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Emporia Main Street
E-Newsletter
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Greetings!
We hope everyone is enjoying this tropical heat wave... Now that 2015 has officially started, we have a lot of new things to talk about for the new year. Make sure you check out the newest business opening (below), some new opportunities for events in our event calender and new questions from you in our "did you know" section. |
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Pay it forward opportunity!
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Lynn Knechtel of Studio 50-4 (504 Commercial Street) is challenging Emporia businesses to match her businesses $100 donation to support ESU Scholarships. Donations will be accepted through Saturday, January 10th. All donations will create new scholarship opportunities for incoming ESU students, thus helping build our student population in Emporia! If you have any questions, please contact Studio 50-4 at their physical location, via social media or by emailing them at: lynn_knechtel@yahoo.com
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WordPress for Beginners - Sponsored by IM Design Group
WordPress is a powerful tool that can be used for everything from writing and sharing blogs to creating state-of-the-art websites and much, much more. This class will give you the tools to build your own blog or website, using the popular (and free!) WordPress platform. In this class, you'll learn how to design your own blog/website, how to pick a domain name, what WordPress plugins and widgets are, and how to use them. By the end of the class, you can have your own brand-new, modern website up and running.
Note: Students may bring their own laptops to work along, or simply watch the presentation and take notes.
Cost: $45
Instructor: Brandon Stiner
Schedule: Tues/Thurs, Jan 13 & 15, 6:00-8:00pm
Bollywood Dancing
Students will learn new moves every week to incorporate into a dance performed together. By the end of the class they will have learned one modern Bollywood dance which incorporates some traditional folk dance elements and will be able to do it well. This is very aerobic exercise, high intensity that pack a punch so wear comfortable clothing and get ready to rock. Jayashree is a classical Indian dancer with 30+ years experience. She also has training in folk dance and is familiar with Bollywood dance.
Cost: $35
Instructor: Jayashree George
Schedule: Wednesdays, Jan 14-Feb 4, from 6-7:30
Beginning Computer and Internet Basics
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? This interactive, hands-on computer class is geared toward beginners. Students will create a solid foundation and master basic computer skills like navigation, desktop settings and file management. Using the Internet and e-mail programs will also be covered. Limited to 10 students; enroll today!
Cost: $35
Instructor: Gwen Clements
Schedule:Tuesday &Thursdays, Jan 20, 22, and 27, 6:00-8:00pm
To enroll please visit https://flinthills.augusoft.net/ or call 620-341-1392.
Amy Becker
Director of Sustainability & Community Education
Flint Hills Technical College
620-341-1392
abecker@fhtc.edu
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Learn more about local amenities, organizations, businesses, events and more with the E-Town Mobile App! The ETown App is a joint project among Emporia State University, Flint Hills Technical College, USD 253, The Emporia Gazette, the City of Emporia, the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Emporia Main Street.
For IPhone Users, click here:
For Android Users, click here:
For the iPad Version, click here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/e-town-app-emporia-kansas/id712001984?mt=8
For the Web Version, click here:
www.etownapp.com
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Property Availability Guide
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For property owners with property available for rent or sale, this is a free service to collect information and post it on the Emporia Main Street Web Site. With other market information available, we hope this site makes it easier for potential businesses and property developers to find spaces they need.
CLICK HERE to enter information about your available property and view previously submitted information.
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Business Investment Guide
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Do you know a business that should locate in Emporia? Maybe you know an entrepreneur looking for resources or a business owner looking to expand? The Business Investment Guide is community information designed to help you point your contacts in the right direction!
CLICK HERE for the INVESTMENT GUIDE
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Your Tech Just Crashed
Are you prepared?
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Many of us are more technology dependent than we would like to admit. If our phones break or we get the "blue screen of death" on a home computer, we go through all the stages of grief in rapid succession. Today's business computers store more than just your accounting data (although that's REALLY important). Your systems store employee manuals, legal documents, high resolution logos, product pictures, event check lists, store images, inventory and a myriad of other documents that are critical to effective operations. So, if your systems were wiped out tomorrow, how would you recover?
The following are some basic tech tips to help you plan for inevitable data loss and recovery:
1. Make sure your systems are up to date- Microsoft stopped supporting the Windows XP system in April of 2014. Some businesses are running this operating system, while others are running systems  even older. As unsupported software ages, bad things can (and do) happen. Check your software during the first quarter and determine if you need to update. While this doesn't necessarily back up your system, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
2. External Hard Drives- A physical external drive can serve as a solid backup option for your systems in certain scenarios. While the hard drives can back up data for re-installation after a computer crash, a connected external hard drive attached to your system won't benefit you (in most instances) if your building is struck by fire or other types of disasters.
3. High Capacity Flash Drives- Newer high capacity flash drives can serve as a back up for critical files, and they are mobile enough to take off site (adding a layer of security). However, this backup system is only as good as your memory... You need to remember to create backups and remove the flash drives to separate locations on a consistent basis.
4. The Cloud- Several cloud-based backup systems have popped up over the past few years.
Allowing your systems to backup overnight via an online connection can provide you with a sense of off-site security. Recovering data from cloud based backup companies isn't always an easy process, and some local computer experts recommend requesting a physical storage device from the cloud-based company as opposed to an on-line download of backed up information.
5. Off site physical storage- Find a place (or places) that you can physically store important data and documents off site that is secure and will maintain the information stored. In the case of small businesses, it is important that a few trusted individuals know about your data backup plans in case something unfortunate happens.
6. Good, old fashioned files- Beyond digital data, it's a good idea to have physical paper copies of some of your mission critical information. Some legal documents require you to maintain physical copies, while other documents may have financial repercussions if they are lost. Where and how you store your important physical documents can be just as important as backing up a hard drive.
7. Security- Again, from the "ounce of prevention" department: maintaining on-line security and
 | | Total Technology also has equipment and cloud based storage solutions at www.totaltech.biz |
system maintenance can prevent catastrophes. Understanding "safe(er)" website searches, media consumption and secure system usage can help prevent some of the causes of data corruption or system losses. Understanding security basics, keeping appropriate antivirus and anti-malware software up to date and training staff are important steps in the prevention of data loss. As you are doing end-of-year inventory and converting your business systems, it's a good idea to review your technology. A bit of planning now won't completely eliminate the chance for data loss, but it could mitigate it. Some data can never be replaced, and other date is time consuming (and costly) to "re-key". Take some time to ask the question "what would we do if our system went down?", and then take appropriate measures to mitigate your risk.
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Did you know???
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Last week we set a couple of development meetings, finalized some loan processes for a local expanding business, worked to help promote some New Years events at local
 | | Former staff member Lauren Woolard settling into her new job at ESU with a name plaque from Complete Works. |
businesses, put together some state reporting, conducted some planning efforts for the upcoming Start Your Own Business Class and met with some out-of-town businesses looking to open a location in Emporia. For what was technically a holiday week, it was a little crazy around the office, but that gave us some good questions from all of you
1. "What food vendor events do you have coming up?"- From a phone call to the office. For members, the earliest event we have is The Taste on April 18th. Per your feedback, we've made some changes to The Taste for food vendors, and we think you will like the alterations. After The Taste, the Glass Blown Open/Cinco De Mayo block party is May 2nd, the Flatland Cruisers Car Show is May 16th and the Dirty Kanza Finish Line Party is May 30th. Those events represent some of the biggest opportunities for food vendors at events.
2. "What are the city requirements for snow removal on commercial sidewalks?" From a person that stopped by the office. Businesses and building owners are responsible to clear a path and remove snow on the sidewalk in front of their property/storefront in a timely manner. Even owners of those buildings throughout town that are vacant have a responsibility to keep thinks fairly clear. If you own a parking lot, you may incur additional liability from a snowy or ice covered lot.
3. "Are Main Street loans available for businesses run out of the home?" From a prospective entrepreneur. Generally, no. We typically offer loan resources to store fronts in commercially zoned locations. We don't like to say "never", but the business concept would have to be fairly unique for us to expend resources in a non-commercial area.
4. "Can you come by my shop to do some social media training?" From a downtown merchant. You bet. And, if you are updating systems or need some time to talk about resources for expansion, the first quarter is a good time to meet. The much colder weather typically means less traffic for you and fewer vents for staff, but we can take advantage of the "break" to push other projects ahead for the betterment of your business.
5. "If I've got a property available, can you help me market it?" From a local apartment owner. For certain living environments and most commercial properties, we have an easy and FREE way to help you market your opportunity. The Available Property Guide allows you to enter your property information for free inclusion on our web site. According to our analytics, the Available Property Guide gets pretty substantial traffic, including "clicks" from these e-newsletters. We simply ask that you answer all questions for your property to be included. When people answer sale or rent items with "it depends", that really doesn't allow us to help market the property and tends to frustrate people searching for a location. CLICK HERE for the property guide page.
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President's Circle
Emporia Realty Group
www.emporiarealtygroup.com
608 Commercial
620-412-9850
IM Design Group
www.imdesigngroup.com
17 W. 5th
620-343-3909
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541 Sherman
www.kiss103.1.net
620-343-6144
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Emporia Main Street Calendar of Events
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January 9th
Board Christmas Party
January 14th
Promotions Meeting
8:00 a.m. in the Emporia Main Street office.
Design Meeting
Noon in the Emporia Main Street office.
January 21
Board of Directors Meeting
8:00 a.m. in the Emporia Main Street office
January 28
Business Enhancement Meeting
8:00 a.m. In the Emporia Main Street office
February 3- March 12
Start Your Own Business Class
Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-9 p.m. at the Flint Hills Technical College Main Campus
March 29-April 2
National Main Street Conference
April 18
The Taste
April 28- May 3
Glass Blown Open
May 2
Cinco de Mayo and Glass Blown Open Block Party
Noon to 10:00 p.m.
May 16
Flatland Cruisers Car Show
May 30
The Dirty Kanza
For more community event listings, please visit:
www.etownapp.com
Do you have an upcoming event for your business or organization?
Let Emporia Main Street know and we may include it on our upcoming calendars!
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General Level Members
AKA Marketing
Amish Woodworks
Applebees
Ash LLC
Atherton & Huth
Bank of America
Bath Expressions
The Beauty Bar
Ben Moore Studio
Bennett Dental Group
BG Consultants
BLI Rentals
Bluestem Farm and Ranch
Brown's Shoe Fit
Bruff's Bar and Grill
C & J Woodworks
Candlewood Suites
Capitol Federal
Cassell Insurance
Chester Press
Clark Carpet and Tile, Inc.
Coffelt Sign Co.
Complete Works
Country Mart/Price Chopper
Dan's Hands Massage
Davis Paints
Disciple Shoppe
Dorsey Eye Care
Douglas Chiropractic
Dr. Kerri Thompson, DDS
Dynamic Discs
Eastwood Lake Apartments
Eclectic Bikes
Ek Real Estate
Emporia Construction and Remodeling
Emporia Radio Stations: KVOE, 104.9 & 101.7
Emporia State Federal Credit Union
E-Town Solutions
ESU Memorial Union
Evergreen Design-Build
Flint Hills Eye Care
Flint Hills Mall
Association
Flint Hills Music
Floyd's Automotive
Forget Me Not Productions
Four Seasons Apartments
George Groh and Sons
Gerald Schumann Electric
Granada Coffee Company
Graves Drug Store
Haag Management
Hair Krafters
Heart Center Studio
Helbert & Allemang
High Gear
Java Cat Coffeehouse
Jimmy Johns
Junque Drawer Emporium
Kansas Radio 96.1 The Wave
King Liquor
L & L Pets
Little Red Rooster
Lyon County State Bank
Lyon County Title
Mark II Lumber
McDonalds
McKinzie Pest Control
Midas Touch Tans
Mike Alpers Agency
Mr. Sisters Sweets
Modern Air Conditioning, Inc.
Mulready's Pub
Navrats Office Supply
Papa John's Pizza
Paper Moon Antiques
Pizza Hut
Pizza Ranch
Plum Bazaar
Poehler Mercantile
Pool and Associates
Prairie Sage Apartments
Pro-Cuts
Rand Simmons Law Office
Redline Trucking
Reflxns Salon
Rhinestone Cowgirl Salon
Rockin' Accessories
Sauder Custom Fabrication
Schellers Lawn and Landscape
Scott's Lawn and Landscaping
Second Love Gifts
Stanley Jewelry
Studio 11
Studio 50.4
Subway
Sunflower Gymnastics
Sutherlands Lumber Co.
Sweet Granada
Textbook Corner
Thompson Auto Repair
Toso Appraisal
Total Technology
Town Crier Bookstore
Triad Leasing
Uncommon Threads
Value-Net LLC
Waters True Value Hardware
Westar Energy
Williams Automotive
Wright CPA Group PA
Wright's Furniture
Xan-A-Do Salon
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Non Profit Level Members
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Cradle to Career Cneter
Emporia Eastside Community Group
EHS- FBLA
Emporia Arts Council
Emporia Chamber of Commerce
Emporia Farmers Market
Emporia Friends of the Zoo
Emporia Presbyterian Church
Emporia Friends of the Library
ESU- Alumni Association
ESU- Small Business Development Center
ESU- Memorial Union
ESU- Theatre Dept.
Flint Hills Community Health Center
Granada Theatre Alliance
National Teachers Hall of Fame
Saint Francis Community Services
Salvation Army
SOS
TFI Family Services
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Home Based Business Members
Avon- Amanda Hopkins
Gold Canyon Candles- Stephanie Morgan
Green Door Recycling
Interdependent Web, LLC
Mary Kay- Lori Engle
Origami Owl- Angela Dowell
Paula's Creations
Pampered Chef- Chelsea Gerleman
Purse Lady- Nancy Crawford
Tastefully Simple- Vanessa Apodaca
Thirty One Gifts- Linsey Hopkins
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Individual Supporters
Amy and Rick Becker
Amy Evans
Brad Harzman
Dale & Carolyn Davis
Don Hill
Erin and Casey Woods
Joyce Zhou
Julie Johnson
Kayle Oney
Kelly Wade
Lynn Knechtel
Mark and Amy McAnarney
Michael and Karen Shonrock
Valerie and Matt Zimmerman
Roger Heineken
Smitty Smith
Sue Blechl
Tim & Mary Helmer
Tyler & Melanie Curtis
Yvonne Pool
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