Business Highlights

China Buffet is attracting many customers as the "new place in town to eat". China Buffet, owned by Jiechen and Sherry Dong, is located in the Angle Acres plaza in Gas City (across from Kmart). China Buffet had its grand opening on Monday, August 22, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. and approximately 25 business leaders gathered to welcome the business and sample the buffet. China Buffet is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Carry out is available.

Basic Systems, located next door to the Chamber office, provides the world's finest IT systems and support for business and industry. Communication creates business and the computer connects you to your employees, customers and the world around you. "Let Basic Systems help develop those opportunities," says owner, David Kahkola. Basic Systems has the team to address hardware issues, program interface or custom software programming tailored to your needs around the office, plan, or the world.

"We welcome the opportunity to review your IT needs and work with you to develop effective solutions," says Dave. "We offer maintenance support contracts for your equipment and system, with guaranteed response time, fixed costs, reasonable rates, and much more. We also offer engineering consulting, concept and design, programming as well as provide industrial automation solutions, using Allen Bradley PLC's and components with Rockwell Software. Give us a call at 765-674-4822."
 

Ribbon Cutting

The Mayor was there… the Gas City Councilmen were there… the Marion General Hospital CEO, Dr. David Callecod, was there… the Historical Society was there… In fact, a great deal of the community came out to welcome the Gas City MGH Medical Center to the community. Twin City Healthcare even brought a bus of residents to the opening. The Diplomats greeted everyone with a smile and Payne's Custard and Coffee catered the event with delicious treats.

The medical center houses Dr. John Kennedy (family practice), Dr. B.D. Patel (internal medicine), Dr. Dharam Raj (internal medicine), as well as Occupational Health, Lab, and X-Ray services. Pegg Richards, Sports Lake Camping Resort, commented the Center will be great for campers as it is right around the corner. The office is located at 4781 S. Kay Bee Drive, Gas City. Phone numbers are listed to the right.

Family Practice
Dr. John Kennedy, 765-998-9970

Internal Medicine
B. D. Patel, M.D, 765-998-9980
Dharam Raj, M.D., 765-998-9985

Diagnostics, 765-998-9990
 

Directors Luncheon Report

Seventy-four visitors were greeted by Marilyn Brown, volunteer, and Jennifer Jones from J.A.R. Fireplace & Lumber on the registration desk. The Chamber is very thankful for Marilyn and Jennifer who volunteer to serve at the luncheon every month.

The August Director's Luncheon was blessed with the arrival of one cool cat, "Garfield." He didn't eat but did entertain the group. Pete Beck spoke about the Garfield Project and its positive impact. The Garfield in Gas City will be at the Library beside a gas derrick. He will be holding a book entitled "The City With A Future." A second Garfield statue will be at Exit 59 welcoming everyone to Grant County. All surrounding communities will have a Garfield statue featuring the personality of that City (i.e., Van Buren's will have a bag of popcorn and a globe delineating that they are the popcorn capitol of the world).

Donations may be made payable to the Community Foundation and earmarked "Garfield Project (City Name)" and mailed to 505 W. Third St., Marion, IN 46952. This project is not limited to communities and some businesses may choose to place a statue in front of their business in the future. He believes visitors will come to have their children/grandchildren photographed beside the cartoon character.

Brenda Jacoby, Better Business Bureau, gave some dependable tips and helpful information. Ever think about having only your initials printed on your checks so anyone stealing the checks would not know how to sign the check? Great idea!

Tracy Mandel from Twin City HealthCare announced that they are hosting a Hope & Loss Bereavement Group which will meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
 

Do You Know?

Who chased an unexpected, unwanted groundhog from their business?

Cell Phone Tidbits

Just a Reminder... 31 days from today, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. You will be charged for these calls. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: (888) 382-1222. It is the National Do Not Call list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.

Following the disaster in London... The Ambulance Service has launched a national "In case of Emergency (I.C.E.™)" campaign. The idea is that you store the word "I.C.E.™" in your cell phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency". In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly look at your mobile phone and find out who your first contact should be and be able to contact them. For more than one contact name use: I.C.E.1, I.C.E.2, I.C.E.3, etc

Donations

Thank you to:

• STAR Financial Bank - 2 Computers
• Sean Driscoll - DECA Student Meals
• Balloons & Toons & Gifts - Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting Bows