Let's 'be the best version of ourselves,' PCC leader told Economic Outlook audience

by: Dave Perry

  a Regularly, Dr. Ian Roark hears the refrain that greater Tucson needs to become the next Austin.

  a He’s not buying it.

  a “Austin is Austin, and Austin can stay as weird as it wants to be,” the vice chancellor of workforce development and innovation at Chamber Copper member Pima Community College told the audience at your Chamber’s 2024 Economic Outlook and Spring Business Expo event in April.

  a Roark, an Oro Valley resident, has a different vision for greater Tucson in the years ahead.

  a “The reality is we need to be the best version of ourselves,” Roark told the audience.

  a “We have 4,000 years of continuous human history here in Southern Arizona,” he continued. “As long as we continue to respect all of the cultures that have lived and continue to come to this land,” the community can thrive with “an economic development and business focus that remains attuned to those businesses and industries that really fit our local character.

  a “Economic development and growth are not antithetical to preservation and to history and to the great outdoors and ecological preservation,” Roark said. “We are finding our way through all the different things we are doing, in partnership together to really meet that vision.”

  a He predicts “we’re going to be a better version of ourselves,” just as beautiful outdoors, “with stronger business and industry for better jobs for our locales.”

  a Roark’s comments capped the Outlook event. He was joined on a panel by Pima County economic development director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Oro Valley community and economic development director Paul Melcher, and Stacks Book Club co-owner Crispin Jeffrey-Franco. Chamber president / CEO Kristen Sharp led the discussion.

  a Among the highlights:

  a Vescovi-Chiordi talked about the American Battery Factory decision to build its world headquarters in Tucson, creating up to 1,000 jobs on a 197-acre parcel bringing a 10-year, $3 billion economic impact.

  a Jeffrey-Franco said the first nine months at Stacks have been “amazing.” He feels the “welcoming of the community,” and loves that people – looking for that “third space” beyond home and office -- have found community and comfort at Stacks. Regular customers abound; more guests find Stacks every day, he said.

  a Melcher pointed to three Oro Valley highlights:

  a “Reimagining” of Oro Valley Marketplace, with the Hampton Inn and Suites expected to break ground this year, and up to 530 apartments in the offing;

  a La Posada Pusch Ridge, the $140 million, state-of-the-art senior living community rising behind the low hills east of First Avenue;

  a And Roche Tissue Diagnostics’ purchase of the former Sanofi / Icagen building in Innovation Park, and the redevelopment of those laboratory spaces for occupancy later this year.

  a To watch the full conversation, click here.

Good seats remain for 6/20 scholarship breakfast

  a Plenty of good seats remain for your Chamber Foundation’s annual Mayor Steve Engle Memorial Scholarship Breakfast on Thursday, June 20, at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.

  a With the help of generous members and individuals, your Chamber Foundation is presenting a record 20 scholarships – each worth $1,500, for a total of $30,000 – to deserving students across the community this year.

  a Scholars are being recognized at the annual event. Individual tickets to the breakfast are $50. If we’re able to sell 30 tickets, we’ll have funded one of those 20 scholarships. Click here to buy a ticket.

  a This year’s recipients are Jaclyn Ghusson, a Pusch Ridge Christian Academy graduate; Jason Munoz and Mukasine Nyiramugisha, Flowing Wells High School; Yeeun “Gloria” Jung and Juan Pablo, Amphitheater High School; Allison Randall, Leah Anderson and Nina Dominguez, Ironwood Ridge High School and now at the University of Arizona; Amy Senkerik, IRHS and Arizona State University; Ellen Taylor, the UofA; Angelina Garcia, University High School; Jacquelyn Kinman, Eric Bultman and Eva da Silva, Canyon del Oro High School; Benite Luhando, Sahuaro High School; Helena D’Amato, Marana High School; Emily Hines, CDO and Pima Community College; Lauren Radtke and Nicco Boudou, Ironwood Ridge High School; and Cristal Sapp-Tinner, Mountain View High School.

  a A volunteer panel of judges evaluated applications and chose the honorees.

  a This year’s scholarship donors are Helen and Alan Dankwerth, Andrew Dankwerth, Kay Williams, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Visiting Angels, Cody Engle, Mary Schulz and Schulz Financial Group, Dave Perry, Wendy Wise / State Farm and Desert Hospitality Management. Chamber corporate members Hughes Federal Credit Union and Splendido at Rancho Vistoso have generously stepped up to help pay for the June 20 breakfast.

  a Do join us!

Explore new marketing ideas at June 6 SCORE workshop

  a Women are invited to explore “countless new strategies” to market their businesses at a SCORE Southern Arizona workshop on Thursday, June 6.

  a The event, “90 Ways to Market Your Business Without Social Media,” takes place at 9 a.m. that day at the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona campus, 5049 E. Broadway, Tucson, 85711. The price is $15. To register, click here.

  a The presenter is Wanda Baader, a marketing and business strategist who owns Strategize Your Success, an award-winning full-service online marketing agency.

  a “Get ready to turn away from those pesky notifications and start getting creative,” an invitation said. “No matter the industry or profession, this event will spice up your marketing efforts in a jiffy.”

Startup Hackathons with Startup Zone coming soon

  a Join Startup Zone for their Startup Hack, a dynamic business hackathon and hybrid startup incubator! This immersive three-phase program, spread over three months, is designed to help you engage with passionate individuals, mentors, and investors. You'll learn essential skills like identifying customer problems, presenting solutions, inspiring a team, and developing a startup.

  a Phase I: June 15-16, 2024 – Team Formation, Market Segmentation,  a Customer Discovery, & Storytelling  

  a Phase II: July 13-14, 2024 – Customer Discovery, MVP, Value  a  a  a  Proposition, Business Model, Revenue Model, & Storytelling  

  a Phase III: August 17-18, 2024 – Experimentation, Validation, Go-to-    a Market, Financial Model, Storytelling, & Venture Pitch

  a Join us at the Saturday Collision Space to continue refining your work each month. Successfully complete each phase to advance and ultimately pitch your venture in September.

  a Venture Pitch Competition: September 7, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce.

  a Prizes:  1st Place: $500  2nd Place: $300  3rd Place: $200

  a Don't miss out—register by June 6th at 5 PM by clicking here. Join and turn your startup idea into reality!

Try 'Yoga in the Gardens' Tuesday, May 28, at 8:30

  a Yoga in the Gardens with certified yoga teacher and therapist Mary Carhuff is presented this Tuesday, May 28, at 8:30 a.m. at Chamber member Tohono Chul.

  a “All experience levels are welcome,” an invitation said. The hour-long class is $10 for members, and $10 plus admission for non-members.

  a “Open your senses to an understanding of our connection to the earth,” the invite continued. Practice at your own pace; modifications will be demonstrated.

  a “Please bring your own mat, water, and remember to dress in layers,” it continued. “Stroll the grounds or grab brunch in the Bistro afterwards to take in the beauty of the gardens.”

  a The website is Tohonochul.org.

OVTC searches for board members

  a The Oro Valley Theatre Company, a member of the Chamber of Commerce for several years, is the only theatre group in the northwest side of town which produces Broadway style book shows. The theatre company is about to launch Season 8 with three shows: the riveting Lion in Winter, followed by the beloved romance, The Rainmaker, and Agatha Christie’s unforgettable mystery, The Mousetrap. Don’t miss this blockbuster lineup, which opens in November. The company produces all shows at the Gaslight Music Hall on Rancho Vistoso Boulevard in Oro Valley. For further information, see phone number below.

  a OVTC is a non-profit organization, thriving artistically and financially, working toward the ambitious goal of creating a Fine Arts/Performing Arts Center in Oro Valley.

  a OVTC is expanding the Board of Directors, with the hope of including members of the business community and building a stronger relationship between the Arts and Business. OVTC is especially in need of a board member with a financial background; if you can be helpful in this area, please respond directly to the Artistic Director and Founder of OVTC, Judi Rodman. You can contact Judi at (847) 347-5871 or judi.rodman@gmail.com.

Disc golf returns to the Pusch Ridge 9 June 1

  a Disc golf returns to the Pusch Ridge 9 starting June 1, according to a release from the Town of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department.

  a The course, located at 10000 N. Oracle, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 22. It offers “a premier disc golf experience in the beautiful setting of the Pusch Ridge Golf Course, located at the foot of the majestic Santa Catalina mountain range,” the town said.

  a This year, the 18-hole disc golf course features morning golf carts, weekend tee times that can be reserved at playov.com, access to disc golf goods in the pro shop, and short tees for beginners and amateur players.

  a Leagues sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association “tee off” every Friday at 4:30 p.m.

  a Weekday play is available at $10 per round per person. Disc golf course summer memberships are available for purchase online at PlayOV.com.

Special sale this weekend at OV's Nest in the Desert

  a Nest in the Desert is putting on a Memorial Day Sale this weekend, with selected items up to 50 percent off.

  a “It’s the perfect time to revamp your home décor with our unique collection, just in time for summer,” an invitation said. “Don’t miss out on the chance to find your next treasure for less.”

  a Chamber member Nest in the Desert is located in Plaza Escondida, anchored by Trader Joe’s at 7954 N. Oracle. The website is nestinthedesert.com, the phone 520-297-8299.

Chillin at the Chul returns this weekend for summer

  a Chillin at the Chul is back for the summer starting this Memorial Day weekend.

  a Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. beneath the cool canopies of Tohono Chul.

  a Freddy Jay Walker performs Friday, May 24. Derdog takes the stage Saturday, May 25.

  a Guests enjoy music, refreshing spirits, family-friendly fun, light bites, and free admission for the shows.

  a “Saturdays are especially fun for families, thanks to our partnership with the Children’s Museum Oro Valley, offering engaging nature-based play for kids,” the invitation said. “Chillin at the Chul is the perfect way to unwind after a long week.”

  a Go to tohonochul.org.

Music this weekend at OV's Westward Look

  a Guests are invited to the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa this Memorial Day weekend to hear live music.

  a The Nico Barberan Band plays rock ‘n’ roll from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 24. DJ Robert Felix keeps things spinning from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Then, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26, Chamber member Joe Bourne and Chris Pena perform jazz.

  a The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance is helping to bring various jazz, rock, Americana and Latin musicians to “one of Tucson’s most popular resort destinations,” an invitation said.

  a Most performances take place on the Palm Terrace at the Westward Look.

  a The Westward Look is located at 245 East Ina, Oro Valley, Az., 85704. Tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

'LGBT+ A History in Arizona' talk June 13 at Tohono Chul

  a Curiosity Talks: LGBT+ A History in Arizona, is presented Thursday, June 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Wilson Room at Tohono Chul.

  a Emmy-nominated guest Marshall Shore takes “a deep dive into Arizona’s LGBT+ History,” an invitation said. It is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5 p.m. Registration is required. Drinks and conversation follow the presentation.

  a “Arizona’s history of the LGBT+ community begins long before Arizona was a state,” an invitation said. It begins with the Native American belief of two-spirits and continues through to “the seismic shift of civil union / marriage equality.”

  a There are surprises along the way, it adds.

  a This free program is made possible by Arizona Humanities. To register, click here.

Fast Track Your Flower Photography

  a If you love flower photography but know you could get better results if you knew the tricks the pros use, this is for you.

  a On Saturday, June 1, Tucson Cactus and Koi, 7810 N. Oracle Rd., will host It’s Almost Summer, a free event from 8:00 to 11:00am featuring artists, vendors and conversations with Oro Valley author and professional photographer Chris Grey. Whether you use a camera or a phone, Chris’ casual, non-technical demonstrations will show you how to envision your image as you approach a bloom, very simple ways to add or subtract drama, how to work with daylight (especially the bad kind), how to hold your camera, and Chris’ favorite: how to get fantastic results without looking through the camera or trampling the flower bed.

  a Conversations begin at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m., with time afterward to walk the grounds with Chris or by yourself to gain practical experience photographing the beautiful gardens at TCK. Just call 520-617-4478 to sign up with your time preference. Bring your camera or phone and be ready to create works of art suitable for framing and hanging on your wall.

  a See samples of Chris’ flower photography in the Botanical gallery at ChristopherGreyFineArt.com.

Chamber Foundation opens community grant opportunity

  a Applications are being received through Friday, June 14, for 1-time, mission- and program-related community grants funded by your Chamber Foundation.

  a The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization raising and distributing funds to support community philanthropy, educational endeavors and business activities in and around Oro Valley.

  a Community grants are intended for non-profit organizations making a positive impact in our communities.

  a “We will accept proposals that benefit and support broad needs in the greater community, including but not limited to people in need, youth, seniors, arts and culture,” an invitation said.

  a Applicants must have 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service, and provide a federal EIN number.

  a Priority is given to resident operations within Southern Arizona and in the greater Oro Valley area, to include, but not be limited to, Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina, Oracle, San Manuel, unincorporated Pima County and Tucson.

  a Awards are to be determined, and made, in summer 2024.

  a Applications must be addressed to the Oro Valley Chamber Foundation Community Grants Committee, 1822 Innovation Park Drive, Oro Valley, Az., 85705, or by email as an attachment to Leah Noreng, leah@orovalleychamber.com.

  a Applications must be received by the close of business Friday, June 14, 2024. Click here for the application.