We want to welcome back as Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce members Cohen Eye/Moore Optical.

They have recently opened their new location on State Road 54. Their new location allowed them to add more exam rooms along with new equipment. The new building is handicap accessible and allows for more parking.

Their office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Along with Dr. Harry Cohen and Optician Bruce Moore is Kenneth Tewel, MD, Ronald Eckert, OD and Optician Debbie Moore.

The new location offers an expanded staff and is now a full service facility for eye health and optical services. To make an appointment call 847-9998.

* The Chamber's August meeting will be at the Phil Harris Golf Course on Aug. 19. Lunch begins at noon. Our speaker for August will be U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth. Rep. Ellsworth will bring us an update on items of concern to our business members.

Like last year, following Rep. Ellsworth's update, the floor will be open for questions from the audience. Lunch is $8 per person. We will again have a "celebrity cook" for this meeting. Democrat Chairperson Jeff Lehman will be at the grill cooking for our members and guests.

This was a very popular meeting in 2008. Plan on spending the afternoon at the golf course. Phil Harris members can play 18 holes of golf for $12 (including cart) and non-members can play for $20. This is open to the public.

If you plan to attend this meeting, please notify the Chamber office so we can insure we have plenty of seats and food.

* Another quick reminder to mark your calendars for the three fall events the Chamber has planned.

The first event is our Fall Festival and Chili Cook Off. This event will be Oct. 10 in downtown Linton. The second event is the fall fish fry Oct. 15 at the Roy Clark Community building. The third event is the Oct. 27 Buy Indiana Expo.

If you would like more information on any of these events, please contact the Chamber office at 847-4846 or e-mail us at info@lintonchamber.org .

* Applications for state park deer reductions are available at IndianaOutdoor.in.gov. Two reduction efforts will be Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Application deadline for both is Aug. 28.

State park deer reductions are held specifically to reduce the ecological impact from white-tailed deer in certain state parks. The reductions help maintain browsing by deer to a level that helps ecosystems recover throughout the state parks. Read more about how state park deer reductions work.

Details are available online in the 2009-10 Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide, and available at certain retail stores. Potential applicants should review details in the guide before applying.

* The Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) in partnership with AVID Commerce, recently announced that clients can now have access to a strategic opportunity analysis report (SOAR) to help businesses identify Internet threats and opportunities in a strategic context. "SOARs give ISBDC clients a chance to review their business' online presence and review steps toward growing an online market," said Jeff Heinzmann, State Director for the ISBDC. "Entrepreneurs looking to create real growth can utilize SOARs to improve their business plan."

Under the new partnership, ISBDC clients will now have access to an AVID Commerce SOAR study at a significant discount. To learn more about SOARs call the ISBDC at (888) 472-3244 or contact one of their regional offices. Visit http://www.isbdc.org to find your closest office.

* ATTENTION Facebook users! Facebook is set up to allow third-party companies access to games and applications used on the site. By installing an application or taking a quiz on Facebook, people give these companies access to their profile details. Companies can then use information, like personal photos, in advertisements on Facebook.

You can keep Facebook from using your personal information by changing your accounts settings. To do this, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Click on "Settings" at the top of the page. Step 2: Select "Privacy." Step 3: Select "News Feed and Wall." Step 4: Select the tab that reads "Facebook Ads." Step 5: In the drop down box, select "No One." Step 6: Save your changes.

Cheryl is the executive director of the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached by telephone at 847-4846.