Steve Forbes

Steve Forbes: On a Crusade for Free Enterprise
An Interview With Steve Forbes

Free Enterprise: What inspired your latest book, How Capitalism Will Save Us: Why Free People and Free Markets Are the Best Answer in Today’s Economy.

Steve Forbes: It began before the economic crisis hit. It was very clear that a lot of people did not have an understanding of what free markets are and what they are not. So we [my co-author Elizabeth Ames and I] decided to do a book in a very conversational style, as if you were talking about free enterprise and capitalism with your kids or mom and dad around the dinner table.

FE: Why do you think capitalism is under attack?

SF: There’s a lot of misunderstanding and mistrust out there that is very corrosive and leads to bad policies. There’s a lack of appreciation of the miracle of free markets. In that sense, we’re like a fish in water. A fish doesn’t know it’s swimming in water; it’s just all around it.

FE: In your book, you say that capitalism is the “most moral and humane economic system.” What do you mean by that?

SF: Just because it involves money does not make it immoral. In fact, it is a moral system precisely because you succeed only by providing a product or service that someone else wants. It’s a mutual transaction. This is the one system that forces you to pay attention to others. It brings about circles of collaboration and cooperation without anyone realizing how intricate it is. And it works because no one is in charge.

FE: How do you respond to those who say, “Capitalism and free markets caused the economic crisis”?

SF: Widespread economic crises—both historically and the current one—are caused by government policy errors. They are not some sudden failure of free markets, yet free markets always get the bad rap. The government brought about this crisis. The Federal Reserve printed too much money and kept interest rates artificially low. That creates a commodities bubble. With inflation and hoarding of resources, money floods through the economy, and certain industries get a disproportionate share. In the 1970s, it was energy and agriculture; this time, it was housing.

FE: What role, if any, should government play in a free market system?

SF: In addition to providing security from external threats and internal disorder, the prime role of government is to create an atmosphere where free markets can flourish and blossom—rule of law, sensible tax code, protection of private property. When government goes beyond those basic roles, it starts to really distort the economy, and government cannot do things as well as markets can. Markets are people. Even when government invests in things like infrastructure, it often doesn’t do it with the productivity, efficiency, innovation, and adaptability that you get from private parties.

FE: What can the administration do to help create jobs?

SF: If the president wants to create real jobs, how about a strong and stable dollar? A weak dollar encourages speculation in commodities and currencies; it hurts productive investment in business creation and expansion. How about removing uncertainty on taxes? How about not raising taxes?

FE: Do you think giving businesses a tax credit for hiring would help create jobs?

SF: That kind of targeted thing raises other questions, because what’s a new job? Is it something you were going to do anyway, and now you get to pocket some extra money for doing it? Instead of [government] trying to micromanage the market, why not create the environment for entrepreneurs to figure out what jobs to create? If they have confidence that the rules aren’t going to be changed on them, that they aren’t going to be hauled before Congress, or have to face some crazy legislation, they will take risks and jobs will be created.

FE: What can business owners do to get through this difficult economic period?

SF: They can’t do it alone. One of the messages they have to hammer home to their representatives in Congress and to the White House is, Give us the tools and we’ll do the job. By tools, I mean don’t hit us with onerous new taxes, don’t nationalize our health care, don’t force unionization down our throats, and don’t violate our property rights. Reduce the tax rates so that there is incentive to take risks. Also, although it’s easy to say and extremely difficult to do, look for opportunity. Because of the convulsions of the last two years, people are looking at products and services in a very different way. The old brands don’t immediately hold them the way they used to. The situation is fluid, so new players can emerge. You might be able to do things that weren’t possible two to three years ago.

FE: Who are your free enterprise heroes?

SF: On the political side, people like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Both turned around countries that were headed for trouble. Times and circumstances change, but the principles of progress do not.

In terms of the marketplace, there are any number of heroes. Henry Ford turned a toy for the rich into something a working person could afford. Howard Schultz at Starbucks. Whoever thought you could take something as common as coffee, which everyone can make and everyone sells and, voila, make a faux European coffeehouse with consistency in the system. Also, Ray Kroc of McDonalds. He hits his home run in the toughest business in the world in his late 50s, when other people are thinking of retirement.

A more recent one is Kevin Plank of Under Armour. He was just a kid playing football who noticed during practice that you sweat, and he got the bright idea for a T-shirt that absorbs the sweat. The Marxists should like that one—he made his money off the sweat of other people.

FE: Do you think you’ll ever run for president again?

SF: No, I’m an agitator now [laughing].

Your Opinion Counts!

Last edition's Poll Question:

I wasn't expecting the number of responses, or the answers, to this poll question.

With almost 170 responses to the poll, a healthy 33% said they had either been to a Comprehensive Plan meeting, or were planning on going. Another 27% said they would be interested in going, but didn't always know when the meetings were being held.

Another 27% said they weren't likely to go because they didn't live in Killeen, and, finally, just 13% said they weren't interested at all.

Thanks for taking this last poll. Last edition's poll is now closed.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee will hold a luncheon featuring Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs. The lunch will be held on Wednesday April 7, 2010 at the Shilo Inn Suites Hotel from 11:30 to 1p.m. Cost is $18.00 per person, and the lunch is open to all chamber members.

As Comptroller, Combs is the state’s chief financial officer. She manages the state’s treasury operations to monitor Texas’ fiscal heath, guides legislative decision makers by estimating state revenues and ensures state taxes are collected fairly and efficiently to fund vital programs and services for the people of Texas.

Reservations for the lunch are required for this event. Please contact Tammy Sanchez to reserve your seat now. Deadline for reservations is April 2, 2010. The chamber expects this event to sell out quickly, so please reserve your spot now.

Killeen Chamber members sit just a little lower than usual while enjoying hamburgers and hot dogs at the March Third Thursday at KidZ TherapEZE on the 18th.

It wasn't enough for Kim and Kelly Barr, owners of KidZ TherapEZE, to simply enjoy the expansion of their own business. Instead, they decided to give something back in return - in the person of hosting the March Third Thursday shindig for GKCC members.

And almost 150 chamber members took advantage of their growing facility and home-town hospitality to enjoy the kickoff to the spring season on Thursday, March 18.

The KidZ TherapEZE facility is currently in expansion mode and under construction, and the Barrs used their expansion to show off exactly what they do. Since opening in 2001, KidZ TherapEZE has moved from their original facility to accommodate their growth, and is now expanding that new facility to do the same. They serve Central Texas children in the areas of physical, occupational and speech therapy, and employ 51 therapists.

Chamber members attending the mixer enjoyed home-cooked hamburgers and hot dogs, and were treated to the possibility of winning some great door prizes.

Patients at the center also presented a check for nearly $500 to the members of the Second Chance Animal Shelter. The proceeds came from the sales of Christmas cards by patients, cards that were designed by those same patients.

KidZ TherapEZE is located at 1102 Winkler. That is just off of Trimmier, across the street from Ellison High School and next to Creative Carpet & Interiors. Their phone number is (254) 634-8505.

Effective April 1, the Board of Directors of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce has voted to institute a 5% across-the-board dues increase for its members. This increase will be effective at the time of your next billing period following April 1, 2010.

For the vast majority of chamber members, this increase will result in an annual increase of from $7 to $15 in your annual dues.

"We know, just as in our members' businesses, general business expenses go up much more than this in a year," said Chairman of the Board, Jerry Haisler, "but prudent fiscal management among the chamber staff and management has allowed us to hold this increase to a minimum."

The last chamber dues increase was in April, 2008.

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Would Like to Welcome Its Newest Members!

New Chamber Members who have joined March 11 through March 24

Toyota of Killeen owner, Paula Lohse (left), visits with Sue Hall at last year's April Third Thursday. This year's Toyota Third Thursday will be the fourth Thursday.

OK, everyone pay attention. It's not rocket science, but it is (gulp) a change from the ordinary.

In April, the Third Thursday will be the fourth Thursday. Got it?

No, the earth isn't going to spin around the sun faster in April just because the mixer in April is always at Toyota of Killeen. No, the celestial "accelerator pedal" isn't going to get caught in the floor mat.

The traditional great food, laughs, music and fellowship will still be present at the April mixer just as it is each year at the annual Toyota of Killeen event.

The Third Thursday this year will just be the fourth Thursday.

In fact, we can't, at this time, tell you why the Third Thursday in April will be the fourth Thursday, but we promise, come the fourth Thursday in April, we'll tell you why the Third Thursday was the fourth Thursday this year. Frankly, it's a pretty neat deal. Fair enough?

Everyone clear as a bell on this?

Chad & Kimber Pritchard and the staff of Fat Daddy's Pizzeria join with the GKCC Ambassadors for a ribbon cutting on March 11.

Chad Pritchard may be a classically trained French chef, but his idea of what makes a very good pizza pie isn't bad, either.

That's a fact the Central Texas area learned when Chad first opened La Collina Italian Ristorante in Harker Heights a couple of years back, and now gets to enjoy once again with the opening of Fat Daddy's Pizzeria at 709 E. Elms Ed, Suite 300.

Fat Daddy's produces what is known as a "New York" style pizza pie, known mostly for its hand-tossed, very thin crust. New York-style pizza pies are generally less filling than "Chicago-style" pizzas, and feature a greater ratio of pizza ingredients to bread than the alternative.

One of Chad's head pizza chefs, Steve Saccone, adds his expertise to the Fat Daddy's technique. Saccone has been recognized nationally for producing one of the finest pizzas in the country.

Fat Daddy's Pizzeria is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon until 9 p.m. on Sunday. They offer delivery and accept most major credit cards. Call them to place an order or for more information at (254) 247-3868.

A Brand Called You

by Tom Peters, August 31, 1997

Used by permission

 It's a new brand world.

That cross-trainer you're wearing -- one look at the distinctive swoosh on the side tells everyone who's got you branded. That coffee travel mug you're carrying -- ah, you're a Starbucks woman! Your T-shirt with the distinctive Champion "C" on the sleeve, the blue jeans with the prominent Levi's rivets, the watch with the hey-this-certifies-I-made-it icon on the face, your fountain pen with the maker's symbol crafted into the end ...

You're branded, branded, branded, branded.

It's time for me -- and you -- to take a lesson from the big brands, a lesson that's true for anyone who's interested in what it takes to stand out and prosper in the new world of work.

Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.

It's that simple -- and that hard. And that inescapable.

Behemoth companies may take turns buying each other or acquiring every hot startup that catches their eye -- mergers in 1996 set records. Hollywood may be interested in only blockbusters and book publishers may want to put out only guaranteed best-sellers. But don't be fooled by all the frenzy at the humongous end of the size spectrum.

The real action is at the other end: the main chance is becoming a free agent in an economy of free agents, looking to have the best season you can imagine in your field, looking to do your best work and chalk up a remarkable track record, and looking to establish your own micro equivalent of the Nike swoosh. Because if you do, you'll not only reach out toward every opportunity within arm's (or laptop's) length, you'll not only make a noteworthy contribution to your team's success -- you'll also put yourself in a great bargaining position for next season's free-agency market.

The good news -- and it is largely good news -- is that everyone has a chance to stand out. Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills. Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remark.

Who understands this fundamental principle? The big companies do. They've come a long way in a short time: it was just over four years ago, April 2, 1993 to be precise, when Philip Morris cut the price of Marlboro cigarettes by 40 cents a pack. That was on a Friday. On Monday, the stock market value of packaged goods companies fell by $25 billion. Everybody agreed: brands were doomed.

Today brands are everything, and all kinds of products and services -- from accounting firms to sneaker makers to restaurants -- are figuring out how to transcend the narrow boundaries of their categories and become a brand surrounded by a Tommy Hilfiger-like buzz.

Who else understands it? Every single Web site sponsor. In fact, the Web makes the case for branding more directly than any packaged good or consumer product ever could. Here's what the Web says: Anyone can have a Web site. And today, because anyone can ... anyone does! So how do you know which sites are worth visiting, which sites to bookmark, which sites are worth going to more than once? The answer: branding. The sites you go back to are the sites you trust. They're the sites where the brand name tells you that the visit will be worth your time -- again and again. The brand is a promise of the value you'll receive.

The same holds true for that other killer app of the Net -- email. When everybody has email and anybody can send you email, how do you decide whose messages you're going to read and respond to first -- and whose you're going to send to the trash unread? The answer: personal branding. The name of the email sender is every bit as important a brand -- is a brand -- as the name of the Web site you visit. It's a promise of the value you'll receive for the time you spend reading the message.

Nobody understands branding better than professional services firms. Look at McKinsey or Arthur Andersen for a model of the new rules of branding at the company and personal level. Almost every professional services firm works with the same business model. They have almost no hard assets -- my guess is that most probably go so far as to rent or lease every tangible item they possibly can to keep from having to own anything. They have lots of soft assets -- more conventionally known as people, preferably smart, motivated, talented people. And they have huge revenues -- and astounding profits.

They also have a very clear culture of work and life. You're hired, you report to work, you join a team -- and you immediately start figuring out how to deliver value to the customer. Along the way, you learn stuff, develop your skills, hone your abilities, move from project to project. And if you're really smart, you figure out how to distinguish yourself from all the other very smart people walking around with $1,500 suits, high-powered laptops, and well-polished resumes. Along the way, if you're really smart, you figure out what it takes to create a distinctive role for yourself -- you create a message and a strategy to promote the brand called You.

For the remainder of this article, click here...

Stand Up and Be Counted!

The US Census is coming to Killeen March 15^th.  A census form will arrive in the mail at your home address.  This form will only have ten questions and should only take a few minutes to fill out.  This is very important to our community to have an accurate count of our population so fill out the form and mail it back to the US Census Bureau.

The Killeen Census Committee will have a census block party at the Killeen Special Events Center on March 27, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This event is free to the public and will have entertainment, information tables and food vendors.  If your group is interested in having a vendor booth at this event please contact Taneika Driver at 554-4226. For additional information go to the U.S. Census website.

BRC to Hold Monthly Social Media Breakfast in Killeen

The Central Texas Business Resource Center will host a Social Media Breakfast at Jason’s Deli in Killeen. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.

Social Media Breakfasts bring together people who are interested in teaching, sharing, and learning about trends, case studies, and best practices in social media. This educational focus is critical for moving the social media industry forward. Anyone interested in social media are invited to attend. The program information is different each meeting, and information can be found at www.twitter.com/centexbrc

This new monthly event is free to attend, but attendees will have to pay for their own food and drink. Advance registration is required.

The next event will be held Wednesday, April 7, 2010 from 7:30am - 8:30am at Jason’s Deli, 3213 E Central Texas Expy #200 in Killeen. The Event is free to attend, and breakfast will be available for purchase on your own Otherwise, there is no cost to attend, but seating is limited so please call to reserve a seat in advance.

Please reserve your seat at least one day in advance by phone at (254) 200-2001

sign the pledge. . .

American Free Enterprise.

Dream Big.

Back When

Woman's Pill

A woman’s great idea  Is how to make herself attractive. But, without health, it is hard for her to be lovely in face, form or temper. A weak, sickly woman will be nervous and irritable. Constipation and kidney poisons show in pimples,  blotches, skin eruptions and a wretched complexion. But electric bitters always prove a godsend to women who want health, beauty and friends. They regulate the stomach, liver and kidneys, purify the blood,  give strong nerves, bright eyes, pure breath, smooth, velvety skin, lovely complexion, good health.  Try them. 50c at all druggists.

Advertisement in the Killeen Herald and Messenger, June 24, 1910

Mary Scott Nabers

Would make it easier to compete for federal contract work

Small women-owned businesses in the United States seeking to do business with the federal government have found a friend in the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA recently identified more than 80 industries in which women-owned small businesses were under-represented or substantially under-represented in the federal government contracting arena. The result is a proposed SBA rule that will expand federal contracting opportunities for those businesses.

Mary Scott Nabers of Austin is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., a woman-owned business that has been partnering public and private entities for the last 15 years. "The federal government has long had a publicized goal of awarding at least 5 percent of its contracts to small women-owned businesses," said Nabers. "Since it has never reached that goal, it seems prudent to either find ways to make it happen or to quit publicizing it."

The SBA is looking for the way to make it happen.

The goal for award of federal contracts to women-owned businesses is set in statute at 5 percent of all contracts. The SBA notes that the highest percentage that has ever been reached is only a little over 3 percent.

Small women-owned businesses are a growing segment of the national economy. SBA officials say that garnering their share of federal contracting dollars in many cases can allow those businesses to expand their volume, creating good-paying jobs and thus having a positive effect on the local, state and national economies.

In determining which industries were under-represented in federal government contracting, the SBA studied both the share of contracting dollars and the share of number of contracts awarded to small women-owned businesses. The proposed rule authorizes a set-aside of federal contracts for these businesses - for contract prices that do not exceed $5 million in manufacturing and $3 million for other contracts. Larger contracts are not subject to the set-aside. To view the proposed rule, click here.

from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that, if enacted, the House-passed health care reform legislation ("Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act") would, over the next 10 years, cost about $950 billion, but as scored by CBO it would raise revenues and lower costs, it would also lower federal deficits by $138 billion. In other words, a bill that would set up two new entitlement spending programs - health insurance subsidies and long-term health care benefits - and alter another entitlement program would improve the nation's bottom line.

How? - The CBO is required to take written legislation at face value and score it accordingly.

The bill front-loads revenues and backloads spending. Taxes and fees begin immediately, but its new subsidies would be deferred so that the first 10 years of revenue would be used to pay for 6 years of spending.

To operate the new programs over the first 10 years, future Congresses will need to vote for $114 billion in additional annual spending to implement the programs. This discretionary spending is excluded from the Congressional Budget Office's tabulation.

The health care bill in Congress imposes new taxes on medical devices, prescription drugs, and health insurance itself. These taxes will be passed on to patients through higher prices and higher premiums. The president's plan includes a 40 percent excise tax on high-premium plans, which would bend the premium cost curve upward unless benefit packages for those plans are cut. The extra taxes will be passed on to consumers, according to CBO and JCT. The net result is insurance premiums will go up, not down.

The bill will have huge negative effects on employers who currently provide retiree benefits. Currently, those companies receive a subsidy to help pay for their Part D costs (Rx benefit), and the bill will end the tax exclusion on the subsidies-making them taxable for the first time. This will have a negative impact on company's cash flows decreasing cash available for capital investments and job creation.

A new 3.8% "Medicare" tax on non-wage income would be placed on high earners, income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and some profits from investments in partnerships and S-corporations. The revenues from the tax on unearned income would be credited to the Supplemental Medical Insurance trust fund. If the unearned income tax-and other proposed tax hikes on high-income individuals included in the president's FY 2011 budget-become law, a high-income taxpayer could have an effective tax rate on capital gains and qualified dividends of 23.8 percent. Significantly, however, the effective tax rate on nonqualified dividends would be 43.4 percent.

The primary cost-control mechanism and long-term revenue source for the program is the tax on "high-cost plans" effective in 2018 (note - during the 2nd term of a President that would follow Obama including if Obama is reelected for a 2nd term). The financial sustainability of the entire bill rests on the hope that a future Congress will accept these tax increases when the current Congress wouldn't. The so called "Cadillac tax" is postponed until 2018, but will be indexed to CPI inflation, causing an insidious, AMT-like affect.

Employers with over 50 employees will be forced to offer coverage or pay a $2,000-per-employee fine. Businesses will also face a $3,000-per-employee fine if the coverage they offer is deemed "unaffordable" for employees (if the employee opts-out and gets a subsidy in exchange). This means that an employer with low-income employees who offers comprehensive, affordable coverage could nevertheless be fined just as much as an employer who offers no coverage at all. The employer mandate tax - rises from $750 per employee in the Senate bill to $2,000 per employee in the Reconciliation bill, a 166% increase. It is estimated that 219,961 small businesses could be subject to the employer mandate. The percentage of employees employed by small businesses which could be subject to the employer fine is projected to be 26.4 million workers or, 22 percent of the entire private-sector workforce

$70 billion in premiums expected to be raised in the first 10 years for the legislation's new long-term health care insurance program ("Class Act" - long-term care insurance). The revenues are counted as deficit reduction, because the benefits are assumed not to be paid out in the first 10 years. . CBO has said that the Class Act will be "unsustainable" in the long-term, adding tens of billions to the deficit.

Corporations must deposit $8 billion in higher estimated tax payments in 2014, meeting fiscal targets for the first five years. But the corporations' actual taxes would be unchanged; the money would need to be refunded the next year. The net effect is simply to shift dollars from 2015 to 2014.

Uses $53 billion in anticipated higher Social Security taxes to offset health care spending. Social Security revenues are projected to rise as employers shift from paying for health insurance to paying higher wages. If workers have higher wages, they qualify for increased Social Security benefits.

The legislation cuts $463 billion from Medicare spending and uses the revenues to finance insurance subsidies. Medicare currently has an unfunded liability of $38 trillion. The Chief Actuary of the Medicare program has said that these cuts are unrealistic because they would continuously cut reimbursements without touching the actual costs of providing care. CMS expects as many as 20% of doctors and hospitals would be driven into serious financial distress. The New England Journal of Medicine reported (3/17/2010): 46 percent of general practitioners feel they will be forced out or make them want to leave medicine AND without these Medicare cuts, the Senate bill is a long-term budget buster.

CBO said the healthcare bill's $138 billion in savings over 10 years would disappear if the government: extends the current Medicare doctor payment rate instead of allowing it to expire (resulting in a 21% cut in reimbursements to Doctors). Over the next decade actual spending will be between $200 and $300 billion higher than projections. This added cost more than wipes out any purported savings in the bill.

Includes more than $200 billion in reductions from the Medicare Advantage program serving nearly 11 million seniors. These cuts would lead to higher out-of-pocket costs, reduced benefits and fewer health care choices for our seniors.

The Senate health care bill contains an extraordinary reversal of 30-year-old reforms in the black lung benefit program. The provision would rescind reforms in eligibility standards governing black lung benefits enacted in 1981. This creates another new entitlement program returning to non-diagnostic presumptions and affidavit processes that, according to medical experts, are even more imprudent now than they were 30 years ago. Insurers can't charge premiums retroactively, so companies will take on liabilities worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

President Obama states that the projected deficit savings ($1.1 trillion) from health care reform will all come to pass over the next 20 years (fully implements the half-trillion in Medicare cuts and half-trillion in new taxes). The CBO says that the President underestimated the deficits his FY 2011 budget would create over the next 10 years-by $1.2 trillion. In other words, even if the President's projected deficit savings ($1.1 trillion) all come to pass over the next 20 years they won't even make up for the additional $1.2 that the CBO found that the President missed in his budget projections in just the next 10 years.

CBO expects the cost of the new entitlement spending aimed at coverage expansion in the Senate bill - the premium subsidies in the exchanges and the expansion of Medicaid-to reach about $200 billion by 2019 and then grow at a rate of 8 percent every year thereafter. In other words, this new health entitlement spending is expected to escalate just as rapidly as Medicare and Medicaid have in the past.

The federal deficit is already expected to exceed at least $700 billion every year over the next decade, doubling the national debt to more than $20 trillion.

Sedona Staffing  and KWTX Seek “Boss of the Month” Nominations

Sedona Staffing Services, in partnership with KWTX television, is asking for nominations for “Boss of the Month”.  This is a great opportunity for employees and employers to recognize their outstanding supervisors or bosses. Please visit this link for complete details.

The Vineyard At Florence To Hold Stonecutting Competition and Demonstration

Experience Old World Italy right here in Texas! This month the Vineyard at Florence will present its third annual L’Arte Antica, a stone carving competition and demonstration, on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, from 11AM – PM. The vineyard, located in Florence, Texas, is just 40 miles north of Austin.

This FREE, family-friendly event will also feature a Fine Art Show with works by local artists, and a live performance by Austin’s own Diesel Kings, from 4 – 7PM. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Organized by Texas Carved Stone, also located in Florence, Texas, stone carvers from across the region will participate in the weekend-long event celebrating this Old World tradition. Onlookers will be able to experience first-hand the craft of stone carving and view works from approximately 50 area artists in a variety of media. Visitors will be able to purchase original works of art both days, and have an opportunity to bid on the stone works in process. The winner of the carving competition, as well as the highest bids, will be announced Sunday afternoon.

The Vineyard at Florence is a residential community surrounding a vast 30-acres of producing vines. The Vineyard offers amenities for guests and visitors such as a café, spa, art gallery, and two wine tasting rooms on site.

The Vineyard holds at least one fundraiser per year to benefit the community of Florence.
Proceeds from this special event will benefit the Florence Public Library.

First United Methodist Church Plans "Jerusalem 33 A.D."

Experience Holy Week, on a very personal and intimate level, Maundy Thursday, April 1; Good Friday, April 2; and Saturday, April 3, as First United Methodist Church, Killeen, Texas, brings you “Jerusalem 33 A.D.” 

Presented by those who brought you “Walk through Bethlehem,” witness the live reenactments of the Last Supper, the betrayal and trial of Jesus Christ and the ultimate sacrifice…the Crucifixion.  FUMC transforms modern day Killeen into Jerusalem at their Methodist Park, located on the corner of E. Elms and Cunningham Roads in Killeen.   

Bring your children, grandchildren, family and friends, and journey back in time to experience the reenactment of the final days of Jesus Christ. 

Admission for the event is one can of food or a donation.  All food collected will be given to the Killeen Food Care Center.   Donations will go toward the cost of the event.  Saturday, Methodist Park will turn from bustling to tranquil as FUMC presents “Stations of the Cross.”  There will be 14 stations, each providing an individual with the opportunity to pray, meditate and listen to his or her heart.  This is a time for peaceful and quiet reflection and all are welcome to participate.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, April 1

·         5pm – Jerusalem opens and visitors are encouraged to mingle with characters in the community

·         6pm - The Last Supper; Judas betrays Christ; Holy Communion 

Friday, April 2

·         5pm – Jerusalem opens and again, visitors are encouraged to walk around and experience life in 33 A.D.

·         6pm – The Crucifixion

Saturday, April 3

·         Noon – 6pm  Stations of the Cross

For more information on Jerusalem 33 A.D., or to schedule an interview, contact Terry Bierwirth at 254-634-6363 or email Terry.

Fort Hood Plans Earth Fest April 23

Many of you have never heard about Earth Day or ever been to an “Earth Fest.” At first glance, it might not sound very interesting or fun. That’s where you are wrong. Fort Hood’s Earth Fest is scheduled for April 23 at Hood Stadium offering opportunities for children, Families, and Soldiers. A huge 300 foot by 100 foot circus-type tent set up inside Hood Stadium. More than 35 different exhibits will be on display recycling, renewable energy resources, endangered species, natural resources, water conservation, and other environmental topics.

This year’s Earth Fest will be non-stop from 3:00 - 10:00 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will kick off with a performance by acoustic guitar artist Boomer at 3 p.m.

It will also include a farmer’s market, fuel efficient vehicles, inflatables, clowns, free food and beverages, and live entertainment. Games 2U mobile game theater will be at the event featuring the latest Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii games on 6 high definition televisions. Individuals can play the games for free, 4:00 -9:00 p.m. Zoomagination will also do a special show at 5:00 p.m. featuring a two-toed sloth, wallaby, bearded dragon, snake, parrot, and creepy crawlies.

The rest of the evening will feature live entertainment by the Rose Boom Band, the Brazos Stone Band and up and coming female country star Maren Morris, and Texas Country artist Radney Foster.

Make sure you don’t miss the largest Earth Fest event in the Army. Come out with your friends and family and learn more about how you can help the green Army stay green!

For more information about Earth Fest, call 254-535-1008 or email.

FORT HOOD EARTH FEST SCHEDULE
Friday, 23 April at Hood Stadium

3:00 - 10:00 p.m. Open to Public
(Displays/Vendors/Live Entertainment)
3:00 p.m. – Acoustic Guitar Artist Boomer
3:30 p.m. – Rose Boom
4:00 p.m. – Games 2 U Mobile Video Game Theater
5:00 p.m. – Zoomagination Show
Free Food and Beverages
Beer Sales
Budweiser Girls
5:30 p.m. – National Anthem
5:35 p.m. – Brazos Stone
7:00 p.m. – Pandemonium, Shoemaker High School
7:30 p.m. – Maren Morris
9:15 p.m. – Radney Foster
10:00 p.m.– Earth Fest Concludes

Activities, Programs Abound  at Central Texas College

Central Texas College has a number of special activities and programs set for the upcoming weeks.

For more information on each of these programs, activities and announcements, please click the links below.

CTC to host annual wellness fair; public invited

CTC Foundation to host annual benefit fashion show

Planetarium expands hours; now open Sundays

CLEAR Coordinating Program To Enable Recovery of Haitian School

Several of us at CLEAR™ have started to sponsor the long term recovery of the Nathan School (Institution Educative Nathanael) in Port-au-Prince. It is one of the poorest schools in the poorest slum of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The Nathan School serves over 200 students aged 3 through about 11. The school is also providing shelter and water to hundreds of residents, many of whom are currently homeless.

There are two ways our community can help.

First, send any material donations of the items to your local coordinator listed below or call or email to arrange a pick up. A list of items can be found on the attached flyer.

Second, provide cash donations easily and directly through the school’s patron organization, Haiti Marycare.

Like us, you may find that you and your family can talk about sharing a small part of what you have with those in need, and know you are making a direct, targeted and personal difference.

For more information on how you can help, contact your local coordinator: Myrna Banzon at CLEAR, 3210 E Central Texas Expressway, Suite 404, Killeen TX 76542 or call at (254) 680-8804. Thank you for your help and support!

Here Are Some Of The Things Happening Around TAMU-CT This Week

Texas A&M System Board of Regents to Meet March 25-26

Texell Plans April 22 Ribbon Cutting at 10:00 a.m.

Texell Federal Credit Union, Bell County’s largest member-owned, not-for-profit credit union, has announced plans to open a full- service branch in Killeen. The Killeen Office will be Texell’s fifth location.

"We have strong demand for an office in the Killeen market," stated Tony Hale, Texell CEO. “We are happy to be able to offer our members in the Killeen area an office to meet their financial needs,” Hale continued.

Texell’s Killeen office will be located at 2208 Sunny Lane, just off North W.S. Young Drive. The existing 2,100 square foot building will be completely renovated and will allow Killeen residents access to a full range of financial services, six days a week.

The new office will employ six staff members.

Extensive renovations have already begun on the building, and Texell will host a grand opening celebration in April. For more information on Texell Federal Credit Union, please visit www.texell.org

About Texell, Your Credit Union
Texell Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative serving more than 26,000 members throughout Central Texas. Texell was founded in 1948 and offers a wide range of financial services to its members. Texell has three locations in Temple, one in Belton and soon one in Killeen. Further information about Texell is available at Texell.org or by calling 254.773.1604.

Standards for Submitting Items for the Hot Links! "Digest"

The first requirement is that all sponsoring or associated entities of events or programs submitted must be members in good standing of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce. Items for chamber non-members will not be considered. What can we say? - it's a perk of chamber membership, and we apply this across the board.

All items to be submitted must be in the form of a MS Word or text document. They must be written in news style so they may be pasted into Hot Links! in the format you see throughout the e-newsletter. We are glad to edit for style and grammar; what we simply can't do is take your flyer and write the Hot Links! story for you.

If you have one piece of art to submit with the story, please submit that in a .jpg format.

If you have registration forms, entry blanks, flyers, etc. that go with a news story, please submit them as either Word, Publisher or Adobe Acrobat files. They will be converted to Adobe Acrobat documents and linked to the news story.

Staff members of the chamber are on many business and organizational mailing lists. Please do not assume that just because you sent us notification of a news item or event because we are "on your list" that we will automatically include it in Hot Links! Please submit anything you would like included in Hot Links! in an e-mail specifically marked for publication in the newsletter.

Any items not submitted in accordance with these guidelines will not be considered for inclusion. All items must be submitted via e-mail to Thad Byars at the chamber.

Latest Pictures of GKCC "People On The Go"

Trainer and motivational speaker, Bill Drury, speaks to a full house during his annual customer service seminar for GKCC members on March 10.	(left to right) Billy Mills of Modern TV & Appliance, Assistant City Manager Glenn Morrison and Shawn Trainum of the Fairfield Inn & Suites tour historic sections of downtown McKinney during the chamber's tour of that city to explore how they have developed their city on March 12.
Ambassador chairman, Sherry Hoffpauir, Killeen Daily Herald, presents Fat Daddy's Pizzeria owner, Chad Pritchard and wife, Kimber, their First Dollar of Profit and chamber plaque at Fat Daddy's ribbon cutting on March 11.	KidZ TherapEZE owner, Kelly Barr (far left) helps award a check to Joe Lattanzio of Second Chance Animal Shelter. The check was a result of a Christmas card fundraising project conducted by the patients of KidZ TherapEZE.
Click on any picture for a larger view.

Miss an earlier edition of Hot Links!?

Vol. 4, Edition 5 (March 10, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 4 (February 24, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 3 (February 10, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 2 (January 27, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 1 (January 13, 2010)

Vol. 3, Edition 25 (December 16, 2009)

Please contact Thad Byars at the GKCC for editions prior to these.

Keep Track of all the chamber news!

www.killeenchamber.com

Your Business Message Could Be HERE!

For just $100 a month (two issues of Hot Links!), you could reach chamber members with a link to your best sweetheart deals.

Be Cool! Advertise your business in Hot Links!

Contact Thad Byars at the chamber (254) 526-9551 for more information.

Hot Links! Copyright 2010, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce

Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, One Santa Fe Plaza, P.O. Box 548, Killeen, TX  76540  (254)- 526-9551   Fax: (254) 526-6090

For questions of comments about this newsletter, please contact Thad Byars at tbyars@gkcc.com  Please note that, properly formatted, the name of the GKCC newsletter is Hot Links!, with an upper case "H" and "L", followed by an exclamation point.