Mayor Tom Henry is holding a Mayor's Night Out on Wednesday, April 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dupont branch of the Allen County Public Library (536 E. Dupont Road). Fort Wayne residents can schedule an appointment to meet with the Mayor in the meeting rooms of the library to discuss their concerns and comments about City government or services.
To schedule an appointment call 427-1120 for a 10-minute block of time. Times are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments ensure time with the Mayor. Anyone who has had a Mayor's Night In or Mayor's Night Out appointment in the last year will be placed on a waiting list to give other residents the opportunity to meet with Mayor Henry. The Mayor intends to host a Mayor's Night In or a Mayor's Night Out during each quarter of 2009.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Special Mother's Day Pops on Pipes Concert
The last concert in the 2008-09 Pops on Pipes Grande Page Organ series will be presented on Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m. Named in memory of a man whose legendary wit and musical talent helped keep the Embassy Theatre alive, the Buddy Nolan Tribute will feature organist and local favorite Cletus Goens II as well as the Treble Choir of the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. The concert will have a Mother's Day theme and will include a special song from the Children's Choir that is just for moms in the audience.Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for students and can be purchased at the Embassy box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.
In addition, take advantage of a special discount offer: Visit the Botanical Conservatory and attend the Pops on Pipes concert on May and you will receive discounts at both. Bring your Pops on Pipes ticket to the Conservatory on Mother's Day and you will receive a $1 discount. Bring your Conservatory receipt to the Embassy and receive $10 adult and $5 student tickets to the concert.
Boilermaker Barnstorming Hits Fort Wayne
Don't miss out on a chance to meet Purdue Coach Danny Hope as he barnstorms through Fort Wayne on May 6, 2009. Hope will be at the Fort Wayne Country Club for a 6:30 p.m. dinner as part of the Boilermaker Barnstorming 2009 exclusive tour. For more information or to register for the event contact the John Purdue Club office at (800) 213-2239 or jpc@purdue.edu.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Amazing Race Host to Stop in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot will welcome "Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan to Fort Wayne on Monday, April 27. Keoghan's stop in Fort Wayne is one of 30 stops he is making as part of Amazing Race Rides Across America, a cross-country bicycle ride. Keoghan, who is averaging 100 miles a day on his ride, started from Los Angeles on March 28 and hopes to end his ride on May 9 in New York City.
Keoghan will be welcomed by the Mayor at about 8:30 a.m. on the old Wells Street iron bridge when cyclists line up to ride with the television host. The public are welcome to attend the kick-off ceremony. The free ride will start by 9:30 a.m. from the Wells Street bridge and will include a police escort most of the way.
Those interested in riding with Keoghan must complete a registration form at Fort Wayne Outfitters' shop (1004 Cass St.) or online. Pre-registration is preferred but on site registrations will be accepted at 8 a.m. the morning of the ride. Helmets are required.
For more information about Phil Keoghan's Amazing Race Rides Across America presented by GNC, visit http://www.philridesacrossamerica.com/.
Keoghan will be welcomed by the Mayor at about 8:30 a.m. on the old Wells Street iron bridge when cyclists line up to ride with the television host. The public are welcome to attend the kick-off ceremony. The free ride will start by 9:30 a.m. from the Wells Street bridge and will include a police escort most of the way.
Those interested in riding with Keoghan must complete a registration form at Fort Wayne Outfitters' shop (1004 Cass St.) or online. Pre-registration is preferred but on site registrations will be accepted at 8 a.m. the morning of the ride. Helmets are required.
For more information about Phil Keoghan's Amazing Race Rides Across America presented by GNC, visit http://www.philridesacrossamerica.com/.
Feet on the Street
Conversation with Mike Talbott of Allen County Extension OfficeBy Teresa Royer
Member Relations Specialist
I met with Mike Talbott the other day. Mike is the Allen County Director of the Purdue Extension Service. You will find them on our Chamber directory as Allen County 4-H Clubs.
When I asked Mike why he was listed with the Chamber specifically as Allen County 4-H Clubs, he told me it was their hope upon joining (many years ago) that the business people of Fort Wayne would attend their livestock auction during the 4-H fair to help drive bids up and ultimately purchase livestock.
Hhhmmm, right away I’m thinking “ok, what is a business person usually donning business attire going to do with Bessie the prize heifer?” I’m assuming putting her in the backyard would be against most neighborhood association bylaws. I didn’t have the heart to tell Mike, I thought he was on the wrong track.
However, I’m glad I exercised caution using the “think before you speak” tactic. Mike told me that in the past business people would attend the auction and listed names that you and I would both recognize that purchased livestock and helped make the auction a success.
The cool thing about businesses attending the auction, bidding and buying is the impact it makes on the young person that owns the livestock. It makes them feel great that this important person took the time to attend the auction and thought enough about their “project” to actually bid money on it. It’s GREAT for their self-esteem and actually gets them thinking about the business this person represents—then the ripple effect comes in. Mike tells me there have been times where the young person will then start to research the industry the business person is from and may have a direct impact on the decisions this young person makes when it comes to choosing a career, education, etc.
It just goes to show, that you never know how your actions will affect others – especially in the life of a young person. I encourage any and all business people to consider attending the 4-H livestock auction this July and consider bidding on Bessie, Brutus or Elmer, you don’t have to put him or her in the backyard, you could donate to the food bank or any other worthwhile cause. While you’re at the auction you can take in the Allen County Fair and have an ice cream and apple dumpling!
It can be a great two-fold opportunity to help the community – impacting the life of a young person and feeding the hungry!
If you have any specific questions on the auction I’m sure Mike and his team would be happy to help you. Here is their number: (260) 481-6826.
When I asked Mike why he was listed with the Chamber specifically as Allen County 4-H Clubs, he told me it was their hope upon joining (many years ago) that the business people of Fort Wayne would attend their livestock auction during the 4-H fair to help drive bids up and ultimately purchase livestock.
Hhhmmm, right away I’m thinking “ok, what is a business person usually donning business attire going to do with Bessie the prize heifer?” I’m assuming putting her in the backyard would be against most neighborhood association bylaws. I didn’t have the heart to tell Mike, I thought he was on the wrong track.
However, I’m glad I exercised caution using the “think before you speak” tactic. Mike told me that in the past business people would attend the auction and listed names that you and I would both recognize that purchased livestock and helped make the auction a success.
The cool thing about businesses attending the auction, bidding and buying is the impact it makes on the young person that owns the livestock. It makes them feel great that this important person took the time to attend the auction and thought enough about their “project” to actually bid money on it. It’s GREAT for their self-esteem and actually gets them thinking about the business this person represents—then the ripple effect comes in. Mike tells me there have been times where the young person will then start to research the industry the business person is from and may have a direct impact on the decisions this young person makes when it comes to choosing a career, education, etc.
It just goes to show, that you never know how your actions will affect others – especially in the life of a young person. I encourage any and all business people to consider attending the 4-H livestock auction this July and consider bidding on Bessie, Brutus or Elmer, you don’t have to put him or her in the backyard, you could donate to the food bank or any other worthwhile cause. While you’re at the auction you can take in the Allen County Fair and have an ice cream and apple dumpling!
It can be a great two-fold opportunity to help the community – impacting the life of a young person and feeding the hungry!
If you have any specific questions on the auction I’m sure Mike and his team would be happy to help you. Here is their number: (260) 481-6826.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Fort Wayne Bike Task Force Announced
Continuing to work on improving bicycle infrastructure in Fort Wayne, Mayor Tom Henry announced the creation of the Bike Fort Wayne Task Force. The task force will advise City staff in the writing of a bicycle transportation plan.
With 40 members including cyclists and non-cyclists alike, the task force represents a diverse set of interests including employers, school districts, colleges and universities, trail groups, the Chamber the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana Department of Transportation, City Council and others.
The first meeting will be noon Monday in the Omni Room of the City-County Building. The group will meet approximately six times from now through October with a public open house in late fall. The City also plans to make presentations to the area partnerships about the plan.
The Bike Fort Wayne plan will be project-based, presenting a series of infrastructure improvements, educational programs and policy recommendations.
Rich Davis, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, and Vince Robinson, Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau board member, are co-chairs of the task force.
The members are:
· Scott Allen, Northwest Allen Trails
· Marty Bender, Fort Wayne Police Department
· Kathy Boling, cyclist
· Jon Bomberger, Greenway Consortium
· Bob Boyd, Concordia Evangelical Lutheran School
· Steve Carr, IPFW
· Mike Clendenen, New Haven/Adams Township Parks Department
· Steven Cobb, Fort Wayne Community Schools
· Jim Coplen, Southwest Allen County Schools
· Rich Davis, Downtown Improvement District
· Andy Downs, cyclist
· Karen Goldner, Fort Wayne City Council
· Tim Hall, Fort Wayne Outfitters
· Mitch Harper, Fort Wayne City Council
· Bill Hartman, Allen County Highway Department
· Lisa Hollister, Parkview Trauma Center
· Dennis Holp, Clean Air Force
· Betsy Kachmar, Citilink
· Lori Keys, Aboite New Trails
· Ethel Klopfenstein, cyclist
· Dean Koehlinger, cyclist
· Paul Lagemann, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
· Dave Lehman, Three Rivers Velo Sport Club
· Jan MacLean, East Allen County Schools
· Bob Mann, Summit City Bicycles & Fitness
· Vickie Meyer, Lutheran Hospital Trauma Services
· Jenny Nash, cyclist
· Ed Reed, Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast
· Sharon Repka, Ronald G. Repka Foundation, Inc.
· Vince Robinson, Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau
· Rick Samek, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Board
· Jerry Seifert, Bikes and Boards
· Ben Shafer, INDOT
· Erin Smith, Allen County Public Library
· Scott Spaulding, cyclist
· Patrick Stelte, cyclist
· Andrew Stout, Indiana Tech
· John Surbeck, cyclist
· Eric Toy, University of St. Francis
· Rick Vorick, Northwest Allen County Schools
The bike task force meetings are open to the public.
With 40 members including cyclists and non-cyclists alike, the task force represents a diverse set of interests including employers, school districts, colleges and universities, trail groups, the Chamber the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana Department of Transportation, City Council and others.
The first meeting will be noon Monday in the Omni Room of the City-County Building. The group will meet approximately six times from now through October with a public open house in late fall. The City also plans to make presentations to the area partnerships about the plan.
The Bike Fort Wayne plan will be project-based, presenting a series of infrastructure improvements, educational programs and policy recommendations.
Rich Davis, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, and Vince Robinson, Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau board member, are co-chairs of the task force.
The members are:
· Scott Allen, Northwest Allen Trails
· Marty Bender, Fort Wayne Police Department
· Kathy Boling, cyclist
· Jon Bomberger, Greenway Consortium
· Bob Boyd, Concordia Evangelical Lutheran School
· Steve Carr, IPFW
· Mike Clendenen, New Haven/Adams Township Parks Department
· Steven Cobb, Fort Wayne Community Schools
· Jim Coplen, Southwest Allen County Schools
· Rich Davis, Downtown Improvement District
· Andy Downs, cyclist
· Karen Goldner, Fort Wayne City Council
· Tim Hall, Fort Wayne Outfitters
· Mitch Harper, Fort Wayne City Council
· Bill Hartman, Allen County Highway Department
· Lisa Hollister, Parkview Trauma Center
· Dennis Holp, Clean Air Force
· Betsy Kachmar, Citilink
· Lori Keys, Aboite New Trails
· Ethel Klopfenstein, cyclist
· Dean Koehlinger, cyclist
· Paul Lagemann, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
· Dave Lehman, Three Rivers Velo Sport Club
· Jan MacLean, East Allen County Schools
· Bob Mann, Summit City Bicycles & Fitness
· Vickie Meyer, Lutheran Hospital Trauma Services
· Jenny Nash, cyclist
· Ed Reed, Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast
· Sharon Repka, Ronald G. Repka Foundation, Inc.
· Vince Robinson, Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau
· Rick Samek, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Board
· Jerry Seifert, Bikes and Boards
· Ben Shafer, INDOT
· Erin Smith, Allen County Public Library
· Scott Spaulding, cyclist
· Patrick Stelte, cyclist
· Andrew Stout, Indiana Tech
· John Surbeck, cyclist
· Eric Toy, University of St. Francis
· Rick Vorick, Northwest Allen County Schools
The bike task force meetings are open to the public.
Tips, Quips and Tallies
by Kay Anthony, Graduate Retention Program ManagerIt is April 2009 already. Even as you read this, college and high school students are seeking internship opportunities through Indiana INTERNnet, the only website in the state of Indiana that is strictly dedicated to the advertisement of internships. Well qualified students are being intentionally proactive in searching out experiential learning opportunities. At the same time, even with the downturn in the economy, employers are alert to the need of staying in touch with students they may want to recruit as their next employees. Summer 2009 is a key time to consider offering a student an internship – paid or unpaid.
If your company is in need of employee talent, and an intern would not be replacing someone who has been laid off, consider talking with the Graduate Retention Program (GRP) staff at the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. The GR staff has more than four years of experience assisting employers in developing internships or enhancing existing programs. We think you will be pleased with the caliber of student who wants to work in northeast Indiana! Call (260) 424-1435 and ask to speak with a GR representative!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Increase Your Business & Share Viable Leads...Join a Chamber Leads Group Today!
Don't miss out on this great opportunity to find out more about leads groups and how to take advantage of this Chamber member benefit for you and your business! Please join us this Wednesday.
(click on image for Open House details)
(click on image for Open House details)
Chamber Member Navistar to Help Design Hybrid School Buses
The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen Navistar Corp.'s Fort Wayne facility to help create an electric hybrid school bus. Navistar will receive up to $10 million over three years for the project, which involves developing a bus that can be driven in electric-only or hybrid modes and recharged from a standard electrical outlet. The federal government plans to deploy 60 vehicles for a three-year period in fleets across the nation.
McMahon Tire & Car Care Offering Free Tire Recycling on Earth Day
On Wednesday, April 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chamber member McMahon Tire & Car Care is going green and celebrating Earth Day by offering free tire recycling drop-off at their store on Coldwater Road, next to Glenbrook Square. Only passenger and light truck tires will be accepted. While normally dealers charge a fee of several dollars per tire to recycle, there will be no recycling charge at this special Earth Day event. Those who recycle tires will receive a free McMahon jar opener made from recycled tires.
Monday, April 20, 2009
5th Annual Graduate Retention Breakfast
Join us for the 5th Annual Graduate Retention Breakfast on Thursday, April 30 from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. Steve Corona of Job Works will moderate a panel of high school and college students, as well as local professionals. They will share their expectations, experiences, and the impact of their internships on their careers and goals.
RSVP online or to Heather Neilson. This event is FREE.
RSVP online or to Heather Neilson. This event is FREE.
Volunteer One Morning at the 2009 Clean-A-Thon
Be part of a special effort on behalf of the seniors in our community. On May 22, teams will gather to clean and repair the homes of folks over 60 that are not able to do the work themselves, during the 4th Annual Allen County Council on Aging Clean-A-Thon.
Seniors are the fastest growing population in our country. Hundreds of seniors are on waiting lists for services to help them remain healthy and independent.
You can help by forming a team of 3-5 people. Teams are asked to solicit donations from family, friends and co-workers to support services provided to seniors by the Council on Aging. Teams will meet for breakfast at 8 a.m. on May 22 at Plymouth Congregational Church, then disburse to assigned projects. Projects are typically completed by noon. Supplies will be made available by the Council on Aging.
For more information contact Jenni Showalter at (260) 426-0060 or jenni@allencoa.com.
Seniors are the fastest growing population in our country. Hundreds of seniors are on waiting lists for services to help them remain healthy and independent.
You can help by forming a team of 3-5 people. Teams are asked to solicit donations from family, friends and co-workers to support services provided to seniors by the Council on Aging. Teams will meet for breakfast at 8 a.m. on May 22 at Plymouth Congregational Church, then disburse to assigned projects. Projects are typically completed by noon. Supplies will be made available by the Council on Aging.
For more information contact Jenni Showalter at (260) 426-0060 or jenni@allencoa.com.
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