November already…

November 4, 2009

Wow. It’s hard to believe that November is here. With it comes the getting ready for Christmas season. Many stores are showing off Christmas displays now.
Kids are compiling their wish lists… we’re decorating our homes… we’re doing some shopping and hiding stuff away… the list goes on…

The Festival of Northern Lights kicks off later this month on November 20th with the opening ceremonies at 6:00 pm at the Queen’s Park Bandshell. The festival runs daily from 5:00 – 11:00 pm from November 20 to January 3rd. Check their website for events and celebrations.

On Saturday, November 21, Santa makes his way to Owen Sound for the Owen Sound Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade at 10:00 am Downtown Owen Sound. For info. call Cheryl Govier (519)371-4717.

That’s not all… there’s shopper’s nights and parades in various communities around Grey Bruce, Christmas bazaars and sales, concerts, and so much more. It’s such a great time of the year. Enjoy!

Written by Deb · Filed Under Participation, The Area, fun, theOwen

Brand Camp “Website Intensive”

October 26, 2009

Why your website sucks… and what to do about it!

Those 5 local young entrepeneurs are at it again, bringing their next installment of helping businesses promote themselves using the internet. They have had two very successful training sessions with their initial Brand Camp and then an encore presentation.

Brand Camp “Website Intensive” is a one-day powerful training workshop for local entrepreneurs who are interested in growing their business using the internet. Most businesses can really benefit from expanding their promotions online but doing so is not nearly so simple as just “having a website”. Websites, themselves, can range from free, online fill-in-the-blanks templates to complex, interactive community-oriented sites that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to develop. Many people are not even aware of the options available and could literally be throwing their money away by investing in the wrong website for their business. Online promotion also goes much further than your website, and with social media trends such as Facebook and Twitter touching nearly every industry and demographic, your business could be losing out in a big way if you are not paying attention to and joining in the conversation.

Brand Camp “Website Intensive”, (also known as “Why Your Website Sucks… and what to do about it!”) will focus specifically on the things you need to know to get your business online in an effective way. Some of the things we will talk about are:

* different types of websites and what kind is best for you and your business
* designing your website to target the right audience
* Search Engine Optimization and its importance in bringing new customers to your website
* finding and using the right keywords for your business
* creating high-quality content (copywriting, video, and audio)
* promoting your website online and off
* online legalities and etiquette
* how to track and use the results that your website is getting.

This high-impact workshop will also be hands-on, ensuring that you will come away from the day with real results specifically for you and your business.

Your next opportunity to take part in this great, value-added event, is November 10th in Owen Sound!
Buy your tickets before November 1st to take advantage of earlybird pricing of 25% off!

For more information or tickets, please go to www.BrandCamp.ca

Written by Deb · Filed Under Business, Features, Participation, theOwen Features

Dragon’s Den Meaford Finalists Selected

October 5, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2009

The Selection Committee for Dragons’ Den Meaford is pleased to announce the seven finalists who will pitch their business ideas to the panel of ‘Dragons’ on October 21st:

Meredith F. Cowan, Meaford
Kim Giffen, Thornbury
Jim Fewster, Meaford
Chantelle Boyes, Meaford
Jason Moore, Meaford
Normand Comeau, Priceville
Tanya Vesely, Meaford

All applicants were required to submit a one-page synopsis detailing their business idea with an explanation of its relation to one of the four pillars of the Municipality of Meaford’s Economic Development Strategy… Retail, Agribusiness, Tourism or Green.

Modeled after the popular CBC TV show, Dragons’ Den Meaford will take place at Meaford Hall on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 beginning at 7pm. Applicants will pitch their ideas to 5 local ‘Dragons’ for feedback and hopefully, cash. Each Dragon will bring a minimum of $1,000 to invest in the idea(s) they like best. This means that potentially, an entrepreneur could walk away with $5,000 for business start-up! Also up for grabs are a free business bank account, business plan assistance, business start-up mentoring, admission to a number of entrepreneurial workshops, an advertising package and more.

Tickets cost $10 (+GST), students $5 (+GST) and are available at the Meaford Hall Box Office by calling 1-877-538-0463 or online at www.meafordhall.ca.

Dragons’ Den Meaford is presented by the Meaford & District Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact 519-538-1640 or business@mdcc.ca

.- 30 -

Written by Deb · Filed Under Get Out, Meaford, Participation, The Area

Owen Sound’s Ghosts

October 5, 2009

Local escape artist, Steve Santini is looking for help. He is planning on writing a book about Owen Sound’s ghosts. He is looking for information on any allegedly “haunted” locations in Owen Sound for his new book, which will be called “The Ghosts of Grey County”.

In an email from Steve he says, “While I am seeking info on any allegedly haunted Owen Sound homes, businesses, or other locations, I am keenly interested in any that may have some actual history that goes along with them, i.e. names, history, etc.”

People with any such information can contact Steve directly at bookings@thedarkmaster.com

Written by Deb · Filed Under Community, Literature, Owen Sound, Participation