HAPPY 17TH ANNIVERSARY   

Uptown Uniforms has been your local uniform store for seventeen years! In celebration of their anniversary, owner Carol Cotter invites you to enter the store drawing to win a stinger flashlight. The drawing will be held in the store on July 30th. Carol is thrilled to have the continued support of the community over the years.

Country Sunshine Tanning Salon owner Becky Jones is now carrying Hemp Products. The pomegranate herbal body moisturizer provides hydration and nourishment to help improve the health and condition of your skin. And if you really want to know, it is wonderful lotion!

IT'S FAIR TIME THIS WEEK IN LASSEN COUNTY   

I am sure as most of you know it's fair week this week. The fun begins Tuesday evening with the 4-H dinner followed by the Miss Lassen County Pageant. This year there are 12 young ladies competing for the title. Everyday there is something fun for everyone in the family. If you like to check out the animals and see all the hard work the kids put in, be sure and stroll through the livestock areas. If rides are your pleasure, there will be plenty of those too. Or, are you one of those who loves to eat "fair food"? “well I am sure you will find lots of that as well.   

There will be lots of talent to be heard this year too. Be sure and check out the Fair Guide that was in last week’s paper for the entire schedule of events. If you didn't keep yours, the fairgrounds has some extra copies.

SPEAKING OF THE FAIR   

Young Country Band will be performing a few times during the fair this week. This group is made up of five local young people. See the fair schedule for more information on this talented group. They have been playing at several local gatherings recently.

ADVERTISING AND THE 70-30 RULE   

If not properly thought out and effectively budgeted, advertising can be very expensive for any small business. However, advertising that is carefully planned can be one of your most valuable investments driving a business’s success.   

Here’s one tip called the 70-30 rule: Ad agencies will tell you that successful business’s gain 70 percent of their business from repeat business, meaning 30 percent must be new business. To maintain present sales you not only have to keep your current customers, but you need three new customers for every existing customer — more if you wish to grow.   

Only advertising can do this. Experts suggest you keep a simple ad in front of them at all times, offer a discount for repeat business and offer a bargain for steering new customers your way. The airlines started this with their frequent-flyer discounts, and it works. Put your thinking cap on and come up with a similar pitch.   

For example, how many times have you seen a discount card offering your 10th lunch free after you buy nine? A garage could offer the 10th lube and oil change after nine punches in a card representing nine purchases. Maybe the local chiropractor may offer a free adjustment when you send three new customers their way. You get the idea.   

Besides hanging on to the repeat business you need, it also helps meet the challenge of getting the 30 percent new business you need to survive and the additional new business you need to grow.