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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PG&E begins work on Mt. Diablo starting today
Without warning, PG&E informed the City of Lafayette on Friday, August 7, that the utility began conducting a hydrostatic pressure test on a transmission pipeline in downtown Lafayette on August 5, and expects the work will conclude in early November. PG&E says that this test confirms the pipeline strength and operating pressure by filling the pipeline with water and increasing the pressure to a level that is much higher than the pipeline’s normal operating pressure. PG&E will repair or replace any pipeline that does not meet acceptable standards.
During construction, you can expect to see and hear PG&E and contractor trucks, water tanks, heavy equipment, metal plates in the road, detour signs, air compressors, closed roads, closed sidewalks, jackhammers and equipment backup safety alarms and heavy equipment. This work should not interrupt gas service, the utility says. According to PG&E, here are the work locations and traffic control impacts:
- Mt Diablo Blvd and Moraga Rd: Sunday through Thursday nights, 8pm-5am including days on 9/20, 9/22 and 10/6. Mt Diablo Blvd closed from First Street to Oak Hill – West Bound, and Moraga Rd closed at Mt Diablo Blvd. Please follow detour signs.
- Lafayette Cir and Mt Diablo Blvd: Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.Lafayette Cir (please follow detour signs) will be closed at Mt Diablo Blvd.
- Mt Diablo Blvd and Happy Valley Rd: Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm including nights on 9/21 and 10/5. Right lane heading east will be closed from Mountain View Dr to Happy Valley Rd during work hours.
- Golden Gate Way and First St: Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm. East bound lane and parking will closed. Please follow detour signs.
If you have any questions about PG&E’s work, or wish to report any problems, please contact PG&E’s Julian Lacson at (925) 348-3532 or by email at J5LR@pge.com.
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Terraces of Lafayette
Today at 4:00pm, the long awaited City Council meeting will listen to arguments for and against an appeal to approve the 315 apartments named “Terraces of Lafayette.”
The application for this project was filed in March, 2011. Over nine years several alternative plans have been discussed. After a series of law suits and a ballot issue to stop the O’Brian Company from building 44 detached homes, the application was resubmitted to build the apartments that will include low and very low income units. Due to the passing of AB330 (housing crisis act 2019), the city is only allowed to hold 5 public meetings. This appeal will be the 4 th meeting. To learn more about the this subject, you can visit http://lafayette.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?event_id=37e4f5fe-1e0a-437c-a9e6-931ca625ba10, and http://savelafayette.org/.
Also, on the agenda for Wednesday’s City Council Meeting, August 12, the city will be looking at a potential Business License Program. These meetings are all on line.
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Time to get into the Race
Petitions to run for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be available on the chamber website beginning August 12th. 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 these chamber members. The term of office for the new Directors will be January, 2021 through December, 2022. Voting will take place between October 1-15. Ballots will be mailed to all 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 petition, call the Chamber office at 284-7404, check the website later this week or email info@lafayettechamber.org.
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One city. One push. We can do this!
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
- WEAR A MASK
- PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING
- STAY AT HOME WHEN POSSIBLE
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.
Image Caption: Follow this detailed guide to safely put on a mask. Every step is crucial for ensuring protection! #WearingisCaring
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Welcome New Members!
We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
35 Moraga Way, Orinda
Christine Berryhill, 925-254-9227
Fourth Generation Fine Jeweler specializing in Custom Designed Jewelry for 97 years. Full Service - Timepiece Repair, Jewelry Repair, Insurance Appraisals, Bead Stringing, Hostess Gift and beautiful designer jewelry in store. ~Love you can see, since 1923~
Category: Jewelers / Jewelry, Gifts
67 Lafayette Circle
(Welcome new owners,) Betty Chuluunbaatar and Sam Sukhbaatar, 925-283-0466
Category: Coffee & Tea
1030 Country Club Dr., Ste D, Moraga
Michael Baird, 650-889-6620
Iron Point Financial Advisors provides financial comfort for our clients. Our clients include small businesses, the business owner, and individuals building and protecting their wealth. We provide services including advanced planning, retirement planning, investment management, 401K services, life insurance, etc.
Category: Financial Services & Planning
Welcome New Friend!
Bakari Grant
Thank you to our Renewing Members!
The following members renewed their membership July 20 through August 9 - thank you!
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Member Shout Out Home Interior Businesses & Services
(Part 1 of 2 - more next week!)
Welcome Back to School Week! Is YOUR Zoom Room ready?
Computer set up.
Refresh room, add accents and make it comfortable.
Paint a wall.
Add a clock or piece of art.
Decorate with a new plant.
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Summer Shake-Up! A Chamber August Mixer
Thursday, August 20, 6-7:30pm
Yes, you heard that right! It is time and we are hosting a virtual end of summer mixer!
Shake it up with a special live presentation from The Coop’s own Portia Battistini showing us how to make her famous Gin and Tonic as featured in July’s Diablo Magazine.
Hear a few words from our Chamber Board President John McCormick and our Executive Director Jay Lifson, learn about the 2020 Res Run Reimagined, meet our new members, participate in a social media survey, take the Chamber Member Challenge AND network via a breakout room. Don’t miss the chance to reacquaint with old friends, meet new people and learn the cools things we are doing behind the scenes at the Lafayette Chamber.
Photography by Nat and Cody Gantz.
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Give blood. Help save lives. Join the Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, August 14, 2020 10am-4pm
Right now, the American Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals to schedule a blood, platelet or AB Elite plasma donation appointment to help maintain a sufficient blood product supply and avoid any potential shortages. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. This Blood drive is sponsored by Senator Steven Glazer and the Lafayette Library and the Learning Center.
To schedule an appointment go to: www.redcrossblood.org (enter Sponsor Code: senatorglazer) or call 1-800-733-2767.
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ICYMI - In Case You Missed It!
"Breakfast" with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan was held on Friday, July 31. You can view the recording here. Password: =B!ZRIG4
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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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VISIT OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
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Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County: COVID-19 Resource Hotline Call Center for Businesses and Jobseekers
As part of their Bounce Back Contra Costa campaign, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDB), is providing information and resources to help businesses and employees/job seekers navigate through this COVID-19 crisis. Call the WDB COVID-19 Resource Hotline Call Center at 1-833-320-1919, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm or click here to email. For further details, visit https://www.wdbccc.com.
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Experienced Business Professionals Help You Succeed
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.
Finding Customers / Marketing Your Idea, August 12, 2020, 8:30am
Search Marketing: They Are Looking For You! August 18, 2020, 1:00pm
How to Write a Compelling Business Plan, August 19, 2020, 12:00pm
Business Accounting, August 20, 2020, 9:30am
Finding Customers / Marketing Your Idea, September 16, 2020, 8:30am
How to Stay Visible and Relevant in Troubled Times, September 24, 2020, 10:00am
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CALLING ALL LAFAYETTE SMALL BUSINESSES!
Lafayette Social is extending a special advertising opportunity to small businesses and local nonprofits that are members of the Lafayette Chamber.
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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Minuteman Press is offering Hand Sanitizer with Your Company Logo
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.
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Small Office Spaces Available
Pacific Management Group has some small office spaces coming available at 251 Lafayette Circle very soon. Currently the spaces are occupied by Busby & Zappala of suite 350. A portion of their space will be renamed suite 370 and physically separated from the rest of the office. This portion consists of two rooms, 276 square feet total. There is a separate entry for the suite, however it is accessible only via stairs. Next door to that is a one room office, 128 square feet, suite 380 that will also be vacated. Both stair access only, all building operating costs covered by monthly rent of $3.00 psf per month. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please let me know and I can arrange a showing. Contact: Shannon Erickson, Property Manager, Pacific Management Group, 700 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 120, Walnut Creek, 925-938-3700. Office hours M, W, Th, F 8:30-3:30.
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Member Announcements
Lamorinda Living Podcast - season 2!
Season 2 begins! Last year Lamorinda resident launched a local podcast called Lamorinda Living as a way to build community and provide visibility into local issues and happenings. Last year’s episodes included interviews with our Jay Lifson, business coach Holly Jean Jackson, Jennifer Perlmutter, Gian Panetta, Kathy Merchant and many more. Season two interviews include:
1. Dana Green - How is the Lamorinda real estate market during Covid? (BTW, she talks about Jay during her interview :))
2. Elizabeth LaScala - Thinking about college during Covid?
3. DJ Ryan 0 - Lamorinda’s Drive Up DJ during Covid.
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Brew Garden at Coffee Shop
Have you tried Lafayette’s newest beer garden, Brew Garden, located at Coffee Shop? Hand crafted margaritas, sangria, specialty cocktails and a gigantic beer 🍺 lineup! Now offering happy hour specials weekdays 3:45-5:45! Wednesday-Saturday starting at 3:45pm.
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Fringe and Fern Special Discount for Chamber Members!
Text or call 925.784.5377
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Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce BACK TO BUSINESS: Helping to define the "New Norm."
Sudden Impact: The Port of Oakland - The Port’s impact on the region and its future in the wake of coronavirus. With guest: Danny Wan, Executive Director, Port of Oakland
Tuesday, August 11, 9am-10am
With Oakland International Airport being a part of the Port of Oakland, its fate is closely tied to all of us in the East Bay. From leisure travel to business passenger bookings, cruise ships to cargo ships, and imports to exports, the Port of Oakland is typically a happening place that represents a wide cross-section of the California economy. These and many other factors make ports essential during a pandemic and any natural disaster. Danny Wan, Executive Director, Port of Oakland, will share the Port's impact from the pandemic on our region, the progress being made to recover, and what he envisions for the future.
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San Francisco Business Times presents Moving ahead: Choosing new paths in unchartered times
Tuesday, August 11, 2pm
It’s impossible to ignore the long-lasting effects Covid-19 will have on your business. Small- to mid-sized businesses are working twice as hard to adapt for the rest of 2020 and the unforeseeable future. But you don’t have to do it alone. Understanding the difference between temporary disruptions and fundamental changes is key to planning for what’s next.
In this webinar, you will learn: Tips on evaluating intelligence for your business vs. noise;
What top executives should focus on to plan effectively for the short, middle and long term; How to ensure buy-in from key stakeholders when implementing new strategies.
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Your LinkedIn Branding Can Get You More Business Leads - Learn How!
Wednesday, August 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Free and open to all
Join the Mt. Diablo Business Women for this special opportunity to learn tools and practices for building your business. Enjoy our warm and helpful networking conversations during this online meeting! Register here.
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Student Loan Refinancing Webinar Series
Thursday, August 13, 9am, 12pm or 3pm and Thursday, September 17, 9am, 12pm or 3pm.
MassMutual and commonbond are excited to offer you access to a complimentary webinar series designed to help answer your questions around student loan refinancing, the CARES Act and what steps you can take prior to the ending of the payment pause on September 30. Please use the links below to register for the time that works best for you. You can attend one date or both, please reach out if you have questions.
Thursday, August 13, 9am, 12pm or 3pm: It’s time! Find out how to make the best of payment pause.
Learn how to best leverage your options to take advantage of the CARES Act and how to set yourself up for success when the payment pause ends.
Select timeslot (please note Zoom registration is in Eastern time):
Thursday, September 17, 9am, 12pm or 3pm: The CARES Act is ending, are you ready?
Learn what the end of the CARES Act means for student loan borrowers and steps you can take now to be better prepared when repayment starts.
Select timeslot:
On the registration form it will ask you to enter the person who invited you the webinar, enter Lafayette Chamber member and Mass Mutual agent, Gian Panetta.
Subject to state law restriction. Loans are offered through CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS #1175900). © 2020 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual®), Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All rights reserved. www.MassMutual.com. CRN 202206-267499
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Summer Fun On A Coconut Monday! Let's Network
Monday, August 17, 3pm
We all know Monday's can be challenging for many reasons, so why not add a little fun to it!
We all wish we can be somewhere tropical right now enjoying an umbrella drink out of a coconut! So you're invited to come out for some fun on a Coconut Monday! Join us from 3:00-4:30 for an afternoon of networking. It's a fun way to meet local professionals and to say hi to those you may already know. What a wonderful way to start your week!
You will also learn about the different ways White Rabbit Business Solutions can benefit your business and the special pricing available by attending this event!!!
Register for this free event by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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VIRTUAL Business Speed Networking EXPO August 18th to Develop New Business
Tuesday, August 18, 12n-2pm
Straight Forward Speed Networking when Co-Hosted by Our Trained Ambassadors to Make Sure Everybody Learns Your Name and Infuses the Spirit of Fair Play is Nearly Perfect Networking Made Easy.
Develop Your Business Allies and Make the Connections You Need to Create New Business Right NOW! Learn the ONE thing you should do during the Corona Pandemic with the highest conversion rate on a tight budget. Expand your network by engaging with professionals who focus on business to business networking 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. This will be a fun, very productive 2 hours well spent. Register here.
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Lafayette Art & Wine Festival: Let’s celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 2021!
In light of the growing new cases of COVID-19 in the Bay Area the Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors has decided, in the interest of everyone’s health and safety, to cancel this year’s Art & Wine Festival scheduled for September 26-27.
Some of you might be wondering why we waited so long to announce what now seems obvious? First, we were holding out for the miracle that just did not come in time. Losing an event like Lafayette’s annual “end of the summer party” is a tough blow to the community, the businesses, the artists and our guests that often total more than 80,000. We have all sacrificed and suffered enough. Cancelling the festival is last thing we wanted to do! We love this event as much as you. The revenue generated helps pay for our valued community services (like Trick or Treat Street and our Rock the Plaza Concert Series) and has donated well over $500K to the non-profit beneficiaries we support including our schools.
On behalf of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Eckerstrom Productions (who has partnered with us since the very first festival in 1996) we wish to thank you for your support and participation in this annual event. We are sorry for any problems this may create for everyone involved. Please stay safe.
We’ll be back for the 25th Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival on the weekend of September 18-19, 2021. For the most up-to-date info, connect with us:
Sincerely,
Jay Lifson, Executive Director, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
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School Starts This Week!
Engage in Diversity Education
Contra Costa County Librarians have put together a wide-ranging reading list of titles dealing with anti-racism, diversity and inclusion to expand awareness and provide a foundation for a more equitable society. Check out the list and place a hold for one of these edifying books. Click here for list.
New Nonfiction at the Lafayette Library
This week, Allegra put together a great list of nonfiction that you can request for curbside pickup. Click here to view the list.
Place a hold on these great titles today. Wait for notification that your holds are ready, schedule an appointment, and pick them up through Front Door Service. It's easy!
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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