TAMU-CT "sole finalist" President Marc Nigliazzo visits with Patton Kaufman, president of First Texas Bank and past GKCC Board Chairman, at Mondays welcome reception at the Shilo Inn.

Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, who was named sole finalist as the inaugural president of Texas A & M University - Central Texas by the A & M Board of Regents on March 26, was in Killeen Monday evening, April 19, to stand face-to-face with about 160 of his presumptive new community members. During a reception at the Shilo Inn, he was introduced to his new community, took a little good-natured ribbing, and made it very obvious how special he saw the University for the entire Central Texas area.

Nigliazzo, who is no stranger to Central Texas, comes to TAMU-CT after about a year-long stint as President of Arizona Western College in Yuma, AZ and about a year as Vice President at the University of New Mexico. Prior to that, he served as President of Temple College for 13 years until 2008.

After being named to his new position, Nigliazzo was mandated to serve a term of 21 days as "sole finalist" according to Texas statue. That period was completed on April 16, and the new president now only awaits the official appointment of the A&M University System Board of Regents to be named to the position. That is expected to happen at a meeting of that group on April 30. Nigliazzo is expected to relocate to the market sometime in July.

After an extended reception line where Nigliazzo said "hello" to far more old friends than strangers, he greeted a highly enthuastic community. Once officially appointed to the job, he will be ready to put his mark on what he hopes the University can become. Recognizing that the public, the Army and industries in the Killeen area have high hopes for what TAMU-CT can be, he simply said, "I promise you all, it will."

As the new president steps into his job, activities surrounding the establishment of the University have truly stepped up a notch. As he begins his new position, the community prepares for an update from the architect on the first building slated to be placed on the 662-acres donated by the Army for the University's site, where construction is slated to begin in the September time frame. The "North Campus" at the facility leased from KISD at the former Fairway Middle School us undergoing modernization and expansion. Nigliazzo optimistically looks for a major increase in enrollment at the school as these activities continue to progress.

Your Opinion Counts!

Last edition's Poll Question:

Not nearly as many responses here as I expected.

63% of you said "Of Course Not!" You would never participate in illegal piece of gambling like an NCAA Final Four Pool.

26% of you admitted to playing, although you lost like you always have. (Mi Culpa!)

Only 11% admitted that you participated and you came out OK. Congratulations!

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

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce nominating committee is now requesting nominations for persons to serve on the 2010-2013 Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Chamber board members provide volunteer oversight over all aspects of the chamber's program of work, as well as exercise fiscal oversight and due diligence of the chamber's financial affairs.

Once public nominations are closed, a list of all nominations will be provided to the 2010 nominating committee for selection of five candidates to be presented to the Board of Directors at the May GKCC Board meeting. The chairman of the 2010 Nominating Committee is Mary Lindley-Wiley . The following criteria must be met for all nominations:

1.       *  The candidate must be an active member of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce in good standing.

2.      *   Persons may nominate themselves.

3.       *  All nominations need to be e-mailed to Jack Wade by April 23, 2010, or by filling out the above online short form by that date. The form will be delivered to the chamber when you click "Submit".

4.       *  Please include all information requested including the name of the business and a short paragraph indicating the person's qualifications.

Historical Book of Killeen, Texas

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce is publishing a book on the history of Killeen, written by Gerald D. Skidmore. 

This book is now available for special presales. The regular cost of this publication will be $34.95; however, the Chamber is taking pre-sales at this time at the special price of  $24.95. There will only be a limited number of books for sale at this price and we are encouraging everyone to order theirs at this time. Contact the Chamber at 526-9551 to order your copy. All presales will be signed by the author.

Once the publications arrive at the chamber (approximately June or July), there will be a special signing ceremony by the author for all persons who have ordered presales of the book.

The author, Gerald Skidmore, has been a long-time resident of the Killeen community, and served as editor of the Killeen Daily Herald for more than 35 years.

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 April 9 through April 21

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?

Central Texas youth are encouraged to participate in the Free Enterprise system by setting up lemonade stands on May 2nd.

Lemonade Day is a fun, free, community-wide, educational initiative where Central Texas kids learn to start, own and operate their own business. 

Kids of all ages learn to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service, and give back to their community.  This event is designed to inspire future entrepreneurs and will be held Sunday, May 2, 2010.

Each young entrepreneur will set up their lemonade stand at their homes, local businesses, churches and sell, sell, sell their lemonade.  The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce supports the “Free Enterprise System” that we have within the our country and Lemonade Day is a great starting point for our future entrepreneurs. 

The chamber encourages parents and local businesses to participate.  Registration forms and backpacks are available at the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, One Santa Fe Plaza in Downtown Killeen.  First National Bank Texas and Fort Hood National Banks are the area businesses that are introducing this program to the Greater Killeen Area.  The primary contact for this event is Amanda Dickinson at First National Bank Texas,  (25) 554-4471. See the official Lemonade Day web site for complete information about the program.

Officials from AAR Mobility Systems, top, join with the GKCC Ambassadors to hold a ribbon cutting for AAR Mobility at their newest facility, located in Killeen, on April 20. Note that the container system in the photo, which folds up to less than 10' on a side, is a fully outfitted field laundry.

AAR Mobility, a major defense contractor serving the U.S. military along a number of lines of business, has officially opened it's Central Texas facility in Killeen.

AAR Mobility Systems is a leading global supplier of rapid deployment equipment and mobile tactical shelters, offering products that enhance military commanders’ ability to mobilize, deploy, maneuver and sustain forces. AAR Mobility supports their products through a network of service centers, field service teams and strategic partners.

In addition to their standard products, AAR Mobility Systems specializes in mission-tailored configurations, custom integration, and modification and re-fit of mobile shelter systems. They also provide structural analysis and design engineering capabilities.

The Killeen facility, located at 1715 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., is specifically designed as a repair facility for those containerized systems used at Fort Hood. Site Manager Charlie Smith hopes the Killeen location will provide a local capability not available to Fort Hood officials in the past, and capabilities not readily available from local soldiers.

During the April 20 ribbon cutting, not only did AAR Mobility demonstrate it's repair facilities, but Smith also had about a dozen specialized container systems on hand to display capabilities as diverse as hospital units, laundry units, water purification units, mobile machine shops, personnel carriers and telecommunication facilities. Most all of the configurations can be "folded up" to fit within a standardized modules designed standard aircraft delivery deployment in any theater.

For more information, contact Site Manager Charlie Smith at 1715 MLK Driver or (254) 953-3331.

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, May 5, 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

New First-Run Movie Theater Under Construction In Killeen

Ace Clary and his Robb and Rowley theater chain are building a new $150,000 “Class A, first-run movie house” across the street from the Herald on the vacant lot just north of city hall.

Now that’s a lot of money to be putting out for a new theater. But, after all, look how much money they’ll make just selling pop corn.

Right now Ace has to order 1000 pounds of raw pop corn every week for the use in his four theaters. That’s ten big tow sacks full of those golden kernels.

If anyone can figure within 100 boxes of how many boxes of pop corn that 1000 pounds will make, we’ll give you a couple of passes to the show and two free boxes of pop corn.

The Killeen Herald and Messenger

December 6, 1949

(Note: The theater referred to in the above story was to become the “Center.”)

TAB President & CEO Bill Hammond

The Central   Star Chapter of The Texas Association of Business will host a meeting on Thursday, April 29. The meeting will be held at the Bell County Expo Center, 301 West Loop 121, Belton Texas from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The meeting is presented in partner ship with the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce, Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce, Salado Chamber of Commerce and the Temple Chamber of Commerce.

The featured luncheon speaker will be Bill Hammond, President/CEO, Texas Association of Business. The impact of the Healthcare Bill and other Washington Issues on Texas Businesses and a Brief look at the upcoming Legislative Session will be among the luncheon topics.

There will be Special Recognition to the Champions of Free Enterprise, The Honorable Jimmy Don Aycock and The Honorable Ralph Sheffield. Also invited is The Honorable Troy Fraser.

Cost is $30.00 per person, $25.00 if you register by April 23, 2010 You can register on line at www.txbiz.org.

Why Texas Stands In A Place Of Its Own Among The States

Ed. Note: I know of no other state in the United States that mandates a specific public school grade level to devote to the history of its state. In Texas, if you are in 7th grade history, you are talking about names they don't hear in other states - Gonzalez, Goliad, Fannin, Travis, Alamo and many, many more. Elsewhere, Houston and Austin are major cities, here, they are equally as famous as founders of a nation.

Today, April 21, marks the anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto. Considering the place our state holds in the economy of our country and the world today, perhaps there is no more significant instance of "governmental affairs" on April 21 than to look back at that particular day in history.

The Battle of San Jacinto

April 21, 1836

April 20 dawned cold and gray on General Sam Houston's army as it marched eastward toward Lynch's Ferry from Buffalo Bayou near Harrisburg. Documents captured from a Mexican courier two days earlier had informed Houston that Santa Anna had set out for New Washington, hurriedly pursuing the Texan government. In his haste, Santa Anna had isolated himself from the main body of his army, which was still west of the Brazos River. In a moment, Houston knew that battle was finally near. At midmorning, the troops encountered a Mexican detail at the ferry. The Mexicans fled, leaving behind provisions that supplied the starving Texans a welcome feast.

The balance of Houston's army soon arrived. They deployed a mile from the ferry in a stand of timber skirting the bayou. Infantry guarded the right and left and cavalry stood on the far right flank. In the center were the Twin Sisters, a pair of six-pound cannons received from the citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio.

In the Texan camp were about 800 soldiers, volunteers recently arrived from the United States and settlers developing Texas from wilderness. Many had lost friends or family at the Alamo or Goliad in earlier struggles with the Mexican army. "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" was their battle cry. Resentful of General Sam Houston's strategic retreat, they were aching to fight.

The Mexican force of 1,250 men under Mexican President Santa Anna was more experienced and better trained and equipped.

On the afternoon of April 21, the Texans advanced steadily across the prairie and the Mexican camp remained quiet in siesta. The attack took the Mexican Army by complete surprise. Their "Mi no Alamo! Mi no Goliad!" reply to the Texans' battle cry was answered by muskets, sabers and the Twin Sisters' cannonade. At the end of the battle, over 600 Mexicans lay dead and more than 200 were wounded. Texan casualties numbered eight men lost and 30 wounded.

The Battle of San Jacinto lasted only eighteen minutes. It was one of the most decisive battles in the history of North America, establishing the Republic of Texas. Houston's victory gave meaning to the Declaration of Independence that had been signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836 and voice to those silenced by Mexican brutality at San Antonio and Goliad. It gave Texans control of their destiny as they built a tradition of courage, sacrifice, devotion and victory.

Thank you, Bill Hammond, President, Texas Association of Business, for sharing an important bit of perspective.

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.

New Location of Brake Check Opening Soon, Accepting Applications

Central Texas' new location of Brake Check, located in Harker Heights, will be opening soon, and is now accepting applications online. Interested and qualified personnel for positions for managers and technicians can apply online at www.brakecheck.com. Benefits for these positions include medical, 401(K), paid vacations, incentive programs, paid sick leave and advancement opportunities.

Metroplex Foundation Sets 2010 Golf Classic for May 2

The Metroplex Health System Foundation is holding their 21st Annual Spring Golf Tournament on Sunday, May 2, 2010. It will begin with an 8:00 a.m. scramble at Stonetree Golf Club in Killeen. All proceeds raised go to benefit the newly opened Sue Mayborn Women’s Center at Metroplex.

Deadline for sign up is Friday, April 23, 2010. For more information, contact the Foundation Office by calling 254-519-8307 or visiting the website and viewing the calendar of events.

Plans Underway for 12th Annual Killeen Heights Rotary Club Crawfish Boil

The 12th Annual Crawfish Boil Fish Fry and silent auction is set for Saturday, May 8 from 11 a.m. until 3p.m. at the Killeen Special Events Center.  Sponsored by the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club, the event will feature crawfish, catfish and chicken.  Tickets for adults are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.  Kids under 12 pay only $5.  The Armed Services YMCA will also feature a Healthy Kids Day and a bounce house.

Live music at the event will be provided by Jerry Haisler and The Melody 5. 

The Rotary Club of Killeen Heights Charitable Corporation is also selling raffle tickets for $10 for a chance to win a Polaris Ranger 400 from Killeen Power Sports.  Only 1,800 tickets will be sold. 

For more information, visit our website.

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 Idol contest on April 24

Earth Day 40th anniversary celebrated with concert at Planetarium

CTC exhibits student art work

Online discussion event to help college-bound veterans

Perry Office Plus Plans 90th Anniversary Celebration Thursday, April 22 at Expo Center

If you are ready for a "Roaring Good Time," join Perry Office Plus at the Bell County Expo Center, Thursday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and help them celebrate their 90th Anniversary in Central Texas.

The event will feature a vendor expo, a number of vendor-presented informative seminars, and lunch, sponsored by HP.

There will be door prizes, including a HON Office chair, and a great time for everyone who attends. For additional information, visit their web site or view their flyer.

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.

LULAC Council 4535 Foundation Plans Cinco de Mayo Celebration

The 5^th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Killeen is coming!  This Festival is brought to you by the Killeen Council 4535 Foundation, and is partially funded from the City of Killeen Hotel Motel Revenues. The Festival will be held Saturday the 8^th of May, 2010.  It will take place at its usual location, at the Parking Lot of the Killeen Community Center, behind the building and adjacent to the Athletic Fields.  The Festival includes Folkloric Performers, Crafts and Food Vendors, a magnificent Car Show with probably the best trophies in Bell County, as well as a Pageant to select the 2010 Cinco de Mayo Queen, and the Cinco de Mayo Princess.

This is a family event, and we will feature games for the young at hearty, static displays of Killeen Police Department and Killeen Fire Department emergency equipment, and many, many more activities.  As in past years, the events is free to the public, but we are asking all attendees to bring at least one piece of canned food as a donation to the Killeen Food Care Center, which will have a booth to collect the gifts.  Additionally, we will have the Blood Mobile so that you can donate blood to the local Blood Bank, assisting those that will need transfusions in the future.  Where else can you celebrate the Cinco de Mayo, contribute to your community agencies, while enjoying the artistry of the featured performers, and sampling the food available?  Make it a point to come and spend the day with us.

For this year, we have secured several performers who have proven to be crowd favorites in the past.  Back by popular demand is Los Texas Wranglers from Austin Texas, who will entertain everybody with their Tejano Music.  Of course, the LULAC 4535 Ballet Folklórico Alegria will perform, showcasing the kids that have joined the troupe since last year. Also performing is the Grupo Noche Kandela, with hot, moving Latino tunes from the Caribbean (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, etc).

Making their debut with our Festival are Killeen based “Estrellas de Panama” as well as “Konexion Latina”, a Hispanic Rap Group.  No Cinco de Mayo festival would be complete without a good Mariachi, and “El Mariachi Unico” from Temple will entertain us with their performances.  We will have two different performances of Filipino music and dancing, featuring the “Filipino American Association”, as well as the “Cultura Filipiniana” performances.

Back by popular demand will be the Trimmier Elementary School's Pre-K Performers- the “Tooty Ta’s”, delighting all young and old with their performance.  A new group, “Combo Saborea” will also entertain.  Performances start at 10:00 AM and continue throughout the day until 7:00 PM. Also performing are the exotic Central Texas Belly Dancers.  Come and enjoy the pageantry and the cultural displays and performances.

We need additional vendors, who for a mere $60.00 will receive a space, a table, and 2 chairs where they can offer their wares to the crowd.  We have had close to 3,000 attendees in past events.  We also feature a car show, and registration will be $25.00 for cars, $30.00 for Trucks and SUV’s, and $20.00 for bikes and motorcycles.  Big Bodies Custom from Killeen will be running the Car Show.  The trophies we present are the envy of Central Texas, so come by and register for the prizes.

In case of inclement weather, the Festival will be rescheduled for the following weekend, however plan on a nice, sunny, beautiful day for the 5th Cinco de Mayo Festival in Killeen.

Visit our website for more information, to include registration forms for Vendors, and the Car Show.

Killeen's First Baptist to Host Dino In Concert September 11

On Sept. 11, 2010, First Baptist Church, Killeen, will host musical pianist Dino to present a special Patriot Day concert, honoring our law enforcement, firefighters, and soldiers. The concert will also be free of charge to veterans and public officials.

Long-time residents will recall that following the tragic shooting at Luby’s on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1991, First Baptist had already scheduled a concert for that evening featuring Dino Kartsonakis, known professionally simply as “Dino,” (pronounced DEE-noh). That concert went on as schedule to a packed congregation in a community in need of soothing, spiritual healing. Dino had just released a recording entitled “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.” That night, Dino contributed his honorarium to the survivors of the victims of the tragic shooting.

Dino, a military veteran himself during the Vietnam era, has returned several times to First Baptist Church, Killeen in the time since 1991, most recently in 2004. Following the Fort Hood shooting, Dino’s representatives contacted First Baptist Church, and the date has been set for the concert in First Baptist Church’s new location at 3310 S. WS Young Dr., across the street from the Convention and Visitor’s Center.

Dino Kartsonakis was born and raised in New York City. His permanent party duty stateside was at Ft. Wadsworth, NY, where he served with the 1st Army Band and also stationed in Germany with the 24th Infantry Division. His assignment in Germany was performing for the general population as an ambassador for the United States. For the last 17 years Dino has entertained thousands of Branson, Missouri audiences each year. He and his wife Cheryl continue to co-host a highly rated, weekly television show on the TBN network that has aired for the past 16 years.

Cheryl, who will be with her husband for the concert, also has Texas and Killeen ties. Cheryl McSpadden Kartsonakis and her brother, gospel music songwriter Gary McSpadden, were raised in Lubbock, where her father served as pastor. Cheryl's late grandmother was a top selling Avon representative in Killeen for many years and still has family in the greater Killeen area.

Dino’s numerous recordings have received many accolades including a Grammy nomination for “Chariots of Fire”, seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, a Telly Award for “The Miracles” project filmed in Israel, and a Grammy nomination for his involvement on the soundtrack of the movie The Apostle, starring Robert Duvall.

Dino’s recent accomplishment was the realization of a lifelong dream: a headline performance at Carnegie Hall, with the Manhattan Pops Orchestra and Chorale. Dino recalls, “As a young boy I would leave school and stand outside of Carnegie Hall dreaming about someday performing there.”

In 2007, Dino once again returned to his New York City upbringing and performed at Lincoln Center during a star studded Christmas Celebration. The stellar evening benefited homeless shelters in the Greater New York City area and was highly publicized. Special guest appearances were made by Natalie Cole, Star Jones, and Mrs. Denzel Washington.

The concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 2010 at the church. First Baptist Church was established in 1873 and has been led by Dr. Randy Wallace since August, 2000.

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.

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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"

GKCC Treasurer, Jose Segarra of Exit Homevets Realty, visits with Dr, Marc Nigliazzo on April 19 at his welcome reception.	Ambassador co-chairman Becky Holcomb of First Texas Bank, foreground, presents a "First Dollar of Profit" and chamber plaque to officials from AAR Mobility. Killen site manager Charlie Smith is on the far right.
Ambassador Chairman Sherry Hoffpauir of KXXV-TV presents name tags to the GKCC's two newest Ambassadors. Catherine Mason, owner of KPLE-TV is on the left, and Maria Karsky of Killeen's Hilton Garden Inn is on the right. Presented at the chamber's April monthly Ambassador meeting held at Killeen's Fuddruckers.
Click on any picture for a larger view.

Miss an earlier edition of Hot Links!?

Vol. 4, Edition 7 (April 7, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 6 (March 24, 2010)

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)

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

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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.