If your business is not taking advantage of social media marketing you should be. It’s easier than you think to get started!

The Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College has a variety of helpful resources available including online courses, workshops, and social media internships. All of this, and more, is available to all types of businesses here in Chautauqua County.

The JCC Social Media Internship program is looking for businesses to partner with during the upcoming fall semester. This is the 5th semester of the Social Media Internship program, and there have been some great results! JCC is looking to continue this successful program which provides a learning environment for students as well as strong outcomes for area businesses. Program requirements include: designated person to work with the intern, a learning contract with JCC, social media goals for the business, access to social media accounts, and more. These are paid internships at $10 an hour for 45 hours, and up to half of that cost may be subsidized by a grant. To learn more or to sign up, contact Scott Miller, Certified Business Advisor with the New York State Small Business Development Center at JCC, 338-1356 or by email at scottmiller@mail.sunyjcc.edu.

In addition, the online Small Business Academy offers a portal for workshops, panel discussions, videos, and even full-length courses on a wide range of topics for small business owners, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Topics include classes in various social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest, as well as succession planning, trademarks, copyrights, and more.

Chamber member businesses are eligible for a 15 percent discount on course offerings at JCC, including the SBDC Small Business Academy.

The SBDC works hand in hand in Chautauqua County with Jamestown Community College and its Office of Continuing Education to provide training programs that are valuable to businesses countywide. The Small Business Development Center at JCC offers free, confidential small business consulting services. To learn more about any aspect of their important work, find them online at www.sbdcjcc.org or call them at 338-1024.

There’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy in Chautauqua County!

The Chautauqua Gran Fondo is coming up Saturday, Aug. 25. This great event is now in its fourth year. Designed to promote health and well-being for bicyclists of all skill levels, it also raises funds for local non-profit organizations. Participants can enjoy the beauty of a ride around Chautauqua Lake and its surrounding points of interest. Three scenic routes include plenty of rest stops and offer opportunities for riders of all abilities. For more information or to register visit chautauquagranfondo.com.

The annual Fredonia Farm Festival runs Aug. 24-26. This community event celebrates local agriculture and is held in Barker Commons. The Farm Festival parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Aug. 26.

The 13th Annual Celtic Festival and Gathering of the Clans is set for August 25th at Lakeside Park in Mayville, and the Audubon Community Nature Center near Jamestown holds its annual Monarch Butterfly Festival on the 25th.

The Lily Dale Assembly summer season runs through Friday, Aug. 24, and the Chautauqua Institution season closes out this coming weekend with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Saturday night, and a full Sunday schedule on Aug. 26.

Farmers markets continue in communities all around Chautauqua County for weeks yet, with abundant produce from local farmers plus craft and other items for sale. For a full list of local events year-round, visit the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau calendar at tourchautauqua.com.

Mayville Entertainment in the Park Series

continues

The Mayville/Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce continues its 2018 Entertainment in the Park Summer Concert Series through the month of August. The remaining scheduled performances are: Aug. 23 — The Lake Effect (A Cappella) with Rainbow the Clown; and Aug. 30 — ‘Come Back Patsy Cline’ Tribute by Pat Cook.

The concerts are provided free of charge through the generous sponsorship by the Town of Chautauqua and Village of Mayville. All performances are at the gazebo at Lakeside Park, located on Route 394 on the shores of Chautauqua Lake, in Mayville from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the concerts will be held in the Carlson Community Center also located at Lakeside Park. Those attending should bring their own seating for the outside performances. For more information call the Mayville/Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce at 753-3113.

First Friday is Sept. 7

First Friday happens on the first Friday of each month June — September in the Village of Westfield.

These popular events are organized by the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce and create a street fair each month on Main Street in Westfield, featuring live music, kid’s games, wine, food, vendors, and much more.

The event runs from 5-8 p.m. All are welcome!