Find the products and services you need — click here!
Other search options:
Member List A–Z •
Category List •
Advanced Search
|
ChamberWorks February 2004 |
» Past Issues |
» Message From Our Chairman
» Johnny Be Dead: A Rock 'N Roll Murder Mystery
» Web News
» March Business After Hours
» Six -- Not Five -- Chamber Expo!
» Business Showcase 2004
» Leads Group I
» Walk-Walk-Walk
» Fairfield Arts Council
» Visual Improvement Program Awards
» Fairfield Theatre Company Business After Hours
» Help Wanted: Sales
Wow! There has been an overwhelming response to the new chamber web site designed by Lone Weglarz of Weglarz Design LLC. For those of you who have not visited the site, be sure to do so. You will see that you can now register online for upcoming events. Simply click on the form you need, fill in the information, and set your appointment book to be sure you don't miss out on the many opportunities, events and activities available through your membership in the Chamber.
Chambers around the state have called to say they love the site and would like to emulate it. Our technology staff is also looking into opportunities for sponsorships which will allow our members to apply their logo to certain sections and pages. Watch for further information on this, and remember that this fully interactive site is filled with information about the Town, the Chamber and the local businesses. Why not bookmark the site as a "Favorite" and check it frequently?
Now is the time to start thinking about who you want to bring to the highly anticipated spring event which this year will be hosted by the Brooklawn Country Club on May 8. The provocative title Johnny Be Dead should bring in all the rock 'n rollers looking for a good time. This event is the Chambers premiere fundraiser and, historically, has been a very early sellout. Visit the website for details as they unfold.
We look forward to seeing everyone at future events, and remember to visit the new and exciting web site for answers to all your questions.
Ted Fitzgerald
Chairman
Johnny Be Dead: A Rock 'N Roll Murder Mystery
Grease back your hair and pull on your bobby socks because Johnny Zipper and the Velcroes will be in town. It will be rock 'n roll heaven until someone decides to 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock -- kill! and Johnny will be on his way to join Buddy Holly and Richie Valens in that big gig in the sky. Bye bye American guy.
The Mystery Café will produce our show. The Café was founded in the fall of 1986 in the basement of the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA. The concept was licensed, the logo and the scripts sent to producers in 21 cities in the U.S. and Canada, and the Mystery Café was born. You can now find mystery dinner theaters all over the world.
So, if you like music from the 50's, audience participation, great food and testing your skills of deduction, be sure to save the date -- May 8, 2004. Tickets will be sold on a limited basis only. Be sure to call the chamber office now to reserve your place, 255-1011.
After last month's column, people have asked us how a town in Ohio managed to get their hands on the desirable www.FairfieldChamber.com web site address. I won't speculate on the sneaky, underhanded things they did to get it. But the record will show that our Fairfield was here first, and we fully expect them to change their name to something more appropriate like "Nicefield" or "Not That Fairfield." Then the confusion will finally come to an end and we can get on with things. Until then, remember that it's www.FairfieldCTChamber.com, with a CT in the middle.
As long as we're talking about change, let's take a look at a new section of our web site, Members on the Move.
This is the place for news about your business. If you've changed your name, opened a new location, won an award or moved here from Ohio, we want to know. Next time you promote a key employee, land a big new client or celebrate a company milestone, drop us a line about that, too. We can even spread the word about your more mundane events - a change of address, new phone or fax numbers, and new email or web site addresses. And it's free!
News items in ChamberWorks also appear on the web site, but the announcements in Members on the Move can only be found online. And unlike the newsletter you're holding in your hands, the Chamber web site always has room for more. (We do reserve the right to edit for conciseness.) So email your news to info@FairfieldCTChamber.com - or if you're the old-fashioned type, fax us at 203-256-9990.
And if you're ever in Fairfield, Ohio, tell the folks there we said hello.
Ellen Hyde Phillips of Fairfield Interiors will be hosting our March 17 Business After Hours -- yes, that will be on St. Patrick's Day -- from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at her new location, 25 Lindbergh Street in Fairfield (Lindbergh Street is off of the Post Road, across from the former Exide Batter building). You can reserve by calling 255-1011, or as we now encourage you to sign up online, through our web site!
Six -- Not Five -- Chamber Business Expo!
The Chamber office is excited to report that we recently reached the half-way mark in sales for the March 16 Business Expo at Norwalk Community College. Exhibitor cost is $250 per table, and it is open to both member and non-member businesses. Over 95 exhibitors will be present, with six area chambers now participating. If you are considering this type of venue to promote your business, service or products, here is an affordable opportunity for you to consider. Give the chamber office a call -- don't delay, as we expect to sell out once again.
The web site for the Showcase is now online: www.biz-showcase.com. Additional details on the event are available by contacting Linda Matthews at the Chamber office. Application forms are available here.
Extensive promotional, advertising, and networking opportunities are available for you through participation in the Showcase, and this year the Committee will be accepting proposals for prospective speakers. Check out this flyer and if you have interest -- don't delay -- submit your proposal.
Calling all interested parties! Calling all interested parties! We are looking for folks interested in joining our free Leads Group. We meet the first and third Tuesday of the month in the second floor conference room at the Old Town Hall on the Old Post Road -- noon sharp.
As you know, we cannot have more than one representative from each category. Right now we do not have a need for anyone in the financial services group (including financial planning and banking), interior design, printing, and public relations, among others.
If you have questions regarding availability in the group, please call the chamber office at 255-1011. We would be happy to answer all of your questions.
The March of Dimes WalkAmerica will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2004 at Sherwood Island State Park, in Westport, CT. Registration and breakfast begin at 9:30 a.m. The 7-mile scenic walk and festivities will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with lunch provided after.
The March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to prevent birth defects and infant mortality. They are committed to a national five-year $75 million campaign to raise research dollars to find the cause of prematurity, the leading death among infants.
Call them with any questions, or to register for the walk at (203) 849-9800, or to register on line at: www.walkamerica.org.
Each year at this time the Fairfield Arts Council begins its search for potential artists to be honored as Artist Of The Year.
Ryan Odinak, Executive Director of FAC, is asking for your help in locating individuals that could be a candidate for Artist of the Year. Recommendations should be an artist in the visual, performing or literary arts who has made a significant contribution to his or her field and has demonstrated artistic excellence at the highest level. They are particularly interested in writers, dancers, or perhaps a visual artist for next year. You can contact the Council at 319-1419, or e-mail them at ffldartscouncil@aol.com.
Visual Improvement Program Awards
The annual Visual Improvement Program Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 19 at Nicholas H. Fingelly Real Estate. Co-Chairs Cathy F. Granneberg of the Nicholas H. Fingelly Agency and Peter Ventriglia of Landmark Financial Group, along with their committee, present an evening event which combines a program of networking and formal presentations.
Fairfield Theatre Company Business After Hours
About sixty people, including several Fairfield teachers, hobnobbed among the exposed beams, propane heaters, and construction paraphernalia at the recent business-after-hours event at the Fairfield Theatre Company. The site, an obvious work in progress, will soon be the scene of Fairfield's first off-off Broadway show, and Fairfield businesses and residents are looking forward to its initial production (to be announced at a later date.)
We dined on hors d'oeuvres from Saint Tropez, Rooster's restaurant, and Voila!, followed by a tour of the site and an explanation of what's to come. Managing Director Jeff Provost announced a significant donation from a well-known actor, which brings the construction closer to completion. He gave a million reasons why Chamber members and friends should buy a membership in the theatre company, and asked for help in the form of donations in order to complete the first phase of the company's plans.
If you would like to purchase a membership or donate funds to the theatre, call 319-1404.
Thank you Jeff Provost, Stephen Stout and Miles Marek for opening your facility, your pocketbook and your creative energy to us on January 26.
The Chamber office is looking for a Membership Development Associate, someone who can deliver new members on an on-going basis. This position offers flexible hours and is paid on a commission only basis. It requires the ability to withstand rejection, the ability to be persistent, and the ability to explain Chamber benefits to a potential member. If you know of someone who fits this description, have them call the office at 255-1011.