Chamber Chat: Nov. 23

Getting ready for Corning's Christmas

Hometown Christmas is coming up Dec. 3, and there are lots of ways to participate.

To be in the Parade of Lights fill out form sent out, go to www.corningchamber.org and click on Corning Hometown Christmas, or stop by and pick one up at the office, 1110 Solano St.

Deadline for entries is Monday.

Craft booth space is also available inside and on the sidewalks, and the vendor applications are on the Web site or in the office.

Sponsor books are ready and will be distributed this week.

Those who would like to qualify for a chance to win a beautiful gift basket can participate in the Passport Program; using the sponsor book, visit each business listed on the Passport pages to receive a sticker which will go over the business' name in the book.

After receiving at least 30 out of 32 of the stickers, bring it to the chamber office to fill out a ticket for the free drawing.

Deadline for drawing entry is Dec. 8; the winner will be announced at the Christmas Mixer hosted by PremierWest Bank.

The winners of Christmas Tree Lane will also be announced at that time.

Some changes this year include:

• Santa will be arriving as usual on the fire truck at 1 p.m., but the photos with Santa will be taken at JVan Photography 1120 Solano St., (across the parking lot from the chamber office). For a 4X6 photo the price is $5, and they will be printed onsite. This is a great opportunity for a nice photo of children with Santa for a Christmas gift. There will be no pictures with Santa after the parade at the Memorial Hall, only during the day between 1:30- 4 p.m.

• The Knights of Columbus will join with the Corning Volunteer Fire Department to provide the pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall from 7-11 a.m. The Knights of Columbus sponsor Boy Scout Troop 62 and this is one of their annual fundraisers for the troop.

• The children's activities will be next to the chamber office in the parking lot, with petting zoo, stick horse rodeo, games with prizes, etc., and the free carriage rides will pick up and drop off passengers in front of the chamber office.

• The location of the Art Exhibit will be held at Bank of America, 1222 Solano St. There will be local artists showing their work from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

More Hometown Christmas news

Little Miss and Mister Christmas program will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, in the cafeteria at Woodson Elementary School, 150 N. Toomes Ave. This program is free and open to everyone.

Attention PT Cruisers owners: Join a group of Cruisers in the Hometown Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

To participate, contact Sherry Ingram at 824-6691.

This is a free entry, if entered with this group.

Evening affair fares well

A special thanks goes to The Coffee Club Bistro, for hosting Corning in the Evening Thursday.

About 30 people showed up for coffee, sandwiches and pastries and to meet Larissa Henson, who operates the business with her husband Christopher, and brother-in-law Michael Henson.

Co-owners Tina and Rob Henson were unable to attend.

New chamber members were also introduced during the evening: Omega Fashions' owner Fabiola River, co-owner and husband, Orland was unable to attend; and individual member Kate Linnet.

Some of the nominees for the Chamber Board of Directors were introduced; Eric Ludwig of Eric's Computer Solutions and Kate Linnet,

Every chamber member should have received a slate of nominees via email or by mail.

The club bistro serves breakfast and lunch, and will soon be serving dinners; watch for their announcement.

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