All sorts of folks have been inspired by the Davises’ project and commitment to pump pizzazz into Carmichael. Rey Azteca is remaining in its original location, but family members are opening another restaurant, a breakfast spot, just a few blocks north at the corner of Fair Oaks and Palm Drive. (The idea is to replace the Waffle Barn.) Bride to Be has moved in along Fair Oaks Boulevard. Flower shops are brightening the landscape. The chamber office is relocating to a concierge desk within the Milagro Center. And get ready for this: Carmichael now has some young, spunky, freshfaced ambassadors who are stirring up all sorts of excitement in the business community. The ambassadors are the brainchild of Carmichael Chamber of Commerce President Linda Melody. She toured area chambers to study what they were doing and decided Carmichael needed outreach enthusiasts. She and her board are charging the ambassadors with the job of
personally connecting community businesses and residents to inspire more chamber memberships and involvement in the revitalization of the area. Lyon Realtor and longtime Carmichael resident Kim West Newton, Heidi Standard with Aflac, Dom Anton of Crumley and Associates, CFP, and Rick Oster of the marketing firm ACE Biz are the chamber’s ambassadors. They are busy reaching out to an estimated 6,000 business owners and residents, asking them to get inspired and take pride in creating the new face of Carmichael. In short, the Carmichael chamber is not your grandpa’s chamber. “Typically the Carmichael Chamber has been known as the old people’s chamber,” Melody says. “It was tired. Now there’s a new infusion of energy from younger people. Membership is up, and there’s more value than ever to your membership. “Now are are seeing the young and old getting along. It’s not like you
throw one out and keep the other; we are mentors of each other.” More and more the chamber is a resource for both homeowners and business leaders looking for answers about things such as county services, signage and ordinances. Since Carmichael is unincorporated, folks often don’t always know where to turn. “We might not be able to help, but we have resources,” Melody says. She wants to continue to provide those answers and continue the membership’s upward trend, bringing in the excitement of young professionals and new business owners while keeping the old— and connecting the upstarts with Carmichael’s seasoned professionals. “We are a welcoming and homey chamber. We know your name,” Melody says. The ambassadors have started an ambitious letter-writing campaign to reach out to potential members. “We are adding value to your chamber membership by offering more mixers, ribbon cuttings and
marketing help for businesses that might not know exactly how to market themselves,” says Kim West Newton. The job involves making contacts with businesses all over Sacramento, not just those in the immediate area. For more information about the Carmichael Chamber, call 203-1681.
POKER POWER Poker players and those interested in helping the Arden Arcade community, get ready to shuffle! Mark your calendars for April 16 and the sixth annual Horsepower and Hold ‘Em poker tournament at Von Housen Mercedes Benz of Sacramento. This is a joint fundraiser with the Arden-Arcade Rotary Club, Sheriff’s Community Impact Program and Sacramento Chaplaincy. The 2015 Poker Tournament netted close to $70,000 for local charities. This year’s take is expected to be even higher.
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