Laura Nicholson, Executive Director/CEO

Every day is a busy day here at the Chamber but the last few weeks have been particularly busy and interesting. Through the staff and volunteers we have been assisting members and the community in a variety of ways, all of them with the mission of, "Creating and promoting a community climate where businesses are productive and profitable."

So, just what does that mean?  Well, even as we're distributing 10,000 new copies of the 3rd edition of the Farmstands brochure, we're also fielding calls, many from out of area, from people wanting to come to our farm stands. The brochure now has 35 entries including the three Farmers Markets in the area, local wineries and olive oil makers. They go throughout the region and to the California State Fair. Tourism advertising in Sunset and Via magazines and from the tourism web site at www.visityubasutter.com generated more than 200 requests for Visitors Guides in a month.

Another new brochure the Tourism Subcommittee produced focuses on historical sites in Yuba City, a tour of homes, businesses and government building of historical and architectural significance. This new brochure compliments the Marysville Walking Tours brochure. They're all here in the office if you would like some.

And, of course, it is the summer season so we're getting calls from vendors for events, people coming to the festivals, the lakes and the amphitheatre. Through the summer Happy Landings luncheons at Beale Air Force Base are now held monthly. Membership Director Mandy Jones thoroughly covers the amenities of life in Yuba-Sutter at a luncheon for the Airmen of Beale spouses and includes a Powerpoint presentation featuring several local businesses and restaurants. More than 50 Chamber members are providing small items from their businesses to welcome them. Thanks to Del Taco for sponsoring the taco bar lunches.

We all know Shop Local is really important as we see the impact in lost sales tax dollars translate to layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts. The Chamber is printing more Shop Local cards to make it to the end of the year. They are available in the Chamber office and at participating businesses. Find the businesses and their discounts online at www.yubasutterchamber.com. Members of the committee also are attending meetings of Yuba City's new Shop Local task force and looking for ways to work together on a campaign to emphasize the value of shopping locally.

Moving on, the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) was busy discussing state and local budget issues, deciding to send a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urging him to balance the budget without taking revenues from city and county governments while mandating they provide underfunded services. The GAC also joined the League of California Cities in its "Save Your Cities" campaign, another effort to protect local tax dollars from being taken by the state.

On July 16, the Chamber hosted its first Business After Hours featuring home-based businesses and non-profit businesses at Hillcrest Catering at The Plaza Room. 34 businesses participated and were able to showcase their businesses and groups in a friendly, festive event.

These are all efforts the Chamber makes to support businesses in a tough economy and to offer positive opportunities for businesses so that they are strong, which results in a great quality of life here in the Yuba-Sutter community.