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Today, March 31, marked the Change of Command for Diamond Chamber member Golder Ranch Fire District. Randy Karrer, Golder Ranch's Chief for the past 13 years, is seen here passing the Chief's helmet off to incoming Chief Tom Brandhuber. Assistant Chief Grant Cesarek, left, was the emcee for the event and invited guest speakers to provide words of congratulations including Oro Valley Police Chief Kara Riley, Northwest Fire District Chief Brad Bradley, Tucson Fire Department Chief Chuck Ryan, and Central Arizona Fire & Medical Chief Scott Freitag. Both Chief Karrer and Chief Brandhuber spoke about the immense support from their wives, Rhonda Karrer, center, and Tamara Brandhuber, right.
Photo by Lou Waters
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Scholarship Deadline is Friday
By Dave Perry
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A Friday, April 7 deadline is in place for students to apply for 2023 Mayor Steve Engle Memorial Scholarships, given by the Oro Valley Chamber Foundation.
Students who plan to, or are, attending an Arizona college, university or vocational school are eligible to apply. Standard awards are $1,500. Academic performance, need and community service are among considerations for the scholarship awards.
For information, or to find the application, go to orovalleychamber.com/foundation.
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Scholarship aid at $16,500; you can help us help students
By Dave Perry
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Your Chamber Foundation has received $16,500 in scholarship gifts and commitments for the 2023 year.
We’re so grateful to donors Kay Williams, Alan Dankwerth, Andrew Dankwerth, Cody Engle, Acacia IT and Greg Durnan, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Schulz Financial Group and Mary Schulz, and State Farm Joe Foster for their generous gifts and commitments.
These funds will be distributed officially June 22, when your Chamber Foundation hosts the annual Mayor Steve Engle Memorial Scholarship breakfast at Chamber member The Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.
You can help, too! Your sponsorship of a $1,500 scholarship helps a deserving Northwest-side student pursue their goals of higher education at an Arizona institution.
To learn more, contact the Chamber office – 520-297-2191 – or email Chamber President / CEO Kristen Sharp at kristen@orovalleychamber.com. Retired Chamber President / CEO Dave Perry chairs the Foundation board; Dave can be reached at daveperry56@yahoo.com, or by phone at 520-334-0349.
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UPCOMING EVENTS - this week | |
Please join us as we cut a ribbon for The Buttes at Reflections to celebrate their 1-year anniversary under new ownership! Chamber members Fork and Fire will be giving out appetizers and Hoppy Vine will be providing champagne. Vendors will be tabling and there will be a DJ to keep the party moving! The open house will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | |
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Interested in becoming a Member but unsure if it would be beneficial? Maybe you already are a Member but you're wanting to know how to get the best use out of your membership. Join us for this virtual event to learn more about what your Chamber can offer for you. Hosted by our very own, Shari Colson. 3-4 p.m.
REGISTER HERE!
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Join us for a hockey game with Copper member the Tucson Roadrunners! We have tickets for free for our members, but tickets are incredibly limited, so hurry to sign up before they're all gone! Meet us at 7 p.m. for the game in the "nest" or their box. Tickets will be at the box office!
The game will have $3 soft drinks and $3 hot dogs, but we will also have snacks up in our nest!
The Roadrunners will be playing the Texas Stars.
REGISTER HERE!
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Continue Scrolling for more Upcoming Events! | |
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Glenn Grote paused from intensive work for a photo at his outdoor office. Your Income Tax Pros plows forward toward the April 17 tax-filing deadline after the March 21 fire at the adjacent Chamber office displaced the business. "We were not going to give up," Glenn said.
Photo by Dave Perry
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Your Income Tax Pros adopting a fresh-air solution after fire
By: Dave Perry
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Outside his smoke- and water-damaged office, veteran tax professional Glenn Grote is finalizing income tax returns al fresco.
Glenn, proprietor of Chamber next-door neighbor Your Income Tax Pros, his wife Pam, and receptionist Anna Mackey have set up a table with chairs outside their office at 7435 N. Oracle, Suite 101. Pam is working from a nearby hotel room, preparing and e-filing returns ahead of the April 17 filing deadline.
Anna’s car has become her desk. Files sit in the trunk of Pam’s vehicles.
Clients, approaching 10 a day, take a seat in the little bit of shade, or stop
by to pick up their prepared returns.
“It’s a good thing the weather’s nice,” said Glenn.
“These are pretty nice days,” Anna agreed. “It can get a little warmer for about an hour in the afternoon, but otherwise it’s great.”
This is, of course, the busiest of times in the tax preparation business, and there was no time to relocate following the March 21 fire that heavily
damaged the adjacent Chamber suite. “We were not going to give up,” Glenn said.
He’s had 3 tax businesses over the last 47 years. This fire, and resulting displacement from the office, have been “the biggest challenge yet, part of it because it came at such a bad time.”
Yet business is good. Your Income Tax Pros has grown steadily over the last several years. “All our clients know what has happened, and are being very flexible about extensions,” Glenn said.
“We’ve even had some new clients,” Anna said.
Computers at Your Income Tax Pros “are gone, except the server,” which was rescued, Glenn said. Records are intact.
Clients “have been absolutely wonderful,” Anna agreed. “Some of them don’t bat an eye. They say ‘here’s my stuff, call me if you have any questions.’”
Your Income Tax Pros is taking a month-to-month emergency lease at Chamber Silver member The Post Workspaces, located directly across Oracle Road from the office. Glenn is pleased with the service he’s receiving from Chelle, Dan and everyone at The Post Workspaces.
Glenn has also served as a spokesman for the Chamber staff when people come to seek information. “You can’t imagine the number of people I’ve had to explain” the situation, he said.
The website is yourincometaxpros.com, the phone number 520-297-6927.
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Oro Valley Urgent Care co-owners Beth Brown and Brittany Overton paused for a photograph at Tuesday's ribbon-cutting and open house for the new business. They are both Oro Valley residents who want to provide exceptional care to local people.
Photo by Dave Perry
| Oro Valley Urgent Care is locally owned, here to serve neighbors | |
Family nurse practitioners Beth Brown and Brittany Overton have opened Oro Valley Urgent Care, a locally owned, locally operated healthcare business in Oro Valley’s Steam Pump Village.
The ribbon was sliced Tuesday afternoon at the 11015 N. Oracle, Suite 121 business. Eighteen months in the making, its doors opened March 18. Business has increased just about every day, Beth reports.
Both women call Oro Valley home. Beth is a graduate of Mountain View High School, Brittany a Canyon del Oro alumnae. Beth and her husband have 4 sons, Brittany and her husband 6 children.
Brittany and Beth have wide experiences as nurses, to include work at other urgent care facilities. They saw a growing “lack of care for the individual, and emphasis on the bottom dollar. ... We wanted better,” their website said.
“We know how to take care of people really well,” Beth said. “And we’re so passionate about it.”
They studied to become family nurse practitioners, and have taken the leap into business. “We’ve learned a lot, and we have a lot more to learn for sure,” Beth said.
Oro Valley Urgent Care intends to care for “your everyday healthcare needs,” among them urgent care, colds and flu, allergies and asthma, nausea / vomiting, rashes, pediatrics, sprains and strains, sports physicals, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and drug testing, urinary symptoms, medications and supplements. X-ray is available onsite, and the business provides in-clinic access to the most common prescription and non-prescription medications. Most insurances are accepted.
Guests can also take advantage of Saguaro Wellness Hydration I.V. therapy services, with a $25 discount on any therapy through September.
So many people have “worked hard to make this an inviting place for everybody,” Beth said. Oro Valley Urgent Care has lovely décor. Among its 6 exam rooms is a special pediatric care room. Ten employees work within the space, which is open 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Oro Valley is a “health-centered community,” Chamber President / CEO Kristen Sharp told the large audience of employees, family, friends, Chamber members and supporters Tuesday. “We’re so thankful you decided to bring your business here to Oro Valley.”
Sharp noted the business is staffed by people “who care about you as a person.” The Chamber cares, too, Sharp said – “we are here as a Chamber to help you in any way you need.”
Oro Valley Urgent Care occupies about 2/3rds of the former Interior Expressions space in Steam Pump Village. The phone is 520-314-5334, the website ovurgentcare.com.
Oro Valley Chief of Police Kara Riley and Oro Valley Town Councilmember Dr. Harry “Mo” Greene II were among Tuesday’s guests.
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Introducing OOROO
at Tucson International
Get your car maintained while you fly.
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Oro Valley-based OOROO Auto is taking its service to Tucson International Airport.
“It’s not at every airport that you can park your vehicle in a covered parking space at a great price and have your oil changed while you are traveling,” Tucson Airport Authority President and CEO Danette Bewley said. “We welcome the opportunity to add OOROO to our growing list of customer amenities offered at TUS.”
Customers with scheduled appointments can leave their vehicle with OOROO staff at TIA’s Economy Covered Lot, located on East Corona Road. TAA provides free shuttle service to and from the main terminal. While you are away, OOROO mechanics can service your vehicle and make sure it is parked securely.
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Oro Valley-based OOROO Auto is taking its service to Tucson International Airport.
“It’s not at every airport that you can park your vehicle in a covered parking space at a great price and have your oil changed while you are traveling,” Tucson Airport Authority President and CEO Danette Bewley said. “We welcome the opportunity to add OOROO to our growing list of customer amenities offered at TUS.”
Customers with scheduled appointments can leave their vehicle with OOROO staff at TIA’s Economy Covered Lot, located on East Corona Road. TAA provides free shuttle service to and from the main terminal. While you are away, OOROO mechanics can service your vehicle and make sure it is parked securely.
“OOROO at the Airport is an extension of our mission to deliver ‘the highest level of expertise, safety, care and convenience’ wherever is most convenient to our customer,” OOROO founder and CEO Jeff Artzi said. “Our mobile vans, which are full equipped ‘shops on wheels,’ can provide most maintenance and repair services onsite at the airport while customers travel for business or pleasure.”
To book an appointment, click here. To reserve your TIA parking space, click here: Tucson International Airport parking.
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Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library Honor Hughes Federal Credit Union for 20 years of support
By Shane Rood
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Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library (FOVPL) [on March 28,2023] recognized Diamond-level Chamber member Hughes Federal Credit Union for its ongoing partnership and contributions, helping the organization raise Pima County literacy rates to their highest levels.
“We are thrilled by what we have achieved on behalf of youth and educators thanks to the generosity of Hughes Federal Credit Union,” Friends of Oro Valley President Jane Peterson said. “Since 2004, 84,000 Hughes members have donated over $840,000 to the library, empowering us to improve buildings and grounds, create and expand vital literacy programs and achieve one of the highest circulations in the country.”
FOVPL has used funds to sponsor numerous literacy programs in schools throughout Pima County, including “Books for Teachers,” which assists educators in five districts in obtaining culturally relevant books for classrooms, students, libraries and reading labs. The program focuses on Title I schools in
low-income neighborhoods including Amphitheater, Flowing Wells, Marana,
Sunnyside and Tucson Unified.
“Hughes is honored to support Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library,” said Elisa Ross, Vice President of Marketing. “We look forward to continuing support for the organization to improve the quality of life for youth and educators throughout Pima County.”
FOVPL has also offered 71 schools access to a variety of grant opportunities that bring high-interest books to districts, allow educators to purchase books for students to own, and support students who fell behind a grade during the
pandemic and more.
To learn more about FOVPL, go to their website, orovalleyfriends.org.
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Your health & mind can get a boost at April 12th Chamber Economic Outlook and Expo
By Dave Perry
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For your health, and for your mind, you’ll want to attend the Chamber’s 2023 Oro Valley Economic Outlook Luncheon and Spring Wellness and Business Expo, to be staged Wednesday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gold member El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort.
The expo runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at the resort, 10000 N.
Oracle. It is free, open to the public, and will have dozens of vendors. Guests can enjoy
chair massages, gift items and interactions.
At 11:30, guests adjourn to the luncheon, where they’ll hear from speakers U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.
“The speakers are going to be really awesome,” said Chamber events and communications director Makenna Markley. “These are important people.”
Tickets to the luncheon are $60 for members and $70 for non-members before Friday, March 31. After that date, prices rise to $70 and $80.
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Cut the Clutter with The Watermark at Oro Valley on Thursday, 4/6 | |
You’re ready to downsize, but you have all this stuff – some great, some not – and don’t know what to do with it, right?
Copper Member The Watermark at Oro Valley understands, and they’ve planned an event to help ease your way. Sherri Gillette, CEO of Caring Transitions of Southern Arizona, is an expert who’s earned the prestigious Senior Relocation and Transition Specialist certification. She’ll share strategies to help you through every step of the process, from rightsizing to managing a move.
Setting the perfect mood, jazz artist and Chamber member Joe Bourne will keep things relaxed and upbeat, singing pop standards with a Nat King Cole vibe. The chef at The Watermark at Oro Valley will add a finishing touch with desserts and beverages. Join them from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. for the event at The Watermark at Oro Valley located at 9005 North Oracle Road.
Please email here or call (520)477-3252 to RSVP by April 5.
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Celebrate OV at
Steam Pump 4/8
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Oro Valley’s annual Celebrate Oro Valley event is slated for Saturday, April 8, from 8 a.m. to noon at Steam Pump Ranch.
The free, family-friendly event has something for everyone to enjoy, a release said. It roughly coincides with the town’s official founding on April 15, 1974, 49 years ago.
At Celebrate Oro Valley, guests can find everything they love at Second Saturday – to include the weekly Oro Valley Farmers Market presented by Chamber member Heirloom Farmers Markets – as well as a petting zoo, food trucks, live music from 8:30 a.m. to noon, a rocket launch, tours of the Pusch House Museum by Chamber member the Oro Valley Historical Society, town informational booths and so much more.
For more information, click here.
For questions about Celebrate Oro Valley, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 520-229-5050 or email the parks and rec department.
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The Views offers $20 golf clinics during April | |
Chamber member The Views Golf Club has scheduled $20 golf clinics during April.
They’ll be held Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m.
The schedule is April 5, full swing; April 12, short game; April 19, full swing; and April 26, short game.
To register, call 520-825-3110.
The Views Golf Club is located within Chamber member Sun City Oro Valley. The address is 1555 E. Rancho Vistoso, the website is here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS - this month | |
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Our Economic Outlook is an educational and promotional event that focuses on the local economy. We will start the day with a Spring Wellness and Business Expo, and end it with a luncheon and guest speakers Arizona Congressman Juan Ciscomani and Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson. Tickets for this event go quickly, so be sure to register while they are available.
The Spring Wellness and Business Expo will start at 9 a.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are required to attend the luncheon and keynote address at 11:30 a.m.
Tickets to the luncheon are $60 for members before Friday, March 31 and $70 after March 31. Tickets for non-members are $70 before Friday, March 31 and $80 after March 31.
If you would like a vegan/vegetarian meal for lunch or have a dietary restriction please add it to your registration comments so that we can accommodate your needs.
To purchase a table at the Wellness and Business Expo, register here. Tables are $350 for members and $400 for non-members.
REGISTER HERE!
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Wisdom Wednesday
Free for members, $25 for guests
Cross Country Mortgage
1335 W Lambert Lane
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Wisdom Wednesdays are designed to be short workshop style educational sessions on a variety of topics that can make an impact on business owners and working professionals.
This session will be led by Frank Vidal who is the Philanthropy Manager at Tohono Chul, although he may be best known for his presence on LinkedIn. During this hands-on workshop, Frank will share practical tips on how to elevate your profile, build your brand, and grow your network on LinkedIn.
The session will run from 1-2 p.m.
REGISTER HERE!
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Perk Before Work
Free for members, $25 for guests
Pima Community College
7600 N Shannon Rd.
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Join us for a workshop styled event before you head into the office and get the chance to learn from and grow with other community members. There's no better way to start your Friday than with free coffee! Join us from 8-10 a.m. at Copper member Pima Community College NW.
REGISTER HERE!
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Join us to meet new people, grow your network, expand your business and overall enjoy yourself. Stay for ten minutes or two hours! This event will run from 5-7 p.m.
Mixers are $5 for members, $15 for guests
REGISTER HERE!
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Chris Grey's photo videos now posted on Made it Myself TV
By Dave Perry
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Videos with helpful tips about photography by Chamber member and photographer Chris Grey are now posted on madeitmyselftv.com.
Chris, proprietor of Christopher
Grey Studios, has posted nine videos on the site. They’re also accessible
via Vizio (Smartcast/Apps/Lifestyles), as well as Roku, Google Firestick, and on Android and IOS phones. There’s more to come.
Madeitmyselftv.com is
aimed at hobbyists, Chris said, “although I hope to build an audience of aspiring professionals.” The channel is FAST, an acronym for free
advertiser-supported television. TriCoastTV wants it to become global.
“The biggest benefit to me, though, is being able to impart some of the technical knowledge I acquired and opportunities I pursued throughout my career (along with the fun I had along the way) to a new audience,” Chris said. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching and have done workshops internationally as well as authoring books about my art and craft, so this represents an opportunity to reach new people via new Internet synergy.”
To watch, go to madeitmyselftv.com/download. Select the “Download App Now” choice, pick a device, get it and open it. Scroll to Photography, and watch the episodes. Chris’ website is christophergreyfineart.com.
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Project Grad is looking for volunteers | |
CDO High School is hosting their 20th Project Grad event for the class of 2023. They need all hands on deck to volunteer for this event. Help them set up, run, and break down the event, they have something for everyone! Project Grad is an overnight event from Tuesday May 16th to Wednesday May 17th.To see how you can help,
click here.
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Interested in High-Level Membership? Email Business Development Director, Shari, for more information! | | | | |
