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Hello Alaska,
Happy Spring Clean-up Days! I recently saw a post on LinkedIn that involved various workplace rules and whether their existence and enforcement really helps productivity. Most regulations seem to be designed to eliminate distractions and therefore provide an environment for greater output. Specifically the author spoke about some employers restricting the kind of shoes female employees are allowed to wear (no open toed) and mandating pantyhose under pants. Closed toed shoes make sense if workers are exposed to dangers that may increase the risk of injury, but I cannot find a reason to ask women to wear hose under pants, other than to make them miserable. If work place rules are designed to keep employees focused and they are distracted by open toed shoes, a bigger problem than proper footwear exists! Business operating rules need to be reviewed continuously to ensure that they are current and don't over-regulate. On the other hand, something that is rarely viewed as a problem in the workplace, but is much more important than pantyhose, is the dreaded "copy all" email address. Unless you're part of a softball team and the manager is reminding all players that they have a game the next day, there is very little practical application for this overused tool. On occasion, in order to save time, informing a larger audience of important issues simultaneously, requires their inclusion in one email. However, more often than not, "send all", or "reply all" has become synonymous with covering you hiney. Even worse, it takes a matter that can easily be managed within a small group, to a larger audience and blows it out of proportion. I am grateful that this is not present in my place of work, but contractors with which I am involved in my business, love to copy me on their interaction. Issues that could have been resolved with one-on-one conversations among them, now become 30-minute discussion topics at a meeting. Why? Because even with very enlightened and progressive companies in existence all over the world, many traditional businesses, managers and employees still exist, who feel that productivity is secondary to ensuring that praise for positive results is heaped on the deserving person, while responsibilities for less successful strategies are doled out to others (leaving behind tire tracks on co-worker's backs from throwing them under the bus) A business associate that assures me that he/she was not part of the problem (usually via a "send all" email), also tells me that they were not part of the solution. Before long, their concern for how they are perceived overshadows their work, regardless of its quality and we tend to part ways. While you're revisiting your "send all" strategy, please also consider aborting the 7 pm trivial email to your boss to let him/her know how late you stayed. It's a little too transparent! (I have to confess that I've done that one a couple of times, but I promise to stop:) ------------------------------------------------------- Join the Palmer Chamber of Commerce in kicking off the 2011 Friday Fling season on Friday, May 13th! Live music from the Palmer High's jazz band "Confusion" ,great food from several vendors (including many new ones), fresh local grown veggies, lots of craft vendors to shop at, and as always a good time! The market will be open from 11-6. ------------------------------------------------------- Has it really been almost a year since the last Chickenstock Music Festival? It must be, because.......Chicken Gold Camp is hosting the 5th annual Chickenstock Music Festival in June. There will be 13 Alaska bands sharing the stage. June 10th evening and June 11th all day Friday only is $8 Saturday only is $25 Friday/Saturday and camping is $30 For more information visit www.chickengold.com, call 520-413-1480, or email either chickenite@hotmail.com or chickenRVpark@gmail.com. ------------------------------------------------------- MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL! Alaska Residents can stay at the beautiful and modern Crowne Plaza Anchorage Hotel from May 26th to May 30th for just $169.00 per room, per night. Make a reservation for 3 days or more and receive a Complimentary Large Pizza and 4 Sodas on your 3rd day as our guest.Call 907-433-4100 for more information. Standard room only. Subject to availability. www.crowneplaza.com/anchorageak ------------------------------------------------------ You are cordially invited to join Alaska Denise Lake Lodge for their 2011 Open House on Saturday, May 21, 2011 - from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Tour the lodge, network your business, make new friends and enjoy food & spirits and PRIZE DRAWINGS! And don't forget to bring plenty of business cards! www.deniselakelodge.com ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- 2nd Annual Juneau Maritime Festival, Saturday, May 14 at Marine Park and around the downtown waterfront. Returning events include: - The Coast Guard's helicopter rescue demonstration
- The seafood marinade contest
- Vessel tours
- Exhibit and sales booths
- Entertainment throughout the event, and lots of activities for kids
------------------------------------------------------- While Juneau is advertising their Festival continuously, Sitka seems to want to keep theirs under wraps. Good thing I'm snoopy, so I can let you know about the - Sitka Seafood Festival, May 20 - 22 Events include: - Opening Banquet Dinner
- Maritime-themed parade
- Vendor booths, including a beer garden
- Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demonstration
- ......and much more
Visit http://sitkaseafoodfestival.org for more information! ------------------------------------------------------- The Federation of Community Councils, Inc. is hosting the 36th National annual Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) Conference May 25-28, 2011 at the Egan Center. Register now at a special $200 price to receive top-notch training from workshops that address issues that impact neighborhoods and municipalities. The year's conference theme, "Great Land, Great Neighborhoods" places special emphasis on - Community Building
- Community Safety
- Health & Recreation
- Green Initiatives
- Grassroots Organization
- Housing
Your registration fee includes an invitation to the Mayor's Reception at the Anchorage Museum, breakfast with keynote speaker and Four Time Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser and dinner at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.For full event schedule, more information and to register please visit www.nusa2011.org -------------------------------------------------------
The Alaska Process Industry Career Consortium and North Slope Training Cooperative is having an open house this Friday, May 13, 3:00-6:00 pm and you are invited!
Please join them at our new offices - 2600 Cordova, Suite 105 in Anchorage
-------------------------------------------------------- Check out this very cool Land's End Resort/Tutka Bay Lodge special for you cooking enthusiasts! Cooking Class with Renowned Alaskan Chef Kirsten Dixon (named one of the Top 10 best chefs in the northwest by Pacific Northwest Magazine) on May 14, 2011 This culinary adventure begins with a boat ride from the Homer Harbor at 10:30 am on Saturday across Kachemak Bay to the dock at Tutka Bay Lodge (which Kirsten and her husband Carl own). The unique setting of this cooking class offers inspiration to explore Alaska's regional products. They feature local seafood and gather the best of Alaska seasonal ingredients and other local fare. Menu: - Spring onion arepas with herbed greens, house-smoked salmon and apple chutney
- Pan-seared halibut with ratatouille and crispy rice cakes
- Rhubarb honey cake with vanilla crème and berries
Enjoy cooking instruction, a festive luncheon, a tour of their newest addition, the Widgeon II, and an optional hike along the old-growth forest. Board the Northern Star at 2:30 PM and be back at Land's End Resort by 3:00 PM 1 and 2 night packages available starting at $217 plus tax Limited Space available, please make your reservations as soon as possible. Locals Rate for class and transportation only available. Must call 1-800-478-0400 or 907-235-0400 to book. ----------------------------------------------------------- North Pacific Auctions has 3 big auctions this weekend - Friday May 13 at 1 PM 221 Centaur Ave., Wasilla www.iaai.com - On Site Estate Auction, 308 Second St., Seward Saturday May 14 at 12 Noon Furniture, Collector Plates, Art, Household Goods, Glassware and more View pictures at www.northpacificauctions.com
- Defaulted Storage at Arctic Self Storag
Sunday May 15 at 1 PM 601 West 58 St. 20 or more units plus Trailer, Dune Buggy, Dirt Bikes Visit the NPA website for more auctions www.northpacificauctions.com --------------------------------------------------------
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