DID YOU KNOW 6-30-09

INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC……..FOR THE PUBLIC!!!

DID YOU KNOW some businesses will be closed on Friday in observance of Independence Day? Clay County and the City of Clay Center offices will be closed on Friday. Banks will be closed on Saturday. You might want to check schedules of local businesses before planning to conduct your business on Friday. Have a SAFE & Happy Independence Day.

DID YOU KNOW Snow Cone Central has changed their hours? With the summer heat in full force, you will want to check out a Chiller at SNOW CONE CENTRAL on the corner of 6th & Grant across from Maury’s. Snow Cone Central is officially open for business. They are open Sunday & Monday from 6pm till 10pm; Tuesday – Friday 1pm – 10pm and Saturday 11am – 10pm. They have 12 delicious flavors plus 2 sugar free flavors for their “Chillers” that come in 4 different sizes. They also offer a variety of drinks and some ice cream specialty items. Stop by and beat the heat today!

DID YOU KNOW the Chamber’s Independence Day Celebration will be this Friday at the Fairgrounds? The gate will open at 4pm on Friday, July 3rd and entry will be through 12th & Bridge street. There is no charge, but donations would be greatly appreciated. Free children events will include a Big Truck Jump House, Super Slide, Pony Rides, Face Painting, Local Entertainment and relay races. The relay races will be potato sack races, 3 legged race, egg relay races and water balloon toss. Concessions open at 5pm for seniors and 5:45 pm for the general public. Competitions include: Seed spitting at 4:30pm; Cow chip Toss at 5pm; Lawn mower race at 5:30pm; Cow Chip Bingo at 6pm and Baby Crawl/walk at 7pm. Deadline to enter is July 1. To register for an event you can visit the Chamber website at www.claycenterkschamber.org or stop by any of the banks or the Chamber office at 517 Court. Hope to see you in Clay Center on the 3rd.

DID YOU KNOW that Leaving Signs Behind offers more than just signage? In addition to many different kinds of signage for businesses and individuals, they also can provide your business with over 30,000 different promotional products. From now until July 28th you can order calendars for your customers for 2010 and get special Early Bird Pricing. Contact Lisa at 613 5th St. 632-5330 or you can e-mail her at leavingsignsbehind@yahoo.com for more information.

DID YOU KNOW the Clay Center Animal Shelter now has a donation box? If you would like to donate items to the animals at the Clay Center Animal Shelter there is a donation box at the facility. They also have an ADOPT-A-PET program where you can adopt your next pet. Check out the Dispatch to see pictures of some of the pets available for adoption. For more information about adopting a pet contact Amy at 632-2121. If you would like to sponsor a pet in the Canine Corner Adopt-A-Pet Program contact Kathy at 632-2127.

DID YOU KNOW a Full House is currently having a $5.00 sale? A Full House has marked down items in their store to great prices that are perfect for summer. Can’t afford that Refrigerator that you need right now? Come on in and they will deliver any pre-rented item with only $5.00 due the first week! They also offer Lifetime Reinstatement. Prices have never been better! Stop by A Full House at 510 Dexter or call 632-5985 today to see what they can do for you.

DID YOU KNOW there is a new business in town? A’s Carefree Pet & House Sitting is available to take care of your pets or your home due to medical issues, vacations or extended leaves. If you need to get away for a weekend or longer but can’t find reliable pet care, then A’s Carefree Pet & House Sitting has the solution. For more information and pricing call 785-447-2125 if no answer please leave a message.

DID YOU KNOW Clay Center is hosting a Business HealthCheck TONIGHT? The program is for small and emerging private businesses who employ 50 or fewer current or new employees and have less than $1 million in projected gross revenues. Staff from the City of Clay Center, Clay County Economic Development Group and the USDA will be in attendance with applications for business owners who qualify for this grant opportunity. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm at City Hall. There is NO COST to the business and beverages will be provided . A business healthcheck is a structured fitness exam focusing on seven critical business areas including: customer & market focus, leadership & strategy, human talent development, financial management, process management, partners & suppliers and information/technology. The exam provides a snapshot review of business performance outlining strengths, weaknesses and improvement opportunities. Please RSVP to Cheryl Beatty at 632-5454 or Jami Williams 632-5974 if you are interested in participating in this FREE program for your business.

DID YOU KNOW today is the last day of June and therefore the last day of Business Appreciation Month? June is Business Appreciation Month and I hope you took the time to support our local businesses. I hope you found them courteous and beneficial to Clay County. I hope you found everything you needed and a few things you didn’t need. And most importantly, I hope you learned the value of shopping locally and keeping our sales tax dollars in Clay County. Remember, if there is something you don’t think you can get in Clay County, please check with local businesses and ask if it is something they would be willing to carry. You might be surprised. Clay County businesses pay taxes, collect sales tax, employ local people, provide a product or service and are a vital part of our County. Save time by staying in town, save money by not using excess fuel to drive out of town, keep sales tax dollars here to help support Clay County and all our communities.

DID YOU KNOW that Detour will be closed this Saturday? Detour meets at Common Ground Ministries, 709 5th Street in Clay Center and is usually open each Saturday evening from 7pm – 10pm for all middle school and high school students. However, in observance of Independence Day, Detour will be closed on Saturday, July 4th.

DID YOU KNOW the City Band will be playing in the bandshell? The City Band will be playing in the Bandshell at Dexter Park on Wednesday, July 1st at 8pm.

DID YOU KNOW the Chamber of Commerce hosts a coffee every Wednesday morning? This week’s meeting will be Wednesday, July 1 at 8am at the Education Center at CCMC. The program this week will be the American Legion Riders. The public is encouraged to attend. Sponsored by Heilman Insurance and Clay County Medical Center.

DID YOU KNOW that Rotary Club meets every Thursday? Rotary will meet on Thursday, July 2nd at noon at the Clay Center Country Club. Clay Center City Administrator Cheryl Beatty will be the guest speaker. The luncheon starts at noon and the public is invited to attend.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS APPEARED IN PRIOR EDITIONS, BUT IS STILL IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND IS TIME SENSITIVE:

DID YOU KNOW the Rex Theatre is open for business? This weekend they will be showing Disney Pixar’s UP. An excellent family film about Carl Fredricksen who spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Junior Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. UP will show at 7:30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stop by the Rex to enjoy a movie and popcorn with the family. Ticket prices are always a low $5 per person.

DID YOU KNOW United Bank & Trust is having their “Go 4th” celebration? United Bank & Trust’s Eighth Annual all-American “Go 4th” Celebration and community appreciation cook out is set for Wednesday, July 1 from 11am – 1pm. They will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, dessert and bottled water. In case of rain it will be rescheduled for the next day – same time.

DID YOU KNOW it is time to sign your kids up for Youth Soccer? Youth Soccer is available for kids who are 4 years old (by Sept 1) through 6th grade. Registration deadline is August 1st, so you will have to sign up kids before school starts. (Be sure and spread the word to friends.) The fee is $17.50 per player with a $35 per household maximum. Checks should be made payable to Clay Center Youth Soccer League. The fee will increase to $22.50 per player AFTER August 1. Shin Guards are required and metal cleats are not allowed. You can pick up an application from the Information Center 517 Court or reply to this email and I will forward you a printable copy. Your child’s coach will contact them once the schedule has been established for practice and game information. For more information you may email cckssoccer@yahoo.com

DID YOU KNOW the 16th Annual Clay County Relay for Life is scheduled for Friday, August 21? If you would like to volunteer to help organize this amazing event, please consider joining the committee. The next Relay for Life meeting will be on Wednesday, July 8th at noon at United Bank & Trust. They can never have too many volunteers. Please also consider having a team for the event. Teams consist of 8 to 15 people who are willing to walk throughout the night (12 hours). There are also special ceremonies honoring cancer survivors and those who have died of cancer. The theme for this years event is “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.” Since about one in three Americans will get cancer sometime during their lifetime, events like this are even more important to help fund a cure. Anyone interested in forming a team or becoming a corporate sponsor (at any level) can contact Deb Moon 632-1715 or Linda Underwood at 632-0369. You can also check them out on the website at www.relayforlife.org to make online donations.

DID YOU KNOW there is a new business in Clifton? All Wood Techniques LLC is open for business in Clifton. Bruce Ames offers a wide variety of custom cabinet work including entertainment centers, cabinet refacing or complete kitchen remodels. For more information or to get a quote you can contact Bruce at bames@awteq.com or 785-455-0030.

DID YOU KNOW more “ducks” will be available for sale? “Ducks” for the Great Republican River Duck Race will be on sale at Carver’s Countryside Market, Green Team of Clay Center, Inc., Idle Hour, Low Places and Scooters Bar & Grill. Ducks will sell for $5 each or 5 for $20. The first five ducks to cross the finish line will have an opportunity to win a new Colorado pickup truck from Green team of Clay Center, Inc. 1st place wins $500 cash; 2nd place – ½ hog; 3rd place – Stay at Topeka Holiday Inn; 4th place – $50 in gas; 5th place – Meal for Two at Danny’s Grill & Catering. The Great Republican River Duck Race will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 25 and 1,000 ducks must be sold to qualify for the truck. They will also be selling suns & moons, which will be on display at all of the above locations, as well as Kidwell Liquor. You can purchase one of these for $1.00 each in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of someone who lost their battle with cancer. All proceeds will go to the Clay County Relay for Life, and will be used to fund cancer research, as well as help many cancer patients in this great county of ours. If any business is interested in selling either of the above items, please feel free to call Linda Underwood at 632-6233 (home) or 632-0369 (cell).

DID YOU KNOW there will be an agri-tourism program held in Clay County? Would you like to learn how to tap into the $2.8 billion dollar rural tourism industry? Are you interested in making more money from your farm or ranch? Do you enjoy meeting people who are interested in learning more about our rural way of life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you will want to attend a FREE Rural Tourism Development information meeting from 10am – noon on Wednesday, August 26 at the Clay Center Information Center, 517 Court. Whether you are currently farming or ranching, are a landowner who has abundant wildlife or beautiful scenery, make or sell local crafted artwork, provide food or overnight accommodations, or provide some other service for travelers, please consider attending one of these FREE meetings. Please contact Jami at 632-5974 or email jami@claycountykansas.org if you are interested in attending.

DID YOU KNOW the Dispatch is printing a “Business Card Directory”? 15,000 copies of this directory will be printed and distributed in the Dispatch, Saver, Wakefield Times and at events and local outlets around Clay County. The cost is only $100 for a business card sized ad which will be categorized in the directory. They can use your current business card or create one for you at no additional charge. For an additional $25.00 you can also be featured in the Online Business Card Directory (view a sample at http://bizcard.printrelay.com). Deadline to be included is July 15th. If someone from the Dispatch doesn’t contact you, give them a call at 632-2127 to insure your listing in the Directory.

DID YOU KNOW by saving certain labels you help our schools? Although school’s out of the summer, you should continue to save Campbell’s Soup Labels (the UPC code), General Mills Box Tops for Education and Nestle Pure Life water labels. By saving these labels you help our local school earn money for various projects in the school system. Please make a point to cut the labels and save them to help a worthy cause. If you don’t have school aged children, you can still save them and drop them off at the grocery store or stop by the Information Center at 517 Court and we will get them where they need to go.

DID YOU KNOW the Clay Center City Pool is open? You can get a family membership for $75, a single membership for $30 or just pay $1.50 anytime you want to go to the pool. They are open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1-5:30 and 6:30 – 8:30 and Wednesday and Saturday from 1 – 5:30pm. Stop by the pool or call them at 632-5149.

DID YOU KNOW dates have been set for the Clay County Fair? July 22 through July 26 are the dates for the 2009 Clay County Fair, according to the Fair Board. The rodeo will be held on Wednesday (22nd) and Thursday (23rd) this year. A demolition derby is set for the fairground grandstand the evening of Friday, July 24 and Jayhusker Races are slated for Saturday, July 25. The carnival will run from the 23rd thru 26th. The Fair’s Gospel Sing will be held Sunday, July 19th at the United Methodist Family Life Center.

DID YOU KNOW that Clay Center Lodge #134 meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month? The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 1st at 7:30pm. You can contact Jeff at 447-0521 to learn more about the Masons.

DID YOU KNOW the Clay Center Lion’s Club meets every Tuesday at noon? If you are interested in becoming more involved in the community, you might want to check out the Clay Center Lion’s Club meeting on Tuesday, July 7 at noon at Maury’s. Visitors are welcome.

DID YOU KNOW that there is a website for graduates of Clay County Community High School? You can go to the website and add yourself as an alumnus. This is a great way for classmates to keep in touch with you and a great way to find old friends. Send the link to your friends and classmates so the site can be more complete. Visit http://www.ccchsalumni.com now to update your information.

DID YOU KNOW this is a weekly newsletter? Please share this newsletter with friends, family & co-workers (forward it to your email groups) and if they would like to be added to the newsgroup list – please have them email Jami at jami@claycountykansas.org. There are currently 338 people registered for this newsletter. If you would like to submit information for this newsletter, please send your requests to the same email address listed above or call 632-5974 by noon on the Monday before you want the information sent out (newsletters go out every Tuesday). Let’s keep Clay County Residents informed, so they will THINK CLAY COUNTY FIRST!