West Monroe Brown Bag Concert series kicks off in September

September is right around the corner, and that means the return of the fall West Monroe Brown Bag Concert series.

The WMWO Chamber and City of West Monroe have once again partnered to bring the Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series to West Monroe every Wednesday in September.

Brown Bag Lunch Concerts will be held every Wednesday in September from noon to 1 p.m. at the Pavilion at Seventh Square in West Monroe, which is directly behind the West Monroe Farmer’s Market.

The concerts are completely free to the public and provide a great way to take a break from your work day.  We provide chairs and shade, and you bring a brown bag lunch.  

This fall's concert series features a terrific line up of local musicians including several that have never been featured at this event.  Performances this September include Roses and Revolvers on Wednesday, September 2; Early Ray and Josh on Wednesday, September 9; String Theory on Wednesday, September 16 and Bradley Bridges on Wednesday, September 23.

A special Brown Bag Lunch Concert will take place on Friday, October 2 as a Celtic Festival Kick-Off.  The event will feature a performance by Irish band Emerald Accent.  The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3 at Kiroli Park in West Monroe.

Members of the community enjoying a Brown Bag Lunch Concert.

This event could not take place without the support of local sponsors. The Chamber and City of West Monroe are proud to partner with Centric Federal Credit Union, Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union and the Ouachita Parish School System. The concert series is funded in part by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.

Our partners do an incredible job at hospitality during the concert series. Attendees are treated to complimentary beverages and snacks.  

The month of September happens to be Hunger Action Month.  We are strongly encouraging concert attendees to bring canned food and other nonperishable food items with them each Wednesday. Those who donate to this worthy cause will be eligible to win various door prizes such as Visa gift cards and gift certificates to local restaurants.

This fall's Brown Bag Lunch Concert series promises to be an exciting one, so please make plans to attend.

For more information about the concert series, please call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961.

People of all ages enjoy these outdoor concerts.

Community partners in education needed this school year

School bells are ringing across Ouachita Parish this week.  As teachers, faculty and staff make their way back to the classroom, it is once again time for the business community to consider ways they can support our local educational system.

The WMWO Chamber of Commerce is proud to be involved with a grass roots program that has effectively connected local businesses and organizations with Ouachita Parish pubic schools.

The Adopt-a-School Program has been administered by the Chamber, in partnership with the Ouachita Parish School system, for more than a decade.  The program's goal is simple - connect each of the parish's 36 public schools with at least one adopter for the school year.

Who can be an adopter? The answer is simple - any one person, business or organization that has a passion for education and children.  Those who choose to become an adopter are committing their support of that school (or schools) for a given school year.

There are no set requirements or expectations to take part in the Adopt-a-School Program.  By agreeing to serve as an adopter, you are encouraged to know your school and the faculty and staff who work there.  Perhaps you agree to serve as a volunteer reader, judge the school's spelling bee or donate sweet treats for teacher appreciation week.

The education of our children and the effectiveness of our local school system should be a top priority for everyone in the community.  Well-educated children will result in a qualified future workforce to help meet the growing demand of jobs in our community.

Please consider getting involved in the Adopt-a-School Program and make a true impact on our parish.  To learn more, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961. 

Small businesses benefit from flexible work options

A recent survey from the Small Business Majority found many small Louisiana businesses offer a variety of "family friendly" benefits to attract employees.

Small businesses may find it difficult to compete against larger businesses when it comes to hiring. Larger employers may be able to offer generous financial packages and benefits; however, small businesses are able to attract a talented, loyal workforce by implementing family-friendly policies that allow employees a healthy work-life balance.

The survey from the Small Business Majority found:

• Nearly one in six small employers offer childcare benefits
• Two-thirds of businesses allow their employees to take time off from work to attend their children's school activities
• Nearly three in 10 businesses provide flexible work schedules or opportunities to work from home

The survey also found that 53 percent of Louisiana's small businesses offer paid leave to their employees, and 38 percent offer on the job training or financial assistance for education and training.

So, small business owners - don't think you can't compete with large companies when it comes to hiring qualified and talented employees.  Sometimes, being "small" has its advantages.  If you are a small business owner, you know that, in many cases, your employees are often the company's greatest asset.  Be sure to give careful thought and consideration to what strategies or policies you can put into place to protect those assets.

Learn more about local businesses at the M2M Expo July 28

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce will present a free opportunity for the public to learn more about local businesses and services offered in the area.

The Member2Member Expo, sponsored by Glenwood Regional Medical Center, is a free showcase of more than 50 local businesses and organizations who are current WMWO Chamber members.  The Expo will take place Tuesday, July 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center.

You don't have to be a WMWO Chamber member to attend.  The Expo is free to the general public. We encourage the community to attend the expo and visit with vendors, while learning more about the great local businesses that offer a variety of products and services.

Participating vendors will offer free samples, demonstrations and tons of door prizes.  The Chamber will offer a grand prize giveaway of a 48-inch flat screen television to be given away at 1:30 p.m. at the Expo.

From restaurants to retail clothing stores to professional services, the Member2Member Expo will be filled with dozens of vendors who offer all sorts of products and services.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about our community and the Chamber of Commerce, and as always, we encourage you to shop and support local!

Call the Chamber at (318) 325-1961 for more information or join the event on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/398250113707601/

La. Delta Community College offers certifications for businesses

Do you or your employees need Forklift/Mobile Crane, OSHA 10 or First Aid/CPR Training/Certifications? 

Louisiana Delta Community College's DeltaWorks can give you these certifications at your convenience with evening or weekend classes.  LDCC offers these courses at their campuses or at your site depending on the number of your employees. Contact LDCC DeltaWorks to get more information and set up your training. 

There are a number of other certifications and job specific training Delta Community College can provide to area employers.  La. Delta Community College has eight convenient locations throughout Northeast Louisiana and has a 2,100 square mile service area.

To learn more about these programs available to local businesses, contact Dean Baugh at dbaugh@ladelta.edu or (318) 547-0941.

For more information about Louisiana Delta Community College, visit their web site at www.ladelta.edu.

Fourth of July festivities this weekend

There are plenty of things to do with the family this weekend in the Monroe and West Monroe area to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Information on these events are found below. For a complete listing of things to do or more information about hotels, restaurants or shopping opportunities, please contact the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau at (318) 387-5691 or at www.monroe-westmonroe.org.

Friday:

Faith, Family, Fireworks

Time: 9:00am-9:00pm

On July 3rd, the Duck Commander Warehouse will be hosting an all-day event. Si, Willie, and Reed Robertson will be taking the stage (on the loading dock, of course) and the family will be interacting with the audience throughout the day with eating contests and entertainment. And of course, it cannot be a redneck event without ending with a bang. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs, Jack!

Venue: Duck Commander Warehouse

Address: 117 Kings Lane

West Monroe LA, 71292

Admission Cost:                Free

Phone: 318-387-0588

Web: http://duckcommander.com/

Saturday:

Fourth of July Children's Parade

Time: 9:30am

Children can decorate their bikes, trikes, and wagons and ride in the parade. Special guest will be Thomas Jefferson. There will be ice cream and Popsicles and music.

Venue: Triangle Park

Address: Corner of Pargoud Blvd. and Stuart Ave.

Monroe LA, 71201

Admission Cost: Free

Blues, Brews, & BBQ Day at the RiverMarket

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm

Enjoy this destination to shop and gather on the picturesque Ouachita River. This french-style market has a variety of culture, education and entertainment. The RiverMarket offers produce, artisan handmade items, food, and entertainment in a “town square” setting. Don't miss out on all the fun!

Address: 316 South Grand

Monroe LA, 71203

Phone: 318-807-9985

Web: downtownrivermarket.com

Downtown River Jam

Time: 5:00pm-9:00pm

Kevin D. Alexander, APLC presents Downtown River Jam on July 4th at the Downtown Riverwalk from 5pm-9pm!! There will be food trucks, spirits, and beer tastings. You don't wanna miss it! Come out and watch the fireworks while listening to live music with a fresh brew in your hand!!

Venue: Downtown Monroe

Address: 100 DeSiard Street

Monroe LA, 71201

Admission Cost: Free

Web: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownRiverJam?fref=ts

The CenturyLink Star Spangled Spectacular!

Time: 9:00pm

It's time to celebrate America's independence! The annual Independence Day fireworks display will be on July 4th, 2015 at 9:00 pm. Best viewed from downtown Monroe, or close by, the fireworks will be shot from the center of the Endom Bridge! Display begins promptly at 9:00 pm, so don't be late!

Venue: Forsythe Park

Address: Louisville Avenue and Trenton Street

Monroe-West Monroe LA, 71201

Admission Cost: Free

Summer Fun in the West Monroe and West Ouachita Area

Summer is here!  Kids are out of school, vacations are being planned, and there is a more relaxed feeling throughout the community.

If you are looking for fun things to do with your family this summer, there are plenty of opportunities right here in northeast Louisiana.

Several members of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce offer fun, low-cost entertainment right at your fingertips.

Chamber members such as Bayou Bowl, Skate Town and Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society have several programs and specials for children and families during the summer. These businesses often have "hot deals" available to families. You can keep up with all WMWO Chamber hot deals through our web site at http://business.westmonroechamber.org/hotdeals/.

If you are looking for a camp or structured activity for your child this summer, there are several facilities that offer day camps or week-long camps for children ranging from sports to art to music. Whether it's an overnight camp experience at Seeker Springs or an art camp at MoJoy Studio, there is something for everyone.

An extensive list of regional camps and summer activities can be found by visiting the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitor Bureau's web site at www.monroe-westmonroe.org.

Make the most of your summertime by taking advantage of some of the great businesses, camps and programs being offered in the community. If the WMWO Chamber of Commerce can help answer any questions or provide more information, please contact our office by calling (318) 325-1961 or visiting our website at www.westmonroechamber.org.

Happy Summer Everyone!