News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber |
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
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Ribbon Cutting at Diablo Auto Works!
TOMORROW Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 8:30am at Diablo Auto Works … 3364 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.
It's our first in-person event of the year!
Diablo Auto Works is an automotive customization shop. Services include Test Only Smog, Window Tinting Services, Tires, Wheels, and NEW! DMV registration services! Check out their Instagram page or website to learn more! Come meet owner, Luis Velez, Jr. and say hi to fellow members (from 6ft away!)
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Coffee and a breakfast treat generously provided by Lafayette Chamber member Associated Services! Associated Services specializes in providing coffee and healthy snacks to companies in the Bay Area. Delivering happiness for more than 40 years.
Registration is requested. Limited attendees due to current safety restrictions. High risk individuals or those not feeling well should not attend. Face coverings will be required unless immediately eating or drinking.
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Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9!
Find that special gift! The Lafayette Chamber's Mother's Day Gift Guide is now online! We are also including special meals for Mother's Day and subsequently Graduation and Father's Day.
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Join the CHAMBER TEAM in the Hope Walk!
Virtual Hope Walk, May 9-15, 2021: walk, hike, swim, or ride from your favorite spot and send picture!
Take the first step, sign up and help our team move forward for a good cause.
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Lafayette’s Favorite Dinner Party – The “Taste of Lafayette” Restaurant Stroll!
Tuesday, June 22, 5pm-8pm, Downtown Lafayette
The Lafayette Chamber is preparing for our first community event of the year, the Taste of Lafayette!
We have two entertainment sponsorships left! $250 each. Interested? Contact Sara.
The “stroll” begins when ticket holders head out at their own pace to stop at any or all of the participating restaurants for sampling. Open-air shuttle bus will be provided. Will call and bar will be at Lafayette Plaza Park 5pm-8pm. Evening includes music throughout the stroll.
Tickets are now on sale, $50 early bird through May 31, 2021, $55 thereafter. Tickets are limited and the event will account for any state/county health and safety guidelines. Please note you may be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result within 72 hours of the event. High risk or those not feeling well should not attend. Face coverings will be required unless immediately eating or drinking.
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Welcome New Members!
The following businesses and organizations joined the Lafayette Chamber last week! We encourage you to visit their website and social media to learn more.
1481 Sunset Loop, Lafayette, CA
Graham Wiseman, 925-967-4438
In response to the alarming rise in anxiety, depression and suicide ideation in our students, BeingwellCa was founded. We are Dedicated to Improving Student Mental Health in California by providing workshops, seminars and presentations for Students, Educators and Parents.
Categories: Educational Services, Community Resources, Non-Profit Organizations & Clubs
2987 College Ave, Berkeley, CA
Aran Nafisi, 925-708-8047
Top producing team offering residential mortgage lending services to homeowners, first time home buyers and experienced real estate investors.
Category: Mortgage Lending / Services
Orinda, CA
Efraim Lubliner, 925-283-1700
WE'RE BACK! The International Film Showcase resumes screenings on Friday May 14 - Sunday May 16 at the Orinda Theatre. RIDERS OF JUSTICE, the Danish film starring Mads Mikkelsen, has won four Danish Oscars. USA Premiere! The film will play three times daily at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00. Due to Covid 19 we can accommodate only 50 people per screening. Watch trailer here. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased in advance here.
Categories: Entertainment, Non-Profit Organizations & Clubs
4546 Toyon Pl., Oakland, CA
Christina Hernandez, 510-338-2997
Christina Hernandez, of Nightingale Photography, offers a natural, candid approach to newborn, family, wedding and headshot photography.
Category: Photography
1016 Blackwood Lane, Lafayette, CA
Lindsay Vico, 925-584-2885
Romp Collection is a clever but simple mix of Country Western Chic, Trendy Boho, and Everyday California Western. From desk to date night, kiddo-drop to happy hour with the ladies, there's a little something for everyone.
Category: Clothing & Accessories
1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga, CA
Mary Poppingo, 925-631-4793
Liberal Arts College in Moraga
Category: Schools
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Thank You Renewing Members!
The following members renewed their membership April 26-May 2, 2021.
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Member Shout-Out: Lafayette Community Foundation's 2021 Excellence Grants Recipients
This week's Member Shout-Out goes to the Lafayette Community Foundation's 2021 Excellence Grants recipients! LCF takes great care in selecting respected, viable nonprofits that have the greatest impact on the communities they serve. Its Grants Committee conducts in-depth analyses of these organizations to ensure that the work they do aligns with LCF's vision of enhancing life, culture and community...together.
Human Services
Seniors
Youth Development & Education
Arts & Culture
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Support our neighbors who are homeless and in great need! Undies and Sock Collection Drive is under way!
Join us in the struggle to end poverty. Local Lafayette Chamber member businesses will be collection sites during the month of May. A list of sites is posted here including:
"We love that there are various drop-off points to make it easier for the community to contribute items that will be a blessing and an encouragement to the people in our community who are homeless or otherwise in great need." - Dean G. Hollenbeck | Director, Major Gifts, Corp. Partnerships & New Life Golf Tournament, Bay Area Rescue Mission
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If a business has a hiring need, they can email their job announcement directly to Charles Brown III, cbrown2@ehsd.cccounty.us. The workforce services team will assist with promoting the opportunity and assist them with finding qualified talent, all at no cost.
The WDBCCC and its partners provide no-cost HR services, no-cost business advising/training, and SBA funding, no-cost recruiting services, as well as introducing government incentives, etc. This is your tax dollars going to work for you. Call 1-888-599-7645 M-F, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Click here to learn more.
Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) is sharing its Human Resources commercial for CCC: Contra Costa County. This commercial is done in partnership between both the WDBCCC and the California Employers Association (CEA). This partnership provides no-cost HR services to businesses in Contra Costa County. Watch the video here.
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Classifieds
Now Hiring!
Are you looking for a job? See also our Instagram Highlight for Lafayette Chamber businesses that are hiring! |
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Room for Rent at Lafayette Beauty
Lafayette Beauty in downtown Lafayette has an available room for rent. It would make a great space for an esthetician or someone who wants to do micro blading, lash extensions or other personal services. The rent is $750 including utilities. Contact Fereshta Popal at (510) 825-1398 for more information.
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Sub-lease available at 3355 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
The Peter Pan Foundation would like to find a tenant that would allow them to share the space for occasional use. So if the tenant used it primarily during business hours, PPF could have use of that room evenings and weekends, potentially.
It's one large room, about 300 sq. feet. Access to a private bathroom.
There is a door that separates that room from the PPF side of the building.
One parking space would be available in the back.
Rent would be $900 a month plus $50 for utilities that would include, PG&E, water, garbage and internet. The space is available 4/1 but can be moved into anytime during the month of April, with pro-rated rents. Looking for someone to sign a 6 month lease with month-to-month after that and a 60 day notice to vacate. For more info, call Gina Campo, 925-822-2561
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Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
SBA has begun accepting applications via the application portal as of May 3 at 9am. The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
In preparation, qualifying applicants should familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application.
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If you haven't already, register for an account on the application portal at restaurants.sba.gov. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register.
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Review the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. SBA also added screenshots of the application portal that are available here.
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Applications must be submitted in English or Spanish. SBA has documents in additional languages to help you understand eligibility requirements, fill out applications, and answer frequently asked questions. See the additional languages and materials here.
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If you were unable to attend one of the webinars held last week which covered program details and a demonstration of the application portal, you can watch the recording here.
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Relief Funding for Lafayette Small Businesses & Non Profits
The City of Lafayette is proud to offer the Small Business Assistance Program to all small businesses within our community. Small business assistance webinars are held every Thursday afternoon at 4pm to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program and other tips to obtain funding. There is also a Q&A panel where you can get answers to your questions live. Feel free to register for the Webinar by clicking HERE and select the date and time that works best for you. Get verified for this free service HERE.
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General Plan Update: Housing Element Workshops
The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) is winding down its informational phase of the Housing Element update and is moving into the public input period. The GPAC is hosting four community workshops to gather input on how our community should plan for housing. Each session will be a deep dive into different aspects of what goes into the Housing Element and the workshops will be an opportunity to connect with other community members on the topic of housing.
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General Plan Advisory Council (GPAC) Survey: What Should be the mission of the City of Lafayette?
The City of Lafayette is conducting a survey of people that live and work in Lafayette to find out what you believe should be the vision of our city in the future. The General Plan Advisory Council (GPAC) is conducting this survey and the results will help guide the GPAC in suggesting a new vision of the city to the Lafayette City Council. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and have a voice in our future.
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DIY Video Engagement Tactics
Tuesday, May 18, 12noon, Online
Sharing your stories and engaging your audience is one of the best assets in your toolkit. Learn strategies to amplify your impact.
Special guest, Christi Lowe – a two time Emmy Award Winning Video Producer, and broadcast journalism veteran, will join us to talk about the types of videos that work when marketing your business, and how to beef up your video quality.
We will discuss the following:
- Why Video Marketing Matters
- How to Look Pro on a DIY Budget
- Recording Strategies
- Engagement Ninja Tips
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Out There Art Fair, 10 Artists, Music and Demos
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Oakwood Athletic Club moves INDOORS Monday, May 3rd!
We are excited to welcome members back inside to experience the Club we know and love! Reservations are required via the Member Login! Check out all operations at oakwoodathleticclub.com.
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Member & Community Announcements |
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Did you know California makes 80% of the wine consumed in the United States? Find out this and more wine fun facts in this interview with wine and food influencer K.C. Cornwell. For their “California Green” series she talks about how to define sustainability in the wine realm—from making the wine to running a winery business. Watch and celebrate April’s Down to Earth Month with “California Live.”
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White Pony Express - All of us taking care of all of us!
White Pony Express is a local nonprofit that rescues fresh, surplus food and high quality clothing and distributes it to those in need.
During the month of June, they will conduct their “All of Us Auction" where they will offer vacation getaways, gift baskets, designer clothing, high end jewelry, spa treatments, restaurant certificates, and more! The money raised will support the White Pony General Store and a needed boutique-on-wheels (aka: a truck). This boutique-on-wheels will allow WPE to deliver clothing, shoes, diapers, and emergency supplies directly to the people that need – but can’t afford – these items.
If you can support WPE with a donation for this auction (i.e., gift certificate, gift basket, etc.), please contact Steve Spraitzar at steve@whiteponyexpress.org for the details.
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Make a Donation to the Lafayette Community Foundation
For more than 20 years, the Lafayette Community Foundation (LCF) has been awarding grants to local nonprofits in the categories of Human Services, Seniors, Youth Development & Education and Arts & Culture. LCF has distributed hundreds of grants totaling more than $800,000 to nonprofits that address the needs of the communities they serve. This past year was especially challenging for nonprofits as they were forced to cancel fundraisers and reimagine the way the serve their constituents.
By donating to LCF, businesses can be confident that their donation dollars will be directed to worthwhile causes that provide the highest level of assistance to those in need in Lafayette and the surrounding communities.
LCF takes great care in selecting respected, viable nonprofits that have the greatest impact on the communities they serve. Its Grants Committee conducts in-depth analyses of these organizations to ensure that the work they do aligns with LCF's vision of enhancing life, culture and community...together.
LCF's intention is to provide its donors and business partners the opportunity to achieve their own philanthropic goals and work with LCF to make the greatest impact in Lafayette and the surrounding communities. To learn more about LCF, please visit http://www.lafayettecf.org. |
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FREE Medicare Seminars
Tuesday, May 4, 6pm and Thursday, May 20, noon
If you or someone you know has questions about Medicare, our free, virtual, and educational seminars are perfect for you. We have licensed Medicare agents teaching you all the basics. Join us to get your questions answered. No cost, no obligation. No Sales. Under 1 hour. For times and dates and to REGISTER go to canopy.vanbergins.com OR call (877) 833-4253 TTY 711. |
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Diablo Magazine: A call for entries, tell us about an Agent of Change
Diablo magazine is looking for the next generation of changemakers, and they want to hear about how you're making your mark on the East Bay. Submit your own story, or tell us about someone you know who is a trailblazer in our community. Learn more and submit here. Entries due by May 31.
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Contra Costa Now Offering COVID Vaccines to Everyone No Matter Where They Live
With COVID-vaccine supply now plentiful, Contra Costa County will now vaccinate everyone at its clinics regardless of whether they live or work in the County or not.
Contra Costa will offer vaccine to people ages 16+ from other parts of Bay Area, California and even those from elsewhere in the United States.
“We’ve always said that this virus doesn’t recognize borders. Now we can say that Contra Costa County no longer cares about borders when it comes to getting people vaccinated against COVID,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, the County’s health officer. “To end the pandemic, we need to vaccinate as many people as possible – not just people from Contra Costa, but from all over.”
Opening vaccination to everyone won’t affect Contra Costa residents’ ability to get vaccinated themselves. The move comes at a new point in the vaccine rollout where supply is exceeding demand. In the past two weeks, appointments at the County’s vaccine sites have begun to go unfilled.
People can schedule vaccine appointments online or by calling 833-829-2626. They can also visit one of our walk-in clinics without an appointment. To see the latest local vaccination statistics, visit our online vaccine dashboard.
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center |
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Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation Distinguished Speaker Series Presents Kelly Corrigan: Hello World!
New York Times bestselling author Kelly Corrigan is back with a beautifully illustrated new book that celebrates the people in our lives and the meaningful connections we make that come from asking each other questions.
Written in honor of Kelly’s dad Greenie, Hello World! is about embracing every interaction as an opportunity to connect and grow. It’s the perfect reminder that the journeys we take through life are all about the people we meet along the way--people who will make us smarter, stronger, and more amazing than we ever thought possible.
With her trademark wit and inspirational wisdom, Corrigan writes the perfect book for the lifelong learner in all of us, especially anyone about to embark on a new adventure - starting school or graduating! Illustrated by Stacy Ebert.
Registration: $20 includes a signed copy of Hello World! and admission to this event.
Proceeds benefit the Lafayette Library.
This program is presented by the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
SHOP FOR A CAUSE! Love You More Jewelry Trunk Show
Thursday, May 6, 2021, 11:00 am - 6:00 PM Don Tatzin Community Hall
Love You More is a beautiful and purposeful line of handcrafted, on-trend jewelry and accessories with pieces designed to fit any style and budget. Love You More will donate 100% of all profits for items sold from their exclusive 'Giving Collection' + 20% of all other purchases* to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Come shop for fabulous Mother's Day gifts, graduation gifts, and summer accessories all while supporting the Lafayette Library! Click here for more info. *Offer excludes fine gold and diamond jewelry.
Joyce Carol Oates In conversation with Danielle Evans, 2021 Winner of the Joyce Carol Oates Prize
Join us for a spirited and intimate conversation with award-winning author Joyce Carol Oates and Danielle Evans, winner of the 5th annual Joyce Carol Oates Prize. The $50,000 prize is awarded to a mid career author by The New Literary Project, formerly the Simpson Literary Project.
Evans is the author of The Office of Historical Corrections and Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self. Her short stories have appeared in The Paris Review, A Public Space, American Short Fiction, and more.
This program is presented by the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation in partnership with The New Literary Project (formerly The Simpson Literary Project).
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Please note: to signup via text you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age.
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Show Your Membership!
Would you like to include a Lafayette Chamber membership emblem on your website or other marketing materials?
The Lafayette Chamber would be happy to provide you with the appropriate logos. Simply email your request to holly@lafayettechamber.org. |
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