Chamber Honors Ambassador of the Year

Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber Membership Manager Danielle Workman (left) congratulates Laurie Tennent of Laurie Tennent Studio for being honored as the Chamber's Ambassador of the Year at the 66th Annual Meeting breakfast at Birmingham Athletic Club.

Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber names new board

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber has named Jeffrey Lance Abood, Kelly Lewis, Kim Luebke and Robert Pliska as new board directors for 2014. The appointments were made at the chamber’s November Board of Directors meeting.

“We are very pleased and grateful to have four such outstanding business leaders join the chamber board of directors,” said chamber President Joe Bauman. “We look forward to working with Bob, Kelly, Jeffrey and Kim, and the chamber no doubt will be a stronger organization because of their service to the chamber and the greater Birmingham-Bloomfield business community.”

Abood is owner of the Birmingham-based Abood Law Firm. He graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a doctor of law. Abood is also general counsel for the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.Lewis specializes in laser therapy as the owner and operator of Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham, where her treatments help control smoking and weight related issues. She has obtained degrees in both exercise science and exercise physiology and previously worked as cardiovascular risk specialist at Bristol Myers Squibb. She has shared her time with the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber since 2008.Luebke serves as director of account services and partner at Brogan & Partners, a marketing and advertising agency in Birmingham. With a bachelor of arts degree in marketing and advertising and a history with the agency, she has become responsible for the marketing and account managing of business clients such as The Honey Baked Ham Company and Comcast.

Pliska is the managing director and owner of the Birmingham franchise of Sperry Van Ness | Property Investment Advisors, LLC, a commercial real estate and investment real estate firm. In his 35 years of experience, he has served local and national organizations as a speaker, author, radio guest, panelist and social media expert.

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber is a membership organization dedicated to promoting the economic development, strengthening the business climate and improving the quality of life in Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and Franklin, Mich. For more information, visit www.bbcc.com

Kelly Lewis

Jeffrey Lance Abood

Robert Pliska

Kim Luebke

LEND A HAND TO OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season?
Here's just a few local nonprofits that can use a hand.
For a complete list of our Nonprofit Partners, click here.

American Diabetes Association Mary Riegle 300 Galleria Officentre, Suite 111, Southfield, MI  48034 (248) 433-3830  www.diabetes.org/detroit          As the nation's leading organizing dedicated to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes research and programs, we need individual and corporate volunteers to help us raise awareness and funds.  Office and event volunteers are needed throughout the year; committee and volunteer leadership opportunities available to those who can help accelerate our mission.

Birmingham Area Senior Center (BASCC) Renee Cortright 2121 Midvale Street, Birmingham, MI  48009 (248) 203-5270 Share the Spirit The Birmingham Area Senior Center (BASCC) invites you to "Share the Spirit" with seniors in our community.  In 2012, BASCC touched the lives of more than 40,000 area seniors through Supportive Outreach Services which includes: Transportation, Information and Referral, Medical Equipment Loans, and Support Groups plus social, fitness and enrichment programs. Visit the BASCC website at www.bascc.org

Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center Annie VanGelderen 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham MI 48009 (248) 644-0866 Shop & Champagne Dec. 4, 6:30-9pm.  This preview party for the BBAC's Holiday Shop, kicks off the season with an elegant menu created by local chefs & restaurants, plus champagne, music & art. 10% off all purchases. Tickets start at $70; visit BBArtCenter.org. Supports educational & access programming.

Birmingham Education Foundation Laura Couger 31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025 (248) 203-3030 Birmingham Education Foundation Annual Fund Campaign & Unabashed Bash The Birmingham Education Foundation is Paving the Way for Inspiration in Birmingham Public Schools. Donors become part of a community supporting Birmingham teachers and students in key focus areas: academics, art, STEM, athletics.  The VEX Robot project represents enrichment activities occurring all throughout our district; made possible by contributions from caring individuals like you.  Learn more at www.supportbef.org

Birmingham Rotary Club Bryan Frank  725 South Adams, Suite 135 (248) 644-8818  BBSO Rotary Benefit Concert 8 PM December 6th at Christ Church Cranbrook; The Seasons concert put on by the BBSO to benefit the Birmingham Rotary Club. Tickets are $50 each or 2 for $90. Proceeds go towards clean water wells around the world. Each well costs $6,500 and lasts for 20 years. Donations also appreciated. 2014 Masters Raffle/Cash Raffle: Tickets are $100 each. 1st Prize is a trip to the masters or $5,000 cash prize, includes up to 24% taxes paid for prize. 2nd Prize is $1,000. 3rd Prize is $500. Only 400 tickets available. Drawing held March 13, 2014. Contact: Christine Winans (248) 505-1704

Birmingham Youth Assistance Diedra Righter / Nikki Keller 2436 W. Lincoln, Ste F102, Birmingham, MI 48009 (248) 203-4300 Red Raiser at Rojo Mexican Bistro "Red Raiser," hosted by BYA and Rojo, aims to raise awareness of BYA's work in the community and of our wonderful sponsors and partners. We are looking for door prizes and raffle items from businesses in our community to help enhance the evening's fun. Monday, December 2nd from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Bottomless Toy Chest Mickey Guisewite 735 Forest Ave., Suite 204 B, Birmingham, MI  48009  (248) 646-8931    The Bottomless Bowl Our second annual Bottomless Bowl will take place on November 7, 2014 from 7-10 p.m. at the Thunderbird Lanes in Troy. Please join us for a family fun evening of bowling, a great silent auction, and lots of other fun surprises. Visit www.bottomlesstoychest.org or call (248) 646-8931 for more info.

Child Safe Michigan Ashley Fell 30680 Montpelier, Suite 250 Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 353-0921 Holiday Card Campaign Please come by the Birmingham Community House show November 14-16th or the Birmingham Winter Markt December 6-8th to purchase holiday tribute cards. 85% of the proceeds go directly to children in need. You can also visit our website at www.childsafemichigan.org and click holiday giving to give the gift of charity this holiday season!

Common Ground Lenda Jackson 1410 S. Telegraph Rd.  Bloomfield Hills, MI  48302 (248) 451-3731 Common Ground's 24-hour Resource & Crisis Helpline Have you ever saved a life?  You can make a difference by volunteering at Common Ground's 24-hour Resource and Crisis Helpline! Our Crisis Helpline helps people move from crisis to hope by providing access to confidential crisis intervention, emotional support, debriefing, information and referrals by phone, via text or by webchat. Get involved! No experience required. We will train you.  Contact Rose Chisolm at (248) 456-8150 or email getinvolved@cghelps.org. For more information visit www.commongroundhelps.org and click volunteers under "about Common Ground."

The Community House Kathie Ninneman 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham (248) 644-5832 TCH Events in 2014 The Community House, is seeking volunteers to work for several fundraising events in 2014:  TCH Gala, March 15;  Farm to Table Block Party, September 6; Birmingham House Tour, September 25; OUR TOWN Art Show and Sale, October 8-11; Winter Holiday Gift Show, November 13 &14. All fundraising  events support TCH Outreach Programming for at risk youth.

Defeat the Label  Jamie Greene 6441 Inkster Rd.  Ste 160. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 (734) 536-1289 Defeat the Label, a 501 c3 non profit anti bullying organization is seeking the support of local businesses for our Anti Bullying Defeat the Label In Your School Programming, Anonymous Bully Reporting App and our 2013 Stand4Change Day, which encourages students to take a stand against bullying. More information about Defeat the Label is available at www.defeatthelabel.com

Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County 150 Osmun Street Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 338-1843  Year-End Appeal to serve low-income families in Oakland County this holiday season Since 1995, Habitat Oakland County has served over 165 families through building and rehabilitating homes in a dozen communities in Oakland County. These homes are provided for families living often in deplorable conditions and Habitat Oakland is there to give them a hand up. To become a home owner partner, families put in 300 hours of sweat equity in building or rehabbing their home and they also pay for their new home through monthly mortgage payments to Habitat...which allows the cycle to continue to provide homes for other deserving families.

Kids Kicking Cancer Cindy Cohen 27600 Northwestern Highway Suite 220 Southfield, MI 48034 Phone: (248) 864-8238 Welcome ongoing donations and volunteers Kids Kicking Cancer a 501c3 non-profit, uses martial arts therapy to empower and ease pain in children with serious illness. Services include martial arts classes & hospital interventions for patients & siblings. Kids learn breathing, relaxation techniques and martial arts. Cost-free program includes classes, uniforms, transportation & family support outings. www.kidskickingcancer.org

Manresa Jesuit Retreat House  Rita Tinetti www.manresa-sj.org (248) 644-4933 ex. *815   December 1 - OPEN HOUSE 3 to 6 PM. Carols, decorations and holiday treats. Free December 8 at 3 PM Concert - Cantate! an a cappella chamber ensemble. $25 includes an afterglow. December 9 at 1 PM - Advent Tea $15 248-644-4933 or www.manresa-sj.org Save the Date! Manresa's Leadership Banquet April 12, 2014 at Cranbrook Institute of Science

The Pink Fund Molly MacDonald PO Box 603 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303 (248) 505-5222 Looking for volunteers to help process files, manage thank you notes. Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Donations of manila file folders, gift cards for gas and food gratefully accepted and appreciated during holiday times.  May be mailed to the address above.

The Salvation Army Royal Oak Citadel (serving Southeast Oakland county) Captain Peter Mount 3015 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073 (248) 585-5600 We have many holiday volunteering opportunities, including: bell ringing, toy shop helpers, food box distribution, and even more! Please call for more information.

Sky Foundation, Inc. Sheila Sky Kasselman  33  Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suite 130 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (248) 978-9845 November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Learn more at skyfoundationinc.org

Variety the Children's Charity 600 South Adams Road, Birmingham MI 48009 (248) 258-5511 Variety will sponsor a Bikes for Kids Party on December 11. Bikes will be given to 150 deserving children. To sponsor a bike call Variety at (248) 258-5511. Variety also sponsors an adopt-a-family program. Needy children will be provided clothing and toys.

Wish Upon a Teen Laura Hansen, Program and Events Coordinator 36880 Woodward Avenue. Ste. 106. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (248)792-2938   Wish Upon a Teen- Design My Room Program Wish Upon a Teen requests the following items; New bedding, sports memorabilia, new rugs, wall decals and/or gift certificates to Target, Kohl's, etc. For use in our Design My Room Program for teens with terminal, life limiting or chronic conditions that require long-term hospitalization. For more information, please visit www.wishuponateen.org

Thanksgiving is a special time

I love Thanksgiving. For me, it’s a perfect holiday in that it is inclusive, family-centered, is not overly commercial and leaves religion out of the discussion.

More important, Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to reflect our lives and really think about all of the things we have to be thankful for. The only “gifts” exchanged on Thanksgiving are love and good times with friends and family.


On Dec. 5, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber will give thanks to two special individuals that go above and beyond to make our community a better place to live, work and play. Each year at our Annual Meeting, we name a Business Person of the Year as well as a First Citizen.

Linda Hatfiled, Birmingham Bloomfield Credit Union
2012 Business Person of the Year

The Business Person of the Year award acknowledges a Chamber member business leader who uses both their personal time and company resources to the benefit of our community. The First Citizen Award – which is presented in conjunction with the Birmingham Eccentric newspaper, acknowledges an individual who gives their time and talent to nonprofits and charitable organizations that work to improve the lives of those who need help the most.

Both awards are special to me personally. The Business Person of the Year award allows the Chamber to acknowledge and celebrate one of its loyal members, and I had the pleasure of presenting the First Citizen award for many years as former editor of the Birmingham Eccentric and pay much-deserved accolades to a quiet community leader who typically does not seek recognition for their efforts.
This year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for 8-9:30 on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Birmingham Athletic Club. Details can be found on the Chamber Web site at www.bbcc.com

Speaking of giving thanks, we all have a chance to thank our local business owners for supporting the community by heading to downtown Birmingham on Saturday, Nov. 30 to take part in Small Business Saturday. The event is intended to remind residents to “Shop Local” and support their local shopkeepers that do so much to support the greater community.


Many retailers throughout Birmingham have special events planned for the day, and shoppers will even be able to park for free at all meters downtown for the entire day. Other perks awaiting shoppers include Perks include complimentary carriage rides, live carolers, visiting Santa in Shain Park, and free cookies and hot chocolate.


I look forward to seeing everyone on Nov. 30 as well as at our Annual Meeting.
Joe Bauman is president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber. He welcomes feedback at joeb@bbcc.com

Chamber internship has taught me to appreciate the truly important

Weeks ago, I told a coworker my plan to work myself into the ground while in college so I can enjoy life when I’m older. She said that this is what everyone says.

I am about to graduate into the “real world.” Like other people my age, I am afraid I am not prepared enough to achieve my idea of future success; but isn’t that what everyone, at any age, struggles to believe?

I am trying to do all the right things. I am a senior at Oakland University completing a dual major in communications and musical theater with a full-ride scholarship; an honors college member; and vice-president of a student organization. I am blessed with a well-paying job, and now I am half-way to completing an internship at the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber. Every opportunity I am given to grow, I take.

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber has changed me, but in a way I did not expect at all: It made me slow down and look around at what is truly important. The folks at the Chamber bring a sense of friendship and celebration to the community. They host gala events, parades, ribbon-cuttings and road rallies. They take time to appreciate important things in life. Yes, it is beneficial to keep up with the times and always be ahead of the game. The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber works hard to do this; but it worries me that elsewhere, people caught up in this fast-paced line of work forget the reason they do things.

I recently sat in a presentation by the Head of World Class Manufacturing at Chrysler, Jeff Kalinowski. He said that most people are unhappy because they don’t know what they’re searching for. To this, I thought there was an easy fix: always seek out what is important to you. Create your own idea of success. If you like being a stay-at-home mother, stay one. If you want to head a giant corporation, by all means don’t let me stop you.

Checking off the important things is what ultimately makes us happy, no matter what that means – landing your dream job or finishing a whole TV series on Netflix. The reason any of us keep living is to do more; achieve more. When we say this, though, we always focus on the incomprehensible future. Let this be a lesson to people of all ages and occupations: focus on what is important to you today. Do better with that, and sometime in the near or distant future – no worries –you, yourself, will become more.

Do what the Chamber does. Appreciate the small things: like being able to dress up once in a while, bonding with a coworker over lunch and finding in them a new friend, or savoring that morning cup of coffee. Who you are today is enough. If you ever don’t believe this, stop what you are doing. Decide what it is that’s truly important to you and carry on appreciating life.

Colleen Miner is a senior at Oakland University and is actively seeking employment. She welcomes feedback at chamber130@bbcc.com

A NEW HOME FOR BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

With much consideration, the Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education has revitalized the former Birmingham Conference Center as the Birmingham Education & Administration Center, located at 31301 Evergreen Road in Beverly Hills.  Along with school officials, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming the school district’s new home.  Superintendent Dr. Daniel A. Nerad of Birmingham Public Schools spoke in honor of the Birmingham Education & Administration Center’s admirable outlook within the community.

Photo Credit: Laurie Tennent

Pictured from Left:

Mark Nikita, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Gordon Rinschler, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Linda Hatfield, Birmingham Bloomfield Credit Union; Dr. Daniel Nerad, superintendent, Birmingham Public Schools; Michael McCready, state representative, Michigan House of Representatives; Steve Scheidt, president, Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education; Lori Soifer, trustee, Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education; Geri Rinschler, vice president, Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education; Michael Fenberg, trustee, Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education; George Dilgard, mayor, City of Birmingham; Joe Bauman, president, Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber; Tim Mercer, council member, Village of Beverly Hills;  Bob Kupfer, Tiffany Florist; Bob Bruner, city manager, City of Birmingham

BOCONCEPT BRINGS DANISH DESIGNS TO BIRMINGHAM

Danish designer and global success of urban furniture, BoConcept, has now opened in downtown Birmingham at 670 South Old Woodward.  Along with owners Steve and Jane Syzdek, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber celebrated the new showroom with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony.  BoConcept in Birmingham is the thirtieth location worldwide, and now the first of its brand in Michigan.

Photo Credit: Doug Ashley

Pictured from Left: 
John Heiney, executive director, Birmingham Principal Shopping District; Paul Taros, Taros & Associates; Bob Kupfer, Tiffany Florist; Ed Fisher, The Fisher Agency; Gordon Rinschler, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Jane Syzdek, owner, BoConcept; Steve Syzdek, owner, BoConcept; Kelly Lewis, Alpha Lifestyle Center; Linda Hatfield, Birmingham Bloomfield Credit Union; Art Babian, Arthur E. Babian Health Insurance Agency; Carsten Pedersen, president, BoConcept USA; Joe Bauman, president, Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber

THE STAND OFFERS A FINE ART GRILL EXPERIENCE

Two childhood friends from Warren, John Kelly and Paul Grosz, are now business partners with their opening of The Stand Gastro Bistro, a new gourmet hamburger bar and grill located at 34977 Woodward Avenue. Along with classic American cuisine, The Stand offers vegan and charcuterie menus. To kick off the pair’s great achievement in the art of fine cooking (gastro, as they say), the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Stand’s location in Downtown Birmingham.

Photo Credit: Doug Ashley

Pictured from Left:
Victor Saroki, Victor Saroki & Associates Architects; Ed Fisher, Fisher Agency; Michelle Saroki, Victor Saroki & Associates Architects; Gordon Rinschler, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Rackeline Hoff, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Chris McLogan, Max Broock Realtors; Scott Moore, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Chef Paul Grosz, owner, The Stand Gastro Bistro; Bob Kupfer, Tiffany Florist; John Kelly, owner, The Stand Gastro Bistro; John Heiney, executive director, Birmingham Principal Shopping District; Mark Nikita, commissioner, City of Birmingham; Joe Bauman, president, Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber; Tom McDaniel, commissioner, City of Birmingham

Chamber #RailRally Revs Up The Rail District

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber rounded up business leaders to discover the hidden gem of Birmingham’s Rail District in a scavenger-hunt style event, the 2013 #RailRally, on Wednesday, October 23.  Twenty Chamber Member businesses hosted simultaneous open house events for participants to complete challenges and collect prizes.  Participants were also asked to snap photos at each location on a smartphone and share them on social media using the #RailRally on Twitter and Facebook.  A free community event, the #RailRally attracted 80 participants and an even larger audience online.  Birmingham’s Rail District is defined as the area between Maple and Lincoln Roads from Eton Street to the train tracks including the Amtrak train station.  

Registration and team check-in was held at 3 p.m. at Laurie Tennent Studio, where light refreshments were served to gear participants up for the race.  Teams set off at 3:30 p.m. with maps in hand, and participating sponsor businesses hosted ralliers with challenges and special offers.  Upon completion of the #RailRally, hosts and participants alike met at the newly-established Griffin Claw BrewingCo. for appetizers and drinks.  The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber celebrated a successful #RailRally with prizes, raffles, and an entertaining slideshow of participants’ social media snapshots.

In addition to Laurie Tennent Studio and Griffin Claw Brewing Co., event sponsors also included: Breeze Design Studio, Birmingham Ice Arena, Carnovale Associates, Inc., The Chop Shop, CoachMeFit, Colorworks Studio Inc., Extra Oomph!, Fuzz Athletics, Goldfish Swim School, Jones-Keena & Co., Michigan Mutual, Inc., Nordic Manual PT, Robot Garage, Script Salon, State Farm - Barbara Merten-Dubensky, Tyler Dumas Reyes Specialist in Orthodontics, Restyle Child & Whistle Stop Diner.

Click here to view the #RailRally full story and slideshow on Storify.

Photo taken by and at Tyler Dumas Reyes Specialists in Orthodontics

Pictured from Left: Kevin Outland, Pure Energy Advertising; Steve Gualtieri, Nexus Partners; Ellen Mahoney, Complete Title Services of S.E. Michigan

SHIFT DIGITAL ENJOYS NEW BIRMINGHAM HEADQUARTERS

Go-getters of digital marketing and technology enterprise, Shift Digital employees are excited to grow business at the company’s new Birmingham offices, located at 348 East Maple Rd. To support employees’ high dedication to their work, the new space will give opportunities for both the lives of employees and the business itself to grow together. The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber joined founder and CEO of Shift Digital, Steve St. Andre, in celebrating the new headquarters’ grand opening with a ribbon-cutting and open house. 

Photo credit: Doug Ashley
Pictured from left front row:
Danielle Workman, Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, Phil Oriani , VP Marketing, Shift Digital; Ashley Cox, VP Internal Operations, Shift Digital; Steve St. Andre, founder & CEO, Shift Digital, Bob Bruner, city manager, City of Birmingham; Bob Kupfer, Tiffany Florist; Linda Hatfield, Birmingham Bloomfield Credit Union

STUDIO ESPAÑOL INVITES SPANISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Spanish professor and businessman Joaquin Frías welcomes Spanish language students of all ages to Studio Español, a new private, corporate and small-group tutoring establishment in Birmingham, located at 988 South Adams, Suite 206. A ribbon-cutting and open house for the new language studio was held by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber to celebrate its grand opening with Frías, a Spanish native from Madrid.

Photo credit:  Doug Ashley

Pictured from left:
Bob Kupfer, Tiffany Florist; Christina Oswald, The Community House; Camille Jayne, The Community House; Brett Nicholson, The Community House; Kerstin Gerdes, student, Studio Español; Mark Nikita, commissioner, City of Birmingham;  Joaquin Frías, owner, Studio Español; Kristine Frías, owner, Studio Español; Carol Jackson, Royal Services: Paul Taros, Taros & Associate; Larry Ribits, Birmingham Bloomfield Lifestyle; Danielle Workman, Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber

Join the Rail Rally to discover Birmingham’s ‘other’ shopping destination

Birmingham is known far and wide as an outstanding shopping and dining destination for folks from throughout southeast Michigan and beyond.

The city of Birmingham, largely through the efforts of the downtown Principal Shopping District, does a terrific job of keeping the central business district clean and inviting, and also markets the downtown area as an attractive alternative to the shopping mall scene.

As great as the downtown area is, however, it is not the only game in town when it comes to shopping and service opportunities in the city. Slowly but surely, the city’s “Rail District” is gaining momentum on its own, with a wide variety of entrepreneurial efforts taking place east of Eton Road and south of Maple.

To help highlight the growing business community, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber is hosting a “Rail Rally” in the district on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. with Check-Ins at Laurie Tennent Studios - 929 S. Eton where team passport photos are taken and a trip ticket with all the participating stops is distributed.  Form your own team of up to four or join a team at Check-In.

Teams will then head out to make rally visits, social media check-ins with demos, activities and incentives at Member businesses.  Bring your charged smart phone to capture photos, video & social media check-ins.  Then join us at 5:30 p.m. at GriffinClaw Brewing Company - 575 S. Eton St. to network and socialize.

There will be complimentary appetizers for Rail Rally participants, prizes will be awarded, and pictures and video from the event will be shared.  All are welcome and there is no cost to participate in the RAIL RALLY; simply RSVP at the Chamber Website www.bbcc.com

Non rally-goers also can join us just for the Business After Hours. Guests can register at www.bbcc.com, $10 in advance for Chamber Members, $20 day of the event and Nonmembers. For a list of participating businesses visit www.bbcc.com.

Even though summer is officially over, there still is plenty of fun to be had in and around Birmingham. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events.

Joe Bauman is President of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber. He welcomes feedback at joeb@bbcc.com