Calling All Chamber Members:  The chamber staff makes every effort to provide our visitors and locals who visit or call the offices with correct and updated information.  Sometimes our referrals come back because the establishment is closed.  Would you please send us the correct hours of operation?  We are also looking for updated brochures.  Do you have special hours of operation during the summer months?  If you answered yes to any of these questions please provide us with correct answers so we may help you.  Please email the office or call 743-3915.

Take an active part in your Chamber.  Be sure to participate in the 60-second Member Survey.Download a copy at: www.luraypage.com/benefits.htm

Please return by March 28! 

Business After Hours – Tuesday, April 22nd at Rivers Bend Guest Ranch 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. located at 397 Riversbend Road in Stanley. Enjoy a good time of networking!

Interested in hosting a Business After Hours?  We are looking for a host for May.  It is a great opportunity for your business.  Many times members feel they don’t have the room or for other reasons they can’t host; but we have the solution – be a co-host.  Give us a call and we will help you find a co-host.  Shenandoah Speedway will host in July.

Thank you to Page Valley Bank for the March 20th Business After Hours!

Click on the link below to see how much fun we have at BAH.

http://luraypage.com/afterhours/

The lucky winners of the door prizes were:

Mark Milam, Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp. – Wine & wine glasses

Rodger Smith, Counselor at Law – Beers of the World, Steins & munchies

Philip Clem, Harman Construction, Inc. – Box of Truffles

Robin Hicks, Shenandoah Valley Research – Wine & wine glasses

Mike Lam, Premier Technical Services – Beers of the World, Steins & munchies

Wanda Tate, Vivian’s Flower Shop -$100 Page Valley Bank Rewards checking

Mr. Steven Gulka is one of the newest members of the Chamber and most likely one of the most unique members. He has a passion about farm – agriculture conservation and offers his services as a consultant.  He also carries agricultural products. 

Mr. Gulka believes by belonging to the Chambers in the area that he may be able to benefit farmers in the area.  Mr. Gulka is sole proprietor of his operation located at 6644 Winchester Road in Front Royal.  He requests that anyone who would like to contact him to do so only by mail service at: Save the Farm Tractor Service, P.O. Box 281, Front Royal, VA. 22630-6706.

Your Tourism Council has started work on the 2009 Visitors' Guide!  Do you have a special photo of Page County which could be included in this year’s guide?  Please forward to: Nancy Sottosanti, Tourism Chair at: canoes@shentel.net

Board Member Dave Tong's Premier Technical Services was ranked 65 in the top 100 by DiversityBusiness.com, an organization for minority businesses, including those owned by women, disabled veterans or minorities. Premier is a disabled veteran-owned business which provides technology sales, work force solutions and systems engineering to mostly government agencies. Congratulations!

Shenandoah River Outfitters opens for the 38th season March 29. Plan to come canoe, kayak, raft and tube the beautiful Shenandoah River this Year. We offer County discounts mid-week. Do visit our website Remember your fishing pole! http://www.shenandoahriver.com

Spring is almost here and its time to clean our streams and roadsides in preparation for our summer visitors!  Bags and vests available at the Page County Jail, Town of Stanley Offices and Town of Shenandoah Offices.  Cash prizes for the teams who pick up the most litter.  $500 grand prize!  To register for the competition or for more information call the Page County Department of Environmental Services at 743-4808.

Are we in a drought?  If so, how bad is it?  How does drought affect water quality?  What water conservation measures can I take?  Come to a free workshop to find out the answers to these and other questions. Refreshments will be served.  Sponsored by the Page County Water Quality Advisory Committee.  For more information call 743-4808.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network is challenging all lawyers in Winchester, Clarke, Fauquier, Page, Frederick, Loudoun, Shenandoah and Warren to participate in one of the largest events of its kind this year – The 2nd Annual Legal Food Frenzy.

In order to participate, each firm must fill out a simple registration sheet and fax or email it back to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network. Area lawyers should have received registration packets in the mail. They may also register on the Food Bank’s web site: www.brafb.org. Firms must register before March 31.

The Warehouse Art Gallery offers "Friday Night Live" each Friday night starting March 28, 6 pm until. This is a very casual and informal get together for friends of the arts. Come as you are, when you can and make a friend. The Warehouse will provide light snacks or you may bring your own. Entertainment sometimes scheduled, but always open mic and games.

Theme Show - This year, the Artists of the Warehouse are offering a different theme show each month. The April show is “Springtime.” Stop by to see these new works.

New Warehouse Gallery hours:

Monday through Friday 12 - 6 pm

Saturday - 10 am - 6 pm

Sunday - 12 - 5 pm

A staff representative from Congressman Eric Cantor’s District Office will be available to discuss constituent concerns Wednesday, March 26 from 11 a.m. – Noon at the Town Hall Building, 45 East Main Street, Luray.
        
Congressman Cantor provides this service for constituents who need assistance or have problems of a federal nature.  Citizens are also welcome to express their opinions on matters of concern, particularly national topics or issues before the United States Congress. Constituents may also contact Congressman Cantor’s District Office at 1-800-438-3793.  In addition, constituents may visit http://cantor.house.gov .

In order to meet demand, Tastee Freez has ordered 500 more Norway Spruce seedlings, which will arrive later this week. These free seedlings are 12-16" tall and can be picked up at the Luray or Stanley Tastee Freez shops. Look for the notice on the signs outside, or call Luray at 743-6196 for more info. They will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

The Regional Center for the Performing Arts of Luray, Inc. (PAL) is forming a Regional Band/Orchestra. Membership is open to all residents of Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren Counties who are age 14 and older. The organizational meeting for the group will be March 30 at 3 pm at the BB&T Center for the Performing Arts at 1 East Main Street in Luray. Prospective members are asked to contact Wanda Crouch at 540-743-3453 or via e-mail at gwanny@netzero.net. In order to facilitate the inclusion of all potential members, PAL is asking residents to consider donating unused instruments for the group. Such donations will be appraised and tax deductible. PAL is in particular need of string instruments and percussion equipment as well as large wind instruments. Donors are asked to contact Lewis Berkebile at 540-743-2402.