Bits and Pieces

---

The construction where Blockbuster  Video was located is for the The Good Egg Restaurant.   They took over the site which is next to Subway, located in the Rooney Ranch Megaplex.
----
Sometime in March, the Town of Oro Valley web site will have an entirely new look and feel. The plan is for the site to be more user-friendly, up-to-date and better at promoting the town’s events and successes. This is another of a series of activities led by Oro Valley public relations to get the news out about our town.
---
Also, in March, the town will be launching a fresh marketing brochure.   Misti Nowak, Oro Valley's Communication administrator is enthusiastic abou these projects. "The new website and marketing brochure are not just great communication tools; they’re also part of our strategies for economic development. They will help us do a better job of “telling our story” and marketing our services and assets. And both projects are being created entirely in-house by Town staff. Additionally, since this is the first time we’ve formally implemented the new slogan—'It’s in our nature'—into collateral materials, these will play a strategic role in our branding efforts."
---
We have it on 'some aurhority' that the launch event on March 15 of the Oro Valley Aquatic Center will be something else!  Be good to be there if you can.
---
This past Wednesday's Oro Valley Council meeting was so brief and so uneventful that we didn't bother to report it. Plaques were given to those who were leaving boards and commissions; and there was a discussion of two reports one from MTCVB; the other from the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce.   the discussions were particularly insightful.   One was in praise of MTCVB; the other was questioning the value received from the Chamber.   We expect that the Council will have a more thoughtful discussion of the funding of these two organizations when next year's budget is discussed.  this discussion will occur later this spring.
---
"Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 11075 N. Oracle Road, which used to be known as Oro Valley Hotel & Suites, has been renovated and re-opens under the new name in early March. The facility boasts new mattresses, refrigerators and TVs." (Source)
---
Cattleman's Café 2  is opening in the former  Downhome Delights location on Oracle Road. Let's hope that the food and the pricing is better than it was under Downhome.    The café should be open in a month or so.
---
"Husband-and-wife team Chris and Cathy Roberts are putting the finishing touches on their new Ala Buzz Cafe which will replace the now-closed Izzi’s Cafe at 12985 N. Oracle Road. Ala Buzz will be open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily and will serve what Cathy calls “quality, comfort home cooking” with breakfast, lunch and dinner options offered all day long." (Source) " "BRING IN YOUR CLASSIC CAR AND RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE BILL until April 1st!"(Source)
---
We wonder whether the timing is right for restaurants to open. We wonder because, as the Wall Street Journal reports this morning  consumer spending is down and that it is impacting retail sales. The article focuses on the increase in the payroll tax as the cause.  It also notes a $.50 increase in the cost per gallon of gasoline.  It discusses what companies are doing to react to it. Opening new stores is not one of the activities. Rather they are downsizing their meals and dropping their prices.   We wish these new businesses great luck in Oro Valley. It is doubtful however that Oro Valley is really so different from the rest of the country that those of us who live here will spend more on eating out when others aren't.   On the other hand, perhaps these new restaurants will thrive because Oro Valley doesn't have enough restaurants. We don't know the answer.
---
 Did you know that "flash mobs" are coming to Oro Valley?
---