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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Please don’t let “I told you so” happen…
As someone who has been at the forefront of pleading with county officials to allow the re-opening of our local economy, I urge everyone to stay vigilant. Lafayette businesses are so happy to be serving you again. And it’s not just because they miss you. They must open if they are going to survive. We have a chance to help them and stay healthy at the same time.
The citizens of Lafayette want to say thank you for the pro-active steps Contra Costa took to support the safety and health of our community. We know those measures were necessarily made with a broad brush and those decisions saved thousands of lives. We all sacrificed much - please don’t stop now. We have done a lot of hard work to keep everyone safe. As retail and restaurants open I want to remind both residents and business that our work is not done.
Community Members – as cities and towns around the country have started to reopen there have been spikes in new cases and Northern California is no exception. We should all agree that basic safety precautions need to be followed by all businesses and customers. This includes crowd control, social distancing, extra space in isles, masks and in some cases gloves, proper postings for staff and customers, and enforcement by business owners. Anything less should be considered non-conforming and irresponsible. We all know how to do it now. If you have already tested positive, you really don’t know with certainty about your immunity or that you are not capable of spreading the virus. If you are young and feel invincible, you can still spread the virus.
Businesses - we have fought hard with county health officials to be reasonable and allow prudent businesses to operate safely. But now it is up to you to ensure your customers and your employees are SAFE. No shortcutting. And a note to customers, you would not believe the list of mandatory guidelines businesses must implement before they can open their doors. You can visit these necessary measures
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance.
Contra Costa has done such a good job, but we all know we can do better. Put the masks back on. I hate them too. I really do. But I want to hang around a little longer. We are now over 5,000 COVID-19 deaths in California. We can do better than this. Be kind. If you are not doing it for yourself, please consider the rest of us.
Sincerely,
Jay Lifson, Executive Director, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
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Outdoor Dining in Lafayette
On Monday, June 8, the Lafayette City Council voted unanimously to approve a Relief package to our local businesses as we begin to re‐open our downtown.
Outdoor dining will be allowed in private parking lots and limited public rights of way to increase seating capacity until “social distancing” is no longer required.
Read plan details here >
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Free “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” and 15 Minute Parking Signs
The City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber are at your service as we begin to reopen commercial businesses in Lafayette.
We have prepared
“OPEN FOR BUSINESS” signs that will affix to traffic A-Frames. You can include your business name or logo and your hours of operation.
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We also have
15 minute parking signs to note spaces for curbside pickup. Simply send a request to
jay@lafayettechamber.org for delivery of either or both signs!
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Lafayette Business Assistance offered by the City of Lafayette - Still Available to Help You!
The City of Lafayette has collaborated with us, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and Townsend Public Affairs to run 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.
The Lafayette Business Assistance (LBA) program wanted to provide you with a brief update regarding Payroll Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief funding:
On Friday June 5, the Payroll Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 was signed into law. This bipartisan effort gives substantial expansions to how you may use PPP funds and still receive forgiveness.
These expansions include:
- Allowing you a window of 24 weeks to spend PPP funds instead of the original 8 weeks.
- Allowing you to spend up to 40 percent of PPP funds on non-payroll costs (such as rent and utilities) instead of the original 25 percent maximum.
- Allowing you until December 31, 2020 to rehire employees to their pre-disaster (February 15, 2020) wages with PPP funds instead of the original June 30, 2020 deadline.
- Extending the loan term to five (5) years instead of the original two (2) years, for any amount of PPP funds that are not forgiven.
- Adding that you may defer employer payroll taxes due for PPP funds. You may defer 50% of the employer’s share of payroll taxes until 2021 and the remaining 50% until 2022.
Much of Congress’ motivation to enact these expansions stemmed from their displeasure in the rigid way the SBA and US Treasury have decided to interpret and enact the PPP to date. We will continue to update you as the US Treasury announces what their interpretations of the program will be under this new law.
For those of you that have already received PPP funds, this gives you much more flexibility to use your funds in a way that will support your business as Contra Costa County slowly facilitates reopening. This will also give you much more time to apply for loan forgiveness.
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have regarding your loan forgiveness process in light of this change. We are here to be your information resource and want to provide any assistance that we can!
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Welcome New Members
Last week we welcomed two new businesses to our membership. We encourage you to learn more about them on their website.
2223 North Main St., Walnut Creek
Robineve Cole, 925-876-7336
"Designing Homes for Life", we offer top-to-bottom interior furnishings & are Certified Professionals in Universal Design remodeling. Robineve Interiors specializes in elegant, practical homes that support and nourish the lives of busy people.
Category: Interior Design
3658 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 205
Peter de Laveaga, 925-284-3590
Category: Accountants - Certified Public / Enrolled Agents
Welcome New Friends!
Thank you to our Renewing Members!
So far this June, the following members have renewed their membership - thank you!
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Welcome Back Hair Salons and Barbershops!
The current health order released their Road to Reopening plan on June 8. This allows for hair salons and barber shops to reopen starting Wednesday, June 17. For more info and guidelines
click here.
The Lafayette Chamber welcomes our members back to business!
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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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Parking remains free in all City of Lafayette owned lots and private lots.
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VISIT OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
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Join
Lafayette Social
in celebrating (our) Barbara Gilmore!!!
When Christine Raymond, owner and publisher of
Lafayette Social
, first connected with Barbara back in 2017, shortly after she had moved to Lafayette, Barbara immediately helped to connect her with many business owners, many of whom are (now) Christine's new friends. Christine was and continues to be SO grateful to Barbara! We know MANY others share the same type of experiences and have an abundance of gratitude for her and the work she has done in building our Chamber.
We are collecting praises, memories and photos to assemble a tribute of thanks and love for Barbara and to celebrate her retirement from the Chamber! All of Lafayette Social's platforms will be utilized to spread the praise and love with links available so others can join in too! Whoever is interested in taking part in this celebration of Barbara, please
complete this form
and attach any fun photos you may have. If there are any questions, please email
LafayetteSocial@n2pub.com
. All entries that are received by Friday, June 26 will be included in this social media celebration!
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For more information and to book your advertisement in the East Bay Times, contact: Marlene Vizcaino, Multimedia Account Executive | Advertising - Retail
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Please note, we have cancelled all in-person events through the end of July. This includes the postponement of the Rock the Plaza concert series, Citizen of the Year dinner and all ribbon cuttings and mixers. If you have purchased a ticket please send us an email at
info@lafayettechamber.org for reimbursement. See below for virtual events!
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"The Post-Virus Economy: How fast a return to normalcy?"
Tuesday, June 16, 9am-10am,
Online
Walnut Creek Chamber Back to Business Webinar series continues with guests:
Christopher Thornberg, Founding Partner, Beacon Economics, LLC; Director /Adjunct Professor, UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development
Ed Del Beccaro, EVP/San Francisco Bay Area Regional Manager, TRI Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc.; Board Director, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
Video recordings of BACK TO BUSINESS webinars:
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Three R’s to Getting Back to Work During COVID-19 for Contra Costa County
The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County is proud to sponsor this webinar for Contra Costa County Businesses on June 16, 2020, at 9 am. Let CEA help you prepare to get employees back to work when operations can resume during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll cover the 3 R’s of how to plan and successfully bring your employees back to work – Reconstruct, Reinstate, and Reconnect.
Learning Objectives:
Reconstruct – Determine what your workplace will look like under this “new normal.” Learn how to bring people back and what to do if some of the workforce cannot be reinstated.
Reinstate – Evaluate the effectiveness of remote work for your team and if it can or should continue. Be prepared for a variety of federal, state, and local requirements regarding testing employees, PPE, physical distancing and more.
Reconnect – How to welcome employees back and ensure a safe working environment.
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Inspiration Contagion Podcast
Looking for some inspiration? Check out this new podcast!
Beginning June 16 you will hear from heart centered leaders, storyteller leaders, tribe & culture leaders, movement leaders, and mentor leaders. Search "Inspiration Contagion" on your preferred podcast tool starting June 16 to tune in!
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White Rabbit Business Solutions - June ZOOM - Time To Get Out And Network!
Tuesday, June 16, 1pm,
Zoom
Join us at 1:00 for an afternoon of summer networking. This is a fun way to meet local professionals and to say hi to those you may already know. Learn about the different ways
White Rabbit Business Solutions can benefit your business and the special pricing available by attending this event!!!
Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
whiterabbitbusinesssolutions.com
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Meet The Expert with Elliot Kallen - Ep 9 - Social Security and Wallstreet
You are invited to a
Zoom webinar.
June 16, 4pm.
Craig Kirkpatrick - Managing Partner (Orinda Asset Management) will be discussing Main St. vs Wallstreet. Jennifer Taboada - Vice President (BlackRock) will be discussing Social Security: Everything you need to know.
Register in advance for this webinar
here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Free Elevator Pitch Review LIVE
Speaker, educator, and best selling author Mike Hayes will be reviewing elevator pitches and teaching the new elevator pitching for virtual networking at Noon on Zoom this Wednesday.
"Changing Your Elevator Pitch For the New Marketplaces and Virtual Meeting Places Can
Change Your Business Immediately." Mike Hayes
Nearly 85 percent of B2B results from business referrals. Would you like to meet 100 new prospects free and learn how to meet new prospects free each month?
We've developed a new program specifically for Chamber of Commerce Members (but Chamber Membership is not required).
Think you hate traditional business networking events? We understand and so we INVENTED a whole new approach to business networking and share it this Wednesday for free.
www.NoonWebinarWednesdays.com
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Posture Workshop with Dr. Christina Alba
Saturday, June 20, 10:30am,
Online
Back by popular demand! Join Lafayette Chamber Board Member and 2019 Board President Dr. Christina Alba for a free workshop on posture!
Connect here via Zoom
on Saturday!
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2020 Speaker Series: Restaurant Relaunch Webinar
Please join East Bay EDA on
June 23, 9am for Restaurant Relaunch, the second event of their 2020 Speaker Series.
Jay Coldren, Managing Director, Hospitality and Eat + Drink at Streetsense will discuss the nuts and bolts of Restaurant & Bar Reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Streetsense is a multidisciplinary design and strategy firm specializing in restaurant and hospitality.
Registration for this webinar is open to the public. Make sure to submit your questions for the speaker Q & A in the registration form.
Register here.
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Women in Technology International Virtual Summit: Coaching Circle, From Failure to Prosperity
Wednesday, June 24, 11:15am-12:15pm,
Online
The 2020 WITI Virtual Summit is designed to empower women in the technology industry. Join WITI on June 23-24 to network worldwide, learn new professional development skills, stay updated on the latest tech trends, and more!
Learn more here.
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Member & Community Announcements
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Retail Space for Lease in Lafayette
Small retail space for lease (600 square feet). It was formerly a salon but can be converted to another retail or office use.
Located at 3511 Mt Diablo Boulevard. Please view
flyer for additional information. Contact Ron Mucovich, American Realty and Investments at 925-980-7861.
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Free promotion for Lafayette Chamber Members
Photographer Craig Isaacs has offered to take promotional photographs of you (with or without staff) in front of your businesses to help promote Lafayette business. This is an adjunct to his “Pandemic Porch Portrait” project, which has raised nearly $10,000 for
Monument Crisis Center.
You may take and use the photos to promote your business, and the photos will be displayed on the Chamber web site as well as Craig’s web site. You can see the Pandemic project
here.
There is no charge for participating in the project, but if you are able, donations to MCC food bank would be gratefully accepted. Contact Craig directly to set up your portrait:
craig@bluegoo.com.
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TOWN HALL THEATRE COMPANY presents AN IDEAL HUSBAND VIDEO, Oscar Wilde’s witty comedy, directed by Susan Hovey.
Available June 11 through July 17,
Online
Cast includes John Blytt, Jennie Brick, Alan Coyne, Adrian Deane, Emily Garcia, Heather Kellogg, Amanda Leigh, Dana Lewenthal, Dennis Markam, DC Scarpelli, and Nathaniel Rothrock. FREE – DONATIONS APPRECIATED. Town Hall Theatre Company,
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Town Hall Theatre Music & Comedy Series
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020: Jeff Tamelier —International touring star as lead guitarist with Tower of Power, the Starship and Cold Blood, AND a local legend. A graduate of Acalanes High School, Jeff recently headlined Town Hall's 9th Annual Lafayette Community Music Festival.
Gold Coast Chamber Players: Immersive Experiences 2.0 is here! Paris anyone?
Imagine yourself in the world's most romantic city with a French experience for all your senses! Hear music by
Maurice Ravel
and Watch the
Telegraph Quartet
live-streamed from Lafayette's classic French Bistro (via YouTube). Savor the flavors of France from Lafayette's
Reve Bistro
(delivered to your home) while you watch a Chef's video of Reve's Paul Magu sharing a few culinary secrets. View
menu>.
Sip a cocktail unique to the French Riviera and enjoy a hand selected wine from Chef Paul and his wife Laura. Socialize with your friends, meet new people, and interact with the award winning musicians (via Zoom). Surprises galore! Sunday, June 28, 5:30pm.
Register here.
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Assistance League Diablo Valley Thrift Shop’s “Buy It Now Online” Event
Customers who have signed up to be on Assistance League® of Diablo Valley’s Thrift-e-Mail have the opportunity to view items for online purchase. Likewise, regular Thrift-e-Mails featuring special merchandise available to “Buy It Now or Make an Offer” are sent to those listed on our customer list.
The online purchase concludes when you make an appointment to pick it up at the Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn, 3521 Golden Gate Way, in Lafayette.
You might have seen the previous notice re. Upper End Cookware. All of those items sold have been sold.
Not on the Assistance League Thrift-e-Mail list? You can sign up at our website:
assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley. Just click on Thrift Shop and scroll down to click on the red button, “Join Our Mailing List.”
Here is a preview of what awaits you soon. For a mere $40.00, you can bring outdoor beauty into your living space with this 12” succulent plant nestled in a vintage metal bowl, a botanical beauty nurtured by an Assistance League of Diablo Valley member volunteer. Known for its water efficiency, heartiness and grace, the succulent plant thrives in indirect lighting.
Please note that the price for each item does NOT include tax. After 72 hours have elapsed, the purchased item goes to the highest bidder. To Buy Now or Make an Offer, please email
info@aldiablovalley.org. Purchased items will be available by appointment at Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn, 3521 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette, CA. Items can be shipped with costs added to the buyer.
As always, we appreciate your ongoing support, which virtually plants the seed for improving lives of those who are vulnerable in our community. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
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Lafayette Library launching Front Door Service!
Beginning today, Monday, June 15, the Library will offer Front Door Service at 23 community libraries. The service will allow patrons to pick-up books, DVDs and audiobooks placed on hold through the Library’s website at
ccclib.org
.
Friends of the Lafayette Library Sweet Thursdays presents: Cynthia Li, MD - Brave New Medicine
In her revelatory memoir Brave New Medicine, Dr. Cynthia Li shares the truth about her disabling autoimmune illness, the limitations of Western medicine, and her hard-won lessons on healing mind, body, and spirit.
This is a virtual online event -- Please
register with your email address, and you will receive the Zoom link and password the day of the event.
Sweet Thursdays is an ongoing author program created and supported by the Friends of the Lafayette Library & Learning Center.
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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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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