The Capital City African Chamber of Commerce (CCAACC) would like for you to come and join us for the 1st Annual Black Expo being held January 31, 2009 beginning at 3:00 pm and ending at 12:00 am at the Monarch Event Center. Our 1st Annual Black Expo will also feature a membership drive, an Ol’ School Jam, Greek Step Show, and Soulful Taste of Austin Cook Off!
This event will establish connections between the CCAACC and small businesses while entertaining and serving the community of Austin. Fun for the whole family, this event will include an expo style vendor exhibit, where businesses can showcase their operations goods and services.
This event will further our mission in bringing small businesses to greater prosperity through knowledge, by empowering the community in a fun way that will bring better awareness of available resources and improve the outlook of small businesses in Austin.
As we approach the upcoming New Year, time draws closer to the Black Expo. Now is the time to sign-up for the event. Don’t miss a chance to participate, whether as a sponsor, a vendor or a patriarch. Come join us in our journey to build a tradition of success!

Ticket Prices
Step Show- $12.00
Ole School Jam- $17.00

All Access Pass
Future Members- $27.00
Members- $22.00

Schedule of Events
3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Vendor Expo
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Soulful Taste of Austin Cook Off
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Greek Step Show
Kids 12 and under FREE
8:00 pm – 12 am Ol’ School Jam (21 +)

Check out our website for more information: www.austinblackexpo.org. Contact Aarin Brewer at (512) 459 –1181 ext. 202 or via e-mail abrewer@capcitychamber.org

CCAACC held a successful Roundtable Workshop on the topic of “Disaster Recovery & Resiliency Training” Wednesday December 10th at Austin City Hall. Bill Cave of Nationwide Insurance presented the workshop luncheon. Cave, a Commercial Claims Manager with Nationwide for 20 years, spoke on the importance of individuals and businesses being prepared for any natural or economical disaster. The presentation was quickly followed by a Q & A session and luncheon for attendees. For more information on upcoming workshops and RSVPs, contact Aarin Brewer at (512) 459-1181 ext. 202 or email abrewer@capcitychamber.org.

CCAACC held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Wednesday, December 10th for the new McDonald's reopening at 1143 1/2 Airport Blvd. to kick off the festivities at the restaurant. To thank area residents for their years of loyalty, McDonald’s will offer $1 drinks December through February and a new menu special every day of the grand re-opening week.

On Saturday December 13^th, McDonald’s Airport Blvd will welcome Eastside Memorial High School’s marching band, the Glamour Girls dance team and officers from the Austin Police Department for music and entertainment, a showcase of city patrol cars, a special presentation of “Stranger Danger Awareness” face painting and a live show featuring McGruff, the crime-fighting dog. Austin’s police officers will also be at the restaurant to make fingerprint identity cards for children of all ages who visit the restaurant as part of Austin P.D.’s program to keep our children safe.

“McDonald’s has always been a place for family,” said owner/operators Winston and Ann Ross. “We are looking forward to seeing our neighbors at our grand re-opening and to serving the community of Greater Austin for decades to come.”

Ronald will return to Austin to visit the brand new restaurant at Airport Blvd. for a special presentation on Sunday December 14^th at 2 p.m. and to giveaway bicycles and more great prizes. The show will wrap up the weekend’s festivities and lead the new restaurant right into the New Year looking better than ever and ready for its 20^th year as an involved and active member of the Greater Austin Area community.

Council Member Sheryl Cole announced the launch of ExploreLocalAustin.org, a Web-based tool that highlights 275 businesses in five small business districts throughout the city.

Utilizing a mapping application and highlighting a local business owner in each area through a video interview, users are able to search for retailers and consumer services in one of five areas throughout the city. The five areas, chosen for a heavy concentration of small businesses, are part of an initial phase with the hope of expansion throughout the city. Originally the idea of Council Member Sheryl Cole to help small businesses that may not have an Internet presence, the map has been developed by the City of Austin’s Small Business Development Program.

“Austin loves our local businesses and I wanted to make sure that we are doing more as a city to highlight our small business owners who contribute jobs and tax base to our city,” said Council Member Sheryl Cole. “As people are deciding how to spend their limited dollars this holiday season, they need to see all the terrific local retailers we have and know that for each dollar spent, more of that money stays right here in Austin.”

Areas in this initial phase are East 11th and 12th Street, South 1st Street, Guadalupe Street, North Loop, and East 6th Street. Some of the criteria for a business listing include the business must have less than 50 employees, provide merchandise or services to the general public, and have a physical storefront for a customer to visit. The Web site, live since the end of October, has already had more than 5,000 hits.

“The Small Business Development Program of the City of Austin helps foster and nurture small businesses throughout the city with a variety of programs from individual counseling on business plan development and accessing capital to marketing plan development and business education,” said Rosy Jalifi, Assistant Director, City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office. “ExploreLocalAustin.org is another tool that brings small businesses with limited marketing funds to potential customers. We hope that it will bring more customers to uncover the treasures our local Austin businesses provide.”

“Today, we are at Happiness, and it makes me happy to think that, in addition to the plants and gifts here, I can find presents for pretty much everybody on my list within this block. My hope is that ExploreLocalAustin.org will get people shopping and become a resource for visitors and residents,” concluded Council Member Cole.

The Travis County Reserve Unit is going to hold a public meeting Wednesday December 17th at the main TCSO office, located at 5555 Airport Blvd. The meeting begins at 6:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to talk about the volunteer Reserve Deputy Unit. This consists of volunteers from throughout the community that
volunteer their time in a law enforcement capacity. They are looking to grow their unit by 30 new people. For more information, contact Lt. Matt Baker, Travis County Reserve Unit at (512) 496-3736.