Killeen, Texas (12/18/2008) – Kent Smith, a local business owner, is making a challenge to community businesses across Killeen and Bell County.  He believes he can show them how to get more for their advertising dollar – even in today’s economy.

Online local search has been proven to be the first thing people do when they are looking for local businesses.  In fact, according to DMNews “35% of ALL searches [on the internet] are local”.  Because more and more people are performing searches online before they ever leave their homes, Mr. Smith is helping local businesses get their name in front of those internet surfers.

Smith recently launched a website, DirectoryOfKilleen.com , and has started attracting many local brick and mortar businesses who want to improve their chances of getting found on the internet quickly.  “Brick and mortar businesses know that marketing and advertising is important to continue even during the toughest times but they do look for ways to save.  And that’s exactly what we’re giving them.”, says Mr. Smith.

Using his directory, DirectoryOfKilleen.com, local businesses will get instant advertising in the online directory with just a few clicks.  It’s easy and simple.  There are no long forms or creative advertising needed.

It’s perfect for any size businesses looking to save a few dollars on advertising and improve their overall customer reach.  Offline stores now have the opportunity to purchase premium listings that will get more eyes on their ad.  And as the owner says, “The more eyes you get on your business at the time your prospect is interested, the better opportunity you have to get more customers.”

All the local companies who participate will be one step ahead of their local competition.  Since more and more people are searching online for local businesses it makes it obvious that more owners will start leveraging local search to their advantage.

DirectoryOfKilleen.com provides space for a detailed description that makes it effortless for anyone who visits your listing to know exactly what you provide.  It is a perfect opportunity for your company to make that internet surfer an offer they can’t refuse.

These listings for local businesses will be served up for all the local communities and optimized just for Killeen and Bell County.  The added value a directory such as this brings to local businesses is tremendous and helps get your company in front of your ideal client faster.

For more information you can visit DirectoryOfKilleen.com, contact Kent at (254) 493-7677, or mail to 2608 N. Main, Suite B114, Belton, TX 76513

Local Directory for Texas

Red C Television:  Seeking Hidden Talent in Central Texas

Waco, TX - In the past it took a trip to California or the Big Apple to get started in show business. Recently Austin and Dallas have offered the opportunity to catch the spotlight in the LoneStarState. Now there is a new opportunity right here in Central Texas.

Red C Television will hold an open casting call at the Waco Civic Theatre on Saturday, December 20th from 9 am to 4 pm for their new television series and Webisode series: “Cowboy & Lucky” and “Hamlet’s Cove”. The director and producer are looking for actors ages 12 and up. Experience is always great, but it is by no means required. Red C Television encourages novice actors and those who have never acted before to come by as well. Headshots are not required.

The Waco Civic Theatre is located at 1517 Lake Air Drive in Waco. You can find a map with contact information for the Theatre at http://www.wacocivictheatre.org/contactus.html

Principal photography has already started for “Cowboy & Lucky”: a dramatic comedy that follows two maladjusted brothers thrown together after their father’s death to run a family-owned private investigation firm. “Cowboy & Lucky” will air on www.redc2.com starting in January.

“Hamlet’s Cove” is a horror Webisode series about five teenage vampire hunters left alone after a ravenous hord of vampires wipes out most of their town. The 10-minute series will air on the company’s Website www.redc2.com starting in January.

You can learn more by visiting the Red C Television Website at www.redc2.com .There you can view the company’s award-winning television series, “The Unjust”, and numerous other shows and movies.

Other Texas Casting Calls:

Casting Call for Waco, Texas Short Film “Invalid Directive … - Casting Call for Waco, Texas HD Sci-Fi Short Film Invalid Directive. Film Title (Working Title): Invalid Directive Film Type: Independent Short Film Film.

Tarleton State University-Central Texas is offering scholarships for new students who enroll full-time in the Spring 2009 term.

Students new to the university are eligible for the scholarships, which are $750 each. Only first-time Tarleton-Central Texas students may apply, and both undergraduate and graduate students will be considered. Undergraduates must enroll in least 15 credit hours, and graduate students at least 12 credit hours.

The scholarships are applicable to new students enrolling in any spring term, including the 8- or 16-week sessions. Students may obtain a scholarship application and see complete course schedules at www.tarleton.edu/centraltexas. Completed applications must be submitted to the Tarleton-Central Texas Financial Aid office by January 9, 2009. Spring classes begin January 12.

New students are required to complete applications for admission, then make an appointment with an academic advisor to review degree plans.

Tarleton-Central Texas offers evening, weekend and online classes toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is located just off of Highway 190 at 1901 S. Clear Creek Road in Killeen.

There are some other scholarship opportunities in the news…

APWA Scholarship « Ellison High School Guidance Center - Seniors can apply for the Central Texas Branch of the American Public Works Association Scholarship if they are planning to pursue a college degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or other public works related fields. …

Wounded Warriors’ Spouses Get Free Tuition - Pasha Quintana, center, is the first Fort Lee recipient of a spouses scholarship award, which is part of a new Central Texas College program that offers free tuition for up to 30 credit hours of schooling per year. …

The Killeen ISD has been in the news recently.  They have had good news, bad news and ugly news!

The Good News

Killeen Independent School District student population continues to grow.  According to reports in the news outlets even though there has been a continued rise in students, the school crime rate has gone down.   John Dye, the district’s director of school safety, reported last week that since the 1997 - 1998 school year to date the student count has gone up by just under 10,000.  During the same decade criminal and violent incidences in the middle and high schools has declined.

The perception is that kids act up but the statistics are not bearing that out according to a school spokesperson.

The Bad News

A Killeen ISD teacher at Ellison High School was arraigned after allegedly throwing her high heeled shoe at a stduent to get her to quiet down during class.  Bloodied the girl’s lip and some bruises. She was treated at school. 

The avidavit says she took off her high heeled shoe and threw it at the girl’s face during a French II class on Monday. Geez, who knew learning French could be so tough!!

The Ugly News

A woman has been released from jail on bail after the Killeen Police Department arrested her for allegedly stealing money from the Trimmier Elementary School PTA.  On Thursday, the Trimmier Elementary School PTA treasurer notified the Killeen Police Department that the books had been audited and money was withdrawn from the account by the past President/Treasurer of the organization without documentation, stated a news release from KPD.

It appears to me that the world is turning upside down…the kids that are presumed to get in trouble more are getting into it less and those that we entrust our children to for education and to work on the parents behalf at the school are possibly doing some crazy things!

Read more about all of this in the Herald.

The Killeen smoking ban is under consideration again by the Killeen City Council.  It has been an on again, off again process of the city wanting to kick butt on public smoking.  After they slowed down from the quick actions they were taking in November, the council will now hold public hearings on the smoking ordinance.

The committee working on the smoking ban will hold two public hearings in January for the citizens of Killeen to voice their opinions on the matter.  Those will be on the 8th and 14th at 6:00 pm both days in the council chambers at Killeen City Hall. The council will take your input into account when they meet on the 20th to make changes and formulate the final ordinance.

In case you haven’t heard about big brother’s latest here is what is proposed…

The Killeen smoking ban will make it illegal to smoke in most enclosed public places:

• Restaurants
• Bars
• Pool Halls
• Bowling Alleys
• Dance Clubs
• Lobbies
• Within 25 feet of an entrance,vent or window of a place included in the ban
• Outdoor public venues - seating/bleachers at parades, sporting events, playgrounds, inside fences of public pools and the patio at Stonetree Golf Club.

Exceptions to the smoking ordinance will include:

• Private residences, except those which host a day care
• Bingo halls (because there’s no way to play bingo without the smoke )
• Designated smoking rooms at hotels
• Retail tobacco stores

I am all for government looking out for the collective good but I wonder when they start going over the line.   As an ex-smoker, I am not a big fan of second hand smoke anymore than the next guy but I am not a big proponent of the government legislating personal habits.  Sound off and join the discussion on the Killeen smoking ban.  Make your voice heard or forever hold your piece.

Local online advertising has never been more important than in a tough economy. Check out these posts on how to use social marketing and online advertising to attract your local market in Killeen and Bell County.

» Targeting Your Local Audience With Social Networking Local …

Local networking through social platforms is a very powerful tool and should be utlized by all local businesses. This type of marketing is here to stay and should be an area of focus for all growing local businesses in 2009. …

3 Reasons Why Social Marketing Critical to Success in a Downturn …

The essence of the post was that interactive marketers were still bullish on things like e-mail, search engine, web and social marketing even though the economic outlook for the country was less than ideal. While it’s true that things …

Social Marketing News — Social Media Optimization

Marketing: How to use social networks for marketing and PR. This high level primer from the NYTs discusses how brands can get started with their PR and marketing efforts on social networks. They suggest profiles and connections, groups, …

Get started here with Directory of Killeen!

Here are a couple of more resources to round out the list…enjoy!

• Social Networking for Small Businesses - However, the role I think social media can play outside of PR and SEM for your business is to facilitate engagement between you and the individuals in your personal social network. First, let me clarify what I mean by ’social network’ …
• Small Hands, Big Ideas: Social Media for a Social Cause: The Opp-Guide - Social Media is powerful in shaping brands, ideas, people and most interestingly, social causes. I ran across one such social cause from an article in Market Watch about Wendi Oppenheim, a 16 year-old founder of a community service, …

There’s nothing better than the smell of paint in the mornin’….

BLORA’s paintball tournament, “Splat It Up” is scheduled for December 28,2008 and is open to the public.  From 11 am to 5 pm there will be more paint flying than you can shake a stick at.

If your idea of fun is shooting and being shot at, with paint of course, you need to get signed up for this tournament now.

You can save some money by taking advantage of early registration which is going on until December 14th for $75 per team or $15 per person.  Price goes up on the December 15th to $125 per team or $25 per person.  Tournament package includes entry fee, rental gun (if needed), field fee and all day air.

PAINTBALLS MUST BE PURCHASED AT BLORA:
$5 – 100 paintballs
$20 – 500 paintballs
$35 – 1,000 paintballs
$55 – 2,000 paintballs
Prizes for top 3 teams!!
Register at BLORA, located on North Nolan Road, 10 miles from East Range Road. Click here for directions

For more information on BLORA’s Paintball Program,
call Brent at 512-922-5872 or BLORA at 254-287-2523/8303.

Related information:

Find paintball fields nationwide at pbreview.com

Locate other sports and recreation in Killeen and Bell County.

Killeen is next to the largest military installation in the United States.  Many of our military have TDY at Ft. Hood at one time or another during their career.  And when you are here for a short time you need temporary housing in Killeen.

There are many options for Killeen temporary housing, from renting an apartment or house, staying in a local hotel or motel and possibly even staying on base.  Whatever option that is best for you we have resources to help you make that decision.

If you are TDY at Ft. Hood or travelling here for extended business here are some temporary housing solutions for you:

Look through the Killeen Apartment Living section on the DirectoryOfKilleen.com for many of the the apartments in the area that offer short term or special military arrangements. There is a complete list of apartment facilities located in the Killeen, Ft. Hood, Copperas Cove and Harker Heights area.

Brown’s Temporary Apartments are the ideal solution for the military family or corporate professional needing temporary housing in the Fort Hood, Killeen and Copperas Cove area. Apartments are conveniently located near major shopping centers, schools and only 10 minutes from the Fort Hood main gate!

Lone Star Corporate Housing has a brand new building, brand new furnishings and amenities, knowledgeable professionals, and competitive prices (per diem rate) that are sure to make their new  townhomes exceed your military and corporate executive housing expectations.

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce is another great resource for trusted businesses in this area to help you get acquainted and familiar with the Central Texas area.

Unfortunately, we all have a need for an attorney occasionally for whatever the reason. Killeen attorneys are plentiful but not all are necessarily right for your needs.

When choosing an attorney you should consider several things: do they sepcialize in the type of law that you are needing, can they provide documented success in what it is you are needing them to do, do you like them and will they spend the time with you necessary to properly represent you.
What should I ask the attorney before I hire him?
The questions you should ask will vary with your case. Consider the following list to be a starting point:

1. What are your areas of specialization?
2. What is the cost of the intial consultation?
3. Have you handled cases like mine before? How many? What was the outcome?
4. Will you be the only attorney who works on the case? If not, who else will work on it?
5. How long will it take for this case to be resolved?
6. How much will my case cost? Can you take my case on a contingent fee basis?
7. Can I do some of the work on the case to keep the cost down?
8. Are there things I should do to improve my case, or to help you?
9. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my case?
10. If I contact your office with questions, how long will you take to return my call?
11. If you are unavailable or on vacation, who can I speak to about my case?
12. Can I reach you after hours, if I have an emergency?
13. How often do you go to trial?
14. If I am not happy with a settlement offer, and you want to settle, will you go to court anyway?
15. If I am happy with the offer, but you think we can win more at trial, will you follow my wishes?
16. Have you ever been disciplined by an ethics committee, or been suspended from the practice of law? If so, why?
17. What “continuing legal education” courses have you attended during the past few years?

Usefull resources:

Directory of Killeen - Local listings of attorneys and couselors at law in Killeen and Bell county.

Carlson Law Firm - Attorneys with principal offices in Killeen and other offices in Waco, Temple, Austin and other cities.  Specializing in multiple area of law including personal injury, bankruptcy and divorce.

The Fort Hood Officers’ Wives Club will host the 27th annual Holiday Bazaar on November 15th, 9am-6pm and November 16th, Noon-5pm. Because of the great success of last year’s event, we will for the third consecutive year hold the bazaar at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. This exciting event is open to the public and is filled with Vendors locally and across the state, raffle prizes, food, families and tons of fun. This event provides a great opportunity to shop for the holiday and be a part of giving back to our community through our Welfare request.

The proceeds from this fundraiser (averaging $30,000) are then given back to Fort Hood and local charities through disbursements by our Welfare Fund.

This event helped make possible the continued success of a wide variety of worthwhile organizations like Santa’s Workshop, Red Cross, Armed Services YMCA and the Humane Society. The Holiday Bazaar will feature more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, Handmade Quilts, professional pictures with Santa, and the very chic newly named, Holiday Indulgence Café featuring wonderful holiday treats and more. Watch for our drop off points for your donated goodies.