Submitted by Ken Cordrey
Modoc Employment Center
221 N. Main Street, Alturas, CA 96101
(530) 233-4161
www.aworkforce.org
Business Services - Pathways to Success
The Modoc Employment Center will be hosting and presenting a series of monthly Workshops during 2005. These Workshops will cover topics such as: Labor Law, Worker's Compensation, Employee Handbook Basics, How to Keep Good Employees and other topics relevant to businesses in Modoc County. These Workshops are primarily intended for small businesses but will be open to all.
An initial meeting is scheduled to be held in Alturas mid-November, to establish the topics of greatest interest to local businesses and to identify when each of the meetings will be held.
Information of this subject, including a list of topics and a schedule can be obtained, after the November meeting, by phoning the Modoc Employment Center at 530-233-4161.
Modoc Employment Center Update
July through September- During the third quarter of 2004, we had considerable activity in the office, with job seekers, businesses and ourComputer Lab.
Job Seekers totaled 384, with 464 visits related to Job Search. This is an average of 1.2 visits per Job Seeker.
In all, we had 556 visits by individuals for all purposes - an average of 1.4 visits per person.
CalJobs Assisted Visits totaled 295.
Visits related to acquiring general information totaled 194.
We handed out 117 Job Applications and assisted with 73 Resumes.
The Modoc Employment Center assists the Employment Development Department and the Modoc County Social Services (both are Partner agencies), with CalJOBS registration and with Unemployment Insurance applications.
Meet one of our Success Story personalities - Benjamin Pavan:
One of our Locals stopped by to say Hello and chat with Donna Garcia, his Mentor during the time he was enrolled in our Youth program. Mr. Pavan joined the Army in March of this year. He graduated from Boot Camp August 20, 2004, then completed Advanced Infantry Training. He returned to Modoc to assist with recruitment activities for the Army. He left Modoc September 28, 2004 to report for duty at Fort Drum in upstate New York.
Excellent job Benjamin! We at the Modoc Employment Center wish you the best of luck with your Army career.
Modoc County Fair
The Modoc County Fair celebrates friendshop and old-fashioned pride every August at Cedarville, California.
Everything you would expect in a county fair is there to enjoy, from Mom's apple pie to kis mutton-bustin and showing of prized livestock.
Rancher's Day competitions, a Junior Rodeo and a parade down Main Street are a few examples of this annual fun filled event.
Photos below should offer a few bits of the action and excitement - as well as the food!!
For most of us, being spun upside down is a bit of action we would happily forego but the kids seemed to think this was something every family should have in the back yard.
Lesis Vermillion and Richard Milton assisted in a big way to help make a successful Basque BBQ, sponsored by the Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce. Folks were lined up for beef or lamb steaks and happily proving they were there to enjoy themselves.
The photo below is how the Basque BBQ stand looked after business slowed down!
Business Services Plans
Business Services activity during the third quarter included presentations during July with Alturas Rotary Clubs and the Chambers of Commerce for Alturas and Cedarville. This offered a good way in which to update the communities regarding activities and support available from AFWD for local businesses.
Many of the business in Modoc County are small and not able to take on full time Human Resource staff to deal with issues related to recruitment, employee documentation, retention, Worker's Compensation and the many other issues that go along with running a business and hiring employees. AFWD is available to assist with these problems!
These presentations focused on Business Services, much of which is new to the area. These services offer an effective means for assisting local businesses with Human Resources support, whether it be in the form of Customized Recruiting; Customer Service Training; helping to create Employee Handbooks and Job Descriptions or any of many human resource related issues.
Local Color and Activity!
Each year the residents of Modoc County give themselves a gift, sponsored by the Alturas Chamber of Commerce. This gift is the Annual Hot Air Balloonfest. Up to 15 hot air ballonists from California, Nevada and Oregon participated in the last August weekend of breathtaking beauty.
Residents of the county and visitors from afar join the fun. Many are there to take their very first ride in a hot air balloon while others enjoy additional trips or are thrilled to watch the wondrous sights. A traditional pancake breakfast and activities at the park in Alturas are part of the weekend of excitement.
We are able to offer you a vicarious "piece of the action" with views of some gorgeous and colorful ballons seen this year. To see more, "up close and personal', schedule a trip to Alturas next year for the end of August. It may be possible to hook up with one of the Ballooners and take a ride. See you then!
There is a new face in the area: The Modoc Independent News. They offer an Annual Magazine, filled with information about Modoc County history and activities. Copies of this Magazine are available throughout the area, at local businesses.
The first issue includes many great color photos of the area and activities. It also includes a variety of interesting articles, such as one about wild mustangs, some of which roam the area East of Cedarville. Other articles are about Alturas, Canby, Cedarville, Davis Creek, Eagleville, Fort Bidwell, Likely and Tulelake/Newell.
In addition, they will also publish a monthly newspaper, with topics of interest to local residents.
The publishers may be contacted at: Modoc Magazine PO Box 126 Cedarville, CA 96104.
Click on the web connection below for the Alturas Chamber of Commerce if you are interested in more information about the action and excitement of Modoc County, Where The West Still Lives!
Check it out! http://www.alturaschamber.org