Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail Photos

Check out the new Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail Flickr photo site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/piedmontplateau/

The Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail is Open!

The counties of Autauga, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Randolph and Tallapoosa are proud to announce the opening of the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail, the fifth of eight trails that make up the Alabama Birding Trail system.  Since work began three years ago, we have been in touch with numerous groups and individuals who had the interest and nature-knowledge to participate in creating this tourism project.  The response has been very gratifying and the support received from each of the counties within the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail has been exceptional.  Everyone  realizes the importance of highlighting the various outdoor activities that each county has and how to bring them to the attention of the outdoor-loving public.  The project is also the perfect plan for a family to arrange their ‘in-state’ vacation.   Nationwide, wildlife tourism generates over $45 billion annually. Read more

Clay County Chamber Annual Meeting

October 26, 2011
12:00 pm	to	1:30 pm

It is time for your Chambers’ annual meeting.  The annual meeting will be a lunch meeting on

Wednesday, October 26 – 12:00 – 1:30
First Baptist Church Life Center / Ashland Hwy. 9

The Chamber will be giving three awards at the annual meeting.  Please nominate a Business, Business Person, and Volunteer.

• Chamber Business of the Year
• Chamber Business Person of the Year
• Chamber Volunteer of the Year

Guest speakers will be Clay County’s own Bailey McKay, PhD and Director of the University of Alabama Economic Development Center, Nisa Miranda.

Annual meeting ticket prices:
$15 / person Chamber members
$20 / person non-Chamber
$100 / table seats 8

Seating is limited.  Call the Chamber today to reserve your seat or table.  Download Nomination Form:  Clay Chamber Annual Meeting 2011 (32)

Clay Chamber of Commerce
256-396-2828
claychamber@centurytel.net

2011 Clay County Music & Arts Festival

May 21, 2011
10:00 am	to	10:00 pm

Stage Sponsors

GOLD SPONSORS

A-G-L Solid Waste Disposal Authority, Century Link, Clay County Cattlemen’s Association, Eagle 102.3, First Baptist Church of Ashland, First State Bank, KOCH Foods of Ashland, Patriot Riding Stables and Retreat, SUBWAY of Lineville, Superior Gas, The Big 95 WHMA, The East Alabama Advertiser, Thunder 92.7 WTDR

SILVER SPONSORS

Adamson Insurance, Congressman Mike Rogers, Lineville Health and Rehabilitation, SERVPRO, Stop, Shop ‘n Swap, Talladega Cycle Sales

BRONZE SPONSORS

Andy ~ Prince of Party Rentals, Ashland Housing Authority, City Auto Parts, Clay Service and Electronics, Creekside Signs, First Capital Insurance, Gallet-A– Terracon Company, High Points Coffee and Books, Sims Masonry, Twin Creeks Veterinary Services ~ Dr. Seth Taylor DVM

Headliner Nashville Recording Artist John Stone

The 5th Annual Clay County Music & Arts Festival is set for Saturday, May 21st from 10 am until dark.  This annual festival, produced by the Clay County Chamber of

Commerce, rotates between Lineville and Ashland, Alabama. This year’s event will take place at the Lineville City Recreational Park located on Hwy 9 just north of the intersection of Hwy 9 and 48.

Excellent musical talent from around the area including headliner Nashville recording artist John Stone – download list below. You will not be disappointed! New for this year …. Clay County Autism Awareness 5K Run, Clay County Livestock Exhibit, Clay County Forestry Exhibit, Southeastern Antique Tractor Show, Clay County Children’s Policy Council Hands On Youth Art Exhibit and much more!

Now is the time for Sponsors and Vendors to get on board

Use the links below to download applications and registration forms. There is also a booth diagram so vendors can choose the booth they want. Don’t wait … get your booth early. When we held the festival in Ashland in 2010, we sold out fast.

Download Sponsor Info Packet – 2011 Festival Sponsorship Info Packet (208)

Download Map Showing Location and Parking Directions – 2011 Festival Parking Directions (187)

Download Vendor Booth Layout Map (All Booths SOLD) – 2011 Music Festival Vendor Booth Map (281)

Download Musical Lineup & Schedule – 2011 Festival Schedule (157)

Download Festival Poster – 2011 Music Festival Poster (124)

Youth Entrepreneurship Yard and Bake Sale

April 28, 2011
6:00 pm	to	7:00 pm
May 7, 2011
7:00 am	to	12:00 pm

Youth Entrepreneurship Yard and Bake Sale

To benefit the Clay County Children’s Policy Council

Event Date: Saturday, May 7th 7am to Noon
Mandatory Meeting: Thursday, April 28th at 6pm
Where: Clay County Farmer’s Market

Our youth are very excited about this time of year. We’ve had many calls from parents and youth asking when is the next Youth Yard and Bake Sale. Last year’s event was a huge success.

Each Child participating in the Youth Yard Sale MUST attend the Entrepreneurship Meeting on Thursday, April 28 at 6pm at the Clay County Farmer’s Market. There is a $2.00 set up fee per family plus a Baked Good to be donated to the Clay County Children’s Policy Council for the bake sale.

Set-up for Youth Yard Sale is Friday evening May 6th from 4pm—7pm. Youth must arrive at Farmer’s Market no later than 6:30am Saturday, May 7th.

Things to remember: Tables, Plenty of change, Plastic bags, Newspaper to wrap breakables, have prices on all your merchandise, etc.

Please help us pass this message to the Youth and Parents. Print the flier (click here), post at local businesses, and share with friends and family.

To participate, fill out the sign up form (download here) and mail to the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. The spaces are first come first serve. This is a great opportunity to do spring cleaning at your home and let your child see what’s it’s like to own his or her own business.

Make check payable to: Clay County Children’s Policy Council
Mail check and application form to Clay County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 85 Lineville, AL 36266.

For more info or questions, contact:
Mary Patchunka-Smith
256-396-2828
claychamber@centurytel.net

2011 Clay County Life Magazine Online

Welcome to the 2011 Edition of Clay County Life Magazine – the annual publication from the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. This year we printed 10,000 copies and they are available throughout Clay County at local member businesses – pick up your copy today. Or contact the Chamber and request a copy. Email the Chamber at claychamber@centurytel.net or call (256) 396-2828.

Advertising opportunities are now open for the 2012 Edition of Clay County Life. Don’t miss out.  Production begins in the fall of 2011 and will release at the annual Prayer Breakfast in March 2012. Contact the Chamber to secure your advertising space now. Specialty pages sold out fast for the 2011 Edition.

Click the image below to start viewing the 2011 Edition.

The Customer Advantage Program

The Customer Advantage Program

The Customer Advantage is the creation of founder John Milanoski.  Milanoski is an internet marketer and entrepreneur best known for his Marketing Millionaire training system.  In watching the trends in the marketplace, he saw the potential of utilizing the social media  influence to benefit the local marketplace.   With this thought in mind, he took the existing idea of a socially driven consumer service that offers local shopping discounts and married it to a network marketing structure.  It is the addition of the network marketing component that differentiates his company from the two forerunners in this marketing segment.

How It Works

Members join The Customer Advantage for free (click here to get started).  Each day the member is sent an offer from a local business to provide a product or service at a substantial discount, typically in the range of 50% off.   If the member wants to take advantage of the offer, they simply purchase the coupon that is being offered.  The business gains new customer traffic and potential sales volume and the member gets a great deal.   In this aspect, the business is very similar to Groupon and Living Social.

The network marketing component of the business is built around the personal referral of new members.   When a member joins The Customer Advantage they are given a replicated website for the purpose of soliciting new member enrollments.

When the personal referral of the member makes a purchase, the referring member receives 5% of that purchase.  The member will also receive a 5% override commission on all members in their downline through 5 generational levels.   When a member enrolls a local business, they will receive 2% commission on all sales made through the offers made by that local business.

The Customer Advantage is currently in pre-launch and focusing on the recruiting of members and businesses.   At this time the daily coupons are not being offered, but they are expected to begin shortly.

The business concept being utilized by The Customer Advantage has already proven itself in the marketplace and this is why the Clay County Chamber has decided to participate.

We believe this is a great opportunity for local businesses and local citizens in Clay County. It will encourage shopping locally and help keep our dollars in Clay County.

It cost you nothing to try it. Sign up today and get started. The link will take you to the Chanber’s Customer Advantage website where you can watch brief videos to learn more and sign up.

If you have any questions or need more information on this exciting program, contact Stan Gaither, the Team Leader for the Clay Chamber Customer Advantage Program. He can be reached via email at stang@centurytel.net. Or contact Mary Patchunka-Smith at the Chamber at 256-396-2828 or via email at claychamber@centurytel.net.

2010 Clay County Road Map Available

The 2010 edition of the Clay County Road map is now available at the Chamber office.  It also includes road maps of Ashland and Lineville.  It’s been several years since our last edition so get your copy now – no cost.

And thanks to the many, many local businesses and Chamber members who advertised on the map.  Without your support, this project would not have been possible.

Ribbon Cutting for Always Covered Clothing

March 19, 2010
12:00 pm	to	12:15 pm

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce welcomes Clay County’s Newest Chamber Business Member. Always Covered Clothing had their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, March 19th at 12:00 pm. 

Visit them at Hwy 49 North, Lineville, across from Clay Times Journal news office.

Link to Chamber

Link Your Website to the Chamber Website

We encourage all members and supporters of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce to proudly display the image below on their website and include a link back to the Chamber website.

It’s easy!  Save the image to your desktop or somewhere on your hard drive where you can find it.  For Microsoft operating systems, right click the image and SAVE. Then, place in an appropriate and prominent place on your website with a link back to http://claycochamber.com. That’s it.

Thanks and we sincerely appreciate your support.

Advertise on Chamber Website and in Newsletter

Advertising Opportunities with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce website is viewed by thousands of visitors who collectively record tens of thousands of page views each month.  Statistics are available upon request.  And our email newsletter has a subscriber base approaching 500 members!

We invite Chamber members to advertise in both the newsletter and on our website.  It is very affordable and exposes your company, services and products to thousands and thousands who visit the website and read the newsletter. Plus, by advertising with the Chamber, you are supporting and investing in the Chamber and its work to promote Clay County and make it better for all citizens and businesses.

Download the Advertising Rate Sheet here – Website & Newsletter Advertising Rates & Info (379)

If you have any questions, contact our Executive Director, Mary Patchunka-Smith at 256-396-2828 or via email at claychamber@centurytel.net.  If you need assistance with creating advertising materials, we have professionals in this field who can assist you.

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