Let the Chamber Promote Your Event!

Don’t forget to send us your events to post to the Chamber website. Send an email with the details (date, time, place, description) to info@jamestownRIchamber.com.

This year’s Chamber session with the Planning Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6 at 5 pm at the Jamestown Library as part of their regularly scheduled meeting. This public, informational workshop will begin with a presentation on “form−based zoning codes” that may be included in Jamestown’s zoning ordinance update. Sandy Sorlein, national coordinating editor for SmartCode , a land development blueprint for planning and urban design, will lead the workshop.

Form−based codes address physical forms of buildings and development, as opposed to conventional zoning codes based on use and density. After the presentation, there will be a walk through the downtown business district with the Planning Commission. We will then return to the Library to continue an open forum for Chamber members to address any questions, comments, concerns, or issues with Town Planning.

We encourage our Chamber members to learn more about forms−based zoning by visiting the SmartCode website and attending this workshop. Please also see The Jamestown Press, May 10 issue, page 5 for additional information on this workshop. We will be receiving more information from the Town and will pass along to our membership prior to the session.

Mark Your Calendars!

Wednesday, May 23, 7 pm
350th Celebration Committee Meeting
Jamestown Library

Wednesday, June 6, 5 pm
Annual Chamber Session with Jamestown’s Planning Commission
Jamestown Library

Thursday, June 7, 7:15 am
Chamber Board Meeting
Jamestown Police Station
This meeting is open to the public.

Thursday, June 14, 8 am
Chamber Marketing Committee Meeting
28 Bryer Ave.
This meeting is open to the public.

Thursday, June 14, 6−8 pm
Ferry Cruise, $20/person.
RSVP to May Munger at 423−7154.

Thursday, July 5, 7:15 am
Chamber Board Meeting
Jamestown Police Station.
This meeting is open to the public.

Thursday, July 12, 8 am
Chamber Marketing Committee Meeting
28 Bryer Ave.
This meeting is open to the public.

Thursday, July 19, 6 pm
July After Hours Weenie Roast, $10/person.
RSVP to info@jamestownRIchamber.com or 423−3650. Location TBA.

Saturday, August 11, 6−11 pm
Night at Fox Hill to benefit Dutch Island Lighthouse
Ticket information TBA.

Saturday, August 11 through Sunday, August 19
Jamestown’s 350th Celebration

Jamestown’s 350th Celebration will take place August 11th though 19th and will include events throughout the island each day of the week. The Chamber is encouraging businesses to offer a special, promotion or in−store event during that time. We are expecting a lot of visitors to our island and this will be a great way for you to participate and showcase your business. Better yet, we’ll be posting a calendar of events to our website at jamestownRIchamber.com and we will also post your promotion.

And if you don’t have a storefront, don’t think you can’t be a part of Jamestown history. There are lots of events − Family Picnic, Afternoon Tea & Flower Show, Trolley Tours, Craft Show, Bike Ride & Scavenger Hunt − that you can volunteer for. Or better yet, plan your own event. There are a few days we would like to offer more events but we need people to come forward and coordinate and plan. Get your group, neighbors or friends together and plan an event for the celebration. Contact Arlene Petit at 423.7200

This year’s Chamber fundraiser − Night at Fox Hill − will be held Saturday, August 11th and will be the big kick− off event for Jamestown’s 350th. The event will benefit the Dutch Island Lighthouse & Chamber Scholarship Fund. It’s lining up to be another great event with spectacular views of West Passage and Dutch Island, catering by Chopmist Charlie’s and music by Forty Steps. So mark your calendars now and reserve the date to dance the night away with your Jamestown neighbors and friends.

Our May After Hours is scheduled for Thursday, May 17th from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at Jamestown Wine & Spirits, 30 Southwest Avenue. Cost is $5/person. If you did not have the chance to RSVP, please still join us.

Our June After Hours will be our Annual Ferry Cruise in Narragansett Bay on the Jamestown−Newport Ferry on Thursday, June 14th from 6 to 8 pm. Tickets are $20/person and include appetizers on board. (We have listened and we will make sure there are enough snacks to go around this year!). Cash bar available on board. Contact May Munger at 423−7154 to reserve your seat. Payment by cash or check must be made prior to departure.

Our July Weenie Roast is scheduled for Thursday, July 19th with time and location TBA. Cost is $10/person and includes hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, salads, beer and wine. Please RSVP to info@jamestownRIchamber.com. Payment by cash or check may be made at the door. Bring a lawn chair!

Chamber After Hours are open to current members, their employees, and businesses interested in joining the Chamber.

2007/2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Vicki DeAngeli, Island Realty

1st Vice President John Collins, JHC Enterprises

2nd Vice President Peter Brockmann, Brockmann & Associates

Treasurer Eric Eunis, Rabecca L. Eunis, CPA

Tim Baker, Baker’s Pharmacy

Mary Brittain, View This

Deb Goyette, The Purple Door

Bill Lawrence,Cityscope

Jane Lee,Jane Lee Design

Kristin Love,The Bay Voyage

Barbara Lundy,Jamestown Fitness

Jeff McDonough, The Jamestown Press

Karen Potter, Bella Baskets

In an effort to improve the effectiveness and timeliness of communications between the Chamber of Commerce and Jamestown Town Government, the Chamber has established a new liaison position. Michael Swistak, former Chamber Board Member and President has volunteered to be the chamber representative for the upcoming year.

The Chamber liaison will monitor matters before the Town Council, Planning and Zoning Boards, and other commissions, to identify issues which may affect the business community. The liaison will investigate these important issues, and provide the Board of Directors with status and resolution reports.

Establishment of this position has appeared on Chamber agendas for many years, however some recent events, and a request from the Planning Commission for a Chamber point of contact prompted the Board to respond.

A Message from the President

I begin my term as President of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce with much excitement and anticipation over all we have planned for the coming year. We have a strong and active Chamber, and I look forward to expanding our membership base to include more businesses in Jamestown.

The Chamber hosts many events throughout the year that provide our business community with opportunities to exchange ideas and network with fellow members. We also organize activities which involve both Chamber members and the general population of Jamestown. See the “Mark Your Calendar” section of this newsletter for our latest list of events and meetings.

We are currently working on a summer project to will bring tourists from Newport to Jamestown via trolley, pick up additional people in Jamestown, and then provide a tour of the island. At its conclusion, people will be dropped off in the downtown area to visit our shops and restaurants, and then finish with a ferry ride back to Newport.

The 350th celebration in Jamestown promises to be a week−long extravaganza that will include many events and opportunities for our business community. Stayed tuned for more details as events are finalized. If you are not already participating in one of the events, we encourage you to get involved.

I would like to emphasize that this Chamber is here for you, the business community, and I encourage you to contact us with questions as well as ideas that will make our town an even greater place to live and work.

Sincerely,
Vicki deAngeli
President