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Hello Alaska,
Before moving on to the next topic, here is a little follow-up information from last week's Facebook tutorial. Trying to nip the multiple hours of employee time spent on social media sites in the bud, Wayne Wilken, President of Husky Food Products, chimed in that several software solutions allow companies to restrict access to specific Internet sites in the work place. He recommends OpenDNS http://www.opendns.com,as a low cost and/or free solution that has worked for him. I imagine that few employees are singing the praises of such a program, and would love some feedback on post-implementation company productivity, from those of you that have installed website restricting software on the computer(s) in your company.
Along the same lines, our Facebook page continues to be a growing engagement tool. Member postings and those of participants that want to take advantage of our audience are interesting, useful and create sometimes-spirited interaction. With almost 150,000 monthly impressions you are getting your bang for the buck (which is event more staggering, considering that its free). Over 100 of you are joining our Facebook "likes" every month and almost 4000 are active users.
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Now on to new business. Like last week I am conflicted about which one of multiple topic options to choose today. I've got a hankering to chat about sales people and whether good ones can be created through training, or if certain people have a very natural knack for being not just good at human interaction, but at enticing their peers to buy a product. I also want to know whether today's sales professionals respond favorably to traditional commission, or incentive structures, or if many reward programs are archaic, have not kept up with the changing profile of today's employee and fail to motivate them appropriately.
However, as usual, there is always a more pressing topic of discussion at hand and with the tax filing deadline looming next month, I chose to report on some local resources to get yours done in time. Those of you that may have been dragging your feet during tax season because of the prohibitive cost of getting help with the filing are out of an excuse. A friendly nudge from the IRS to encourage you to submit your taxes, is the recent release of locations throughout the state where you can receive Free Tax Help.
According to the Service,
"This program is designed to prepare basic tax returns for most low and middle-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers. Sites are staffed by volunteers trained by the IRS to prepare basic tax returns. E-file means it's fast, accurate AND it's absolutely FREE. Volunteers receive training on the Earned Income Credit and other personal tax credits. If your income is below $48,362 you MAY qualify for an Earned Income Credit, up to $5,666."
So print your Quick Books reports, take your handwritten ledgers, or carry your shoeboxes down to the assistance center nearest you to get 'er done! Many accept walk-ins, but some require appointments, so please review the list below carefully.
Anchorage
- Anchorage Senior Center Tax-Aide
Anchorage Senior Center
1300 E. 19th Avenue
Mondays and Thursdays 9 am to 3 pm
- Northeast Anchorage Tax-Aide
Muldoon Mall,1251 Muldoon Rd
Northeast Community Center, Far North end of mall
Saturdays noon to 4 pm
(Thai-speaker available Saturdays)
Tuesdays & Thursdays starting, 1 pm to 7 pm
4607 East 6th Avenue
Tuesdays, 6 pm - 8 pm
Spanish interpreter available
2020 W. 48th Avenue
Tuesdays, 1 pm to 6 pm
- University of Alaska Anchorage
Rasmuson Hall (BEB) Room 207
Thursdays, 1 pm to 7 pm
3901 Old Seward Highway
Use South entrance (old movie theatre entrance)
April 18 only Noon to 11 pm
Frontier Building, 3601 C Street, Ste 1404
Wednesdays, 1 pm to 6pm
Mat-Su Valley
831 S. Chugach Street
Fridays & Saturdays 9:30 am to 03:00 pm
Call 745-5454 for appointment; Walk-ins welcome
301 E. Lake View Ave
Saturdays, 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Feb 5, Feb 12, Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2 and Apr 9 only
Call 376-3104 for appointment; Walk-ins Welcome
- Trapper Creek Community Center
Near Mile 115.4 Parks Highway
Fridays, Feb. 25, Mar 4 and Mar 25 only
10:30 am to 4:00 pm
Call 746-6113 for appointment. Walk-Ins welcome
16463 E Helena, Sunshine-Talkeetna
Mar 31, Apr 7 and Apr 14. 12:30 pm to 4 pm
Call 746-6113 for appt Walk-ins welcome
Fairbanks
1424 Moore
by appointment only - call 452-1735
Thursdays 9 am - 4 pm
1215 Cowles St.
Tuesdays 4 pm - 7 pm
Saturdays noon- 3 pm
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
UAF Wood Center
Saturdays, starting 3/26/2011
11:30 am to 3:30 pm
Kenai Peninsula
3935 Svedlund Street
Tuesday, 10 am to 2 pm
Wednesday, 10 am to 2 pm
By appointment only - Call (907) 235-7655
336 3rd Street
Mondays, 8:00-10:00am and 2:00-4:00 p
Wednesdays 8:00-10:00am and 2:00-4:00 pm
Thursday, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Call 224-5604 for appointment
Alaska's Reel Cafe
4487 Sterling Hwy
Corner of K-Beach and Funny River Rd.
Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2 pm
Sitka
1332 Seward Rm 226
call 747-4273 for appt
Wednesdays, 5 pm to 9 pm
402 Lake Street
appt only - call 747-8617
Wednesdays, noon to 4:30 pm
Ketchikan
2000 Tongass Ave, upstairs conference room
Saturdays, 11 am to 2 pm
(907) 225-6351 FOR APPOINTMENT
2441 1ST AVE
Saturdays, 10 am to 2 pm
- Ketchikan Parks & Rec Center
601 Schoenbar Rd
Tuesdays, 6 - 8 pm
- Metlakatla Volunteer Site
Tongass Fed Credit Union, Metlakatla
Appointment only - call 886-5975
Juneau
Mendenhall Mall
9109 Mendenhall Mall Rd
Sundays, noon to 4 pm
Shut-ins call (907) 789-9337
- Gruening Parks & Rec Center
1800 Northwood Drive
Thursdays, 4 pm to 7 pm
Wrangell
1096 Outer Drive
Fridays, 9 am -1 pm
Valdez
- Prince William Sound Community College
303 Lowe Street, Valdez
Sundays, 1 - 5 pm
Appointment only - call 835-5914
Kodiak
302 Erskine Avenue
by appointment only - call 539-6760
March 1 - April 1, 2011
Just one week from today, look for the ever-popular, annual, Buy Alaska Member Survey! This will be your opportunity to once again let us know what works, what doesn't (as if) and what we can do to better serve you! Stay tuned!!
Our pals at the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce are on Facebook now. Check them out and "Like" them at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greater-Fairbanks-Chamber-of-Commerce/114537691927275
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The City of Seward, along with the local Merchant Association is hosting a 3-day community Festival March on 11,12, 13, 2011! (yes, that's right now)
Events include music, a chili cook off, The Alaskan Back Country Chef Challenge 2011, Pub crawls, Free Admission at the Alaska Sea Life Center, adaptive outdoor sporting gear for challenged adventurers will be displayed, Avalanche & Snow machine Safety Awareness programs, free fish printing activities for children from the Alaska Sea Life Center, home brew beer makers challenge, and much more!
See the schedule of events here http://www.sewardevents.com, or email sewardevents@gmail.com for more information
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Its just one party after another, because the
Alaska Folk Festival - Juneau's 37th annual music and dance festival is set for April 11-17 at the Centennial Hall!
Attracting music and dance enthusiasts of all ages, from all reaches of the country, the festival includes performances from both non-professional and professional musicians, dance performances and two days of workshops educating attendees on everything from electric lead guitar to the folk dance, clogging. For more information please visit: http://www.travelagewest.com/Travel-News/Alaska-Travel-Info/Alaska-Folk-Festival/
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The Alaska Native Village CEO Association (ANVCA) is hosting a conference on April 7, 2011, at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage
This all day event brings together key decision makers from Native village corporations across Alaska and experts in the field of 8(a) contracting, energy opportunities and professional development.
Special guest speakers include Keynote Speaker DeeDee Jonrowe, Patrick Flynn, Andrew Halcro, Thomas Mack, and Meera Kohler.
For more information on the ANVCA Conference contact Nichola Ruedy at 907-771-8205 or visit www.ANVCA.biz
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Don't miss out!
5th Annual Women of Science Day
SATURDAY MARCH 12 10am-3pm
ALL Girls K-8 @ Kuskokwim Campus (KUC)
$5.00 donation includes lunch, event notebook, & patch
Come have a blast through cool science activities.
No need to sign up ahead of time just come and bring your friends!
Questions call Amy at 545-2332
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Straight from the Alaska Land Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/alaskaland):
The 2011 Alaska State Land Offerings brochure is now available at :http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/landsale/
Bidding for Auction #467 runs April 1, 2011 through May 20, 2011. Bids will be opened on May 25, 2011. Printed brochures will be available at State Public Information Centers (PICs), local libraries, recording offices, and legislative offices.
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From the Moose Caboose Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/moosecaboose
Monkey Business - Custom diaper giveaway!
We are doing a 100 fan give away on Facebook. "like" us on Facebook and when we reach 100 fans there will be a drawing for a free diaper!
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The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program is partnering with Integrated Marine Systems, Inc., to offer the one-day refrigeration workshop!
8:30 a.m. March 29 at the Copper River Seafood Corporate Campus, 1118 East Fifth, Anchorage, across from the Wishbone Restaurant.
Cost for the workshop is $200 and includes a course manual. Pre-registration is required by March 22, and space is limited. To register, please visit www.marineadvisory.org/workshops
For questions, contact Torie Baker, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program in Cordova, torie@sfos.uaf.edu 907.424.7542 or 888.788.6333.
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Fair Trade FASHION Launch Party
Join the GrassRoots Fair Trade Store for a fun preview of this season's Fair Trade fashion. Producer groups around the world are partnering with fashion savvy designers, resulting in some cute styles and fairly made clothes. Kick off spring with a Fashion Launch Party on Sunday, March 20 at 4 pm. Enjoy Fair Trade treats as you see, feel, and select your favorites from a sampling of Fair Trade apparel. Receive a 10% discount for any pre-orders. For more info, contact GrassRoots Fair Trade Store (1300 W. Northern Lights, between REI & Title Wave) at www.store@grassrootsfairtrade.com or 929-5835.
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....and last, but certainly not least is the addition of the:
Port View Banquet Room at the Alaska Experience Theatre
......to the list of Anchorage downtown meeting and special events locations!
With a capacity of 110-120 people in a number of configurations, the room can house everything from business meetings and training seminars to social events. In addition to thebbeautiful sweeping views, a creative catering menu is available to satisfy even the most discerning tastes.
For reservations and information call 907-272-9076 or email AETMANAGER@99IMPERIAL.NET
For catering information call 907-444-1975, or email GINGERCATERING@YAHOO.COM
ALASKA EXPERIENCE THEATRE · 333 WEST 4TH AVENUE · ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501
www.alaskaexperiencetheatre.com
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