October 31, 2012 321 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 10, Niles, MI 49120 Phone: (269)683-3720 FAX: (269)683-3722 Email: Chamber@nilesmi.com Web: www.nilesmi.com
Mission Statement: "To provide a positive leadership role in our Community and using Chamber resources to promote our Member Businesses while developing new Business growth."
Now- November 16
Operation Christmas Child
Wednesday, October 31
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Official Neighborhood Door to Door Trick or Treating 6-7:30 All Neighborhoods
Wednesday, October 31
Blood Drive at Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing 12pm-4pm Room 109
Thursday-Sunday Nov 1-4
Myrtle Beach Intl Film Festival at Wonderland Cinema in Niles! See Schedule
Thursday, November 1
United Way Day of Action for Seniors
Friday, November 2
Knee High Naturalists: Turkeys & Holiday Market Preview at Fernwood Botanical Gardens
Friday, November 2
Business to Business Get Together by Your Business Needs Fans FREE
Saturday, November 3
Apple Festival Fall Dance at the Niles Elks 8-12pm
Saturday, November 3
Fernwood Botanical Gardens Annual Holiday Market
Saturday, November 3
How to Build a Gingerbread House: NECI 2nd Floor $40
Saturday, November 3
Dinner Theater at Orchard Hills Country Club: The Wedding Song at 7pm
Sunday, November 4
Dinner Theater at Orchard Hills Country Club: The Wedding Song at 5pm
Tuesday, November 6
Intermediate EXCEL Training Workshop by Computer Trainers 4 You 1pm RSVP Here
Wednesday, November 7
Trine University Graduate Open House @ 5:30pm
November 10-11
Holiday Open House at the Four Flags Antique Mall See Flyer
Saturday, November 10
St. Mary’s Holiday Bazaar & Food Drive 9am-2pm
Saturday, November 10
Santa’s Arrival in Niles MI at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater 11am FREE (Bring Your Camera)
Tuesday, November 13 & 20
“Thinking About Starting A Business” class at NECI No Cost (2 Parts) Contact 269-687-4332
Friday, November 16
Oscar Night at Orchard Hills Country Club For info Call (269) 695-5991
November 17 & 18
Pickers Paradise Antique Mall Open House 10pm-5pm
Sunday, November 18
Salvation Army of Niles Community Thanksgiving Meal Sunday
Thursday, November 22
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Saturday, November 24
Holiday Homecoming: Downtown Niles
Sunday, November 25
Niles Community Orchestra to play at Niles Community High School 4pm
December
Holiday at Fernwood Botanical Gardens
Saturday, December 1
The Life & Times of Scouting’s Camp Madron LMC BX Room 109 Free
Saturday, December 1
Hometown Christmas Event! 4:30pm to 6pm at the Historic Amtrak Depot, Niles
Wednesday, December 5
Holiday Business After Hours: Hosted by Fifth Third Bank at OHCC
Sunday, December 9
Christmas Concert & Charity Benefit at the Morris Estate See Flyer
Tuesday, December 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Monday, December 31
NERW YEAR’S EVE!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Business Professionals of America Regional Competition LMC- Benton Harbor
Monthly Meetings Held at the FFA Chamber of Commerce Building, 321 E. Main Street, Niles 2nd Tuesday
General Board of Directors Meeting at the Chamber Building 4pm
2nd Thursday
Chamber Ambassador Meeting 8:30am
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Four Flags Snowmobile Club 7pm Now trru 4/3/13
Every Thursday
BNI-Biznet Meets at the Chamber Building 7am Visit www.bni-mi.com for More Info
Every Sunday
St. Boniface Evangelical Lutheran Church 9:30am
Official Neighborhood Trick-or-Treat for Niles is from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce Professional Development Seminars & Workshops, Fall 2012
Excel for Intermediate Users Workshop Presented by Computer Trainers 4 You
Tuesday, November 6th , 2012 1-5pm Lake Michigan College at Bertrand Crossing (Room 111) 1905 Foundation Drive, Niles, MI 49120 This workshop will be for those interested in learning how to better utilize and gain information from user created Excel workbooks, creating simple formulas, understanding the Function Library, along with understanding, utilizing, and modifying Office pre-designed Templates. The workshop will last for 3 hours of instruction and provide 1 hour for questions more specific function setups. For more details request a copy of the topics excel file from the Chamber office or ask questions by contacting Maxine Brown at 269-470-2262 or email: ComputerTrainers4You@gmail.com. Lake Michigan College-Bertrand Crossing Computer Lab, Room 111 Cost: $29 for Chamber members; $39 for non-members **Register Here**
Register with the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce Email or phone at chamber@nilesmi.com or (269)683-3720
Fisher Building SPACE FOR LEASE 306 East Main Street in Downtown Niles Second floor office space now available. 216 sq ft- 249 sq ft. Opening December 1st, FIRST floor space! 1,393 sq ft plus vault storage. All suites include basic utilities and basic internet! Please call Rhonda 269-683-4524
Operation Christmas Child From now until November 16th stop by the Four Flags Area Council on Tourism office and pick up information and a box to pack for Operation Christmas Child - A project of the Samaritan's Purse. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good Newsof God’s love. Here are some ways you can make a difference in the lives of those children: PRAY. Please pray that God will touch the heart of every child who receives a shoe box gift and that He will bring many children and families to faith in Christ. PACK A GIFT. A shoe box filled with small toys and other gifts can open hurting hearts to God’s love. Instructional brochures will be available at your church. The information can also be found at www.samaritanspurse.org or by calling 1-800-353-5949. GIVE. Please remember to give $7.00 or more per box to cover shipping and other project costs. VOLUNTEER. Make a difference in the lives of children by volunteering with Operation Christmas Child! You can serve yearround on teams, promoting the project through the local church and community. Or beginning in November, serve shortterm at a local drop-off site or at one of six Processing Centers around the country. Check our Website or call the national number for more information. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, … for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” MATTHEW 19 : 14 , N I V We invite you to join in this extraordinary outreach. Working together, we can help transform lives today and for eternity. FRANKLIN GRAHAM PRESIDENT, SAMARITAN’S PURSE
Four Flags Area Council on Tourism 404 Main Street, Niles, MI 49120 (269)684-7444 ws: www.fourflagsarea.org em: info@fourflagsarea.org
TOM RASLER INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC Tom Rasler, Agency Principal Debbie Bookout, Producer
1914 S. 11thStreet Belle Plaza Niles, MI 49120
(269) 687-6274 Email: tlrasler@aaamichigan.com M-F 8:30 AM -5:30 PM Saturdays by Appointment MEMBERSHIP AUTO – HOME – LIFE INSURANCE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMERCIAL - BUSINESS
Do you have an Employment Opportunity within your small business that you would like to list in our chamber e-news? Please send it to chamber@nilesmi.com Now accepting applications/resume for a license producer for the Cindy McCall Insurance Agency, slated to open 1st quarter of 2013. Please e-mail- camccall@aaamichigan.com Phone- 269-687-6272 Fax- 269 683-6199 Volunteer in our Community: Salvation Army of Niles Are you concerned about hunger in our area? Help us serve lunch to members of our community who need it most. Volunteers are needed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM to prepare and serve lunch. This is a great opportunity to serve your community! Contact Major Tracey Walters or Scott Lolmaugh (269) 684-2660 Hiring driver to deliver multiple unit RV’s, boats and cars nationwide and to Canada. Professional demeanor, CDL License, over the road experience, with a clean MVR a must! Must be able to pass DOT physical and drug test. Must have or be able to get a Passport. Inquire at jrtransit@yahoo.com The Business Professionals of America will hold their regional competition at Lake Michigan College's Napier Campus in Benton Harbor on January 8th, from 9am-3pm. 400 motivated high school business students will be competing for a spot in their state competition. As the host school, LMC is assigning judges for each event in the areas of financial services, administrative support, information technology, and management/marketing/human resources. Interested in being a judge? Please contact Greg Iwaniuk at iwaniuk@lakemichigancollege.edu.
Apple Festival Fall Dance, this Saturday, November 3, at the Niles Elk's 8pm to 12pm, $10 donation. DJ music, cash bar, free soft drinks, free meatballs, nachos, cookies and more, plus door prizes!
Salvation Army Thanksgiving Community Meal, Sunday, November 18 from 3pm-5pm For the whole family. Come and stay at your leisure. Will be held at the Michiana Christian Embassy Assistance with food and toys, or food only (for families without children) Applications for appointments for Niles, Buchanan & Cass County residents. Please call or stop by between office house of 8:00am to 4:00pm Application Dates: November 1st, 12th, 14th, 16th , 27th and 29th Please Do Not Wait until the last minute. If you have questions please call (269) 684-2660
Business-to-Business Get Together! Presented by Your Business Needs Fans November 2, 2012, 9:30 – 12:00 noon (Trine University, Mishawaka, IN) Join us & bring a friend. Want an opportunity to gather with other local businesses? Bring your business cards, brochures, handouts, samples. Open Networking 9:00-9:30. Business introductions start at 9:30. No charge for this event. RSVP please! (574) 344-8895
South Bend Office Grand Opening 3371 West Cleveland Road, Ste 120 South Bend, IN 46628 (574) 289-1454
Left: Ribbon Cutting by Owners, Judee & Jeff Hopwood Right: Ron Sather, President/CEO of Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, Quen Potts, Branch Manager for Williamson Employment Services and Jeff Rea, President/CEO of Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
Santa Claus is Coming to Town… Saturday November 10th, 2012 Riverfront Park Amphitheater Downtown, Niles, MI FREE TO ALL- Remember Your Camera!
11:00am – 2:00pm Kids visit with Santa, and receive a FREE coloring book & candy cane Complimentary Refreshments include Hot Chocolate, Coffee & Donut Holes
Michiana SCORE-Senior Corp of Retired Executives presents “Thinking About Starting A Business” class at NECI - Niles Entrepreneurial & Culinary Incubator. This is part 2 of the 2 part class, to be held on both Tuesday November 13 and Tuesday November 20 6:00pm – 9:00pm at NECI-219 North 4th Street, 2nd Floor in Downtown Niles. It will be an informative class for any entrepreneur who is starting or operating a small business.
The class is Free, but Reservations are required. The presenters will be from SCORE Michiana. The Michiana SCORE Chapter 266 was founded in 1980 and is an active chapter and have more than 20 volunteers. The counselors of Michiana Chapter are experienced business owners and managers who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business owners and potential small business owners achieve success. The SCORE Advisors will guide you in evaluating your readiness to start a business and the potential of your idea for making a profit. SCORE mentoring can assist the entrepreneur in making the right decision.
The 2 hour classes will focus on the specific content of the following topics: • • • • • • • •
Introduction to Business Business Basics Market Research/Ideas Marketing Your Business Message and Media Financial Matters Finding Funding Finalizing Business Plan
“Thinking About A Business” training is a pre-requisite for scheduling time or obtaining space in NECI. Through NECI, Niles DDA Main Street is working to provide resources designed to help small businesses, both current and future, grow and prosper by offering an array of business support resources and services developed by our network of contacts.
For more information, or to reserve your spot at this training, please contact Niles Main Street at 269-687-4332 or neci@uncoverniles.com. For more information on Michiana-SCORE, visit michiana.score.org or call 574-310-8097.
Hosted by
Networking Appetizers Cash Bar Door Prizes 50/50 Drawing Fun * Fun * Fun
Location: Orchard Hills Country Club, 2841 Niles-Buchanan Rd, Buchanan, MI Please let us know if you plan to donate a door prize.
Remember Your Business Cards Cost: $5/Chamber Members or $10/Not Yet Members
Niles Service League 2012 Christmas Ornament
Now Available for Purchase at the Chamber for $25 Please make checks payable to Niles Service League
Trine University Graduate Open House Location: Trine University – 4101 Edison Lakes Parkway, Suite 250 , Mishawaka, IN 46545 Day/Time: Wednesday, November 7th @ 5:30 pm Description: Interested in pursuing a one-year Masters of Science in Leadership or a one-year Masters of Science in Criminal Justice? Come learn more at our Open House! We will provide you with campus tours, informational packets, and insight directly from our Department Chair! **Chamber Members** Receive a $100/per credit hour discount towards the Masters of Science in Leadership RSVP @ 574.243.0500 or trinesb@trine.edu.
269)695.6491 www.fernwoodbotanical.org
info@fernwoodbotanical.org
November 2: Knee-High Naturalists: Turkeys Friday, 1:30–3:30 pm Children ages 4 and 5 explore the woods and gardens of Fernwood to learn about nature in Knee-high Naturalist programs. In this session, kids discover that turkeys aren't only for Thanksgiving. Please dress for walking the trails. $10 (Members $8) November 2: Holiday Market Preview Party, 6:00 to 8:00 pm Early Birds—join us for the Holiday Market Preview Party on Friday, November 2, 6:00-8:00 pm. Enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres along with a silent auction and advance vendor purchases. Register in advance at 269.695.6491. $40 per person, $75 per couple. November 3: Fernwood’s Annual Holiday Market–Find hand-crafted gifts, items made in Michigan, garden items, and more at Fernwood’s annual Holiday Market. December: Holiday at Fernwood–Enjoy holiday programming and events. Visits from Santa, music, indoor railway garden, special programming, shopping, and more. Two Options for Spring Flower Bulb Planting Benefit Fernwood Fernwood is taking orders for spring flower bulbs through a company called Flower Power. Place your order with Fernwood or order online at http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/ by October 19 and receive delivery at your home for fall planting. Flower Power will donate 50% of your purchase to Fernwood. Or mention that you are a member of Fernwood Botanical Garden when placing an order with White Flower Farm, and they will donate 10% of your product purchases to Fernwood. Visit White Flower Farm at www.whiteflowerfarm.com.
Discounts & Coupons! We are now accepting special offers from Members who would like to offer other Members special discounts or coupons on products and/or services! See Discounts Here! Submit Coupons in jpeg or doc and Email: chamber@nilesmi.com
Events Include: Open Houses, Fundraisers, Community Events, Networking Events, Seminars, Workshops, Anniversaries & More!
“Supporting Local Business Since 1919”
www.nilesmi.com
Member Calendars of Events Chamber Calendar City of Niles Michiana Christian Service Camp Niles DDA Main Street Four Flags Area Council on Tourism Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve Lake Michigan College Bertrand Community Ed Southwestern Michigan College The Daily Star South Bend Tribune Don’t See Your Events Calendar? Send it in!!
Email Us at chamber@nilesmi.com Please include Date, Time, Location, Contact, Description and Cost (if any). Thank You!
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