Here it is: Connections Newsletter June 2016

Connections Newsletter

June 2016

The mission of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate the growth of

Aurora area businesses, promote tourism, and invest in programs

that enhance and enrich the community.

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

Do you hear the buzz? No, it's not just the cicadas, it's the activity of SUMMER!

THANK GOODNESS we have wonderful Service and Police Departments to work with the Ohio Department of Transportation to keep things moving as ODOT repaves Route 306/43. Also, the bridgework on Route 82 will keep that section CLOSED for the next 28 days or so. BE CAREFUL out there! check auroraoh.com for the latest information.

Party on the Patio season is here to help ease any orange barrel-related headaches. Our next free afterhours event is Wednesday, June 29th from 5-7pm under the lovely tent at Mad Jack's. Stop by for complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, and enjoy conversations with others in our business community. Pre-registration is appreciated so we know to expect you!

FINAL CALL: Sponsorships and Foursomes registering NOW for the 6/16/16 Aurora Business & Community Golf Outing to be held at the fabulous Boulder Creek Golf Club. Our dinner sponsor, Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center, will be offering 19th hole specials after the outing: register NOW to find out more!

Aurora's Farmers Market and Summer Concert Series also begin in June: the market will be open every Wednesday from 4-7pm in the Church of Aurora parking lot, and the first concert will feature modern country band Post Road (one of our very favorites!) Wednesday, June 8 at 7pm in Veterans Memorial Park (rain location is inside Doogan's of Aurora). What a wonderful way to engage with the community and enjoy this special season!

Check out additional opportunities and information below, and please remember to call, email, or stop by if you have questions, want to talk over ideas, or have great news to share! We are literally here FOR YOU. We know it, and we appreciate it.

Now let's get busy - there is much to do!

Laura Holman

Executive Director

Aurora Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

ps feel free to forward this to a colleague or friend who might want to learn about what's happening: registration links will work for them, too!

Chamber News & Events

Aurora Business & Community

Golf Outing

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Boulder Creek Golf Club

8:30am Registration

9:30am Shotgun Start

Want your business recognized? Golf sponsorships are a great way to do just that. You can also donate a raffle prize to raise scholarship funds.

Of course, we also want you out on the course! Don't have a foursome? No need to worry: We'll get you set up for a successful day at beautiful Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Enjoy golf, fun, connections, and food all while helping to support the Aurora Chamber of Commerce scholarship fund.

Premier Sponsor:

Click Here for more information

and to Register

Mad Jack's Grill & Pub

204 South Chillicothe Rd.
Aurora

Wednesday, June 29th

5-7 PM

Party on the Patio

Business After Hours

Join us to relax and reconnect with fellow coworkers, friends and business associates.

Complimentary appetizers and cash bar will be provided.

FREE to Chamber members and their guest.

Registration required.

Click Here for More Information and to Register.

Drive It Yourself Tour Stop Registration

FREE to Chamber Members!!!

Sign up now to become a STOP on our annual Drive It Yourself Tour. Get on the map TODAY!

Visitors will receive maps highlighting participating businesses. They will come right to your door to learn more about YOU and what you have to offer!

You provide a giveaway, sample, or offer that showcases your business. Remember to give them a reason to return!

All tour participants then gather at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets for entertainment and a grand prize drawing.

The best part:

FREE registration for chamber members ONLY!

If you have questions, please call us to talk it over. This event is wildly popular with local and area consumers.

Bring them right to your door on Saturday, July 16th!

Click Here for More Information

and to Register.

Thank you to our sponsors:

AWIN Luncheon

Thursday, July 7th

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

ThornCreek

Winery & Gardens

155 Treat Road

Aurora

All Are Welcome

$20/person

Aurora Women in Networking Luncheon:

Rejuvenate Your World

It's Time to Take Care of YOU!

Multitasking got you wound tight? Discover ways to loosen up at this Aurora Women in Networking Luncheon.

Thursday, July 7 from 11:30am - 1pm

ThornCreek Winery & Gardens

Wellness demonstrations from:

Chef Zan - ThornCreek Winery & Gardens

Nutritious eating: good health from the inside out

Kris Radzanowski - EssentialZen Yoga Studio

Meditation and stretching techniques to use while you work

Gloria Koslovsky - The Skin Care Studio

Healthy skin to give you the glow of wellness

ALL ARE WELCOME: $20/person

Pre-registration required

JOIN US AND BRING A FRIEND!

Click Here for More Information

and to Register.

Member News & Events

Mario's Cabin is Grilling

New Menu Items!

Grilling on the Patio

Every Thursday at The Cabin Restaurant

35 East Garfield Rd. Aurora, Ohio 44202

5pm - 8pm

Chicken - BBQ Ribs - Angus Burgers

All Beef Hot Dogs - Steaks

Italian Sausage - Shrimp - Seasonal Vegetables

Assorted Kabobs

For Reservations or Inquiries Call 330-562-9171

10% off with coupon!

CLICK HERE
for More Information.

NEW at The Lodge: Happy Hour Every MONDAY - FRIDAY 1-7pm

Enjoy drink specials and a beautiful atmosphere

Information & Resources

Click Here for More Info

Contact: Mike Thompson

Phone: 330.296.0024x3

Fax: 330.296.0265

Email: portagesafetycouncil@gmail.com

Mail checks to: Portage County Safety Council

705 Oakwood St, Suite 221, Ravenna, OH 44266

Changes in Your Energy Bill

You may have noticed that your electric bill now contains a few charges that you had not seen before. Well, they have always been there, you just may not have known about them. New information on your bill shows specific charges for the costs of energy efficiency, peak demand reduction, and renewable energy. Click here to learn how to reduce the overall charges and put money back in your pocket.

The Impact of Lighting Controls
Upgrading your lighting system is important, but adding lighting controls to the mix can help your energy savings really take off. This infographic shows just how much more you could be saving:

How Wireless Technology Can Bring Comfort Back to Your Office

We've all been there. It's freezing outside, but the inside of your office is boiling. And in the summer, the opposite is true. Here's how wireless technology can bring temperature stability back to your office.

3 Reasons You Should Make the Switch to LED Lighting
There's no need for you to stockpile your old lighting. LED is here and can have a significant impact on the productivity levels in your office.

LED Lighting Resources
So you decided to make the jump to LED lighting? Great! Here are some questions to keep in mind when buying LEDs.This Energy Focus Inc. Whitepaper will tell you just how much money you can save by switching from Fluorescent to LED!

Energy Efficiency is More Than Just Energy Savings
As we mentioned in the LED lighting post above, energy efficiency is not one dimensional. There are a number of positives that arise from being energy conscious.

CLICK HERE for More Information.

Mental Health....it's a good thing!

"Mental health - it's a good thing!" is the message the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County is spreading this May for Mental Health Awareness.

The term mental health refers to a positive state in which a person has the ability to live a full, satisfying life, and the flexibility to deal effectively with difficulties and set-backs. Read more.

Video on Prescription Drug Misuse & Heroin in Portage County

We released a video to raise awareness on prescription drug misuse and opiates.

This is a problem in all the communities of our county. Last year, 30 people died by accidental overdose and this year there have already been 16 deaths.

Treatment is available and does work. People can recover. Townhall II, Family & Community Services, and Coleman Professional Services offer a variety of treatment services for people in Portage County. Please take a moment to watch and share this 30 second video.

Recovery, Not Jail - speaker at the City Club

Recovery, Not Jail: It's time to stop abandoning America's Mentally Ill
is the topic Pete Earley, mental health advocate and best-selling author of CRAZY: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness,will speak on at the City Club of Cleveland on Friday, May 27 at noon.

Tickets: $20 members/$35 nonmembers. To register or for more information, click here.

Family Addiction Series Offered

Townhall II is holding a free Family Program Addiction Series that will provide education and support for the family members and loved ones of individuals recovering from or living with an addiction. Adults and children are welcome and light refreshments will be provided. The course will be held Thursdays in July & August. Register at 330.346.3031 or karih@townhall2.com

Opiate Conference in Columbus

Executive Director Joel Mowrey and Director of Community Relations Karyn Hall attended Ohio's 2016 Opiate Conference: Advancing Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery was hosted by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, in partnership with the OhioMHAS and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The two-day conference brought together professionals from across Ohio to learn about Ohio's opiate epidemic and to continue developing local ideas and solutions.

Upcoming Events

Steps of Change - OhioCAN addiction awareness event
May 21, Noon-4pm, Ravenna City Park of Dreams

NAMI of Portage County Annual Meeting
June 9, 5:30pm, United Church of Christ, Kent

Mental Health & Recovery Board Meeting

June 13, 6:30pm, Family & Community Services

CLICK HERE for More Information.

City of Aurora

ODOT 43/82 Project

Aurora south of SR 82 and north of Treat Road will have various daily lane restrictions for resurfacing. This work is the beginning of the $1.7 million project to resurface SR 43 and SR 82, scheduled to be completed by September 2016. The city's share is $352,000.

Stay informed!

www.auroraoh.com

Anthem NOACC

Now you can get cost savings on your health insurance benefits usually reserved for larger companies. How? You get the purchasing power of the group insurance market through your chamber of commerce membership. www.NOACC.org

Think Chamber

THE NORTHERN OHIO AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE GIVE MEMBERS GROUP BUYING POWER AND ENCOURAGE BUYING LOCAL.

Read More

BWC News

Private employers: Prospective billing transition effective July 1. Watch video & sign up for seminar/webinar Click Here.

For BWC eNews Click Here.

Western Reserve Safety Council

Name: June Program: Workplace Violence - Actions to protect your employee

Date: June 1, 2016

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: Mustard Seed Market & Cafe (second floor)
6025 Kruse Drive
Solon, OH 44139

For the latest news and event information Click Here.

Portage County Safety Council

Stay up to date on news and events by visiting www.portagesafetycouncil.com.

COSE

COSE connects small businesses with resources and expert advice they need to grow! www.cose.org

Portage Development Board

www.portagedevbd.org

Electronic Membership Plaques

Current active 2016 members!

As you are aware the Chamber has exciting new branding. If you are a current 2016 member, please download the membership

ePlaque and link us (www.allaboutaurora.com) to your website. Let's stay connected!

Click Here to Download ePlaque

Embrace Aurora!

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

UPDATE: 95 Embrace Aurora bags are on their way to new residents! Thank you to the members of City Council and to Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin for hand-delivering these bags directly to the doors of our new neighbors -- and your potential customers!

Next round of deliveries is anticipated to be August/September.

There is no better way to reach new residents than an invitation to your business through Embrace Aurora! What better way to inform movers about what is available to them when settling into their new homes?

Click on the form below to register and for further details. Participation is easy and FREE to Chamber members! Non Members are welcome to join in as well for a nominal fee.

Once registered, your promotional items can be dropped off at the Chamber Office M-F from 9am-2pm. That's it. We take it from there and get your items where they need to go!

Click Here for Registration Form

CLICK TO REGISTER

June Golf Outing

June 16th, Thursday

Party on the Patio

June 29th, Wednesday

Drive It Yourself Tour Stop

July 16, Saturday

AWIN July Luncheon

Thursday, July 7th

Build Relationships -

Join A Committee!

Our volunteer-led committees are at

the very heart of our success!

Contact the Chamber office for more information about how you can get involved!

Awards

Build the Chamber scholarship fund - award scholarships - promote and select person & business of the year: we do it all!

AWIN - Aurora Women in Networking

This engaged and engaging group provides support and encouragement to each other and our membership through discussion and targeted events.

Business Advocacy

The BAC connects us to business-related issues in local government.

ProBusiness/Tourism
Supports member businesses through events and activities that get the word out about YOU.

Member Services

New member? Veteran member? Potential member? This group is looking out for ways to enhance your member benefits.

Board of Directors

President

Lisa Kusner

Aurora Farms Premium Outlets

Vice President

Jennifer Stanley

First National Bank

Treasurer

Dan Mormile

Andersen Aurora Manufacturing

Secretary
Laura Radcliff
Edward Jones

Diane Barben

The Atrium at Anna Maria

Dottie Dupuy

Howard Hanna

Michelle Harman
Harman Home Designs

Ing Kiland

Metis Construction

Jim Kraus

City of Aurora

Vicky Rovder

Excalibur Collision

Alan Shorr

Reitz, Paul & Shorr

Sue Tinlin

The Tinlin Team -

Platinum Real Estate

Doug Wieder

Mill Distributors, Inc.

-------------------------

Liaison
Pat Ciccantelli

Aurora City Schools

Liaison
Denny Kovach

Aurora City Council

-------------------------
Executive Director

Laura Holman

director@allaboutaurora.com

Aurora Community and Events Guide

CLICK HERE to view entire guide.

Look for our NEW Guide coming SOON!

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

STAY CONNECTED