CulpeperFest Update

This is a major THANKS!!! to all of our Sponsor's by Level for CulpeperFest 2009

Sponsor Level Company Name

Grand Champion
Culpeper Star-Exponent
Champion
Your Community Phonebook
Piedmont Communications - WJMA
Patron
Battle Park Farm
Cedar Mountain Stone
Continental Automotive Systems
Found and Sons Funeral Chapels - Cremation Service
Updike Industries
Wachovia

Patron - Silver - All Event Sponsors
CFC Farm & Home Center
Powell Wellness Center
Virginia Community Bank

Supporter
Best Western - Culpeper Inn
CopyRight, Inc.
Davies, Barrell, Will, Lewellyn & Edwards
Delegate Edward T. Scott
Euro-Composites
Full Circle Thrift
Inn at Kelly's Ford
It's About Thyme
Merchants Grocery Company, Inc.
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
Precision Machine Works, Inc.
Senator Edd Houck
SWIFT
Town of Culpeper
WINC

Supporter - Bronze - All Event Sponsors
K Art & Design

Contributor
Appleton Campbell, Inc.

CulpeperFest

CulpeperFest is coming up soon - Buy tickets now for the June 4th event. Tickets are on sale now at a number of locations. Early Bird prices are available for tickets and booth space thru May 11th. Take advantage of the early pricing now.
Ticket Locations are:
The Depot in Downtown Culpeper
CFC Farm & Home Center
Pepperberries
Petersen Jewelers
Powell Wellness Center
The Frenchman's Corner
Germanna's Daniel Technology Center
StellarOne - Main Street Culpeper and Locust Grove at the Entrance to Lake of the Woods
Suntrust - Meadowbrook Shopping Center
Virginia Community Bank
Wachovia - Downtown Culpeper
Online at http://www.culpeperchamber.com/ & http://www.culpeperfest.com/

Sponsored by the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

HELP SHAPE VIRGINIA’S TRANSPORTATION FUTURE
Revised FY2009-2014 Six-Year Improvement ProgramWorking Draft Public Hearings*
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) invites your comments about essential rail, transit, transportation demand management, bicycle, pedestrian and highway projects in the Working Draft Revised Fiscal Year 2009-2014 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) to be approved by the CTB in January 2009.
*(Public hearings for local/secondary/municipality-maintained roads are held in other forums.)

All projects in the SYIP that are eligible for federal funding will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which documents how Virginia will be obligate its share of federal funds.

Lists of specific projects and changes from the current program will be available at each public hearing, on VDOT’s web site at http://www.virginiadot.org/, and at VDOT District and Residency Offices prior to the hearing.
THERE WILL BE FIVE HEARINGS STATEWIDE. EXCEPT WHERE NOTED, EACH HEARING BEGINS AT 6P.M. Please attend the hearing that is most convenient for you.

Tuesday,
January 6, 2009
VDOT Culpeper District Auditorium
1601 Orange Road, Culpeper, VA 22701
Culpeper/Staunton

*If you can not attend a hearing, you may send your comments to:
Public Information Office, VA Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation, 1313 East Main St., Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23218-0590, drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov or to Programming Director, VA Dept of Transportation, 1401 East Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219 or Six-YearProgram@VDOT.Virginia.gov.

The Secretary of Transportation’s Office ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, call 1-866-835-6070 (TTY users, call 711).

Culpeper Fest

The 2009 Virginia Travel Guides arrived at the Culpeper Visitors Center yesterday. The 3/4" thick, glossy magazine is published by the Virginia Department of Tourism. The magazine has a summary of events that are going on around the state during the year. This year CulpeperFest made the list (page 233) with an additional reference to http://www.culpeperfest.com/. Many Thanks to Beth Burns of the Culpeper Department of Tourism for putting us on the map this year.

Follow the link for an Online link on the Virginia.org site

Culpeper Small Business Strategies for Surviving a Changing Economy

Date: November 24, 2008
Contact: Ruth Cope
Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center at Fauquier
Phone: 540-351-1595
E-Mail: rcope@lfsbdc.org

Small Business Strategies for Surviving a Changing Economy

Culpeper, VA (November 24, 2008) – “SOS: Strategies on Survival, Sustaining Profit and Position in a Changing Economy” a seminar for local businesses will be presented in Culpeper on Wednesday, December 10th. The Small Business Development Center, Culpeper Renaissance Inc. (Culpeper’s Main Street program) and Culpeper Chamber of Commerce are joining together to present this timely seminar to help business owners survive the tough economic conditions and to grow in spite of them.

The presenter will be Casey Willson, a 35-year veteran of retail, restaurant, and tourist industry, and an experienced business consultant with the Maryland SBDC. Willson manages the Maryland Small Business Development Center Network’s Small Town and Merchants Program (STAMP), which uses workshops and hands-on initiatives to address the needs of main street retail and restaurant businesses.

Casey Willson says the two hour program on December 10th will present strategies any business, particularly the retail or restaurant business, can implement to maximize their operation in these challenging times. Willson says even under these economic conditions there are steps a small business can take to grow and to prepare them to emerge stronger. This seminar will focus on 1.positive steps businesses can take now to attract customers even when discretionary spending is dwindling, 2. business priorities to improve cash-flow, and 3. basic "tried and true" marketing and sales techniques that ensure success.

The seminar will be presented on Wednesday, December 10th from 1:30 – 3:30 PM in downtown Culpeper. While the focus will be on retail and restaurants, the seminar is open to anyone and the discussion will be appropriate to any type of business. Registration for this very important seminar is only $25 per business (so owners, managers, and key staff can all attend for one low price). Pre-registration for the event is required. Please RSVP by contacting the Lord Fairfax SBDC at 540-351-1595 or 540-937-2919.

Book Signing - Pepperberries - Culpeper VA November 23rd

We are so excited to announce that local author, Susan McCorkindale, will be doing a book signing at Pepperberries during the Downtown Holiday Open House from 2:00pm -4:00pm, Sunday, Nov. 23rd. Susan is the author of the recently published, Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl. Susan was the Marketing Director of Family Circle Magazine. She gave up her six figure high stress job and headed to a 500-acre cattle farm in Upperville, va.

“A Rollicking, Green Acres-esque memoir.” – Working Mother Magazine
“A witty take on what happens when you try to take the girl out of New Jersey” – Booklist Review

Government Contracting Seminar - Culpeper VA

Need A New Customer? How about the Federal Goverrnment!!!

This is a great way to get started.


PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: October 20, 2008
Contact: Ruth Cope
Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center at Fauquier
Phone: 540-351-1595
E-Mail: rcope@lfsbdc.org

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SELLING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

WARRENTON – The Federal government is the world’s largest buyer; it buys almost everything. They do buy many of their products and services from big business. But they are encouraged, and in some cases mandated, to purchase a certain percentage from small businesses, particularly those that are certified as small, veteran or disabled veteran, disadvantaged, women, or minority owned. Any business that sells a product or service, of almost any description, is a potential vendor to the Federal government. Small business can have a share of this market. It is important for business owners to consider alternate markets and look for new opportunities, especially in this economy. The Federal government could be this new market for your business!

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is presenting a procurement seminar, “Selling to the Federal Government”, on Friday, October 31st at Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper, VA. The seminar will be held from 8:30 am until noon. The charge for this seminar is $35; there is a $10 discount for registering early.

Bill Sirbaugh, director of the SBDC, said, “The ‘Selling to the Federal Government’ seminar will assist small businesses to understand the rules and the basic processes of Federal contracting and the steps required to get started. It will also tell businesses about special programs and certifications. The seminar will also provide other resources available where a business can go for help.”

The major portion of the program will be conducted by Jim Regan, director of the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) at George Mason University, and Patricia Peacock, director of the Mason Enterprise Center in Prince William, who will speak on the basics of selling to the Federal government and Federal certifications. They will be joined by Dan Thompson of the Library of Congress – Packard campus in Culpeper, who will speak on how and what the LOC buys and tips to selling to a Federal agency. Jay Maben of EG&G Technical Services, Inc. will speak about sub-contracting opportunities. Steven Found of Competitive Innovations, LLC in Culpeper will speak on his company’s experiences in selling to the Federal government.

Do not miss this seminar if you are considering the possibility of selling to the Federal government. Contact the Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center in Culpeper at (540) 937-2919 or in Fauquier at (540) 351-1595 or Middletown at (540) 868-7093 to register.

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce YPG of the Year Award

The Young Professional of the Year Award is a new award to be given at the
Culpeper Chamber Awards Banquet on November 6th at the Daniel Technology Center.

The Award Criteria are:

21 – 40 Years Young
Chamber involvement
Results orientation
Customer focus
Leadership and constancy of purpose
People development and involvement
Continuous learning, innovation and improvement
Partnership development
Public responsibility

We are pleased to announce 4 nominations:

Michele White - Michele White Graphics and Marketing

Kelly Rozwadowski - K Art and Design

Maria Fay - Signature Real Estate

Marikay Whisenand - Mountain Run Insurance

Nominationas are being voted for by those in the Young Professionals Group by way of a Survey that has been emailed to them with the nomination applications for review.

Good Luck to all of the Nominees!!!!

See you all at the banquet - We can't wait to know.... Who is the YPG of the Year!!!!!

Go to http://www.culpeperchamber.com/ to register for the banquet.

AirFest 2008 - Culpeper Virginia Airport - October 11th

"This is what we can do when we all work together" was the comment from our Culpeper County Administrator as I commented about AirFest 2008. The day was full of color and motion. The biplanes of an era gone by in concert with the first public display of a privately owned Harrier Jet made the event vibrant and entertaining for all ages. Thanks to all who planned and contributed to the event this year. The event at Culpeper Airport produced great memories for the thousands of visitors that enjoyed a spectacular day.

The Pepper Open Golf Tournament

One More Thanks to Yount, Hyde & Barbour, PC our Double Eagle Sponsor, The Country Club of Culpeper, all of our Volunteers, Sponsors, Committee members, and Players (I use the term loosely - see picture...).

The weather was a perfect 70's - Low humidity - partly cloudy..... Chamber of Commerce day!!!!! We had a few exceptional highlights - On the Hole in One contest for the new Car - Sponsored by Battlefield Auto Group - We had a shot that roled towards the pin stopping just 6" from the pin..... Nice... Another of the many highlights was the Shoot out on hole 15 (sponsored by Golf Etc. of Culpeper) where Mark from the KTA Group.... Having already stowed his golf shoes after the tournament - approached the shoot out bare footed and won..... the real highlight, however, was that he would not accept $750 grand prize and the Chamber is very appreciative.

Now to the true highlight or Not..... can you find the ball in the picture.... I wonder if he used a mulligan? Trust me it is in there....

Farm Tour 2008

The Farm Tour 2008 was a great success this year. This was evidence of great team effort from many groups in our community The Culpeper Department of Tourism, Culpeper County Economic Development Office, The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, Culpeper Renaissance, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office. There were so many volunteers that worked this weekend to ensure that the event was successful. In the back ground were so many that met months and weeks in advance to prepare for the weekend. From the Chamber - Many Many Thanks to all who helped to make this a remarkable success.

The Visitors Center at the Depot was busy all day. Thanks to Martha and Judy for the great hospitality shown to our guests. I personally volunteered at the Equestrian Center at Kelly's Ford where as in every other Farm Location on the tour - The hospitality continued. We had visitors from Baltimore, Fredericksburg, and many other areas around the region.

Below are a few Pictures from Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center and The Inn at Kelly's Ford.

The Main Entrance, The River "Ruva" in southern speak....., The Loft Suite Bedroom - a true get away treat...

Culpeper Businesses - Emergency Preparedness Training

September is designated as Emergency Preparedness Month. The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce - working with the RRMRC, Town Police, County Sheriff, County Director of Emergency Services, and the American Red Cross joined together yesterday to provide an educational seminar for the Small Businesses of Culpeper. The topics covered ranged from Natural Disaster Preparedness to Local Crisis Preparedness.

Practical preparation takes time and effort and is time well invested. In addition, practical work place practices were discussed with regard to reducing the spread of germs. One of the best ways to stay current with the preparedness practices is to become involved with the local organizations such as the RRMRC - Rappahannock Rapidan Medical Reserve Corps and the American Red Cross to name a few.

The Director of Emergency Services for Culpeper County offered to review Emergency Preparedness Plans for Culpeper Businesses. "Easy Button" Anyone.....


This was the first of a monthly Lunch n Learn format organized by the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee. In October we plan the have a panel discussion about Health Care Issues for Small Business. In November, We plan to have a presentation about Web Basics for Small Business.

Go to the Calendar of Events at the Chamber website for times, dates, and details.

Culpeper Chamber Lead Share

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Leadshare Groups joined together to hear a guest speaker from Brian Tracy Programs World Wide. Edward Prichard III, a National Sales Trainer, addressed the group with 30 minutes packed with tips to tune up your $ales. Many Thanks to Mr. Prichard for enriching the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Businesses in such a positive way. Mr. Prichard's presentation is the tip of the proverbial iceburg. There are several larger seminars in the area in the next few weeks and months in Springfield, VA and Greenbelt, MD. Check the Brian Tracy Website for details.

One of the great points made this morning was that it may only take a slight difference between you and the competition for you to be awarded the sale - much like Michael Phelps winning the Olympic Gold Metal in Swimming by 1/100 of a second. Applying good sales training may give you the edge that wins the sale... and often....

Thanks to Theresa Dalman of the Friday Morning Leadshare Group for bringing such a great speaker to the Leadshare Groups this morning.

Culpeper Chamber YPG Lunch

Thyme Market in Old Town Culpeper - What a great place for the Young Professional Group of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce to host their monthly luncheon!!! The Terrace at the Thyme Market resembles a classic European market. The 24 who attended enjoyed a delightful selection of lunch choices while listening to a presentation by Russell James - Director of the Daniel Technology Center. We had lunch served, presentation, and network introductions within 45 minutes. A great network opportunity to fit into a 1 hour lunch.

The YPG is accepting nominations for the Culpeper Young Professional of the Year

Pepper Open - Culpeper Chamber Of Commerce

Get into the swing of things this Fall at the Pepper Open !!!!! Right here in Culpeper. The event will be held at the Prestigious Country Club of Culpeper. Register now. Registration is filling up fast. Go to www.PepperOpen.com to download the registration forms.

Game day is September 29th

Special Thanks to our Early Sponsors....

2008 SPONSORS TO DATE:

DOUBLE EAGLE
Yount, Hyde & Barbour, PC

EAGLE
Braggs Corner Industrial Centre, LLC
HITT Contracting, Inc.
KTA Group, Inc.
StellarOne
Terremark
Truland Systems Corporation
Your Community Phonebook

BIRDIE

Appleton Campbell, Inc.
Battle Park Farms
BB&T
Black Forest Sign, Inc.
CFC Farm & Home Center
Channel 21
Culpeper Regional Health System
Golf Etc. of Culpeper
Mulberry Court Condominiums
Rochester
Virginia Community Bank
W. W. Burton & Co.

HOLE
Best Western - Culpeper Inn
Dewberry
Edward Jones Investments
Environmental Systems Service LTD
Found & Sons Funeral Chapels
JK Enterprise Landscape Supply, LLC
Powell Wellness Center
Senator Edd Houck
Wachovia

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR

Battlefield Auto Group

Culpeper Chamber Lunch n Learn

September - National Emergency Preparedness Month

Set aside Lunch time on September 9th - Bring your Lunch to the Depot - Learn from experts about what it takes to be prepared for EMERGENCIES!!!!!!!

The time to prepare is BEFORE something happens. (Heaven Forbid...)

Businesses need to be prepared. Their employees and the employees’ families need to be prepared so that the employees can come to work.

Claudia Vento - Rapidan Rappahanock Medical Reserve Corps with other invited specialists will guide us thru preparation and planning in the event of a major emergency.

The Lunch n Learn agenda is as follows:
11:45-12 Businesses and Guests Settle in w/ Brown Bag Lunch (Bring Your Own - see below)
12 - 12:10 Attendees - 1 minute or less networking introduction of themselves
12:10 - 12:50 Program Presentations
12:50 - 1 Q & A
1 - 1:15 Networking
Try our Chamber Member Restaurants to pick up a quick lunch to bring with you:
Raven's Nest Coffee House
254 East Davis Street Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 825-418

Radishes & Roses Café & Catering
106 W. Cameron Street Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 825-3740

MMTCK, Inc.
Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 672-0073

Popeye's
563 James Madison Highway Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 825-1844

Bella Mia's Deli
128 North Main Street Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 727-7632

Glory Days Grill
15295 Montanus Drive Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 829-7144

Chick-Fil-A of Culpeper Colonnade
15275 Creativity Drive Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 825-4447

It's About Thyme
128 East Davis Street Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 825-4264

Honey Baked Ham & Café
765 Nalles Mill Road Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 827-1120

Foti's, LLC
219 East Davis Street · Suite 110 Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 829-8400

Taster's Delight
14115 Lovers Lane · Suite 10 Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 829-1007

Culpeper Chamber YPG Calendar

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Group

Culpeper YPG is now lunching and mixing on THURSDAYS!!
Calendar of Upcoming Events:

September 4, 2008—Lunch at The Thyme Market -Alley (rain location will be the Depot, if available) 11:30—12:30 Special Guest - To Be Announced !!!

September 18, 2008—Membership Mixer at Country Club of Culpeper
5:30—7:30

October 12, 2008—Taste of Culpeper at the Depot. Mix and Mingle while tasting local wines and fare. $10 advance tickets/$15 at the gate/$5 for designated drivers

October lunch to be determined
Call The Culpeper Chamber office to rsvp or for more information at (540) 825-8628

Powell Wellness Center Culpeper Virginia

Breakfast Anyone!!!! The Powell Wellness Center hosted the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Mixer this month from 7 AM - 9 AM on Thursday August 14th. Steve served up omelettes "Made to Order" for all. The turnout was WELL worth it for the networking..... The event was especially interesting if you were able to take a tour of the NEW state of the art facility which includes a"Turtle Pool" - you have to see it to believe it. Plus there is one of the finest Cycling Studios with classes begining as early as 5:45 AM!!!!! Other classes include a Yoga, Zumba, and Body Pump. The Cardio Area is equipped with plenty of space.... There is a broad variety of weight lifting equipment as well. If you were there long enough you may have enjoyed one of the chair massages by Holly. Thanks to Powell Wellness Center for the hospitality, door prizes, and a healthy networking environment......

First Post

I am finally getting the time to post my first blog entry. Our Chamber has been very active for the past few month's. Beginning with a successful CulpeperFest. We had a great time with all of the credit going to the Volunteers, Sponsors, Businesses, and those who attended that made it possible. Special thanks to Germanna's Daniel Technology Center for Hosting the event and to the Culpeper Star Exponent for being the Grand Champion Sponsor of Culpeperfest. Next years CulpeperFest planning is underway and may be found at CulpeperFest.com.

We moved on to the celebration of an era of successful leadership and growth of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. Norma Dunwody was recognized for her 15 years of service during the NormaFest event where she was officially honored as she prepared to retire from the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. Many Thanks to Norma for her remarkable service. A special thanks to Old House Vinyards for hosting such a great event.

This past week we partnered with Culpeper County Schools and 49 local businesses to welcome the 80+ new teachers that will be working in our school system at a special breakfast in their honor. The event is called BIE Day (Business / Industry / & Education Day). The 49 businesses set up a booth with many welcome gifts to introduce the new teachers to the business community. Our Chairman Elect - David Jones of Young, Nicholas, Branner & Phillips spoke about the importance of educators and our local economy. Welcome again to the teachers and educators from the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. Best wishes and success in 2008-09.