MONTE VISTA— The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce met for their monthly meeting last Thursday morning, March 29. The chamber discussed their business of the month guidelines and upcoming events for the rest of the year.
Chamber Manager Jerry Apker announced the committee reviewing the featured business of the month guidelines had completed their work and determined there will be only one business featured on the website and the featured members had to be businesses, not non-profit or individual members. Monte Vista members will also have a priority over other San Luis Valley member businesses.
Event reports
Chamber President Linda Burnett announced the dates for the 2019 Ag Conference have been confirmed for Feb. 5-7.
Jim Poston noted work at the Jessie May Olson Memorial Community Garden has already begun, with work sessions from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesdays.  The garden will be donating their expired seeds to the Monte Vista Kids Connection for planting in their summer art garden.
For the upcoming Home and Garden Show this weekend Assistant Events Coordinator Ginny Silcox noted they have 24 vendors currently signed up with six additional booths very likely. There will be at least four demonstrations. Burnett took the opportunity to thank Rob Vance and the city for their help coordinating, “I appreciate how responsive the city has been and I appreciate the great relationship,” Burnett added.
Apker also discussed work on the first annual Taste of the Valley Festival scheduled for June 30. Apker noted Indian Nickel will be performing at the event and they have about 10 sponsors for a total of $1,200 so far. Apker is also pursuing a mariachi group to perform. He has confirmation of participation from several different restaurants and has been working with other chamber members to contact all of the restaurants in the Valley, although many can’t commit until they hire summer staff.