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Chamber News
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Wednesday, December 14 | 11:45 a.m. | Liberty Center
Program: To be announced.
Catered by: Ezer Catering
(Russell Ezer, Owner). Ph. 409.267.3763.
Menu: Ham, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Copper Penny Carrots, Green Beans, Peach Cobbler, Bread, Tea & Water.
Cost: $10
To make your reservations:
- Call 936.336.5736.
- E-mail: chamber@imsday.com.
- Register online using the Events calendar at libertydaytonchamber.
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OVERTIME PAY RULE OVERTURNED
Chamber members were notified in our June, 2016 newsletter of a new overtime rule for employers (originally set to go into effect December 1) that would extend mandatory overtime pay to more than 4 million salaried workers. The rule would have doubled the maximum salary a worker could earn to $47,500 and still be eligible for mandatory overtime pay.
The rule was expected to greatly impact nonprofit groups, retail companies, hotels and restaurants where many management workers earn salaries below the new threshold.
On November 22, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant in Sherman, Texas agreed with 21 states and a coalition of business groups that the rule is unlawful and granted their motion for a nationwide injunction. Judge Mazzant ruled that the federal law governing overtime does not allow the Labor Department to decide which workers are eligible based on salary levels alone.
The Fair Labor Standards Act says that employees can be exempt from overtime if they perform executive, administrative or professional duties but the rule "creates essentially a de facto salary-only test," Mazzant wrote in the 20-page ruling.
The case is Nevada v. U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, No. 16-cv-731.
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Of interest to businesses...
FREE EMPLOYER EEO SEMINAR
Wednesday, December 14 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Workforce Solutions in Baytown, 4308-B Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521.
The Employer EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Seminar will cover the following materials:
First Hour
Ready for 2017? Keep up with the trends of harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims.
This course will provide an overview of recent trends associated with sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims to ensure human resources can properly manage and train their workforce, and to reinforce best practices.
Second Hour
Will your HR Team be ahead of the curve in 2017? Avoid the "traps" of minimum wage, overtime & exempt salaried employees.
This course will reinforce the proper method to pay exempt and non-exempt employees. It will also help Human Resources recognize common wage and hour mistakes and how to implement best practices to avoid getting sued or investigated by the government.
Presented by: Daniel N. Ramirez of Monty & Ramirez LLP (Board Certified).
- Approved for 2 HRCI Continuing Education Credits.
- SHRM Continuing Education Credits are pending.
- Will have a Q&A session.
To RSVP please call 713.824.5242 or e-mail: fred.lopez@wrksolutions.com
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TAX REFUNDS WILL BE DELAYED FOR SOME IN 2017
An approval by Congress targeting tax refund fraud and identity theft has resulted in the IRS holding tax refunds until February 15 for millions of early filers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit on their returns. The delay will allow the IRS additional time to review 2016 filings for indications of fraudulent activity before refunds are mailed.
Information can be found on the
IRS website.
(www.irs.gov/uac/as-holidays-approach-irs-reminds-taxpayers-of-refund-delays-in-2017).
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SECURE HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Tips for safely shopping online from your home desktop or smartphone.
1.) Many people shop or check prices on their smartphones while out and about in stores. Be wary of unsecured and open WiFi connections while using your smartphone in public places. Use your cellular network instead. Thieves can create fake public WiFi hotspots that can even mimic the store's network, putting you in danger of transmitting sensitive financial and personal information to the bad guys.
2.) Consider turning off your phone's Bluetooth when you're not using it. If Bluetooth is active while you're connected to a WiFi hotspot, thieves can pair with your phone's open connection and access your data.
3.) Be wary of phishing e-mails (which are becoming more authentic in appearance) disguised as holiday sale notifications from retailers, or purchase and shipping confirmations. Go directly to the website of the vendor or shipper to confirm a sale or shipment. Be sure the website has a secure connection by looking for "https" at the start of a web address in the browser's address bar.
4.) Pay with a credit card, which has better protection against fraudulent activity than a debit card.
5.) The less information your share toward a purchase, the better. You should never provide a credit card number, social security number or birth date through e-mail. If you feel a store is requesting too much information, trust your instincts and move on.
6.) Make sure the apps on your phone, as well as your operating system, have the latest security updates.
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Blue Plate Catering
Pamala Talbot (Owner/Executive Chef)
P.O. Box 1573
Liberty | 832.418.8297
www.blue-plate-catering.com
Restaurant-Cafe-Catering-Concession
Hacienda San Lorenzo Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
2400 North Main Street
Liberty | 936.253.8195
Restaurant, Beverages & Food, Restaurant-Cafe-Catering-Concession, Restaurant, Sports Bar
Joe's Italian Grill
3210 Hwy 90
Liberty | 936.641.9063
Restaurant-Cafe-Catering-Concession, Restaurant, Beverages & Food
Liberty Cleaning, LLC
Jessica Hawthorne (Owner)
2309 Cos Street
Liberty | 936.346.9761
Contractors-Misc. Services, Cleaning-Office Or Home
Mediation Solutions of Coastal Texas
Kenna Kasten (Owner-Mediator)
549 N. Egret Bay Blvd. #300
League City, TX 77573 | 713.855.0249
www.mediationsolutionscoastaltexas.com
Mediation Services
Linda Taylor
Liberty, TX
Individual Member |
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Effective September 1, 2016 LIBERTY SYSTEMS is now known as LIBERTY COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.
At Liberty Computer Systems, we provide managed IT services and tech support packages to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) perform at new levels. By combining the needs of SMBs with the newest technology, Liberty Computer Systems creates high-value technology solutions for Liberty area organizations that want to get ahead through modern technology. We offer high-performance IT support and service options at reasonable prices, giving you dependable service and outstanding customer support.
Ph. 936.336.1122 Online: libertysys.com E-mail: bill@libertysys.com
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 11 A.M. - 2 P.M.
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE at
Dusty Barn Treasures, 1308 N. Main in Liberty with special sales and refreshments for everyone. Dusty Barn Treasures features vendors selling antiques, collectibles, refinished, repurposed, handmade, and homemade products.
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DECEMBER
10
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9:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Cars, Coffee & More - Liberty Street Rally, downtown Liberty. |
10
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11:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
Dusty Barn Treasures - Christmas Open House, 1308 N. Main, Liberty.
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14
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11:45 AM - 1:00 PM |
Monthly Chamber Business Luncheon @ Liberty City Hall. |
15
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7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Coffee with the Mayor @ Liberty City Hall - Council Chambers. |
29
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7:00 AM |
Trinity River Refuge Christmas Bird Count. Meet at the Valero Gas station, intersection of Hwy 105 and Hwy 321, about 6 miles southeast of Cleveland. Bring sack lunch,rubber knee boots and other appropriate outdoor clothing.
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Highlights listed for the month are those occurring after the newsletter release date. Visit the online calendar at libertydaytonchamber.com for a complete and updated list of events, and to see recurring events throughout the year.
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In Memoriam
DOUGLAS PAUL HANEL
1949 - 2016
Doug Hanel, age 67 of Hull, Texas passed away surrounded by family on November 24, 2016. He loved his wife of 23 years, Mary Jo (Elliott) Hanel, His son Marvin Earl Elliott and wife Patricia, His daughter Windy Copeland and husband Mark, Grandsons Coby Elliott, Sam Elliott and wife Devyn, Tyler Copeland, Granddaughters Keshia Hilton and husband Josh, Megan Copeland, Great grandkids Paiten, Bella, Waco, Pecos, Ace, Priscilla. And god-son William Hanel. Along with many family and friends.
Born and raised in Liberty, Texas son of the late George and Clydelle Hanel. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1968. Doug was a very giving man enjoying the Christmas holidays. He truly embodied the giving spirit. Many hearts were touched while traveling from Austin to Southeast Texas bringing Christmas joy to boy havens, orphanages, and families far and wide. In his spare time Doug spent hours gazing at the stars. Including gathering with his grandkids and all that would look at the stars with him. Pop Pop was known far and wide for his ability to fix anything; He loved working on floats for the youth and boiling crawfish with friends and family.
One of Doug's many accomplishments was to be named Citizen of the Year in 2002 by the
Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
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We would like to thank everyone who contributed time and materials to the Country Christmas and Spirit of Christmas festivities in Liberty and Dayton respectively. Special thanks go to our members, board members and volunteers for their hard work at each event.
The Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce wishes you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and may the new year bring good health, good relationships and prosperity to all.
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