Activities and Tips for Back to School Season

It’s hard to believe, but summer is already winding down! Some students (and parents) are eagerly anticipating going back to school, while others are trying to fit in some last-minute summer fun and recreation. Either way, back to school season is here and a little planning and preparation goes a long way to make the transition more fun and easy. Here are a few tips to help you through the busy final days of summer.

• Shop the sales. Back-to-school shopping is an expense many parents have come to dread. But it doesn’t have to break the bank. Check weekly store ads for the best deals on what’s on your particular student’s list. Many parents realize, when they go through their home they already have some office supplies lying around that their child can use for school. After school begins and school supplies go on clearance, stock up for next year on basics you know they’ll always need, such as pencils, notebooks, and folders.
• Set the clock. If you have a late sleeper, start getting them up a little earlier each day. A couple days before school starts, have them wake up at the time they’ll have to wake up during the school year. Likewise, start having students go to bed earlier each night. With the days getting shorter, it won’t be too difficult. Late summer nights are often part of vacation, but it will help students get in the school routine and start the year off well rested if they get on their school year sleep schedule.  
• Practice the routine. Many schools have a supply drop-off day or a back-to-school social, where students can see their classroom and meet their new teacher. This is a great time to practice the exact route they will take to school as well as drop-off and pick-up procedures. Practicing the “getting ready for school” morning routine a few days before school starts is also a great way to get them back in the habit of school year expectations, and can help answer any questions (or soothe nerves) they have. It’s also a good time for you as a parent to notice if there are any glitches or problem areas in the morning--before the first day!

For more great back-to-school activities that help get students in the back-to-school mindset, check out these teacher-tested methods!

 

Do you have a favorite back-to-school activity you’d like to suggest for Siouxland residents and visitors? Let us know below! South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is dedicated to promoting business, tourism, and recreation in greater Siouxland. For more information, follow our blog or visit our website today.

Summer Activities in South Sioux City

It’s hot out there in Siouxland! Although it’s tempting to stay inside and enjoy the air conditioned comfort of your living room, there’s plenty going on in South Sioux City to get you out, about, and active. Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather with some of these great activities. After all, summer only comes around once a year!

Cool off at the Norm Waitt Sr YMCA: The local Y right here in South Sioux City has both an indoor and outdoor pool, and of course, lots of classes for fitness, fun, and childhood development. From swim to spin, the Y is a great place to get fit and make community connections. Visit http://nwsymca.org/ for pool and class schedules, and more!

Get active on the brand-new 14-mile trail loop: In late June 2016, South Sioux City held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-completed biking, walking, and running trail that now encompasses the entire city. South Sioux City is famous for being a bicycle-friendly locale, but now the city has improved upon a good thing by connecting the existing bike trails into a contiguous route. You read about the inaugural ceremony and route here!

Disc Golf and PDGA Tournament: On July 16 & 17th, South Sioux City CVB and VOLO Sports proudly hosts the 3rd annual Bridge the Gap disc golf tournament. This is a PDGA Tier B tournament occurring over 2 days and 3 courses. Find out more about this fun event here!

For more disc golf, Crystal Cove is a PDGA-sanctioned, 18-basket course open to the public located within Crystal Cove Park. Come check it out!

Play ball: Golf, that is! South Sioux City boasts two golf courses to get you out on the green: Covington Links and South Ridge. Visit here for directions, fees, and membership information.  

Reflect on US history: Visit Freedom Park, where US servicemen and women are honored and remembered. Located on the bluffs of the Missouri River, Freedom Park contains a replica of the famous Vietnam Wall, as well as the John Douangdara Memorial War Dog Park. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the creation of this park in progress--there are more great things planned for this beautiful space, including an interpretive center, Korean War Memorial, and children’s play areas.   

Visit the Danish Alps State Recreation Area: Located less than 15 miles from South Sioux City, the Danish Alps offers camping, fishing, hiking, an equestrian trail, and more. Visit this natural area in our own backyard!

Do you have a favorite summer activity you’d like to suggest for Siouxland residents and visitors? Let us know in the comments section below! South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is dedicated to promoting business, tourism, and recreation in greater Siouxland. For more information, follow our blog or visit our website today.

Explore Summer Fun in and around South Sioux City

South Sioux City, Nebraska, sits at a unique location, nestled in a horseshoe bend of the breathtaking Missouri River, as well as seated at the portal of two scenic historical routes, the Outlaw Trail and the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway. Whether you’re passing through or a local resident exploring new aspects of where you live, be sure to spend some extra time this summer in the South Sioux City area. In addition to natural beauty and historical landmarks, the South Sioux City area has summer events with fun to offer for all ages.

Cardinal Days, June 10th-12th

The seventh annual Cardinal Days is almost here and you won’t want to miss this three-day festival.  With fun for the whole family, just some of the events and activities you can enjoy include Pony Rides, Kids Fun Zone, Meyers Petting Zoo, a Farmers Market and plenty of incredible food and drinks from local vendors.  For a complete schedule of events at Cardinal Days, visit the following link!

Dakota-Thurston County Fair, August 3rd-7th

The Dakota-Thurston County Fair is one of the area’s biggest events each summer. This year’s theme is Sew It, Grow It, Show It. Featuring a demolition derby, tractor pull, parade with free barbecue afterward, live music and animal shows, 4H exhibits, and of course, lots of local vendors and food stands, the Fair is fun for the whole family, all weekend long! Saturday, August 6th is Kids’ Day at the Fair. New at this year’s fair is Top End Racing’s NASCAR Simulator. Visit the fair’s website for a full list of attractions and schedule.

Cottonwood Days, August 19th-21st

Held in Cottonwood Cove Park in Dakota City, Nebraska, Cottonwood Days is a community festival bringing people together. Come out to see fireworks, a parade, sand volleyball tournament, barbecue cook-off, classic car show, and more!  

Hoot Owl Days, August 26-28th

The Town of Hubbard is proud to hold Hoot Owl Days, complete with an on-stage hooting contest, 5K run, kids’ crafts, pet show, wagon tours of the nearby Danish Alps State Recreation Area, and much more. You’re sure to have a hoot!   

What are your favorite summer events and things to do in the South Sioux City area? Leave us a comment below! Southern Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is dedicated to boosting tourism and recreation in greater Siouxland. For more information, follow our blog or visit our website today. On our website, you’ll find a calendar of local events, as well as suggestions for where to eat and stay while you’re visiting!

Are Taxes Too High?

The question of taxes being too high is one that comes with a plethora of responses and sometimes a great deal of controversy. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggests over half of Americans (57%) feel that income taxes are too high. However, there are mixed reports regarding how US stacks up to other countries around the world.  

US Tax Burden Low

The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggests the US is among the lowest taxed countries worldwide. While the individual tax burden in the US has been slowly increasing over the past few years (0.6 percentage points from 25.4% to 26.0% in 2014), when looking at the figures since the year 2000, there has actually been a decrease in the tax burden (from 28.2% to 26.0%).

US Statutory Corporate Income Taxes High

While the US individual tax burden is relatively low when compared to other countries, corporate tax rates are among the highest worldwide. In a report put out in the fall of 2015, the United States ranked third highest when evaluating the corporate income taxes of 173 developed countries around the world. The US’s 39% statutory corporate income tax rate tied with Puerto Rico and was exceeded only by the countries of Chad at 40% and the United Arab Emirates at 55%. By comparison, the average corporate tax rate for all countries included in the survey was only 22.9% or 29.8% when weighted by Gross Domestic Product.

Understanding the numbers

What makes the corporate income tax statistics a bit muddy is the fact that many US businesses do not pay even close to their entire tax bill because loopholes in the US tax codes often provide significant breaks. In fact, the latest statistics from the Government Accountability Office suggests that most companies only pay an average of 12.6% in corporate income taxes. Many of these deductions come from the purchase of foreign subsidiaries or other investments in off-shore organizations.

So, again we ask the age-old question – “Are taxes too high?”  The answer – “It depends on who you ask.”  What we can say for certain is that while the tax burden for US citizens is low, smart business owners should investigate all their options before filing their annual tax bill. For up-to-date news and relevant information on the South Sioux area, please visit our website and follow our blog!

Sources:

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2016/04/18/57-of-americans-say-their-income-taxes-are-too-high-only-55-5-pay-income-tax-what/ - :pr7Nj2Z4NGPEXA

http://taxfoundation.org/article/corporate-income-tax-rates-around-world-2015

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/expert-debunks-claim-us-corporate-taxes-are-high/

Confronting the Need For Skilled Workers in America

The economy is slowly on the rise and the job market is as strong as ever.  If you’re looking for a job, this is great news… right?  Not exactly.  In this technology driven age, employers are looking to hire people with more advanced skills.  Part of the reason there are millions of job openings across America is because there is a strong need for skilled workers.  Why is there a growing shortage of skilled workers in our country and how can we confront this issue?  Let’s take a look.

A skilled worker is any worker who has special skill, training, knowledge or ability in their work.  They have acquired special skills through college, technical school or learned their skills from experience on the job.  US companies are having a hard time finding skilled workers like welders, electricians and machinists.  A few of the reasons this is occurring in the workforce is because of skills mismatch, aging trade workers and low wages.

Employers are looking to hire workers with skills and experience but many companies do not want to spend the time and money for on-the-job training.  As highly skilled workers edge into retirement, it’s important to remember that we must train the new generation as replacements.  On the other hand, many young Americans are fixated on attending a four-year university and receiving a college degree.  They believe that is the only way to make a sizeable salary and refuse to look for jobs that are considered “blue-collar”.

A great start for filling the need for skilled workers is by raising the wages of tradesmen based on skills.  Highly skilled workers are approaching retirement every day.  The only way these positions will be filled is with readily available training, education and incentives.  Not only should companies be ready to make a change, but educators should be helping students recognize the skills and credentials needed by employers.

At South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, we are dedicated to advancing the commercial, industrial, agricultural and educational industry for residents of the Tri-State Area.  If you are looking to learn more about skilled trade jobs in the Siouxland, browse our website or call 402-494-1626 for more details.

Technology Overload

Wake up; check Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and turn on the news (maybe even in that order). For some people, being glued to technology is no problem at all. For others, hours of technology can turn into an addiction. According to Global WebIndex, the average American spends a little over six hours per day online and 1.72 hours a day using social media alone.

Let that sink in. Now, try and remember the last time you went more than six hours without some sort of device that beeps or vibrates letting you know the latest in news from around the world. It’s no question that technology has taken over our lives. Just about everything we do involves some degree of technology. Whether you are an avid email checker or social media butterfly, technology is always creeping over our shoulder.

The question circling is… When does the use of technology become too much? When technology starts to alter your life, work and those nights out on the town. If you can’t go 24 hours without it or are more comfortable communicating via text, STOP what you are doing and check back into reality.

Here are some simple ways to let go of technology:

• Don’t let technology control you. YOU control your technology.
• Learn when to say no. If someone is blowing up your phone, simply respond one time and tell them you will get back to them soon. If there’s no emergency, don’t be available 24/7.
• For those nights out to dinner or meeting up with friends; keep your phone in your purse or pocket and turn it on silent. Whatever it is, it can probably wait a couple hours.

While technology has taken over our everyday lives, it has also changed the world for the better. Technology has evolved and given us the knowledge to answer questions nobody thought was possible. There just comes a moment in time when you realize there are technology boundaries that need to be set.

At South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, we are a local association looking to advance the business community of the South Sioux area. So, whether you are a technology guru or a little old fashioned, visit our website or give us a call at 402-494-1626 and learn how your input and involvement can advance Dakota County.

Generation X & Y: What’s the difference?

The term “Millennial” is thrown around a lot these days. But what does it mean, exactly? Naming generations is not a new concept. First there were the post-WWII baby boomers, then the children of the boomers born in the early 1960’s through the early 1980’s known as Generation X. The current young adult generation is Generation Y, born in the 1980’s through the early 2000’s, hence the nickname “Millennials”. Right now, Generations Xers are aged in their mid-30’s to early 50’s, and Millennials are their early 20’s through early 30’s.

So what’s the difference between Generations X and Y? According to Wikipedia, Gen Xers are often called the MTV Generation because they came of age during the emergence of music videos, new wave music, electronic music, heavy metal, punk rock, alternative rock, and hip hop. Compared with previous generations, Generation X embraces social diversity with open arms. Unlike their Boomer parents who challenged leaders with an intent to replace them, Gen Xers are less likely to idolize leaders and are more inclined to work toward long-term institutional and systematic change through economic, media, and consumer actions. Gen Xers are notoriously cynical, but considering this is a large generation, blanket statements like these do not cover all subcultures and eras within it.

Millennials are sometimes referred to as “Generation Me” due to the characteristics of confidence and tolerance, along with a sense of entitlement and narcissism. This generation is largely shaped by technology. They are comfortable sharing their entire life with the world online. While a Gen Xer might hold one job for their entire working career, Millennials switch jobs frequently due to higher expectations and entitlement. Generation Y is also unfortunately plagued with high student loan debt and unemployment rates. It is said that Generation X lives to work, while Generation Y works to live.

It is important to note that these are sweeping generalizations about the two generations, and although these are traits and characteristics of the generations as a whole, it does not apply to many individuals within the groups. Just as individuals are a product of their upbringing and environment, so too are generations a product of the social and economic landscape in which they are born.

At South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, we are dedicated to increasing business opportunities and quality of life for all generations.  If you’re interested in learning more about how we serve the local community, browse our website or give us a call!