Chamber Chat: Jan. 20

New members welcomed

The Corning Chamber of Commerce welcomes Lucero Olive Oil as a new member. They are located at 2120 Loleta Ave. in Corning; ph. 514-1088. Carol Fernandez is also welcomed as an individual member.

Workshops held at local gym

Fountain of Health is excited to announce that they will be hosting a Yoga Workshop from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at their 1415 Solano St. location. They are honored to share the instruction of Amaera Baylaurel who has recently returned from a month stay in India studying rejuvenated yoga from a world-renowned guru. Members, as well as drop-ins, are welcome to attend for a $20 fee.

Owner Patti Fountain said, "We are also excited to announce that we have added a cardio kettlebell workout to our circuit training. Our regular six - week yoga session will begin again on Sat. Jan. 30, at the usual 8:30 - 9:45 a.m., taught by Tami Lambeth. However, we don't stop there; we also offer chair massage Tuesdays - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., by Rose Tobish with Harmony Massage. This is a clothes-on massage. Come on in and start your New Year with a healthier new you."

Monthly events updated, hostess thanked

Thanks to Angela Polanco for hosting the monthly get together at the chamber office last Thursday evening. There was a nice turnout with lots of nice refreshments and door prizes. Our next monthly gathering will be at 8 a.m. Feb.11, for "Corning in the Morning," hosted by the Friends of the Library, at the Corning Library, 740 Third St.

Public invited to installation dinner

You still have time to get your reservation in for the Installation Dinner to be held Saturday at the Veteran's Memorial Hall. The no-host reception begins at 6 p.m. and the dinner is at 7 p.m.

The community is invited to join the Chamber of Commerce as they celebrate a new "Decade of Hope" which is the theme for this year's dinner. You will hear from the new president Barbara Landavazo of US Bank and the out-going president Linda Tousey of Bell Carter. There will also be some fine entertainment and the presentation of awards to worthy recipients.

If you are not a member and would like to attend, you may stop by the chamber office and pick up a reservation form. There are three choices for an entree: tri-tip, chicken or pork. Vegetarians may also chose a non-meat dish as well.

Chamber reports on economic conference

The 10th Annual Tri-County Economic Forecast Conference held Thursday at California State University, Chico, presented some excellent speakers on a variety of subjects.

The first three speakers spoke about the olive oil and olive business: Mr. Gregg Kelly, president and CEO of California Olive Ranch; Mr. Jamie Johansson, owner and farmer of Lodestar Farms; and Pat Campbell, vice president of Operations at Bell Carter Foods, Inc. Campbell said that 2009 has been an "interesting year for the olive industry."

Bell Carter is the number one producer of ripe black olives in the U.S and the world and they have 703 growers. The production is down from the 123,00 tons produced in 2005, and the 23,000 tons produced this past year. However, Campbell is anticipating a great 2010. The total employment of Bell Carter is 1,199, which includes the 350 - 400 employees in Corning. The financial impact is $52,000,000.

Information submitted by Valanne Cardenas, manager of the Corning Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at 824-5550 or corningchamber@sbcglobal.net.