Candi MacAlpine

Chamber Statistics

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Honorary Mayor

 50 Cent Event 

Allan King - Wild Wonderful King Vintage Museum

Brian Gearhart - SPCA

 Liz Ware - Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst

Viviann Carlson -

Bass Lake Education Foundation

Chris Baker

Sierra Lion's Club

Gerry Ongman

Sierra Senior Society

 
Vendors

Crowds Gathered 

 

DJ Ron Couzanes

 

Meeting of the Minds

 

And the winner is...

 

Brian Gearhart - SPCA

 

Handing off the honorary scissors is Laura Bean 2008 Honorary Mayor - SPCA to Brian Gearhart 2009 Honorary Mayor - SPCA.  This is SPCA's third year win in a row.

Congratulations!!! 

I don't think you can sum up this past weekend's event in a word, but if I had to choose one word, I guess it would have to be; "AWESOME".

The turn out was large, the weather Saturday evening was ideal, the park setting was perfect, the spirit was high, the event itself was fun, the price was right (50 cent, hot dogs, sliders, pizza, sodas, and beer - how can you go wrong?), and the Honorary Mayor candidates were absolutely amazing!

First let me announce the details from the Honorary Mayors race.
The candidates were:
Gerry Ongman for the Sierra Senior Society;
Viviann Carlson for the Bass Lake Education Foundation;
Chris Baker for the Sierra Lions Club;
Alan King for the Wild Wonderful King Vintage Museum;
Liz Ware for the Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst; and
Brian Gearhart for the S.P.C.A.

These wonderful individuals donated the last three months of their time and energy fundraising for the charities they represented. They gave up time with their families and friends to spend it out on the campaign trail, raising money for their chosen local non profit agency. They are all the best examples of community spirit one could hope for and they set high standards for the rest of us to follow.

Looking at the money these candidates raised, one would never know we are in the midst of a recession. All of the money raised goes directly to the six charities and this year those charities will receive over $69,000.00! The Lions share will go to the SPCA. 
 
Brian Gearhart will serve as Oakhurst's Honorary Mayor for the second time. Brian was our honorary mayor in 2006 having raised the most money that year for the Boys and Girls Club. This year, armed with the experience of having done this before, Brian raised just over $40,000.00 for the SPCA!  Way to go Brian. We look forward to another year with you at the helm.

Back to the 50 Cent Event. I would like to thank all of the organizations that came out and creatively offered up food, fun, goods and services for a mere 50 cents. Everyone I spoke to loved it! Several hundred people came out to celebrate both the Honorary Mayor Finale and the Chamber's 50th Anniversary. The Board of Directors had a special cake, thanks to the Wild Wonderful Women (chocolate of course). We listened and danced to music provided by DJ Ron Couzens. People brought their entire families and spent the evening relaxing and socializing. It was like a giant block party!

Perhaps this should become a new Honorary Mayor tradition? I will leave that up to the Board of Directors and next year's candidates. But for now, I could not be more proud.
 
Thank you candidates, and thank you participants and attendees! It was a great way to celebrate the Chamber's 50th. It reminded me what we are all about. Giving, caring and sharing. We are very lucky, we have it all.

For further information contact the Chamber office at

559-683-7766.

A few months ago, a person in an electric wheel chair lost their life trying to navigate Highway 41. This tragedy raises the question once again; Why don't we have safe pedestrian access on Highway 41? This is what California Codes has to say about pedestrian access.

 

CALIFORNIA CODES VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21949-21971
21949. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of the State of California that safe and convenient pedestrian travel and access, whether by foot, wheelchair, walker, or stroller, be provided to the residents of the state.  More>>>

 

 

 

 

Fresno, CA.  Chamber of Commerce members face challenges on many fronts, including lower consumer spending, rising unemployment and tightening credit.  Inflation pressures have hit both business and customers.  By acting quickly and decisively to protect your business today, your business can make it through the recession in a profitable position.  More>>>

Sacramento, CA - Small, non-farm businesses in Fresno and Madera counties and the neighboring counties of Inyo, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, Tulare and Tuolumne are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  "These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the drought that occurred in Fresno and Madera counties beginning January 1, 2009," announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center - West.  

"SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster," Judd said.  More>>>

 

July 20th - Show Me The Money

August 17th - Inventory for Cash

September 21 - Cash for Fall

 

All workshops begin at 8:30 a.m.

 

Sierra Vista Mall Community Room, 1050 Shaw Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612

 

To register contact William Hori at 559-487-5605 or William.Hori@sba.gov 

You can tell you are doing a great job of leading your business when...

In today's competitive marketplace... timing is critical.  That's why Central Valley Community Bank offers Quick Business Credit - fast, efficient financing options that allow you to respond immediately to your changing business needs!

 

*Up to $250,000 for your ongoing and temporary financial needs, with easy advances by check and phone.

 

QuickLoan 

*Up to 85% financing on equipment and other fixed assets, with fully amortized monthly payments and flexible terms of 2-5 years.

 

Get the cash you need with the fast response you demand from Central Valley Community Bank!  Call our small business lending team today!

Oakhurst location:  Shelle Abbott, 40266 Junction Drive, Oakhurst, CA 93644 559-642-2265  customerservice@cvcb.com Website: www.cvcb.com 

 

Contact Sign Authority at 559-642-6190

By:  Marilyn Rigg - State Farm® agent

For further information contact Supervisor Wheeler at 559-662-6050.

The CDC, federal officials and the state are telling us that this novel influenza has  NOT gone away.  There have been 2009 cases in the state and probably many more that were neither tested nor confirmed.  Of those, 233 persons were hospitalized and 10% of those hospitalized died (23). 

With all the preparations and the information that is being gathered and guidances that are being created, we may be in for a monumental challenge within a few months.  We now know that besides the regular flu vaccine for our annual flu clinics, we will be looking at providing vaccine clinics for the H1N1 that will likely require 2 doses rather than one which will prompt a patient tracking system regarding the doses.  More>>>

If your vehicle registration renewal notice has arrived in the mail recently, you may have noticed an increase in fees. To help California during these tough economic times, new legislation has been implemented to increase the Vehicle License Fee, a fee that drivers pay annually when renewing their car registration. The DMV would like to inform California drivers about this new law and how it will directly affect them. More>>>