Playgrounds Cost a Fortune, But are Worth Every Penny

The Fortune School, a public charter school serving grades K-3, recently opened in Stockton Square Plaza at 6829 Stockton Boulevard (at 65th Street) in Sacramento.

Although the school offers indoor yoga classes, they do not have a playground for the children.  They have already raised $16,000 towards their goal of $30,000 to build one.  The school is asking for your financial support as well as volunteers to help build the playground over the MLK Day weekend of January 14-16, 2012.

For more information, or to sponsor, please contact Carmy Preston at cpreston@fortuneschool.us or call 916-924-8633.

November Events & Seminars for Small Biz

What:  The Impact of Cal/OSHA and Labor Laws on Your Business.  Free seminar sponsored by State Compensation Insurance Fund.
When:  Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Registration and complimentary continental breakfast at 7:30 am.
Where:  Hilton Sacramento – Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento.  Free parking.
How:  Register online at www.statefundca.com or by calling Steve Heller at 916-567-4800.

What:  Navigating Health Insurance Options for Businesses.  Free seminar sponsored by Paychex.
When:  Wednesday, November 2, 2011, from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm ET. 
Where:  Online.
How:  Register at www.paychexinsurance.com/seminars.aspx

What:  The Connecting Point.  Workshops, panel discussions, small business resources and networking opportunities. Free admission.
When:  Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.  Registration is at 8:30 am. 
Where:  Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights.  Free parking.
How:  Register at www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/sbevent

What:  State of Small Business.  Leading economists and a panel of experts will speak about healthcare-related opportunities for small biz, clean tech, venture capital funding, international trade/exports, and more.
When:  Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Where:  Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights.  Free parking.
How:  Contact Gordon Hinkle at 916-446-7883 or email ghinkle@calasiancc.org.

What:  401(K) – A Retirement Plan Option and A Well Written Handbook May Help You Manage Risk.  Free seminar sponsored by Paychex. 
When:  Tuesday, November 8, 2011, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Where:  In your local Paychex office or a nearby location.
How:  Register online at www.paychex.com/localseminars or call toll free 1-877-321-8581.

What:  The 10 Components to Creating Business Success.  Hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal.  Includes training with sales expert Jason Everett, dinner, and a one-year Business Journal subscription.  
When:  Thursday, November 17, 2011, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Where:  Citizen Hotel, 926 J St., Sacramento.
How:  Contact Ruvi Bazaz at 916-558-7881 or rbazaz@bizjournals.com to register.

What:  Social Media Marketing Made Simple, presented by Karen Rice of Constant Contact and hosted by The Personal Assistant. 
When:  Friday, November 18, 2011, from noon to 2:30 pm.
Where:  Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel and Event Center, 6920 Destiny Drive, Rocklin.
How:  Register at www.thepersonalassistant.com/news.

Don't Delay - Reach More Customers Today!

Florin Road corridor merchants can be a "Featured Business" on our website and
reach more than 1,000 unique visitors each month - for FREE! 

Just download the submission form from the "Directory" page of our website at http://www.florinroad.com/. Then tell us in 100 words or less what makes your business unique:  your merchandise, multilingual employees, extended hours, etc.  Return the form to us by email, fax, or snail-mail.

Each month we'll randomly select several businesses from the submissions received.  These businesses will be profiled on http://www.florinroad.com/ using the information provided.  (All submissions may be edited for space and clarity.)  We'll also take a photo of your business and include it in the profile.  You'll be notified if your business is selected.

This special FREE promotion is only available to merchants within
the Florin Road Business Improvement District.  

Over 100 businesses have been featured so far.

What are you waiting for?

Don’t Stop Celebrating!

Congratulations to Smog Stop on their 20^th Anniversary! 

Visit their test only station at 4750 Florin Road, Sacramento (between IHOP and Chevron).  And be sure to get your discount coupon in the PennySaver.  For more information about Smog Stop’s services, call them at 916-393-1448.

Are you a Florin Road Corridor merchant who’s celebrating a business anniversary?  Whether it’s 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, or more, we want to hear from you!  Help us help YOU celebrate your success. 

These Boots are Made for Walkin’

A recent survey of over 1,000 American adults reported that 64% said they had walked out of a store due to poor service (source:  Consumer Reports, Sacramento Business Journal 8/19/11). 

The top 5 customer complaints:

#1:  Rude sales staff
#2:  Pushy sales staff
#3:  Sales person unavailable
#4:  Wait at checkout or counter
#5:  Wait for scheduled repair.

What makes YOU want to walk (maybe even run) out of a store? 

Catch Me If You Can

The Sacramento Employers Advisory Council and the Employment Development Department are hosting a full-day seminar to show employers how to minimize the loss and liability associated with technology. 

“From Twitter to Facebook:  Avoiding the Risks of Today’s High-Tech Workforce” will be held on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza at 300 J Street, Sacramento.  Register at www.saceac.com.

A To-Riffic New Eatery Has Arrived!

Billing itself as the “Best Korean Restaurant in Town!!”, 88 Tofu has opened in Pacific Plaza at 6914 65^th Street, Suite 301, Sacramento (across from Walmart). 

They’re open 7 days a week and feature a menu of tofu soups and USDA choice grade meats with no MSG.  For more information, please call them at 916-421-0888.

Get Your Edge Back

The California Employers Association and the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency are hosting the Professional Edge Workshop Series for unemployed/underemployed Sacramento area professionals. 

Topics include job search and interview strategies, social media, and personal branding.  The workshops are 9 am to noon every Thursday from October 20 through December 15 at 925 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento.  For more info, visit www.employers.org.

A Golden Opportunity

Now through October 27, 2011, the Golden 1 Credit Union is hosting FREE workshops and webinars to help you plan your financial future. 

For more info, visit www.golden1.com and click on “Achieve Your Goals” or call 916-732-2900.

Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet

The public is invited to attend the Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet Job and Resource Fair on Thursday, October 20, 2011.  The event will be held from 10 am to 3 pm at the Garden Pavilion, 5640 Dudley Blvd., McClellan. 

The fair is sponsored by various federal, state, local and private organizations within Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties.  For more information, call 916-227-2152.

Are California Small Businesses Anti-social?

The October 14, 2011 edition of the Sacramento Business Journal reported that small business owners in California were less likely than business owners in other states to believe that social media was helping them.  According to a study by the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, 55% of the California small business owners surveyed viewed social media as a waste of time or burdensome.

Are you a Florin Road Corridor small business who has used or is currently using social media to promote your business?  If so, we’d like to hear from you!  What social media outlets have you tried?  Did social media help or hinder your business?  What advice would you give to other merchants in our district who are considering using social media?

The Florin Road Corridor Is On Fire!

The Florin Road Partnership proudly welcomes Firehouse Crawfish to our business district!  Joining the more than 75 eateries in our area, Firehouse Crawfish adds to the diversity of dining choices that await you.

Don’t miss their Happy Hour, from 3 pm to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. 

For more information, please call 916-429-9034 or visit Firehouse Crawfish at 6519 Savings Place, Sacramento.  They’re in Lotus Plaza, at the corner of 65^th Street and Savings Place.

New City Council District Boundaries

The Sacramento City Council recently approved new Council district boundaries.  These take effect today, Thursday, October 6, 2011. 

A map of the new districts and the staff report with the adopted ordinance are available at http://www.cityofsacramento.org/redistricting.

Celebrate Sacramento was a Success!

Children and adults wanted to meet the friendly State Farm mascot at the Celebrate Sacramento Festival on Saturday, October 1, 2011. 

The event was presented by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson and Sacramento City Vice Mayor Bonnie Pannell.  Over 2,500 area residents and their families attended the five-hour celebration at the Florin Road Light Rail Station.  The Florin Road Partnership is proud to have sponsored this event.  We hope the festival will return to our district again next year for even more fun.

There was plenty to see and do, with vendor booths, informational displays from government agencies and non-profits, children's activities, and of course, yummy food and great music.

Many thanks to the event organizers, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, performers, and attendees for making this event a success!  And a special thank you to Mother Nature for keeping the rain at bay!