Don’t let social distancing get you down while indoors. If you are feeling bored at home and looking for creative activities, this is the list for you! Here are some great things you can do while you #StayHome.
Hey, don’t give us that look… while you’re cooped up, you now have the time to take online classes from Ivy League schools. The best part is, they are being offered for free! Let’s get those brain juices flowing. Find a subject you are interested in and sign up for a course on Class Central today! Be sure to read your course description to find out what type of materials, time commitments and requirements are required for each class.
#2 Arts & Crafts (For the Kids)
Arts and crafts will surely keep your kids entertained for a little while. Take a quick trip to Clarksville, TN’s local HorseFeathers Pottery Studio and pick up an “Art To Go Project” for your little ones. Or simply use items around your home to paint Easter themed artwork or make macaroni necklaces. Head to our Pinterest Board to get inspired.
You don’t have to have all the fancy camping items to actually go camping these days. Bring back your childhood memories and make a campsite in your living room while gazing up at the glow-in-the-dark stars. If you have little ones, you can incorporate fun camping foods and camping crafts to keep them entertained! Get ready for tent forts, ghost stories, and faux fires made out of toilet paper rolls. Don’t forget the s’mores!
Grab a bag of popcorn, your favorite soda (or wine) and relax inside your “home theatre”. Netflix now has Netflix Party, which can be downloaded on your computer or laptop to chat with your friends during a movie or t.v. show. It may not be the same as hanging out in person, but it’s a fun alternative to kick-off social distancing.
Being stuck inside doesn’t mean that you can’t partake in all of the activities you love. Virtual tours provide an opportunity to travel around the world, all from the comfort of your own couch! You can see everything from live footage of animals in zoos, Frida Kahlo in the art galleries, and even “ride” amusement attractions! Which activity will you choose from?
Museums aren’t your thing, but working out is? Well, you’re in luck! Clarksville’s local Planet Fitness is offering home workouts free to the public! They will be live-streaming these videos on their Facebook page daily.
Mrs. Dirksen, a Clarksville Academy teacher, is offering cooking lessons on her YouTube Channel.
For all the homeowners or renters, this one's for you. Do you need new household items or furniture? We’ve got you covered with all the DIY ideas, just head to our Pinterest board! Now is the time to work on your DIY skills or put your significant other’s skills to the test.
The coronavirus pandemic is affecting businesses in a variety of ways. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act just passed by Congress is intended to assist small business owners with their needs. With our small business owner tenants in mind, Millan Enterprises, LLC. is here for you with the information you need.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) may be the right fit for you, if you are looking to retain employees. This program would provide cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Small businesses and other entities will be able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15, 2020, and June 30, 2020. The program would be retroactive to February 15, 2020, in order to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls. Loans are available for application submission through June 30, 2020.
These are the businesses and entities that are eligible for the PPP Loan:
Businesses and entities must have been in operation on February 15, 2020.
Small business concerns, as well as any business concern, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern described in section 31(b)(2)(C) that has fewer than 500 employees, or the applicable size standard in number of employees for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry as provided by SBA, if higher.
Individuals who operate a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor and eligible self-employed individuals.
Any business concern that employs not more than 500 employees per physical location of the business concern and that is assigned a NAICS code beginning with 72, for which the affiliation rules are waived.
Affiliation rules are also waived for any business concern operating as a franchise that is assigned a franchise identifier code by the Administration, and company that receives funding through a Small Business Investment Company.
Ease your fears about keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan
The Small business Debt Relief Program can provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and microloans. Under it, SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal interest, and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the President signing the bill into law.
SBA Loans eligible for debt relief under this program do not include:
7(a) loans not made under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), 504 loans, and microloans. Disaster loans are also not eligible.
The Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan can provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19 within three days of applying for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstances.
Eligibility for an EIDL are the following with 500 or fewer employees:
Sole proprietorships, with or without employees
Independent contractors
Cooperatives and employee owned businesses
Tribal small businesses
Small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that meet the applicable size standard for SBA are also eligible, as well as most private non-profits of any size
If you are in need of a business counselor to help guide you through this uncertain time, you can turn to your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Women’s Business Center (WBC), or SCORE mentorship chapter. Counseling is free and training is low-cost with these partners. The additional funds that Congress provided will help keep this possible. Mentorship through SCORE is always free. To find a local resource partner, visit https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/.
The Senate voted on March 25th for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, a $2 trillion stimulus package that will aid the United States while the COVID-19 pandemic is underway. Key elements of the proposal are $250 billion set aside for direct payments to individuals and families, $350 billion in small business loans, $250 billion in unemployment insurance benefits, and $500 billion in loans for distressed companies, as stated with CNN. For individuals who have been hit with the COVID-19 pandemic financially, you will soon be able to receive aid. This aid is intended to help stimulate income for individuals to pay necessary bills during this time. These necessary bills include: property payments, utilities, medical services, groceries, etc.
Not sure how this affects you? Here are some of the hard hitting questions, answered for you!
Your income determines how much you will receive in aid. If you made less than $75,000 in 2019, you’d be eligible for the full payment of $1,200, as stated by NBC News. Couples who filed jointly and up to $150,000 will get $2,400. An individual who filed as “head of household” and earned $112,500 or less gets $1,200. For every child (under 17) in the household, the parent will receive an additional $500.
For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible, as stated by the IRS.
Note: If you are claimed as a dependent, you will not receive the stimulus check.
How do I receive the aid?
The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment (stimulus check) to those who are eligible. Qualifying income levels will be based on 2019 federal tax returns, if already filed, and otherwise on 2018 returns, stated by CNN.
Note: If you did not file a return for 2018 or 2019, you will need to file a return for the 2019 tax year to receive the stimulus check, before July 15th.
When is the aid coming?
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday, March 25th; the checks will be sent out “within three weeks” to people whom the IRS has information, as stated with NBC News. If you have direct deposit set up, the payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.
Do I have to pay it back?
No. The money isn’t a loan, but credit. You are not required to pay the government back, as stated with NBC News.
Are there scams going around?
As stated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, if you receive calls, emails, other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, do not respond. Contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov so that the scammers can be tracked.
Clarksville, TN, has so many spring activities to offer each year. From picking strawberries to going to the Roxy Regional Theatre and catching a show! This spring, Millan Enterprises wants to showcase your not-so-typical spring events. We have done the research for you, so step out of your comfort zone this spring by attending these four events!
Rescheduled for May 9th - Filmmakers Sought for Clarksville Film Festival
Clarksville has some fantastic artists! Capture the artist’s perspective at the Clarksville Film Festival. Whether the films are created with the best gear in the business or just a hand held phone, you will surely have a good time getting a glimpse into the artist’s perspective!
Event Information: Participants in the film festival are ages 14+. The screening for the event is held May 9th, 2020, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Roxy Regional Theatre. Admissions will be $7 per person at the door.
April 18th - Let Go… & Breathe Women’s Conference & Shine Bright Dinner Party
This event is calling all women ready to be uplifted, supported, and to empower one another! Women need each other in this world now more than ever. Relationships with other women are sacred and necessary!
May 2nd - Clarksville Gearhead’s Spring Swap Meet and Car Show
This event is calling all car lovers! There will be a swap meet, food vendors, and a car show… say no more; we’re there!
Event Information:
Clarksville Gearhead’s Spring Swap Meet and Car Show will be held on May 2, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Rimtyme Custom Wheels & Tires. The spectator fee is $5, and a portion of the admission will be given back to a local nonprofit!
What are some out-of-the-box spring activities you do in Clarksville? Let us know in the comments! We are all eager for an adventure this spring!
*Some event dates may be postponed or canceled due to current health concerns. Please be sure to check the status of each event before attending.
"People ask us why we do what we do...because we are called to love people. " Sherry Nicholson, Founder Photo by: YAIPaks
Millan Enterprises supports many non-profit organizations, including Clarksville homeless shelter YAIPaks Outreach. We have had the opportunity to meet several amazing individuals who have dedicated their lives to leading and contributing to these organizations. We deeply value the hard work and mission of helping others in our community and around the world.
Our March non-profit highlight is for YAIPaks Outreach, who directly impact the Clarksville and Nashville communities.
YAIPaks Outreach is a non-profit organization that provides support and hope to Clarksville’s homeless community. Sherry Nicholson founded YAIPaks Outreach back in January 2016 with the intention of reminding those who feel as if they are lost and forgotten in this world, that they are still important.
YAIPaks is unique in their mission, because they do not wait for individuals to come to them. Their mission is to bring resources and supplies to different sites around Montgomery County in order to help individuals who are going through homelessness. Sherry, and everyone involved with this mission, have seen how such small gestures have huge impacts on the homeless. They also visit encampments, where many homeless individuals stay, and deliver boxes of food and other toiletries.
Looking Toward the Future
YAIPaks has already built two micro homes for the homeless community in Nashville. They are very small, but they offer shelter and serve as a transitional home until the occupants can afford something else. YAIPaks hopes to continue to build more micro homes in Nashville, and begin building in Clarksville as well.
YAIPaks is always looking for helping hands to support their mission. Individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit the warehouse on Monday from 9am to 12pm and Thursday from 5pm to 8pm to help accept, sort, and prepare donations.
If you would like to donate items to YAIPaks, here are a few items they are currently accepting:
