The "Stay"cation Clovis Style

One of the new trends that has emerged in recent years is the idea of saving money by foregoing a traditional vacation and opting for a "stay"cation. Some chose to spend vacation funds on DIY home improvement projects some chose to take day trips to local sites that are often overlooked.

Here are some things you can do this long weekend if you've opted to save gas, stay close to home and just relax.

• TONIGHT is the Clovis Farmers Market from 5:30 - 9:00 pm in Old Town Clovis. This is a certified farmers market with entertainment, great food, kids activities and more! You can't go wrong buying fresh local produce for your Memorial Day BBQ's and Picnics. 
• Clovis Memorial Run Saturday, May 26, 2012. 5K run/walk, 2‐mile walk, 1/2 mile kid’srun, 1/2 mile SAFE Senior Walk & Roll. Resource fair starts at 7:30 a.m., first event at 8:00 a.m., pancake breakfast at 8:15 a.m.
• Visit the Fresno State Farm Market has it's first of the season nectarines and plums corner of Chestnut & Barstow
• Memorial Day Concert Date: Monday, May 28, 2012 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
  Venue: Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, Clovis
• Yosemite National Park & Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks have endless natural beauty to enjoy in our own backyard.
• The Pines Resort @ Bass Lake has 80 degrees and bright sunny skies forecast for the weekend. 
• Fresno Cash Mob - Saturday 5/2 @ 11:00 am FresnoAg corner of Gettysburg & 1st Fresno

Leadership is for Everyone

This week the Clovis Chamber celebrated the Second Annual Clovis Leadership Day by hosting a luncheon to honor volunteers whose leadership and hard work make our community a better place to work and live.

This event reminded me that being a leader is not a function of your title rather it is part of who you are. Certainly you’ll agree that not all managers are leaders and not all leaders are managers. In order to be successful at leading others one must practice and master self-leadership. The leadership hat is one everyone wears at least on occasion but more likely you’re wearing it more often than you think. As a parent, a manager, a little league coach, a senior employee, an older sibling, a volunteer, a teacher or trainer and in countless other roles you are in the position to lead others. Your leadership can make or break a project or opportunity to learn so it’s important to be aware of what you can do to be a more effective leader and build loyalty and cooperation from those who you support.

Here are 5 personal characteristics that are often seen in those who lead well. You’re probably doing some if not all of them and this is just a reminder.

1. Lead by example
2. Seek out and learn from diversity
3. Set worry aside and focus on things that are in their control
4. Collaborate with others and share their resources and knowledge
5. Practice getting things done and have work habits that sustain productivity

But if you’re wondering how to step up your game and go from being a good leader to being a great one then look forward to future blog posts discussing these areas and things you can put into practice that will take your leadership to the next level.

Do You Have the Right to go Postal?

The United States Postal Service is broke and losing money every day. You may have seen some news or online discussion about what will finally come off Capital Hill as a solution or as some may call it a “bailout”. It seems that there is a lot of talk around losing Saturday mail delivery to help offset the enormous financial weight the Postal Services pension obligations. So would you miss your Saturday delivery? Does snail mail matter to you? Is your mailbox a glorified trash receptacle filled with unwanted “junk” mail? Have you joined the eco-friendly option of paperless billing and statements? The bottom line is the postal service is being used less as e-commerce reaches into everyday life.

For me, my mailbox is usually filled with direct mailers and magazines and on occasion a greeting card. Not a monumental event on any given day. So I wondered do I care about Saturday mail service? I know folks in rural areas are caring quite a bit more than the urbanites, like myself who recyle most of their postal deliveries. Then the funniest thing happened, Saturday's mail arrived. When I took a moment to browse through it I was struck with irony. This Saturday’s delivery was filled with 5 items that I was really quite excited to receive. So I have to share.

First, the City of Clovis sent out their flyer about the our Community Clean Up project and schedule. Great news as I have been spring cleaning, like many, and have some discards I’d like picked up. This service is part of your City of Clovis trash, water and sewage charges so you should take advantage and check out list and specifications of items the City will remove from your curbside in the coming weeks.

Second I received the Clovis Chamber of Commerce's flyer about reserving your advertising space in next year's Member Directory. Check your mail or just contact Dave Waligorski @ (559) 252-7174 or davevaligorski@comcast.net. There are ad solutions for everyone and now is the time to reserve your space. This is a great tool for any member wanting to reach out to the community.

Third, the State of California sent me my “Official Voter Information Guide”  for our Presidential Primary Election Tuesday June 5, 2012. I not big on talking politics but I will say I’m proud to have the right to vote and my Saturday mail delivery reminded me of that.

The interesting mail continued. As kindergarten parent I receive the Connecting with Clovis/CUSD Today publication it was filled will important information on the pending Measure A vote and it’s impact on the district and it also had the Clovis Community Calendar which I’ll use to update my Summer calendar.

Lastly the big bonus was a coupon for a free “$5 Exterior Express Wash” from Waterwheel Express Car Wash @ 1750 Villa Ave. I already take advantage of their great eco-friendly service I also appreciate no additional charges to use their high powered vacumes. So this Saturday’s mail actually paid me.

Well my experience has prompted me to ask you to support your right to go Postal and take a moment and hand write a note or card to someone you’ve been thinking of. Invest the .45 cents in making someones day. Everyone enjoys receiving mail that has a message they want to read and if Saturday mail delivery matters to you the Post Office needs your business.