Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
NEWS BREAK
March 2020
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Welcome New Chamber Members
Mary Ramsey, Weichert Realtors, Great Day Group
Mary Ramsey at 608-617-5466
Making it great to buy and sell real estate!
Whole Choice Living
311 E. Wisconsin St., Suite 203 Portage, WI 53901
Julie Saalsa at 608-333-6102
Helping to
educate clients on what it means to make healthy, sustainable choices when it
comes to their lifestyle and well-being. Our approach to nutrition and wellness
consulting is holistic: teaching the mind-body-spirit-world connection.
True Self - Coaching & Energetics
311 E. Wisconsin St., Suite 203 Portage, WI 53901
Emily Wright at 608-215-6264
A sacred and confidential space that provides you with the time and space to unplug from
the world so you can connect inward and create breakthrough transformations.
Where you can pause, breathe and get clear on who you truly are and what you deeply desire.
Hall Chiropractic
311 E. Wisconsin St., Suite 203 Portage, WI 53901
Dr. Angela Hall at 608-635-8915
My chiropractic mission is to inspire strong posture for you and especially for your kids, so you don't live slumped, sick and sedentary in the digital age.
Cutting Edge Insurance, LLC
702 DeWitt St., Suite A Portage, WI 53901
Kelly J. Krueger at 608-697-8282
Offering Health, Dental, Life, and Cancer Insurance, Marketplace Options and Annuities.
Spark & Sparkle, LLC
141 E. Cook St. Portage, WI 53901
Tim and Jennifer Green at 608-434-1212
Homemade candles, jewelry, artwork and more.
Mobilelink DBA Cricket
2830 New Pinery Rd. Portage, WI 53901
Tonya Kirchoffner at 608-402-5229
Cell phone service, devices, accessories.
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Kelly Krueger now with Cutting Edge Insurance
Kelly J. Krueger, Insurance Specialist Serving Wisconsin, is now representing Cutting Edge Insurance, LLC. The office is located at 702 DeWitt St., Suite A in Portage. For more information, call Kelly at 608-697-8282.
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Goodwill offers free tax assistance
Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin will be providing patrons with free tax assistance on March 3, from 10am to 2pm at the Portage Public Library. Interested patrons must set up an appointment directly with Goodwill by calling 608-246-3140 ext. 155 or sending an email to
vita@goodwillscwi.org
.
Through Goodwill SCWI’s volunteer income tax assistance program known as VITA, trained volunteers provide FREE valuable tax assistance to low-income workers and individuals. They help prepare income tax returns, answer questions and refer taxpayers to other resources as needed. Your local Goodwill provides this free tax preparation assistance in partnership with the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
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Support BREATHE, celebrate Golden Age of Hollywood
Dress like the star you were born to be and come celebrate the Golden Age of Hollywood on Saturday, March 7 at the beautiful Vennebu Hill Event Center in Lake Delton. Invite your friends and help support Baraboo River Equine-Assisted Therapies (BREATHE). Tickets are still available;
click here
for more info.
Your evening will include appetizers, buffet dinner, betting bills, souvenir glass, big-screen horse racing and wagering, cash bar and more chances to win big while supporting BREATHE!
Take a chance at the Oscars Drink Draw, bid on an abundance of great auction items,
and reel in your raffle ticket for a $5000 Magic Moments Vacation!
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PACT performance coming up in March
Join the Portage Area Community Theatre for their performance of "The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society for the Arts," directed by Sheril Lannoye, at Portage Center for the Arts. The performance dates are March 12-14 and 19-21 at 7pm and March 15 and 22 at 2pm.
You think it's easy to write a murder? Just ask the Marquis Crossing Ladies Society for the Arts. They decide to do just that! A wise-cracking farce where no one can tell the loaded guns from the unloaded ones.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. For more information, call Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., at 608-742-5655.
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Public Workshop on City Sign Code Update
Due to several major Court decisions impacting municipal sign codes, the City is required to update the existing sign code.This public meeting and informational presentation will serve as a kick-off meeting for the City's effort to update the existing sign ordinance, Sec. 10-371 through Sec. 10-377 of the City Code.
The public is invited to attend to learn about possible changes to the existing City sign code and to offer comment on Tuesday, March 17 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the City Council Chambers inside the Portage Municipal Building at 115 W. Pleasant Street.
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River Haven fundraiser
Portage Presbyterian Church will be hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, March 15 from 11:30am to 1pm.
This will be a 'Spaghetti Lunch' to include spaghetti and sauce, tossed salad, bread, homemade desserts and beverage. The cost is $5.00 per person. Raquel and Pete, from the Shelter, will share information on the mission and work of River Haven in the community.
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Soup & Bingo
The Portage Kiwanis Club invites everyone for Soup & Bingo at the Portage Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 21 from Noon to 3pm.
Entry includes delicious soup, a beverage, dessert and bingo. Proceeds benefit Phase 2 of the Portage Skate Park Project.
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PCA Brown Bag Lunch Series
Musician and instructor Shawndell Marks talks more about Madison's Girls' Rock Camp and its culture of positive self-esteem and collaboration. Come to this Brown Bag Lunch at Portage Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 26 at Noon. Admission is $5.
Bring your lunch and invite a friend. For more information, call Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., at 608-742-5655.
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Zona Gale: Author and Activist
Join us as Judy Eulberg leads a presentation about Zona Gale: Author and Activist—a Portage native and first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1921--on Thursday, March 26 from 6pm-7pm in the Bidwell Room at the Portage Public Library.
For more information, contact
Pam Roets, Adult Program Coordinator, at 608-742-4959.
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Community Action Fundraiser at Pizza Ranch
Come out to support Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin River Area Community Action Night at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Road. Every meal purchased will support affordable housing in Portage on Wednesday, March 4 from 4pm to 8pm.
Also, help welcome a new neighbor on March 14 at 10AM for the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Habitat Build Site at 424 West Oneida Street. Following the ceremony from 10:30AM to 12PM you can join the reception at Portage Lumber and be part of the history and sign a 2x4 that will be used in the home.
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Ribbon cutting at 4pm on March 12
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Historic Indian Agency House Archaeology Kids' Camp
The Historic Indian Agency House is inviting school groups Grades 3-5 to participate in their Archaeology Kids' Camp in May where s
tudents will learn hands-on what it takes to be an archaeologist.
Choose one day with two slots available each day: 9am-11:30am or Noon-2:30pm on May 20-22 and 27-29.
The General public is invited to participate on Saturday, May 30 from 9am-11:30am. Camps will fill quickly (first-come, first-served), so reserve your spot today!
Click here
for more details.
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Join Bee Alive Yoga
Bee Alive Yoga is now taking membership registrations. Become a founding member for just $79 a year. Military and seniors can enjoy a membership for $69. For more information, call 608-745-9333.
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Spread the word about Portage!
Use #portagewi in your social media posts.
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Get ready to bid on Lions Radio Auction items
The Portage Lions Club will hold its 44th Annual Radio Auction on Saturday, April 4 at St. Mary's School Cafeteria from Noon to 4pm.
The auction has many great items up for bid, including one of these prized items shown at right: a Bart Starr commemorative football autographed by the 2019 Green Bay Packers team.
Profits from the event support local activities including pre-school vision screening, eye exams, and glasses for the needy and transporting eye tissue to and from the Eye Bank in Madison. Other projects include scholarships, annual Easter Egg hunt and donations to the Portage and St. Mary's Safety Patrol trip.
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Legal Minute
FINAL RULE: JOINT EMPLOYER
On January 12, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule to revise and update its regulations interpreting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a rule that has not been meaningfully updated in over 60 years. The final rule continues to recognize two potential scenarios where an employee may have one or more joint employers.
Click here to read about the two potential scenarios.
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Discover Wisconsin highlights Portage
The Portage theme is centered around children's activities with the Elks Kids Fisheree, Splash Pad and Skate Park, Curling Club and the Portage Center for the Arts among the places spotlighted. Other communities included in the episode are Poynette, Cambria and Columbus.
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Check out the Chamber's YouTube Channel
HERE
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Job postings on portagewi.com
Check out these
job postings on our Chamber site from our member businesses. You are welcome to post job openings your business may have at any time. Call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 for more information.
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Want to submit an article for this newsletter?
The Chamber's monthly newsletter deadlines the 20th of the month. Members are always welcome to let others know: about new products and services; introduce new associates or promotions; provide updates about their industry or business; give helpful tips; promote a sale or event. For more information, call the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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Facade loan program available
The Portage facade loan program is available to help Chamber member Portage businesses upgrade exteriors.
For more information about the loan program guidelines,
click here
. For the application,
click here
.
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Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Lilac Shop Studio to welcome this new business to Portage and as a new member of the Chamber of Commerce. Lilac Shop Studio is a 'shop' used as a platform to help others succeed.
It is a one stop shop for event planning with creative connections to help you grow. There is a photography studio rental space, meeting area, place for weddings, classes and gatherings. Plus, they have vintage clothing, dresses, furniture and props available to you.
It is truly a space to create and support success. Lilac Shop Studio is located at 242 W. Edgewater Street. For more information, call 608-617-9066.
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A ribbon cutting was held at Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., to celebrate the completion of their renovation project.
A new foyer space off the Adams Street entrance, ADA restroom and vertical lift are among the impressive improvements
to the Portage Center for the Arts (PCA).
The PCA still needs $75,000 to cover the cost of the renovations.
For more information or to donate, please call PCA at 608-742-5655.
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Looking for a Hot Deal? See our list?
Check out our Hot Deals webpage for deals our Chamber members are
offering. Have a Hot Deal of your own you want others to know about? Post
your deals on our webpage and join the Hot Deal brigade! There is no charge
for posting a Hot Deal, so post away!
If you have questions, call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 to get started.
Click here
to see the specials that are currently running!
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Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
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Join a Service Club
Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Lions Club - Meets the 2
nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd., summer month meetings change locations
Kiwanis - Meets on Wednesdays at Noon at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Rd.
Optimists - Meets on Tuesdays at 7am at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Elks - Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7pm; 4th Tuesday only during July and August
Women's Civic League - Meets 2nd Wednesdays of the month at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Wauona Trail Women's Club - Meets 3rd Monday of the month at 11:30am at Dino's Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd. (Sept-May)
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March Chamber Meetings & Events
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Chamber Business Lunch Meeting at 11:30am at American Legion State Headquarters - reservations required
4
Ambassador Meeting at Community Bank at 8am
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Ribbon Cutting at Verlo Mattress of Portage at 9am
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Ribbon Cuttings at True Self Coaching & Energetics; Hall Chiropractic; and Whole Choice Living at 4pm
14
Columbia County is featured on an episode of Discover Wisconsin
27
Ribbon Cutting at Spark & Sparkle at 3:30pm
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