Have a safe Labor Day weekend! |
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And thank you, America's workers, for driving our nation's economic might |
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Ashley opens in OV Marketplace
A positive development for Oro Valley, 'brick & mortar'
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Ashley – you know it as Ashley HomeStore – opened its doors softly in Oro Valley Marketplace at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1.
Guests were lined up to enter. Within a half-hour, more than 100 shoppers viewed attractive collections of home furnishings, beds, accessories and plenty more at the 11935 N. Oracle Road location.
“Finally, you’re open!” one shopper told greeters. “We’ve been waiting!” said another.
“We’re excited to be here,” said owner Sam Levitz, whose company is the licensee for Ashley in greater Tucson.
Sam gave a personal tour of the store to Chris Cornelison, Oro Valley’s assistant town manager; Paul Melcher, Oro Valley’s community and economic development director; and Chamber President / CEO Dave Perry.
Sam Levitz’s father, also Sam, opened a furniture and TV store in downtown Tucson in the early 1950s. His son came fully to the business in 1991, and worked on its expansion to today’s status as the predominant furniture company in Southern Arizona. Today, Sam’s children play key roles in the business, which flies under the flags of Ashley, Sam Levitz Furniture and Sam’s Furniture Outlet.
Sam Levitz and Ashley remodeled the former Dick’s Sporting Goods space at Oro Valley Marketplace. Dick’s closed its Oro Valley location 3 years ago, in September 2018.
Oro Valley government “has been really fantastic” to work with, accommodating the needs of Ashley during the extensive renovation, Levitz said. “They were really helpful."
As Sam spoke, employees pulled freshly baked cookies from the oven at the coffee and cookie bar near the back of the store. The store will have somewhere near 50 employees.
Store hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
A formal grand opening event is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16.
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This Week's
Update
Friday, Sept. 3, 2021
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Your Chamber's Annual Report is out in hard copy, and exists digitally. Click on the image above to
read all about it!
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Click within to
watch video with
Dr. Tom Grogan
To watch the video from our interview with Dr. Thomas Grogan, the 2021 Legacy Award winner and founder of Ventana Medical Systems,
Share dreams;
they may wind up
on new JDK mural
What are your dreams? Share them, and your words may become part of a mural being painted at James D. Kriegh Park in Oro Valley.
Artist Ashley White is painting the mural, coordinated by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance with help from Visit Tucson, the Town of Oro Valley and your Chamber.
To participate, in 4 words or less, share your dreams. A trip to Italy? Cure a disease? Win a gold medal? Make best mac / cheese? No dream is too small or too grand.
Your next
Chamber
events
A ribbon-cutting, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, Sol Physical Therapy, 10445 N. Oracle, Suite 101. Sol is located at Oracle and Pusch View Lane.
An evening mixer, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort.
New member orientation, 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, El Conquistador Tucson.
An evening mixer, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, OneAZ Credit Union.
Vantage West
earns major
grant to serve
Chamber Copper member Vantage West Credit Union has been awarded a $1.8 million grant to support the credit needs of underserved communities and businesses during the pandemic.
The funds, from the Community Development
Financial Institutions Fund, are to be deployed over the next 18 to 24 months.
Vantage West received the most money possible, and is 1 of 4 Arizona credit unions to be funded, according to a story in Chamber Platinum member The Arizona Daily Star.
For the moment,
tiered pricing at
Northwest YMCA
The Northwest YMCA is offering tiered pricing to members, ensuring that everyone “has the opportunity to enhance their mind, body and spirit with a YMCA membership,” an invitation said.
“We are offering subsidized rates to help the community recover,” it continued. The offers stand for 12 months.
Membership prices are as low as $15 per month for young people ages 9-14. Amenities vary by tier and and category.
The Northwest YMCA, a Chamber member, is located at 7770 N. Shannon. The phone is 520-229-9001, the website here:
Look for items,
and donate, at
HabiStore in city
Chamber member Habitat for Humanity offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to donate and purchase new and used household goods and building materials at affordable prices.
It all happens at the HabiStore, located at 935 West Grant in Tucson. Store hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The store phone is 520-889-7200, the donation hotline 520-230-5323. The website is here:
All shoppers are welcome. They’ll find great new and used furniture, household items and building materials. All proceeds support Habitat’s mission to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Volunteers are welcome, too!
Amerigroup open
house Friday, 9/24
Chamber member Amerigroup is hosting a Medicare Store Open House from 8 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24.
The event is slated for Amerigroup’s office at 2930 S. 6th, Suite 60, Tucson, 85713.
Guests will meet the Amerigroup Medicare sales team, and enjoy a continental breakfast with coffee.
Bring us your
canned goods,
and we’ll match
Friday, Sept. 3, is National Food Bank Day, and your Chamber is matching donations brought to our office this week.
For each canned good you drop at our office – 7435 N. Oracle, Suite 107 – we’ll donate an additional canned good. Donations will benefit Chamber members Interfaith Community Services and IMPACT of Southern Arizona.
Typical Chamber office hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, but give us a call first -- 520-297-2191.
Daddy Daughter
Dance at Centre
Stage Sat., 9/18
Chamber member Centre Stage Dance Studio presents a Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday, Sept. 18, starting at 6 p.m. at its Lambert and La Canada studio.
“Make some memories with this event, which will include snacks and drinks, music, dance instruction, crafts, games and more,” an invitation said.
The price is $30 for each Daddy Daughter duo, or $20 if already registered at Centre Stage. Additional attendees pay a $5 feel.
Centre Stage Dance Studio is located at 10370 N. La Canada, Suite 170. The phone is 520-498-0093, the website here. Tylene Nichols is the owner and CEO.
‘Picklin’ for a
Cure’ 10/15-17
at Kino complex
A Sept. 30 deadline is established for “Picklin’ for a Cure,” an Oct. 15-17 pickleball event at the Kino Sports Complex to raise awareness and money for the Reflect Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association and the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Organizer Tom Warfield said 95 players are registered to date. There are men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events, with age-group division. The price to play is $65 per player. To date, fees and sponsors add up to $19,422 toward the $35,000 goal.
Amphi is looking
for guest experts
Amphitheater Public Schools is looking for guest experts, and for internships.
Guest experts lead students in engaging conversations about college and career experiences. “Being a guest expert gives you the opportunity to share your expertise with Amphitheater classrooms, to inspire and bring learning to life for students,” an invitation said.
Rescue Me Tucson
to open Marana
adoption center
on Saturday, 9/18
New Chamber member Rescue Me Tucson will open its Rescue Me Marana Pet Adoption Center’s doors on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m.
Rescue Me Marana is sited at the Tucson Premium Outlets, 6401 W. Marana Center Blvd., Suite 902.
The phone is 520-261-1616, the website here.
Humane Society’s
major event set for
Saturday, 9/25
Rescue Me, the dinner, live auction, raffle and speaking event, is being presented by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort.
Michael Hingson, the best-selling author of Thunder Dog, is the guest speaker. Hingson tells the heart-wrenching story of how his service dog saved his life Sept. 11, 2001.
Tickets are on sale now at this site. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Southern Arizona education department.
Edward Jones’
food drive is
Saturday, 10/30
The annual Edward Jones community food drive, benefitting Interfaith Community Services, is set for Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Canyon del Oro Baptist Church, 9200 N. Oracle in Oro Valley.
The gathering of non-perishable foods begins at 9 a.m., and runs through noon.
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Upcoming free
ACA boot camps
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Your Brand Your Way: Mind Your Messaging, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. Register here.
Three Types of Videos Every Business Should Be Producing, Thursday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m. Register here.
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Business Development Director
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Our Board
of Directors
Chair
Nancy Boyle
Splendido at Rancho Vistoso
Vice Chair
Anne-Marie Braswell
Golder Ranch Fire District
Treasurer
Eric Renaud
Pima Federal Credit Union
Secretary / Clerk
Dinny Cosyns
NorthStar Strategies
Members
Veronica Apodaca
Northwest Healthcare
Ron Arenas
Picture Rocks Cooling,
Heating and Plumbing
Susan Swan
Swan Pilates
Lisa Bayless
Long Realty
Lila Chapman
Sierra Tucson
Mark Davis
Canyon Community Bank
Dan Wesson
The Post Workspaces
Tom Hebner
Roche Tissue Diagnostics
Robert Ramirez
Robert Ramirez CPA
Otton Suarez
El Conquistador Tucson,
A Hilton Resort
Jack Talmage
Oro Valley Country Club
Jeremy Thompson
Cox
Paul Tees
Commerce Bank of Arizona
Ex-officio
Paul Melcher
Town of Oro Valley
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Start 'fall' in fine style
We’ll network at the El Conquistador Thursday, 5-7
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September is … here!
Get your autumnal network development efforts off to an excellent start by joining us from 5 to 7 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 9, at Chamber gold member El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort, 10000 N. Oracle in Oro Valley.
Every time we visit, our friends at the El Conquistador are generous with food and hospitality. Traditionally, the annual El Conquistador customer development event is one of the year’s largest – 100 guests would not be a surprise.
Chamber “mixers” are $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers. We have a new way to register – click here:
We’ll see you this Thursday, Sept. 9.
Don’t forget as well our second September customer development event, Thursday, Sept. 23, 5-7 p.m., OneAZ Credit Union at First and Oracle in Oro Valley. Branch manager Cindy Webb Hanson plans a special program regarding fraud prevention. You’ll want to be there!
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Wow Wow Lemonade opens
Saturday at Oracle Crossings
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New Chamber member Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade opens to the public this Saturday, Sept. 4, at Oracle Crossings in Oro Valley.
Chamber members are welcome to join the Wow Wow team at a friends, family and neighbors event Friday, Sept. 3, between 4 and 7 p.m. A grand opening event is planned for later in September.
Wow Wow’s mission is to inspire and uplift its customers with a craft lemonade stand experience, by serving the tastiest fresh pressed lemonades, craft acai bowls, and healthy bites, while leaving a reduced environmental footprint for the next generation.
Wow Wow believes in real ingredients, raw and fresh pressed, and that food should look as good as it tastes. Wow Wow is committed to bringing value to the local community by supporting local events, servicing the local community, and being a positive force with its employees and customers.
Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade is located at 7705 N. Oracle, Suite 133, Oro Valley, 85704. The website is available at this link, the Instagram handle @wowwowlemonadeorovalley
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New members of your Chamber in July are Long Realty / Monica Rojas Delaney, Chic Nail Boutique, Dental Pros, Enerjoust LLC, Rob Young Insurance Services, Farm Bureau Financial Services / Don Soss, Tucson Corrective Exercise and Epic Medical Labs.
Welcome to the Chamber!
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We appreciate July
renewing members
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Renewing members of your Chamber in July are Simpleview, the Oro Valley Country Club, Homewood Suites by Hilton / St. Philip’s Plaza, Arizona Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Caring Transitions of Southern Arizona, Long Realty Oro Valley / KC Woods, Rosati’s Pizza Sports Pub, The Ranch Estates of Tucson, Anchor Wave Internet Solutions, The Arizona Sands Club, DPR Construction;
Budget Blinds of North Tucson; Ameriprise Financial / Alan Willenbrock, Catalina Springs Memory Care, Personal Express Insurance, Oro Vista Luxury Apartments, Ringo Canyon Granite, Vetrano Financial Services, Edward Jones / David Ahmad, Roadrunner Office Supply, AZ Southwest CPA Services / Thomas Rooney, Pusch Ridge Design Remodel;
Long Realty / Hilary Backlund and Jay Lotoski, Long Realty / Lisa Bayless, Keller Williams / Ripley’s Luxury Real Estate Group, Cruise Planners, Coldwell Banker / Linda Peterson, Merrill Lynch / Andrew Ballmann, Hearts of Gold Pet Services, Blue Span, Town West Realty;
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, State Sen. Vince Leach, Oro Valley Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club of Tucson, FAST Swim Team, Reachout Women’s Center, Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
Thanks for your continued confidence!
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3 corporate renewals,
and expanded support
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We’re grateful to these corporate members for their commitments in July.
The Arizona Daily Star / Tucson.com continued with its Platinum-level membership.
OneAZ Credit Union jumped from a Copper membership to a Silver membership.
And member Sonora Behavioral Health increased its participation from a standard, employee-based membership to a Copper-level membership.
Our thanks!
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Views of a pandemic,
from 3 who’ve lived it
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On Aug. 19, at your Chamber’s 29th Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast, guests watched a video featuring 3 people in our community who shared their experiences in the pandemic.
Cyndell Chanek, RN, is director of the emergency room at Silver member Oro Valley Hospital.
Lorena Sahugun is the general manager of La Hacienda Oro Valley, a Mexican restaurant.
Brie Ronnie is a veteran teacher at Painted Sky Elementary School.
Click here, and learn what the pandemic has been like for an ER nurse, a restaurant manager and a school teacher.
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Dan Wesson said nice and sincere things about Chelle Peterson, left, as they received recognition for The Post Workspaces as 1 of 2 2021 Outstanding Small Businesses. They took the stage at our Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast on Aug. 19.
Photos by Joey Ambrose, BoomPix Media
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Desert Star, The Post feted as
outstanding small businesses
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Desert Star Addiction Recovery Specialists and The Post Workspaces each earned Outstanding Small Business awards at your Chamber’s 29th Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast on Aug. 19.
Jim McShea, director of business development, accepted the award on behalf of Desert Star with clinical director Amy Tilley, above. Desert Star has been located on Oracle Road in Oro Valley for more than 12 years.
“This is pretty amazing,” Jim told the audience of 360 guests. “We’re proud to be part of this community.”
In an effort to ensure it met the community’s mental health needs, Desert Star expanded its virtual and telehealth options for clients during the pandemic. Desert Star also increased its marketing efforts to make the public aware of its service to people facing drug, alcohol, eating disorder, sex addiction, relationship and mental health challenges.
Co-founders Chelle Peterson and Dan Wesson accepted the award for The Post Workspaces, which opened in the midst of the pandemic.
“This past year has been definitely …. crazy,” Chelle said. “This means everything to us.”
“Had it not been for Chelle, the Post would still be just an idea,” Dan said. “There were a thousand things that needed to come together. She did an awesome job.”
Chelle and Dan took a 2-year personal journey to open a co-working space in the Northwest Corporate Center on Oracle. They’ve built supportive networks and endured a pandemic that struck days before their planned opening. Throughout, Dan and Chelle have developed a still-growing passion for fostering community among entrepreneurs and small businesses. The Post recently cracked the 100-member milestone.
Other nominees were Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, Board & Brush Oro Valley, Desert Dance Collective, Just Kabab, Linaker Orthodontics, LuxSpace Studios, OOROO Auto, Oro Valley Audiology and Urgent Specialists.
Our congratulations to all!
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SBA portal to assist with
quicker PPP forgiveness
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has begun a streamlined application portal that allows borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or less to apply for forgiveness directly through SBA.
“The SBA’s new streamlined application portal will simplify forgiveness for millions of our smallest businesses -- including many sole proprietors -- who used funds from our Paycheck Protection Program loans to survive the pandemic,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman in a prepared release.
More than 6.5 million businesses may qualify. The forgiveness platform began accepting applications from borrowers on Aug. 4. Lenders are required to opt-in to this program through https://directforgiveness.sba.gov.
In addition to the technology platform, the SBA is standing up a PPP customer service team to answer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness applications. Borrowers that need assistance or have questions should call (877) 552-2692, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST.
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OV, Startup Tucson ask
for entrepreneurial input
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Oro Valley entrepreneurs and business owners are being asked to complete a survey about the community’s entrepreneurial environment.
On behalf of the Town of Oro Valley, Startup Tucson is undertaking a study of the community’s assets.
“Are you hoping to launch a business in Oro Valley? Do you have a business in Oro Valley and need more support as you grow? Did you face any challenges when launching your business?” it asks.
Survey responses are requested by this Monday, Sept. 6. To complete the survey, click here:
One survey respondent is going to win a $50 gift card to Seis Kitchen.
“Have your business’s voice heard and potentially win!” Startup Tucson said. “Let’s build up the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Oro Valley, together!”
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The Cure the Summertime Blues shop local campaign hit the small screen --
We continue to give away $50 gift cards purchased at OV businesses! This week, our shopovaz.com winners are Nancy Smith, Darolyne Nelson, Wally Smith and Forrest Yates. Congratulations!
You can win, too!
Go to shopovaz.com and enter your email address once a week!
Your Chamber is purchasing more than $6,000 in gift cards from local merchants to give away to the general public. Don't miss out!
Remember to #thinkOVfirst and shop local.
Coming up in September ...
Sept. 3 – Food bank day (make a donation!)
Sept. 5 – Cheese pizza day
Sept. 15 – Double Cheeseburger day
Sept. 29 – Coffee day
Special thanks to our Cure for the Summertime Blues donors ...
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Interested in becoming a Corporate Member? Email Kristen for more information!
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Wednesday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m. – Ribbon cutting at Sol Physical Therapy, 10445 N. Oracle Rd., Ste 101
Thursday, Sept. 9 – Customer development event (a mixer) at El Conquistador Tucson, 5-7 p.m. 10000 N. Oracle Rd. Buy your ticket here!
Friday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. – New Member Orientation at El Conquistador Tucson, for members who've joined since Jan. 2020. Free! Register here!
Thursday, Sept. 16 – Let's Connect (public policy) with guest, Senator Vince Leach. We're starting a smidge earlier than normal. Join us for coffee at 8:00 a.m. The program will begin at 8:15. Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, 500 W. Calle Concordia. Free! RSVP to Duane@orovalleychamber.com.
Thursday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. – Ribbon cutting and grand opening at Ashley, in Oro Valley Marketplace.
Thursday, Sept. 16, 4 p.m. – Ribbon cutting at That’s the Spot Chiropractic, 7090 N. Oracle Rd., Ste. 148
Thursday, Sept. 23 – Customer development event (a mixer) at OneAZ Credit Union – a fraud prevention theme! 5-7 p.m. 10718 N. Oracle Rd. Buy your ticket here!
Thursday, Oct. 14 – Customer development event (a mixer) at Pima Federal Credit Union, 5-7 p.m. 6850 N. Oracle Rd. Buy your ticket here!
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Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
p: 520.297.2191
7435 N. Oracle Road, #107, Oro Valley, AZ 85704
Our Mission
Maximizing Greater Oro Valley's unmatched assets.
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