Can you believe we’re already in the middle of September? It felt like it was only yesterday that I was typing away my initial scribblings for the chamber way back in February. Now we’re coming up on our third Artwalk of the year on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If there is a place more conducive to artistic inspiration than our Honolulu Avenue, I’ve yet to see it. Come by this Saturday, stride about Honolulu, see our local artists at work and visit our local businesses as well. While you’re walking on Honolulu, take a look at the distant skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles poking across the horizon. What a breathtaking sight – and what a comfort to know that you’ll be here in Montrose away from all the traffic and noise! Stop by our chamber booth and say hello to Laurie Jo Phillips, our Artwalk captain, and me this Saturday. Feel free to call or email the chamber if you need further information regarding the Artwalk.
As if you needed any further reminding, Oktoberfest is inching towards us ever closer. Join our chamber for our Oktoberfest kick-off mixer at the Citibank Montrose Community Room on Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come join with us as we celebrate and prepare for our 33rd annual Montrose Oktoberfest. Bratwursts, prizes, great opportunities for networking and much more await you at our next mixer. Entry is $7 for members; $9 for prospective members. Find out more information about our next mixer by calling or emailing the contact information at the end of this article.
Our friends at the Desi Geestman Foundation would like to announce their “Evening with the Stars Celebrity Gala.” The gala will be held at the Gilmore Adobe Market, 6301 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you love your daytime soaps, this opportunity to mingle with your favorite daytime stars is must-see. Some of the daytime celebrities confirmed to attend this gala are Lexi Ainsworth, Steve Burton, Ignacio Serricchio, and Kristoff St. John. Many more have been confirmed. Funds raised at this gala will go directly to improve the lives for children with cancer. Call the Desi Geestman Foundation at (818) 249-1105 for further information.
Finally, we have some more news from our friends at Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning. Right now they’re offering a special one-time deal: get a deep mattress cleaning from Heaven’s Best before Sept. 30 and get $20 off! New clients get an additional $15 off! Heaven’s Best now serves both the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. Call them at either (818) 433-0487 or (626) 710-4343 to find out more on this deal. Let them know that the MVCC sent you!
Follow the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce via Facebook or our website at www.montrosechamber.org. Our offices are open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Call us at (818) 249-7171 or email me at tayala@montrosechamber.org. For all your shopping needs and more make your destination Montrose.

Ted Ayala is the executive director of the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce.