Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the current raging fires in California. Lafayette Police Officer Vince Ones and his wife lost their Lucky Ones Ranch in Vacaville last week. To learn more about their rescue and to donate, visit their Facebook page here.

Please join the City of Lafayette's Public Safety Subcommittee this Wednesday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m., for a Town Hall devoted to wildfire preparedness. 

The Town Hall will feature presentations from Lafayette Police Chief Ben Alldritt, Con Fire, and Lamorinda CERT. Resources for being prepared will be discussed, and questions from the public on wildfire preparedness will be addressed. We urge you to participate via Zoom (see below) and ask any questions you may have on preparing for wildfires. You can also watch a live broadcast of the Town Hall on the City of Lafayette's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/LoveLafayetteYouTube.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87547780601?pwd=YXVzOEFxU2tYWVFGSUk0YURwNi9VUT09 Passcode: 821808

Or Telephone: US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782.

Webinar ID: 875 4778 0601 Passcode: 821808

We have all read and seen the news about the devastating fires sweeping the state and surrounding the Bay Area. Fire season came early this year. Make sure you are prepared. Here are some resources to help you both get the latest information on current wildfires and conditions and also help you develop a personal wildfire safety plan to keep you and your family safe:

Contra Costa County’s Community Warning System, known as CWS, has set up a new number that will be displayed when you receive an emergency notification. The old number, 000-000-0000, was often identified as a telemarketing call or spam. Please make sure you note that the new number is 925-655-0195, and that you have your phone set up to receive these life-saving warnings.

See the directions below, or you can save it as a favorite or as an emergency contact so that it will ring through and not be blocked. Remember, CWS will only be used in an emergency, to pass on urgent information or when there is a previously announced drill. Remember to register all your phones with CWS (up to five), especially your landline, if you still have POTS, just in case cellphone service goes down. Here are the directions for setting up the new CWS number on your mobile phone:

For more information about the Community Warning System, or to register, please visit www.CoCoCWS.us.

The Lafayette Res Run for Education which is traditionally held on a Sunday in October will instead be a virtual race over the two weeks spanning October 16-31, 2020. Let's take back 2020 ... one step at a time!

Beneficiaries of the event are the local schools and the services and programs of the Chamber. Support your school. Sign up now! 

This year we thank Betsy Streeter for the t-shirt design! Thank you Betsy!

Many thanks to our presenting sponsor, Oakwood Athletic Club, our Zero Waste Recycling Sponsor, Republic Services, and our Course Sponsor, Ford Timing.

Marquis T-Shirt Sponsor is Keith Gronbach, DDS, East Bay Oral Surgery.

T-Shirt Sponsors:

Interested in sponsoring? Email Sara at Sara@LafayetteChamber.org (next week, she's on vacation this week!)

The petition to run for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is now available. Download the Election Petition 2021-2022 Term here. This year the petition may be signed virtually by five current Chamber members and returned by September 25, 2020. Simply make sure you have a verbal agreement from those Chamber members.

The Chamber Board, comprised of 17 elected representatives, 2-3 appointed directors-at-large, and a number of non-voting advisors, is the policy making arm of the Chamber and has final authority in all decisions affecting the organization. Board members are required to attend the annual Planning Retreat and monthly Board Meetings.  In addition, they are expected to actively serve on at least one Chamber Committee. For more information or to obtain a paper petition, call the Chamber office at 284-7404 or email info@lafayettechamber.org.

Let us be leaders in the fight against the virus. 25,000 people, wearing masks, keeping social distancing, and helping to keep our merchants in business. Stop the spread of rumors. Know the facts. Get Tested! www.cdc.gov

It’s not complicated, yet it’s imperative. Lafayette, CA has always been a community that gets it! A little sacrifice now means a lot less sacrifice later.

Photo caption: No matter how good your mask is, you also need to avoid touching your face and the front of your mask! Your hands can easily get contaminated and spread the virus to yourself and others. If you do accidentally touch your mask, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. #WearingisCaring

Visit @WearingPPEisCaring and https://www.wearingppeiscaring.org/best-wearing-practices.html to learn more.

We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.

3645 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Suite C

Rudolph Winnacker, 510-427-4960

Reasonable Books is an independent bookstore in the East San Francisco Bay Area located in Lafayette, California. We are here to serve as a general bookstore with an emphasis on thoughtful and important subjects for the interested and discerning reader.

1558 Canyon Rd., Moraga

Stephanie Hamilton, 925-376-2337

Full-service brewery and biergarten with live outdoor music, delicious food, and great atmosphere.

Semira Moslem, 917-519-2835

Stories for your table. Provide an exceptional and diverse food experience with a strong focus on community. We create curated packages of locally made, specialty goods for pickup or delivery. Expand your horizons!

The following members renewed their membership between August 10 and August 23. Thank you for supporting us so that we can support you!

Know someone who would contribute to our membership or would be interested in joining as a Friend of the Chamber? Let us know! info@lafayettechamber.org

Lafayette businesses are encouraged to use this FREE resource. Click here for more information.

East Bay SCORE offers FREE business mentoring, low-cost or no-cost business training, and numerous templates and tools to help you start or grow a business. They also provide mentoring about how to address the economic impact of the coronavirus. Connect with Lafayette Chamber's local mentor, Steve Doran >>

Check the "Upcoming Workshops/Seminars" link frequently to see what workshops and seminars are on the calendar which include:

Restaurant Current Best Practices During COVID (On Line): Anyone thinking about serving food and drink to the public, whether it’s a full-service restaurant or a small local coffee shop, needs to understand the basics of operating a successful establishment. This is a 3 hour course covering the basics of owning and operating a restaurant. $15. Register here.

Lafayette Social is extending a special advertising opportunity to small businesses and local nonprofits that are members of the Lafayette Chamber.⁠

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This deal includes a monthly small-space ad in the print edition of Lafayette Social, a monthly digital ad geo-targeting all major social media platforms in Lafayette, tailored ad creation, and more!⁠

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The deadline to participate is this Friday and there are only 3 spots left! To reserve your spot and learn more, call Christine at 831-295-7676 or email her at Christine.Raymond@n2pub.com.

Minuteman Press is offering hand sanitizer with your company logo and contact info on them. 1 ounce and 2 ounce bottles, quantities in 50, 100 and 250 and more. What a great way to promote your business and make a positive impact. Contact Steve at Minuteman Press at 925-945-6006.

Morrison's Jewelers would like to offer EVERYONE in the Chamber a free ring polishing and prong check. Stop by their location at 35 Moraga Way, Orinda during open hours (listed on website).

25% off all indoor plant or planter/pot & hair products through December 31, 2020. Call (925) 282-3804 for more information or visit www.fringeandfern.com, https://www.instagram.com/fringeandferncollective.

Monday, August 24, 3pm, Facebook Live

House Democrats just took emergency action and passed the Delivering for America Act to put a stop to President Trump's attacks on the Postal Service that threaten the lives, livelihoods, and voting rights of millions of Americans. This Monday, August 24th at 3:00 p.m. PT, following the Oversight Committee hearing where we will question Postmaster General DeJoy, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier will host a town hall on the Post Office and Voting in Contra Costa.

Monday, August 31, 3pm-4:30pm, Zoom

2020 has been a very trying year, to say the least! Let's celebrate the end of summer with some old friends and meet some new ones!

Join us on Monday August 31st from 3:00-4:30 for an afternoon of summer networking. What better way to start your week than with friends having a little fun! Also learn the different ways White Rabbit Business Solutions can help grow your business, and the special pricing available by attending this event. This will be the last day this deal will be offered! Register for this free event here.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 2pm-3pm, Zoom Meeting ID: 840 3250 5341

Come join us to hear Ken Mintz, AT&T Services, Inc. Area Manager, External Affairs on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 2:00 pm. to learn about AT&T’s Access Program designed to leverage distance learning—offering affordable ways to connect, expand eligibility and reduce costs. Access enables you and your family to—do homework, research colleges and scholarships, stay up to date with school news, connect with teachers, friends and family around the country and world.

Along with Access, AT&T is taking steps to provide internet to California schools which can take advantage of an unlimited data plan on the AT&T Network. Don’t miss out!

Lafayette Chamber will be hosting a Zoom Webinar with City of Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson on Friday, September 18 from 8am-9am.

Submit your questions prior to the event to info@lafayettechamber.org.

Please note: this will be a webinar (not a Zoom meeting.) Questions should be submitted via email or via the chat during the webinar. BYOC! (Bring your own coffee!)

Wednesday, September 23, 6pm, Zoom

In this workshop, discover what a lead magnet is, how to create one to attract your ideal audience and how to design one. Lead magnets are the best way to grow your list online while offering value to your future clients. Register here >>

Workshop Presenter: Holly Jackson, Business Coach & Consultant

www.hollyjeanjackson.com | info@hollyjeanjackson.com | 925-658-0514

This September It’s “BeKind 21” in the City of Lafayette. The City of Lafayette has proclaimed the days of September 1 to September 21, 2020, as “BeKind 21” in the City of Lafayette. #BeKind21 is the brainchild of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and we invite everyone to participate in the challenge by being kind to their neighbors, friends, family members, fellow residents, themselves, and their community.

Even if we’re physically apart, we’re still connected in kindness. You can kick off the school year by taking @btwfoundation’s #BeKind21 pledge to build a habit of kindness by doing something kind for yourself and others every day for 21 days this September. You can be kind to and thank workers who are sacrificing their safety for our communities. And, did you know being kind includes taking care of your own mental wellness?

What does kindness look like to you? How would you share your 21 days of kind actions? Let us know your thoughts on #BeKind21 by emailing the City of Lafayette at socialmedia@lovelafayette.org. Please put “#BeKind21” in the subject line so we can add your ideas to Lafayette’s pledge. Here are last year’s 21 activities that the City has developed for the challenge. Read the City of Lafayette’s BeKind21 2020 Proclamation and pledge to build a habit of kindness through #BeKind21 at www.bornthisway.foundation/bekind21.

Due to the fluid nature of the wildfires and resulting smoke, the poor air quality may force the Library to suspend Front Door Service. Before coming to pick up materials, please call the Lafayette Library (925-385-2280) to confirm the doors are open.

Wednesday, September 9, 5:00 – 6:30 PM via Zoom

The de Young’s exhibit features paintings loaned from American museums and private collectors, highlighting relationships Kahlo established in San Francisco. It also complements the Fine Arts Museums’ costume collection as well as paintings and works on paper by Mexican artists Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, in addition to the Fine Arts Museums’ collection of Mexican antiquities. This program is hosted by the Friends of the Lafayette Library.

Friends of the Lafayette Library Sweet Thursday presents Vanessa Hua Deceit and Other Possibilities

Thursday, September 17, 5:00 – 6:30 PM, Click here to register and receive Zoom link.

In this powerful debut collection, Vanessa Hua gives voice to immigrant families navigating a new America. Tied to their ancestral and adopted homelands in ways unimaginable in generations past, these memorable characters straddle both worlds but belong to none.

Both of these programs are made possible thanks to support from the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation and Friends of the Lafayette Library.

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).

For more information visit www.LLLCF.org and follow LLLC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Get Counted, Census Ending Early: More than a quarter of Contra Costa County residents are uncounted in the 2020 Census, and the County stands to lose up to $6 billion in critical funding over the next ten years. It is not too late to get counted! Just go to www.my2020Census.gov. Representation and funding are at stake. Get counted now!