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 12:00 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 and Non 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
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Family/Children Activities & Vendor Set-Up
3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Vendor Expo
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Soulful Taste of Austin Cook Off
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Greek Step Show
Kids 12 and under FREE
9:00 pm – 12 am Ol’ School Jam (21 +)

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

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is holding their Fourth Annual Texas Transportation Forum on January 5th - 7th, 2009. Hosted by TxDOT, the Associated General Contractors of Texas, the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Association and the Texas Transportation Institute, the Forum gathers some of America's best minds in infrastructure planning, construction and finance to share best practices and explore new ways to build for tommorrow.

The Forum attracts over 1,200 participants, comprising a wide variety of elected and government officials, industry leaders and other key stakeholders. This year they are exploring ways to become more efficient, accountable and transparent as they address Texas' ever-growing transportation needs.

Success both at TxDOT and in our community is measured by reducing congestion and improving travel times. We must work together to get people to their jobs on time, make sure children have a safe route to school and make it easier for family, friends and neighbors to get where they need to go on time. In difficult economic times, this partnership becomes even more vital.

Join us in discussions with elected officials who are constructing policies that will set the course of Texas transportation for years to come and share your thoughts on building better transportation in Texas. Registration is available now online at www.texastransportationforum.com. For any questions regarding forum, contact Deana Ricks, Conference Planner, at (512) 463-8610.

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.