Message from the Capitol Chamber Chair: John Hasley

We are back! This is the third edition of our new electronic newsletter EastsideInside and we are proud to say the response has been very positive. Thank you for your positive comments and sharing your thoughts.

The Chamber has been involved in several activities that are playing a role in helping to improve the quality of life and improve economic development in Northeast Oklahoma City.

They include our partnership with the Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal and the We Are Better Together Coalition initiative. Their work is addressing some of the core problems impacting our community. The continued development and promotion of the monthly Minority and Women's Business Breakfast continues to get better every month.

We will also be kicking off our first After Hours Meet and Greet at Italianos at 4801 N Lincoln Blvd. A great opportunity to meet and network with Capitol Chamber members and businesses in Northeast Oklahoma City.

There is more to come as we prepare for 2008 with a full range of programs that will help us achieve our motto, "
Working together to bring new business, new energy and new life to Northeast Oklahoma City."

Ward 7 Candidates Call For Community Unity

All four candidates running for the OKC Council Ward 7 seat called for the community to come together. The theme was a message heard again and again as the candidates laid out their plans for the future of NE OKC at the Nov 13 Candidate’s Forum sponsored by the Capitol Chamber of Commerce.

The candidates answered questions covering a variety of issues that included economic development, education, gangs and drugs. The future of our children and education was the issues that appeared to be a hot topic for those in attendance. All candidates responded with a call for action and the need for the community to take the lead and fight the high drop out rate and the large number of low performing schools.

Candidates in attendance were William Hollis, Skip Kelly, Ebony Muhammad and John Pettis. Highlights:

John Pettis said, “One person cannot do it by themselves, it will take all of us working together to be successful. Who ever is elected will have only 18 months before they have to run again and the voters of the district can decide if they have done a good job.”

Ebony Muhammad stated, “Energy, energy, energy, energy is what we need. We need someone who can be a motivator and communicator with drive and determination to help us to become involved and informed about what is going on.”

Skip Kelly said, “It is time for us to forget the divisions of the past and start coming together. We can’t worry about what we haven’t had, but focus on what we can do now.

William Hollis sounded a similar theme, “We must come together and do what is good for Ward 7. We need to get back to having strong neighborhoods and promoting neighborhood associations.”

The format had each candidate open with a statement about why they were running for office. Next, they were asked four questions that the Chamber selected from questions submitted by the members. This was followed by questions from those in attendance and concluded with a closing statement by each candidate.

The special election will be held December 11th.

Business After Hour Meet and Greet Set for Nov 15

November 15th from 4:30 pm to 6:30pm
Italiano's Pasta and Pizza
4801 N. Lincoln

Meet other business people and make valuable connections at the Capitol Chamber of Commerce Business After Hour Meet and Greet. Admission is free and you will enjoy complimentary cuisine provided by our host Italian's Pasta and Pizza Home Style Italian Cuisine.

This is an excellent opportunity to network and meet other people in the Northeast Oklahoma City Business Community. You will also have a chance to win prizes and participate in our drawing for dollars. All part of the fund you will enjoy at this fun event.

To make sure we have enough food for all who attend, please RSVP by calling 427-4444 or email to capccokc@coxinet.net as a courtesy. Hope to see you there!

December Minority and Women's Breakfast Program Set

The December 2nd Breakfast theme, "Making Business Connections on the Internet," will feature Marrel Sanders with Impact X Web Services. Impact X has been in business for over 6 years and has developed and designed websites for businesses through tout Oklahoma City, ranging from small family operations to large oil and gas corporations. Along with Impact X other speakers include Richard Richardson with QuantusInteractive Agency, Jim Steele with Speaks to You and Chris Nyo with Best Breed Technologies. We will also have a special presentation from Laurie Gore from the OKC Bond Campaign.

The breakfast meeting which is held on the first Tuesday of each month will be at Metro Tech's Economic Development Building, 1700 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. The monthly meetings are sponsored by the Capitol Chamber of Commerce and are beneficial from both a networking and informational standpoint.

Attendees should bring and distribute their literature or business cards to prospective customers at the meeting. A networking session is held until 9:00 a.m. immediately after the program. No admission fees or reservations are required for this event. A free continental breakfast is provided and an array of door prizes will be given away. For more information contact John Hasley at the Capitol Chamber, (405) 427.4444 or capccokc@coxinet.net.

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER COALITION Forum is Successful

We Are Better Together Report Receives Positive Response

Calling on the need, “To finish it.” Rev. Teron Gaddis Chair of the We Are Better Together Coalition challenged those in the audience not to stop now, but to join the next phase of the effort to implement the recommendations that were presented. His appeal received a positive response as 53 of the individuals in attendance signed up to join one of the five work teams.

The Coalition founded by the Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal created 5 work teams to help address issues that negatively impacted Northeast Oklahoma City. The work teams are 1) Health, 2) Education and Youth Activities, 3) Gangs, Crimes and Drug, 4) Family Focus and 5) Economic Development and Job Opportunity.

The 5 work teams have been working since July to develop possible actions that the community should pursue. These actions were presented and those in attendance where asked to provide input.

Many applauded and agreed with many of the recommendations. Some in the audience provided more suggestions for the work teams to consider. These suggestions will be presented to the work teams for review and consideration as part of their strategies. The work teams will finalize their report and present it to the We Are Better Together Coordination Committee for one final review and approval.

The final phase will be the process of implementing the strategies with the support of identified organizations across the community. The Coordinating committee will monitor and review the process and schedule a community forum in June of 2008 to assess the success of the coalition’s efforts.

Recommendations by the work teams had a similar theme; we must focus on the family. Gary Jones with Jones Consulting Group who is providing the staff support for the project stated, “As the recommendations from the work teams were submitted they all talked about the importance of focusing on the family and helping them deal with the problems they face. If we can help them be successful, Northeast Oklahoma City will be successful.”

Details of the report are available at the Capitol Chamber Website www.capitolchamber.org, one of the partners of the effort is the Capitol Chamber of Commerce. You can also find times and dates for work team meetings on the website.

Rev. Gaddis said in closing, “There is much work to be done. It will not get finished if we do not come together and get it done.” He concluded with, “Let’s not be guilty of being finished with it, before we finish with it!”

New Business of the Month: Italianos

Italiano's Pasta & Pizza Home Style Italian Cuisine
4801 N. Lincoln
525-8900

If Italian pasta and pizza is what you are craving, then Italianos is the place to be. Joel and Claudia Brentlinger have opened up the newest restaurant in Northeast Oklahoma City located at 4801 N. Lincoln.

Italiano's Pasta and Pizza restaurant officially opened their doors on September 23rd and have not looked back. The restaurant has already become a favorite among many who work or live in Northeast Oklahoma City.

The restaurant began as a dream of owner Joel Brentlinger almost 15 years ago. His idea for the restaurant started with the Italian cuisine he grew up with. His grandmother and his aunt spoiled the family with real Italian recipes that became family favorites. Joel took those recipes and his unique pizza recipes and formed the foundation for what has now become the mainstay of Italiano's menu.

Utilizing his Restaurant Management degree from Oklahoma State University and his many years of experience running previous businesses that included catering and convenience stores in Northwest Oklahoma City he turned his 15 year old dream into a reality. The restaurant is located at what was originally billed as the first Italian pizzeria in Oklahoma City, Sussys. For long time residents of Oklahoma City, Sussys is associated with quality Italian food.

The restaurants features a Pasta Bar that includes different pastas and sauces that the customer can choose from to crate a unique eating experience. Joel said the idea for the pizza bar came from a visit in Las Vegas. While dining in one of the casino, he fell in love with the pasta bar and decided that would some day be part of his dream restaurant.

It is concepts like the pasta bar that make Italianos special as Joel and his staff add items to the menu that they compliment the quality of the other dishes on the menu.

Even though they have only been opened three months, they have started to build a reputation for good food and a great atmosphere. They are also starting to build a clientele of businesses that hold meetings in the Theater Room of the restaurant. The Theater room allows businesses to show power point presentations or a movie.

Joel has continued his catering business and caterers events and parties around the City. If you are interested in holding a function, meeting or just to dine out, remember Italianos.

Congratulation to our newest business in Northeast Oklahoma City: Italiano's Pasta and Pizza Bar.

Africa West: An African American Celebration

Let's show the world who we are. From science to art, we are second to none. From our history to our music or food, we are second to none. From our dance to our style, we are second to none. We are Africa West.

Africa West is a three day festival planned for the moth of June 2008 celebrating the Africa American heritage of Oklahoma. The festival will highlight the African American experience through four areas that spotlight the culture and heritage of West Africa, Indian & Oklahoma Territory, Early 20th Century and Modern 20th Century African America.

The West Africa Area will showcase the rich traditions and culture of West Africa where most African American ancestors were captured and sold into slavery.

The Indian & Oklahoma Territory area will feature exhibits chronicling the life and movement of African Americans to Oklahoma through the experiences of Native American Freedman, Buffalo Soldiers, and Black cowboys.

The 20th Century African American area will feature the heritage of Northeast Oklahoma City's African American community showcasing the Jazz and Gospel music influences through on-going performances and a Gospel Choir Review and Competition featured at the Entertainment Plaza.

A Historical Plaza will feature exhibits and live story telling of the rich history created in Oklahoma through the many black towns that appeared across the state.
The 21st Century area will highlight the current African American culture heritage through live music, dance and an arts plaza featuring African American artist.

Other programs will include a 2K and 5K run though out Northeast OKC, an arts, essay and Oklahoma Black History High School Academics Bowl.

If you would like to be a part of this historic event, email us at capccokc@coxinet.net
or call 427-4444.