Digital Volume 2 Issue 4             

Sign Up Now for the RRCC Business Show 2010!

The Rutland Region Chamber of

Commerce is excited to present the RRCC Business Show 2011 sponsored by Rutland Regional Medical Center!  The show will be held on March 8, 2011 – 4pm-7:30pm at the Holiday Inn.

Vendor space is filling fast for the 85 available spaces; call now to guarantee your space.  This is a great way to show off your products and services to 800-1,000 RRCC Members and the general public. Click here for a vendor form.

RRCC continues to keep exhibitor costs low with spaces beginning at $180.00 for the show. The show will feature a diverse group of members and non members exhibiting everything from home services and products, automobiles, health care, restaurants, retailers and much much more. 

For more information on participating or attending the show, call the Chamber at 773-2747, click here for a vendor information form or go to www.rutlandvermont.com.

Beat Boston And Save A Life

The American Red Cross Gift of Life Marathon will take place on December 21st (9:30am-6:30pm) at the Paramount Theatre in Downtown Rutland.  Thanks to the Gift of Life Rutland had held the New England record for a single day blood drive two times.  On September 11, 2010 Boston beat the record held by Rutland by collecting 1,177 pints last month at Fenway Park.  Call now (1-800-RED-CROSS) to schedule an appointment to donate blood and help beat Boston. 

November Chamber Mixer

A large crowd was on hand at the November Chamber Mixer held at Casella Waste Systems new Customer Care Center in Rutland. 

Competitive Edge Seminar A Success!
The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce held a seminar on increasing your competitive edge and retail marketing techniques on November 17th at Franklin Conference Center.  The presenter was  Leanne Tingay of the Vermont Downtown Program.  The seminar focused on techniques to increase your share of business in the market place.   Special thanks to our co-sponsor Catamount Radio.

Workers' Comp Corner

Timeley Payments of Workers' Compensation Medical Bills (Part 2 of 2)

H.444 provides a definition of medically necessary care - see 21 V.S.A. §601(27). It also adds a new section to Title 21 (§640a). That section establishes timely payment of medical bills requirements for workers’ compensation claims.

4. The bill stipulates that a medical bill must be submitted in legible form with every field or data element relevant to the treatment completed and treatment coding that conforms to the criteria of the National Correct Coding Initiative.

5. The bill establishes a 12% annual interest rate for unpaid medical bills. It also clarifies that a physician is able to bring a complaint against an insurance carrier to the Department of Labor.

6. The bill also allows the Commissioner of the Department of Labor to assess penalties against the employer or insurance carrier that fails to comply with provisions of sections and permits the Commissioner to refer to the BISHCA Commissioner if the insurance carrier neglects or fails to pay medical bills as required.

Workers' Comp Corner is sponsored by Poulos Insurance: For more information or rates on Workers' Compensation or any other business insurance contact Chuck Rose at Poulos Insurance, 802-775-4443

Membership Directors Update-Joan Hill

Hi Everyone,

The new Perk Cards for 2011 will be distributed soon. Over 19,000 are distributed in Rutland County and this is a great way for you to showcase your business by offering a discount.  The Chamber does not charge for the listing, but asks that you offer the discount for at lease 1 year. Click here for a link to the current  Perk Card Discounts.

Join a committee, offer a Perk Card discount and get involved to receive the most benefits from your Chamber.  I look forward to seeing you all at the Holiday Mixer at Heritage Family Credit Union (30 Allen St. location) on December 14th.

Have a Happy Holiday and Safe and Happy New Year.

Welcome New Members

Bennington Furniture
Michael Fiacco
17 Business Rt. 4
Center Rutland, VT  05736
Ph: 802-773-2703 Fax: 802-773-0278
www.benningtonfurniture.com
Vermont’s largest full service home furnishing store. 
We carry Sealy Stearns & Foster, Temper pedic
mattresses.  Over 100 different furniture, flooring and
window treatment vendors.

Craig Pelky Disaster Recovery, Inc.
Craig Pelky
3162 US Route 7
Pittsford, VT  05763
Ph: 802-483-9556 ~ 877-765-6340
Email: cpdisasterrecovery@yahoo.com
24 hour emergency service for water remediation,
sewage cleanup and temporary heat and building board ups. 
Services include mold remediation, odor control and carpet
cleaning.  Fully insured and certified for water, mold and lead
remediation to industry and EPA standards.

Engineering Services of Vermont, LLC
Claus Bartenstein
128 Merchants Row, Suite 209
Rutland, VT  05701
Ph: 802-855-1136 or 802-855-1010
Email: claus.bartenstein@esvtllc.com
www.esvtllc.com
Mechanical-Electrical Consulting Engineers

Laurie Anne Coombs, MSW, LICSW
39D Center St.
Brandon, VT 05733
Ph: 802-282-1786
Email: coombs.laurie@yahoo.com
Individual private practice.  A seasoned clinician offering
over twenty years of experience in Behavioral Mental Health.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Doug Aust
60 Route 7 South
Rutland, VT 05701
Ph: 802-773-0677
Offers a full aray of preventative services to help keep
your car running at peak performance. We want to be your
comprehensive preventative maintenance partner.

Ed Allen-Allen Pools & Spas Named Retailer of the Year

Ed Allen of Allen Pools & Spa's; pictured with Bonnie Hawley, President, Vermont Retailers Association (owner Hawley's Florist)  was named the 2010 Vermont Retail Association Retailer of the Year at the Vermont Retail Association Awards Ceremony held on November 9th at Table 24 in Rutland.

New Location - Hannoush Jewelers

The ribbon is cut at the opening of the new location of Hannoush Jewelers.  The new location is open for your Holiday needs at 152 Woodstock Ave. in Rutland.

New Location - AT&T Mobility

The ribbon is cut at the store opening of AT&T Mobility's new 3,500 sq. foot location.  The expanded location is open for your Holiday needs at 476 Holiday Drive (near the Green Mountain Shopping Plaza) in Rutland Town.

News From Our Members

Annie's Book Stop will hold an author discussion and book signing for Vermont author Donald Thompson in celebration of his new book, Castleton Vermont on December 10th, 7 p.m., Annie's Book Stop, 170 South Main Street, free and open to the public, 802 775-6993.

Annie's Book Stop holds author discussion and book signing for Vermont author Megan Price and former Vermont game warden Eric Nuse in celebration of their new book, "Vermont Wild: Adventures of Vermont Fish & Game Wardens" on December 12th at 1 p.m., Annie's Book Stop, 170 South Main Street, free and open to the public, 802 775-6993.

Castleton Wind Ensemble performs concert in the Casella Theater at Castleton State College on December 6th, 8 p.m., free, 802-468-1479.

Castleton Jazz Ensemble performs concert of high power big band music as well as swing, rock, fusion, funk and ballads, Casella Theater Fine Arts Center on December 7th, 8 p.m., free, 802-468-1119.

Chaffee Art Center will hold the ArtHop Reception on December 10th, 5-8 p.m., 775-0356.

Chaffee Art Center will hold Open Studio Evenings - Come to the Chaffee to work in our studio, whether you are interested in printmaking, oil painting, pastels, emerging digital mediums. Each week beginning December 16th,  will be a beehive of creative energy, 16 South Main St., 5 – 8 p.m., non-members-$7/members-free. For more information call 775-0356

College of St. Joseph has named Tom O’Brien of O’Brien, Shortle, Reynolds, & Sabotka, CPA, the recipient of its “Commitment to Excellence” Award, presented annually at the CSJ Gala event, to be held February 25, 2011. O’Brien, of Rutland, is co-founder of his own business, has served as an Assistant Professor of Business at the college since 1975, and is active in the Rutland community.  O’Brien was chosen as the college’s award recipient because he has demonstrated excellence in his profession, has worked to make the community a better place, and has maintained the highest standards of personal and professional ethics. For more information call 802-773-5900 ext. 3290.

Downtown Rutland Partnership will host The Annual Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Rutland Friday, December 3rd at 6pm. The tradition continues with caroling, refreshments and much much more. After the tree is lit, Santa will visit with children to listen to their holiday wishes.

Grace Church will present Handel’s Messiah performed by Rutland Area Chorus, Soloists and Orchestra under the direction of Rip Jackson. Soloists are Marybeth McCaffrey, Amy Frostman, Jason Anderson and Keith Kibler. “Christians, Be Joyful”, the opening chorus from J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, will also be performed, December 5th, 3:30 – 4:50 p.m. and 7 – 8:30 p.m., 8 Court Street, Free will offering, 802-775-4301.

Killington Resort will host Rails to Riches December 11th, at the lower Highline at the base of K1 in Killington at 4:30pm. Elite skiers and riders will battle it out for a piece of the $15,000 purse at the Rails 2 Riches Jam. Skiers and riders will be competing in a jam format right at the base of K1. Don't miss your chance to watch these elite athletes compete under the lights!

Lakes Region Youth Orchestra performs Holiday Concert at on December 11th at Castleton State College, Casella Theater Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m., tickets: adults $10, children $5, family $26, 802-468-1119.

Okemo Mountain Resort will host SKI Magazine’s Super Demo and People’s Ski Test on Dec. 11th  and 12th. Representatives from more than a dozen major manufacturers will be at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Base Area to get skiers on next year’s gear and to get feedback from them when they finish putting all that equipment to the test. SKI editors and staff will be on hand as well. For more information call (802) 228-1600 or  go to okemo.com.

Okemo Mountain Resort is pleased to welcome Ted Austin as the Resort’s new vice president of marketing. Mr. Austin brings a vast knowledge of resort marketing and operations experience.    For more information about Okemo Mountain Resort, please call (802) 228-1600 or visit okemo.com.

Paramount Theater presents Writer and humorist Garrison Keillor on December 13th  at the Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St., 8 p.m., Tickets: $45.50 - $85.50 + tax, 775-0903.

RAVNAH will hold blood pressure ($2) and foot care ($5) clinics throughout December for a complete schedule go to RAVNAH.org or call  775-2304.

Rutland County Farmers’ Market Christmas Show will be held Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Dec. 4, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., College of St. Joseph, 71 Clement Rd., call Bob Murphy at 747-4403 after 6 p.m.

Rutland County Humane Society Benefit at Mr. Twitters, McKinley Ave., on Wednesday, December 8 from 5 – 7:30.  All attendees will get a 10% discount on purchases and RCHS will get 10% of the evening’s sales.  Start your holiday shopping early and support RCHS!

Rutland County Humane Society is hosting a job fair on Saturday, December 4 from 10 AM - 12 Noon at the RCHS shelter, 765 Stevens Road in Pittsford.  RCHS is looking for part time morning cleaning positions and afternoon customer service positions.  Weekends are required.  Come and complete an application and you may have an instant interview.  Please bring contact information for 2 references.  To learn more visit www.rchsvt.org.

Rutland Free Library will hold a book sale on December 8th,  4 - 8 p.m., 773-1860.

Rutland United Methodist Church will hold Bells of Joy Christmas Concert on December 10th, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., The Bells of Joy, directed by Karen James will present their 27th annual Christmas Concert. This concert will feature original hand bell compositions and adaptations of traditional Christmas carols, donation, 345-6759

Vermont Backroad Tours will again be doing "Christmas Light Tours" of the Rutland area in December. Tours are 2 hours and will be scheduled at 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Individual rates are $15 pp adults, children 12 and under $10. For groups you can reserve a private "Christmas Lights Party Bus Tour" with pick up at your location starting at $75 per hour with a minimum booking of 2 hours. The Party Bus can accommodate up to 15 and you can bring on your own food and drinks. Special arrangements can be made to include a "Christmas Lights Tour" into your holiday party. Call Kelly @ 802-345-8605 or go to www.vermontbackroadtours.com.

Vermont Holiday Festival December 9th-12th at The Snowshed Lodge in Killington. Enter into a world of magical holiday fun! Take in the smell of fresh balsam and create special memories with family & friends. Events include the Festival of Trees, with other 100 themed trees decorated by local businesses on display for viewing, horse drawn sleigh rides and Santa's Workshop-a satellite workshop of The North Pole, where children can help Santa build toys. For more information call the Killington Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-337-1928

Vermont Symphony Orchestra  and Chorus, under the direction of Robert De Cormier, will perform a festive celebration of the season. The theater will ring with two Glorias, two Hallelujahs, three spirituals, music from the court of King Henry VIII, excerpts from “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” and (of course!) an audience sing along. performs at the Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St. on December 12th, at 3 p.m., Adults $19-$29, Seniors $15-$24, Students $9, 775-0903

West Rutland will hold their Annual Tree Lighting, and Santa’s arrival on December 4th.  Refreshments, caroling and wagon rides. Please bring a plate of cookies to share, Town Hall, 35 Marble Street, 6:45 p.m., free, 438-2263.