National Balloon Classic's 29th Annual Fundraiser. A highly anticipated, elegant evening featuring dinner, entertainment, Live/Silent auction, and lots of surprises tucked in.
Tickets: $65 | Attire: Evening (Roaring 20s optional).

PURCHASE TICKETS by contacting the National Balloon Classic at (515) 961-8415 or becky@nationalballoonclassic.com

We have moved! You are invited to an Open House on Wednesday, February 17, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. We willl have a few community providers in attendance to give information on their services. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.  Hope to see you next week!

Mark your calendars and join us for a Ribbon Cutting at 9 a.m. on February 17, 2016, at the Indianola Preschool (IPS), 205 S. Howard, Indianola.

IPS is proud to be the ONLY preschool in Warren County to be given the highest rating of 5 stars in Iowa’s Quality Rating System!  Further, the preschool has been chosen as the Best Preschool/Child Care in Warren County in the Indianola Record Herald Tribune EVERY year!

Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the preschool will offer an after care option for students who attend morning classes.  Registration for the next school year will be held Saturday, February 13^th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Find out more by contacting IPS at 961-3798 or at indianolapreschool@hotmail.com.

Register for the Think Spring! Garden Seminar on Saturday, February 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Kent Campus Center at Simpson College, Indianola.

This event is a partnership between the ISU Extension Master Gardeners in Warren County and Indianola Parks and Recreation. Learn about: Success with Houseplants, Inspirational Garden Art & Pinterest Gardening, Gymnoclaudus dioicus (the Kentucky Coffeetree) and Birds, Butterflies and Pollinators.  Register for the Think Spring! Garden Seminar now! 

Do you know someone who fits the description below and could benefit from a cooking and nutrition program: eligible for food stamps or WIC and is expecting and/or has children 10 years or younger? 

If so, please let them know they qualify for the FREE nutrition and cooking classes in Indianola on Tuesdays, March 1-May 3 (skip March 15 and April 5) from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Participants will learn to save money and time at the grocery store and in the kitchen, help picky eaters try new foods, learn to make easy, low-cost meals and also strengthen family relationships. Contact Sara Tessmer for more information.

The 2016 lineup is full of tools and techniques to make your business better in any role, with any level of authority.  With a meaningful mix of hard & soft skills, the YCNS staff is there to help you get things done!  Classes starting as early as February 23, 2016!  The class lineup follows:

Making Business Better (8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)  

• Making Change Stick - 2/23/16
• Creating an Effective Business Case - 4/26/15
• Giving and Receiving Feedback - 4/26/15
• Speaking and Presenting to Others - 6/28/16
• Working Well with Vendors - 8/23/16
• Building Effective Relationships - 10/25/16
• Navigating through Difficult Conversations - 10/25/16

Leadership (5-Part Leadership Series) Classes begin 9/13/16
The YCNS Essentials Suite  (New)
    Classes scheduled from 2/25/16 through 10/27/16
Project-Focused (PM/BA/QA)
    Classes scheduled for 8/23/16 and 8/25/16

Learn more and register at www.yourclearnextstep.com, or call 515-442-0545.

The Golden Hammer Award goes to:  Nate Fehl, Hy-Vee Market Grille
 

Internship Toolkit

Are you thinking about implementing an internship program at your organization, but aren’t sure where to start? Or perhaps you have had interns in the past and are looking for ways to make your program more formalized and effective. Check out the new internship toolkit: Internships 101, launched by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The free, online guide provides employers with tools to successfully implement and maintain an internship program within their organizations.

The online guide walks through key areas of implementation, beginning with establishing a plan, recruiting and hiring, and management tips. Also included are resources such as a sample job description, local college and university contacts, sample interview questions and legal considerations.

For more information, join the Internships 101 Webinar on Monday, March 7 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. Visit www.desmoinesmetro.com/events to register for this free webinar.

On Tuesday, March 1, 2016, Indianola residents have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to fund building a new wastewater treatment plant with a 1% local option sales tax.

Vote YES if you want a 1% Local Option Sales Tax
Vote NO if you do not want a 1% Local Option Sales Tax

With 92 out of 99 counties already implementing a local option sales tax with positive results, you are strongly encouraged to vote yes on March 1!

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THINK INDIANOLA FIRST ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Investment levels if purchased separately: $250, $500, $750

Consider joining forces with the Chamber Network to promote your business through a variety of advertising opportunities. Nobody has an unlimited marketing budget and the opportunity to collaboratively promote and market the Indianola economy is a win, win for everyone. Leverage your marketing dollars with other members and get more for your dollar! Be part of the Think Indianola First Advisory Group and be part of the team that develops and deploys a marketing strategy to drive more commerce into our community. This campaign will focus on the benefits of a unified, intentional plan that utilizes print, radio, and perhaps television advertising for the good of our local businesses and community.

Investors will receive recognition on the Chamber website, newsletter, and on various advertisements throughout the year. Investors will be identified using, “This ad is powered by YOUR BUSINESS NAME”. At the $250 investment level, you will receive recognition two times, $500 investment level 4 times; $750 investment level 6 times.

TOURISM BROCHURE

Consider advertising in the Indianola Chamber tourism brochure. This brochure will be handed out at local events throughout the year and provided to every visiting family at Simpson College, visitors and guests, and to individuals relocating to Indianola.

• Front Cover Ad: $600 – 1 available Ad size 3.5917 x 1.75
• Back Cover Ad: $500 – 1 available Ad size 3.5917 x 1.75
• Inside Brochure Map Area: $450 – 1 available Ad size 3.2694 x 1.93
• Inside Brochure Attractions Area: $450 – 1 available Ad size 3.5917 x 1.75
• Inside Brochure Attractions Area: $250 – 1 available Ad size 1.68 x 2.21 Sold
• Inside Brochure Restaurant Area: $225 – 1 available Ad size 1.68 x 2.1978

To find out more about these opportunities, please contact our office at 515-961-6269.  To purchase either advertising opportunity, go to the Chamber online store at:
http://www.indianolachamber.com/sponsorship-online-store.htm

 

Please join us for breakfast, games, fun and meet the Cat in the Hat!  Please pre-register by calling the Library at 515-961-9418.  Sponsored by Friends of the Indianola Public Library Foundation and Darren Beverage, State Farm Insurance Agency.

The Indianola Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping our businesses grow.  The electronic electronic marketing opportunities available only to members is a small investment that can increase your bottom line!

WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER BANNER ADS *We know many of our members have lots going in their businesses. Various events and seminars, holiday specials, good news to share and more are always happening in our community. Here is a great opportunity to drop an exclusive email regarding your business to our membership.

The Fourth Annual Big Band Dance will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016, featuring Jazz One, Jazz Two, Middle School Jazz Bands, and the Indianola Community Jazz Ensemble.