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ChamberNEWSChamberNEWSDECEMBER 2009

Published Monthly by the AshlAnd ChAMber of CoMMerCe

P R O J E C T S   &   P R O G R A M S

FreePhotoswithSanta! stop by and have your photo taken with our very own santa every saturday from nov. 28th through dec. 19th (see schedule in At-A-Glance). santa will be at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Information Center, corner of e. Main and Pioneer streets on Saturdays from 11am-4pm and will be accompanied by his favorite elf, photographer extraordinaire, Graham Lewis. Photographs can then be picked up at Advanced Photo and Imaging on Ashland street.

this year we will be welcoming members of the Rogue Valley Harmonizers as street carolers to perform during these saturdays. Come downtown, visit santa, listen to some wonderful live Christmas caroling, and do your holiday shopping and dining in Ashland.

Adopt-A-WreathProgramaContinuedSuccess! thank you to everyone who has made the Adopt-A-Wreath program a continued success. on november 14th the Chamber staff and a crew of wonderful volunteers replaced all of the garland and added new led lights to the 50 wreaths that decorate the downtown core. Without the help of

the following individuals, we would not have been able to assemble the wreaths in time for the festival of light: Mark Marchetti; Adam, Cindy, Bailey and Taylor Hanks; Jane Stromberg; John Karns; Mary Gardiner; Kevin McKelvey; Ann and Bow Seltzer; Alex Vlach; Mike Morris; Graham Lewis; Sarah Cribb; Denise Daehler; Brittany Graham; Sonja Dedrick; MarthaBennett; Meiwen Richards; Cindy Bernard; Pam Hammond; Hanna Loop;

Bud Clardy; Dean and Lori Fortmiller; Cassidy Walters; Mark, Simon and Owen DiRienzo; Hannah Miller; Barbara Allen; Jim Batzer; Brittany Holcom and the Chamber Staff, Sandra Slattery; Shanna Claflin; Dana Welsh; Katharine Flanagan; Sean Daley and Dana Fortmiller. on sunday afternoon and Monday morning

following the wreath making, a group of dedicated volunteers hit the streets to get them all on their poles. thank you to Mike Morris; Cindy Bernard; Graham Lewis and Sean Daley for making this happen so quickly. the Adopt-A-Wreath program is still in motion. there is still time to take a part in the Greening of the Festival of Light by by adopting a wreath. Please visit www.ashlandchamber.com to adopt your wreath or contact dana fortmiller at events@ashlandchamber.com or 541-482-3486 ext. 107.

2009HolidayMixer,Mon.,Dec.21st tis’ the season to celebrate with your Chamber friends! our Annual Holiday Mixer is scheduled for Monday, December 21st beginning at 5:30pm at Alex’s Restaurant. the cost is $15 and the proceeds go towards the festival of light celebration. We will also be accepting Toys For Tots at the Mixer so please bring an unwrapped toy to help make a child’s Christmas brighter. rsVP to dana fortmiller at 482-3486 ext. 107 or events@ashlandchamber.com by Monday, december 14th. or, visit our website to make your reservations online, or return the form to the left. Make sure to include this fun event in all of your holiday plans!

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Festival of Light Celebration Continues . . .

VISIT OUR WEB SITE ATwww.ashlandchamber.com

Festival of Light!FreePhotoswithSanta!Saturdays through the holiday season:Nov. 28th, Dec. 5th, 12th & 19th 11am-4pmOSF Welcome Center, on the corner of E. Main & Pioneer St.

EnjoyStrollingCarolersEvery Saturday during the Holiday season, throughout downtown.

Your donations are needed to light Ashland for the Holidays. Donate Now! (see enclosure)

HolidayMixerRSVPMail or drop off by Monday,

December 14th

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Check # ________ Visa __ MC __

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P R O J E C T S   &   P R O G R A M S

Green Your Lights This Holiday Season

leds use 10% the electricity of incandescents, and are 90% more efficient than their old-school tungsten counterparts. they’re perfect for strings of holiday lights, because they don’t get hot, they last forever and when one burns out, it doesn’t take the whole chain with it! you’ll get a full 100,000 hours out of most leds, they’re made with less nasty chemicals, and come in all kinds of festive shapes! What more could you ask for? (www.inhabit.com)

And…good news for your old lights that no longer work- this will be the third year in a row holidayleds.com has operated a recyling program for incandescent holiday lights. until we have our own local program, check out http://www.holidayleds.com/holidayledscom_christmas_light_recycling_program

Plus they have a great fAQ page: http://www.holidayleds.com/faq#n803

finally, for the cost conscious among us check out this online energy savings calculator:http://phil.greenoptions.com/2008/06/27/how-to-calculate-the-energy-savings-of-switching-to-led-christmas-lights/

Happy Holidays!

Sustainable Business Corner

Submitted by pam lott {product} photography AnnualDinnerRe-Cap

the 2009 Annual dinner- Celebrating 40 years of a sister City relationship with Guanajuato, Mexico was a wonderful evening for all in attendance. Master of Ceremony, Meiwen Richards of People’s Bank of Commerce was welcomed in as the 2009-2010 Chamber board President after a heartfelt exchange with outgoing President, Paddington Station Co-owner Pam Hammond. We are very excited to welcome Meiwen in her new role as Chamber President and wish to thank Pam for her year of service and dedication to our organization. the highlight of the evening was the awards presentations. the awards presentations were supposed to begin with Katharine Flanagan introducing the Food and Wine Classic Top Chef award, but the Chamber staff had a different idea in mind. instead, Dana Welsh spoke on behalf of the staff in honoring and thanking Sandra Slattery for her 30 years with the Chamber. Much to the staff’s delight, it was a surprise for sandra. following the heartfelt thank you to sandra, Katharine flanagan presented the Food and Wine Classic Top Chef award to Neil Clooney, two time Food and Wine Classic winner and two time Bite of Oregon Iron Chef champion. Alex Amarotico, Chamber board member and Standing Stone Brewing Co. owner presented the Emerging Business of the Year award to Noble Coffee. this was the second year this award has been presented. Mayor John Stromberg then honored Standing Stone Brewing Co with the newest award, Green Business Practice of the Year. this was the first year this award was presented. Greeter of the Year was given by Gordon Roda, last year’s recipient. the third recipient to receive this award was Kevin Bendaw with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Retail Business of the Year was presented by Paddington Station Co-owner and Past President Pam Hammond to Hal Koerner of Rogue Valley Runners.

Past President Katy Bazylewicz presented the Ashland Tennis and Fitness Club with the Service Business of the Year award. Manufacturing Business of the Year was presented by Jac Nickels, Chair of the Chamber’s economic sustainability Committee. the award recipient was Brammo Motorsports.

this year there were two volunteer of the year awards, one presented to an individual and one to an organization. Dana Fortmiller presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Mabel Young, a dedicated Chamber of Commerce office volunteer, while Sandra Slattery presented the Volunteer Organization of the Year to the Rotary Club of Ashland for their service to Mi Casa diferente in Guanajuato Mexico. the Citizen of the Year was presented by Mina Turner, the President of the Amigo Club. this award was given to Leo van Dijk, a humble individual who has served in multiple capacities with the Chamber of Commerce, lions Club and Amigo Club just to name a few. the final award, the Honorary Life Member, was presented by Past President Dennis Slattery. this award honored Graham Lewis- an individual who always goes above and beyond what is asked of him. the Chamber cannot thank Graham enough for his continued service and dedication to our organization and community.

FrancoConsolefromOmar’s...Ashland’sNewTopChef! A “well-attended, hotly contested” Culinary event, the 3rd annual Food & Wine classic welcomed over 500 attendees to a weekend full of excellent cuisine, great competition and lots of fun! Welcoming back four returning Chefs, Franco Console from Omar’s; Mario Chavez from Oregon Artisan Foods; Will Shine from Tabu and Chandra Corwin from Cucina Biazzi

who competed in 2007; there were four new Chefs that brought great competition to the table! the four new Chefs were David Georgeson from Lark’s; Tim Williams from

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Photos by Graham Lewis

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m e m b e r N e w s

UrbanMinxMelissa Walton, ownermelissa@urbanminx.comwww.urbanminx.com 14 s first streetAshland, or 97520 (541) 499-2986

AZCatering&EventPlanningAwna Zegzdryn, ownerawna@azparties.comwww.azparties.comPo box 735Ashland, or 97520 (541) 261-5783

MatchboxProductions,LLC.Jim batzer, ownerpilotroc@mind.net131 terrace streetAshland, or 97520(541) 261-3568

Welcome Our New Members!OrendaInternationalrex holt goodguy45@aol.comwww.rexorenda.com480 Charlotte Ann rd.Medford, or 97501(541) 773-1101

SesameAsianKitchenlisa beam, ownerlisajbeam@mac.comwww.sesameasiankitchen.com21 Winburn WayAshland, or 97520(541) 482-0119

nThe Phoenix Day Spa & Salon invites to you our open house, A holiday of Warmth. Please join us sunday, december 6 from 3 to 6 for wine, tasty treats from Helena Darling Catering, and enjoyable company with friends old and new. browse our selection of Aveda holiday Gift Packages. drawings throughout the day, including a desert oasis spa package! bring friends and family for this special afternoon of holiday warmth! Call us at 541.488.1281 for more information. And remember to visit our website at http://thephoenixspa.com for easy gift certificate shopping!

nonce again the Siskiyou Singers will offer a concert of festive holiday music, “In Sweet Joy,” with Mark reppert conducting. the featured work is francis Poulenc’s Gloria, with soprano ellie holt-Murray as soloist. other works include renaissance motets, spanish carols, lively hebrew dances celebrating hanukkah, and spirituals. Pianist Joseph yungen will accompany the concert. Performances are on saturday december 5 at 8 pm at the Performing Arts Center, Grants Pass, and in Ashland on saturday december 12 at 8 pm and sunday december 13 at 4 pm, at the southern oregon university Music recital hall. tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door, and $5 for students. they are available in Grants Pass at Aquarius books & Gifts, larry’s Music and the Music shop, in Medford at the Grocery outlet, and in Ashland at tree house books, the Music Coop and Paddington station. for information and reservations call 482-5290. the website is www.siskiyousingers.org.

n Trinity Episcopal Church invites you to their 6th Annual Winter Solstice Event: People of all ages are invited to come to the trinity labyrinth from 5 to 6 PM on Monday, december 21, for the annual community ritual walk to celebrate the Winter solstice. on this the darkest day of the year, one hundred twelve candles will surround the labyrinth with light, and each walker will be given a candle to carry. this is a beautiful way to experience the beginning of winter. the labyrinth is found in many faith traditions and there are thousands of them all over the world. it is truly something people of all faiths can do together. At 6 PM walkers are invited into the warmth of the Parish hall for hot cider, freshly baked cookies, and a very informal interfaith talk on the subject, “light in the darkness.” Confirmed guests are rabbi david Zaslow, lama yeshe Parke, and rev. Pam shepherd joining trinity’s rev. Anne bartlett. be sure to invite friends and neighbors -- and do bring the children. trinity episcopal Church is on second street and lithia Way.

Chamber Member-to-Member Business Works!

Martino’s; Skye Elder from Black Sheep and last but certainly not least, Miles McCollum from Tease Restaurant. All eight chefs competed on saturday using pork and chicken as the secret key ingredients of the respective rounds. sunday’s semi final round included the key ingredient of black cod and they were asked to create a brunch dish. the final four Chefs were Chandra, Mario, Franco and Miles. in the final round it came down to Franco Console and Miles McCollum who were asked to create an appetizer and entrée incorporating rib-eye and lobster. fifteen minutes into the final round, they got a curve ball thrown at them and had to add blue cheese to the list of ingredients. in a very competitive round, franco took the top Chef honor. Congratulations, franco! from the opening reception sponsored by Weisingers’ and Ashland Springs to the great workshops

provided by Paddington Station, THRIVE and Winchester Inn, the weekend was enjoyed by many visitors and locals alike. Congratulations is also in order to the winner of the NEW Dessert competition of which eight Pastry chefs submitted creations. Congratulations to Winchester Inn who took 1st place and Apple Cellar with a close 2nd. thank you to the Ashland community for being a part of this event and supporting the amazing culinary scene we have here in Ashland! Save the date for the 4th annual Food & Wine classic, November 5th – 7th, 2010!

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ChamberNEWSChamberNEWS P.o. box 1360 Ashland, oregon 97520

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P u b l i s h e d M o n t h l y b y t h e A s h l A n d C h A M b e r o f C o M M e r C e

b o A r d o f d i r e C t o r s

Alex Amarotico standing stone brewing Co. - Vice PresidentDon Anway Ashland springs hotelLisa Beam Pasta PiattiCindy Bernard rogue Valley roasting Co. Mary Gardiner schneider Museum of ArtPam Hammond Paddington station ~ Past PresidentJohn Laughlin sou school of businessMark Marchetti Ashland Community hospitalNancy Morgan dreamsacks Mike Morris Morris ConstructionMeiwen Richards People’s bank - PresidentJim Teece Project A

s t A f f

Sandra Slattery executive directorKatharine Flanagan VCb & Marketing director Sean Daley sales and Membership ManagerDana Welsh operations Manager/Graphic designer/Web AdministrationDana Fortmiller Projects and special events CoordinatorGraham Lewis Plaza booth CoordinatorKelsey Holderness sou intern

o f f i C e V o l u n t e e r s

bob Arago, belle bell, Catharine Church, donna daniels, Joyce epstein, barbara field , brian Gorham, Jacqui harris, bob horton, betty howe, Joyce Jarvis, barbara Keen, brigitte Kreutz, susan lander, Karen leng, Joanne lescher, Pat lockheed, Art lundahl, Aletha lundblad, dolores Marx, Mary Mastain, Charles Meek, nancy Menken, Pete norvell, Anne novina, Colette Pleich, Judi Pocan, Kathleen Provence, Maynard telpner, Jenny thurston, lorrayne Whitten, Mabel young.

A s h l A n d C h A M b e r o f C o M M e r C e n 110 east Main st. n Ashland, oregon 97520 n (541) 482-3486

www.ashlandchamber.com

YOUR ChamberBe Involved WithGreeters:Please arrive by 8:15AM. If you would like to host Greeters, please call Amy at the Chamber office: 541-482-3486.Dec. 4 The Phoenix Day Spa 2425 siskiyou blvd.Dec. 11 Bank of America Home Loans 685 A streetDec. 18 Tease Restaurant & Bar 303 e. Main streetDec. 25 No Greeters Today! happy holidays

RibbonCuttings:

Deanna Eames of Minuteman Press is our Greeter of the Month for november!

Photos by Graham Lewis

Chamber Ambassadors help with a ribbon Cutting at Torero’s Family Mexican Restaurant. let’s welcome Ashland’s newest Mexican restaurant! 2345 Ashland st. (Across from rite Aid).

the Ambassadors helped again with a ribbon Cutting at Deux Chats, LLC Bakery. be sure to visit their new retail location at 222 A street.

Also at Unicorn Toys & Gifts, now located at 242 e Main. Visit their new convenient location!

Another ribbon Cutting was held at boulevard Cafe, 555 siskiyou blvd. in stratford inn. stop by and check them out!