTING SEPTEMBER 19TH WILL PRESENT DR. GARY TELGENHOFF, FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST AND DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER IN LAS VEGAS. "HE SERVES AS CONSULTANT ON THE HIT TV SHOW CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION." DR. TELGENHOFF'S PRESENTATION "WILL SHOW HOW HE USES SCIENTIFIC TOOLS TO SOLVE CRIMINAL AND MEDICAL MYSTERIES IN REAL LIFE; HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOLLS OF FORENSIC SCIENCE; DISCUSS THE IMPACT FORENSICS HAS ON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS; AND EXPLAIN HOW HE 'KEEPS IT REAL' ON THE SET OF CSI." SEE IT AT 7PM, U OF O FINE ARTS CENTER, $10 P/TICKET. WALTON FINE ARTS & IDEAS SERIES PRESENTS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR… AERIAL DANCE THEATER ON OCT. 25 @ 7PM; CRAIG KARGES - "SHOW OF MYSTERY, ILLUSION AND THE POWER OF THE HUMAN MIND, A 'TWILIGHT ZONE' ON STAGE, ON NOV. 22 @ 7PM; SCOTT CARRELL AND THE MAGIC OF THE PIANO ON JAN. 22 @ 2PM; CALLE SUR ("SOUTH STREET") LATIN AMERICAN MUSICAL DUO ON FEB. 19TH (2006) @ 2PM; JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU - "RENOWNED OCEANOGRAPHER & ELDEST SON OF THE LATE OCEAN EXPLORER JACQUES COUSTEAU" ON MARCH 7 @ 7PM; THE BEVIN TRIO - "BLEND OF MUSIC & VISUAL ARTS" ON APRIL 23 @ 2PM. HTTP://WWW.OZARKS.EDU/NEWS/INDEX.HTML

FIND YOURSELF SAYING… "CUSTOMERS ARE BOOMING!" …OR ARE YOU SAYING… "WHERE ARE PEOPLE GOING, IF NOT HERE?" Whichever situation you find yourself in, the free to the public Johnson County Arkansas 2006 Directory will help your business gain recognition in Arkansas and outside. This annual release from the Chamber of Commerce has a current distribution of 12,500 over the past six years. Invest in a spot on the Directory, as low as $69.

Has your info Changed? You are highly encouraged to contact the Chamber office with any changes in your contact information (Company, First & Last Names, Address, City, State, Zip, Phone, Fax, Website, and Email). Recently, we attempted reaching many of you through email and traditional correspondence only to find returned and rejected mails. We are proud & glad to serve you, please help us with your transition.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS 5 Labor Day, Office Closed 6 Interested in Fostering and/or Adopting Children? DHS, 6pm 6 Johnson County Fair, Sept. 6-11 10 Petit Jean State Park, Annual Fall Litter Pick Up, 8am - Keep Arkansas Beautiful Kick Off 12 ARVEST Bank Groundbreaking Ceremony, Rogers Ave., 10am 13 Leadership Johnson County, Chamber, 8 am 14 Ambassador's, College Ave. Coffee House, 11am 19 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation consultant, Dr. Gary Telgenhoff, U of O, 7pm 21 Chamber Members Luncheon, U of O Seay Student Ctr., noon 23-25 Watercolor Workshop, Sheila Parsons, 754-2399 27 Central Business District, Chamber, noon 28 Resource Alliance, Chamber, noon

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