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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Patience, Kindness, Readiness –
what’s next?
Did I hear Cabin Fever? Running out projects around the house? Finished re-watching all three seasons of “Ozark?” or do you just walk around mumbling “WHEN CAN I OPEN MY BUSINESS?” In Contra Costa the answer is “not quite yet.”
There has been a fair amount of confusion about what business can open in Contra Costa County after Gov. Newsom indicated the state was moving towards into Phase two. Contra Costa has taken a measured approach as have the counties collaborating with us. Last week outdoor businesses were allowed to open with distancing and masks. But the rest of our commerce has remained closed until officials can review the data which must include a reduction in new cases, and the number of patients still hospitalized and the level of testing being done.
Testing is now available for any resident of Contra Costa that thinks they need one. Call now to make an appointment: (844) 421-0804.
Many from the business community have asked to allow curbside pick up at retail stores. But it could take 2-3 weeks to see what effect opening outdoor businesses will have.
So please be patient. Don’t let your guard down. We are almost there.
Please be Kind. There has been such an outpouring of support and kindness from all in our community. But of course there will be those “bad apples” that won’t wear a mask, period. They won’t honor your personal space. They will take their problems out on you. Please, DO THE RIGHT THING! Small, simple acts of kindness right now can truly change our world.
Businesses, Get Ready! Don’t wait until we do get the green light to open businesses.
- Do you have a plan? Start by visiting https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap/#guidance . This is a guide that gives macro and micro recommendations on business like yours.
- PPE, do you have thermometers, masks and gloves for your employees?
- Have you marked off your business for a minimum of 6’ separation?
- Sanitize your store.
- Have your legal postings in your window.
- Call the Health Dept. with questions (844) 729-8410
- What can you do to make your business operate with “less touch?”
- Ask the Chamber to drop off an “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” Sign.
We are committed to helping our community get through this pandemic. #lafayettestrong
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Another Tool for your Business Tool Kit: FREE “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” Signs
The City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber are at your service as we begin to re-open commercial businesses in Lafayette. As restrictions loosen, we have prepared “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” signs that will affix to traffic A-Frames. You will include your business name or logo and your hours of operation. We’ll even deliver them to your business! Simply send a request to
jay@lafayettechamber.org, and state: Deliver a sign to (name of business). And if you can let us know what your hours of operations will be, we can add that to our website
“Who’s Open" page.
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Businesses Need to Post these Notices
There are two important documents you must have while doing business during the Shelter-In-Place period of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- The first is a template for the SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOL that every “essential” business must have in place by Friday, April 3, 2020. You must complete, post and implement a social distancing protocol for each facility that remains open, using this template.
- You must post the attached PDF as of April 1, 2020: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act).
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Important water health & safety message for constituents
EBMUD asks your help in getting the word out about a very serious health and safety issue. Water is perishable just like any food or drink. With businesses and other establishments preparing to reopen, there is an essential task that must be performed to ensure safe water quality. If a building—office, restaurant, school, church, etc.—has been closed for any length time the water pipes must be flushed. Stagnant water in the pipes could cause major water quality issues and affect the plumbing. Attached is an
instruction sheet on how to flush pipes, the procedure is simple but crucial.
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FREE Business Assistance offered by the City of Lafayette
The City of Lafayette has collaborated with us, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Townsend Public Affairs to launch the Lafayette Business Assistance Program, a way for Lafayette businesses and non-profits to get help on Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and grant applications. The City designed the program to make it as easy as possible for our businesses to get the support they need during the Covid-19 crisis. Find out more about the Lafayette Business Assistance program and how you can benefit on the
City's webpage here. Find out if you qualify for assistance by filling out the
Lafayette Business Verification Form.
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COVID-19 Resources for Businesses & Employees
New Contra Costa Call Center Helps Small Businesses
A new call center is now available in Contra Costa County to connect businesses and workers with helpful federal, state and local programs. This includes providing resources and referrals on loans and grants, unemployment insurance, payroll subsidies, and other critical concerns. The line will help small businesses learn how to scale back or survive a temporary closure, and how to ramp back up as COVID-19 restrictions ease off.
The trained team who answer calls can also assist with tapping into programs to reduce utility costs, access online career training, and other business services. Small Business Call Number: 833-320-1919, 8:30am to 5pm - Monday through Friday
Mayor Anderson’s Facebook Live Q&A
With so many questions regarding Covid-19 and the Public Health Order, Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson decided to hold a Facebook Live event to try to provide residents with as many answers as could be squeezed into an hour’s live stream. Joining the Mayor was the Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, Candace Andersen, and Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna, Contra Costa County Deputy Health Officer. Both of them provided detailed answers to a range of questions, from when to plan a wedding to how to be tested.
Lafayette City Manager Niroop Srivatsa and Lafayette Police Chief Ben Alldritt talked about businesses in Lafayette and enforcing the masks-on law. The response was overwhelming with dozens of questions coming in and, as of this writing, over 500 views. If you missed this important event, watch it on the City of Lafayette’s YouTube channel at
https://youtu.be/tkealvaPSrE. Remember, as Dr. Radhakrishna so adroitly pointed out during the broadcast, “unity” is part of “community.”
SCORE's Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub
SCORE is committed to helping businesses like yours through the unprecedented challenges from the coronavirus outbreak. View resources, guidance, webinars, expert advice, and more in their
Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub. Upcoming webinars include: May 12: The 4 Key Things Business Owners Should Be Focused on Right Now
Exec. Director Jay Lifson leads a Chamber that is one of the most active in the State. Jay talks about how the Chamber supports local business, current programs and pain points, including the Covid-19.
Listen here >>
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The Lamorinda Spirit Van
The Lamorinda Spirit Van is working with Lafayette essential businesses, the C.C. Café, Choice Lunch, and Lamorinda Village to help Lamorinda older adults, age 60+, secure those items they need delivered. Lafayette essential businesses, including Lafayette restaurants, stores, and pharmacies among others, are invited to email:
dispatch@lovelafayette.org
or call 925-283-3534 to request that the Lamorinda Spirit Van deliver orders to Lamorinda older adults. The delivery is free.
Dispatch will respond to phone calls and emails from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our Driver will pick-up the orders for delivery from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. His shift ends at 6:00 p.m.
If you know a Lamorinda Spirit older adult who needs our assistance, please email their name, address and/or phone number so that we can contact them or mail a more detailed letter.
If you are making masks, the Lamorinda Spirit will deliver them to older Lamorinda adults, age 60+, that request them.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Lamorinda Spirit Van, please make the check out to: City of Lafayette, and mail to: Lamorinda Spirit, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette, CA 94549 and write “Lamorinda Spirit” on the memo line. Thank you for supporting this much needed program.
Have you been laid off or your employment terminated? Are your corporate benefits ending soon?
Steve Snyder, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency has been helping people that have lost their corporate benefits, to maintain their health, dental, vision, hearing and life insurance coverage, without having to rely on COBRA as an alternative.
All of our services are FREE to our clients. We compare all plans available in your area side-by-side to make sure we’re getting the best plan possible that both fit your needs and your budget. I look forward to helping and being of service for you and your family during this very different time in our lives. Stay inside, stay safe.
Steve Snyder – Licensed Insurance Agent CA 0H79427. Mobile: 510-599-4700
Certified Enrollment Agent – Covered California
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Lamorinda Cities Launch Covid-19 Community Information Portal
The Lamorinda Cities and Fire Districts in cooperation with Bay Area-based Zonehaven have released the Covid-19 Community Information Portal at
https://ccc.community.zonehaven.com
.
The portal allows residents to locate Covid-related resources in and around Lamorinda. Residents can find information about medical offices, social services, food (groceries and take-out), parks and recreation opportunities, pet services and home/auto supplies by visiting the portal. If they enter a home address, they can create a list of services organized by distance from home. Clicking on a business or service in the list locates the business on a new map and provides a link to create directions using the Waze application.
The intent of the portal is to continue to support our residents during the stay at home order and make finding community resources easier. The portal also provides links to Covid-19 information from the State of California and Contra Costa County Health Services.
If any non profits/organizations could be listed as COVID-19 resources, they can be added to the Zonehaven website map, even if they are outside of Lafayette. Contact Duncan Seibert at
manager@lamorindacert.org
for additional information.
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The Lafayette Chamber is providing COVID-19 business and community resources through a number of channels. Please visit the following for further information:
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Please note, we have cancelled or postponed all in-person events through the end of June. This includes the postponement of the
Taste of Lafayette, Rock the Plaza concert series and all ribbon cuttings and mixers. See below for virtual events!
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Webinar Week: Holly Jackson - Empathy & Flexibility in Business
Tuesday, May 12, 10:30am,
Zoom
Learn how to stay connected to your clients and prospects during challenging times. How to remain relevant. How to pivot based on what you are hearing. And learn how empathy and flexibility are key to your success. Speaker: Holly Jackson.
Register here.
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Meet The Expert with Elliot Kallen: Health Care Costs in Retirement - What you need to know!
Tuesday, May 12, 4pm,
Zoom
Americans are expected to spend more than $250,000 out-of-pocket between the ages of 65 and 85. Marie-Anne Hobeika, from Fidelity Investments, will spend 40 minutes speaking about the real expected health care costs in retirement, making the best health care choices, learning how to control these costs and how to properly prepare for these expenditures. No matter what your current age is, you will find this beneficial.
Please
register in advance for this webinar.
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MDBW Supports You with Online Networking
Wednesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
Zoom
Connect with Dozens of Local Businesswomen! Take time on May 13 for new or renewed connections with terrific local businesswomen. MDBW welcomes members, their guests, and any newcomers who want to learn how MDBW supports both your business and your personal growth. Everyone will be introduced, and we'll also have some fun small-group networking chats too! Please register by 10:00 a.m. on May 13.
Register here.
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Noon Webinar Wednesdays - Did you know: 84% of B2B purchase decisions begin with a referral?
Join us this
Wednesday, May 13 at 12 pm for Noon Webinar Wednesdays to learn Speed Networking Online BEFORE you attend one of our upcoming Networking MEGA Mixers Online. Click here to join me on
Zoom: Meeting ID: 415 781 9296 Password: 219761
There is no time better than now to work on building your business network to ensure success when things return to the new normal. Building these business relationships is vital and we'll help you get started right from your home office.
Free Speed-Networking
May 15, 2pm-4pm; limited to 100 + Online in Zoom Breakout Rooms.
Expand your network by engaging with B2B focused professionals on our engaging video meeting with breakout rooms hosted by Professional Speed Networker Ambassadors. Start building business relationships with people who may have clients that can use your services. These like-minded professionals may help you access key decision-makers. Watch this
2-minute video to Grow Your Business Quickly!
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Free Financial Planning During Volatile Times Webinar
Tuesday, May 19, 9:30am,
Zoom
Samantha Davenport and Kim Smith From MassMutual are hosting a free webinar entitled Financial Planning During Volatile Times. They will provide tips to help you avoid following common financial pitfalls and stay on financial track. Please register for webinar connection information at
lafayettechamber.org/plan.
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East Bay EDA Spring Membership Meeting
Thurday, May 21, 9am,
Zoom
We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 21 at 9 a.m. for an online presentation at our annual Spring Membership Meeting. This meeting will be held virtually and registration is open to the public at no cost.
This year's event, The Building Blocks to Recovery, will highlight research findings from our annual East Bay economy report with special attention on COVID-19 economic disruptions and how to best position our region for recovery. We will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics, who will provide an overview of current national, state, and local economic conditions.
Register here.
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Lafayette Young Professionals: Eating to Detoxify Your Body and Enhance Wellness & Mental Clarity
Tuesday, May 26, 5:30pm,
Zoom
Enjoy the unlimited freedom of vibrant health with this informative research-based webinar focused on using food to detox the body, support the immune system, aid in weight loss and decrease inflammation.
Presented by Dr. Jackie Steel, webinar will provide 4 ways to improve your vitality right now and help you gain valuable insight into the radiant power of foods. This informative presentation will provide you with changes you can make to keep yourself feeling lighter, more enthused and energized for the rest of your vital life!
This online zoom meeting is presented for and by the Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals group although anyone is welcome to attend. Please
register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Project LPIE is here!
LPIE is excited to invite you to our Seventh Annual Project LPIE celebration. Announced each winter at Acalanes High School as a competition of the visual and performing arts, literary works, community service, environmental sustainability, and more, Project LPIE encourages students to dream big and create at their highest level.
Check our website to view the video, more projects and read the event program for a list of winners and judges. Thank you to the many sponsors and mentors that helped make this happen!
Hospice East Bay and the Tree of Lights
Hospice East Bay is looking for a Tree of Lights Chair person to work with the Events Coordinator in setting up the event, day of support and over all liaison to help facilitate community engagement. We are also searching for sponsorships from Lafayette businesses. We offer a wide range of sponsorships to fit all sizes of businesses. Please email
annm@hospiceeastbay.org or call 925-499-6642 for more information or to answer any questions. Thank you in advance for your support.
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Lafayette Glass has moved...
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Support the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County
The Lafayette Rotary is entering the last full week of their campaign to raise money for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County. We have had some very generous donations from Rotarians, and friends of the Rotary Club. Our total to date is $19,168. Thank you for all your generosity! We decided to give the Food Bank a $30,000 donation right away (which includes the $15,000 matching grant from the Lafayette Rotary Foundation and that $30,000 was matched, dollar-for-dollar from another grant the Food Bank recently received. Here is a picture of our Foundation President, Larry Blodgett, giving the check to the Food Bank. The campaign runs through May 20th. You can still donate in a number of ways: You can click on
http://e.givesmart.com/events/hc2 and use your credit card to make a donation. You can also mail a check to Lafayette Rotary Foundation PO Box 943 Lafayette, CA 94549. Please make sure your check is made out to the Lafayette Rotary Foundation. Finally, you can donate your time to the Food Bank by visiting
https://volunteer.foodbankccs.org.
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Lafayette Cares: Sponsor a Test for Our Most Vulnerable Seniors with Your $56 Donation
Seniors and staff in residential housing are at the highest risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. In California alone, 40% of COVID-19 deaths are from nursing homes. Your donation of $56 (cost per test) or more will help reach the $20K goal to quickly purchase and safely administer onsite testing to the residents and staff of the three residential facilities in Lafayette. The same onsite testing will also begin in both Orinda and Moraga at their residential facilities called ‘Orinda Cares’ and ‘Moraga Cares’.
We are seeking for donations from the community for many reasons. Many of our residents in senior care do not have medical insurance and were we to charge insurance for those who do, an unacceptable delay would have occurred before testing could start. Instead, we are reaching out to our community to share the costs for testing our most vulnerable residents in Lafayette.
Learn more here.
Donate here.
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Facebook Live with Comedian Johnny Steele
Tom Stack, Town Hall's Interim Board President of the Town Hall Theatre, is gathering favorite local musicians to support Town Hall to play LIVE on the Town Hall Theatre Facebook Page (
https://www.facebook.com/TownHallTheatre/) every Thursday @7:00PM. Next Up: On THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020: Comedian Johnny Steele will bring us his crazy, slanted way of looking at the world.
TOWN HALL THEATRE COMPANY presents TWELFTH NIGHT VIDEO – by William Shakespeare, Directed by Søren A. Oliver
Available May 15 through June 14, 2020! Cast includes: David Abad, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Perry Aliado, Alexandra Creighton, Justin DuPuis, Kate Jopson, Dennis Markam, Kendra Oberhauser, Daniel Petzold, Paul Plain, Clive Worsley. PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN!
International Film Festival
All 5 films: Balloon, Sorry We Missed You, Corpus Christy, And Then We Danced and A Regular Woman are available to virtually watch at home through the end of May. Trailers, Synopsis and the Links are available on our web site at www.internationalshowcase.org. A zoom meeting about A Regular Woman will be held on May 17th at 1:30 PM. Please watch the film before joining us. Here is your link to the meeting hosted by Bob Levine and the Men’s club but open to all.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81784884764; Meeting ID: 817 8488 4764. Please confirm your participation in the meeting by replying to
justiceguy@aol.com.
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
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Night at the Library is now a "Virtual" Moveable Feast!
Everyone in the family is invited to join us on
Saturday, May 30 at 7:00PM
for this one-hour LIVE event.
Attend Night at the Library from the comfort of your own home and bid on auction items, enjoy special guest appearances, feast on take-out from local restaurants, and show your support for the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Your donation makes it happen! Individual donations ensure that Library programs, classes, open hours, staff, and all the resources and opportunities you miss now will be waiting for you when the doors re-open.
Register TODAY!
Virtual Events through the Library!
Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation Distinguished Speaker Series presents
Anne Raeff In conversation with Lori Ostlund
Join authors Anne Raeff and Lori Ostlund for an online discussion of Only the River, Raeff’s latest novel. Spanning generations and several wars, Only the River explores the way displacement destroys families and creates new ones, sparking a revolution that changes their lives in the most unexpected ways. Anne Raeff is a California Book Award silver medalist and Simpson Literary Prize finalist. She lives in San Francisco and is proud to be a high school teacher.
Register today
to receive the Zoom invitation prior to the program. For more information call (925) 283-6513 ext. 102.
Books available for purchase at Orinda Books (925) 254-7606.
We are all in this together.
Our LLLC Foundation team is working remotely. If you need assistance or have questions about Library and community resources, we’ll do our best to help. Email (
information@LLLCF.org
) or phone message (925-283-6513 ext. 102).
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And she's off! On Thursday, May 7, the Lafayette Chamber staff, board and a few ambassadors came to wave and wish Barbara Gilmore well in her retirement.
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Please note: to signup 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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