News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber
|
|
|
|
Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Office closed Monday, November 11.
|
|
Let's Go Old School - A Message from the Lafayette Chamber
Small businesses run on hard work and expectations. One of those expectations is knowing you will be open and ready for business each day. But that has changed for many businesses in our neighborhood. The PSPS (Power Shutdowns) have been a big challenge to our community. For families, it disrupts their routines. Added pressure comes when you don’t have electricity and you can not predict if school will be open for the kids, or the gas station open to fill up. We rely on the services around us to get by each day. We take them for granted. We take electricity, and gas, and communications for granted. Now we face the “New Normal.” Our businesses have suffered and this is one of those times we need to thank our business community by supporting them.
Let’s go
old school, skip the shopping on Amazon these next few weeks and shop downtown. Shopping Local matters! Remember, when downtown closes the city loses the sales tax revenue that goes directly into the city’s General Fund. All of us were inconvenienced with the shutdowns. Small businesses were devastated. Profit margins are fragile and loosing multiple days of commerce is critical to their survival. Restaurants and Grocery Stores took the biggest hit. They had to deal with all the perishables that were lost or at risk.
There will be discussion on who is responsible. Will there be compensation for the lost time and products? People are mad and this is understandable. But please, don’t take your anger out on the very people who are trying to help you. I had the opportunity to speak to a number of PG&E linemen. They have been yelled at, threatened, and been given the finger. These are not the people that have made questionable decisions about our utilities over the last 40 years. In my opinion, like our first responders, they are the heroes in this story. Show them you appreciate the work they are asked to do.
Lafayette has embraced the concept of BE KIND. Let’s model kindness. And one way we can do that is to support our local businesses. Put some money in the meters without getting “pissed off.” We are all in this together. Our local merchants will be happy to see you.
Jay Lifson, Executive Director, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
|
|
PSPS – Tell us Your Story
Lafayette’s city staff is preparing a report to be delivered to City Council at next Tuesday night’s meeting. The report will focus on the costs associated with the Power Shut-down. It would be helpful for the report to include some indication about how our businesses and services were compromised during the outages.
This is a time sensitive request. The information must be made available to the city by noon tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5.
• Name - name of the business and contact email.
• How long were you unable to open for business? 1st shutdown or second?
• Did you have enough information to guide you through the event?
• Additional cost for lost labor and product?
• Anything else you would like to add?
We’ll collect the stories and deliver them to city staff.
Thank you!
|
|
Ribbon Cutting at Nice Lashes & Brows
Join us for a ribbon cutting at Nice Lashes on
November 7 at 5pm. They are located at 3555 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Ste A.
This event is free but registration is requested.
|
|
Welcome to our Newest Members!
The following businesses have recently joined the Lafayette Chamber. We encourage you to visit their website for more information.
1200 Contra Costa Blvd., Suite A, Concord
Stephen Snyder, 510-599-4700
Covered CA Certified Enrollment Agent, Small Business Healthcare, Dental and Vision, Supplemental Protection, Life Insurance, Contacts
Category: Insurance Services
3391 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
Kenneth Ligon, 925-385-6585
Anything hair - cut and color on all age and and gender.
Category: Beauty Salons & Services
|
|
The Votes Are In!
Say hello to our new board members that will serving their two year term beginning January 1st, 2020:
Larry Blodgett, Blodgett’s Abbey Carpet & Flooring
Kathy Merchant, Las Trampas Capitol Campaign
John McCormick, Lamorinda Music (incoming President)
Dennis Garrison, Oakwood Athletic Club
Chris Lane, Bank of the West
Matt Pease, Back to the Table Cooking School and Production Kitchen
Nick Bozych, Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
Caesar Perales, Caesar Perales CPA
And our three appointed Directors-At-Large:
Jeremy Steel, Steel Chiropractic
Jesse Wellen, Lafayette Car Wash & Detail Center
Michael Heller, BMW Concord
The Board Slate will be ratified at our November Board Meeting. Thanks for voting!
|
|
Tuesday Talk: Failure to Prosperity
Tuesday, November 12, 12noon-1pm
Are you burning the candle at both ends and still coming up short of your goals? Many clients struggle with this too. Join Holly for this talk, Failure to Prosperity, to discover the secrets to consistent success without burnout or overwhelm.
This event is free but
registration is requested due to limited seating. Registration will be available starting tomorrow, October 15.
|
|
November Chamber Mixer - Mix & Mingle at J. McLaughlin
Wednesday, November 13, 5:30pm–7pm
Celebrate the season of giving with an evening of light bites and festive cocktails at
J. McLaughlin
. J. McLaughlin, a multigenerational lifestyle brand, has been styling men and women since its New York inception in 1977. Rooted in the tradition of sport, work and play, J. McLaughlin taps into the iconic legacy of true American Sportswear, and is known for its impeccable craftsmanship featuring standout colors and a portfolio of signature prints.
Keeping in the spirit of giving, should anyone decide they can’t leave the mixer without a J. McLaughlin signature piece, J. McLaughlin will donate 15% of all sales to the Las Trampas organization, a Lafayette based nonprofit that has a rich history of providing services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Cheers!
|
|
Ribbon Cutting at Anthony's Custom Picture Framers
Thursday, November 21, 5pm, 1020 Brown Ave
After 28 years of service, we are proud to reintroduce ourselves as
Anthony's Custom Picture Framers. Family owned and operated since 1991. Anthony and Tony look forward to seeing you soon and assisting you with all your framing needs.
Please join us for our ribbon cutting at 5pm. We are still located at 1020 Brown Ave, Lafayette. This event is free but registration is requested.
Register here>>
|
|
41st Annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast
Our speaker is Sean Perlmutter of
Pivotal Twist with “The Strangers of Kindness.” In his 20 minute talk, Sean Perlmutter will discuss the challenges to kindness, why they need to be overcome, and how to make kindness a core part of your daily existence.
Now is the time to come together in thanks and kindness! Please join us for the 41st annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast. We invite and welcome everyone – politicos, non-profits, school representatives, business leaders, community leaders, religious leaders, Rotarians, our Chamber members, neighbors and the Lamorinda community to all come together to share in a delicious breakfast and enjoy a special speaker. Tickets are $25 per person. Please join us Friday morning, November 22, at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center. Event starts at 7am and ends by 8:30am.
|
|
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Business Person of the Year
On Friday, January 31, 2020, the Lafayette Chamber will honor the Lafayette Business Person of the Year during the State of the City Address at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. Tickets for the dinner will be made available shortly after the announcement.
(Photo of 2019 Business Person of the Year, Terry Ring)
Nominations for this prestigious award will be accepted through Friday, December 13, 2019.
Submit your nomination
online or
download this PDF then fax, email, mail or bring it to the Chamber office, 251 Lafayette Circle, Suite 150, Lafayette, CA 94549. Fax number is (925) 284-3109. Nomination deadline is Friday, December 13, 2019.
|
|
We LOVE Lafayette!
Check out some of the local Lafayette Merchandise offered by our downtown Chamber members!
Whether you are looking for a special gift or just want to promote our home town, be sure to shop and represent 94549.
Clocks etc., Farmyard Darlings, Indigo and Poppy, Lemon, Luck, Taneyhill Art in JPG@theBank, Venture and coming soon, Diablo Foods, all sell Lafayette items.
Please let us know if we missed any Lafayette Merch retailers, especially Chamber members! We will be posting on social media and our website as the holiday season approaches!
|
|
The Art of Leadership: Opportunity in the Unknown
Wednesday, November 6, 7pm-10pm, JPG@TheBank
An evening of talks for founders, entrepreneurs, and organization leaders. How do you cast your line in murky waters? With excitement? As a challenge? Or do you hold your breath and hope for the best? As entrepreneurs, we know what gets measured, gets done.
But less frequently discussed are the fertile fields of potential in unexplored areas, how to recognize them and take advantage. This night of talks will shed light on ways to embrace the unknown for maximum value. This event will explore important considerations, like: Invention and Innovation, Mindset, Interrelationship Communication
|
|
FREE Cross-Group Speed Networking Event to Get You Into Networking Alignment with the Convergence of Business Networking and Online Networking Followup
Tuesday, November 12, 6:00pm-8:30pm, Capital One Café, 1139 S. N Main St., Walnut Creek
Check-in and Register at 5:30 pm ... come grab a glass of wine and a bite to eat and start networking early. Speed Networking will start promptly at 6:30pm. Bring your business cards and be ready with your 60-second elevator pitch.
RSVP on Eventbrite to get your ticket. Only 150 people will be allowed in, so get your ticket early as you have to have a ticket to get in. Tickets are FREE!
|
|
CSC Lafayette Community Information Meeting
Tuesday, November 5, 7pm-8:30pm, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive
Join us for a community presentation and discussion about our vision of a new campus for health and healing in Lafayette. Cancer Support Community leadership, the project architect, and engineer, will be there with drawings, plans, and projections. We welcome you to come with questions you may have about Cancer Support Community coming to Lafayette.
RSVP here.
Lamorinda Home Show - Discount Expires Nov. 8!
Bay Area Festivals is presenting its inaugural Lamorinda Home Show on Saturday, Feb 1, at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Building on Mt. Diablo Blvd. The Home Show is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission for the public to meet and discuss all aspects of home improvements---inside and out—with an exclusive set of exhibitors.
Another organization produced a home expo in the same venue for the past eight years but they no longer do events. Award-winning event producers Bay Area Festivals are members of Lamorinda Presents as well as the Chamber and have been doing multiple other events in the city for eight years.
There are 46 exhibitor spaces available at the indoor Lamorinda Home Show. Bay Area Festivals is offering fellow Lafayette Chamber members a $50 discount for each table space. This discount offer expires Nov. 8, so don’t miss an opportunity to showcase your company to the greater Lamorinda community.
LamorindaHomeShow.com
New from Gold Coast: Listening with Kai
Wednesday, November 13, 7pm
Musicologist, Kai Christiansen's pre-concert talks have become a popular part of the Gold Coast concert experience. Join Kai for a pilot program, Listening with Kai, in the beautiful Lafayette home of Valerie and Geoffrey Meredith. Together, we will explore the most powerful fundamentals of musical design through a close study of one or two short pieces and a shared conversation. Sharpen your listening skills and cultivate your practice of mindful listening: deepen your relationship with music in a relaxed setting. No experience or special knowledge required! Everyone is welcome! Light refreshments served. Tickets are $20,
purchase here.
The Coop's Relaunch Party
Friday, November 15, 6pm, 32 Lafayette Circle
New chef, new menu, new Coop! Lamorinda friends and family are invited to enjoy complimentary appetizers, music and dancing with Diamond Dave to celebrate their relaunch!
RSVP here.
|
|
Wine Tasting & Info Meeting on Tours of the English Countryside
Sunday, November 17, 5-6:30pm and Monday, November 18, 7-8:30pm, Deer Hill Vineyards, Lafayette
Join Rose and Heather Tours for a complimentary event: A short picturesque talk about tours to the English Countryside in May 2020. The rest of the time will be spent sampling Deer Hill's delicious wines, nibbling light appetizers, and socializing. Please feel free to invite a friend/family member. Register
here.
Lamorinda Arts Alliance Announces Irenka Kudlicki and Dalia Alekna at the Samadian Gallery
Reception: Thursday, November 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Open to the Public November-December, Monday–Friday 10am-5pm, 23 Orinda Way Suite 301, Orinda
Samadian Gallery in Orinda presents, now through December, engaging abstract paintings by Irenka Kudlicki and alluring pastels by Dalia Alekna. Both Lamorinda Arts Alliance (LAA) artists were members of the Lafayette Gallery and the Diablo Fine Art Gallery.
The newly established Samadian Gallery at 23 Orinda Way Suite 301, Orinda, is an exceptional venue in which to view rotating exhibits by LAA member artists. The gallery is hosted by a local business – Dr. Amin Samadian’s Comprehensive & Advanced Dentistry – in support of local artists.
Samadian Gallery reception will be held on Thursday, November 21st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The reception will feature wine tasting from Scout & Cellar, a provider of specialty wines not available in stores. This will be a wonderful opportunity to mingle with the artists and enjoy a taste of specialty wines!
This exhibit is supported by Lamorinda Arts Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports local artists. For more than two decades, LAA has promoted the visual arts though exhibits in libraries and businesses, at open studio events, street fairs, and lectures, and in the community's art galleries.
LPIE is looking for an Executive Director!
After serving 20 years as LPIE’s Executive Director, Myrna Kimmelman plans to retire at the end of June 2020. That means a search for her replacement is in full swing.
Click here to read the job description. Please spread the word to any interested candidates you may know. We will be reviewing resumes as they come in with formal interviews coming in the new calendar year and a start date in March. Thank you for your help with our search! If you have any questions, please contact us at
president@lpie.org.
|
|
Why Great Public Schools Matter
Wednesday, November 6, 6pm-9pm, Acalanes Performing Arts Center, 1200 Pleasant Hill Road
Lafayette residents, former and current students and staff, and the general public are invited to join us for a timely and stimulating panel discussion on growing up in Lafayette, the impact of public education in society, and the challenges California public schools face today. Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Club, will facilitate a lively conversation with other Lafayette public school alumni on the impact their Lafayette classroom education had on their personal and professional lives.
Confirmed panelists include:
Dr. Gloria Duffy (Acalanes HIgh School '71): President and CEO of The Commonwealth Club, and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Bret Taylor (Acalanes High School '98): President and Chief Product Officer of Salesforce, Co-Creator of Google Maps and Co-Founder of Quip. Alan Chin (Acalanes High School '05): American Contemporary Artist
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
The Lafayette School District is accepting applications to select members of its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The committee will be composed of parents, staff, and community members from varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences who have demonstrated commitment to this work. Once the committee is convened, it will meet on a regular basis at reasonable intervals throughout the school year.
The work may include consideration of programs and staff development to address issues of inclusion and diversity, curricular approaches which highlight role models and consider representation, parent education, and the district’s approach to special events with respect to acknowledging diversity and different perspectives.
If you would be interested in serving on the committee, go to
lafsd.org and click on the link "Diversity and Inclusion Application" and be specific as possible about your experience in the district and your interest in these issues. If you have any questions regarding the upcoming work on the committee please contact me at
superintendent@lafsd.org.
Application deadline is Friday, November 8, 2019 and the committee will convene its first meeting in January 2020.
|
|
Happening at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
|
|
Day at the Library 10th Birthday Celebration for the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Saturday, November 9, 12pm-3pm, Lafayette Library
A FREE celebration with fun for all ages! Join us for birthday cake at noon, followed by musical performances from Peter Pan Foundation, student jazz ensemble from Campolindo High School, and hula with Kaleo o Ka "Aina ukulele group. Guest children's authors, books, food, activities, crafts and so much more! For event schedule and to register,
click here.
Medicare 2020-What you need to know
Monday, November 4, 6:30 - 7:30 PM Homework Center
What’s happening with your Medicare drug or Advantage plan for the coming year? Open Enrollment is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. At this talk, you’ll get an overview of the 2020 changes affecting Medicare Prescription and Advantage Plans in our county. You’ll learn about your coverage options, how to find the optimal plan for your needs, and receive helpful handouts. For more information and to register,
click here.
World Affairs Council East Bay Chapter - The Use and Misuse of U.S. Military as a Tool of Foreign Policy
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 6:30pm, Don Tatzin Community Hall
Speaker: Dr. Michael S. Baker M.D. RADM (lh), US Navy (ret)
The US Military has been used (and misused) for the last 75 years as a foreign policy cudgel in an uneven and often inexplicable fashion. The world's most powerful military has not won a war in 75 years, has destroyed numerous societal systems, created millions of displaced refugees, and spawned disdain for our policies along with creating numerous enemies. We will look at case studies of American foreign policy fiascos which have eroded the image and reputation of America around the world. Tickets: Members $5; Non-members $10; Students FREE. More information,
click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
