Country Roads Honored

Covers Featured in Art Gallery
Member of our Chamber, Country Roads, has been featured in a prominent art gallery in Covington. Recognized and award winning, Country Roads Magazine is a local creation that has been recognized broadly for it's style and art. This is just another example of recognition.

Publisher Dorcas Brown was pleased to let her friends and clients know that this honor has once again been given to the magazine. Jamie Fox-Smith continues to write interesting and witty script that sets the tone for each edition. We are proud to count them a member of our community and this Chamber! Congratulations to all at Country Roads!

Newsletter Items

The Whats And The Whys This newsletter goes out as a service to our members and is free to many others. It is our mission to support businesses in St. Francisville and West Feliciana Parish through this newsletter while keeping you informed as to many happenings across the parish. With this in mind, please send us news releases of achievements and recognitions that have come to you, our members.

In the coming New Year, we plan to include a featured member each week with a link to their website. Additionally, we plan to add a section referencing connections to your information on our Chamber's website.

The Communications Committee strives to balance the news you need with the promotion our members deserve. Thank you for your continued feedback as we make this an even better tool for our parish.

Search Executive Secretary

Send Your Resume' In Today!

The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce has begun a search for a new Executive Secretary. If you have the desire to serve our members and help to grow this terrific organization, please submit your resume' to sfchamber@bellsouth.net or drop it off at our office located in Town Hall. If no one is in the office, just slide it under the door.

Please remember as you respond that we are without anybody at this time and may not respond immediately.

Update Your Member Profile

Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce put a new website in place this year that has features to help it's members with a web presence. Designer and maintenance provider Blue Goose Media, did a great job creating the "Market Place" - one of the tools that can help spotlight our business members. Business members can place a Market Place ad in its appropriate category and include links to their own webpages. Click here to find out how this works and how to place an ad.

Another tool available to Chamber members is the online Chamber Directory. Need to contact other members? Need to know who provides the goods and services you need in West Feliciana? The online Chamber Directory is just what you need. It makes for a great bookmark this Holiday season!

It is important that members update their information on the Chamber Directory because its from these profiles that we select featured business of the week for placement in the newsletter. It's also important that our members know how to reach you at the speed of business. Learn more about updating your profile by clicking here.

Read on further, to see how the newsletter is used. Thanks to our Board members and Chamber members who participated in this upgrade that will help our many Chamber businesses!

Court House Solutions

Jury Aggressively Pursues Solutions The Court House continues to have air quality problems, but thanks to aggressive handling by the Police Jury, solutions are being brought to handle the problems by the responsible parties.

Thanks to the Police Jury and to Parish Manager Ambrose Sims for diligently handling this important issue that is getting much press.

Vibes in the Ville

Parker Park Popping...Almost! This past Saturday Grandmother's Buttons sponsored Christmas Carolling as a part of the Vibes in the Ville series. The weather changed on Saturday from mild and gentle to somewhat more seasonably correct which prompted postponement of the event.

More details as they develop!

BR Loop Progressing

Audubon Bridge, Loop Not To Be Connected
by Mike Smith, Chamber Governmental Relations Committee Chairman With last week's presentation of updated maps noting possible corridors for the Baton Rouge Loop project, it appears the loop will be built south of West Feliciana Parish. The updated maps were presented at a joint meeting of the loop's Stakeholder, Executive and Advisory Committees which I attended. As this article is written, the updated maps have not been uploaded here. However, I am told this will happen this week.

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden reported the project is currently 6 months ahead of schedule. A land use planner will be hired next month to begin planning how the new loop will interface with its surroundings. A final route is expected to announced by March, after a series of public meetings are held in late February. Click here for a complete calendar of the loop's Implementation Plan.

The $2 million cost of the Implementation Plan is paid for by East Baton Rouge Parish government. However, the entire process is managed by the parish presidents of the 5 surrounding parishes - EBR, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge and Iberville.

After a route is selected, the Implementation Phase of the project will end and the NEPA Process Phase will begin. This phase, which includes all of the government approvals necessary to begin construction, is expected to last at least 3 years. The current target date to being construction of the BR Loop is 2011.

So how is it that this project is on the "fast track?" One of the most important elements is the addition of new financing opportunities made available by the Legislature in its 2006 session. The Transportation Mobility Trust Fund legislation, coupled with Public-Private Partnership legislation, have allowed for toll revenues to be the driving force in assembling the monies necessary for mega-projects such as the 100+ mile BR Loop.

This kind of innovative thinking avoids having expensive (but much-needed) projects like this one gobble-up sizable chunks of traditional road dollars - leaving nothing for other road improvements across the state.

Your Chamber will continue to keep you updated on this, and other significant projects in our area.

Greetings! 12/17/07

Greetings!

To our everyone across The Felicianas, the Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

2007 was a year of growth and service for your Chamber. Looking ahead to 2008, the bar is set very high - and we're ready to meet the challenge. We are fortunate to live, work, worship and play in one of this Nation's greatest places. Your Chamber's goal is to continue exploring ways to help our area grow while preserving that which makes this area so very special.

2008 will be a very active year for West Feliciana Parish. Road construction on Highway 61 will begin, the Audubon Bridge will continue to take its final shape, and our new Police Jury will tackle issues important to us all. Meanwhile, our signature fairs, festivals, and other events will add to a quality of life second-to-none.

Along the way, your Chamber of Commerce will serve as your advocate - your voice - of West Feliciana Business.

With warmest Holiday Greetings,
The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce

Newsletter Items

The Whats And The Whys
This newsletter goes out as a service to our members and is free to many others. It is our mission to support businesses in St. Francisville and West Feliciana Parish through this newsletter while keeping you informed as to many happenings across the parish. With this in mind, please send us news releases of achievements and recognitions that have come to you, our members.

In the coming New Year, we plan to include a featured member each week with a link to their website. Additionally, we plan to add a section referencing connections to your information on our Chamber's website.

The Communications Committee strives to balance the news you need with the promotion our members deserve. Thank you for your continued feedback as we make this an even better tool for our parish.

Search Underway For Next Chamber Executive Secretary

Send Your Resume' In Today!

The Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce has begun a search for a new Executive Secretary. If you have the desire to serve our members and help to grow this terrific organization, please submit your resume' to sfchamber@bellsouth.net or drop it off at our office located in Town Hall. If no one is in the office, just slide it under the door.

We thank Molly Porter for her service and wish her well.

Chamber President Appointed by Governor-elect Jindal

Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce President Miles Higgins has been selected by Governor-elect Bobby Jindal to serve on his transition team's Business Retention and Recruitment Committee. Miles reports that "the future of business and commerce in Louisiana looks to be very promising under this administation."

Congratulations to Miles!

Solitude Low Water Bridge Re-Opens

Good News For Residents & Tourists
The bridge is open! After a long wait it looks like the bridge that will serve as a connector of the east and west has opened for traffic. This is a great success for the Jury as it is professionally engineered and appears to be well built.

Besides serving the residents of Solitude, Jacko and surrounding areas, it is an important gateway to Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge. Tourists and other visitors can access the park through the town, rather than by-passing it! One vision being looked at is connecting the riverfront, Cat Island and St. Francisville in a way that could even include the soon-to-be-built Tunica State Preserve and Interpretive Center!

Thanks to the Police Jury for rebuilding this important link that can make this possible!

Christmas in the Country

Hot Time In The Old Town!
Christmas In The Country 2007 was a great success! Many comments about the warm weather aside, the beautiful day brought out the traffic. First, it seemed well organized, like an event that doesn't have to be reinvented can. Second, it seemed to be well managed. Finally, everyone participated - our wonderful residents, merchants and, of course, visitors from all over.

The singing by the many choirs and groups, the music of the Symphony and Angola, the lights, vendors as well as the food and the fun made for a memborable weekend.

Congratulations and thank you to all that made it possible. This is truly a signature event for our great parish.

Greetings!

Greetings!

In keeping with other elections throughout our state, the Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce will have a runoff! Elected to the Board are Mike Smith of Connect CallUSA and John Patrick of Patrick's Jewelers. There was a three way tie for the last two board of directors spots between Cathy Howard (Red Stick Armature), Kitty Martin (WFP Director of Tourism), and Janis Crutchfield (Bank of St. Francisville). You will be receiving a runoff ballot in the mail along with a brief bio on the three remaining candidates. Please return your ballot the the Chamber office prior to the end of the year.

As you may have read in last weeks newsletter, Molly Porter has resigned as the Executive Director of the Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce. On behalf of our members, the board would like to Molly for her time and effort. Molly will continue her law practice in St. Francisville and we wish her only the best. Interested candidates my submit a resume to the Chamber office or fax to 635-6717.

As we wrap-up 2007 we look forward to great things coming from your chamber in 2008!

Miles Higgins

Christmas Caroling

"Vibes in the Ville" Music Series Saturday, December 15th
The First Annual "Vibes in the Ville" Christmas Caroling will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 6:30 pm in the Gazebo at Parker Memorial Park on Commerce St. We will have sheet music and candles available, carolers need to bring their chairs and singing voices! We will be led by two great musicians, Nancy Ropollo and Robbie Gilmore. This event is being sponsored by the graciousness of GRANDMOTHER'S BUTTONS and is part of the "Vibes in the Ville" music series brought to you by Arts for All and the St. Francisville Main Street organizations. For more information call Lynn 635-3665 or Laurie 635-3873.

Christmas Wreaths

Women's Service League of St. Francisville Annual Christmas Wreaths Sale
Wreaths will be available in front of the WFP Library on Ferdinand St., and at Sage Hill Antiques opposite the post office, on Friday,December 7th through Sunday, December 9th. Proceeds benefit several philanthropies, including Jane C. Butterworth Park, Relay for Life, Young Life of West Feliciana Parish, West Feliciana Parish Food Bank, and West Feliciana Parish Public Schools.

Charitable Giving

ANNUAL TOY DRIVE
The Sixth Annual West Feliciana Food Pantry Toy Drive is now underway. Please drop off new unwrapped toys to the West Feliciana Parish Library or The Bluffs Clubhouse before the December 19th deadline. For more information, please call Kristi George at (225) 634-7590. Donate a toy and spread some holiday cheer!

FOOD BANK CONDUCTING HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

West Feliciana Parish Food Pantry is conducting a holiday food drive during December to meet the increased need for food items during holiday time. Non-perishable food items can be brought to the Edwards Jones office at 12232 Jackson Road, 1st United Methodist Fellowship Hall, or Grace Episcopal Church's Jackson Hall. Items such as canned vegetables, canned meats, rice, cereal, canned fruit and powdered milk are suggested.

Transitory Theater

A Merry Medieval Christmas
In it's fifth year now, the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre bring you its annual Christmas in the Country production, and this year you won't get cold watching the show! A Merry Medieval Christmas is a fun, up to date version of the medieval mystery plays. Traditionally these plays would be presented in sequence, on roaming carts. Over the course of a few days players would tell the entire story of the Bible. We won't make you sit through the whole thing, we'll just hit the highlights. We go from Creation to the Annunciation in about an hour, and you can sip warm cider while you watch! A Merry Medieval Christmas will run December 7th and 8th at 7:00 pm and December 9th at 2:00 pm at the Market Hall on Royal Street in St. Francisville. Tickets are $5 per person, available only at the door. Box office opens 6:30 pm, night of the show. Arrive early, seating is limited to 50 per show. For any questions or directions, check our website or e-mail us at sftheatre@gmail.com, or just call (225) 721-2124.

Read more

Donations Needed

Community-Wide Production of a Play by Arts for All, St. Francisville Transitory Theatre and the WFP School System
What "loved" furniture, lamps, jewelry, prints, paintings, collectibles, etc. do you wish to donate to a sale benefiting the community-wide production of a play?
The play and its production is a joint venture of the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre, Arts for All, and the West Feliciana Parish School System. The play's opening night is anticipated for summer 2008. Production commences in June 2008 when two-week workshops will be offered to the public on various aspects of theatre production, including acting and set design. These workshops will be free and open to all ages! But, in the meantime, we are raising money and looking for sponsors to make sure that this exciting event can happen! So ... tell all of your friends to think about what they would like to donate, and be sure to come and shop! The sale will be held during Christmas in the Country in the old Mosaic Garden building. All proceeds will go toward the summer 2008 play!

Tour of Homes

Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library
Sunday, December 9th
From noon to 5 pm the Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library presents: The Library Tour Of Homes. The owners of this year's contemporary homes are Shannon and Kevin Couhig, Shideh and Mike Hammack, Janice McDermott and Mark Chustz, and Carolyn and Cole Thornton. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased in advance or on Sunday at the West Feliciana Parish Library. For more information call 635-3364.

About the homes on tour

The Baton Rouge Symphony

St. Francisville Symphony AssociationSaturday, December 8th
It's Christmas in the Country and time for the St. Francisville Symphony Associations Spectacular Annual Christmas Concert featuring the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. The Brass and Percussion group will delight you with Christmas favorites. This wonderful event will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville on Friday December 7, 2007 at 7 pm. Following the performance, there will be a Dessert Reception in Jackson Hall, including the Famous Coffee Punch. Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville, by calling BRSO at 225-383-0500, or at the door. This concert typically sells out so be sure to get your tickets early.

Two Hundred Years of Tinsel and Lights

St. Francisville Christmas in the Country
December 7th-9th
Come celebrate St. Francisville's Christmas Festival where the historic district is illuminated in tiny white lights. Activities include a live nativity scene, vintage dancers, strolling & gospel choirs, and of course, the Children's Christmas Parade sponsored by the St. Francisville Women's Service League. Santa will be riding in a sleigh pulled by Louisiana State Penitentiary's Percheron draft horses. The Parade's Grand Marshall will be David St. Romain, a finalist in the 2007 Nashville Star Competition, who will also be performing at Parker Memorial Park at 4 pm.

Chamber's Calendar

Read more

Greetings 12/03/07

The turnout for the Parishwide Planning Workshop held at Hemingbough last week was just spectacular. The importance of community involvement in this process can not be overstated. I'm looking foward to Fregonese Associates' return visit where I hope to see the 3D "Fly-Through" videos of how our plans might look once implemented. You can view some of their "Fly-Through" videos for other cities, towns and communities by clicking the following link:

Fregonese 3D modeling

I'm not sure how smoothly I can segue from hi-tech savvy to old fashioned fun, but for my family, this weekend is all about Christmas in the Country. It's one of our "new" family traditions -- strolling over to Town Hall on Friday evening to hear the First Baptist Church Children's Choir, watching Mayor L'Aquila light the Town Tree, and we all just love the fireworks that come next. The annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Women's Service League is the undisputed highlight of Saturday's festivities. Even so, the whole day is booked solid, starting with breakfast with Santa, followed by one activity, event or performance after another.

I must also report that this will be my last newsletter. I have loved being the Chamber's Director, and above all, writing this newsletter. The Chamber has strong leadership in Miles Higgins, a wonderful and truly active Board, and this decision could only have been made with reluctance. Nevertheless, I have had to accept that the conflicting demands of other employment make it simply impossible for me to devote the time to the position that the Chamber deserves. But, I have truly enjoyed the time I had.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone,

Molly McGraw Porter,
Executive Director, Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce

RBS News

Audubon Cable Channel 20 Tune in to AUDUBON CABLE CHANNEL 20 to catch up on all the events we
have been covering since May -- plus a few extra features! If you like what you see, please give us your feedback via email customerservice@rbs100.comor at our website. In addition, be sure to let the cable company know how you like our programming as well. A few of our features airing now...

• Angola Rodeo
• High School Football Games
• Graduation Ceremonies from May, 2007
• Audubon Bridge Project
• Various community events such as The Day the War Stopped, Cruisin' in the Country, and the Bird Festival.
• and many more...

RBS website

Business Networking and Training Conference

Small Business Networking and Training Conference

The Defense Energy Support Center's Small Business Networking and Training Conference will be held on December 11, 2007 from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm at the Baton Rouge Marriott, 5500 Hilton Avenue Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808. The conference is free but the deadline for registration is December 7, 2007. For small companies, this conference is an excellent opportunity to learn about various programs within DESC and potential contracting opportunities.

For more information

Online registration

Transitory Theatre

A Merry Medieval Christmas In it's fifth year now, the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre bring you its annual Christmas in the Country production, and this year you won't get cold watching the show! A Merry Medieval Christmas is a fun, up to date version of the medieval mystery plays. Traditionally these plays would be presented in sequence, on roaming carts. Over the course of a few days players would tell the entire story of the Bible. We won't make you sit through the whole thing, we'll just hit the highlights. We go from Creation to the Annunciation in about an hour, and you can sip warm cider while you watch!

A Merry Medieval Christmas will run December 7th and 8^th at 7:00pm and December 9th at 2:00pm at the Market Hall on Royal Street in St. Francisville. Tickets are $5 per person, available only at the door. Box office opens 6:30pm, night of the show. Arrive early, seating is limited to 50 per show. For any questions or directions, check our website or e-mail us at sftheatre@gmail.com, or just call (225) 721-2124.

Read more

News Clippings

WFP and St. Francisville in the News

James Minton of The Advocate reports that the West Feliciana Parish Port Commission accepted a draft feasibility and planning study for port facilities on the Mississippi River in the southern part of the parish.

Prepared by Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, the report suggests five possible avenues of development, gives cost estimates for each and highlights the assets and liabilities of the entire 2,000-acre area included in the study. The possible options are a business/industrial park, a bulk storage and shipping area, a refinery, a heavy manufacturing site and a multi-use site that includes a heavy manufacturing plant and a light industrial park.

Read more

James Minton of The Advocate reports that the new Solitude low-water bridge has opened. West Feliciana Parish Manager Ambrose Sims reports that people were riding back and forth over the new Solitude low-water bridge last Tuesday to celebrate the reopening of the Mahoney Road route between St. Francisville and Solitude.

Bayou Sara's rushing waters uprooted the bridge's concrete spans in December 2005, but on Tuesday "low water" was a fitting description for the stream's flow.

Read more

St. Francisville History

St. Francisville Historian at WFP Library

Sunday, December 2nd, 3:30 p.m.

Our own award-winning local historian, Libby Dart, will be at the West Feliciana Parish Library on Sunday, December 2, at 3:30 p.m. This is a change from the original scheduled date of November 29.

Ms. Dart will present an overview of St. Francisville's history, with a slide presentation. Call Milly at 784-0260 to reserve your spot.

Wreaths Sale

Women's Service League of St. Francisville
Annual Christmas Wreaths Sale

Wreaths will be available in front of the WFP Library on Ferdinand St., and at Sage Hill Antiques opposite the post office, on Saturdays and Sundays, November 24, 25, December 1, 2, and December 7-9. Proceeds benefit several philanthropies, including Jane C. Butterworth Park, Relay for Life, Young Life of West Feliciana Parish, West Feliciana Parish Food Bank, and West Feliciana Parish Public Schools.

Christmas Festival

St. Francisville's Christmas Festival

December 7th -9th

Come celebrate St. Francisville's Christmas Festival where the historic district is 
illuminated in tiny white lights. Some of the activities include a live nativity,
vintage dancers, strolling & gospel choirs, and of course, the Children's Christmas
parade.  
 
A complete schedule is available on the Chamber's Calendar.  
 
See Schedule of Events
 
Merchant's participating in the Christmas Festivities, many offering special holiday
sales and/or events, can be found at the St. Francisville Festivals website.
 
See Participating Merchants' Specials

Ballots Due Dec. 1

Board Member Election Ballots Due December 1st Ballots for the election of Members to the Chamber's Board of Directors should have been received by the membership and are due back, with your vote, by December 1st. If you have not received a ballot, please send an e-mail to sfchamber@bellsouth.net.

Planning Meeting

Parishwide Workshop at Hemingbough

The public is invited to attend the parishwide workshop on Thursday, November 29 at Hemingbough. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

This is for all districts combined.


Participants will gather at tables of 10 people and play a "game" designed to allow residents to easily show their hopes and desires for the future. This game uses a map of the entire parish to represent the 'board' and "game pieces" representing different development options, such as, housing, mixed-use, office, park, etc. The parish land use choices will be illustrated with real-world examples, so that participants will understand the character of the development implied, and the affect it could have on their community.



The workshop will challenge participants with the task of deciding where new growth should and should not occur within the parish, the general form that new growth should take, and the type of transportation system needed to serve it, as well as highlighting opportunity areas for change.


This is a fun community event, and we need your participation and input!

Learn more

Nov.25 Greetings

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And, now, the holiday shopping season is upon us. Please remember when you are out buying gifts for those on your Christmas and Hanukah gift list, to THINK ST. FRANCISVILLE!

Now this is just a personal story, but even when I lived in Baton Rouge, I always did my holiday shopping here in St. Francisville. Why? Because it brought home the spirit of Christmas. St. Francisville has so many wonderful stores with such a varied and beautiful array of gifts, I could easily find something (or several somethings) for everyone on my list. But unlike an excursion to a shopping center or mall, here in St. Francisville the mood was festive and relaxed, I loved the beauty of the town, the store owners and their staff were friendly and helpful, and my fellow shoppers courteous and gentle. No mall can offer that -- and, especially not at a discount!

Enjoy at home what others must travel for -- do your shopping in St. Francisville!

Season's Greetings from the Chamber,
Molly McGraw Porter, Executive Director

RBS - Local Coverage

Audubon Cable Channel 20
Tune in to AUDUBON CABLE CHANNEL 20 to catch up on all the events we have been covering since May -- plus a few extra features! If you like what you see, please give us your feedback via email customerservice@rbs100.comor at our website. In addition, be sure to let the cable companyknow how you like our programming as well.

See website

St. Francisville Transitory Theater

A Merry Medieval Christmas
A Merry Medieval Christmas will run December 7th and 8th at 7:00pm and December 9th at 2:00pm at the Market Hall on Royal Street in St. Francisville. Tickets are $5 per person, available only at the door. Box office opens 6:30pm, night of the show. Arrive early, seating is limited to 50 per show. For any questions or directions, check our website or e-mail us at sftheatre@gmail.com, or just call (225) 721-2124.
See website

News Clippings

WFP and St. Francisville in the News
James Minton reports in the Nov. 18th edition The Advocate that the police jury is considering two petitions from developers asking them to create special community development districts ("CDD"). The police jury accepted a petition asking it to create the Woodhaven district at its Nov. 8 meeting and the petition for the Bluffs Community Development District on Nov. 13. The Legislature authorized the special districts in 2001. A CDD can borrow development funds by issuing tax-free bonds that would later be repaid through assessments collected from the development's site buyers. These funds can only be spent on public infrastructure.
Public hearings on the proposals will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 18.Read more

The Business Staff for the November 16th edition of Advocate reports that Tembec hopes to find a new operator by 2008 for a St. Francisville area paper mill that ceased production in July. No firm deal has been identified, though Tembec has hired Finnish consultant Jaakko Poyry to do a global search for prospects. Read more

Families in Need of Assistance

Your Donations Help FINA Help Others
Families in Need of Assistance (FINA) is asking your organization to consider a donation to FINA. Many public parish entities, local churches, and businesses such as yours share a common bond in caring for the less fortunate. FINA was founded to help coordinate these services by discouraging, and in some cases eliminating, duplication of services to the same families, our funds go further to help more families in need.

A list of organizations represented on the FINA board is listed below:

West Feliciana Parish School Board Central Office Happi Llandiers
West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Department Quad Area Agency
West Feliciana Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Rotary Club
West Feliciana Ministers' Conference Grace Episcopal Church
First Baptist Church Healing Place Church
West Feliciana Middle School Women's Service League
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic
SF United Methodist Church

The FINA board oversees the expenditure of any funds, and no individual is given money directly. Appropriate documentation is obtained to ensure applicants for assistance are truly in need. Since its founding in the fall of 2005, FINA has helped numerous families and supported in their endeavors other community groups who serve families. We hope this coordinated effort will lessen the number of requests for assistance that our organizations and businesses receive individually.

Please feel free to contact a board member directly for further information. Donations may be made payable to FINA and mailed to:

Families in Need of Assistance (FINA)
Attn: Mike Clark or Jesse Perkins
P.O. Box 1910
St. Francisville, LA 70775

Thank you for your support in this endeavor.

Macy's Parade

Captain of WFHS Fleur de Lis Dance Team Wins Invitation to NY Parade
by Molly McGraw Porter
Sabrina Spencer, a senior at West Feliciana High School and captain of the its Fleur de Lis Dance Team, will be performing at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York with the Universal Dance Association (UDA).

According to NBC's broadcast schedule, their coverage of the parade begins at 8 a.m. (our time), with Sabrina and her dance team appearing immediately after the 10th commercial in the telecast, or in more meaningful terms, right after the Snoopy balloon.

Sabrina won this honor when her dance team represented West Feliciana Parish at Dance Camp in Hammond, Louisiana. Sabrina recieved the honor of becoming the UDA Drill-Down Queen, the UDA All-Star Dancer, and her invitation to participate in the Parade, after winning out over 600 competitors from across Mississippi and Louisiana.

Parishwide Workshop

Parishwide Workshop at Hemingbough
by Molly McGraw Porter
The public is invited to attend the parishwide workshop on Thursday, November 29 at Hemingbough. Registration for this hands-on workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Participants will gather at tables of 10 people and play a "game" designed to allow residents to easily show their hopes and desires for the future. This game uses a map of the entire parish to represent the 'board' and "game pieces" representing different development options, such as, housing, mixed-use, office, park, etc. The parish land use choices will be illustrated with real-world examples, so that participants will understand the character of the development implied, and the affect it could have on their community.

The workshop will challenge participants with the task of deciding where new growth should and should not occur within the parish, the general form that new growth should take, and the type of transportation system needed to serve it, as well as highlighting opportunity areas for change.

This is a fun community event, and we need your participation and input!

Learn more

Greetings!

Congratulations to the winners of the runoff elections for the Police Jury seats, Lea Reid Williams for District 1 and Ken Dawson for District 6. Also, a special thanks to Butch Jones for his years of service to the Police Jury, as well as to all who ran.

Many thanks also to the teams, hole sponsors, and participants who turned out for the annual Swing for Scholarships Golf Tournament held last Monday at The Bluffs. With 21 teams competing, the Chamber met its funding goals for the scholarship. Special thanks go out to the Chamber's Chair for this event, Clay Pinson, our President, Miles Higgins, and to Michael Clarke and The Bluffs, for making this Tournament such a great success.

One last note on the election of nominees to the Chamber Board - biographies of each of the candidates will be posted to the Chamber's website later this week.

Go to Chamber's website

A Happy Thanksgiving to All,

The Board and Staff of the St. Francisvile Chamber of Commerce

Future of Energy

Future of Energy is Topic

by BR Buisness Report - Steve Clark - Nov. 8, 2007

How Louisiana and the United States will meet exploding energy needs is the focus of a town hall meeting being hosted by the LSU Center for Energy Studies and ConocoPhillips at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 13th at the Baton Rouge River Center. Baton Rouge residents and those of the nearlying parishes are invited to discuss the future of energy as part of a Conversation on Energy, a public outreach program that will include local business and industry leaders in addition to ConocoPhillips' David Dismukes, a professor and associate director of the center, who will serve as moderator. Baton Rouge is the 33rd stop on the ConocoPhillips national "listening tour." Registration is free and begins at 6:30 p.m. Validated parking will be available at the east and west garages at Government and St. Louis streets. Seating is limited. Register in advance at conocophillips.com or call (888) 877-5917.

Police Jury Notes

Police Jury Actions and Postings to Chamber Calendar

by Molly McGraw Porter

The WFP Police Jury accepted a land donation for a new parish library Thursday and agreed to restore the tower clock in the 1903 Courthouse. Sally Thomson Parker of Union, S.C. donated the 4.6-acre tract on Burnett Road adjacent to the town's ball park, but Parker stipulated in the act of donation that the land not be used to expand the athletic fields.

20th JDC Judge George H. Ware, Jr., asked the jury to spend approximately $50,000 to restore the tower clock by contracting with Manhattan, Kansas' expert David Seay. Seay will be in town next month to evaluate and propose a firm bid for the restoration work. Earlier restoration efforts "did more harm than good," said Judge Ware.

read Advocate article

The police jury agenda is now a regularly posted item in the Chamber's Calendar. The next meeting, a continuation of this earlier meeting on November 8th, is on November 13th.

see Calendar

Wine Tasting

St. Francisville Inn's Wine Parlor
The St. Francisville Inn's Wine Parlor is hosting a Wine Tasting on Thursday, November 15, 2007 starting at 6 p.m. We will sample 15 to 20 different wines we think you will enjoy for the Holidays. We provide stemless glassware, if you want to bring your favorite stem please feel free to do so.
The price is $9.00 per person.

Parish Planning

District Meetings and Parishwide Workshop Schedule

by Molly McGraw Porter

Fregonese Associates, a planning firm based in Portland, Oregon, is developing a parishwide comprehensive plan for the Police Jury. A series of meetings throughout West Feliciana Parish has been set to provide information and gain citizen support for this comprehensive planning effort currently underway. "This series of meetings will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss concerns such as housing, transportation, growth and development. The plan will provide a road map to help the parish accommodate residents of all ages and incomes," said Parish Planning and Zoning Administrator Nancy Jensen.

The Next Scheduled Meetings are:

Mon., Nov. 12 5: 30 p.m. West Feliciana Parish Community Center 10498 Highway 965/District 7

Thurs., Nov. 15 5:30 p.m. Lake Rosemound Fire Station 5140 Rosemound Loop/District 6 & eastern portion of District 4


The public is also invited to attend the parishwide workshop on Thursday, November 29 at Hemingbough. Registration for this hands-on workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m. This meeting will allow residents to use maps to chart various future growth alternatives for the parish. The workshop will challenge stakeholders with the task of deciding where new growth should and should not occur within the parish, the general form that new growth should take, and the type of transportation system needed to serve it, as well as highlighting opportunity areas for change.

read more

LSU Education

LSU Continuing Education Coming to St. Francisville

Wednesday, November 14, 2007-1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

St. Francisville Inn- 5720 Commerce Street

Join us for an informal session to learn more about LSU Continuing Education Programs and to explore future opportunities in the St. Francisville area.

· Meet program representatives from LSU

· Learn about interesting LSU programs that could be presented locally

· Enjoy free refreshments

· Meet others with similar interests in our area

For more information, please call

Julia @ LSU at (225) 578-5076 or

Lloyd Lindsey @ West Feliciana Parish Schools at (225) 635-3891

Education in SF

Information Session on Local Program Planning

by Molly McGraw Porter

St. Francisville Inn · November 14 · 1:30 to 3:30 pm

The LSU Continuing Education department will be presenting an informal session to learn more about LSU Continuing Education programs and to explore future program opportunities in the St. Francisville community:

· Meet program representatives from LSU

· Learn about interesting LSU programs that could be presented locally

· Enjoy free refreshments

· Meet others with similar interests in your area

More information will be in next week's newsletter. In the meantime, for more information, call Julia at 578-5076 or visit their web site at www.outreach.lsu.edu

Schedule for 200years

Celebrating 200 Years

A Main to Main Event

FRIDAY-NOVEMBER 9, 2007 6:00 p.m.-Book Signing "THE SPIRIT OF ST. FRANCISVILLE" by local author Anne Butler, photographer Darrell Chitty, with works by painter Murrell Butler -Old Market Hall-Royal Street 8:00 p.m.- Music at the Magnolia Café on Commerce Street- "A Band Named Sue" SATURDAY-NOVEMBER 10, 2007 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.- FELICIANA STITCHERS QUILT SHOW AND SALE-Come by Parker Park to shop for that special quilt and to watch the stitchers make these beautiful one of a kind pieces of work. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.-ARTS AT THE MARKET-Birdman Coffee & Books on Commerce Street- The Arts For All members are displaying their work all month long. 10:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.-HAPPY 200 YEARS IN ST. FRANCISVILLE-Pick up your birthday card at one of the following participating stores to receive your 10% discount. Fill in the back, drop off at any participating store to be eligible for the drawing. Stores: Border Imports, Britches & Stitches, Grandmother's Buttons, Harrington Gallery, Hillcrest, Historical Society Museum, The Massage Clinic, Sage Hill, The Shanty Too, Wine Parlor, Tommy Savage Books, and The Vintage Store. 7:00 p.m.-DATE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES- Mom and Dad, get a babysitter and join us at the 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street to watch Hillary Swank on the big screen in the movie that was filmed right here in St. Francisville. Admission is one canned good for the WFP Food Bank. 7:00 p.m.-DYLAN SNEED will be performing at the Birdman Coffee and Books on Commerce Street SUNDAY-NOVEMBER 11, 2007 2:30 p.m.-SCHOOL DAYS AT JULIUS FREYHAN HIGH SCHOOL-Fidelity Street. All Veterans are Welcome and will be honored by the WFHS NJROTC Color Guard. There will be Oral Histories of Days Gone By from past graduates. The Auditorium will host a Reception with the WF Community Choir and to top off the afternoon, there will be a Black and White Photo Exhibit celebrating THE SPIRIT OF ST. FRANCISVILLE 200 YEARS. Come spend the afternoon with us at this splendid Old School.

Parishwide Planning

District Meetings and Parishwide Workshop Schedule by Molly McGraw Porter

Fregonese Associates, a planning firm based in Portland, Oregon, is developing a parishwide comprehensive plan for the Police Jury. A series of meetings throughout West Feliciana Parish has been set to provide information and gain citizen support for this comprehensive planning effort currently underway. "This series of meetings will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss concerns such as housing, transportation, growth and development. The plan will provide a road map to help the parish accommodate residents of all ages and incomes," said Parish Planning and Zoning Administrator Nancy Jensen. The Next Scheduled Meetings are: Monday, November 5 5:30 p.m. West Feliciana High School Auditorium Thursday, November 8 District 4 5:30 p.m. Tunica Fire Station, 15804 Tunica Trace The public is also invited to attend a workshop on Thursday, November 29 at Hemingbough. The Hemingbough meeting will begin with registration at 5:30 p.m. and the workshop at 6 p.m.

Golf Tournament

Swing for Scholarships

Chamber of Commerce's Golf Tournament Held; Nov. 12, 2007 Location: The Bluffs Country Club For more information and online registration visit our website.

Sign up now >>> 4 Person Scramble!

$500 Team $200 Sponsorship

(Spot in Tournament) (Hole sponsorship and Banner Recognition)

Registration & Range Open at 10:30 Shot Gun Starts at 12 Noon

Lunch Buffet Begins at 11:00 Awards Ceremony to Follow

Registration forms available at our website: www.stfrancisvillechamber.com

and can be submitted on-line or by fax to (225) 635-9455