Yesterday, I found a pack of John Wayne DVD movies on my desk when I returned from the Post Office and visiting some of our Chamber members. When I called the nice lady, who left the movies along with a note, she asked if I found the "bribe" she had left. I most certainly did, and I said yes to her request. Yep, I'm pretty easy and pretty cheap. The price tag on the pack of John Wayne movies was marked $9.99. Not bad for 25 movies and an exclusive documentary about the American West of movie director John Ford. But I'm not always that cheap and easy.

For us here at the Chamber of Commerce and the Grant County Business and Conference Center, this is sort of our down time. It slows down a little after Christmas and the New Year holiday, giving us a short window to recharge our batteries. Unlike a lot of people who get holidays off, who slow down during the summer and they can take vacations…well those are our busy times of the year. If we want July 4 off, we will need to quit or be fired. However, for those of you who get to relax during the winter holidays, we hope you were able to recharge your batteries enough to make special things happen all the way until Memorial Day, or maybe the spring break for students.

Now that we have regrouped and we are feeling a little feisty again, what's happening at the Chamber of Commerce. Well, we have a great lunch meeting scheduled for Thursday – January 10. Our speaker will be Joanie Griffin, the founder and owner of the Albuquerque company that will be planning and implementing the tourism advertising campaign for Silver City and Grant County.

On Friday – January 11 from 4 to 6 p.m., we will help with a ribbon cutting and open house for the Grant County Art Guild's open house at their new gallery. The new gallery is located in the old Hester House building at 316 North Bullard Street in downtown Silver City.

On Wednesday – January 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will help with a ribbon cutting and open house for the new offices of Van Dyk Mortgage. Van Dyk Mortgage is located at 1625 Silver Heights Blvd in Silver City. The local loan originator, Vicki Schram invites the public to visit her new office and learn about the mortgage process that is available from Van Dyk Mortgage.

On Friday – January 18 from 5 to 8 p.m., we will help with a ribbon cutting and Grand Opening for Borderlands Gallery. You will be able to enjoy the art of gallery owner, Stephan Hoglund. The gallery will also introduce art works by Richard Harper, Diane Kleiss, Charlie Meckel, Julie Ends and Deborah Hutchings. You can also learn about Stephan's craftsmanship designing and his production of fine jewelry. Borderlands Gallery is located at 211 West Yankie Street in Silver City.

We welcome ADOBE TECHNIQUES as a new member of the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Rohan Stites is the owner of this business that specializes in concrete work, masonry and serves as a general contractor. ADOBE TECHNIQUES offers adobe construction and excavation work for residential or commercial property. ADOBE TECHNIQUES is located at 11588 Highway 180 East in Silver City, across the street from J&J Signs. Their phone number is (575) 574-5956.

You don't have to bribe the Chamber of Commerce to help with grand openings, open houses, ground breakings, or ribbon cuttings. Simply become a member of the Chamber of Commerce and we will begin marketing your business immediately. We invite you to check out the special events listed above. Please come visit with the fine local businesses. We invite you to shop local and shop often.