Annual Awards Dinner,

"Diamonds in the Rough"

(Friday, January 18th, 2013)

The 67th Annual Oakdale Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, "Diamonds in the Rough" on Friday, January 18th, 6PM - 9PM recognized outstanding individuals, organizations, and businesses that have contributed their time and efforts to enhance our community in 2012: Citizen, Business, Junior Achievement, Community Service, and Lifetime Achievement. The nominees that were recognized are:

Citizen of the Year: Lupe Aguilera, Steve Knell, Wes Stewart

Community Service Award: Kiwanis Club of Oakdale

Business of the Year: Oakdale Feed & Seed, RJ Murdoch Lawn Care, Spray & Son

Junior Achievement: Anne Homer, Candy Jauregui, Madison Lane, Garrett Paulus, Cameron Sluggett, Shayann Trent

Lifetime: Frank Clark

Also recognized were the out-going Oakdale Board of Directors, an introduction of the in-coming Oakdale Chamber Board of Directors, and the Graduating Oakdale Leadership group. There are usually 250 attendees at this event; including board members, city and county officials.

And the recipients are: Lifetime Achievement - Frank Clark; Citizen of the Year - Lupe Aguilera; Business of the Year - Oakdale Feed & Seed; Community Service Organization of the Year - Kiwanis Club of Oakdale; Junior Achievers - Cindy Jauregui, Madison Lane, and Garrett Paulis.  Congratulations to all the nominees and award receipients for their dedication to the Oakdale community!

Thank you Event Supporters:

Annual Ag Scholarship Luncheon

(Thursday, March 21, 2013)

You are invited to attend or participate at the 40th Annual Ag Scholarship Luncheon, "Oakdale Feeds the World," on Thursday, March 21, 11AM - 1:30PM at the Gene Bianchi Community Center located at 110 South Second Avenue, Oakdale. Listen to a panel of speakers, see agricultural- related vendor booths, get product information, samples, and lunch. $25 per person tickets available at the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce (Cash, Check, Visa, M/C, AMEX, Discover accepted) or check back here for on-line ticket purchase and/or Ag Scholarship Luncheon Registration.

Experts in the export business speaking on the topic "Oakdale Feeds the World:" Stanislaus County Agriculture Commissioner, Michael Wright, Plant Manager - Ball Metal Food Container, LLC; Jared Clavin, International Sales & Service Manager - Cal-Ore Seed, Inc. and Anthony Mello, Chief Financial Officer - Gold River Orchards.

Agricultural-related vendors can register to participate and sponsorship opportunities are available by completing Ag Scholarship Luncheon Application and Sponsor Ops Form. For reservations please complete Ag Scholarship Luncheon Invitation.

Event Sponsors: American Ag Credit, ConAgra Foods, Mid Valley Agricultural, Oakdale Irrigation District, Yosemite Farm Credit, and W.H. Breshears, Inc.

Home Show

(Saturday, March 9th, 9AM-4PM and Sunday, March 10th, 2013, 10AM - 3PM)

Come see Chamber Members and Oakdale based Home businesses indoor and outdoor displays of product and services for it's 8th year. Located at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 South Second Avenue, Oakdale. Public admission is FREE! Purchase a raffle ticket from the Oakdale Chamber and other participating locations for a chance to win a great valued item (TBD)! Previous year's prizes have been $1,500 certificate for Bordona's Furniture, a large flat screen TV, BBQ Island, Serta Bed, and Electric Lawn Mower.

The purpose of this event is to increase patrons awareness of what Oakdale based and Oakdale Chamber Members home, garden, and ranchette businesses have to offer in products and services; thus, increasing patrons awareness and building future clients for these businesses.

Home type business, Oakdale and/or Oakdale Chamber member? Register to participate 2013 Home Show Application or sponsor 2013 Home Show Sponsor Opportunities for great company exposure.

Our 2012 Event Sponsors: and our General Sponsor: Ball Metal Food Containers, LLC and Oakdale Leader.

Business & Youth Scholarship Program

(Thursday, March 28th, 2013)

Oakdale (95361) Senior Student's complete a Business & Youth Ag Scholarship Application or Business & Youth Business/Vocational Scholarship Application for possible scholarship consideration through the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce by deadline, Friday, February 22nd. Then on Thursday, March 28th, the Oakdale Chamber gives an opportunity to students to job shadow with a business associate that may be in the field they may like to pursue. A luncheon is held later that day at the Gene Bianchi Community Center located at 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. During the luncheon, the participating students do a presentation on what they have learned from their mentor. A panel of judges evaluate their applications, their presentations, and their mentors also evaluate them to determine the highest scoring of the scholarships.

Six scholarships are offered totaling $4,000; four Business and two Agricultural. Have your student and/or a student you know apply! It's a wonderful learning program that allows students an opportunity to see what they may want to pursue while having the opportunity to possibly be presented with a scholarship!

Concerts in the Park

(July 19th - August 30, 2013)

The concerts are July 19th - August 30th, 2013, 6:30PM -8:30PM! They will continue to be held at Dorada Park (Play Park), behind the Chamber and Community Pool, A Street and 2nd Avenue, Oakdale, CA.

2013 bands are: Highway 99 Party Band (R&B, Blues, Rock) - July 19, Never 2 Late (Country) - July 26th,  Remedy (Classic Rock and Country) - August 2, Dale Himes with Hip Piano Crew (Jazz and Boogie Woogie) - August 9, Oakdale Community Band (Classic and Instrumental) - August 16, Dossi on the Rocks (Country Rock 'n Blues) - August 23, Vintage - August 30.

Don't miss next year's Concerts in the Park...Come one, come all to Concerts in the Park in 2014! "Concerts in the Park" CNP are FREE to attend and promote a family and friendly environment! Great groups to see and listen to Friday's, Event is sponsor funded; become a sponsor of a FREE to family and friends event! Sponsorships help to defer any costs to the public, it covers the cost of the bands, security, and advertising. Be an IDOL, GROUPIE, FAN, or SPECTATOR. Check back here for sponsor opportunities or contact the Oakdale Chamber. Great individual, group, and/or company exposure! Thank 2012 sponsors:

IDOL:

BuickGROUPIE: Ball Corporation FAN: TBD

SPECTATOR: A&A Portables, Bank of the West, Cow Track, Hi-Tech Self Storage, SpecOps Live Play

Taste of Oakdale

(Tuesday, August 27th, 2013)

The Oakdale Chamber of Commerce held their 5th Annual “Taste of Oakdale” on Tuesday, August 27th, 5PM – 8PM at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. 300 patrons come to taste a great variety of delicious foods and beverages (alcohol and non-alcohol): Bakery, Delicatessen, Fine Dining, Hardy American, Italian, beverages, beers, wines, and spirits. The following are who participated in 2012:

7up Bottling Company (Varni Brothers Corporation -Waters and Sparkling Waters), Blooming Success (Fresh Vegetables, Fruit, Basque Piperade Sauce, and pepper seasoning), Cafe Bliss (Sandwiches, Soups, Desserts), California Gold Olive Oil Company (Olive Oil), Cencal Beverage (Coors), Coca Cola (Smart Waters), ConAgra Foods (Black Bean Salsa, 7 Layer Dip, Sweet Spicy Meatballs), Costco (Bakery Items), Cowboy Toffee Company (Variety of Toffees) Delta Sierra Beverage (Budweiser), Edible Arrangements (Fruit & Dipped Fruit), Firenze Restorante (Italian Food), House of Beef (Hardy - All American) Oakdale Golf & Country Club (Fine Dining and Cake), Oakdale Grocery Outlet (Power Bars and Candy), Raileys (Wines Cheeses and Olives), Save Mart Supermarkets (Rotissere Chicken Salad, Shrimp, and Fresh Strawberries), Silkwood Wines (Wine), Sorelle Winery (Wine), Valley Spirits, LLC (Cold House Vodka), Velata (Chocolate Fondue with Dipping Items), and Wild Game Jerky.

All participants had wonderful food and beverages and received votes. The majority of votes went to the following for “The Best of.”

Best Non-Alcohol Beverage is Smart Water (Coca Cola)

Best Alcohol Beverage is Valley Spirits, LLC (Cold House Vodka)

Best Food is Oakdale Golf & Country Club

Best Overall Oakdale Golf & Country Club

Congratulations! All others should rest assure that they were winners as well just by participating and by getting their companies information out. We know that the interactions they made with the patrons will bring them future business.

IT Institute Culinary did a wonderful Fruit Carving. There were some great raffle prizes; including, a separate raffle with a drawing for golf for four at the Oakdale Golf & Country Club for patrons initialed booth passport.

The purpose of this event is to increase patrons awareness of what Oakdale based, Oakdale Chamber Members, and Oakdale distributors catering, food, and beverage businesses have to offer; thus, increasing patrons awareness and building future clients for these businesses.

Watch for 2013 Taste of Oakdale Registration Forms and Taste of Oakdale Sponsor Opportunity Sheet. Hope to see you there next year, last Tuesday of August, 27th, 2013! Thank you sponsors!

General: Napkins & Cups:

Business: Ball Corporation, LLC,  Oakdale Irrigation District

Grow Your Business Expo

(October 3, 2013, 2pm-7pm)

What do Oakdale Chamber Members and Oakdale based business have to offer you? Grow Your Business Expo at the Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale on Thursday, October 3, 2013, 2PM-7PM. 40 vendors will be highlighted at this Expo. Admission is FREE to attend with a great raffle! By coming you got to know Oakdale Chamber Members, become familiar with Oakdale Business, where they are located, what types of deals they offer, what their items are, or what services they provide. Some items were also available for purchase from some of the vendors. This event supports our “Buy Local” campaign.

In 2012 following business were present: A&M Tires, Aaron's Rents Abbey Carpets & Interiors, Ackley Circle E-Z Store, All Brands Hearth & Spa Service, Blooming Success/Beret Rouge Basque, BNI Oakdale Founders, Bordona's, Furniture (Dish Network) CareMore Health Plan, Casey Moving Systems, Cooks Communication - Radio Shack Dealer, Cowboy Toffee Company, Express Employment Professionals, Healing Gifts, Hiatt Alarm & Sound, Hudson Photography, I. J. Larsen Pumps, Martin Plumbing, MegaStar Financial, Oakdale Cheese & Specialties, Oakdale Grocery Outlet, Oakdale Olde Towne Veterinary Hospital, The Optima Group at Primary Residential, Inc., Pak Mail, Prime Shine Car Wash, Raymus Homes, Inc., River Oak Dental Spa, Sara's Dry Cleaners, Sconza Candy Company, Spec Ops Live Play, Technical Solutions Sales, Tupperware by Lori Conteras, Vargas Printing, Wells Fargo Bank, Whitemyer Chiropractic & Massage, Wild Game Jerky, and Yogurt Station.

Vendors - The Oakdale Chamber of Commerce has added Grow Your Business, Because it Matters! Promoting the "Buy Local" campaign. This event focuses on your business if you are an Oakdale Chamber Member and/or Oakdale based businesses to promote your products and services. We want the public to know what you have to offer to increase your visibility and possibly increase your future sales

It is scheduled at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale, CA on Thursday, October 3rd, 2pm - 7pm. Setup is from 10am-1pm. This event kept in line with our mission of uniting the business community by enhancing business and economic growth, while maintaining the high quality of life in Oakdale. This show offered an opportunity for ALL TYPES of Oakdale Chamber Members and Oakdale businesses to be able to participate in a trade show.

For a nominal fee you can have a 8x10 booth, table, and two chairs. The fees paid will cover the costs of the facility, equipment, and advertising. At the event you will display your products and/or services to promote your business. You can also sell your items at your booth.

To register to participate complete check back here for 2013 application, provide payment by cash, check, Visa, M/C, AMEX, or Discover. Also, provide security deposit and Liability Insurance naming the Oakdale Chamber an additional insured for $1M. There are sponsor opportunities available check back here for sponsor form. Contact the Oakdale Chamber (209) 847-2244 if you have any questions. We hope you take this opportunity to heighten awareness of your business!