MSU Extension e-Commerce educational workshops for local businesses

To all new and existing businesses a workshop to expand your customer base through internet sales: Workshops will be held in Munising at the MSU Extension office on Wednesday, February 10, 12:30 – 3:30pm and repeated in the evening at the Munising Public Library at 5 – 8pm.

Contact: Jim Isleib
Alger County Extension Director
906-387-2530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MSU Extension Offers Business Workshop: “Strategies for Michigan ’s Upper Peninsula Rural Businesses Using E-commerce and Experiential Marketing”

To assist new and existing businesses, MSU Extension is offering a workshop on strengthening competitive advantages of rural businesses with e-commerce and experience economy strategies. Participants will learn how economic value has evolved from “commodities” to “goods and services”. Training will include:

* Introducing experience economy strategies
* Adding value to rural businesses using experience economy strategies
* Aligning experience economy strategies of the business and e-commerce website
* Assessing experience economy strategies of the business
* Assessing experience economy strategies of the e-commerce website

Workshops will be held in Munising at the MSU Extension office on Wednesday, February 10, 12:30 – 3:30pm and repeated in the evening at the Munising Public Library at 5 – 8pm. Preregistration and a $10 registration fee are required. The program instructor will be Julie Mechiori, Iron County Extension Director and Director of the Iron County Economic Development Corporation. This program is supported by a 2008 National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Program Implementation Mini-grant awarded to Iron County MSU Extension.

Similar workshops are being offered across the U.P. Contact the Alger County MSU Extension office at 387-2530 or msue.alger@county.msu.edu to register or for more information.

AM 1400 – WQXO would like to explore producing a Munising Arts show, one that includes a Munising Arts Calendar, Art Events Followups, Information, Interviews of local artists and art enthusiast (from authors. musicians and photographers to architects, clothing designers,  graphics artists, and everybody in between…the whole range of the art scene in Munising and Alger County and Upper Michigan to some degree).  Perhaps, as part of the mission, the show may discuss  arts education in Alger schools from time-to-time.   The show, every so often, could also do some “live from” coverage.

First, of course, we need to see if there is an interest in this initiative.  We’re sure our listeners would appreciate it.  We suspect that there might be some sponsors (co-sponsored public service programming is very low cost).  And we’ve heard from several local artists who think this is a good idea.

So, now we are trying to explore the practical matters, talk with more local artists and organizations, find out if this idea really will fly.   Since we’re kind of new to this, we are open to all suggestions.

Our first thought was a 90-second or three minute or five minute daily segment re-running 3-4 times a day, or  perhaps a half hour show on the weekend.  Since we’d co-sponsor this and do most of the other technical and sponsor-related work, it comes down to finding a reliable group of people – or an organization of people – that can credibly tackle this subject.  Coverage that connects with listeners.

Among the many question that the would have to be answered before going to the next phase:  who might provide the voice of the show?

This kind of public service show can be pretty simple to produce but hard to maintain.  A steady, long-term relationship with local artists and the community is absolutely essential for this to work.  When people with up-to-date information and motivation are at the helm, it is doable, especially in a small community-base radio environment that WQXO is trying to build into.

We have pretty good feelings about the possibilities, but it takes time to build a good show.  The real trick is just to get started, then fine tune as experience grows and feedback comes in.  Hopefully the show will impact the community by informing, educating, and entertaining our listeners throughout Munising and Alger County.

Obviously if we can find motivated, knowledgeable volunteers that can make the show relevant and enjoyable for Munising listeners, time will provide other opportunities to spread the produced segment wider.

We’d post the show online — first as a streaming item, then later (as show matures) as a pod-cast (for specialty shows, we often find online listeners to exceed our on-air listener ship due to the growing worldwide audience online and online pushes made by media outlets such as ours).  Finally, we hope to have the show segment eventually run daily on our WPIQ FM station in Manistique, which is soon to go to 35,000-50,000 watts and cover from Schoolcraft to Menomonee to Escanaba and Marquette County.

If you or your organization would like to contribute ideas on this topic, please call 387-4000 after 1p any weekday.  We return 100% of our calls that leave a message, phone number and name.

Ice Climbing In Alger County ==> Link – Click Here

Okay, you’ve probably read in the Munising News that am1400 – WQXO  is now building up new local programming, starting with a morning show from 6a – 9:30.  Well, that is just the beginning.

We’re looking for a weather, news, events, and other on-site eReporter/iReporter volunteers for am1400 WQXO Radio in Alger County.  We are interested in better serving each community in Alger county.

If you are in or near Au Train, Limestone, Wetmore, Eben Junction, Christmas, Melstrand, Grand Marais, Shingleton, Trenary, Sundell, Chatham, Rumely, South Bay, Steuben, Doty, Juniper, Sand River, Seney, Hiawatha National Forest, Shelter Bay, Deerton, Federal Highway 13, Grand Island, Rock River Township, Munising Township, Mathias Township, Kiva, Skandia, Limestone Township, Burt Township, Onota Township, On Tribal Lands, Part of Any Villiage, Town, City, or County Organization, and so on, that is perfect.

Weather, Fishing, Hiking, Camping, Arts, Music, non-profit activities, charities, Local Politics, Road Conditions, Snowmobile Conditions, Authors, Schools, Bake Sales, Fund Raisers, Outdoors, Flowers, Snow shoeing, Cross Country Skiing, basically any topic.  Only requirement of reporter is over 13 with parents permission or over 18 with an item to bring to attention of our listeners or on line readers.

You don’t have to go on air, but by phone is a breeze if you’d like.  You can just call it in or email it if you want too.

If not you, perhaps you know of someone near you?

Anyone with a phone,  cell phone (and hopefully a cheap digital camera), or even just an email account can be of help.  We want to really help people promote local community interests, capture more news, and promote opportunities throughout Alger County as we move over next 6-24 months to a full-fledged community radio station.

By the way, we are VERY serious about trying to put together a few school/student-produced shows, where the kids create a 1-5 minute daily segment and/or write, produce and direct their own weekend show.  Our goals include bringing greater attention to locals school sports, school events, clubs, and arts is very important to WQXO.  Similarly, organizations like the Boy Scouts, Lions, Moose, VFW, Legion, Historical Societies, Libraries, 4-H, and so on can also become welcome partners in helping develop programming, promotional enhancements for organizations, while developing simple skills  that can help promote local organizations and  non-profits.  (Merit badge support and technical training help is available for the more intensive efforts but most people need only know how to talk  or use an email/)

WQXO is part of a 5 station network that includes everything from Hit Country and Classic Rock to Talk Radio.  Many things initially broadcast on am1400 – WQXO are also rebroadcast across the U.P. on our sister stations, expanding the range of impact for any cause or community promotion.  While we are only seeking volunteers and organizational participation right now, the future may expand any efforts impact well beyond this initial modest outreach.

We are also looking to increase our Sunday programming and have an open ear to rebroadcasting services.

Really, if you have an idea, related to community interests, music, arts, news, entertainment, schools, sports, and want to talk about how that could be turned into something that could become a feature – regular or one-time – on community radio, we’d like to talk to you.   Most of the time, we deal with the technical stuff, sponsorship and other boring details, you or your organization can keep focused on the community content.

So, if you want to help, or know somebody might want to get involved in this community outreach effort, just email media@wqxo.com or call 387-4000 any weekday afternoon.

Calendar – Tuesday – January 19, 2010 – Munising Bay Arts Association meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Falling Rock Cafe in Munising.

We are very interested in building our participating membership base and would like to encourage you to come to our meeting tonight. We are “dedicated to broadening the cultural base of the Alger County Area through programs designed to heighten awareness of, involvement in, and appreciation for the arts.”

We will discuss the following items this evening:

Discussion of the display of arts and crafts in the Fuzzy Boyak Center
Discussion of possible Public Art Opportunity/Funds
Offering Classes
Coalition of Local Arts Based Groups

More Complete Agenda:

MBAA Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Falling Rock Café

6 p.m.

1. Election of Officers:

Nominations

Suzette Quinn for President

Phyllis Northup for Vice President

Erin Putvin for Secretary

Lora Loope for Treasurer

Frank Castiglione for Board Member

There are two write-in candidate opportunities for Board Member positions.

2. Char Carberry Presentation

Discussion of the display of arts and crafts in the Fuzzy Boyak Center

3. Public Art

Discussion of Public Art Opportunity/Funds

4. Classes

MBAA sponsored classes and PAID instructors (classes will have fees that will cover teacher expenses)

Sponsorship of current, active local art classes/aristic opportunities

5. Coalition of Local Arts Based Groups

6. Partnership Membership

7. Festival

New Show Hosts - James - Stephanie - Leif

Munising, Michigan – AM 1400 – WQXO in Munising, Michigan has chosen its initial local dj’s/hosts/interviewers trainees for the  station.  In February or March WQXO will have a “Grand Opening,”  with an official name given to the WQXO Morning Show, and positions and show elements all nailed down.

It is hoped in 2010 that WQXO can add as many as three or four shows to its local lineup, including expanding Mustang coverage, as well as other community-based programming.   So long as the Munising and Alger County listeners continue to support expanding local coverage, General Manager, Todd Noordyk, feels confident that new local shows will be developed and rolled out regularly.

“Going back to community-based radio of the past with a renewed emphasis on new media – like WQXO.com -  really is the future of successful radio for the foreseeable future,” says Todd Noordyk.  “At our other stations, Great Lakes Radio has proved that community radio works, and we expect to see this same formula work again here at am1400 – WQXO.”

“We’ve only had positive feedback from local leaders and organizations.  Based on that local excitement, we’ve invested heavily in a long-term plan to transform our station to better serve our listeners and the community in general.”

WQXO hopes to become the “community forum” where everybody feels welcome to share their point of view with our listeners or just remind the listeners of an upcoming community event or cause or happening.   An expanded Community Calendar and local interviews with local leaders, artists, business people, community organizers, non-profits, and so on will eventually be part of vigorous community reporting, beginning a long-term transformation of the station into a  both a forum for lively debate and for community spotlights.

In fact, those seeking to promote their organization, event, or community happening, or just have a great story to share about a local news story or event, give us a call at 387-4000!   We even want to hear your fish stories and hunting yarns.  That’s that stuff that community radio is made of.

And because we are an entertainment station, broadcasting the best Oldies Music of all time, our listeners can expect to find us programming more and more “fun features” too.   It’s going to be a blast!

“We are really excited.  We’ve put the studio right inside The Navigator restaurant, behind their cash register, without any walls or glass, directly across from City Hall and the Falling Rock Cafe, at the entrance to the harbor and park.  We want to make it easy for people to come and see us, and perhaps even join us on the air.  Come check us out in the mornings 6a-9:30a on Morning Show.”

If local support continues, the station plans to  expand show offerings by bringing back often-requested favorites, such as the Trading Post and even Radio Bingo.

So, keep listening.  More to come!

TUNE IN and get registered to WIN live over the air, Sign up Online or Stop by the following Sponsor Locations and drop your name in the bucket!

Click contest image above to enter.

Monday, January 11, 2010 – 4:00p Alger County Commission meeting
Meetings held in lower level Conference room of Courthouse

Alger County Plat Map Online: http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/spatialdatalibrary/pdf_maps/glo_plats/alger/alger.htm.

Spotlight Video – Munising Falls, Alger County, MI

Spotlight Video – Wagner Falls (Frozen), Alger County, MI

Spotlight Video – Miners Falls, Munising, MI

Munising Wood Products

Information and links related to the Munising Wood Products
factory that operated in Munising, Michigan from 1911 to 1955.

Click HERE.

Courtesy of the Munising Public School Library Calendar, WQXO – AM 1400 would like to remind the Alger County community that on Monday, August 10th the Alger County Commission meeting will held in lower level Conference room of Courthouse at 101 Court St, Munising at 4 p.m. If you have a community calendar item, please send it and your contact information to calendar@wqxo.com