I don’t know about your house but at my house, my kids (my 3 puppies and kitty) are having a hard time waiting for Santa Paws, Santa Clause to us two legged creatures!

There is such a great spirit of Christmas in Montrose, just walk down the street and everyone is smiling and wishing each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Some of our Chamber Members are having some great specials:

NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK is offering 30% off selected items December 4th thru January 5th. Jody Budman and her staff would love to meet you. They have some unique items, stop by and tell them the Chamber sent you.

PEDAL SPIN STUDIOS is a great place for a person to pick up a gift certificate to help that special someone lose some of those holiday pounds! They are offering your first class FREE! Stop by and see what they have to offer, Cindy Bell will be glad to show you around and explain what great things they have to offer.

Did you know that this weekend is the busiest time to pick up your Christmas tree? A great place to pick up a tree and while doing so help our kids is the YMCA Christmas Tree Lot!! They have a great selection, but don’t wait their last day is December 21st!!

The Chamber has many great businesses in its directory, stop by some of them and tell them the Chamber sent you!!

They all have great specials going on in this Holiday season and remember your secret weapon, A SMILE!

Also with this great Holiday Spirit, what better way to help people than to help with the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station Volunteers Annual Toy and Food Drive. Please donate an unwrapped toy or food item to the CV Sheriff’s Station up to December 25th, monetary donations will also be accepted. For questions contact Deputy Jorge Valvida at (818) 236- 4021.

Last but not least, don’t forget our little four legged furry friends, contact SECOND ACTS owner, Michael Brown @ secondactsfoundation.org and see how you can help these special little animals over the Holiday season and every day. In addition, the GLENDALE HUMANE SOCIETY also is always looking for help; give them a call at (818) 242-1128.

Remember to mark on your calendar January 21st for our 2010 Annual Installation and Community Awards Dinner, being held at the Angeles National Golf Club. $50 per person, reservations required. Call the Chamber at (818) 249-7171 for more information.

Rose Gamble is theadministrative assistant for

the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce