DIRECTORS
The Samaritan Counseling Center of Tyler has added the following individuals to its Board of Directors: Mike Allen, Dr. Stuart Baskin, Henry Bell, Kara Camp and Dr. David Teegarden, Samaritan Counseling Center is an interfaith community-based service that seeks to improve the health of mind, body, and spirit through counseling, psychotherapy, research and education. For more information about Samaritan Counseling Center, go to scctyler.org.
PHONE SCAM
The BBB is warning East Texas residents about a recent phone scam by scammers pretending to be IRS agents. These IRS impersonators are calling up their targets, demanding that they pay taxes they don’t even owe, by either loading money on a prepaid card or sending it via a wire transfer. Those who refuse to pay immediately are then threatened by the “IRS agents.” The threats include jail time, deportation, or the suspension of the victim’s business or driver’s license. In order to convince people that they are real IRS agents, the scammers use several tricks including a program to make the IRS’s toll-free number appear on the caller ID, call center background noise, and false agent badge numbers. If the target is not already convinced, several callers are able to report the last four digits of the person’s Social Security number. For more information on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, please call the BBB Hotline: 903-581-8373.
FREE LUNCH
Texas Roadhouse in Tyler at 2101 E. Southeast Loop 323, and Longview at 320 East Loop 321, invites veterans and active members of U.S. military to enjoy a free lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in the free lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces. All veterans - including all active, retired or former U.S. military - can choose one of 10 entrees, including a 6-ounce sirloin and two made-from-scratch sides plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/ice tea or coffee during lunch. Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers.
TREATS
Kool Smiles, in Tyler, Longview and Lufkin, is coordinating “Operation Troop Treats” to encourage children to bring their Halloween candy to any of the area Kool Smiles dental offices in exchange for a toy. The candy will then be sent in care packages to U.S. troops serving overseas via Operation Gratitude. Kool Smiles initiated the program to help raise awareness about good dental hygiene and uplift American armed forces serving overseas.
Candy can be dropped off at any of the four offices during business hours through Wednesday. Please contact Lisa A. Shenkle at lshenkle@att.net or 410-439-4695 or 410-227-5899 (cell) for more information.
AWARD
Terrence Murphy of TM5 Properties in Bryan has been selected to receive an Aggie 100 award. Aggie 100 identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastest growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world. The award was presented on Oct. 23 at Texas A&M. Murphy grew up in Tyler and played football for the Chapel Hill Tigers, the Texas A&M Aggies and for the Green Bay Packers.
LICENSE
Fitzpatrick Architects is pleased to announce Adam Lewis has received his architectural license. Mr. Lewis successfully passed all seven exams as per the requirements of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. Fitzpatrick Architects has the largest professionally licensed staff in East Texas with 10 Licensed Architects and three Licensed Interior Designers.
WINNER
Deloise Fields Proud is the winner of a drawing held in the Worthen Realty booth at the Senior Citizen Expo in the Harvey Convention Center on Oct. 21. Presented by Anneita Piediscalzi, Worthen Realty Group.
SEASONAL
Wal-Mart announced it will hire more than 6,000 seasonal associates in Texas for the upcoming holiday season. Starting salaries of at least $9 an hour will also provide opportunities to earn at least $1.75 an hour above the current federal and state minimum wage. Last year, more than half of Wal-Mart’s seasonal employees nationwide continued with the retailer as permanent employees. Anyone interested in seasonal work opportunities with Wal-Mart may apply online at jobs.walmart.com.
HIRING
There will be a hiring event at Workforce Solutions, located at 4100 Troup Hwy from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., for various positions with Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. Prior to the event please register with www.workintexas.com, then, apply online at www.walmart.com/apply.
CYBER SAFETY
Tyler ISD will present a seminar titled Cyber Safety 101 on Tuesday, Nov. 10 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Career and Technology Center located at 1313 Earl Campbell Parkway. This is what every parent should know to keep their children safe online.
VETERANS
On Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions East Texas will hold their annual hiring fair for Texas Veterans and their spouses at Green Acres Baptist Church. For more information, call 903-561-8131 or go to easttexasworkforce.org.
WORKSHOP
The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a business workshop on Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rose Heights Community Life Center. Topics will cover workplace change and risk in 2015. To register online go to tacc2015businessworkship.eventbrite.com, or mail the form to 315 N. Broadway, Tyler 75702 or fax to 903-593-2746. For more information please call 903.593.0106
LUNCHEON
The TISD State of the District Luncheon will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18 at The Rose Garden Center from 11:30 to 1 p.m. The luncheon will feature Dr. Marty Crawford, Superintendent, and honor three distinguished alumni: state Sen. Kevin Eltife, Orenthia Mason and Lonny Uzzell. Please contact Henry Bell, hbell@tylertexas.com for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Better Business Bureau Education Foundation of Central East Texas is now accepting applications for the Kay Robinson Student of Integrity, Video Scholarship program. This program recognizes two college-bound seniors who personify high ethics as demonstrated through their creative talents in creation of a 30 to 60 second video, as well as their overall personal integrity and academic history. The scholarship is available to any student who resides and attends the 12th grade in the 19 county region served by BBB of Central East Texas. Applications must also include letters of recommendation and the student’s high school transcript. Applications and videos must be received by BBB offices by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 8. For more information and to download an application, please visit bbb.org or call 903-581-5704 ext. 109.