Chamber Business Newsletter
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A Message from the Chamber Director
I want to take a moment to thank all the folks who have been so warm, welcoming, and supportive of my new role in the community. I thoroughly enjoy serving Maupin, and I look forward to a successful summer season.
Maupin Daze
is just about a month away, and many of you have stepped up to volunteer your time and energy or to register for a booth or a parade float. Thank you! Don't forget we are bringing back the pet portion of our parade, so find your craziest outfit and your favorite fury friend, and come down and join us!
I am really excited about our winning artist,
Sue Knapp
, and her lively, all-inclusive depiction of Maupin life and the Lower Deschutes River. We will be printing and selling a limited number of commemorative posters, so make sure you drop by the Chamber on May 18th to pick one up. Stay tuned for a special story on Sue in the coming days.
Maupin Madness
is June 8th. This event is open to all - bikers and non-bikers alike - and is one of the most significant funding events for our local
Outdoor Adventures with Military Heroes
organization.
Like many of you, I am well aware that some veteran's organizations do a less-than-stellar job of getting the fund raising dollars to the veterans they are meant to help, but OAMH is a reputable organization, dedicated to serving Oregon's veterans through "guided, all inclusive, outdoor adventures including hiking, skiing, backpacking, hunting, fishing, camping, etc. So far, OAMH has provided over 30 outdoor adventures to wounded combat Veterans, including hunts for turkey, deer, elk and Columbia River fishing trips"
(OAMH.org).
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Friday Mornings from 9:00 - 10:00, October through May:
Off Season Morning Jo:
At the Chamber office--free coffee, pastries, and networking
April 13: Riverside
, Live music: Band of Comerados
April 13: Imperial Bar and Grill
Whiskey Pairing Dinner
April 21: Easter
--Check our website for local specials and events
April 23:
Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
April 26: Riverside
, Live music: Lost Ox
April 26 & 27: Imperial Bar and Grill
, Live music: Terry Lee
April 26 -28:
Pine Hollow Resort Fishing Derby
April 27 & 28
: Deschutes River Valley Time Trials
May 4
: SWC PTO Bloom n' Beef
May 4
: X Dog Events Tygh Valley Infinity Ultra
May 10 - 12
: Bill Jerone Hot Rods
May 12:
Mother's Day
--Check our website for local specials and events
May 16: Riverside
, Live music: Tyson Hickens
May 18: Maupin Daze
Visit
our website
for a complete listing of 2019 events.
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Congratulations to Sue Knapp!
Sue is the winner of our
First Annual Maupin Daze Commemorative Poster Contest
. Check out Sue's story on the
Maupin Daze
web page.
All art was anonymously judged by a jury based on the artist's success in representing Maupin life, the Lower Deschutes River, and community.
The Chamber will be selling limited-edition prints through 2019. All net proceeds will go to local youth programs.
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Thank you to Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and PGE for sponsoring this year's Maupin Daze celebration!
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April Chamber Business Spotlight: Imperial Bar and Grill
When Geoff and Valerie White leased the kitchen, restaurant, and bar at the Imperial River Company a year ago, they knew they wanted to honor the hard work that Rob and Suzie Miles invested before them while also putting their own mark on the endeavor, so they kept on many of the same staff and preserved the name but added a little bit of family – their daughters Kaylin and Madison both work with them – and their own blend of business and personal philosophy to create an inviting new space with the classic Lower Deschutes River hospitality. Now known as the Imperial Bar and Grill, it’s a place where “home town food and a fun-time feel” are available year-round.
When I sat down to visit with Geoff, Valerie, and Tami, the executive staff responsible for defining the vision at IB&G, it was clear they all understand that it is only through building people up and supporting community that everyone succeeds, and while a lot of folks in Maupin talk about the need for more family-wage jobs, this leadership team is making that a reality.
One of the important ways IB&G supports the local economy is by striving for farm-to-table eats whenever possible. All of their steaks, gourmet burgers, pork chops, and sausage are locally-raised, USDA Certified Organic. The beef is sourced from the family ranch, Circle V Maines, in Fox Valley, while the pork comes from Tygh Valley. Their aim is to not only employ strict quality standards in their food offerings but also to preserve a way of life and a sense of community through supporting sustainable local farming and ranching.
But their desire to deliver high quality doesn’t end there. The Whites’ philosophy is that “good, loyal, happy employees equal a good product.” To that end, they provide valuable year-round and seasonal employment for the area, with benefits packages to permanent, full-time employees – a business cost they see as a valuable investment in people and community. And their approach seems to be working, because every visit to the IB&G is met with loyal, dedicated staff who’ve succeeded in creating a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.
I’ve had many opportunities in the past year to sit and visit with Geoff and Valerie, in the newly-renovated bar, about everything from their knowledge of Maupin’s history (Valeria grew up in Maupin and has taken a ride or two down the Lower Deschutes as a river guide) to their vision for supporting Maupin’s future. Their dedication to giving back to the communities in which they live and work is genuine.
They’ve opened the IB&G conference room up for weekly spaghetti dinners to both the football and volleyball teams for team-building opportunities outside of school. They offer lunch-time specials for high school students and educator discounts. They welcome performers of all ages to their Tuesday open-mic nights, and along with the Imperial River Company, want to make sure everyone feels welcome to come down and enjoy the facilities – the sand volleyball courts and corn hole boards, the spacious lawn, and the riverside bench swings.
In addition, they sponsor many community events, including the upcoming Maupin Madness Poker Run that benefits military veterans. In short, they invest both time and money, because as Geoff says: “If you don’t give to the community, you can’t expect them to give to you.”
Among the unique offerings Geoff, Valerie, and Tami have brought in this year is the April 13
th
Whiskey Pairing Dinner with whiskey aficionado and writer, Hoke Harden. Check out their website:
www.imperialeats.com
,
or find them on Facebook as Imperial Bar and Grill to get details on these and other culinary events.
As their official one-year anniversary approaches on May 5
th
, look for special celebration information, and mark your calendars to come down and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the crew at Imperial Bar and Grill.
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Remember to use these hashtags when posting on social media to help drive visitors to Maupin!
#maupin #maupinoregon #visitmaupin
#fishmaupin #raftmaupin #cyclemaupin #liveworkplaymaupin #maupinlife
Be sure to add your location when posting to social media, and
check out the Chamber web pages below
to view our promotional videos.
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Welcome Maupin's Newest Business Owner: Whitney Kilby, LMT
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The first time I met Whitney Kilby, I was sitting on a chair in the river, enjoying the cool Deschutes running over my toes at Skinny Beach on a 100-degree day, when Whitney, Vernon (her Bernese puppy), and a couple bird hunting dogs pulled up in a Jeep and came bounding down the riverbank and into the water. Together, the group was a beautiful, high-energy burst of laughter and warmth, and after getting to know her over the past several months, I know that first day at the river revealed Whitney to the core: kind, warm, and full of life–all the attributes one looks for in a friend and in a medical professional.
Whitney is now a Licensed Massage Therapist, having graduated from Sage School of Massage in Bend in October of 2018. She made the arduous journey down Highway 97 to Bend and back four days a week for seven months in order to pursue a profession as a licensed health practitioner–a dream that was born during the eight years she spent tending to and providing end-of-life care for her grandma. She also spent four years in elder and memory care for The Springs at Mill Creek in The Dalles, and together, these experiences solidified her determination to pursue a career in the healing arts.
An LMT who comes
to you
, Whitney specializes in Swedish, deep tissue, and sports massage. She is also licensed for hot stone therapy–a special treatment she intends to put a unique Wasco County twist on soon by incorporating the use of stones from the White River. Whitney believes that offering massage treatments in a client’s home allows them to enjoy the many health benefits of massage without driving to and from a clinic, which preserves the critical element of relaxation that accompanies a therapy session. While many people enjoy massage because it can provide feelings of caring, comfort, and connection, according to the Mayo Clinic (
mayoclinic.org
), studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension; additional research has found massage may also be helpful for:
·
Anxiety
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Digestive disorders
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Fibromyalgia
·
Headaches
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Insomnia related to stress
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Myofascial pain syndrome
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Soft tissue strains or injuries
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Sports injuries
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Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)
A local gal, Whitney grew up in Dufur, graduated from Dufur High in 2012, and moved to Maupin four years ago. She loves the river and values the close, one-on-one relationships that Maupin’s size allows us all to enjoy. She is looking forward to growing her business and bringing quality, professional services to the Maupin area.
As a long-time receiver of massage treatments for myriad injuries, I can attest to Whitney’s high degree of skill and professionalism.
Visit Whitney's profile on the Chamber
website directory
to contact her and begin enjoying the numerous benefits of massage.
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Thank You for Your Membership!
The Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary, non-profit association of businesses and individuals. Its purpose is to create a unique central agency that works to improve commerce; strengthen community; promote tourism; and create a healthy, economically viable place to visit, live, work, and raise a family.
Most importantly, the Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce is
people
–people who recognize that, through the Chamber, they can accomplish collectively what none of them can accomplish individually.
The strength of the MACC lies in attracting the greatest number of members, therefore creating a pool of resources from which all can draw ideas and energy.
Newest Chamber Members:
and
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Make Your Chamber Membership Work for You:
- Submit a New Member Introduction to appear in the Chamber Newsletter, on the Chamber website, and on the Chamber Facebook and Instagram feeds (150-200 words due by the 15th of each month for the following month).
- Request to be featured in our Chamber Newsletter and on our social media platforms for a special or event you have coming up (up to 150-200 words, due by the 15th of each month for the following month).
- Keep your business profile information current so that customers and guests can find you and the Chamber can keep you informed.
- Read the monthly Chamber Newsletter and make note of upcoming events and happenings.
- Welcome new Chamber members with a note from you and your company.
- Have your brochures or flyers available at the Chamber Visitors' Center.
- Attend and host or sponsor Chamber events such as Off Season Morning Jo and Business After Hours.
- Participate in and sponsor community events: Enter a parade float or set up a booth at Maupin Daze
- Donate an item, product, or service that highlights your business to silent auctions at Maupin Daze and Maupin Madness or to be given as competition prizes for Maupin Daze, Maupin Madness, and Maupin Immersion.
- Encourage visitors and residents to keep their business in Maupin.
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2019 Legislative Report - Week 11
Activity on Major Issues:
We want to reiterate the four major tax hikes being pushed by legislative leaders. As of now, all four proposals are serious and viable.
- Health Care Tax (HB 2269). This unbelievable proposal would give the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) the authority to determine what every large employer (defined as 50+ employees who work an average of 8/hrs per week!) should be spending on health care for employees and authorizes the agency to levy a tax on every employer that does not meet the agency's minimum health care spending requirements. Agency leaders testified that the bill is designed to raise $500 million per biennium in new taxes.
- OSCC strongly opposes to this bill and joined other business associations in written testimony. We were not even allowed to testify in person! The bill now resides in the House Revenue Committee.
- Paid Family Leave (HB 2005). Legislative leaders have now introduced this bill as the newest and most refined effort to pass a paid family and medical leave system. Bottom line: the bill gives the Employment Department the authority to levy up to a 1% payroll tax on employers and a 1% income tax on employees to implement a 26-week per year paid family leave program. The bill would apply to all employers with at least one employee. The bill raises about $1.5 billion in new taxes every biennium to fund this new state-run bureaucracy and insurance program.
- Cap & Trade (HB 2020). The newest re-write of HB 2020, the 'Cap & Trade' bill, did nothing to alleviate cost concerns for manufacturers or everyday Oregonians. The new version of the bill would immediately add 16 cents per gallon in fuel costs and an immediate 30% increase in natural gas costs for residential, commercial and industrial customers. Large manufacturers will see similar and immediate cost increases for electricity. All told, we are analyzing this bill as a $1.1 billion increase in costs for Oregonians each biennium. The vast majority of direct costs will be borne by manufacturers. HB 2020 will result in an immediate 30% increase in natural gas costs and a 16-cent per gallon gas price hike.
- Business Tax Increase. It's becoming clearer that Democratic leadership will lean toward selecting a Commercial Activity Tax, which is a pure gross receipts tax, as the basis for implementing a new business tax to add more than $2 billion in revenue each biennium into the state's K-12 system. At this point, it does not appear that PERS reform or any other government cost savings will accompany this tax proposal. A growing coalition of business organizations, including OSCC, are now going on record as opposing a new gross receipts tax.
What is the total biennial cost to the all the tax increases that are now on the table?
$5.67 billion.
Other Key Issues Coming up This Week:
- Marijuana Accommodation (SB 379). OSCC is still pushing hard to DEFEAT SB 379. SB 379 would undermine and nullify all employers' workplace drug-free policies and would require employers to accommodate off-duty marijuana use. OSCC is very concerned about the ability of employers to implement and enforce workplace drug-free policies.
- SB 379 is scheduled for a committee vote early this week. We are trying to keep it bottled up in committee.
- BOLI Budget (SB 5516). OSCC joined other groups from business and labor in supporting a renewed focus on technical assistance at BOLI. Commissioner Val Hoyle's budget request would make small business technical assistance a core focus, add an eastside technical assistance and apprenticeship specialist, and update BOLI's hard-to-navigate website. OSCC was pleased to be able to support Labor Commissioner Hoyle.
- Harassment in the Workplace (SB 726). On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Workforce had a work session on SB 726, which would create sweeping changes to Oregon's harassment and discrimination statutes. The committee reviewed the -4 amendment, which removes the section that would hold those with executive authority personally liable if they merely "should have known" about harassment and failed to prevent it from occurring. While this is a positive change, there are still more amendments to be made, and OSCC anticipates a -5 amendment will be considered during Tuesday's work session on the bill. OSCC considers the removal of personal liability for owners and officers to be a major win.
ACTION ALERT
- OSCC has issued an ACTION ALERT for SB 379 (Marijuana Accommodation). Please respond today! This issue is extraordinarily timely this week.
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Your 2019 Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
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Allison Bechtol, President
Maupin Market
Rob Miles, Vice President
Imperial River Company
Silas Lewis, Secretary
All Star Rafting
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Bob Krein
Sage Canyon Outfitters
Mike Hunt
MD Hunt Construction
Don Jacklin
Kyle Suenaga
Chamber Director
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