Hello Alaska,

Today's topic will fall under "random rants and raves", one of my personal favorites. I'll try to stick to business as much as possible, but once I get up on my soap box..........

Let's start with how hard it is sometimes to actually give your business to someone, specifically when that involves a phone call. All you really want to do is place an order via telephone and get a live person, but end up facing everything from endless transfers to busy signals and full mailboxes (really, you're in business and have a full voice mailbox?) When you do decide to leave a message (which I personally rarely do) it often doesn't result in a prompt callback. As you know, what we as business owners and operators sometimes write off as one missed opportunity, often times has a drastic snowball effect. Few folks talk about a positive shopping experience, but a bad one seems to spread like wildfire. Unfortunately this occurs much less at large corporations where dedicated employees have specific responsibilities, but happens to small guys, where multi-tasking is the norm. Business people get tied up, I know it, but for many small companies our primary selling feature over the big guys around the corner is good, personal customer service. We need to make sure that we deliver on that promise!                                                              

I recently spent some time in Germany and noticed that the drugs that are advertised on TV simply require a general statement at the end of the commercial that states that as with all drugs you should consult your pharmacist and or physician with specific questions about the drug. That makes sense to me as opposed to the 10 second long, fast spoken diatribes about what the nasty side-effects of this drug may be. Holy cow, most of the time I can't understand why anyone should ever take medicine that causes half the things mentioned in the ad. Are they spelled out so the pharmaceutical company can tell you "I told you so" after you have similar effects? Please, spare me the details of the various side effects and decrease them instead.

Speaking of commercials, spotted by my good pal Danielle Novy was small writing at the end of a TV eyelash mascara commercial that said something to the effect of having added lashes to the model prior to applying the mascara in order to achieve the desired thickness. Come again?!?! I'm not sure what's weirder: That the company is forced to disclose cheating in its commercial, or that it is allowed to trick consumers and simply has to state that it did so. Why isn't someone saying not just no, but H. E. double hockeysticks No?! I don't get where this is okay.

At a time of driving traffic to websites and engaging customers through a variety of social media, I find the choice ACS is making in a current ad campaign, which encourages customers to go to the yellow pages for a coupon, interesting. I wonder whether the benefits of sending traffic to their phone book and the ability to monitor the success of the campaign outweighs the use of what many believe to be an obsolete vehicle. I'm certainly interested in their findings.

That wasn't so bad and just like that, we're in our second week of December and on the homestretch of the holiday events and bazaar section. I hope your shopping is fun and local!

Holiday Events -

• Colony Christmas

Join the Palmer Chamber December 10-12th for Colony Christmas, a three-day celebration of Christmas past and present in Downtown Palmer. The town's  historical downtown fills with horse-drawn sleigh rides, reindeers, light tours,     gingerbread houses, tubas, Christmas carolers, and a night sky full of fireworks. For more information, please contact the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce  at 745-2880.

• Christmas Village at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center
   

Saturday, Dec 18 10:00a to 8:00p. Christmas Village is Alaska's newest Christmas show! It will feature over 200 vendors selling a wide assortment of gifts for everyone on your list. Its big, its fun, its FREE! So please bring your friends and family and come join us for this wonderful event. See you there!

Bazaars -

            Anchorage

• Centennial Village Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, Dec 11 10:00a to 3:00p at Salamatof Heights in Anchorage. (9131Centennial Circle -- from Muldoon take Peck Avenue to Centennial Circle)  Cook Inlet Housing presents The 9th Annual Holiday Bazaar at Centennial Village. Find unique hand-crafted gifts, including beadwork, carvings, pottery and crotchet. Bring your gift list and start your holiday shopping. Vendor Booth space is available. For information contact Arnold: 338-2314

• Alaska Native Culture Charter School Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, Dec 11 10:00a to 6:00p  in Anchorage. ANCCS is hosting their first holiday bazaar. $50 table fee provides support for the schools mission. Fee and application (found on schools website) due by December 1st to reserve a table, maximum of 30 tables.

         Students and PTSA will have food for sale.

• Last Chance Christmas Bazaar at St. Innocent's Orthodox Cathedral in Anchorage.

Saturday, Dec 18 10:00a to 4:00p Being held close to Christmas for the freshest possible baked goods, the Bazaar features Gourmet Christmas Cookie Trays; Crafts and Artwork; Ala Carte lunch being served includes Clam Chowder, Borscht, Fried Bread and Piroshky; assorted yeast breads, turnovers and pastries all homemade. Tables are available for $30.

• Christmas Bazaar at Anchorage School District Education Center
   

Saturday, Dec 18 10:00a to 6:00p. Artists from all over the State of Alaska will offer handcrafted, unique one-of-a-kind gifts.

            Other Alaskan Communities

• Christmas Carnival and Bazaar at the AT&T Sports Center in Palmer

 Saturday, Dec 11 10:00a to 6:00p. The first annual Christmas Carnival and  Bazaar. Rides, games and prizes for kids. Variety of vendors with great gifts.

• Holiday Bazaar at Palmer Senior Citizen Center
   

Saturday, Dec 11 9:00a to 4:00p. The Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc. invites everyone to their annual bazaar during Colony Christmas in downtown Palmer on December 11, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Trapper Creek Elementary PTA Holiday Craft Bazaar

         From 10am to 4pm across the river in Trapper Creek

This is the last batch!

Did you know that the portion of the adult female population that are armed forces veterans in Alaska is 8406 and 3.5 % respectively, the highest of any state in the US?

Christmas at the Reindeer Farm in Palmer

Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas Eve, Noon-9:00pm

Admission of $7 per adult and $5 per child 3-11, toddlers free, will include:

• Reindeer Tour-Feed and pet Santa's Reindeer before the big day!
• Christmas Lights Choreographed to music. You can't miss it!
• Additional Activities: Photos with Santa's sleigh and Reindeer
• Hay Rides
• Hot Chocolate and Roast a S 'More!

Call 907-745-4000 or visit www.reindeerfarm.com for more information

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall is not just a song anymore, it's now an art installation!  

Come view 99 oil paintings of beer bottles from around the world displayed on the walls of the Loft at Midnight Sun Brewing Company.  This art show has been three years in the making by the artist, Scott Clendaniel.  

First Firkin Friday on January 7th, starting with a firkin beer tapped at 5 PM.

More information at www.beerpainting.com.

Festival of Lights Readers Theatre as part of the Talkeetna Winterfest

Dec. 10, from 7pm to 8pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.  This event has been a holiday tradition in Talkeetna for over 20 years and is an Open Mic. format for sharing holiday stories, carols and cheer.  Great family event!

Lunches to go at the Alaska Dinner Factory!

Available Monday-Friday 11am-2pm.  Just email or call ahead and they'll have lunch ready for you to pickup.  Make sure to check the menu for delicious options and email Linnea about  a $2 coupon at lunch@alaskadinnerfactory.com

Mark Your Calendars:

Winter Alaska Gift & Food Show 2011

January 21, 22 & 23, 2011

Dana'ina Convention Center in Anchorage, AK

Summer/Tourist Season. Wholesale Show. Call Mike Anderson at (907)929-2822, or visit www.alaskagiftshow.com for more information or to register

The Alaska Railroad is calling all artists

Department of the Air Force - Elmendorf

Youth Ministry Coordinator

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF

Anchorage School District

• MISCELLANEOUS SCHOOL SUPPLIES
• TEXTBOOKS AND RELATED SUPPLIES
• FLAGS
• MEDICAL SUPPLIES
• PHYSICAL EDUCATION SUPPLIES
• AUDIO-VISUAL, COMPUTER & LIBRARY SUPPLIES
• KINDERGARTEN SUPPLIES
• SCIENCE SUPPLIES

http://www.asdk12.org/depts

Alaska Railroad

• Railbelt Lodging & Transportation Services
• Fuel Delivery and Supply

State of Alaska

Purchase and Delivery of Copier Paper in the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau

http://notes3.state.ak.us

State of Alaska

Facetime Unified Secure Gateway

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

State of Alaska

The Department of Administration, Division of General Services is requesting information on available office space for the Department of Labor in Anchorage.

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

Hydro Ax Services in Cordova

https://www.fbo.gov/

State of Alaska

Work includes: Fabricate and install new fishing platforms, an ADA fishing platform, ramps, and stairs. Also modify existing piles and fishing platforms.

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

State of Alaska

The State of Alaska is seeking letters of interest from contractors, developers, or lessors, interested in providing approximately 50,000 square feet of office space for the Department of Labor in Anchorage

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

North Slope Borough

Kaktovik (KAK) Airport Relocation Professional Design Services

http://www.north-slope-procurement.com

Kenai Peninsula Borough

• Network Switching - Computer Assisted Dispatch Network
• Virtualized Server & Storage Framework - Computer Assisted Dispatch Network

• Homer Baling Facility 6 x 6 Roll-Off Truck
• Appraisal and Appraisal Consulting Services
• School Re-Roof Projects - Professional & Design Services
• Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Research Study

Social Security Administration

Verbatim Hearing Recorders in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan

https://www.fbo.gov/

Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

Walden Point Road Paving

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/

State of Alaska

Purchase and Delivery of Copier Paper in the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

State of Alaska

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is soliciting proposals for the development of a 50-year Regional Integrated Resource Plan (RIRP) for Southeast Alaska from Yakutat to Metlakatla.

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

State of Alaska

Nsei Sablefish Pot Survey Vessel Charter

http://notes3.state.ak.us

City of Juneau

Purchase Luminaire Materials for Juneau Douglas Museum Lighting

http://www.demandstar.com/

State of Alaska; Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

The State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) intends to solicit proposals from general construction contractors to serve as "Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC)" for the Library Archives Museum Project in Juneau

http://dot.alaska.gov/procurement/index.shtml

State of Alaska

Purchase and Delivery of Copier Paper in the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau areas

http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf

State of Alaska

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is soliciting proposals for the development of a 50-year Regional Integrated Resource Plan (RIRP) for Southeast Alaska from Yakutat to Metlakatla.

http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic

State of Alaska

The State of Alaska is seeking letters of interest from contractors, developers, or lessors, interested in providing approximately 69,000 usf with circulation of office space for the Department of Labor in Juneau

http://notes3.state.ak.us/

State of Alaska

The University of Alaska Southeast is accepting sealed proposals for the intended purchase of a Virtual Reality Mining Simulation Trainer, for the UAS Department of Career Education.

http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic

UAF

Beverage Vending Services

http://www.uaf.edu/procurement/        

CITY OF FAIRBANKS

REQUEST FOR FURNISHING LED LIGHTING FIXTURES TO THE CITY OF FAIRBANKS PUBLIC WORKS DEPT

http://www.ci.fairbanks.ak.us/departments

State of Alaska

Purchase and Delivery of Copier Paper in the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau

http://notes3.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic

Department of the Air Force - Eielson

Mess Attendant Services

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF