Supporting
Our Non Profits and the Art Community!
April 2020
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Lafayette Chamber Announcements
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Dear Lafayette Chamber Supporter,
The physical office of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce will remain closed until further notice. Our staff is still here to help you, just virtually. You can reach us by calling (925) 284-7404 or by sending an email to
info@lafayettechamber.org. We'll get back to you as quickly as possible.
COVID-19 is not just a local or business problem. This is a national problem, a world problem. Follow the guidelines and policies. They have been enacted to SAVE LIVES.
The best way you can help our community and our businesses is to stay healthy, watch out for your neighbor, and follow social distance recommendations. Let's DO this. Be the model.
We have canceled or postponed all in-person events through the end of June. We are offering some virtual events, which will be announced on
our calendar.
The Chamber will be posting applicable updates for our businesses and the community to
our news page and posting on social media. Check out our shares on
Facebook and reposts on
Instagram as well as
our website's
Who's Open
page for businesses doing business and working remotely in Lafayette!
We encourage you to support our local non profits and the art community. Thank you ...
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Our April Newsletter is Sponsored by Millie's Kitchen
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First Fridays at JPG@TheBank
TONIGHT, April 3, 7pm, ONLINE
We are pushed to a place we have not occupied before on First Friday! Now online through ZOOM!
As all of us at JPG feel the pangs to gather together, the solution is to keep our distance but stay in touch. We love doing that over art, music, and wine. Let’s meet up online for First Fridays and see what happens. You can wear whatever you want and we don’t care if your bedroom is a mess! But if you are an artist, for goodness sake, put your art behind you so we can see it. And if you are a musician bring your instrument and let us know you want to play. Poet? Give us the gift of reading something meaningful.
Learn more here.
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California Shakespeare Theater
While California Shakespeare Theater lamentably have had to cancel their 2020 season during this pandemic crisis, they’re still committed to keeping theater in our lives! Over the coming weeks and months, they will be providing digital experiences for community members to connect with their artists and with each other. A hint: beloved dramaturg Philippa Kelly is working with Artistic Director, Eric Ting, on something called “Running the Canon.” Make sure to visit their website
www.calshakes.org and sign up for their ongoing news alerts.
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Gold Coast Chamber Players
Gold Coast Chamber Players is preparing for five amazing concerts starting in September 2020. Tickets for the fall go on sale April 7 through their website at
www.gccpmusic.com.
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The International Film Showcase is Going Online!
The International Film Showcase is going online as long as our commercial venues are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit our website:
www.internationalshowcase.org to see the trailers for the three films that are available for rent. We are offering CORPUS CHRISTI, This year Poland's Oscar finalist in the International Film category, SORRY WE MISSED YOU, an English drama which addresses coping in the modern world of work from director Ken Loach, and BALLOON, which portrays two German families in 1979 who prepare to escape from East Germany in a homemade hot air balloon. It is a wonderful family film. Both Corpus Christi and Balloon are based on true stories.
The films range from $10.00 - $12.00 which is detailed on the website links. We look forward to returning to our commercial venues when they reopen. In the meantime, we hope you choose to see these fabulous films in the comfort of your homes.
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Lamorinda Arts Council's #ArtInPlace
What are you doing to feed your creativity at home during the Bay Area’s shelter in place?
Share your artistic pursuits with us using #ArtInPlace and tag
Lamorinda Arts Council so we can be inspired by your creativity!
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Lamorinda Arts Council's Lamorinda Idol
Lamorinda Idol 2020 registration is now LIVE! We are moving to a virtual format this year to keep all participants safe during this difficult time.
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Mountain Shadow Film Society Film Offerings
Mountain Shadow Film Society finds a way to practice social distancing together, offering it's wonderful April film selection online!
Fresh from the festival circuit, "Driveway" is a touching, modern American classic story; starring Golden Globe nominee Hong Chau, and Tony winner and longtime acting legend Brian Dennehy.
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Support the Orinda Theatre!
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The Peter Pan Foundation and Leslie Noel Studios
The Peter Pan Foundation and Leslie Noel Studios are now providing
online & virtual project opportunities. You can keep up with love, light, information, music, and positive inspiration by following these social media pages:
Instagram: @LNSFAM (LNS), @PPFMAGIC (Peter Pan Foundation), and @MYPHOTOGRAPHICMEMORIES (Leslie)
Facebook: LeslieNoelStudios (LNS), PPF (Peter Pan Foundation) and LOVE & LIGHT (& MUSIC & MAGIC) 💚✨
And, just to add a little positivity and music into your day,
here is the end result
of our Leslie Noel Studios 1st week of lessons online iPhone project!
As always, we are needing financial support to help us continue our programs. Please consider making a donation to our
GoFundMe campaign here.
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Watch a VIDEO Recording of THE CHERRY ORCHARD by Town Hall Theatre
Bring the orchard into your home! While we had to cancel the second half of the run of live performances of The Cherry Orchard, we have worked with ICM Partners, the licensing company, and they have generously allowed us to offer a recording of the show for a limited period of time. If anyone could make sense of challenging times, it was Anton Chekhov. Limited tickets available to view now through April 18.
https://www.townhalltheatre.com/the-cherry-orchard
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VALLEY ART GALLERY announces online gallery while shelter in place is in effect. We will reopen the doors in May with new exhibition “Cheers to Color"
Although the doors to our gallery will remain closed for the next month, we invite you to browse the best of East Bay art on our website,
www.valleyartgallery.org. We will continue to post new work as we receive it from our over 100 member artists, and are happy to respond to your email inquiries regarding rentals, renewals or purchase interest. Email us at
valleyartgallery@gmail.com.
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Lafayette Community Foundation's COVID-19 Community Matching Campaign
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Lafayette Community Foundation (LCF) is increasing its support to local non-profits. Now through April 30, LCF will match every dollar that is donated up to $25,000. This year, LCF has already committed to giving $50,000 for its Excellence Grants. The COVID-19 Community Matching Campaign will allow LCF to grant up to $100,000 to financially challenged organizations that provide essential services in the community, empowering them to continue to do what they do best...assist those in need. To Donate please visit
https://lafayettecf.org/donate/ or mail your check to Lafayette Community Foundation, PO Box 221, Lafayette, CA 94549
www.lamorindacommunityfoundation.org
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Lafayette Partners in Education
LPIE continues to support our public schools. Since the start of the school year through today, LPIE funding provides for science and music programs, librarians, Stanley electives, 16 sections, supplies including classroom materials and technology, and so much more.
The current situation does not diminish what our teachers have and will accomplish, and what our students achieve. In fact, it makes all they do, and the support of LPIE support, all the more important.
Despite school closures, LPIE is still meeting our commitments to our schools, helping to provide resources and funding essential positions. Now, more than ever before, your support of LPIE is needed.
Be sure to check out our Live Auction Items. From a Day on the Bay, to an incredible Golf Experience, Tahoe and Sun Valley homes and a Mexico vacation, a handmade outdoor bar, 4 JSX round-trip tickets, Lady Gaga and Pixar experiences, there is something to enjoy. In addition, take a look at our
Last Chance packages
, still available for your bidding.
Most importantly, please stay safe and healthy!
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Alzheimer’s Association
We are here for you! Currently, more than 650,000 people in California are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and over 1.6 million family and friends are providing care. Serving cities and towns from San Jose to Fresno, San Francisco to Chico, Sacramento, Modesto, Reno, Wendover, and everything in between, your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association® is here to help. Check out their website for virtual class and more.
www.alz.org/norcal
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Assistance League Misses You!
Assistance League misses our customers and the spirit that you bring to Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn next to the Park Theater. We hope you miss us too! The stay-at-home mandate can be your time for spring cleaning. Remember Assistance League Thrift Shop by going through your closets, cupboards and shelves. What you may no longer use will generate funds to help those in need and at risk in our community. But please wait until we reopen and are ready for donations.
https://www.assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley
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Cancer Support Community
Although we're going strong at Cancer Support Community having moved our support groups and many of our workshops online, we've had to reschedule a major fundraiser, the Hope Walk, to October 17. Please mark your calendar and sign up to walk, or donate to a walk team! We can't wait to get back outside and walk with you!
www.cancersupport.net
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Learn How to Help a Child Living in Foster Care
Court Appointed Special Advocates work one-on-one with foster children to ensure that they receive consistent support, health, education and therapeutic services, and positive social and recreational opportunities.
While this is a very difficult time for everyone as we shelter-in-place, foster children may be the most frightened of all, as a crisis often triggers previous traumas that may result in nightmares, anxiety, depression, or anger. Fortunately, CASA volunteers are providing support through phone calls, video chats and texts. Please consider making an
Online Donation
to CASA so that we can continue our work with children and youth living in foster care.
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Lamorinda CERT Radio Communications Virtual Meeting
Our April 13 meeting will be a virtual meeting, hosted on Zoom.com.
First, we will have a panel discussion about radio communications during disasters (our current COVID-19 Shelter at Home is a disaster event). The panel members are all experienced GMRS and HAM radio operators and they will discuss the best ways of communicating in the Lamorinda area.
Following the panel discussion, we will have a scripted practice using our radios simulating a "Light Up Lamorinda" event. CERTs will report events happening in their neighborhoods. HAM operators will relay those messages to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where they will be able to record the events to get good situational awareness without having to deploy law and fire responders. CERT will be the eyes and ears for the local first responders.
This virtual meeting is designed to be attended by people with radios or at least an interest in getting a radio so they can communicate during a disaster. Please
RSVP, telling us that you want to participate, we'll send you a Zoom.com link. We have limited space.
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Lamorinda Village is Supporting our Seniors
Are you looking to help your friends and neighbors during our shelter-in-place? Are you needing someone to do your grocery shopping or pick up medications?
We are so very lucky that Lamorinda Village has offered to expand their services during our shelter-in-place! Lamorinda Village is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting older Lamorinda residents who want to remain safely and independently in their homes, and with the help of community volunteers they have been able to scale up their operations in our time of need.
For Seniors At-Risk requesting service, please either email to
info@lamorindavillage.org or call (925) 283-3500, and include: Full Name, Email Address, Phone Number, Delivery Address
If you would like to Volunteer your time to help, please email to
info@lamorindavillage.org, and include: Full Name, Email Address, Phone Number
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Las Trampas, Inc. Donation Request for Necessary Items
Las Trampas needs toilet paper, frozen foods, sandwiches, bread, canned goods, almond milk, boxed meals, fresh fruit, deli meats and eggs. They have 40 homes to stock with food. You can deliver to 3460 Lana Lane in Lafayette Mon-Fri.9-5:00 pm.
www.lastrampas.org
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Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Request for Grocery Bags
As Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa continues to serve during this crisis, its most in need of grocery bags (paper or plastic) and monetary donations to continue serving those in need of food in our county. Learn more here:
http://www.loavesfishescc.org
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Monument Crisis Center
The Monument Crisis Center is accepting donations of non-perishable items. They are also open to everyone to receive food. For more information, visit
www.monumentcrisiscenter.org.
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SHELTER, Inc.
At this time all-volunteer projects, including providing meal service at the shelters, have been suspended. Please consider funding a meal at the shelters by donating today.
SHELTER, Inc. asks everyone to consider donating during this extraordinary time. If you believe in our mission and our community, please consider a 2020 Annual Fund donation to SHELTER, Inc. Now more than ever, your donation is critical at this time Your gift is also tax-deductible.
https://shelterinc.org
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Trust in Education
Trust in Education is collecting clothing, school supplies, and other possessions we no longer need. Save them for Trust in Education's packing party for Afghanistan in October.
Sponsor an Afghan street child who is then able to get off the streets, attend school and get an education -- information about the program can be found
here.
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Wells Of Life, Inc.
We drill bore hole water wells and teach sanitation and hygiene in rural Uganda, a place where one of the five children dies before their fifth birthday because of drinking contaminated water from a distant surface ponds, which is all they have available. “The heaviest coffins are the smallest ones”. Girls cannot attend school because their days are filled with a long, dangerous journey carrying heavy containers filled with dirty water back to their families, and this was the situation before the coronavirus!
$3,500 can restore a broken well and provide sanitation and hygiene education to a village of 1,000 people, and our maintenance lessons will result in a well that functions for decades!
Anyone interested in helping can contact Pete at
pete@wellsoflife.org or via cell phone at 714–264-5594.
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White Pony Express - When doors close, our hearts open.
As our communities go on lockdown and resources go sparse for some of our most vulnerable neighbors and those that depend on our school pantry services and deliveries, here's how we can come together and help: volunteer, donate now or raise funds.
Help Needed Monday - Sunday 8:30 AM – 11 AM for Food Rescue - Food Distribution Center to help, sort, distribute, and load vehicles, and clean up after food has gone out. Please note casual clothing is recommended and closed toe shoes are required.
Food Rescue Afternoon Shift on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2 PM - 4 PM: Food Distribution Center to help, sort, distribute, and load vehicles, and clean up after food has gone out.
Food Rescue Distribution Sunday Afternoon Shift, 1 PM – 3 PM: Food Distribution Center will help, sort, distribute, and load vehicles, and clean up after food has gone out.
Learn more here.
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Youth Homes, Inc. Emergency Funding During COVID-19
To help us combat challenges and to mitigate current financial impacts due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are asking for donations to help purchase much needed materials and supplies. These funds will help cover costs including: HIPAA compliant video conferencing applications; Electronic devices that allow youth to attend school virtually; Games, sporting equipment, and other supplies to keep youth occupied while being stuck at home.
If you haven’t already done so, please make a donation to support Youth Homes during this time.
www.youthhomes.org
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April Community Announcements
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COMMUNITY CAN’T BE CANCELED - Let’s Support Lafayette Businesses!
Join Acalanes High School families and the Lafayette community in a
Community Can’t Be Canceled campaign highlighting how we can use this time apart to come together.
Support Lafayette Restaurants and Businesses is a community-wide effort to help our Lafayette restaurants and essential businesses stay open during Shelter in Place. It’s a great way to thank the businesses that support us year in and year out! You can help them by purchasing gift cards or by getting take-out or delivery of coffee, breakfast, lunch and/or dinner through-out next week and beyond.
Please remember to adhere to the county’s social distancing guidelines when picking up meals.
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Lafayette’s Virtual Community Center
Visit the
City of Lafayette's Virtual Community Center for fun, education, recreation, and resources for all ages. Lafayette Recreation is committed to keep creating community and enhance the quality of life for the people of Lafayette through parks, trails and programs through these interesting times! Visit
this page often and follow them on Instagram (@Lafayette_rec) & Facebook for new updates and ideas!
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Free Meals for Children
Acalanes Union High School District and Nutrition Services will be conducting walk-up distribution of daily prepared meals, free of charge for all children in the community. Children will need to be present to receive meals, and each child 18 years and younger may take one lunch and one breakfast. Meal distribution times for all locations will be from Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Serving locations:
- Campolindo High School (Cafeteria Window) – 300 Moraga Rd, Moraga, CA 94665
- Las Lomas High School (Cafeteria Window) – 1460 South Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
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BBB Now Accepting Entries for Third Annual Torch Awards for Ethics
BBB invites for-profit businesses to apply for the regional 2020 Torch Awards for Ethics competition. The Torch Awards for Ethics competition was created to honor companies that are committed to trust and marketplace ethics. The award embodies Better Business Bureau’s mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. To apply for the regional 2020 Torch Awards for Ethics, learn more about the competition, or nominate a business, visit
go.bbb.org/sf-torchawards. Applications are open now until Monday, April 6th at 5 pm PST.
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College Scholarship Application: What does fiscal responsibility mean to me?
That is the question that Mercer Partners Wealth Management would like to pose to high school seniors. Answers must be submitted in a 300-500 word essay and received by Friday, May 8th.
Two winners will be awarded a $1000 college scholarship. (One entry per high school senior.) For more information and to download an application form, visit our website at
www.mercerpartnerswealth.com.
Completed entries may be mailed, faxed or emailed to: Mercer Partners Wealth Management, 1243 Alpine Road, Suite 219, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. (925) 932-4700, or email:
Jadi.S.Christiansen@lpl.com.
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Connect with the City of Lafayette
The City of Lafayette is urging everyone to sign-up for the latest Covid-19 information for Lafayette residents and businesses.
You can also find the latest Information on Covid-19 on the City's website
During the Covid-19 emergency, here is how to contact City of Lafayette
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Lafayette Chamber Events & Announcements
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Noon Webinar Wednesdays:
Living and Working in Coronavirus Social Distancing
Wednesdays, 12noon
Has the coronavirus disabled your client attraction networking and your business development? Don't put your business on pause use the online speed networking system we've created with video meetings and simpler video marketing.
★ Tools, tips, and information to help you stay connected and productive in a remote work environment.
★ Learn how to host user conferences, executive briefing centers, customer and prospect events, webinars, or training sessions virtually over Zoom.
Links to webinar recordings PLUS homework links for next weeks Noon Webinar Wednesday can be found
here.
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3 Business Time Savers: Cloze, Acuity, & Active Campaign
Wednesday, April 8, 6pm-7pm
Learn how to build email & marketing automation, how to simplify scheduling online, & how to build close relationships w/your customers.
Learn how to leverage Active Campaign for email & marketing automation, how to utilize Cloze CRM for creating high touch personalization with your potential & current customers, and how to save time using Acuity for scheduling. These 3 tools, used correctly, will save you loads of time.
Register here >>
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ONLINE: Coffee with Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson
Friday, April 24, 8am-9am
Coffee with Mayor Mike Anderson will be held online via Zoom. Fill your own cup and log on! Have a question? Send it via email to
info@lafayettechamber.org.
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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
(925) 284-7404
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