Break the HR Mold and Create Opportunities at the NIHRA Conference

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The Jesters to Perform at University of St. Francis

The Jesters, a performance group of people with special needs, will present ROUNDABOUT, an original, family-oriented production that uses theatre, singing, live instrument accompaniment and dance to tell the age-old story of people in conflict who are challenged to learn to live together in peace.

Performances take place April 18 at 3 p.m. and April 19 at 6 p.m. at the auditorium of University of St. Francis' North Campus building (2701 Spring St.). Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Group rates of 20 tickets or more are also available at $5 per ticket. For more information call (260) 399-7700, ext. 8001.

The Jesters are sponsored by the University of St. Francis and operated out of the School of Creative Arts, an accredited school by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

In This Issue...

In today's issue of the Chamber's Emphasis magazine (which runs bi-weekly as the center section of the Fort Wayne Business Weekly)...

Find out why the SBA says there is good news for small business growth...

Learn how to cope with stress in your everyday life...

Discover Taylor University Online...

And 10 Things You Should Know about Indiana’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

For questions about Emphasis email Nicole Wilkins at nwilkins@fwchamber.org.

History Center Hosts Poet

The History Center will host Janet McAdams' lecture, "Earthworks & the World: Toward an Indigenous American Poetics," on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. Poet, editor and professor, Janet McAdams will discuss founding the Earthworks Book Series of Native American Poetry for Salt Publishing, the largest poetry press in England. Adams will explore Native poetry at the beginning of a new century.

IPFW professors Troy Bassett and Chad Thompson will facilitate discussion following the lecture. PBS is sponsoring McAdams' visit as part of a community outreach project in connection with the "We Shall Remain" television series.

Admission is free. For more information visit fwhistorycenter.com.

Be Prepared to Save a Life

Research shows compression or hands-only CPR is effective in helping to save lives. Mayor Tom Henry in cooperation with the Three Rivers CPR Task Force will offer free hands-only CPR training as part of "Don't Miss a Beat" at the Regional Public Safety Academy (7602 Patriot Crossing).

The one-hour class will be offered five times during the day on Saturday, May 2. This interactive and informative class will train community members age 12 and older to give effective chest compressions to adults who have suffered a heart attack.

Those who complete the training on May 2 will receive a "Bring a Friend for Free" coupon for those paying for a CPR certification class through the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana. The buy one, get one free certificate, a $50 value, can be used for the Red Cross's adult, child, infant CPR training class through the end of the year. The certificate does not have to be used by the person who attends the May training.

To register or for more information visit 3RCPR.org or call 427-1164.

TinCaps Reach Broadcast Deal with Chamber Member - Comcast

The Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball team has reached a broadcast partnership as it prepares to open its new downtown stadium tonight for the season opener. Chamber member Comcast says all 70 home games will be available live to digital cable subscribers throughout most of the state.

The agreement marks the first time a Class A baseball team has delivered all of its home games to a live TV viewing audience, and the TinCaps will be one of only two Minor League Baseball teams to show each of its home games live throughout the season. The live games will be available exclusively to Comcast Digital Cable customers on channel 81.

In addition to offering TinCaps home games live, Comcast will also have access to original team content and On Demand highlight packages that digital cable customers will be able to view whenever it’s convenient for them, with the ability to pause, fast forward and rewind selections.

The TinCaps will employ five broadcast quality cameras and a fully integrated video production room, with editing and replay capabilities. The faces in front of the camera will be long-time television broadcast personality Kent Hormann for play-by-play and Dan Watson for color commentary.

Calling All Entrepreneurs

The Northeast Indiana Growth Capital Symposium takes place Wednesday, April 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sweetwater Sound (5501 U.S. 30 West). If you are an entrepreneur, public official, investor, banker, community leader, CPA, attorney, or university faculty or student you will not want to miss this event.

The symposium will present case study examples of entrepreneurial businesses and the secrets to their success as well as discuss the tools, techniques and support Northeast Indiana has to offer entrepreneurs.

Cost is $25 per person or $75 for four people. Fees waived for all public officials. Register online or contact Vanessa Kuhn at (260) 469-3475.

Fort Wayne Plans For Stimulus Injection

About $50 million in stimulus funding has been secured for projects in Fort Wayne. It has been reported that more than half of the money will be used to supplement education programs for disadvantaged children, which should translate into new teaching positions. The City could also receive more funding for the addition of 29 police officers.

Leads Group Open House

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Expert Photographer to Present Free Lecture

International photographer Harry Benson will share his experience and expertise at "An Evening with Harry Benson" on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Campus Auditorium at the University of Saint Francis (2702 Spring St.). Benson will share his work and answer questions from the audience. A book signing will immediately follow the lecture.

Benson is known for his work with many of the world's most famous faces, including the Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson, Truman Capote, and First Families such as the Kennedy's and the Clinton's.

The lecture is free to the public and made possible by the Canon Explorers of Light Program, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information visit sf.edu/art.

Chamber Academy April 16 Session Rescheduled

The Chamber Academy session from Dick Brooks "Designing a Team that Improves your Bottom Line" that was originally scheduled for Thursday, April 16 has been rescheduled for June. The new date will be available soon.

Business Brown Bag: Big Business on a Small Budget

How do you reach your customers during tough times? Learn how to drive sales and revenue in difficult times through the use of advertising, marketing and public relations.

A panel of experts from Asher Agency, DesignFactore and One Lucky Guitar will share their expertise and guide you through the tools you need to promote your business on a small budget.

Tuesday, April 21 · Noon - 1 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce

Register online or pay at the door

$5 for Chamber members · $10 for non-members

Celebrate Outstanding Youth in our Community

Help the YMCA build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. If you know of an outstanding high school junior or senior who exemplifies caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and volunteer effort, then download a nomination form now for the YMCA's 13th Annual Celebration of Youth Awards. Six local junior and/or senior high schools students will be selected to receive a $1500 cash award from sponsor Wells Fargo Bank to a college of their choice, a commemorative award and a one year YMCA student membership.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 17. For more information visit fwymca.org.

Fort Wayne Hoping for Third Time Charm as All-America City

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry proudly announced Fort Wayne’s inclusion among the thirty finalists for the 2009 All-America City Award bestowed by the National Civic League.

“We know our community has been honored twice in the past with this prestigious designation,” said Mayor Henry. “We are very pleased with being in this elite group of finalists and I have confidence our projects and presentation will carry us through to the winners’ circle.”

A group of city staff and community representatives has been meeting for several months to identify three grassroots projects that address local challenges. Winning communities will have proven success in community-based problem-solving, grassroots engagement and public/private/nonprofit collaboration. At least one of the projects highlighted by each community must focus on the needs of young people. Fort Wayne’s selected projects were presented in its application under the theme “All Together Now,” a nod to the inclusive and collaborative nature of each of the projects.

Ten of the thirty finalists will be named an All-America City. When a City has been named an All-America City three times, it is included in the Hall of Fame to showcase its outstanding civic accomplishment.

A delegation of thirty community representatives will travel to Tampa, Florida for the competition June 17-19. The committee is accepting financial underwriting to help defray the costs of the delegation. Companies or individuals wishing to make a tax-free donation to the effort may do so by sending a check to the City of Fort Wayne and noting “All-America City” in the check memo. More information is available at the City’s website, http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/

Chamber Chairman to Speak at SCORE Meeting

Don Schenkel, CEO of Tower Bank and Board Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce will be the featured speaker at the April meeting of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). The meeting will take place Tuesday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the Abbott Hall conference room at Indiana Institute of Technology (1600 East Washington Blvd.).

The Fort Wayne chapter of SCORE was named the Indiana Chapter of the Year for 2008. For more information on SCORE visit score-fortwayne.org.

Creating a Legacy

The African/African-American Museum Celebrates its First Annual Spring Celebration “Creating a Legacy; Linking our Past to the Present and Preparing for the Future” on April 23, 2009 from 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Those have blazed the trail for African-Americans in various occupations and fields will be honored. This event will feature entrepreneurs and those in the business community.

The guest speaker for this first annual event is Mr. Lionel Tobin, owner of Stuart Manufacturing. The event will include a finger food buffet, entertainment and an art exhibit featuring area school projects with the theme of “African-American Inventors.”

Corporate Sponsorships, Advertisements, History Features and Tickets are available for inclusion in the Event Program and book The Fort Wayne African/African-American Legacy. It is the mission of the African/African-American Museum to collect and preserve the history of African-Americans in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Individual event tickets are only $20 per person. For more information about the event, sponsorships, advertising opportunities, history features or tickets, call Marsha Smiley at(260) 447-5798, Paul Hawkins (260) 341-6387, or Patsy at the African/African-American Museum at (260) 420-0765.