A Publication of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce August 2014
www.bankruston.com
with us.Come
AugustAug. 1 – Business
Buffet, 11:30-1 p.m., Chamber/CVB
board room
Aug. 5 – Shades of Ireland travel presenta-tion for Chamber hosted trip, 5:30 p.m., Chamber/
CVB board room
Aug. 8 – Ribbon Cutting/Open House for new lo-cation of Lincoln Parish Public Safety Complex,
2 p.m., 161 Road Camp Rd.
Aug. 12 – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m.,
The HUB
Aug. 23-24 – Ruston Gun, Knife, Coin &
Boat Show
SeptemberSept. 5 – Business
Buffet, 11:30-1 p.m., Chamber/CVB
board room
Sept. 9 – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., The
OWL Center
OctoberOct. 21 – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., NLMC
Oct. 23 – Lighten Up Lincoln Community
Wellness Expo
November
Nov. 13 – Business After Hours
co-sponsored with WMWO
Chamber, hosted by Landry Vineyards
CHAMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Chamber Connection
Deliver to:Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce • 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270
The economic impact of $2.5 million dollars to the Lincoln Parish economy is attributed to the 64th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival which was held June 27-29, 2014. As you know, there are many factors to the calculations. The dollars indicated represent not only money spent directly at the festival, but also local shopping, taxes collected from vendors, money spent to produce the event, hotel stays and more. Ruston hotel rooms were sold out both Friday and Saturday nights. The data is gathered from random surveys taken throughout the festival weekend, as well as from gate receipts and other sources.
This year’s festival attendance was 18,500. While approximately half that number were in downtown Ruston enjoying the parade, carnival, concerts and amusements, and visiting downtown merchants, others attended Louisiana Peach Festival
Louisiana Peach Festival economic impact hits $2.5 million
activities such as the 25th anniversary of the rodeo, 5K and Fun Run, tennis and bass tournaments, kids’ fishing tournament, quilting
contest displays, fine arts show, diaper
derby and baby photo contest,
a concert by Ruston’s own Russtown Band, cookery contest, and the 30 years
running Beta Sigma Phi Arts & Crafts show.
The weather got a little tricky
a few times, in turn giving us slightly cooler evening air. Railroad Park had people shoulder to shoulder, dancing and singing during the concerts. From the country/rock sounds of Louisiana Swamp Donky, the baritone rhythm of up-and-coming Dylan Scott, the “Swamp-Funky Zydeco Good Time” with Chubby Carrier, to the sing-along to the best of the 80’s with The Molly Ringwalds, there was definitely a party going on!
Children and grown-ups alike enjoyed a variety of activities downtown on Saturday. As you would expect, there was good
festival food like fried peach cobbler, funnel cakes, turkey legs, sno-cones and about anything else your tummy can think of, including of course, fresh peaches and peach ice cream There was rock wall climbing, paintball target shooting, bungie jumping, and a mechanical bull. Powerhouse Tumble and Cheer, LA Tech cheerleaders, Champ, a clown, and a magician entertained the crowd, and what fun to watch the peach eating contest! In the afternoon Zach O’Neal from Simsboro took the stage and sang to festival goers.
“Thank you to every business and individual who sponsored any portion of the festival. Thank you to each volunteer, those who stayed three hours, and those who stayed all day. Thank you to the merchants who participated in the first Peach Stop game and to all who donated prizes for that. Ruston-Lincoln, we will continue to work hard to produce a festival you can always be proud of. Thank you for letting us serve you.”~ The Chamber staff and board
A Solid Board
Chamber UpdateBy Judy Copeland, President, Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Staff
Judy Copeland, PresidentIvana Flowers, Communications & Special Events
Melissa Carpenter, Office Manager
Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff
Travis Napper, Executive DirectorAmanda Quimby, Marketing Director
Deana Sherrill, Administrative AssistantDeadline for submitting newsletter information
is the 15th of the month.
Executive BoardChairman
Aaron Paul, Business Technology Group
Chairman ElectMike Jones, Argent Financial
Vice Chair - Community DevelopmentKathy Crowder, Crowder Concepts
Vice Chair, Program DevelopmentLee Denny, Bank of Ruston
Vice Chair -Organizational DevelopmentPatrick Blanchard
LA Methodist Children’s Home
Vice Chair, Economic DevelopmentDoug Postel, LA Delta Community College
Board of Directors
2 CHAMBER CONNECTION CHAMBER CONNECTION 3
Your Chamber, here for you
Notes From The ChairRuston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce – By Aaron Paul, Chairman
Aaron Paul
Well another Peach Festival is in the books and as I am writing this the Chamber staff is working on the final official numbers for overall attendance to the festival. So we do not have official numbers yet on attendance but we do know that this has been one of the best attended Peach Festivals in years based on our individual events attendance. The music was phenomenal and the rides were exciting. My family had a blast the whole weekend. Thank
you to all the volunteers who helped this year and made the festival a big success. The Chamber
Dog Days of Summer could not do it without you! A special thank you goes out to the Chamber staff who worked overtime to make the festival successful.Thank you for your continued support and involvement in OUR Chamber.
Aaron PaulChairman, Ruston Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Co-Founder, Business Technology Group, LLC [email protected] 318-251-89931609 Industrial Drive, Ruston, LA 71270
We have celebrated our love for peaches this last month with what I hear was the most fun ever experienced at the Louisiana Peach Festival. I’m glad the event was a success, because honestly, I was a little worried about the weather. We were definitely blessed with cooler concerts than I have ever experienced at the festival! We are also blessed to have such a great staff, a great Board of Directors and continually giving volunteers. I’m hearing good things from our member merchants about our first ever Peach Stops. We plan to bring it back next year and hope to have you as a participant.
We finish one event and move on to the next. We will be hosting a Special Travel Presentation on August 5th at 5:30 pm, here at our office to promote a group tour to Ireland. This fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce is an opportunity for you to get a group of your friends to travel with you to Ireland on April 20th and returning on April 29, 2015.
On August 23 & 24, the Ruston Gun, Knife, Coin, and Boat Show will be hosted at the Ruston Civic Center. Simply put, I did not release our deposit early enough to get back the full amount so our Board voted to stay at the Civic Center instead of moving to the Event Center. This is going to be a great event, with lots of things for everyone to see and do. We hope to add some activities outside, as well as have some boats to see. Come check it out!
Our Business Buffets are still not where I want them to be with attendance. If you’re not coming to these, you are missing out on some great stuff. We are doing this for you, just trying to give you a little more for your membership money. On the first Friday of each month, we host a Business Buffet brown bag seminar (we feed you knowledge, not food) conducted by one of your peers. This month we had Jill Williams of First National Bank speaking about social media, with a more in-depth look at Facebook. If you missed it, we plan to have more seminars on social media since our attendees have expressed they want to know more about online marketing.
Speaking of marketing, have you logged in to your member portal and checked it out lately? There is a social media site very similar to Facebook that you can post to and only our members can see. There is also a news tab where you can post information about your business, your employees, or maybe you just want everyone to know you’ve just become a new parent or grand-parent. There are several other tabs available, but these are two of the newest ones. You should take advantage of these perks, they are part of your membership and they are a great way to market your business.
Take care and may your day be blessed with customers.
•
Justin BarnesSr. Project Manager
Melodye TannerCEO, CFO
Tom BourlandRF, ACF, CWB
Director of Operations
Natural Resource ConsultantsWe specialize in Environmental Due Diligence & Regulatory
Compliance for the Energy, Public Transportation, Real Estateand Commercial Construction Sectors.
Services include Wetland Delineation, Regulatory Compliance& Permitting, Customized Wetland Mitigation Solutions,
Endangered Species Consultation and Mapping GIS & GPS Applications.
Ruston, LA 71270318-202-3709www.biotechsouthllc.comBiotech South LLCBiotech South LLC
Join us Tuesday, Aug. 12 for Business After Hours hosted by The Hub, 5-7 p.m. at 750 Celebrity Dr.
"We are so excited to be hosting Business After Hours for this month. There are so many wonderful businesses in our area, and we are looking forward to having everyone come out to the "HUB Tour"!" - Wayne Hunter
Theme is “HUB Tour” with putting greens set up throughout the building. There will be plenty of food and entertainment for everyone.
BASH Booth Photo Booth will be there. There’ll be a prize for the most creative photo taken!
Door prizes include $100 gift card, $100 off mattress, beach bag & towel, and much more.
Thanks to Door Prize & Event Sponsors!
America’s MattressBash BoothLa Capitol Federal Credit UnionMaggie MoosMerle NormanRonny WalkerWingstop
Business After Hours hosted by The HUB
The Louisiana Peach Festival was brought to you by Squire Creek Country Club!
Corporate Sponsors
BlueLine RentalCentury Marketing SolutionsCity of RustonCommunity Trust BankLouisiana Office of TourismMorrison Companies (Celebrity Theatre)Ruston-Lincoln Convention & Visitors BureauJPS Equipment Rental
Corporate/Media Sponsors
KALB NBC 5, CBS 2 TVKTVE NBC 10, KARD Fox 14Louisiana LifeThe News-StarQ-94.1 RadioRuston Daily LeaderZ107.5 Big Z Country, ESPN 97.7, The Peach 99.3
Information Tents Sponsors
Bank of RustonJim Taylor Ford Lincoln Mercury
Entrance Gates Sponsors
Albritton Service Company, LLCCoordinating & Development CorporationCounter CultureCourtesy Chevrolet Buick GMC CadillacGreen ClinicRoseburg Forest Product-Louisiana Particle BoardState Farm/Kim Dupree
Utility Vehicle Sponsor
Malone Polaris
Office Travel Trailer Sponsor
Lincoln Builders
Website Host
Newcomer, Morris & Young
Friends of the Festival Sponsors
The Arbor & Terrace Assisted LivingBusiness Technology GroupDays Inn/Comfort InnJ&K Telecom, LLCLa Capitol Federal Credit UnionLouisiana Center for the BlindNational Jewelry CompanyWalpole Tire Service, LLCWendy’s
Event Sponsors
Peach Hunt
CenterPoint Energy Peach Invitational
Squire Creek
Baby Photo Contest
Barnes Portraiture
Lincoln Parish Park Kids' Fishing Tournament
La Capitol Federal Credit Union, SciTec’s IDEA Place & Walmart Super Center
Fine Arts Show, North Central
Louisiana Arts Council
Thank You Peach Sponsors!
What is your area of specialty?Primary experience in banking and finance at Centric Federal Credit Union.
How has membership in the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Com-merce been of value
to you and your professional development?Through my membership with Ruston Lincoln Chamber of Commerce I have made lasting relationships. As a member of Ruston Lincoln Chamber of Commerce my professional growth has been exponential. Through my involve-ment, I have had the pleasure of working in the community and sharing the values Centric has to offer.
Aaron PaulManaging Member
Business Technology Group, LLC (BTG)(318) 251-8993 [email protected]
Erica WheelisRuston Center Manager
Centric Federal Credit Union(318) 340-9656 x4004
What is your area of specialty?Business IT Support
What initially sparked your interest in working in your field? Briefly describe your career path.I loved working with computersI came to LaTech from Vidalia, LA. Graduated in Computer Information Systems Hired as Network Administra-tor for a local company Started my own
computer consulting company with a partner (BTG)
What has been a highlight of your work?Proud of being the trusted provider for IT services for so many of our local businesses, schools and organizations for over 10 years.
How has membership in the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Com-merce been of value to you and your professional development?The chamber has allowed me to build relationships with great leaders in our community.
Neal Carter Community Trust Bank
Cathi Cox-BoniolLincoln Parish School Board
Heath HattawayLaw Office of Rick Gallot
Rodney Manning The Ensure Agency
Richard Raue
Hi-Tech Computers
Sharon ShrellFirst National Bank
Erica WheelisCentric Federal Credit Union
Ex-Officio Board Members
Kristi LumpkinCity of Ruston
Courtney HallLincoln Parish Police Jury
Gregg Phillips
Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Ranaee Thomas-WalleyRuston/Lincoln Crime Stopper
Peach Cookery Contest
Townsend House Gifts – Grand prize by LA Life
Kid’s Zone & Downtown Food Courts, Blue Bell
Tennis Tournament
Brennan Dodge Chrysler Jeep & RamCo-sponsored by Foster Farms and House of Raeford. Gift Sponsors: Celebrity Theatre, Chartreuse Pear, Dominos Pizza, Farmerville Motors, The Fashion of Ruston, Green Clinic Pediatrics, Karen’s Hallmark, Lusiana Tradition-Choudrant, McKinney Outdoor Superstore, National Jewelry, RAW Sushi, Rodeo Boutique, Ruston Tractor, Sonic of Calhoun & Farmerville, Sonic of Ruston (both locations), Super 1 Foods
Held at Home Court, LA Tech University
Concerts
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Ivan Smith Furniture, LA Lottery, Suddenlink & Rocketfast Car Wash and other sponsors, Ponchatoulas, Log Cabin, Hampton Inn, First National Bank, and State Farm/Kim Dupree.
Rodeo
Brennan Dodge Chrysler Jeep & Ram
5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
Northern Louisiana Medical Center, co-sponsored by FITRIGHT Active
Arts & Crafts Show
Beta Sigma Phi
Children's Expo
Backus True Value
Festival Parade
Produced by Ruston Rotary, sponsored by PetStar Animal Care
Antique Car Show
BancorpSouth & Hot Rod Bar-B-Q
Fabric Art Challenge Quilting Contest
Quilteroo’s
Diaper Derby
Barnes Portraiture
Peach Eating Contest
Michael Walsworth/LA State Senator and SciTec’s IDEA Place
Bass Tournament
Farmerville Motors & Wood Marine
Peach Stops
Beehive OutletCentric Federal Credit UnionChartreuse PearCounter CultureThe DepotThe Fabric ShopThe Fashion of RustonHampton InnHot Rod Bar-B-QLagniappe Auto TitleLewis BoutiqueMitcham’s Peach StoreNorth Central Louisiana Arts CouncilPenny PerfectThe Pewter CompanyPonchatoulasPrescription Shoppe PharmacyQuilteroo’sRE/MAX Results RealtyRosemary’s KitchenRuss Place-EnlivantRuston Animal ClinicRuston Florist & BoutiqueRuston Lincoln CVBRuston Wellness & Compounding PharmacyScott’s Catfish of RustonSears Hometown StoreState Farm/Kim DupreeTownsend House GiftsWingstop
Ruthie EvansGeneral Manager IIRuston/Bastrop/Jonesboro
1001 Cooktown RdRuston, LA 71270
F 318.251.2711E [email protected]
2000 Farmerville Hwy. Ruston, LA 71270 www.genesisenergy.com•
Training that makes Sense!318/254-7993www.traininglogic.net
Exceeds all customers Expections Every time
• Strategic Planning • Safety • Sales• Team Building • Customer
Service• Leadership & Mgmt Development• Succession Development •
•
Velissa Rollins, Mary Beth Walsh, Robyn Brown, Kim Brasher, Briley Cotton, & Kenneth Sutton
HeritageRealty Group, LLC
Make A Move.Make A Di� erence.
1231 Farmerville Hwy318.251.8282
How is Heritage Realty Group, LLC Different?1. Professional photography for all listings2. Give back program that invests in our
community with every sale3. Online marketing4. Team approach5. Automatic email program that will
ensure that you are the � rst to know about a property when it hits the market.
heritagerealtyruston.comRobyn Brown, Broker
4 CHAMBER CONNECTION CHAMBER CONNECTION 5
2 5 5 – 1 1 1 1R U S T O N L I N C O L N
C R I M ES T O P P E R S
Rewards up to $2,000•
Federally Insured by NCUA
*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. La Cap Checking (Share draft) Accounts are variable rate accounts. La Cap may change the dividend rate for your account as determined by the credit union Board of Directors. Dividends are posted and compounded monthly. No minimum balance required to maintain the account. Applicable fees and conditions could reduce the earnings on your account. Quali�cation to earn dividends: - 25 or more posted non-ATM debit card transactions per month: - 4.25% APY on balances up to but not exceeding $5,000 - .15% APY on balances exceeding $5,000. If quali�cation stated is not met: - .15% APY on entire balance. Must meet criteria for opening a checking account. MXH0113-03
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DIVIDEND ON UP TO $5,000 EACH MONTH
EarnAll Access Advantage Checking
LICENSE PLATES • RENEWALS • TITLE WORK
Public Tag Agent
1406 Farmerville Hwy Suite 3 Ruston, LA 71270Phone: 318-202-5861 Fax: 318-651-7689 M-F 8:30-4:30
www.theuncommonbank.comMember FDIC
McCarter Financial Group, LLC
S. Greg McCarter, LUTCF
Most people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.Psalm 1:3
2028 E. Kentucky Ave.Ruston, LA 71270
318-255-1444FAX 318.255.1480
[email protected] nancialgroup.com
The Chamber Connection (023/623) is published monthly for $12 a year by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270. Application to mail at Periodicals postage rates paid at Ruston, LA and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Chamber Connection, 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270-4420. All contents copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the publisher.
Printed by Ruston Newspapers, Inc.
.
Chamber Business Spotlight
Tech Support By Matt Orr, Systems Analyst at Hi-Tech Computers in Ruston
Always watch your backNo matter how much we might want to go back
to the days of being able to simply use a pen and paper for business and everyday life, it’s just not going to happen. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), we ARE the technology age. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Business gets done at a record pace now compared to even just a decade ago. It’s easier now to do simple things like keep your checkbook balanced daily. Just log into to your banks website and make sure the checkbook matches what the bank says you have and you’re ready to get back to your favorite TV show in no time!
With all of the technology obviously come risks, but most every good thing in life comes with risks. It doesn’t mean you have run away from it as fast as you can or be drug into it kicking and screaming either.
Most of you have heard about the major retail stores that have had data breeches over the last year and even things like the Heartbleed breech back in April that was discovered on sites that were supposed to be secure sites. Unfortunately, this is the age that we live in.
When rules are set up, there is ALWAYS someone out there determined to prove they can get past them. This goes all the way from people thinking the speed limit doesn’t apply to them, to people who download music and movies without paying, to people intentionally using software they didn’t pay for on their computer.
Now, the question is: What can you do to protect yourself ?
The first answer is: Don’t use your children’s name (or your pet’s name) for passwords! Always make sure you have a capital letter, a number and a special character (for example: !,? or *) in there too. Yes it will be harder to remember, but please know that it will be harder for someone else to figure out too.
The next easy way to protect yourself: Change
your passwords every 60-90 days! This is the one that most people just don’t want to hear, but it can be the most important!! Yes it makes it little harder because you’ve gotten in a groove with your current password, but the more you stay ahead of the game the safer you are. Next up is: Don’t let your computer automatically remember your password!
I know that it is SO much easier to click it and forget it, but if there was ever a time that your computer was hacked or someone got into
it somehow, all they have to do is go to your websites and log right in. This doesn’t just apply to bank websites because they can also go to the retail sites that you buy things from and simply click ‘log in’ and they instantly have access to purchase with your credit card because the website thinks it is you. One thing I promise you is the more you type your password in, the
more you will remember it. Another thing to remember is: Don’t leave
all of your passwords on a sticky note on your computer screen! It’s OK to have your passwords written down, but PLEASE make sure they are stored in a very safe place (not under your keyboard either!) and not out for co-workers to see or have access to.
Putting in the effort by taking these few simple steps could end up saving you a world of headaches! Please remember that whether it’s technology, school, work or relationships; ANYTHING in life
Leadership Lincoln
Leadership Lincoln XXVII
This Leadership Lincoln class now has a greater knowledge about education, healthcare, city, parish and state government, industry, tourism, and much more about Lincoln Parish. Many are already leaders in their business community and can use these tools and the networks created to help become better leaders.
Register now for Leadership Lincoln XXVIII
Contact Heath Hattaway [email protected] or Judy Copeland [email protected] for more information.
Coburn’s Supply 602 Woodward Ave
255-6324
For over 35 years Coburn’s Supply Company of Ruston has served the Ruston community and surrounding area in the wholesale plumbing and HVAC industry providing quality name brand products and knowledgeable, qualified support for many of your building and remodeling needs. Coburn’s recently celebrated the opening of its new Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning warehouse and counter sales area.
Coburn’s Ruston sales staff has more than 50 years experience in the wholesale supply industry and includes HVAC contractor certification as well as a bachelor of interior design degree. Throughout the
years Coburn’s has played a continual role in the growth of the building industries in Ruston and Lincoln Parish.
Coburn’s mission is to be the best distributor of quality products, provide real solutions and never lose sight of the number one reason they are in business, and that is customer satisfaction!
The Ruston Gun, Knife, Coin and Boat
Show will feature vendors from up to four different states. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, knives, antique firearms, ammunition, optics, security systems, coins, boats, jewelry... more than likely you will be able to find a little of all of these types of items during the Gun, Knife, Coin and Boat Show.
Do you want to sell or trade a firearm? Well this is the Gun and Knife Show you need to attend to make a deal. Our vendors are always looking for items that folks like you are willing to trade or sell. Bring your pistol, rifle, or shotgun to the show and see what deal you can make.
The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. on Saturday, August 23. Then on Sunday, August 24 the doors will open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. The Ruston Gun, Knife, Coin and Boat Show will be held in the Ruston Civic Center, located at 401 North Trenton Street in Ruston, Louisiana. Admission is $7.00 per person
The Lincoln Rotary Club will be serving a fundraiser lunch both days to further their programs that benefit Lincoln Parish kids. Not only is it a good cause, these guys are good cooks!
If you are a vendor and are interested in setting up a booth at the show, please contact Judy at 255-2031 or [email protected].
If you would like to donate a door prize please contact Ivana, 232-7985 or [email protected].
Ruston Gun, Knife, Coin & Boat ShowAugust 23-24, Ruston Civic Center
worth having always requires effort, and we usually get out of those things exactly what we put in.
If you have any questions on how to protect yourself or if there is anything else we can help you with, please call 318-255-1110 Ext. 113 and I will be glad to help. We are Hi-Tech Computers and we are here for you.
•
Dicky NealyBroker
2406 Kavanaugh RoadRuston, LA [email protected]
Office: (318) 255-7480Mobile: (318) 243-6253
Fax: (318) 254-8077
Hunt, Guillot & AssociatesRuston, Louisiana•
• 3 Meeting Rooms• Free Breakfast Bar• Fre WiFi Internet
Holiday Inn Express & Suites®
Ruston1825 Roberta AveRuston, LA 71270
318-513-9777holidayInnexpress.com/
(318) 251-91003
emersoncentre
“Helping put the pieces back together...”
A Pause at the Podium
Cathi Cox-Boniol
By Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln Achieve Coordinator
Touring Lincoln ParishRuston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau – By Travis Napper and Amanda Quimby
Amanda Quimby
Find Where You Fit!
FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIP
Schools of Academic Excellence Initiatives
Student and Teacher of the Year
Adopt-A-School
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESLeadership And Achievement Initiatives
Student Internships
Job Shadowing
Contact Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln ACHIEVE [email protected], 318-255-1430
Lincoln ACHIEVE . . . building partnerships to bene� t education, enhance the business environment, and contribute to
a quality life in Lincoln Parish.
•
6 CHAMBER CONNECTION
Member Anniversaries
Connecting past and present
15 YearsFolk & Company, LLC
State Farm Insurance/Gregg Phillips
10+ YearsAmerica First
First Guaranty BankFrame Up, TheJan’s Optical
Vector Disease Control, Inc.The Arbor & Terrace of Ruston
5+ YearsChili’s Grill and Bar
Domino’s Pizza/CAm Pizza, LLCEdwards, Wade & Perry, CPA’s
Greater Shreveport Chamber of CommerceiBERIABANK - MONROE
Jones, Pam C.Junior Auxiliary of Ruston
KRLQ-FM Radio, LLCLa Bella Salon
Life Choices of North Central LouisianaLifePoint Church of Ruston
Louisiana Workforce CommissionPrescription Shoppe Pharmacy and Family
Vital CareRuston Eye & Laser Institute
Smith Chiropractic, LLCSouthern Classic Chicken
The Visual Difference5 Dynamics
Other4-D Contractors, LLC
Allegiance Health Center of RustonAudibel The Hearing Center
Blue Ocean Marketing, Inc., A Zija Expe-rience
Comcast SpotlightCoordinating & Development Corporation
Divine Health Primary Care ClinicFinley, Dr. James S. - Orthopaedic Surgery
HML Enterprises, LLCLG Dance Studio
LUCJ - The File DepotMcGivens, LLC
MyWants for BusinessPetite Paws Pet Hotel
Robert E. Shadoin, LLCRuston Orthopaedics - Major E. Blair, M.D.
The Hub at Celebrity CenterThe Travel CompanyWilliams Kherkher
Tourism seeing a strong start in 2014
CHAMBER CONNECTION 7
I’ve been revisiting the 1980s regularly for several weeks.
Yes, I’ve discovered daily reruns of “Magnum PI” on one of our cable channels. And I must admit that I have loved reliving the often hilarious antics of Thomas Sullivan Magnum, IV, with sidekicks T.C., Rick, and Higgins, on the gorgeous Hawaiian islands. I find an odd sense of comfort in watching the handsome private investigator as he wrestles with a painful past, tries to come to terms with his “little voice,” and makes mistake after mistake while trying to do the right thing. You can’t miss the strong connection between past and present as the different Magnum episodes unfold. But then, maybe that’s not a bad thing.
The Hawaiian setting offers another past and present connection of which you may not be aware. One of the reasons for the series being set in Hawaii is that CBS did not want to close its Hawaii production offices when its former smash hit “Hawaii Five-O” ceased production in 1980. In fact, when “Magnum PI” began production that same year, there were occasional references to Steve McGarrett and “Hawaii Five-O” although the iconic Detective Lieutenant never appeared on the new show. However, the union had been forged and the connection between past and present was sealed. CBS was able to seamlessly continue its Hawaiian crime-fighting.
In the Lincoln Parish School District, we find ourselves trying to seamlessly continue delivering the most effective education experience possible while connecting the past to the present. This becomes more and more of a juggling act as we work to incorporate continued changes and mandates from Baton Rouge. And unlike Magnum, we don’t have the luxury of making mistake after mistake while trying to do the right thing—so we work feverishly to try and stay ahead of the curve.
So what’s ahead for the 2014-15 academic year? Let’s begin with the elementary grades. PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career) testing will begin for grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. Grades 3-4 testing will be done paper/pencil for 2014-15, while grades 5-8 will be done online. PARCC testing will be given in two parts: phase 1 will be done 75% of the way through the school year, and phase 2 will be given 90% of the way through the school year. For teachers, PARCC assessment guides and sample questions have been released by the LDOE.
In addition, the number of teacher leaders at each school has increased to two per school rather than one. Teacher leaders will be trained in June and July in Eureka Math, the state recommended Tier 1 math curriculum, as well as the in-state-developed ELA units based on recommended text sets. Teacher leaders will redeliver training to schools and will serve as curriculum leaders for ongoing professional development throughout the year.
Furthermore, elementary students will be required to read, comprehend, and respond to complex texts through narrative, informational, and opinion writing and to cite evidence from the texts to support their thinking and reasoning. These students will also be required to practice and master rigorous mathematical concepts, answer complex math questions correctly, and explain their thinking on how they got their answer.
For high school, Jump Start will roll out. Jump Start is the state’s new program for school districts, colleges, and businesses
to collaborate in providing career courses and workplace experiences to high school students, allowing them to continue their education after high school, and certifying them for the career fields most likely to lead to high-wage jobs. Jump Start will be an elective path for students pursuing a university-preparatory diploma, while it will be a required path for students pursuing a Career Diploma. While in high school, participating Jump Start students will be provided more time in the school day and school year to achieve industry certificates or college credentials in addition to their high school diplomas. These credentials will qualify graduates to continue their studies after high school or to launch a career upon graduating. Jump Start credentials will be state-approved and valued by Louisiana employers.
And then there are the accountability changes, probably the most difficult area for folks to wrap their heads around. Just like this past year, 2014-15 school and district letter grades will be aligned to the 2012-2013 distribution or better to ensure simplicity, consistency, and fairness. For example if 20% of the schools had an A in 2012-13, the top 20% of the scores will be an A for 2013-14. However, in 2015-16 we transition to higher standards.
Promotional standards for 4th and 8th graders will allow a waiver for students who do not meet the past promotional requirements of minimum of Basic/Approaching Basic in ELA and mathematics. These waivers are to be determined by each district. Any student considered for the waiver must attend summer remediation and participate in the retest. The state will maintain the current 4th grade policy but allow districts to issue waivers for students demonstrating readiness to progress. The state will shift the 8th grade retention standard to be a remedial standard and require that remediation take place on the high school campus in a “transitional 9th grade” year.
As for standardized assessments, students
will take the PARCC test in grades 3 - 8 for ELA and math. However, PARCC will not be adopted for high schools at this time. And
brace yourself, the state has put 42 days of standardized testing in the school calendar for 2014-15.
No doubt, there will be more changes on the horizon. However, I am confident that in Lincoln Parish we will continue to stand firm on the foundation from our past as we strive to embrace change and prepare for the future. In his final newsletter of the academic year, our state superintendent indicates that our schools and communities have doubtlessly changed lives. And that’s what it’s all about—changing the lives
of our students so that they can benefit from a brighter future. He goes on to share that graduation, literacy, and college entrance rates have increased, we have set national highs in Advanced Placement achievement, and more students than ever have achieved TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) Scholarships.
So in choosing new curricula, calling for higher order thinking from our students, opening the doors to improve teaching and learning, taking on more challenging assessments, insisting on quality early childhood education, demanding dignity for career education, providing a path to success for all students, and empowering teachers as leaders, we become agents for change. And through that change, we invest in a brighter future for us all.
As a community, that’s a connection we must not miss. Furthermore, it’s something we must be willing to revisit again and again. So listen to your own “little voice” and let it show you were you can plug in to support the Lincoln Parish District as it continues working to seamlessly provide “A Quality Education for a Quality Life.” You too can be an agent for change as we forge our future on the foundation of our past.
The Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce visitation numbers in Lincoln Parish are up for 2014.
“One way we measure success is by revenue figures,” says Travis Napper, CVB President/CEO. “We are up over 21 percent from 2013.” While many different factors go into the increase, it ultimately
points to the amount of economic activity throughout Lincoln Parish. Business and leisure groups are making a noticeable recovery in travel spending.
The hotel and motel community agrees. Owner of Sleep Inn & Suites of Ruston, Keith Brasuell says, “Thankfully, the first half of 2014 has been strong. I attribute the overall strength of our local economy in Ruston to the great things happening at Louisiana Tech University. LA Tech is our biggest economic driver. GSU has a strong economic impact on the local hotels as well. The Oil and Natural Gas Industry is helping too. There is a lot going on around Ruston and Lincoln Parish with respect to oil and natural gas right now.”
�Hampton Inn of Ruston has seen significant growth over last year. This can mostly be contributed to a large growth in industry along with the success of our universities in the area,� adds Brandon Sutherland of Hampton Inn of Ruston.
Leisure tourism is also off to a positive start in Lincoln Parish as well. The CVB has received 475 request for visitor information since January. Compared to last year, this is a 60 percent increase.
“We can relate the increase in leisure tourism to our marketing and advertising efforts,” says Amanda Quimby, CVB Marketing Director. “This year we have reduced the amount of dollars spent
in print advertising and put even more of focus on online advertising than in years past.”
“With online advertising, we can monitor our web analytics and see those ads are driving traffic to our website. I think that helps to explain why we have received a considerable amount of
information requests for the first part of the year. And what’s great about those numbers is that they reflect that people are interested in visiting Ruston and Lincoln Parish. That’s a positive sign for tourism in our parish for the remainder of the year as well.”
The CVB won’t stop their efforts to attract visitors to Ruston and Lincoln Parish. “Fall is coming up and there will be plenty of events for everyone to enjoy. Football season for LA Tech and Grambling is always a huge draw. And the Dixie Center for the Arts and the NELA
Exhibition Center always have a full calendar,” says Napper.
The CVB also targets visitors through social media. “We have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles to follow. We continuously remind the community and potential visitors about upcoming events and the great places to eat and shop in our area,” says Napper. The CVB also has a blog where they spotlight area attractions and restaurants. You can follow the CVB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Blogger at Experience Ruston or visit experienceruston.com.
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Cheeks AirWorx710 Stella St., Ste. A, West Monroe323-9424 www.theairworx.comHVAC & Electrical Contractors
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Please consider being a partner in the Adopt-A-School program. Adopt-A-School is a collaboration between the Chamber and Lincoln Parish ACHIEVE. It brings together schools and businesses/organizations that benefit one another. Businesses may offer financial support, volunteers, and learning experiences, while classes may make artwork to display in office/store, perform mini-concerts, write letters of appreciation and give you smiles galore!
“ The undeniably vibrant program offers our Chamber partners the opportunity to invest in the future of our community by sharing their expertise as well as a diverse array of resources with our school partners, a process that bolsters the educational process around a solid community vision of success,” ~ Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln ACHIEVE Coordinator
Ruston Glass began partnering with Ruston High School when this program began and has continued its support over the years. “As an alumnus of Ruston High School, I have always felt it was important to stay invested in the school,” said Joey Gulledge of Ruston Glass. “The faculty does a wonderful job with the students of this community and they deserve to be supported in as many ways as possible. The great thing about the Adopt-A-School Program is that I get
a list of needs directly from the teachers so we can have an immediate impact in the classroom. It takes a community to educate our children, and the Adopt-A-School is one of the best ways to do that.” The members of BancorpSouth, one of the original 40 community
partners, will tell you that I.A. Lewis School is as much a blessing to the bank as the bank is to the school. As in most of the partnerships, it isn’t simply the basic monetary needs being met, it’s connecting. From walking together for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, field trips to the bank, to having the band play at the Christmas Open House at the downtown location on Trenton Street, there has been
a relationship built. BancorpSouth also co-hosts an annual art display and contest for the 6th graders. And a life skill that will be instilled in the children for a lifetime is what they are taught during American Bankers Association National Teach Children to Save campaign.
“The Adopt-A-School program allows our next generation of leaders the opportunity to see first-hand that a community that works together and plays together can succeed together,” said Kenny Galyean, Vice Chair-Organizational Development, BancorpSouth. “It truly is a win win.”
Please contact Ivana for more information, 232-7985 or [email protected].
Adopt-A-School needs partners for school year
Ribbon Cutting – Azure Pools & Spas810 Willow Glen Blvd., Ruston
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