This Week March 15 – 19 2010

This week was full of excitement.

On Tuesday night the City Council approved funding for our Traveler’s Information Radio Station. What a tremendous first this will be as Taft becomes the first city in Kern County to have such a system. This is sparking interest from all over as we will be offering replication procedures to other communities and agencies.

Our application is still pending with the FCC to grant us station 1610 on the AM dial. Equipment is standing by to be rushed to the new broadcast station at the Chamber. If you have any interest, stop by or give me a call!

“Luck of the Irish” came to Taft on Wednesday via Gary Joyce. Mr. Joyce held dedication ceremonies at his Pioneer Mercantile Building. He was presented with the City of Taft’s first historical building plaque. It was a reception to remember as the story of his passion for the building was reviled and congratulatory speeches were given by many who attended. Even our own Oildorado Sheriff and Posy paid a visit!

Later that evening I attended a “Taft Night” at a Condor game complements of our host Rabobank. A fun filled time was had by all who came. Thank you Rabobank!

Unfortunately I missed the BEST corned beef and cabbage dinner that night at the Historic Fort.

Thursday’s Downtown Association met for the second time and things seem to be progressing. We have requested that the City of Taft close 5^th street now so that we can utilize it for events prior to the construction of the plaza. It should be on the agenda for the next City Council meeting and I hope you can come and voice your support.

We will be out on Center Street tomorrow March 20 at 8:00AM to do a “walk through” and invite you all to come out and join us.

If you have been living a cave for the past few days then you probably don’t know the news. The City of Taft has helped the City of Bakersfield by rescuing what was supposed to be 50 trees and transporting a good portion back to Taft where these mature trees are to be planted. Check out the news footage at: http://www.turnto23.com/news/22883736/detail.html?taf=bak

I invite you to stop by and see all the great projects we are working on to help our customers and community !

There are a few ads left for next month’s newsletter and I know you’re going to love it.

Some nice photo cards of Carrizo Plains are now available at the Chamber so please stop on by!

 

 

Radio Returns to Taft !

We have all seen the signs suggesting we turn our radios to an AM station on freeways, at points of interest and even on Rodeo Drive. Most airports, train stations and even parks use an information broadcast system.

Imagine turning on your radio and you’re welcomed to the City of Taft by the Mayor and the City Council; informed of Rails to Trails, Oilworker Monument, the Oil Museum, the Fort and even the Carrizo Plains. Not only are you directed to these various points of interest but treated to a colorful narrative on the history of Taft; where to spend the night; where to dine; even how to jump out of an airplane. These are but a few of the options we will offer both residents and visitors alike. Just think how beneficial this will be for Oildorado; offering event notification, locational information such as first aid stations and even contest winners. Listen to the narrative on your car radio, stream the broadcast from your cell phone or download a Podcast from the websites of the City and Chamber.

If a disaster should occur; power is out, an emergency situation arises. Preparedness is critical to readiness. Instant activation by law enforcement or public safety officials can be made remotely via telephone, internet or, by punching a key code on a mobile radio because when all else fails, radio works. Our charming information station then transforms into an emergency communication devise where anyone with a radio can obtain timely and critical information. Taped messages or live updates can be disseminated within 75 square miles. The same system can be utilized for highway closures; weather hazards or any public safety situation.

This systems total cost is approximately $5,000.00 for equipment and zero recurring costs and provides 24/7 air time. Once we have demonstrated the success of such a system the expansion possibilities are only limited to technology and our imaginations.

We could install “Listening Stops” along the Petroleum Highway, and downtown informing the listener of the history and interpretation of buildings and sights.

As funding has not yet been approved by the City of Taft I am hoping it will approved at the next City Council meeting.

Do you like it?

The new newsletter is available online at WWW.TAFTCHAMBER.COM . I encourage you to go through it and comment.

We are still looking for sponsors for upcoming issues and I promise you it only gets better!

Stay tuned for more changes and advancements and even a few surprises !

Extra Extra IT’S HERE!

With special thanks to the generosity of Kathy Herm of State Farm, and the profession services and commitment of Lee Smith we were able to put the new Chamber newsletter to bed today.

The new eight page vibrant color edition is a far leap from the hand copied black and white versions previously issued. The new format is chalked full of exciting features, color photos and the introduction of new featured columns from The City of Taft and Taft Community College as well as a new Government Affairs section that will be provided by our Government Affairs Committee.

As you know we are poorly funded and to be able to make this a monthly edition, a small amount of advertising will be allowed and featured businesses on the back cover. If you are interested please call the Chamber for details. The newsletter reaches over 300 subscribers and will be available on the web and so will your business.

I am anxious to hear your opinion of the new format and hope to have your support in producing this quality publication on a monthly basis.

 

Chamber Requests to apply for a Traveler Information Radio Station

Today the Taft Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau submitted to the City of Taft a proposal to apply for and operate a Traveler’s Information Radio Station located at the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau.

Tune your radio to station to a channel and you’re welcomed to the City of Taft by the Mayor; informed of the Rails to Trails, Oilworker Monument West Kern Oil Museum, the Historic Fort and even the splendor of Carrizo Plains. Not only are you directed to the various points of interest but treated to a colorful narrative on the history of Taft; where to spend the night; even how to jump out of an airplane. These are but a few of the options we can offer both residents and visitors alike.

Just think how beneficial this would be for Oildorado by directing people to events, broadcasting event times and contest information. Critical information can also be broadcast such as first aid stations and ATM locations. What a helpful tool this could be.

We have all been asked to turn our radios to a low powered AM station along the freeways, at points of interest and even on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Most cities, airports, train stations and even parks use the information broadcast system.

A disaster occurs; power is out, an emergency situation arises. How are you able to reach the citizenry when it may in fact be a life or death situation? A remote switch is activated and your charming information station transforms into your emergency communication devise where anyone with a radio can obtain timely and critical information.

The advantages are so vast. We are able to broadcast tourism, points of interest, event information, local history and facts and general information. In addition we have an emergency alert system. Living in proximity to the fault line and surrounded by oilfields should be incentive enough to implement such a service. Furthermore road and weather conditions can also be broadcast.

I cannot think of any reason why we should NOT have such a system, can you?

The system will cost only $5,000.00 for equipment and no further costs involved. Therein lays the conundrum. As we are all aware the Chamber is greatly underfunded. Without the help of the City or a donor this great idea will remain just that.

Time is at a premium to have this set up in time for Oildorado so your help is greatly appreciated.

Other News

Today the City of Taft has asked the Chamber to once again organize a “Downtown Business Owners’ Committee” to begin meeting A.S.A.P. If you are interested in joining, please contact me at the Chamber.

 

2/3/2008 Annual Dinner Update

WHAT A PARTY THIS IS GOING TO BE!

All is quiet the night before the Chamber’s Annual Installation Dinner and 100^th year Birthday Party. With the awards having been printed, seating charts made, clothes at the cleaners, the last-minute details are all that is left.

You can imagine my surprise this morning after the Sit-N-Sip when I was told we have reached our maximum capacity and have to turn people away. I owe much thanks to the wonderful staff and directors that have made this year’s event one for the history books! An enormous amount of gratitude is extended to Mr. George Martin who will honor us by being our keynote speaker. Coupling the two made my job a breeze and guaranteed a success.

Not only are we celebrating our 100^th year but also those who have been with us for the entire duration. The Midway Driller, Chevron, Cavins Oil Well Tools and our little brother, the City of Taft all have been with us since 1910. It was the Chamber after all that started and submitted the petition to Kern County to have the City of Taft incorporated and we have enjoyed a great relationship ever since.

For those of you that are going to be there, I will see you there (you can’t miss me I’ll be the one biting his nails) and the others can read about it tomorrow.

Thank you all for supporting YOUR Chamber of Commerce. Remember we are here to serve you.

2/2/10 Events

Today we were honored by the Kern County Board of Supervisors for our 100 years of serving the business community and the City of Taft.

Joining me in the celebration was Board President Jan Ashley, Board Members Dennis Schertz and Ray Hatch and former Executive Director Randy Miller. We were presented the award by Board Chairman Ray Watson. Our wonderfully entertaining “Official Historian” Pete Gianopulos was there and gave a great short version of the history of Taft.

At tomorrow’s Sit-N-Sip I will unveil a new design of our newsletter (color and on the web) and inform you of new accomplishments we are making.

Due to overwhelming demand, we have a LIMITED number of seats left for the Annual Installment Dinner this Thursday (2/4/2010) with Keynote Speaker, Mr. George Martin. Call the CHAMBER for your reservation at 661.765.2165 but HURRY !!

Become a Fan of the official Chamber Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Taft-Chamber-of-Commerce-and-Visitors-Bureau/249530674004?ref=ts