In August of 2011, Lincoln County received a grant from QUADCO to conduct a public transportation study in Lincoln County. People For People is acting as the lead agency for this study. We are encouraging Lincoln County residence to take the survey. The survey will be open until January 15th.

People For People would like your opinion on public transportation in Lincoln County. Please help by taking a short 3 minute survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PFPLincoln

This award is given in recognition of an individual or school for encouraging students to participate in math, science or technology research programs and efforts to provide the necessary support consistent with Siemens Foundation mission of enhancing math and science in American high schools. Only five educators are selected from across the United States each year. The Siemens Founders Award is given in honor of Albert Hoser, founder and chairman emeritus of the Siemens Foundation.

The Siemens STEM Academy provides an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C., presenting the award during a black-tie ceremony at George Washington University. Wehr and his wife Julie Wehr will attend the ceremony at which he will receive this national honor.

Along with this honor, the Siemens Foundation provides an opportunity to participate in a hands-on summer research immersion program at Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Tennessee this summer (STARs program). The STARs program is a two-week professional development course designed to empower teachers to bring the excitement of authentic research into the classroom and inspire students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Working in small groups, teachers will collaborate with ORNL scientific teams to conduct individually designed research projects that will give them real-world experience to bring back to their classrooms. This immersion into authentic research, professional scientific collaboration and educational enhancements will provide insight, resources and scientific contacts to the participating teachers.

Thousands of educators apply to attend this elite research retreat, yet only twenty are selected each summer. Having been selected for the Siemens Founders Award, Wehr has automatically been accepted into the STARs program this summer along with the other four Siemens Founders Award recipients.

From www.odessarecord.com, December 1, 2011.

No matter where you live, you can implement these small town business ideas from home. True, small towns can offer a challenge. But times have changed.

With the advent of the Internet you can create an online business anywhere in the world that has telephone service.

Unless your small town is so remote, you likely can receive DSL high speed Internet service from your telephone company. If not, a simple telephone, modem, and your computer will work, howbeit at a much slower speed.

eBay Home Business

Selling goods on eBay®’s auction website is a popular way to earn money from home. In my article

“How To Start An eBay Home Business”I cover the basic steps that you need to follow to setup your eBay business and gain some experience.

When you have the basics down pat, you will want to learn What To Sell On eBay. This article will tell you what other Powersellers are selling and making a good living.

Be sure to look around your small town for items to sell. Perhaps you have some local artists, or a pottery shop that you can buy from and re-sell online. Local specialties can give you an advantage that can’t be found anywhere else.

Build A Website And Earn Money Online

Here is another small town business idea that can reap you a decent living online. Build a website around your passion. Everyone knows some information that others are seeking.

I built my first successful website around the puzzle Sudoku. Over 1,500 people a day from all over the world come for my tips and recommendations on Sudoku products.

How do I make money with this simple website? I cover that topic in my article “Earn Money Online – Ka-ching!”.

You can follow these simple small town business ideas and earn money online too!

I have found, from experience, that the best way to learn how to build a website that works, is to follow SiteSell’s advice. They created a free wonderful how-to action guide (new window opens) that takes the most technically challenged person and teaches them how to create a website that works. It worked for me and many others too!

Build An MLM Business Online

Here is a small town business idea you can do online too! Build an MLM business.

I suspect that the major reason why people don’t do well in multi-level marketing (MLM) is because they don’t like to sell. Yet, it is a well know fact that top earners often make over $100,000 annually.

When you build your business online, you no longer have to lose your self-esteem because people are rejecting you. It isn’t personal, some people just have their own reason why they are not interested.

Today, network marketers are recruiting and selling their products through contacts of interested people that contact them online. You don’t need to solicit anyone any more.

My article “Start An MLM Home Business That Pays You $100,000 Per Year” will point you in the right direction. You will learn how the Internet has revolutionized the MLM industry.

Infopreneur – Sell Information Online

Here is another small town business idea that you can do from anywhere there is a post office or Internet connection. Become an Infopreneur.

The demand for how-to information is always waiting for an infopreneur to meet that need. With just a computer you can create a report, ebook, or book on the subject of your interest. Then sell it online!

We all have some knowledge or interest we can share with others. As I said earlier, my first successful website was based on Sudoku. I plan on selling my own eBooks online.

Let the pros at SiteSell show you how to sell information online. (new window opens) One man sells his grandmother’s recipes online in an eBook. It’s not too hard to compile a recipe book is it? You don’t have to have the writing skills of Ernest Hemingway. Just good grammar and spelling will do.

Non-Computer Small Town Business Ideas

Now for the folks who don’t own a computer or never what to, I have a couple of small town business ideas for you too.

Handyman

Every small town needs a handyman. The further away your town is from major cities, the more valuable your handyman skills will be. Think of everything that can break in a home. If you can fix them, you will always have work even in a small town.

From broken screens to doors that need re-varnishing, there is a need for you. Can you replace light fixtures? Can you repair a damaged carpet where a dog scratched a bare spot? The more you can do, the more you can make.

Mailorder Business

Long before the Internet became a household word, products were bought and sold through mailorder. While many mailorder companies also use a website today to take orders, a catalog or flyer and sales letter plus a return envelope still works.

I once worked for a mailorder company that sold business furniture. The owner started his business selling a wood desk to pastors. He never stocked anything. Everything was dropshipped from the manufacturer.

He would first send out his mailing piece. His customers would order by mail or by telephone. Next he would send the order to the manufacturer by fax. The manufacturer then would ship the furniture to the customer. The difference between retail and wholesale was his to keep. The manufacturer received the wholesale price.

Can you think of anything that is made in your small town that could be shipped by mail or by freight? Not only would you be building a business for yourself, but you will also be helping your local economy.

“With over 100 years of combined grocery and customer-service experience, Bob and Bonnie Dewey, owners, and Jeff and Debbie Norris, managers, are excited to become a part of the Odessa community by presenting you with ‘Odessa Foods.’

We all come from small communities and know how important it is to be able to provide our customers with excellent customer service by installing a new service counter and check stands, along with ongoing updates in the produce department, as we replace the existing cases to help guarantee top quality and freshness, along with future updates throughout the store.

We plan to bring your community store to the next level by providing you with a greater selection of products in the near future, such as take-and-bake pizza and hot deli items.

We also plan on extending the stores hours for the community’s convenience, and we enjoy doing special events such as outdoor produce sales and BBQs along with indoor holiday events.

You can look forward to many changes taking place inside and out, and we want you to be as proud of your Odessa Foods as we are. We welcome any suggestions that will help to enhance your neighborhood market.”

Odessa Record – July 21, 2011 | 111th Year, Number 14

• •    Washington State School Of Distinction
• •     U. S. News and World Report “Bronze” school
• •    Scholastic Cup Champion for 1B schools sponsored by WIAA
• •    US Department of Education selected Jeff Wehr, HS Science, as a American Star teacher, one of only 50 across the nation
• •     WASL scores in grades 3,4,5,7, 8, 10 continue to be above state averages in nearly every category

Visitors are always welcome at the brewery. They are always open on Fridays from 2:00 pm until at least 11:00pm. Make sure to visit them during Deutschesfest, when they have a large tent with live music and a beer garden. They run expanded hours during Deutschesfest weekend and look forward to seeing you Friday and Saturday.

Rocky Coulee Brewing has always prided itself on creating quality hand crafted beers. They usually have at least 6 different beers on tap and available for take home at any given time. They currently have Fireweed Honey Blonde, Golden Ale, Dunkel, Brown Ale, Creamed Copper, and our newest beer “The Bail Out Ale.”

www.rockycouleebrewingco.com

Family Poker Run – This is a fun event for the whole family and each year it gathers hundreds of riders just looking to have a fun ride and great time.

Iron Man Poker Run – This is not for the faint at heart. Designed for the more advanced rider, this event is much longer and harder than our family poker run.

Dual Sport – We also put on a very fun ride for those who have dual sport bikes. People always look forward to these events knowing they are in for a fun day. You will have lunch at the Brewery, see the sights of Odessa and the surrounding area which includes private property trail rides including the BLM Lakeview OHV area!

For more information see their website: Stumpjumpers.org

For those who don’t care to dare the crowds and bright lights of all-night shopping, there’s another option: Shopping locally.

While smaller retailers in rural communities may not be able to offer the variety found in larger stores, there are many benefits that may offset that lack.

Most of Odessa’s businesses are owned by residents of the community, who in turn support other local businesses. That is, money spent here tends to stay here.

Then there are the benefits that may be somewhat less obvious. Business owners pay taxes in the community, which in turn provides the services residents receive. And at least a portion of the sales tax on purchases made here stays here.

Another benefit of shopping locally is convenience. Shoppers can take their time, and are not limited by how much will fit in the trunk of their car. And think of the savings in fuel costs!

The Odessa Record has come up with a series of suggestions for various people on your list:

First, be sure to come to Christmas Fest, Wednesday, December 7 at the Community Center. There will be a number of vendors selling a variety of items ranging from the handmade and vintage to personal care and jewelry. All day entertainment keeps the atmosphere festive, and you can take a lunch or pie break when you get tired of shopping. And don’t forget to pick up your poinsettias for the home or office – the FFA table always has a great selection.

Several nice potential gifts might be had for the price of a raffle ticket, as the Friends of the Odessa Library hold their second annual raffle in the Library. Later in the afternoon, also in the library, Santa will be available for pictures with the kids.

Don’t forget to stop by the Tree of Sharing to pick up a name or two to shop for this year. In these tough economic times, there are a number of people in need right here in our community.

Many of the businesses around town will participate in the festivities on Wednesday, with in-store specials and/or refreshments. Be sure to check out the flyer in today’s paper.

For the cook on your list, the newest version of “The Staff of Life” is available at Odessa Drug, Odessa Clinic or Hospital. The cookbook is only $12.50 and contains the best recipes submitted by area cooks. The drug store also carries past editions of “The Staff of Life” as well as other cookbooks, including “The Burntwater Cook’s Kitchen Guide,” by Harrington’s David Michaelson (also available at The Odessa Record.)

Odessa Drug also carries a constantly-changing assortment of kitchen gift items, including aprons and table linens, gourmet food items, kitchen accessories and gadgets.

For the creative person on your list, Odessa Drug carries a variety of art supplies, ranging from construction paper, glue and scissors to sketchbooks and paints. Encourage the kids to take a break from electronic entertainment and make something themselves.

Then there’s the Quilt Crossing, which carries a selection of beautiful, high-quality fabrics, instruction books ranging from beginning quilting techniques up to advanced design. If there’s a quilter or wanna-be on your list, this is the shop to visit.

For Mister Fix-it, Ramm Hardware has everything from the basics up to extensive tool kits and the boxes to put them in. The store also carries a selection of high-quality pocket knives for the hunter (or just the macho) on your list, as well as appliances or kitchen ware. A selection of warm gloves make great stocking stuffers for the outdoorsy.

For the gardener, the hardware store carries tools, decorative pots and so on. Take one of the bright plastic pots, throw in some potting mix, gloves and a trowel or some pruning shears. Maybe a little Miracle-Gro if their thumb isn’t quite so green.

For the driver, a “clean car” kit for their car, with a selection of items from Odessa Auto Parts/NAPA. Fill a bucket with a wash mitt, chamois cloth and various products guaranteed to make your ride gleam like Santa’s sleigh. Stocking stuffers, like a tire pressure guage or an LED work light are also available.

If there’s a dyed-in-the-wool Case IH fan on your list, there is something for every age group at Odessa Trading Company’s parts division. They carry jackets, sweatshirts and fleece wearables in just about every size. An entire wall display is devoted to toys, from cars and fire trucks up to combine harvesters and crawlers. Case IH premium items include duffle bags, folding chairs, even dog collars and leashes. Other possibilities include real romance (to a farmer, anyway), with air compressors and power tools, even an APS unit for the tractor.

The college student or young adult on your list might enjoy an on-line subscription to The Odessa Record for only $25. They can keep up with hometown news while they’re on the go.

For the coffee, tea or smoothie lover: A pre-paid coffee coin or gift certificate from Crab Creek Coffee Haus.

For those who prefer a different kind of beverage, both Odessa Foods and Odessa Drug carry holiday gift packages of adult beverages, along with accessories such as glassware, mixers and rim dips, ice buckets and flasks. Be sure to provide a designated driver!

For the family that plays together, you could put together a pizza and game night package with a pizza gift certificate to any of the three restaurants in town that serve it (Chiefs Bar & Grill, Rolling Thunder Saloon or Crab Creek Coffee Haus), and a selection of card or board games from Odessa Drug. This reporter highly recommends Skip-Bo or Phase 10 card games.

For the person who is really hard to buy for, check out My Sisters’ Closet, where the new mingles with vintage and everything is reasonably priced. High-heeled Christmas “stockings” or sachets are the latest creations, mingling with other holiday decorations, cookware, jewelry and the truly unique.

The not-so-well-adjusted individual could probably use a pre-paid visit to Eldridge Chiropractic.

Just want to brighten someone’s holiday season? Sweet Pea Floral can make it happen, with arrangements in a range of sizes and cost as well as potted plants or poinsettias.

Odessa Foods can contribute to the gift selection as well. The new managerse have stocked quite a few novelty items which might make great stocking stuffers. Or if you feel like returning to the days of old, fill those stockings with fruit, nuts and hard candy.

Virtually every business in town has gift certificates available in a range of denominations. Treat someone you love to a meal at one of our four eateries: The Odessa Drive In, Crab Creek Coffee Haus, Chiefs Bar & Grill or the Rolling Thunder Saloon.

Sometimes the best gift is the gift of warmth. In these days of escalating utility and fuel prices, a payment made on account at Odessa Grange Supply, Avista or Inland Power might be greatly appreciated.

Or a month of internet service from Odessa Office Equipment can fit neatly in a stocking.

In short, maybe doing your Christmas shopping in Odessa won’t let you buy that newest expensive electronic toy you’ve seen advertised on TV, but it could provide some bonuses: you’d get to exercise your creativity, a part that goes unnoticed and unnurtured all too often, and your community would receive the benefit of your economic support.

From odessarecord.com, December 1, 2011.