Montrose-Verdugo Chamber of Commerce:

I recently read an interesting article on “What does the Chamber do for me”? The writer referred to the song by Janet Jackson, “What have you done for me lately?”

The Chamber is the best resource to promote your business in the community. The key to success with the Chamber is networking, networking and networking. I know this sounds repetitive but it works. If you attend the events the Chamber offers it will pay off, maybe not right away but people will come back to you. Think about you’re at a mixer and meet a pet sitter, you’re thinking I would never use one of those. Something comes up and guess what you need a pet sitter. You grab the phone book, but wait you met a pet sitter, who is she? Where did I meet her, oh yeah! You call the Chamber and they have your answer, how cool is that? The Chamber gets calls all the time from people asking do you have this business in town or do you have the number for this one. For the Chamber to help the businesses you need to be a member to be referred.

Remember the famous quote of John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” Ask yourself this, “Ask not what your Chamber can do for you. Ask what you can do for your Chamber.”

The answer is simple: support your local Chamber of Commerce, and by that I mean join as a member and get involved.

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce calendar of events:

April 2: A duo Mixer with Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce at Century 21 Crest, at 4005 Foothill Blvd. iin La Crescenta; 6 to 8 p.m..

April 7: Third Annual Bowling Night at Montrose Bowl. If you are looking for some fun on a Monday evening, sign up for $ 25. Think of it as exercise.

April 14: The Fat Dog, at 2265 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose is having a Ribbon Cutting at 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Space is limited, so RSVP by April 11. Chamber members only please.

April 24: Golf Classic at the Verdugo Hills Country Course. Lunch at noon and shotgun at 1 p.m. Cost is $45 and sponsorships are available. Looking for something to do? How about becoming an Oktoberfest volunteer. Get behind the scenes, have fun. Oktoberfest is Oct. 4.

Businesses who are already supporting Oktoberfest 2008 one of the biggest community events in town: Robbin’s Nest Preschool, New Moon Restaurant and S.I.G. Property Management.

The Chamber can be reached by calling (818) 249-7171 e-mailing mvcc@montrosechamber.org Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fri 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Feel free to stop by the Chamber office we have lots of great information.