Hi Everyone -
Every morning when I arrive at the Chamber office, this quote is waiting for me.
Temper Fear with Reason
Panic with Patience
and Uncertainty with Education
I do find that these words calm me a little. As the weeks go by, I am beginning to worry more and more about our local small businesses and our restaurants. I really don’t know how they are all going to survive this crisis.
It is one thing to shout out to everybody “We Got This LG!” when maybe we don’t at all. I want to stay positive, but damn this economy is going to be hard to kickstart. It is one thing to encourage people to shop local, buy gift cards, order takeout, donate to #FeedtheNeed, etc. but wow, we are going to need more than those small acts of generosity and kindness.
It’s another thing to want to help a neighbor, have more patience and grace, but it is hard to have patience during a pandemic and it is hard to be graceful when there are so many unknowns and when we feel so out of control. No kidding, it is really hard not to be scared of what is to come. I am not here to judge or blame or complain, this is our reality. I think all we can expect of each other is that we are doing our personal best. Be flexible and focus on what you can control.
And sure try to help a neighbor, call your grandma, buy a gift card from one of our local shops, say something positive on NextDoor and wear a mask in public. If we all do a little bit and take some personal responsibility, then we will get this Los Gatos. I know we will.
Thanks so much to the Chamber Team here:
- To Randi, who updates our website everyday and who keeps track of the latest news and loans/grant applications.
- To Donna, who is doing all she can to highlight the small businesses in Town and who has checked in personally with most of our members to see how you are doing.
- To Kathy, our trusty accountant who is figuring out how to save our money so that we can keep the lights on and not collect membership dues for a while, but how to spend money so that we can provide assistance and community spirit at the same time!
- To Fiona – who somehow manages to interpret and crystalize my ideas so that they are shared through the Chamber’s Facebook and Instagram.
I need to give a huge shout out to the
#FeedtheNeed Team
– Mady Fagan, Stefanie Nelson, Kathy Milnarich & Live Oak Senior Nutrition & Service Center, Kristina and Isabella Taroni, Boys Team Charity, Kim Simon and Kelly Campbell, and all the volunteer drivers. We have delivered more than 9000 meals to people who have needed them most. We have raised more than $130,000 thus far. Every dollar has gone back into our local restaurants. Oh yes – that is an achievement you all! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank
Vagabond Marketing
, and in particular, d
irector and founder
Niki Jaimes. She is the one who gets all of the credit for the We Got This LG! campaign and she is the one who gets all the credit for the vibe she has created through ExperienceLG. It is a fun ride with you Niki and “recovery” will be much smoother with your team around!
Hang in there Los Gatos.
Hang in there small businesses.
Hang in there restaurants.
Hang in there high school seniors, administrators and parents.
Recovery is on the horizon.
Sincerely,
Catherine Somers
PS - Join us this Thursday in a Zoom call with Mayor Jimmy Moloney of Litstowel, Ireland, our sister town. And remember your mothers this Sunday!
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Mother's Day Specials from our Members
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Flights, Romantiques, Time Out, The Spa-Los Gatos
Gift Bundle
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Blue Line Pizza
Heart Shaped Pizza
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Patronize your local businesses!
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The impact of this virus is devastating on our local economy. While you are home sheltering in place, please patronize your local businesses:
- Get takeout or delivery at our local restaurants.
- Support our amazing merchants by going to their online stores. Call or email the owner, many are doing virtual tours through their stores!
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The most current information is always on the Chamber website. Click the links below to find out what businesses are open for business - either virtually or open as essential services.
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Don't forget Lester Square...
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The restaurants at Lester Square are all open for takeout and delivery.
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Enjoy our Mother's Day Virtual Gift Shoppe! Each episode features 3 local merchants and fabulous gift items for mom available for purchase from their stores.
Just another way to shop & support our local businesses while we shelter in place.
We Got This LG!
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Webinar
10 Steps to Consider
when Re-opening Your Business
Friday, May 8 - 10:00-11:00
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Join Dr. Arun Villivalam, a family practice physician, to discuss health and safety concerns pertaining to your business.
- How should you develop your business’ short and long term plans in response to COVID-19 while prioritizing the health and safety of yourself and your employees?
- What precautions and social distancing measures can you take when re-opening your business?
You’ll have a chance to ask questions and get them answered by Los Gatos Doc, a primary care practice serving residents of Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, and many other neighboring communities.
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Limited to 20 registrants.
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Virtual Networking Mixer
Thursday, May 7 at 5pm
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Join us via Zoom for a Virtual Networking Mixer! One of our greatest strengths as a Chamber of Commerce is connecting the business community. We can still connect and network - even though we can't do it in person!
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Virtual Visit with our
Sister Town, Listowel, Ireland
May 7 at 11:30am
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Pictured:
Council member Rob Rennie with Los Gatos residents Mags MacInerney, Werner Frei & Isabella Rennie, Listowel Mayor (at the time), Dispora minister & 2 Listowel administrators.
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A Zoom link will be sent after registration.
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Join us in a virtual meeting with our sister town, Listowel, Ireland! Our Zoom call will feature a very special guest, Mayor Jimmy Moloney of Listowel, Ireland as well as Councilman Rob Rennie who visited Listowel just a year ago. The two presenters will talk about what shelter in place looks like in our small towns and how they are both looking ahead to a brighter future.
Los Gatos and Listowel became sister towns in 1994. Through the years, delegations from both towns have visited each other. Los Gatos has hosted the Irish Writers festival several times and the relationship has grown over time.
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Shop LG Local Raffle
2 Winners Each Week
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Support a local business and get a chance to win gift cards to other (or the same!) Los Gatos businesses! We can't wait to see all of your entries.
How to Enter:
- Purchase items or services from a local Los Gatos business or get takeout/delivery from a Los Gatos restaurant.
- Either post a photo of you holding your purchase to Instagram, add the hashtag #wegotthislg, and tag the Chamber (@losgatoschamber) and the business. (Private accounts, DM us a screenshot of your post!)
- OR - not on Instagram? Send a copy of your receipt to chamber@losgatoschamber.com
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Digital Marketing Workshops
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While you are sheltering in place, now is a great time to learn about digital marketing. Sofya Elperin-Smirvov is an expert in small business marketing. Sofya offers digital marketing training, consulting and full marketing management. She is an expert in paid search ads, email marketing, social media, content creation, website optimization and all digital and traditional marketing channels.
Below are a few webinars that she is presenting. Take advantage of these opportunities.
- Design your own marketing & content graphics
- Learn about free graphic design tools such as Canva, which allows you to create quick and easy, high quality marketing material.
- Learn to utilize these tools accross all your digital channels.
- Learn how to create your own Marketing Plan.
- What digital marketing channels should you use?
- What is your budget per month/year?
- What is your brand/mission?
This is the follow-up to the Beginner level Facebook Ads workshops. You will learn:
- Custom/ lookalike Audiences
- Tracking pixels
- Deeper analysis
- And more...
Registration require for all webinars
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2020 Census - Shape Your Future
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Just a reminder to complete the Census 2020 - if you haven't done so already.
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts every resident in the nation. A complete and accurate count is essential because the data collected determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is also used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities. More than 70 federal programs, including education, health, and transportation, use Census numbers as part of their funding formulas.
Be counted!
Make sure Santa Clara County and California receives our fair share of federal funds.
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Town of Los Gatos website
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The Town of Los Gatos has compiled a very comprehensive page of Covid-19 messages and resources. It outlines how all the Town departments are functioning throughout this crisis. In addition, it has resources for businesses and individuals, as well as ways you can volunteer.
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For the latest updates, please visit Santa Clara County Public Health.
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Resources For Individuals
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Alex Hult, owner and founder of Flights Restaurants, immediately reacted to shelter-in-place order across the Bay Area in the wake of the national crisis. He wanted to keep his employees and other restaurant workers in Los Gatos employed, so began #FeedtheNeedBayArea.
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#FEEDtheNEEDBAYAREA
is an community-driven emergency fund to provide immediate economic relief to the most vulnerable citizens in the Los Gatos area, including seniors, displaced Los Gatos employees and medical workers at our local hospitals. This effort is a partnership with the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce and Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center.
With the help of your donations, our team of volunteers, neighboring restaurants, and community agencies provides FREE hot meals to local non-profit agencies, local hospitals, shut-in senior citizens, and low-income families in the Los Gatos area.
#FEEDtheNEEDBAYAREA
allows Los Gatos restaurants keep a portion of their staff employed by preparing meals at a flat rate.
DONATE NOW:
Every
$10 donation = 1 hot meal for someone in need.
Donations can also be mailed to Los Gatos Chamber Hospitality Fund, 10 Station Way, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Thank you for helping us #FeedTheNeed.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNERS
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