The Midnight Train to Georgia?

While it’s not possible to take a midnight Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) light-rail train all the way to Georgia, it may soon be possible to once again ride the trains locally late at night. 

As reported in the June 27^th edition of The Sacramento Bee, transit officials are considering extending light-rail service to around 12:30 am.  Currently, the trains end at 9:30 pm.  RT is also looking at restoring bus line service on Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard.  These proposed changes are the result of an upswing in sales-tax revenue which makes up nearly half of RT’s operating budget.  RT cautions, though, that it could take until 2017 for service levels to match those of 2009. 

June 30th Deadline to Brag About It & Win

Time is running out to enter Burlington Coat Factory’s “Brag About It Challenge”!  You have until 11:59 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011 to enter.  Just submit a video or photograph with a caption bragging why a certain item from Burlington Coat Factory (BCF) is a great find or why BCF is great.  There’s no purchase necessary to enter or win.  Get the full rules at http://www.burlingtonbrag.com/rules.  You could win a $100 gift card!

And be sure to visit their store in our business district at 5601 Florin Road (at the corner of 65^th Street) in Sacramento.  For more information, telephone 916-399-5726 or visit http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com.  Good Luck!

FREE Consulting Services for Existing & Emerging Businesses

The Small Business Development Center hosted by Los Rios Community College District offers no-cost consulting services to existing business owners and emerging business owners.  They provide information on best practices for small businesses, business plan development, start-up basics, the loan process, procurement and contracting opportunities, regulatory compliance, and money management.

Their consultants can meet with you one-on-one by appointment only for all your business needs.  For more information, please call 916-563-3210, email info@sbdc.net, or visit http://www.sbdc.net/.

If you are a pre-venture or start-up business, you are required to first attend the Business Basics Workshop before scheduling an appointment with a consultant.  Visit http://www.sbdc.net/ for a class schedule.

Resources for Re-entry Job Seekers

Looking for a job in this economy can be a challenge, especially for older or re-entry workers.  Here are some resources that can help:

One Stop Career Centers:  There are 11 of these centers in the Sacramento region with counselors who can provide career assessments, training assistance, resume reviews, interview workshops, and more.  Call 916-263-3800 to find the center nearest you.

“Green Jobs” Hotline:  Construction workers can retrain for green building and energy efficiency jobs through federally funded “clean energy” programs.  Call 916-263-5351.

AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program:  Call 916-483-5991 for free help for job seekers ages 55 and older.

Area 4 Agency on Aging Senior Employment Program:  Job seekers age 55 and over in Placer and Sacramento counties can access job-readiness workshops, which teach resume and interview techniques.  Personalized job search and computer training is also available.  Call 916-486-1876 or visit http://www.a4aa.com.

Slow for the Cone Zone on I-5

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has begun repaving, resurfacing, and restriping Interstate 5 from the San Joaquin County line to Florin Road in Sacramento.

Motorists traveling in both directions can expect 15-minute delays between 9 pm to 6 am through this fall.  This $58.6 million project is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2012.

Remember to drive safely!

Kudos to Sleep Train’s Support of Foster Kids

Congratulations to our friends at Sleep Train for being honored with the Daily Point of Light award from the Points of Light Institute, a national organization dedicated to civic engagement and volunteering.  Sleep Train’s Foster Kids Program has donated more than $700,000 in cash to foster charity organizations. 

Last month their annual Shoe Drive for Foster Kids netted more than 6,500 pairs of shoes to benefit 20 regional foster-care partners.  The Clothing Drive for Foster Kids is underway through July 10.  You can donate new clothes for children and teens at local Sleep Train stores, including the one at Florin Towne Centre. 

For more information, please visit http://www.sleeptrain.com

Get More Business Out of Your Mailings

Learn how to grow your business with Every Door Direct Mail from the United States Postal Service.  This new offering is a cost-effective way to promote your business to customers in your area.

Learn how to saturate a target area with your marketing message by utilizing carrier routes instead of mailing lists.  There's no need to rent mailing lists or print specific names and addresses on your mailpieces.  What a great way to save time and money!

This informative seminar will be held Thursday, June 23, 2011, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, at the Parkway Branch Post Office, 4301 Brookfield Drive, Sacramento.

Reserve your space today at http://www.usps.com/growyourbusinessdays.