Weekly News 

7 January 2008

From the keyboard of Lee Schearer,

John Sipp- As you may be aware John Sipp has been absent for several of our meetings and other Chamber of Commerce events since the first of December. Since I have received many inquiries about John, I decided to stop by his office in order to find out what was happening. His associates, Kim & Jennifer informed me that John has been ill with colds etc. over the past month but please be assured he is OK and hopes to resume his schedule soon. I want to thank everyone who has made inquires regarding this matter as we all have great respect and a fondness for John and his well being.

The Word of The Week - Mentor

A mentor is defined as "a wise and trusted Counselor or leader"

When I think of a mentor with regards to the local business community, I think of John Sipp. Those of us who know John well have a deep respect and admiration for him. Hardly a business event goes by that you don't see John "working the crowd" and networking with anyone and everyone. His tenure as a businessman, his dedication to his work and his readiness to help both individuals and business community stands as an example to all of us follow. As the saying goes "he talks the talk and he walks the walk". I think that I speak for all of us who have had the honor and privilege of knowing John to say "way to go, kudos to you John and thank you for what you do".

I hope to see you all this coming Wednesday morning with a smile on you face, a song on your mind and a "can do" attitude that will bring great rewards to you in 2008.

Respectfully,

Lee Schearer

Calendar:
Weekly Meeting:
Our regularly scheduled weekly meeting will be held Wednesday morning at the Weathervane Restaurant in University Mall from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Meeting Dues are $5.00 per week.  Place your business card and $1.00 in the Optional Drawing. One card will be selected and that person will receive the week's kitty. For Express Check-In, please arrive with a $5.00, a $1.00, and a business card and we will check you in. We greatly appreciate your bringing correct change. We cannot change large denomination bills ($10, $20, $50, etc.) and cannot accept checks.
This Week's Speaker:
What's it Worth to You? - As a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Kim Piracci is a certified expert. As an independent jewelry appraiser, she provides objective, scientific valuations that are free from bias. Kim is honored by the trust she has earned from her clients, and they know her experience and integrity enable her to provide accurate appraisals and thoughtful consultations.
Speaker's Schedule for January 2008
January 9 - Kim Piracci, Kim Piracci Jewelry Appraiser
January 16 - Suzanne Chaney, The Best Defense
January 23 - Anita Lynch, SeaMaster Cruises
Did You Know:
Town Planner Ribbon Cutting - 9:45 a.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The 2008 Town Planner Community Calendar has arrived!! In celebration, please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on Wed, January 16th, 9:45 a.m. at the Weathervane at University Mall. Join us for networking & door prizes! Some of you have already received your 2008 Town Planner in your mailbox. If you do not have a copy, you may pick up your copy at the chamber office. Please be sure to share your feedback by either sending back the reply card or sharing your feedback online at http://www.townplanner.com/sweepstakes. Town Planner is also please to announce its New Neighbors program which will allow your business affordable access to new families moving into the area.
Membership Committee Meeting - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The Membership Services Committee strategically plans the growth of the Chamber through building member loyalty retention and is responsible for the oversight and enhancement of the Chamber's membership programs and services.

The Membership Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce facility. Contact Jan Bolick of Business Class, Inc.  or Tracy Hager for information regarding the Membership Services Committee.

Non-Profit Roundtable - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Non-Profit Roundtable is a forum for Executive Directors, managers and staff of Chamber members, non-profit organizations to exchange ideas, discuss common issues and challenges and share experiences.

The Non-Profit Roundtable meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce facility. Contact Tracy Hager for information regarding the Non-Profit Roundtable.

Business In Education Committee - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Friday, January 11, 2008
The Business in Education Committee look to bring local business leaders into the classroom. Contact Rita Stanton for information regarding the Business in Education Committee.
Second Friday ArtWalk - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, January 11, 2008
The next 2nd Friday Artwalk will be taking place in Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday evening, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Many of the galleries will have live music and other art related entertainment. Admission is free. Various art galleries of Chapel Hill and Carrboro participate in the Second Friday ArtWalk, offering different attractions at each location. http://www.2ndfridayartwalk.com . You can print the 2nd Friday Artwalk map and brochure for ease in locating participating galleries. Transportation to the various venues is up to those attending. Brochures are available at any participating gallery.
Networking In Your Neighborhood
Apex Leads Group
The Apex Leads Group (www.networkinginapex.com) meets every Tuesday at Pheasant Creek Coffee in the Peakway Market Square Shopping Center, 800 West Williams Street, Suite 140, Apex 27502. Christine Rhyne Johnson of Mary Kay (919-386-0567) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Cary Leads Group
The Cary Leads Group meets every Thursday at JavaBlu Espresso (www.javablu.com) in the Hemlock Plaza Shopping Center,> 2974 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27511. John Majernik of MannaTech (919-612-4170) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Clayton Leads Group
The Clayton Leads Group meets every Thursday at The Coffee Mill, 105 South Lombard Street, Clayton, NC. Bobby Whitley (bwhitley@jhnetwork,com) (919-719-3804) is the facilitator. They meet from 10:30 a.m.
Hillsborough Leads Group
The Hillsborough Leads Group meets the second and fourth Thursday morning of each month. Ned Parson of American Speedy Printing (493-0985) is the facilitator. They meet at the Occoneechee Steak House from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Holly Springs Leads Group
Holly Springs Leads Group meets every Wednesday at Java Divine (www.javadivine.com) in the Bass Lake Shopping Center, 128 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs, NC. Barb Petty of Melaleuca (919-662-5418) and Debbie Walter (919-303-1829) are the facilitators. They meet from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
North Raleigh Leads Group
The North Raleigh Leads Group (www.northraleighleads.com) meets every Monday morning at the Percolator Coffee, 5039 Falls of the Neuse Road, Raleigh 27609. David Stoner of EnviroFix (919-847-5355) and Charlie Edinger of Second Chance Solutions (919-219-5264) are the facilitators. They meet from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Pittsboro Business Women's Group [PBWG]
The Pittsboro Business Women's Group meets the first and third Tuesday morning of each month at the Chatham Mortgage, 76 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Janet Wyatt (542-4222 or pittsborobwg@hotmail.com) is the facilitator. They meet from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
A Thought for the Day
"Auld Lang Syne" is an extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s. Robert Burns is the person whose transcription got the most attention, so the song is associated with him. A good translation of the words "auld lang syne" is "times gone by." So (incorporating a couple of other translations) when we sing this song, we are saying, "We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for times gone by."