🌶️ 15th Annual Amado Chili Cook-Off & Classic Car Show – March 7th! 🚗🎶

Andy sits down with Ed Dunin-Wasowicz of D/M McGarrity Inc. and Amy Bass, Executive Director of the Amado Youth Center, to talk about one of Southern Arizona’s most anticipated community events — the 15th Annual Amado Chili Cook-Off and Randy & Rose Estes Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, happening Saturday, March 7th from 9 AM to 3 PM at I-19 Exit 48 in Amado.

This year’s event features 10 chili cooks (including student culinary talent from Sahuarita High School), with tasting from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM — and new online ticket sales to make things faster and easier. Guests can enjoy unlimited tastings with a $10 hand stamp while supplies last. Parking is just $5 or five cans of food to benefit the cause.

Beyond the chili, the day includes a massive vendor fair with 50+ vendors, a classic car and motorcycle show expected to feature up to 100 vehicles, and a full lineup of live entertainment including Diego Ochoa, The Gutter Town, Tonight’s Sunshine, and Chalako All-Star Ensemble. There’s also a youth-led 50/50 raffle and a silent auction featuring artwork from renowned regional artists — all supporting the Amado Youth Center.

Most importantly, this annual event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Amado Youth Center, helping provide after-school programs, career mentoring, life skills training, and expanded opportunities for local youth. Even if you can’t attend, you can purchase tickets or make a tax-deductible donation online.

Learn more or buy tickets at AmadoChiliCookOff.org

Come for the chili. Stay for the music, cars, and community spirit — and help make a difference in the lives of Southern Arizona youth.

Regina Ford interviews Becky Jo Benson of the New Christy Minstrels about their upcoming appearance at the GVR Westcenter.

We talk to Mike Manolakes, Director of the Santa Cruz Shoestring Players spring production of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

We talk to Dareck Makowski at Golf Cars of Arizona.

This week on In the Know, Andy Taylor welcomes back Chamber President & CEO Randy Graf for a fast-paced conversation about the momentum building across Green Valley and Sahuarita’s business community.

With 426 members and growing, the Chamber continues expanding its reach, adding six new members in just the past month alone. Randy shares how the Chamber supports local businesses through networking events, marketing opportunities, advocacy, and award-winning publications — including Inside Green Valley magazine, recently recognized as one of the best small chamber publications in the western United States.

Networking, Workshops & AI for Small Business 

One of the Chamber’s most popular programs, the Breakfast & Business Workshops, is getting a flexible twist — occasionally moving to lunchtime to better accommodate busy entrepreneurs. This month’s special session features an AI training webinar designed specifically for small businesses. From creating marketing materials and presentations to improving efficiency and idea generation, AI is becoming a powerful tool for business owners looking to stay competitive.

Randy also highlights:

• Women Business Owner Roundtables
• Corporate partner discussions
• Advocacy efforts with local and county leadership
• Ongoing business growth throughout Green Valley and Sahuarita

Annual Board of Directors Dinner

April 22 Mark your calendars for the Chamber’s Annual Board of Directors Dinner & Business Meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd at Desert Diamond Casino. This year’s event celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States with a red, white, and blue theme. Expect networking, updates on Chamber initiatives, and a look ahead at what’s next for the local business community.

Community Advocacy & RTA Next

The Chamber has also taken an official position supporting Propositions 418 and 419, the RTA Next extension focused on road infrastructure, transportation improvements, and long-term regional growth. Randy explains why strong infrastructure is essential for businesses to thrive and why the Chamber believes these measures are important for the future of Southern Arizona.

For more information on upcoming events, workshops, or how to join, visit:
greenvalleysahuarita.com or call 520-600-2101.

Another informative edition of In the Know, brought to you by American Southwest Credit Union — local banking built on trust and relationships.

We talk to Tammy Riemath with the Salvation Army about volunteers and upcoming events in Green Valley.

Lisa Kiser, DNP, CNM, WHNP, is one of the trusted providers at United Community Health Center who proudly sees women through the Well Woman Program.              A certified nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner, Lisa serves as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing.              Her doctoral work focused on expanding cervical cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women, reflecting her deep commitment to equitable access to care.              She provides compassionate, culturally responsive care to women across the lifespan and serves patients at our Continental Family Medical Center and Arivaca locations.

Tax season is in full swing, and Joseph Lessard of Joseph Lessard, CPA PLLC talks with Guy Atchley and says this is truly his favorite time of year. With hundreds of clients walking through the doors, Joseph shares how meaningful it is to help Green Valley residents navigate their returns with confidence and clarity. For him, tax season isn’t just about numbers — it’s about relationships, planning, and taking care of people.

Joseph explains his philosophy on refunds and balances due, emphasizing that the goal isn’t a big surprise at the end of the year. Ideally, your return should come in close to zero — meaning your withholding and planning were done right. He also highlights new changes benefiting seniors this year, including the expanded standard deduction and additional senior deductions that are putting real money back into the pockets of Green Valley, Sahuarita and beyond residents.

Beyond the tax code, Joseph reflects on the strength of his team, including a heartfelt tribute to longtime preparer Jan Grieson, whose decades of dedication and professionalism have left a lasting mark on the firm. It’s a reminder that behind every return is a team that truly cares about the community they serve.

For assistance this tax season, Joseph encourages residents to call 520-648-2990 or email [email protected] — and remember, winter is busy, so calling ahead is best!

This week on In the Know, Andy Taylor welcomes Debbie Kenyon, President of the Green Valley Council, for an in-depth look at how the Council continues to serve and protect the Green Valley community.

Debbie explains how the Green Valley Council operates as a membership organization representing local homeowners associations, providing a unified voice at the local, state, and federal levels. From advocacy to education, the Council plays a key role in keeping residents informed and engaged.

A major highlight is the Council’s growing series of fraud prevention forums, presented in partnership with the Green Valley Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers Scam Squad. With waiting lists forming, it’s clear residents are eager to learn more about mortgage deed fraud, scam prevention, and how to protect their homes and finances. Additional sessions are already being scheduled to meet demand.

Looking ahead, Debbie previews two major upcoming events at Historic Canoa Ranch:

• Land Stewardship Workshop – March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
  
  Featuring experts from the Desert Museum, University of Arizona Extension, Pima County Conservation Lands, and Regional Flood Control. Topics include wildfire mitigation, buffelgrass management, mapping vulnerable areas, and hands-on species identification.
  
  
• 4th Annual First Responders Fair – Saturday, March 14
  
  Gates open at 9 a.m. with a suggested $5 donation benefiting the ranch. The day includes Civil Air Patrol color guard, live demonstrations from Santa Rita Fire District, Sahuarita Police Department, drone deployments, canine units, equine demonstrations, safety programs from Trico, interactive robotics displays, and a large Kids Zone. Andy will be broadcasting live from the event.

For more information or to register for upcoming programs, residents can contact the Green Valley Council at 520-648-1936 or visit gvcouncil.org.

In the Know is brought to you by American Southwest Credit Union.

Native Gardens of Green Valley  
Owners---Ellen March, Harry March, Stephanie Peterson              

Native Gardens is a longtime Green Valley family-owned business, located on La Canada Drive just north of Esperanza Blvd since 2012.  They sell everything they love. There are three distinctive departments—the plant nursery, art and home décor and fashion and accessories.   The business is known as a destination attraction for locals and out of town visitors alike.         Frequent Facebook posts keep customers up to date on the latest arrivals at the store.             The store is open Monday through Saturday   9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 until 3.