Thank you to all Ambassadors who have served in 2009. We couldn't do it without you! If you are interested in becoming an Ambassdor in 2010, please stop by our Pancake Breakfast on December 18 to get more info and/or pick up an application. You may also contact Anita at 758-3478 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

  

A Jolly Ole Fellow

It’s here! My favorite time of the year…..CHRISTMAS!  I know I said Halloween was my favorite.  But, I really mean it this time.  I’m a bonafide Christmas Connoisseur!   Bring on the packages, boxes and bags.  Bring on the turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie.  Bring on the snow and music and all that goes with it.  I love everything about this time of year….Including the lights, food, sounds, food, decorations, food and gatherings with family and friends.   Did I mention the food?  Who can pass up TV specials like Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Frosty the Snowman and It’s a Wonderful Life? Of course, this predates cable and HD TV.  Admit it.  One of the many pros on your list to have children, include the gift receiving perks that come with these small people.  I may fuss about putting a zillion toys together after the 5am carnage is over, but, secretly, I can’t wait to try them out myself. 

For those of us that relive our childhoods at this time every year, it is the most wonderful time of the year.  We are the ones that put the Christmas tunes on the CD player on November 27.  Forget the “super size” and give me a large glass of eggnog with that combo.  I can probably sing the words to The Twelve Days of Christmas while dodging bargain hunters on Black Friday.  The hustle and bustle does not phase me one bit. The more the hustle, the more I can bustle. I can even deal with the traffic.  Could that be Santa’s Sleigh up ahead holding us up!?!?!   I realize there will be a few “nay sayer’s” out there….a few Grinch’s and Scrooges muttering a couple of “BA, HUMBUG’s”.   I just have one thing to say to you……MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! And, Happy New Year!  I know, that’s two things…..but, its Christmas.  It’s ok to be a little excessive.  And don’t forget to be excessive when shopping your fellow chamber members.

Let’s all try to enjoy every second of the holidays, because it can be taken from us at any moment.  It is also a time to be thankful and remember those less fortunate than us. Wishing you the very best this holiday season…from the Loggins family to yours.

Monthly Luncheon Speaker Announced

We are excited to announce that University Medical Center President and CEO, Mr Vince Cherry will be the speaker at the Monthly Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, December 16. This event is held at Victory Baptist Church on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Try to be there a few minutes after 11:00. The buffet line opens at 11:15 and the program will conclude no later than 12:30 each month. The cost to attend is $15.00 per person and that includes the meal, tons of networking, and a great program.

Keep in mind advance online registrations are required; we can not accommodate walkups. When guests show up unannounced we are in jeopardy of not having enough food or seats for those that did RSVP. Scrambling around at the last minute to set up more tables, try to find dishes, and getting out more seats makes for a very disruptive and distractive event. With our new security measures in place, we no longer keep customer credit card information on file. The result of these measures means we can not keep a standing reservation list and automatically process your credit card; each guest needs to individually pre-register for each luncheon. This is mutually beneficial in that our customers are provided extra financial security and we can keep a very detailed and accurate guest list. PLEASE RSVP online by 9:00 the day before to insure your seat. We appreciate everyone’s help and understanding.

Need a gift for someone who has everything?

Do we have the perfect gift for you! Why not buy that special person in your life a relaxing day of fun at the 7th Annual A Toast to Tennessee Wine Festival on Saturday, May 15, 2010? You may purchase your tickets online at www.atoasttotennessee.com. Advance ticket sales are only $20 each ($25.00 at the gate) and include admission to the event (12:00-6:00pm), a complimentary wine glass, free admission to the very popular seminars, and an unlimited number of wine tastings! This event will be held at Nashville Shores on the banks of beautiful Percy Priest Lake. If you're in need of gifts  for a large group of friends, employees, family, or customers; please keep in mind that group tickets are only $15.00 each if 20 or more are purchased at one time.

 


ECD Committee

The Chamber of Commerce ECD Committee meets regularly and is treated to great programs and the most recent updates on projects and developments of local and regional interest. In the photo, Wilson County JECDB Executive Director G.C. Hixson is informing the committee on the details of projects in various stages of development throughout Wilson County. For more information about the ECD Committee, please call or email Mark at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Friday, January 8, 2010.

It’s that time of year again and we hope you will be on the lookout for your ballot to help determine “The Best of the Best”. Each year the membership has an opportunity to vote for their candidate to be recognized as the best of the best for a variety of awards. The winners will be recognized at the Annual Banquet to be held at Del Webb on Tuesday, January 26, 2010. Please be sure to take a few minutes when you receive the ballot and be sure to cast your vote.

Annual Banquet Plans Announced

The 2010 Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet will be held at Del Webb on Tuesday, January 26. This is a very special event and is becoming an increasingly difficult ticket to get. Personal invitations will be sent out in the next few weeks, but you are encouraged to mark your calendars now to reserve the date. Seating is limited and once all of the seats are reserved, we will start a waiting list; don’t be left out. Get your tickets early to guarantee your reservation. Due to the high demand for tickets, we are unable to reserve seats or tables without your registration information. Tickets will go on sale online or you will be able to stop by the office to purchase your tickets. There will be a limited number of tables which can be reserved for parties of eight (8). Be on the lookout for your personal invitation soon!

New Investors

Hudgins Disposal, Inc.
John Hudgins
2510 Hart Street
Nashville, TN  37207
228-6331

Lantern Lane Farm, Inc.
Ralph D. Cook
6201 Corinth Road
Mt. Juliet, TN  37122
615-220-0051

LifeChurch of Mt. Juliet
Eddie Poole
P.O. Box 1771
Mt. Juliet, TN  37121
973-4663

P.H.A.T. Bodies Wellness & Personal Training Studio
Tori Goddard
9695 Lebanon Road, Suite 220
Mt. Juliet, TN  38122
533-4703

Victory Realty, LLC
Billy Studstill
3125 N. Mt. Juliet Road
Mt. Juliet, TN  37122
288-4151

L-R Jason Loggins, Chamber 2009 Board Chair, Ron McCullough, Developer ~ Coolview Commons, and Tracey Trumphour, Chamber 2009 Chair-elect
 
Coolview Commons was recognized at the Chamber of Commerce Monthly Membership Luncheon on November 18, 2009 as the November winner of the Chamber of Commerce's "Community Enhancement Award" Program. Each month a different winner is recognized for their unique contribution and investment into the community. "The Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank Ron and his son / partner Paul for making such a tremendous contribution to our community and for uniquely enhancing our community and helping to make this a great place to live, work, shop, and raise a family" 
 
Thanks for helping us to recognize such a deserving winner!

Volunteers Needed for Big Brothers Christmas activities

Big Brothers of Mt.  Juliet needs your help! If you would like to be a volunteer for Christmas activities, there are several opportunities. On Friday December 18th we will be collecting donated food at area schools and local businesses. Help is needed to follow trucks and help with loading. This requires lifting boxes of food items weighting up to approximately 40 pounds. On Friday December 18th, help is needed in packing 600 food boxes starting 5:30pm until all boxes are packed. Food boxes will be delivered to needy families early Saturday morning December 19th starting 7:00 am until all boxes are delivered. Volunteers are also needed to help with preparing the Mothers Toy Store on Friday Dec. 18th starting at 5:30 pm and Saturday morning December 19th starting 7:00 am. The Store opens to the public for Mothers to shop for their children from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.

We invite anyone in the community that would like to volunteer their help to please come and join us. Helping others less fortunate is a wonderful experience for all ages. If you would like to volunteer, please call 641-0577. If you cannot volunteer but still wish to support Big Brothers, monetary donations can be mailed to:

Big Brothers of Mt. Juliet
P.O. Box 1513
Mt. Juliet, TN  37121

We also have a special plaque program for local businesses who wish to support Big Brothers of Mt. Juliet.

The Chamber Chick


Digital Count Down

Ace Hardware has a little digital calendar sitting by the cash register that counts down the days until Christmas. On this day, I was shocked to see that there were 33 days left until Christmas and was constantly surprised at the number of people who remarked on this all weekend as they were checking out. I guess even though it’s the end of November and December is just around the corner, the fact that the Christmas season is now less than 30 days away is suddenly mindboggling.


Read more... 

 Be sure to join us for our Women in Business planning meeting on December 1 at 4:00pm at CedarStone Bank. The 2010 co-chairs are Kate Witherington and Jennie Hibler. We will be discussing upcoming programs and services, so if you have some ideas you would like to share please become a member of the WIB committee! 




To Enrich, Empower and Educate Women in Business 

Home Based Business Council Update

The Home Based Business Council is gaining momentum each and every month and is filled with enthusiasm, camaraderie, great information, and lots of fun too. If you are a HBB and are interested in meeting once per month with others who share your interests and obstacles, why not make plans to join us on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 8:45-10:00? This committee is open to any and all HBB’s and meets in the large meeting room upstairs at WB&T on N MJ Rd. Advance reservations are requested; please RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

News from Ken Martin, City of Mt. Juliet ECD Director

Even in a great and wonderful community like Mt. Juliet, auto burglaries, auto thefts and robberies do occur. And with Christmas and the Holiday Season just around the corner, I felt it important to remind all citizens of the importance of using good crime prevention techniques to protect your hard earned investments and yourself. As we all know, thieves make their living by stealing and robbing honest citizens of their property, all while still getting a good nights rest. That’s why we must work together at combating and preventing thefts and burglaries.

Read more...

Chamber Ribbon Cuttings 

 

Harley's Band Room



G.K. Hughes Law Office



US Bank

Re-investors

Big Brothers of Mt. Juliet
Cedar Creek Yacht Club
Civil Site Design Group, PLLC
Clemmons & Associates, LLC
Elegant Diamonds
Environmental Science Corporation
Gammon & Drueck, CPA's, PLLC
Goddard Construction, LLC
Green's Exterminating Company, Inc.
Griffin & Cantrell Company, Inc.
H&R Block
Keller Williams Realty, Kathy Streets
Landmark Homes of Tennessee
Larkins, Sarah, CPA
Lebanon Democrat
Lube Max Express
Mt. Juliet Elementary School
Mt. Juliet Health Care Center
Mt. Juliet Rotary Club
Nationwide Carpet
Nationwide Insurance
PDQ Disposal, Inc.
Personalized Bookkeeping & Tax Service
Pryor Family Dentistry
Punch Promotional Products
Retail Builders, Inc.
Rhodes, David, CFP, ChFC
Rice Country Hams
ServPro of Wilson County
Sign Station
Sleep Inn & Suites
Steed Brothers Contractors, LLP
Stoner Creek Elementary School
United Way of Wilson County
University Medical Center

WEMA asks for your help!

Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA) is receiving increasing numbers of calls to automatic alarms where the alarm company which calls to report the alarm cannot provide an exact address and/or the name of the occupancy, and/or does not have a current list of contact names and telephone numbers for the occupancy.  A recent example had the alarm company reporting a fire alarm in a shopping center.  With some alarms for shopping centers the alarm company can give only the address of the center on the adjacent roadway and does not give either the suite number or the name of the occupancy.  We even had one alarm where the alarm company gave the location as the number of miles (within tenths) along a road from the city limits; they provided neither street address nor occupant’s name.  And, we had one alarm company tell us they would not provide contact names and numbers to the fire department due to company policy.

As you can see from the above it is difficult and time consuming to find where the alarm is originating when there are no specifics regarding its location.  If there is a true emergency such as a fire, the time lost trying to locate where the alarm is actually coming from may be critical.

WEMA is asking your assistance and that you go to your members and advise them to contact their alarm companies and verify with the alarm company as follows:

1. For owner occupied locations and for “2” and “3” below:
a.  The correct business name of the occupancy as it is displayed on signs, doors, etc. 
b. The exact address, including suite number.
c. Any special instructions regarding the location such as the business is in a building behind another address or business such that it would not be readily noticeable to emergency personnel arriving in the area.
d. Current emergency contact names and telephone numbers and these names and telephone numbers will be provided to fire and police if requested.

2. For locations under lease we find some cases where the alarm service is hired by the occupant rather than the owner.  In these cases the renter needs to insure the alarm company provides the address and name of the actual occupancy and not the name and address of the building’s owner.

3. Confusion sometimes arises when there is a building occupied by one or more tenants and the building owner hires the alarm service.  In these cases the address is typically given as the street address for the entire building or complex even though there are numerous tenants in suites throughout the building.  Also, in this case we see the occupant’s name being given as the building owner who may not have an office or other physical presence in the building or complex.  Building owners should arrange to provide exact occupancy names and suite addresses and to maintain a current contact list by suite.

We suggest that alarm company customers contact their alarm companies at least once a year to verify all information and more frequently if occupancies or contacts change.

On a related subject, we are seeing more and more occupancies with no address clearly marked in the front.  In some cases the address is there but covered by promotional signs or other items. We are requesting your assistance in asking your members to provide an address and suite number on their buildings and to keep these numbers visible to emergency responders.  With so many buildings and occupancies we cannot be expected to respond to a business name in a city (such as McDonalds in Lebanon) we need specific street addresses in every case. Thank you for your assistance. 

For more info, contact D. M. Lineberger, Planning Officer at 444-8799.