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April 2016      
In This Issue
April 2016
4/5 Executive Committee

4/5 Marketing Committee

4/13 Networking Lunch
 
4/14 Board of Directors

4/14 Golf Outing Committee
 
4/18 Ambassadors

Verona Young Professionals
Finance for Young Professionals
April 7 | 12 pm - 1 pm
State Bank of Cross Plains
 
VYP is hosting a Lunch & Learn on the topic of Finance for YPs on April 7th at State Bank of Cross Plains in Verona from 12 - 1 pm. 
During this hour long session, finance expert, Trevor Conti, of Wadell & Reed will cover topics regarding finance for young professionals.
 
The event is free and lunch is provided by SBCP. Space is limited,so please register soon!
Join a VYP Committee : Committees currently looking for members are the Professional Development Committee, Marketing Committee, and Networking Committee. For information about each committee, please contact Jess Parker.
 
Join the VYP Board of Directors:
Positions currently accepting applicants are Networking Director and Volunteer Director. Click here to e-mail Jess Parker for more information on the positions and how to apply.
 
Community Growth and Student Enrollment Projects
April 4 | 7 pm
Badger Ridge Middle School
 
Hello!  Those of you in this Key Communicators Group may already know the communities of Fitchburg and Verona are growing. Obviously, this will greatly impact school district growth, but also impact communities overall, including local business growth.
We invite each of you to hear greater detail in an upcoming April 4th Special Report on Community Growth and Student Enrollment Projects held at Badger Ridge Middle School, 740 N. Main - 7pm. 

District-wide families and staff have received this invitation as well.      
In this special report, industry experts will share their growth and enrollment study as attendees will be able to:
--EXAMINE developer/builder projections for growth of new housing units by neighborhood and community.
--CONSIDER how new development and existing housing turnover effects future student enrollment.
--REVIEW projections for student enrollment over the next 15 years from 52 District neighborhoods.
--COMPARE enrollment projections against existing school space, locations and District owned land for future schools.
For more information leading up to a possible April, 2017 community referendum, please visit  www.verona.k12.wi.us/facilitiesplanning to understand the various milestones in the planning process which have addressed immediate space shortages in the school district and will help prepare for this projected future growth.  


10th Annual Spring Fling 
Party for the Arts - Rock Star Edition
Sunday, June 5 | 4 - 6 pm
Gray's Tied House

It's time for the 10th Annual Rhapsody Arts Center Spring Fling Party for the Arts, Rock Star Edition! We have a goal of raising $3,500 with this key 2016 fundraiser and we need your help in order to continue meeting the evolving arts education needs of our community. 

Rhapsody Arts Center's Spring Fling Party for the Arts is an annual end of the school year celebration featuring student performers. This year the event will take place on Sunday, June 5th, 2016, from 4:00-6:00 pm at Gray's Tied House in Verona. For the first time, we will have a professional back-up band to collaborate with all our student musicians on their performances. There will be food and beverages available plus rock star costume contests, drawings and prizes!

At the Verona Public Library
500 Silent St., Verona WI
 
Square-Foot and Raised-Bed Gardening
Tuesday, April 12, 7-8 pm

Spring is here and it's nearly planting time for gardeners. This may be the year for you to try square-foot and raised-bed gardening. Master Gardener volunteers Art De Smet and Ritchie Rheaume will explain how you can build and plant these gardens on Tuesday, April 12, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Verona Public Library. They will discuss the history of square-foot gardening, how to construct raised beds, and what growing media to use in raised beds and containers. They will also cover crop selection, spacing, rotation, and mulching and watering.


At Tuvalu Coffeehouse & Gallery
 
300 S. Main St. | +1 (608)-845-6800


Friday 4/1
Songwriter Showcase featuring Beth Kille + Open Mic, 7:30 pm $5/$3 

Saturday 4/2
Last Minute Notice, 7 pm, free
 
Friday 4/8
Katie Burns w/Eric Miller, 7 pm, free 

Saturday 4/9
Ken Curtis, 7 pm, free
 
Friday 4/15
Krause Family Band, 7 pm, free 

Saturday 4/16
Bill Liggett & Larry Sell, 7 pm, free
 
Friday 4/22
Keith Hampton & Michael Mood, 7 pm, free

Saturday 4/23
Dan Stier, 7 pm, free
 
Friday 4/29
Rachel & Alan, 7 pm, free

Saturday 4/30
Allison Merten, 7 pm, free
Classifieds
Classifieds

Commercial Space for Rent
Unusual and unique opportunity.  We have about 1200 square feet of commercial office space (4-5 offices) with furniture in a Class A office Building and a prime west side location that we want to offer for a very fair price.
Please call Steve at (608) 220-3546.
 
Commercial Property for Sale 
Great Investment Opportunity - Verona Strip Mall
600 W. Verona Ave., Verona WI - Location, Location, Location!  Well established with major visability, this seven unit 9500 square foot strip mall would make a great opportunity as an investment property.  Property has been well maintained and comes with 23 parking stalls.  Located right down the road from the Epic campus and across from the new Holiday Inn.  WI DOT reports 5900 vehicles pass by this property daily.  For additional details, please call Mark Nortman with United County-Bender & Associates Realty at (608) 575-3393.

Deluxe Office Space
View this quality 2500 sq. ft. office space, complete with reception area/desk, one private office, conference room, 6 built-in desks with work areas, kitchen, large separate work area/supply station, extra storage, elevator, and ample parking! Perfect layout for real estate office! Convenient location at Collin Cort,
600 W. Verona Avenue. Call Kirk at 608-220-4330 for appointment.
    
  Commercial Space
For Lease
Verona- 318 Locust Dr.
ZONED - Urban Industrial (Many Uses) 2,958 Sq. Ft. (650 sq./ft.Office and 2,308 Sq./Ft. Production/ Warehouse)
 
Office & Retail
Prairie Oaks Retail and Office Center. Join Verona's largest number of independent office and retail businesses in one location. Current tenants include Milio's Sandwiches, Papa Murphy's, Rhapsody Arts Center and more! Various sizes from 1,300 sq. ft. up to 5,000 sq. ft.  Great lease rates! Flexible terms! Cross Country & North Edge Trail. One block off Hwy M. Website: westrent.com  or call Mike Johnson at
608-270-0000  
   

A Note from our Executive Director:

 
   
Happy Friday! And, Happy April Fool's Day!
As I am sure most of you know, Bill Burns is leaving his position with Verona as City Administrator as of April 25th. He has taken the Finance Director position with the City of Middleton. Bill has been an integral part of the Chamber representing Verona at the Chamber board meeting and a huge resource for us. While this is a loss for Verona, we wish Bill all the best in his new endeavor in Middleton! 

If you haven't already signed up the for the School/Business Breakfast (Thursday, April 7th / 7:30 am / Verona High School), I encourage you to do so. They are doing wonderful things at VAHS and you will want a first-hand look! Tours will be provided following the breakfast for those that are interested!

You also won't want to miss this month's Networking Lunch (Wednesday, April 13th / 11:30-1:00) at the Sugar River Pizza Company! It will be a great opportunity to make new business contacts; and, to see the newly opened restaurant. Registration details later in newsletter.

Other events to keep on your radar:

- Thursday, April 21st - Joint Networking Event with Belleville Chamber of Commerce at Sugar River Pizza Company - 5:30 pm
 to 8:00 pm. More details to follow soon.

- Tuesday, April 26th - Breakfast - Learn how to make your business part of our Dementia Friendly Community - Verona Senior Center - 7:30 am. Registration will be open soon.

- Tuesday, May 3rd - New Member Welcome Breakfast - 5th Quarter - 7:30 am

- Wednesday, May 11th - Monthly Networking Lunch - 11:30 am - brief informational topic - digital advertising

- Thursday, May 12th - Chamber Mega Mixer - Wisconsin Brewing Company - 5:00 pm

- Tuesday, May 17th - Breakfast Briefing - Update on Verona Road Construction from DOT - Holiday Inn Express - 7:30 am

- June 2-5 - Hometown Days!!!!

- Friday, July 15th - Golf Outing - Deer Valley Golf Course (I know the weather isn't quite there yet... but, this year's event will be one you won't want to miss!)

Committee meetings: If you are interested is planning the golf outing or being an Ambassador please join us!

- Golf Committee - Thursday, April 14th Chamber offices at 11 am

- Ambassadors - Monday, April 18th Chamber offices at Noon.

And, don't forget to vote next week, Tuesday, April 5th in the Spring and Presidential Preference election!

Enjoy your weekend!

Le

April 7th | 7:30 am - 8:30 am

Are you curious about how Verona Area High School is preparing students to enter the working world? 
"One of the best, most eye- opening events the Chamber held last year" - Karl Curtis

pancakes.jpg
Please join the Chamber's Business Education Partnership Committee and the staff at VAHS for a breakfast on Thursday, April 7 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. 
 
In addition to a free meal, the morning will feature brief presentations from VAHS staff and students on programming taking place at the school. We will be done within an hour, with an optional tour of VAHS facilities at the end of the presentations.
 
If you are interested, please click the RSVP below or email [email protected] 
so we have enough food and seating prepared.

Networking Lunch
April 13 | 11:30 am
Sugar River Pizza Company

The Chamber's Networking Lunch for the month is set for April 13 at 11:30 am at the brand new Sugar River Pizza Company in Verona.

 

This month we will be updating you on our upcoming events for summer including Verona Hometown Days, the PGA TOUR's Champions Tour at University Ridge Golf Course and our own Golf Outing. The cost for the meal is $10.

 

So bring some business cards to exchange, a name badge if you have one, and enjoy the lunch.  To register and pre-pay online, please click the button below. You can also  RSVP to Le at  [email protected]  or calling 845-5777. 
At future Networking Lunches we are planning brief updates on topics of interest to our members.  If you have a topic you would like to hear about  please send your idea to me - [email protected] .
Verona Hometown Days
June 2-5
Hometown USA Park

The next couple of months will be all Hometown Days all the time here at the chamber office! For up-to-date information about Hometown Days, please visit the website at  www.veronahometowndays.com and look for announcements on  Facebook.

This year, we've brought in a few new acts for the beer tent,  The LoveMonkeys, Madison County , and  Pat McCurdy . As always, we look forward to  Cherry Pie  on Saturday night. We're still ironing out some details, but we think this year's Hometown Days is off to a great start! 

We still have sponsorships of all levels available! If you are interested, please e-mail Le at [email protected] or Jen Miller at [email protected].

Spin the Wheel
June 2-5
Hometown USA Park
Believe it or not, it's already time for Spin the Wheel, the Chamber's annual fund raiser and a staple of Hometown Days. "Spin" is a wildly popular game where players spin a wheel to win chances at more than 100 high quality prizes such as iPods, gas grills, patio swings, gift certificates and more.
 
The success of "Spin" is directly dependent on Chamber members. Here are three ways you can help:
  • Serve on the Spin Committee- Tasks include set-up and take-down at the tent, working the wheel, and helping to gather donated prizes.
  • Donate a Prize- (Email us for Sponsorship levels) 
  • Donate your time- Volunteer to run the event and interact with the community.
If you or someone at your business would like to help with Spin the Wheel this year or if you have any questions, e-mail Le at [email protected] or call 845-5777 to get on the list. By signing up or donating early you can greatly reduce the stress level of the Chamber staff!

Verona Hometown Days Parade
June 5  | 12 pm
Main St. & Verona Ave.

Interested in being in the parade?   

The Verona Hometown Days Parade is June 5th beginning at noon. We've started accepting submissions for businesses and acts in our Parade. This is a great opportunity for your business to reach the entire community of Verona, show your community pride and grow your business! 
 
Download your parade entry registration today! You can e-mail your registration to  [email protected] or fax it to 845-2519 or mail it to: 
 
Verona Area Chamber of Commerce
120 W. Verona Ave.
Verona, WI 53593

Chamber Mega Mixer
May 12 | 5:00 pm
Wisconsin Brewing Company

Mark your calendars! VACC is hosting the Chamber Mega Mixer on Thursday, May 12th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the Wisconsin Brewing Company! This will be a great kick off to the spring/summer season! Weather permitting, we will able to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the brewery. And, tours will be available.

Members from several surrounding Chambers will be in attendance too! So, come meet some new business contacts and make new friends from Monona, Sun Prairie, New Glarus and Belleville...just to name a few!

Verona Road Construction Update 

What you need to know about the Stage 2 construction schedule in the Fitchburg area:
  • Stage 2 extends along Verona Road from Raymond Road south to County PD (McKee Road) and County PD from Fitchrona Road to Commerce Park Drive.
  • Road construction along Nesbitt and the East Frontage Roads begins in the Fall, 2016
  • Utility work along Nesbitt Road begins this month,  March, 2016
  • Construction is anticipated to span from Fall, 2016 to 2020
Learn about Stage 2 Construction, an overview of the project and much more by clicking  here.

Please be advised that the Road Construction will begin in 2016 along Nesbitt Rd. and the East Frontage Road.
 
Like Verona Road Business Coalition on Facebook for more information and subscribe to their website for updates.