Chamber / Community Report: March 1

THINKING OF PURCHASING A HOME?: The public is invited to attend one of two public meetings that the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce will be hosting to 1) educate potential homebuyers about the federal tax credit, 2) discuss mortgage interest rates and home prices and 3) provide the advantages of buing a home in Irving. The first meeting will be Tuesday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. in the Williams Square Conference Center at 5221 N. O'Connor Blvd. where a free light lunch will be provided. The second session will be March 10, 6:00 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce Information Center in the Community Building at 135 S. Jefferson St. We hope to see you there!

RIBBON CUTTINGS: The next couple of weeks will see several Ribbon Cuttings and the Chamber hopes to see you as we welcome these businesses. First up, it's Link Staffing. Make plans to come out at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday March 2, to their facility at 2419 W. Airport Freeway. The company specializes in general labor staffing, skilled labor staffing, industrial staffing, and light industrial staffing on a temporary, temp-to-hire, or permanent basis.Then on Friday, March 5, the Chamber welcomes Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers to Irving and to the Chamber!

And finally, make plans to celebrate 19 years of Hooters being located in Irving! The festivities will include a ribbon cutting and free wings for attendees. We'll celebrate with Hooters at their location at 2522 N. Belt Line Road from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

IRVING POLICE AWARDS BANQUET AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER EXPO. Mark your calendars now to join the Irving Police Department and the Family Advocacy Center as they recognize the outstanding contributions of the men and women of the Irving Police Department at the 14^th Annual Irving Police Department Awards Banquet. This year's banquet will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., at the Dallas Marriott-Las Colinas located at 223 W. Las Colinas Boulevard. Scott Murray, Emmy Award-winning Sports Director and former TV Anchor, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening festivities. In addition to honoring the men and women of the Irving Police Department, the proceeds from this event help support the Family Advocacy Center. If you, your business or group would be interested in a sponsorship of the 14^th Annual Irving Police Awards Banquet, a sponsorship form is available at www.irvingpd.com or by contacting Darlene Jenkins at (972) 721-2598 or djenkins@cityofirving.org for more information.

Additionally, the Irving Police Department is hosting the Women in Law Enforcement Career Expo on Saturday April 14 from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Recruiting Division at (972) 721-3795 or toll free at (877) 777-3750. Or email policecareers@cityofirving.org.

IRVING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OFFERS DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO PATTI AUSTIN. The Irving Symphony Orchestra is offering discounted tickets for Chamber members to see Grammy Award-winning Jazz vocalist Patti Austin on March 13. Call 972.831.8818 and be sure to mention that you are a Chamber member so that you can receive your discount!

NORTH TEXAS FUTURE FUND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS. The North Texas Future Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to solving critical issues affecting North Texas' growth, is looking for nominations for the second annual North Texas Future Fund Bridge Awards to honor individuals, community organizations and corporations that have made significant contributions to improving literacy in North Texas. Nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2010, either through the online application available at www.northtexasfuturefund.org or by requesting a form from the North Texas Future Fund office by calling 972-621-0400.

U.S. EXPORT REGULATIONS SEMINAR MARCH 23. Confused by export license procedures? Worried that you might violate U.S. export control laws without even knowing it? Do you understand Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing and the AES System? Are you in compliance with the Bureau of Industry & Security, Office of Antiboycott Compliance, Office of Foreign Assets Control and U.S. Customs laws and regulations? If you are a U.S. exporter, international attorney, or other trade professional, you need to know if your company is in compliance with U.S. Export Regulations. Make plans to join Export Policy Specialists from the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Office of Antiboycott Compliance, U.S. Census Bureau, and U.S. Customs on March 23 at Richland College. To learn more about the U.S. Export Regulations seminar, visit exporttexas.com.

TXDOT SMALL BUSINESS BRIEFING. TxDOT's Business Outreach and Program Services branch has announced a briefing conference in North Texas for small, minority- and women-owned businesses providing contract opportunities and information on how to do business with TxDOT and the state. The briefing is scheduled for April 1 at the Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre -- 5410 LBJ Freeway Dallas, TX 75240. To register call (972) 934-8400 or fill out the Online Registration (Available until March 19, 2010).