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554 West Lancaster Boulevard Lancaster, CA 93534 (661) 948-4518
Serving the community by Promoting, Protecting, Encouraging and Developing Business since 1902

Business Connection

 

March  2018

In this Month's Issue

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 Executive Committee

                    
Chairwoman of the Board
 

Vice-Chair

Past Chairwoman of the Board

Ex-Officio 
Mark Hemstreet - Chief Executive Officer
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce   
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors









Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

 Office Staff 

Mark Hemstreet, Chief Executive Officer
Anna Zarley, Event Coordinator
Sharon Molnar, Office Coordinator
What can the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce do to help grow YOUR business???

What is Your Chamber?

 

Since 1902, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has existed as a private, voluntary, nonprofit (501(C)(3) and (C)(6) business organization dedicated to improving the economic environment of business growth and prosperity. The business community now serves a greater Antelope Valley Region, with a population of more than 480,000 people


 

As the Antelope Valley continues to develop and thrive, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce continues to evolve to meet the needs of its members and our growing community. The Lancaster Chamber offers a variety of benefits to help businesses, large and small, to network and grow. 

 

Membership Benefits 

  • Personal Page on Chamber Website
  • Chamber Mobile App
  • Monthly E-Newsletter
  • Community Calendar
  • Membership Directory Listing
  • Membership City Map Listing
  • Radio Talk Show - Free
  • Chamber Classes / E-Learning Portal
  • Conference room for Members
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Endless Networking Opportunites
  • Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings
Monthly Events  
  • Membership Luncheon
  • Business-4-Breakfast
Quarterly Events
  • Mega-Mixers
  • Breakfast with Legislators

Discount Advertisement 

  • AV Press - Chamber Page
  • Video Commercials
  • Web Video - Business Showcase

Please call the Chamber for more information: (661) 948-4518 



Member Benefits
Maximizing Your Membership
 
We all talk about how to bring more awareness to our business or organization. Social Media is nothing new, but are you on top of your game?  Are you part of the Lancaster Chambers Facebook page?  Add a quick post on our member to member page. Having an event? Weekend sale? End of Season Sell-off?  or other promotional opportunity you would like to publicize?  Give it a try, it's all part of being a Member of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce!

To join our Facebook page please log in and request to join the Lancaster Chamber Member-Member group and you will be added. 
Interested in Becoming an Ambassador? 
 
Ambassadors have a unique opportunity to represent the LancasterChamber at many events, including breakfasts, luncheons, mixers, ribbon cuttings/grand openings and more! 

Through this involvement, ambassadors are able to represent the chamber while also representing and marketing their own businesses--it's truly a "win/win"relationship! 

 If you or someone at your place of business is interested in participating in our comprehensive training series and ultimately becoming an ambassador, please contact the Chamber: 
(661) 948-4518

 
March 2018

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Finance and Executive Committee Meeting
03/13/2018
7:30 am - 9:00 am
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Augusta Financial, Inc
Open House & Ribbon Cutting
03/13/2018
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
620 West Avenue L, Ste 103
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Luncheon
City Council Candidate Forum
03/14/2018
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Hellenic Center
43404 30th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Orientation
03/15/2018
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Courtyard Marriott Palmdale
Open House / Joint Mixer 
03/15/2018
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
530 West Rancho Vista Blvd
Palmdale, CA 93551

AV's Young Professionals BASH
03/16/2018
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Twisted Exit Escape Room
44920 Valley Central Way, Ste 106
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Committee Meeting
03/19/2018
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Board of Director's Meeting
03/21/2018
7:30 am-9:00 am
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
554 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Business-4-Breakfast 
Sponsored by Help For Heroes
03/22/2018
7:00 am- 8:30 am
A.M. Cafe
44205 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Okami Sushi Restaurant
One-Year Anniversary 
Ribbon Cutting
03/22/2018
4:00 pm- 5:00 pm
2073 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93536

Breakfast with Legislators
Hosted by the Lancaster Chamber
Senator Scott Wilk
Assemblyman Tom Lackey 
03/23/2018
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Elm Cusines Restaurant
44844 Elm Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534

Greatest Escape
Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting
03/31/2018
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
44820 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
Ribbon Cutting @ 10:30 am

New and Renewing Members

February 
  Introducing Our Newest Members!


Ameri Tax Service
Beatrice Brazile
2049 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA  93536
(661) 998-9834

Arensis, Inc
Nick Doyle
525 S Hewitt Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(310) 489-3826 

Augusta Financial 
Mike Meena
620 West Avenue L, Ste 103
Lancaster, CA  93534
(661) 291-2206

Desert Deli
Matt Squire 
311 East Avenue K-8
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 940-5001

Desert Christian Fellowship
Anjeanine Delgado
1011 East Avenue I
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 945-2777

Okami Sushi Restaurant
Lkhagva Tundeu
2073 West Avenue K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 941-3675

State Farm Insurance
Agent Pat Rossall
3011 Rancho Vista Blvd., Ste D
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 273-5311

Toyota of Lancaster
Geoff Yeager
43301 12th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-0731

Women In Touch 
JR Social Conduit
Jennifer Ramos
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(661) 755-2545

We Are Pleased to Present Our Renewing Members

Lamar Advertising
104 Enterprise Way
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-0721
Member Since: 1953

Century 21 
Doug Anderson  & Associates
1727 West Avenue K, Ste 102
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-4521
Member Since: 1963

Fourr, Alden, & Associates LLP
44288 Lowtree Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-8602
Member Since: 1989

Richard Spann
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 942-7806
Member Since: 1975

Hunter Dodge
Chrysler, Jeep, Ram & Fiat
1130 Auto Mall Drive
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-8411
Member Since: 1978

Northrop Grumman Corporation
3520 East Avenue M, 4T00/4B
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 540-0339
Member Since: 1987

Desert Christian Schools
44662 15th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-5071
Member Since: 1990

Antelope Valley Mall
1233 Rancho Vista Blvd, Ste 900
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 266-9150
Member Since: 1991

Mental Health America
506 West Jackman Street
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 726-2850
      Member Since: 1993         

Coldwell Banker
Commercial Valley Realty
42402 10th Street West, Ste E
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-2644
Member Since: 1993

Earth Systems Pacific
1024 West Avenue M-4
Palmdale, CA 93551
(661) 948-7538
Member Since: 1994

Fletcher's  Fire Protection
3318 West Avenue L-4
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 943-0643
Member Since: 1994

Lancaster Marketplace
44950 Valley Central Way, Ste 1-105
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 942-7897
Member Since: 1994

Koso Pacific 
Seismic Products, Inc
233 East Avenue H-8
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 942-4499
Member Since: 1997

ProCare Hospice 
42442 10th Street West, Ste E
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 951-1146
Member Since: 2002

Face & Body Place
44832 Date Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 945-0055
Member Since: 2004

Lancaster High School JROTC
44701 Eagle Way
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 726-7649
Member Since: 2005

Xerox Image Source
17072 Silica Road, Ste 102
Victorville, CA 92395
(760) 241-8044 x 600
Member Since: 2013

TownePlace Suites
2024 West Avenue J-8
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 723-6079
Member Since: 2014

MomsHouse
PO Box 805
Lancaster, CA 93584
(661) 529-2985
Member Since: 2015

Cullen Insurance Agency, Inc
701 West Lancaster Blvd
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 949-2411
Member Since: 2016

GO-OG Hard Surface 
Cleaning & Restoration
2010 West Avenue K, Ste 246
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 902-8897
Member Since: 2016

Jacob Nelson & Tone Wranglers
Palmdale, CA 93551
(818) 800-8388
Member Since: 2015

Lancaster Choice Energy
44933 Fern Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 723-6084
Member Since: 2016

M1 Express Car Wash 
44846 Valley Central Way
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 942-5777
Member Since: 2016

Coruce Vineyards & Winery
1055 Columbia Way, Ste 105
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 494-8877
Member Since: 2017

Goodwill Southern CA
342 N San Fernando Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 539-2086
Member Since: 2017



For Job Seekers:

Use the resources below to connect with area resources that can help you with job placement.   Also, use the  Chamber's membership directory  to target specific industries.

For Employers:

Tell us about your job openings! 
Chamber members are encouraged to share their job postings with Chamber staff - email a job description to sharon@lancasterchamber.org

Internships:

The Chamber is always accepting resumes for interns. Projects may vary based on skill set. If you are seeking an internship for experience or college credit, contact us to see if we may be the right fit for you.  Email your resume to sharon@lancasterchamber.org.

Member Job Openings




 Contact  Liz Montano 661-492-4234

 

chamber_logo

ChamberSTORE

Helping Support Your Local Chamber is a

WIN-WIN!!

 

Take advantage of these special rates for chamber members!!

  

"A LA CARTE" OPPORTUNITIES:

  •  Digital Display Ad on Chamber Wall - $250 / year (2050x1400 dpi).
  • Static Display Framed Poster* on chamber/visitor's center wall - $1000 / year (24x20 inches -8  AVAILABLE) -includes a free digital display for one year.
  • Chamber newsletter ad (600x600 dpi, includes link to your website) - $75 each or $750 for one year.
  • Website home page banner ad (along top of page) - $2500 per year 

PACKAGES:

  •  Package 1 - $500 - Includes one digital display ad and four newsletter ads.           
  • Package 2 - $1000 -  Includes one digital display ad, four newsletter ads, and one website home page ad.
  • Package 3 - $1000 - includes one  24"x20" framed Chamber Wall poster and one digital display.

 

ADDITIONAL MARKETING

OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Community Calendar member event posting.
  • Annual area map and directories with advertising opportunities.
  • Referrals - Hundreds of request directed to members "ONLY".
  • Mailing Labels and Membership Lists available to members "ONLY".
  • Chamber Radio Talk Show and Chamber YouTube Free to members.
  • Your business listed in the printed and online Membership Directory (Link to your website or social media!).

Chamber Membership Lists

 

 Labels by Alpha: $50.00

Chairwoman's Message 

Greetings Valued Chamber Members, 

The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has been busy at work ensuring that we are providing our members with events that help them network, stay informed, and develop as a business leaders. We are hoping to see you at these events. 

Please take a moment to mark your calendars and RSVP.

  • Wednesday, March 14th: Lancaster City Council Candidate Forum. The purpose of the candidate forum is to give our members the opportunity to hear the candidates discuss the issues of importance to them in this election.
  • Thursday, March 15th: Joint Mixer Courtyard Marriott. Come and network with other members and see the amenities and faculty that is locally in our Antelope Valley.
  • Friday, March 16th: Our AV Young Professional's first event, BASH- Business Advancing Social Hour- will held at Twisted Exited with appetizers and drinks to follow at Gino's Restaurant. 
  • Thursday, March 22nd: Business-4-Breakfast. Breakfast and Networking with fellow chamber members, this month's table sponsor is Help for Hero's. Please do not forget raffle prizes and business cards.
  • Friday, March 23rd: Breakfast Legislators. Senator Scott Wilk and Assemblyman Tom Lackey will be speaking on legislative topics and answering questions.
Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Monica Grado
Chairwoman of the Board 
2017-18
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce 
Membership Luncheon


City Council 

Candidates Forum 


The Lancaster Chamber would like to invite you to join us on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm for our monthly membership luncheon. 

This month, we will be hosting a Candidates Forum for the next General Municipal Election for the City of Lancaster that will be held on April 10, 2018.

There will be two Council seats open for the full term of three years eleven months. We have invited all who will be on the ballot and we anticipate a strong showing. 

Bios and candidate information will be provided to all in attendance. 


  EVENT INFORMATION
 
Date:  

March 14, 2018
 
Time:  
11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Location: 
J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center
43404 30th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Open House / Joint Mixer Hosted by 



Please join the Lancaster and Palmdale Chamber for an open house mixer hosted by Courtyard Marriott Palmdale !

This event os FREE to Members and Potential Members. Please be sure to bring a raffle prize with your business card attached. 

Thursday, March 15, 2018
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Event Location
Courtyard Marriott Palmdale
530 West Rancho Vista Blvd
Palmdale, CA 93551


Hope to see you there!

BUSINESS-4-BREAKFAST

 
   
  Join us for business, stay for breakfast!
 
     Thursday, February 22, 2018
7:00 A.M.- 8:30 A.M


This Months Breakfast is Sponsored by:


(661) 755-1567
                     
 Event Location
A.M. Cafe
44205 10th Street West
Lancaster,  CA 93534


Please RSVP by Noon the day before the breakfast if you would like your business name to be included in the list that gets handed out to all attendees.

Be sure to bring plenty of business cards!

Please note:
 If you RSVP and do not attend you will be invoiced
Work Ethics Scholarship 
 
 
Do you know of a High School senior planning to attend college this fall, who demonstrates a positive Work Ethic, and could use a little extra money?

Tell them about the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Work Ethics Scholarship! 

The Work Ethics Scholarship program is fully funded by donations and last year provided $10,000 in scholarships to 14 local High School graduates who are attending Colleges and Universities this year. The Lancaster Chamber is dedicated to building a strong future for the youth of today by supporting our students who have made a commitment of attending college. For over 100 years the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce has remained dedicated to encouraging higher education as a means of preparing young people to become stronger leaders and citizens in our community.
 
The Scholarships are based on academics, the student's demonstrated work ethics in either a paid job or internship, and future aspirations. Awardees must graduate High School in the Antelope Valley and provide proof of college enrollment. Scholarships are provided in $500 levels, dependent on  sponsorship's   received.

The 2018 Work Ethics Scholarship application is available on our website at www.lancasterchamber.org , or can be found by clicking  here. 

The deadline to apply is March 31, 2018. Good luck!

The Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce Education Foundation, is a charitable non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

The Chamber is upgrading our website and web presence to increase your business online! As you may know, our Chamber receives tons of impressions a month from people searching our area through search engines and within our own membership directory. In order to help in this indexing process, and to improve your own business success online, the Chamber provides (included in membership) each and every member with their own marketing landing page that is sometimes referred to as a Traffic Catcher System (TCS) page. 

We know you are busy.............. 
SO WE ARE HAPPY TO BUILD THIS PAGE FOR YOU.

All you need to do is login to our website at    www.lancasterchamber.org  (you can use the lost password function if you forgot your login info.)

Once in, simply look for the BRIGHT RED REQUEST SETUP BUTTON, click it and answer a few short questions. We will provide you with your own personal assistant to help promote your business! 

When you are done you will receive an email so that you can review and request any changes or log in and make those changes yourself. It is that easy! 

We hope you will take the time to set up your TCS today!


Thank you to all who came out in support of Lancaster Optometry at our Quarterly Mega-Mixer!





For one night only the Chamber pot was back! One lucky chamber member was chosen at random and announced at the mixer. You MUST be present to win but unfortunately, Joshua Memorial Park was not present to claim their prize! The $500 went back in the pot and will be available for you to win at the next Quarterly Mega-Mixer on May 17, 2018!
  
     FREE 
      Chamber Radio 
     Talk Show

"Minding Your Business"

Minding Your Business (MYB) the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce weekly radio show, features Chamber members and Friends each Saturday at 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on 
High Desert Radio 1380am. 

Hosted by Chris Spicher of AV Florist and Aaron Goldstein of Goldstein Digital. Music by Lions Named Leo of Bakersfield.
                       
 Call Chris Spicher: (661) 948-6006



  View our videos on YouTube 

Businesses save California's Skin, Once Again
By Senator Scott Wilk

Businesses have been getting hammered. For years they've been increasingly taxed, regulated, penalized and punished in any - and every - way here in California.

A particularly onerous and expensive hit is finally coming to an end in April. Under Governor Gray Davis, the legislature tapped into and spent a $5.6 billion 'rainy day' surplus in the Unemployment Insurance fund - a fund financed by payroll taxes paid by California's employers. At the same time Davis and the Legislature voted to double benefits for the unemployed. As a result, when the Great Recession hit, California couldn't afford the tab to cover unemployment insurance claims. 

Overextended benefits and a record number of unemployed people quickly drained the state's fund. To keep checks going out to unemployed Californians the state borrowed $3 billion from the federal government. And when the feds came collecting on the loan, California businesses large and small were left to foot the bill. 

California was not alone in borrowing from the feds; many states had to take out loans. But California was the only state who foisted the bill solely onto the business community. As a result for the past 7 years businesses have shouldered astronomical taxes to pay off this debt.

I opposed sticking the state's burden solely to the business community from the start. General Fund revenues could have helped; bonds could have been issued as they often are to pay down debts. Many remedies were available, but Governor Jerry Brown and legislative leaders were intent on pushing the burden to the already vulnerable business community instead. A travesty and a shameful move on the part of those involved.

During those 7 years too many of our business closed their doors, imposed layoffs to keep costs down, or just scraped by while their profits evaporated - all to pay for the state's fiscal irresponsibility.

But true to form, the business community got it done. They've resurged in ways none of us thought possible. Unemployment is at near record lows as businesses found creative ways to put more folks back to work. They've led California back to its rightful place as the world's sixth largest economy. And however unfair, they shouldered the burdens placed on them by the state Legislature's bungling of the unemployment insurance trust fund.

Good news business owners: The worst is almost over. By this time next year, your unemployment insurance taxes will have returned to pre-2011 levels. For some it will mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings each year. For others, a modest but hugely significant $1,000. In either case a wrong will finally be undone, albeit with no thanks to the state government that got these folks in the mess to begin with.

Senator Wilk represents the 21st Senate District which includes the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Victor Valleys. You can learn more about Scott by visiting his website.
Office Depot 
National Chamber Program

Join thousands of others who benefit from perks, discounts and business solutions through the National Chamber Program. We've championed the office products space to give you the best in group purchasing and world class customer service. Help your business grow- it's more than just a discount!

The Month In Pictures

February

40th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting 
Westside Body & Paint
5054 West Avenue M-2, Quartz Hill
(661) 943-3639
Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting 
Twisted Exit Escape Room
44920 Valley Central Way, Ste 106, Lancaster
(661) 547-8602
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Membership Luncheon
Steven Derryberry- Kestler, Derryberry, LLP
Austin Rice- Fourr, Alden & Associates
Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting 
Premier Dental Care
612 West Lancaster Blvd,  Lancaster
(661) 948-6700
Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting
Ameri Tax Service
2049 West Avenue K, Lancaster 93536
(661) 998-9834
Business-4-Breakfast 
"Table Sponsor"
Antelope Valley Florist 
Chris Spicher,  (661) 948-6006
Business-4-Breakfast 
"Best Commercial Winner"
Light House Studios
Buddhika Ekanyake, (661) 547-8732
Open House Ribbon Cutting 
Ellison John Transitional Care Ctr
43830 10th Street West, Lancaster
(661) 494-8600
Opening Ceremonies Ribbon Cutting 
AV Girls Softball Association (AVGSA)
El Dorado Field, 44501 5th Street E , Lancaster