InsideIt's Your Business: Good - Written In Stone

Business News: Annual Governor's Lunch

Chamber News: Chamber Open House Pictures

Chamber News: New Chamber Website

Business News: Spotlight: Senator Richard Shelby

Community News: Bessmer Christmas Parade Pixs

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Chamber's Annual Banquetis January 24th Chamber's Annual Banquetis January 24th With U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Alice Martin speaking, a great opportunity to network and great food don't miss out on a grand evening next month as the Chamber celebrates its 86th year. You and your business are the reason we celebrate and the annual banquet is the time we say thank you for being an exceptional business community. There will be elected officials at all levels, civic leaders, and of course our Ambassadors there for you as a business person to meet and greet. Remember tables and sponsorships are on a first come first served basis so hurry to make your reservations. The date is Thursday January 24, 2008 at the Bessemer Civic Center beginning at 6:00 pm with a networking hour and the banquet will begin at 7:00 pm. We promise to have you on your way home by 9:00 pm. For information and reservations contact the Chamber at 425-3253 or email mmilan1@bellsouth.net.

BACC

essemerrea

ofhamberommerce January 2008

Communication: The Key To Successful Business

Drive thy business or it will drive thee.Benjamin Franklin

Festive Chamber ChristmasOpen House Festive Chamber ChristmasOpen House The place was packed, the food was great and the laughter was loud and continuous as the Chamber welcomed its members to the annual Christmas Open House. Shrimp, beef, chicken, fruit, dip, vegetables, punch and more were eaten by the happy revelers in celebrating the holiday season. Door prizes wrapped as Christmas gifts and put under the large Chamber Christmas tree were given out to several lucky attendees. Chairman Kenneth Gulley and Chairman elect Jon Staggs were on hand to welcome all that at-tended and to hand out the gifts. Mayor Ed May and his wife Pat were on hand along with many more local elected officials includ-ing: Jimmy Stephens, Jesse Matthews, Earl Cochran, and Sarah Belcher from the City Council and Board of Education members Bessie Pippens, Christine Knight, Hattie Aikerson and Vera Eades.

(Continued on Page 4 with photos)

Weather Helps MakeChristmas Parade OutstandingWeather Helps MakeChristmas Parade OutstandingIt could not have been a more spectacular day! The sun was shining, temperature just right, and a large crowd gathered on the streets of downtown Bessemer to view a tremendous parade. The Chamber thanks the City of Bessemer, especially our police department and fire fighters, for their great support. Council member Sarah Belcher was Chairperson of the parade commit-tee along with Margaret Snider and Latasha Cook from the Chamber. They did so much to make the parade a big success. We also want to thank Commissioner Shelia Smoot for her spon-sorship of the parade and Commissioner Bobby Humphryes for putting in an entry. Commissioner Smoot was riding in a County boat and it brought cheers from the throngs along the road. Mayor Ed May along with Council members: Jesse Matthews (Council President), Albert Soles, Sarah Belcher, Earl Cochran and Louise Alexander represented the City and our State Representative Priscilla Dunn and husband Grover came for the State.

This year's Grand Marshall was David Lamb CBS 42 in Birmingham. His wife Sonya joined him for the parade and brightened the day for all that met her. David is the seventh of ten children and was born in Okeechobee, Florida. David graduated from Cathedral Christian School in Center Point and then attended the University of Alabama and received a Bachelors degree in Broadcasting and Film Communication. David joined Sherri Jackson in January of 2000 to anchor the evening newscasts on CBS 42. David lives in Hoover with his wife and their three children, Jessica, Isabella, and Will. It was an honor having David and Sonya lead our parade.

Jess Lanier HS, Woodlawn HS and Bush Middle School bands were magnificent as were the cheerleaders, drill teams and ROTC from Lanier. Churches, day cares, businesses, politicians and civic clubs dotted the approximately 140 entries. There were horses, the Baron's mascot, elves, and of course Santa Claus. Religious floats recognized the birth of Jesus Christ while some had the win-ter theme. All in all it was a grand day and one that will be re-membered. To view the winners and the parade in pictures go to

(Continued on Page 7 with photos)

Latasha Cook, Grand Marshall David Lamb,Margaret Snider, and Sonya Lamb

ready to start the parade

Kenneth Costontalks with

Pam Nicholsand Jack White

at ChristmasOpen House

RX

BESSEMER APOTHECARY230 North 19th Street

Bessemer, Alabama 35020Phone: 205-425-1641

Delivery ServiceMedication Management

Unit Dose SystemsMunicipal and Government Contracts

OSHA ConsultingWorkers Comp Programs

Nursing Home and Assisted Living ServicesDisease State Programs

A New Year and a new start for our businesses begin this month. This past year probably brought your business, your family, and yourself many problems but also many blessings. Sometimes someone we respect or love may hurt our feelings, do us wrong, or in our opinion take advantage of us. A story sent to me by my sister makes more sense every time I read it so I would like to share it with you as we look with optimism to 2008.

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"

THE FRIEND REPLIED WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT."

We must learn to write our hurts in the sand and to forgive. But even more important is to write our good in stone so we never forget it. Remember it is up to you whether you are happy or not, whether your family and friends are loved by you and whether your business is customer friendly. Forgive hurt and remember the good because it is your business.

President

22 It's Your BusinessIt's Your BusinessFrom the PresidentFrom the President

TRUCK AND AUTOREPAIR SERVICE

425-02431207 4th Avenue N.Bessemer, AL 35020

PHELPSGARAGE

491-0000

www.alabamaford.com5041 Ford Parkway Bessemer, AL

Tim Thornton RecognizedTim Thornton Recognized

Past Board member Tim Thornton, Medical West CEO, was honored as a finalist in the Birmingham Business Journal's Health Care Heroes on December 6th at the Harbert Center. Tim especially deserved this recognition as he has led Medical West through the final partnership agree-ments with UAB and the construction of the new professional and outpatient facility on the campus. Medical West is now mov-ing forward with reconfiguring the parking around the hospital to better serve its pa-tients and their visitors. The Chamber joins in congratulating a great Corporate leader in our area.

33Business NewsBusiness News

To enhance ourcommunicationswith your office

or location, send youremail address to us at:

mmilan1@bellsouth.netor fax it to 425-4979.

email

www.bessemerchamber.com

Annual Lunch With GovernorAnnual Lunch With Governor

The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual lunch with the Governor at The Club in December and the Governor was optimistic and mag-nanimous in praising the region. He praised the regional leadership for mov-ing to speak with a unified voice and work-ing together to achieve common goals. Governor Riley said he is encouraged by the region's recent actions. Seen in atten-dance were Mayor Ed May, Chamber Pres ident Ronnie Acker, and new Chamber board member Allen Rice of ITT Tech.

Chamber NewsChamber News44

The Chamber Ambassadors led by 2007 Coordinator Connie Fuell and 2008 Coordinator Diane Sparks were great hostesses and they included: Nelda Pate, Regina Doriety, Claire Mitchell, Minnie Roper, Debbie Stewart, Lula Walter, Louise Hickey, and Doris Lewis. Chamber Board members attending were: Pam Nichols, David Darby, Joni Holt, Dr. Deborah Horn, Howard Johnson, Allen Rice, Steve Self, Sunny Lippert, and Keith Pennington. We also welcomed long time supporter of Governor Bob Riley, Pam Segars-Morris who always brightens up the room she is in. Both local news-papers were represented with the Western Tribune having Dan DeLong and the Western Star with Dale Jones and many of his staff.

Chamber Open House in PicturesChamber Open House in Pictures (continued from page1)

NOW!

Minnie Roper, Gene Cochran and Claire Mitchellin front of Chamber's Christmas Tree

Debbie Stewart, Sarah Smith, Bill Winn, Councilman Jimmy Stephens,

Past Chairmen Pam Nichols and Jack White talkas Ambassador Coordinator Connie Fuell listens

Connie Fuell, Mary and Wayne Morgan tellChamber's Mary Milan how much fun they are having

Chamber's Latasha Cook did anotheroutstanding job in coordinating the Open House

Anthony Underwood talks withEddie Vines as David Darby looks on

Bessemer Police Chief Nathaniel Rutledge met with local ministers in the second meeting of the Chamber's Minister Committee on December 11th in the boardroom at the Chamber. He answered their questions and addressed their concerns. He also brought them up to date on the status of the de-partment so each minister can take that information back to their congregations. Of note is the election of Reverend Doug Caddell, Canaan Baptist Church in Bessemer, to the Chamber's Board of Directors. It has been recommended that a member of the Minister Committee serve on the board to facilitate the communications between the business and faith-based communities.

Ministers Committee MeetingFeatured Chief RutledgeMinisters Committee MeetingFeatured Chief Rutledge

Held at the Heritage Trail Conference Center again, the Board and Ambassadors met together to plan for 2008 and the programs that will mark another successful year for your Chamber. 2008 Chairman Jon Staggs led the discussions and help coordinate the planning for each division. One major move by the group was to make the Tourism Division a com-mittee reporting to the Community Building Division. The Tourism Committee is responsible for promoting the City of Bessemer and the surrounding community and representing the interests of the Conventions and Visitor dependent busi-nesses in the region. It was a group that worked hard together and then enjoyed getting to know each other through the meals and leisure time allowed. When you see the Strategic Plan for 2008 remember that it did not just happen. It took a lot of hard work and collaboration of thought. Thank you board members and Ambassadors for your dedicated volunteer service.

Strategic Planning Retreat Targets 2008Strategic Planning Retreat Targets 2008

At their monthly meeting on December 4, 2007 it was a hilarious and back stabbing session as the Chamber's Ambassadors met for the final time this year. Their annual Christmas celebration always in-cludes presents that each brings to exchange in one of the best Dirty Santa sessions you could watch. Of course, they had delicious food and the laughter rang out loud and clear. Some of the swaps were even dirtier than others but everyone had a great time. It is with pride that the Chamber thanks this group of dedicated volunteers for a job well done in 2007 and especially to their leader, Connie Fuell of Konica-Minolta, for her outstanding leadership.

Ambassadors Play Dirty SantaAmbassadors Play Dirty Santa

WideNet Consulting, LLC, one of our newest chamber mem-bers, has just completed the new Bessemer Chamber of Commerce website and it should launch just after the first of the year. You'll find it at our same web address: www.bessemerchamber.com We're grateful to acknowl-edge that WideNet is providing their service as a trade-of-services, at no direct cost to the Chamber.

The website includes a searchable member directory, gen-eral information about the chamber, the community, local tourism and attractions, economic development, info for newcomers, an electronic version of our most recent news-letter, and two calendars - one for chamber events and one for all community events.

What makes this website most different than our old one is that chamber staff members are in control of all content. We can now keep our website up to date without having to wait for changes to be made by a third party, as we can make all content and calendar changes immediately using the website control panel that WideNet has developed.

WideNet has experience serving other chambers of com-merce as well. The Calhoun County Chamber and the Cleburne County Chamber are both WideNet clients. In fact, the company was a recipient of one of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce's Awards of Excellence in Small Business in 2006 and again in 2007.

WideNet also has strong ties to the greater Bessemer area. Derek Brown, one of WideNet's owners, is an Oak Grove High School graduate and spent one summer as a college intern with the Bessemer Industrial Development Board.

WideNet develops custom websites and also offers profes-sional videography, graphic design, and custom program-ming services, and currently has over 160 clients in 13 states. To f ind out more about WideNet, go to www.widenetconsulting.com or call 1-866-645-9235.

New Chamber Website Announced!New Chamber Website Announced!

55Chamber NewsChamber News

2008 Chairman Jon Staggsled Strategic Planning session

Ambassadors pose for picture at retreat; l to r,Doris Lewis, Nelda Pate, Diane Sparks,

Regina Doriety, Lula Walters, and Claire Mitchell.

Nelda Pate, Steve Self, Diane Sparksand Randy Donaldson listen to

ideas at planning session

2007 Chairman Kenneth Gulleywelcomes everyone to Heritage Trail

NOTE TO MEMBERS: This monthly article presents the thoughts and suggestions of members of the Chamber about business related topics. This year we are learning more about our State and Federal elected officials.

Richard Shelby, Alabama's senior United States Senator, was first elected to the Senate in 1986 with an unde-niable commitment to Alabama and the simple philosophy that a smaller government can also be a more effective government. A fifth generation Alabamian and Hueytown native, Senator Shelby is a graduate of the University of Alabama's undergraduate and law programs. He and his wife, Annette Nevin Shelby, have two sons: Richard Jr. and Claude Nevin. Claude and his wife Lisa have one daughter, Anna Elizabeth Shelby, and one son, William Nevin Shelby. Senator Shelby is Ranking Member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition, he is a mem-ber of the full Appropriations Committee and the Special Committee on Aging. Senator Shelby's legislative agenda mirrors not only his conservative values, but also his commitment to free-dom, family and a strong prosperous economy. He believes that national security is one of the primary re-sponsibilities of the federal government and one that he takes very seriously. From 1995 to 2003, Senator Shelby served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Senator Shelby is also able to effectively oversee and provide funding for our nation's defense and military in-frastructure through his position on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. He continues to fight each year to maintain the funding needed to protect not only the servicemen and women stationed around the world, but also to ensure that they have the training and equipment needed to survive and win any conflict. He also maintains careful watch over our nation's defense and aerospace industries critical to not only the na-tion's defense and readiness, but to Alabama's thriving economy as well.

Senator Shelby's support for veterans has been unwavering. He believes we must honor our veterans by hon-oring our commitments to them. He continues working to maintain veterans' benefits and remains commit-ted to those who have placed their love of God and country above all other priorities.

Senator Shelby has received countless awards for his outstanding record on business, economic, family and seniors issues. Awards like the "Spirit of Enterprise," from the U. S. Chamber of Commerce; "Guardian of Small Business," from the National Federal of Independent Business; "Taxpayer's Friend," from the National Taxpayers Union; "Friend of the Family," from the Christian Coalition; and "Guardian of Seniors' Rights," from the 60 Plus Association are a testament to his support of these important issues. Prior to Senator Shelby's election to the United States Senate, he served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and eight years in the Alabama legislature. He also served as a City Prosecutor in Tuscaloosa, U.S. Magistrate for the Northern District of Alabama, and Special Assistant to the Attorney General in Alabama.

Spotlight on Business: Senator Richard ShelbySpotlight on Business: Senator Richard Shelby

66 Business NewsBusiness News

Commissioner Humphryes and his Santa hatbrought many a wave from the crowd

Community NewsCommunity News 77

As you look at the pictures remember the amount of hard work that all the participants put into the parade. The winners this year were: Vehicles-Don & Else Garrett ($50) and Girl Scout Troop 388 ($30); Long Float-Morgan Methodist Kids In Christ ($200) and Custom Performance Inc. ($150); Short Float-McNeil Baptist Church ($100) and West Hills Elementary ($50); and Equestrian-James Little Jr. ($50) and Lowe Town Road Saddle Club ($25). Each band also received $100 for participating in the 2007 Christmas Parade.

City of Bessemer Christmas Parade in PicturesCity of Bessemer Christmas Parade in Pictures (continued from page1)

Horses, beautiful horses and more horsesmade you want to watch where you stepped

Louise Alexander dressed to help usherin Christmas in downtown Bessemer

Sarah Belcher, City Council member andParade Chairperson, is always a community leader

Commissioner Shelia Smoot, a big supporter of theCity of Bessemer Christmas Parade, rides in a boat

City Council President Jesse Matthewsin a sports car with his Santa hat

City Councilman Albert Soles in a big SUV

Representative Priscilla Dunn and Assistant CountyTax Collector Grover Dunn drive an SUV

Jess Lanier HS ROTC drill teamis always a parade hit

Mayor Ed May and wife Patready to start the parade

Earl Cochran, sits tall in his sports car

And finally, Santa Claus was escorted by the BessemerFire Department to end the fabulous Christmas Parade

OFFICE HOURSMonday-Friday 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.Phone: 205-425-3253 Fax: 425-4979Toll Free: 1-888-4BESSEMER (Toll Free)

www.bessemerchamber.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

BESSEMER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCEP.O. Box 648Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0648

YOUR CHAMBER STAFF

Ronnie Acker, President

LaTasha Cook, Vice President

Mary Milan, Administrative Specialist

Jean Brown, Accounting Specialist

Celebrating 86Years of Service Cut out this logo to place in your ads for higher name recognition

BESSEMER AREACHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jon StaggsChairman of the Board

Alabama Power

Kenneth Gulley Past Chairman

Lawson State Community College

Deborah Horn Chairman Elect

Bessemer Board of Education

Joni Holt Treasurer & Chairperson of Finance

Holt Insurance

Rupesh Patel, Hampton Inn Keith Pennington, Medical West

Allen Rice, ITT Technical Institute Steve Self, Buffalo Rock Company

Mike Turner, Turner Tax Hank Tyler, Henry H. Tyler Enterprises

Thelma Vanderburg, First American Bank Devron Veasley, Bessemer Business Incubation System

Nelda Weaver, Weaver Land & Realty, Inc.

Doug Caddell, Canaan Baptist Church Gary Carter, Bessemer Fire Department

David Darby, BankTrust Randy Donaldson, Alabama Gas Company

CeCe Doss, Wilson Pallet & Packaging Arthur Green, JeffCo District Attorney, Bess. Div.

Howard Johnson Jr., Johnson Funeral Home/Holiday Bowl

Sunny Lippert, Attorney Ross Mitchell, Baptist Health System

Tom Nicholson, US Pipe & Foundry Co.

Chamber Closed

Medical West

Chamber

Chamber

Chamber

Chamber Closed

Civic Center

New Year's Day

City Wide Prayer Breakfast

Ambassador Meeting

Executive Committee Mtg.

Board of Director's Mtg.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Chamber Annual Meeting

Calendar of Events January 2008January 1

January 8

January 8

January 15

January 15

January 21

January 24

Holiday

7:30 A.M.

8:15 A.M.

11:30 A.M.

Noon

Holiday

6-9:00 P.M.

To enhance ourcommunicationswith your office

or location, send youremail address to us at:

mmilan1@bellsouth.netor fax it to 425-4979.

email

www.bessemerchamber.com

BERNEY OFFICE SOLUTIONSSteve Courington2111 Parkway Office Circle Ste 150Birmingham, AL 35244Phone: 205-663-9991Fax: 205-663-5644Email: scourington@berney.comWebsite: www.berney.com*Office Equipment

MUELLER OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINEMichael Mueller, MD709 Memorial DriveBessemer, AL 35022Phone: 205-481-1739*Doctor - Occupational

Welcome New Members for DecemberWelcome New Members for December