A Monthly Publication of the SEPTEMBER 2017 Volume 57, Number 9
AT A GLANCE... Business After Hours . . . . . September 7 Salina Country Club, 5-7pm 2101 E. Country Club Rd. SAYP Party with a Purpose . . . . . . . . . . September 8 Paramount Bar, 7pm 219 N. Santa Fe Employment Expo . . . . . . . . . October 5 Central Mall, 11am-3pm 2259 S. Ninth Details inside!
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NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW FACILITIES, NEW SCHOOL YEAR AT USD 305! See page 4
PASS IT ON! n n n n
Human Resources Communications Sales Staff Break Area
SDI AND CHAMBER
Downtown News By Penny Bettles, Salina Downtown, Inc. pbettles@salinadowntown.com • 825-0535
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Connection (USPS 478-100) is published monthly by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 W. Ash, Salina, Kansas 67401. Periodical Postage paid at Salina, Kansas. Subscription rate to members is $1.25 per year. Sylvia A. Rice, Editor. Consolidated Printing, layout and design. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Chamber Connection, PO Box 586, Salina, KS 67402-0586.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Guy Walker Blue Beacon International VICE CHAIRMAN Dr. Matt Thompson Kansas Wesleyan University CHAIR-ELECT Mark Ritter Crown Distributors, LLC TREASURER Joyce Volk Joyce Volk Insurance Agency, Inc. PAST CHAIRMAN Brian Richardson Occupational Performance Corporation PRESIDENT/CEO Don L. Weiser Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Debra Blomquist Accessible Home Care, LLC Brandon Ebert Waddell & Reed, Ebert-Stein Group Scott Eck Philips Lighting Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons Kansas State University Polytechnic M. Olaf Frandsen Salina Journal Julie Goetz Salina Regional Health Center Dave Hiechel Eagle Technologies Brandon Hughes Harbin Construction Peter Johnston Clark, Mize & Linville, Chtd. Tina Bartlett Salina Housing Authority Dahx Marrs Marymount Properties, Techniqol Consulting, Kansas Bankers Technologies LuAnn Puvogel Salina Surgical Hospital Michael Spicer Salina Community Theatre Ron Stratman Accurate Electric, Inc. Barb Young Triad Manufacturing Mark Zimmerman Salina Supply Company
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It’s almost time to wine down and relax during SaWINEa Downtown’s Inaugural Wine Walk on October 6th! From 4:00-7:00pm, in conjunction with Friday Night Live’s Art Walk, Salina Downtown will welcome several Kansas wineries, and one local brewery (can you guess who?) into downtown’s unique boutiques for an evening of art, wine, music and fun! Tickets go on sale in early September. Grab a seat at Campbell Plaza afterwards and enjoy an evening with Friday Night Live Presents: Taylor Kline and Company from 7:00-9:00pm. It’s sure to be a fun evening for all! While the wine walk does cost a small admission fee, the Friday Night Live evening concert is free for everyone! For more information please visit salinadowntown.com or facebook.com/salinadowntowninc/
OPERATION: Decorate Downtown! Last year, we were delighted to roll out the new holiday decorations, with lights lining the overhead crosswalks on Santa Fe with big 5’ wreaths centered in the middle, and 16 holiday banners hanging from the large poles at the intersections. Those decorations were purchased by the generous donations of local businesses and individuals This year, the along with $10,000 from the Business Improvement Christmas Committee District (BID) budget. Having a beautiful downtown sends has agreed to purchase a message to everyone in this community and visitors alike 50 of these UNLIT that we are proud of our downtown. snowflakes to hang on Help us send that message even louder! Please consider our pedestrian light donating to this project. All of your donation will go poles down Santa Fe! directly to the purchase of decorations. You can be We just need to proud knowing that you had a part in making downtown fundraise a little more Salina SPARKLE this holiday season! and this dream will Please mail check payable to: become a reality! Greater Salina Community Foundation Will you help? MEMO: Downtown Holiday Fund P.O. Box 2876 • Salina, KS 67402-2876
Fall Fix Up Day
Saturday, October 7 • 8:00am to Noon Check-in at 7:30am
Join us as we make the community a healthy and vibrant place to live, work and play! Volunteers are needed! For more information call 785-827-1312
CHAMBER NEWS
Ribbon Cuttings
Follow the Salina Chamber and Visit Salina on Facebook.
True Betty Boutique, 108 S. Santa Fe celebrated their grand opening with an official Chamber ribbon cuttings!
New members Ms. Makeup Studio and Be-You-tiful Skin Care and Cosmetics celebrated opening their location downtown.
Class is in Session for 2017 Leadership Salina
The 2017 class of Leadership Salina kicked off the first of their classes August 24 with a trip to Webster Conference Center’s rope course. Throughout their fall curriculum, the group will spend Thursdays together learning about Leadership and Salina, while visiting local businesses, including: Salina Regional Health Center, Kansas Wesleyan University, Rolling Hills Zoo, Tony’s Pizza Events Center, and Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center. The class will also travel to the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita. Facilitators this year are Michelle Peck and Amanda Michaelis. This year’s class consists of: Gilda Alvarez, City of Salina; Karie Bogart, Greater Salina Community Foundation, Rex Boley, USD 305; Kelly Brown, Smoky Hill, LLC; Jason Bruce, Philips Lighting; Julie Carlson, Central National Bank; Chaz Coberly, K•Coe Isom; Rita Cooper, Accounts Receivable Services; Shay Cox, Bennington State Bank; Ellen Fixsen, Kansas State University Polytechnic; Josiah Frost, Woods and Durham Chtd.; Mai Lin Garcia, Schwan’s Food Co.; Charlotte Garrett, Kansas Wesleyan University; Kim Gilbertson, First Bank Kansas; Eric Hawk, Waddell & Reed; Linda Henderson, Rolling Hills Zoo; Sheila Jacobo, Salina Regional Health Center; Alisha Jester, Salina Area Technical College; Taylor Knofp, Kansas Banker’s Technologies; Madison Miles, The Mortgage Co.; Steve Murrison, Murrison Group; Jessie Putman, Great Plains Mfg.; Julie Ramos, City of Salina; Mitch Robinson, Salina Community Economic Development Organization; Holly Rook, Allen, Gibbs & Houlie, LC; April Russell, ServiceMaster of Salina; Jennifer Russell, First Bank Kansas; Susan Trafton-Evers, Tony’s Pizza Events Center; Whitney Vogan, Long McArthur Ford Lincoln; Amanda Weishaar, Salina Family YMCA. Graduation for the class is on November 15 from 5:30-7pm at the Salina Country Club. 3
CHAMBER NEWS
New Leadership, New Facilities, New School Year at USD 305! Schools is recognized as a Kansas premier school district,” Under new leadership and into new learning spaces, students said Dr. Hardy. “Through the gracious support of the Salina returned to school August 14 at Salina USD 305. Dr. James community we have superior facilities and resources Hardy became the district’s interim superintendent so our dedicated staff can provide high quality on July 1, providing leadership for what is sure to be academics, activities and unique opportunities to a whirlwind year. Dr. Hardy earned his bachelor’s prepare our students to be successful in their future degree in education from Kansas State University, a endeavors. I invite you to join us in our relentless master’s degree from Fort Hays State University, and pursuit of Learning for All, Whatever it Takes!” a doctorate in education leadership from KSU. He With Dr. Hardy at the helm, the next 10 months has 36 years in education with experience as a teacher, will include a November 8 General Election that coach, assistant principal, principal, superintendent, and will determine four board seats and the hiring of the mentor to first year school superintendents and assistant Dr. James Hardy next superintendent expected to begin July 1, 2018. superintendents. Dr. Hardy and his wife Jo of 36 years In that same timeframe, the 2014 school bond projects are raised their family, three now-grown children, in Kansas. expected to be completed. “It has truly been a pleasure to see why the Salina Public
Bond Project Update
Now that the elementary school bond projects are finished, McCownGordon Construction (MGC), the construction management firm in charge of both high schools, pushed hard during the summer to finish up projects before the start of school.
Central HS started school with 22 new or renovated classrooms. Students enter on the south end and are welcomed
by a new, two-story media center in the middle of the building. The administrative offices and the kitchen are still under construction but the target date for completion of this project is February 2018. Curriculum changes are keeping pace with the improved learning spaces. Central is offering audio/visual production fundamentals this fall in the new broadcasting space with professional lighting, editing bay and interviewing space. The new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classes are held in the new lab in partnership with Salina Area Technical College (SATC).
South HS
opened its new kitchen and the east wing in the spring of 2017. New science rooms, construction and design spaces, administrative offices and special education spaces were completed. Recently the 400 and 500 pods were demolished and structural steel is being erected for the new west wing. South’s completion date is expected to be June of 2018. The culinary arts program at South High School is being developed and a fire science I and II will be offered in partnership with SATC. Both high schools are equipped with school stores to be used with entrepreneurship, business and marketing classes.
Salina Stadium,
now 50 years old, is on a plan of improvement that will touch the west side of the facility. Bleachers, restroom and concession areas will be improved with a new press box constructed. The project is expected to be completed by March 2018.
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VISIT SALINA
Salina… so much to SMILE about!
Salina…so much to SMILE about! Do you need more ideas to build on your Salina Bucket List? “Beauty and the Beast” at Salina Community Theatre; “Art Gone Wild” at Rolling Hills Zoo; “Salina On Tap” at Tony’s Pizza Events Center; Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair; SculptureTour Salina downtown; “Get the Led Out” at the Stiefel Theatre; Kansas Wesleyan University Coyote Football! There is PLENTY more where these ideas came from! Download the Salina Chamber App at Google Play or the App Store. Remember while you are out and enjoying, capture a photo/selfie and post it on social media with the #VisitSalina hashtag!
310th Comes Home
A warm welcome and genuine thanks will be given this month when the 310th Bombardment Wing Schilling Airforce Base returns to Salina for a reunion. The group is coming “home” to reunite for a final time. With the help of the Salina Airport Authority, Kansas State Polytechnic and Visit Salina staff, many tours and happy memories will be at the forefront of this special reunion. Smoky Hill AFB (later Schilling AFB). The unit received B29 training April-August 1952 and provided training to the 40th Bombardment Wing in 1953. The 310th took on an aerial refueling mission when it received KC-97 tankers in 1952. In 1961, Schilling AFB gained a strategic missile squadron. First Atlas missiles went on alert in September 1962. The group was redesignated the 310th Strategic Aerospace Wing in March 1962. Schilling AFB began phasing down for inactivation in early 1965. Welcome home to the 310th!
MarqueeWelcomes September 13
911 Communications
September 15-17 Salina Charity Horse Show September 15-16 Salina High Class of ‘57 September 19-22 310th Bomb Wing Reunion September 23-24 KWU Fast Pitch Softball Tournament September 29-30 Living Word Int’l Ministries
Salina High Class of ‘62
Dollars Sense Recent groups Visit Salina worked with and the estimated visitors’ spending they created in the community:
SCC Couples Inv’l Golf Tourn. $23,520
KS Assoc. of Insurance Agents $13,327
KS Dept of Ag $14,440
ARRG State Convention $5,905
War of the Wheels Roller Derby $37,125
New Chair of C&T Lyle Parks, Waddell & Reed, has accepted the role of Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee. Parks replaces long-time Chair Hank Boyer who has completed her terms on the committee. This committee is comprised of 10 members with the Chamber President/CEO and a City Commissioner serving, plus eight other members appointed by the Mayor. The group meets monthly to hear reports and updates from Lyle Parks the Visit Salina staff, and to discuss topics pertinent to the Visit Salina program. The members are often involved in the tourism industry, and others also attend the open meeting. Huge thanks to Hank for her support and guidance, and to Lyle for his continued commitment to our industry. For more information about the C&T committee, contact Sylvia Rice at Visit Salina, 785-827-9301, ext. 138 or email srice@salinakansas.org.
Congratulations to Courtyard by Marriott. They were the winner of the July hotel prize for submitting room pick up data. Shown here is Visit Salina’s Tiffany Benien (far left) presenting a “Staff Snack Break” of ice cream sundaes to Kara Cox, GM (3rd from left), Shelley Donaldson, Asst GM (far right), and members of their Courtyard team. THANKS for being a great Visit Salina partner! 5
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
In The News
KC&G BUSINESS APPRAISAL ASSOCIATES, INC., 200 S. Santa Fe, Suite 1A – a business valuation firm focused on helping closely held companies – is pleased to announce that cofounder Stephanie Klingzell Carlin was recently recognized by the Nat’l Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts™ (NACVA®) and the Consultants’ Training Institute™ (CTI™) as one of its national ‘40 under 40’ award winners. The award recognizes professionals for their accomplishments to the accounting and financial consulting professions and their communities. GOT NEWS? Do you have news to share about your business or organization? Email srice@salinakansas.org and we’ll publish it in an upcoming issue of Chamber Connection. Megan Robl has joined GREATER SALINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION as the new marketing and communications coordinator. Robl is a native Salinan with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and public relations from Kansas State University. She will work with Foundation staff to enhance print, digital and social communications. Jacob Hemmer, of HAMPTON FINANCIAL, has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter from the CFA Institute. Earning the charter requires passing three exams over the course of three years. Jacob passed all three consecutively. He and his colleague, Frank Hampton, provide financial planning and investment advice. SALINA COMMUNITY THEATRE, 303 E. Iron begins September 1 with “Beauty and the Beast”. “Be Our Guest” is at the heart of Disney’s best musical as you accompany Belle to the castle of the Beast, where only true love can save everyone from their fate. You’ll delight to “Belle”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and of course, “Be Our Guest”. We’ve added extra matinee performances to delight our younger audiences, and we’ve lowered the age limit to three for Beauty & the Beast. Season tickets and single performance tickets are available at the box office, or on online at salinatheatre.com. The FE FOR A CURE 5K RACE/WALK to benefit cancer patients, at Tammy Walker Cancer Center, will be held down historic
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Santa Fe Avenue starting at 9am, on Saturday, September 23. Sponsoring organizations are St. John’s Military School, North Salina Community Development, Salina Supply Company, Rocking M Radio, Salina Downtown, Salina Regional Health Center, and Kansas Wesleyan University. Sign up on-line at FeForACure.com The SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL was named Best Community Event in the Salina Journal’s Best of the Best Awards for more than 10 straight years, since the inception of the Reader’s Choice Awards. Kudos to all Festival volunteers, staff, vendors and fans! Spectra Venue Management is proud to welcome Steve Lucci to the TONY’S PIZZA EVENTS CENTER in Salina. Steve comes to us from Phoenix, AZ where he spent 14 years with the Harlem Globetrotters. He was also a venue manager during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Steve has over 30 years’ experience in facility management and will be a great asset to the TPEC team. Help us welcome him to Salina: steve_lucci@comcastspectacor.com. The DAYS INN I-70, 407 W. Diamond Dr., has made some upgrades in their sleeping rooms, including all new beds and soft goods, as well as new carpeting. Look for new pictures soon on their Facebook Days Inn I-70 page, which anyone is welcome to check out and share! The property is owned by B&L Motels, and Charli Moore is the GM. Artists have until September 8 to register for ROLLING HILLS ZOO’S Art Gone Wild Plein Air event on September 16. The event connects artists with the natural world while infusing guests in the artistic experience. Children’s Art Stations, Chalk Art Stations, performing art and painting by RHZ’s own animal artists will also be part of the event.
New Members TAQUERIA BANDA 601 Harold Ave. • Ashley Ducharme (785) 393-9075 • ashley99duch@gmail.com UNIFIRST CORPORATION 1924 Jumper Road John Jacobs, Bobby Skinner, Mike Mertz (785) 825-8766 • john-jacobs@unifirst.com DAGNEY’S ICE CREAM, LLC 105 E. Iron • Kenneth Stromberg (785) 833-2125 • ken@dagneysicecream.com Correction: Please note that the phone number for this member was listed incorrectly in a previous issue:
TROPICAL SNO 2259 S. Ninth • Patty Gulley 785-404-2448
Ambassador of the Month Jenilynn Blair, Marketing Consultant with Rocking M Radio, is the Chamber’s “Ambassador of the Month” for August. Jenilynn Blair “Jenilynn is in her first year as an Ambassador, and is doing a great job!” said Don Weiser, President/ CEO of the Chamber. “She has two new members so far this year, and we’re very proud of her!” For her efforts, Jenilynn will receive a $25 Smoky Hill Silver gift certificate. Congratulations Jeni!
French Riviera and Greece
The next informational meeting about the Chamber’s two international trips - French Riviera Explorer or Classical Greece Explorer - will be at 6pm September 11 at the Visit Salina Annex. For more information go to salinakansas.org or call Sandy Cole at 785-827-9301.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Salina Business Hall of Fame Inductees Selected
Three prominent Salina business persons have been selected to be inducted into the 2017 Arthur M. Claflin Dan Bolen Tim Rogers class of the Salina Business Hall of Fame. They are: Arthur M. Claflin, Businessman, Banker, Philanthropist (Pioneer Category, 1858-1925); Dan Bolen, Businessman and Real Estate Developer (Historic Category, 19261975); and Tim Rogers, Executive Director, Salina Airport Authority (Contemporary Category 1976-present). The induction ceremony will be held Monday, October 30, noon1:30pm, at the Salina Country Club. General Richard Myers, President of Kansas State University, will be the featured speaker. The Salina Business Hall of Fame was established by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Its purpose is to recognize and honor Salina business leaders, both past and present, who have made extraordinary contributions to Salina, earned the respect of the local community and called attention to the Free Enterprise system and its value to our country and citizens in shaping Salina’s way of life. Each inductee will be recognized with a commemorative plaque. In addition, plaques honoring each inductee will be displayed at the Chamber office, 120 W. Ash. A biography of each inductee will be printed and distributed at the luncheon. Tickets for the induction ceremony are $20 per person and can be purchased by calling the Chamber office, 785-827-9301, emailing scole@salinakansas.org, or online by going to the Chamber’s home page at salinakansas.org.
Partners to host 27th Annual Employment Expo at Central Mall The 27th Annual Employment Expo is scheduled for Thursday, October 5 from 11am-3pm at Salina’s Central Mall. The event is jointly sponsored through a partnership between the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Central Mall, Eagle Communications, Salina Human Resource Management Association (SHRMA), Salina Regional Health Center, Project Search, KansasWorks, and Workforce Solutions of OCCK, Inc. This year’s event will feature regional employers looking to hire employees to fill their open positions. Area employers have the opportunity to set up a booth to talk about hiring needs both now and in the future at their business. They are encouraged to bring applications and conduct on-site interviews. Job applicants are expected to come from all over the area. 99KG will have a live remote on site and employers will have the opportunity to voice their hiring needs live during the expo. Prospective employees are encouraged to attend to learn more about the hiring needs of business, brush up on their job search skills, and network with others. KansasWorks will also have their mobile unit available that day. This event is an incredible opportunity for hiring businesses to reach multiple job seekers at one time and booths are now available. To reserve a booth, please contact Shanna Sowers at 785-827-9383, ext. 176, or ssowers@occk.com.
School-To-Career Program provides Valuable Experiences
The students we are educating today are the workers we will be relying on in the future to continue the growth of our community. Do you know that you have the ability to influence their attitudes about work and careers? Your Chamber’s School-to-Career Program is a partnership between USD 305 and local businesses. Students are placed in internships to enhance their knowledge regarding career opportunities that exist locally. It is an observation and hands-on, when appropriate, experience in which the student gains information regarding education, skills, and knowledge necessary for a career of their interest. Goals for the Internship include: 1) introduction to a career of interest, 2) exposure to day-to-day business operations, and 3) heightened awareness of the importance of education. You Can Help. Want to know how? It’s really easy. Open your business to an Unpaid Student Internship and mentor a future member of our workforce! We would love to talk to you about your involvement. Please call Delta at 785-827-9301 or email dbryant@salinakansas.org. 7
BUSINESS HOURS REFRESHMENTS • TOURS • DOOR PRIZES
Salina Country Club
PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID SALINA, KS 67401 120 W. Ash, P.O. Box 586 • Salina, KS 67402-0586 785-827-9301 • fx 785-827-9758 • www.salinakansas.org HELP US KEEP YOUR ADDRESS CORRECT If address is wrong in any respect, please correct directly on the label and return to Chamber of Commerce. Thank You!
2101 E. Country Club Rd.
Thursday, September 7 5-7pm • $5 per person or Fast Pass At Salina Country Club, they know the value of spending time with family and friends and they strive to be the spot where you can laugh, enjoy great food, and play indoors and out with your kids, extended family and friends. Since 1911 their mission has been to strengthen and preserve their community’s legacy and provide the finest experience in golf and dining for all their members and their guests. Already this year we’ve given $2,900 away! It pays to attend!! Come on out, network with fellow Chamber members and discover all that Salina Country Club has to offer. For reservations call (785) 827-9301 or email: dsmith@ salinakansas.org.
For reservations call 827-9301 or email dsmith@salinakansas.org DOOR PRIZES (MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN) $100 CASH ATTENDANCE DRAWING $500, $500, $1,000 MEMBERSHIP DRAWINGS
Street Fair Fun Around the Corner
The Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair takes place on Saturday, September 23 in and around the Smoky Hill Museum at 211 W. Iron Avenue in downtown Salina. The Street Fair is a FREE day of celebration with music, participatory crafts and activities, demonstrators, food vendors and, of course, tours of the museum itself. The Street Fair celebration begins at 10 am with a Salina tradition - a parade down Santa Fe. This year’s theme is “Sparking Imagination”. The parade will feature bands, dancers, businesses, military and much more. The museum gallery is open 10 am – 5 pm for everyone to enjoy the current exhibit: Sorting Out Race: Examining Racial Identity and Stereotypes in Thrift Store Donations. Entertainment is planned on the Main Stage as well as roving performers reminiscent of street fairs of old. In addition, there will be artistic demonstrators on hand from 11am–4pm as well as caricaturists and face painters. Favorite activities for kids of most ages include free makeand-take crafts and, with the purchase of a $5 wristband, they can jump on the inflatables the whole day. And, of course, there will be food. Thanks to sponsorships from many dedicated Salina residents and businesses, there is no cost to attend this day of celebration. Watch the museum website, smokyhillmuseum.org, for the most up-to-date information and come celebrate autumn on September 23 at the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair.
Check it out at http://www.salinakansasyp.com
SAYP Parties with a Purpose
“Party with a Purpose”, SAYP’s biggest Civic event, is back with a brand new venue and style at 7pm, September 8 at Paramount Bar, 219 N. Santa Fe. After some killer rock, paper, scissors tournaments, we are switching it up to raise funds for a deserving non-profit through a Lip Sync Battle! Representatives from Salina Breakfast Ambucs, Salina Area United Way, DVACK, and the local Boy Scouts will be Lip Syncing for your applause. The winner with the most applause will be given the money raised that night. This means you need to be there to make sure your favorite nonprofit can win! There is a $5 suggested donation that will be added to the winnings, alongside the money from the Greater Salina Community Foundation and raffle money. If you want a chance to share your epic lip sync skills, sign up online at salinakansas.org. Limited space available. Individuals will have a shot to perform to win the literal Championship belt! This is a don’t miss evening of fun, friends, hilarious battles, and doing good for one of the great local nonprofits here in Salina. 2017 “Business After Hours” Fast Pass is on sale now! For $30, the pass will gain you admittance to all Business After Hour events throughout the year. To order your 2017 Fast Pass, contact Delta at the Chamber office, 827-9301 or email dbryant@salinakansas.org.