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There is a beautiful little girl from Chisago City who is in dire need of our help.  Estefani Hanson recently was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that attacked her bladder.  There is currently not a cure for this type of cancer.  Estefani is a Chisago Lakes 7th grade student with other siblings in the school system as well.  Her friends have put together a Cut-A-Thon to help the Hansons pay for her treatment (she is receiving traditional treatment as well as homeopathic treatment which insurance does not cover).  On August 1, from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Designers Salon in Chisago City will be cutting hair for free.  All they ask for is a good will donation to be donated to the Hansons for Estefani's fight.  Along with cutting hair, there will be burgers, hotdogs, chips and pop for sale to help fundraiser. There will also be a bake sale and a terrific raffle that includes some great gift baskets.  It breaks my heart when you see a child afflicted by any disease. We have supported other families in the area over the years, let's rally behind the Hansons.

If you were one of the few dozen subscribers that happened to get cut off a couple of weeks ago, please don't worry.  We can get you up and going again in the blink of an eye.  Just call us here at 651 257 5115 and we will get your Press delivered to your mailbox the same week.  We appreciate your reading more than you will ever know.  You are the reason we put out a paper each and every week.  You, and the advertisers are the ones that make it all possible; together this makes one of the best local newspapers in the state.  Thank you everyone - from the bottom of my heart.

Do you have a local business?  Are you still feeling the lingering effects of the seemingly forever recession?  Would you like to grow your business?  We can help.  
How can we help?  Where should I start.  Let’s begin with print ads.  Studies as recent as two months ago show that print advertising is still at the top when it comes to advertising.  Why? Because a print ad will last indefinitely.  A commercial will disappear after 30 seconds, as well as a radio spot.

Secondly, our website.  As I have mentioned in the past, we have amassed over 1,000,000  page views over the last year.  Do you know that comes to an average of 2,800 views per day?  Pretty good visibility I would say.  Ad space on our website is very reasonably priced.

Thirdly, our Facebook page.  Facebook is not for advertising you say?  While it’s true that it is mostly used for communicating, we now sell ads on our Facebook page.  Just ask MaryAnn Jindra of Gustaf Galleries if it works.  She recently ran a very successful Facebook ad on our page for her tent sale.  We are averaging around 5,000 people reached each week.

Finally, my baby, FindIt!  I can’t begin to tell you how easy it is to use FindIt!  Users simply scan the qr code and local (I stress local) deals are pushed to their phones.  Some deals are for the entire public, and some are specifically for the phone user.  Businesses can purchase coupons that can be redeemed at the register, or if they choose they can use our flyer choice which would let everyone that has FindIt! on their phone be notified of a businesses or organization’s event.  If you need an example, we will have each and every Ki Chi Saga Days event programmed into FindIt!  I will include the qr below.

So, basically besides TV and radio, the Chisago County Press has you covered.  Yes we are still putting out one of the best newspapers in the state, but we have changed with the times because you and technology are also changing.  If you were to tally all of the potential people to view your advertising, the numbers would be 2,332,000 views.  Not too shabby for a small potatoes paper.  If you would love to advertise your business, we would love to help you.  Call us here at 651 257 5115.  We want to partner with you to move into the future.

This weekend is the Chisago Lakes Triathlon.  In an odd turn of events, it is not supposed to be 100 degrees on Sunday.  Thank goodness.

If you would like to volunteer, we are always in need of more volunteers, please call 651-257-1177.  Please come out and cheer on the athletes, we have the map in this edition of the Press.

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