Weekly Headlines-------------------------------- --- - Week of February 8, 2021
EAST BAY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE, REIMAGINED
presented by
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
in conjunction with
John Muir Health and Stanford Children's Health
Celebrating 16 Years of Excellence
REIMAGINED
Five-Part Virtual Speaker Series
Kicks off Tuesday, March 2
With
Glennon Doyle Joining Us Live
for a Fireside Chat and Q&A!
Glennon Doyle, Activist and #1 New York Times best-selling author
of Untamed and Carry On Warrior 
The EBWC REIMAGINED Speaker Series will kick off Tuesday, March 2, and continue the first Tuesday of the month through July 6, 2021. Known for its programing excellence and sold-out events, the East Bay Women's Conference, REIMAGINED promises the same powerhouse speakers, interactive sessions on contemporary issues, networking, and the entertainment our audiences have enjoyed for the past 15 years. This year, inspiration will be delivered to savor in bite-size pieces! You won't want to miss joining these powerhouse women!

Exciting five-part series kicks off on Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Series Dates: First Tuesday of the month
March 2, Glennon Doyle | April 6, Dr. Jennifer Ashton
May 4, Isha Sesay | June 1, Amaryllis Fox
July 6, Tina Tchen
Time: Virtual format from noon to 1:30pm
Followed by attendee networking.

$195/person | Register here
or Chamber website: walnut-creek.com
Includes all five, 90-minute events & networking

Conference Highlights: Premier keynote and featured speakers, interactive presentations by industry experts on topics of critical importance and contemporary issues, all keynote speakers appearing live for Q&A with the audience, entertainment, fun activities, interactive networking, on-demand video playback—watch all five events anytime for 30 days following each series date.

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Thank You to Our 2021 Series Sponsors
We Couldn't Do It Without You!
No More Zoom, Goodbye Brady Bunch!
Here's How to Network Better in 2021
Monthly Virtual Speed Networking
Kick off event: Thursday, February 18
5:00 - 6:00PM
Register with Blitzr:  Click here | First time Blitzr users, please set up a profile (takes five minutes). 



Goodbye Brady Bunch! Join the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce for some virtual speed networking on Thursday, February 18 , from 5-6 p.m. Say hello to friends in the business community. Build new business contacts. All members & non-members are welcome at this FREE event. Help us spread the word by inviting business owners and professionals you know. Contact Linda Vesneski for help - 925-934-2007 x 105 or lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.

Thank you to The Light Digital for spearheading this official Chamber event. Visit www.thelightdigital.com for expert marketing of your business. And watch Business in The Know interviews featuring experts on hot topics affecting business owners like you.
Getting Stronger Every Day
Thank you for strengthing our Chamber during the pandemic. We send a special thank you to our newest Walnut Creek Chamber members.
To learn more about these member businesses, visit their websites.


Wilson Stephens

Nonprofit Executive Search
Bob Fisher

Jing Chen

Niveditha Jain

Catherine Myers

Janay McCullough









NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION 
Wednesday, February 24
 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM 

To register, click here.

Virtual event. Zoom link will be sent via email the day before orientation

Join us at our orientation for new members, existing members and prospective members. This Zoom meeting offers an overview of the Chamber, programs and events, public policy initiatives and activities, sponsorship opportunities, networking, and ways to get involved.

Our Chamber of Commerce’s primary objective is to strengthen local businesses of all sizes. The best way is to use the services of chamber member businesses and organizations.
Now Accepting Applications! 
First come/first served
grant program for restaurants. 

The City of Walnut Creek’s Restaurant Grant Program is created to help the restaurant community with expenses related to business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants in Walnut Creek attract people to eat and shop at retail stores, and the success of restaurants helps maintain the economic vitality of our community. Grants will be distributed on a first come/first served basis, with applicants required to meet general criteria for eligibility. For more information and application, click here.
From the desk of
City Manger Dan Buckshi

PPP Update: Loan application portal now open to all lenders
PPP funds are now available for all participating lenders to start distributing to small businesses for first and second draw loans. Get connected with a lender through the SBA’s Lender Match tool.


Targeted EIDL Frequently Asked Questions
If you have interest in Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to EIDL loans the click the link below and download the pdf.

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Additional assistance announced:
Tax relief (click here); and recovery loans through the California Rebuilding Fund.

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Contra Costa: The following partners serve your county. Click here to learn more about each partner to select and which organization to apply through.
California announces special enrollment to help people get insurance
This is vitally important to small businesses during this challenging time because more than half of all ACA marketplace enrollees are small business owners, self-employed individuals or small business employees. Californians without health insurance will now be able to enroll in coverage through CoveredCa.com through May 15, 2021. 
Together, we can all make a difference.
COVID-19 may have changed our collective day-to-day in many ways, but it has not changed our resolve to make the world a better place.

The pandemic has resulted in heavy impacts to Vitalant’s mobile blood drive operations and thousands of blood drive cancellations. The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges all healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to participate in their virtual blood drive .For complete details, click here.
Vaccine Supply Shortages Prompt Public Health Leaders Throughout the Bay Area to Urge Prioritization of Older Adults for Vaccination - click here



Up-To-Date COVID Information for Contra Costa
Latest County information, click here
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phases For more information, click here.
At-A-Glance | What's Open Now, click here
Understand status in Contra Costa, click here
City of Walnut Creek Rebound Program website
GET TESTED, Click here
When an Employee Tests Positive, click here
Official California State
Roadmap to all Four Phases - click here
What's Happening?

Save Mount Diablo Expands Its Free “Discover Diablo” Hikes Program for 2021 | Full schedule of upcoming hikes, view and RSVP online here:

Think there's nothing to do? You just might be surprised what's happening; click here.

Chamber member benefit: List your upcoming events, webinars, workshops to the calendar. If you need assistance, contact Tani at tdhana@walnut-creek.com or Linda at lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.
Help Wanted

First Citizens Bank, American Swim Academy, and East Bay Perfect Star Heating and Air Conditioning have openings to join their teams. Click here


Chamber member benefit: List your job opportunities on the Chamber website. If you need assistance, contact Tani at tdhana@walnut-creek.com or Linda at lvesneski@walnut-creek.com.
What's Not to Like?
THE WEEKLY BRIEF, By Walnut Creek Magazine 
    Issue #41 | February 4, 2021, Click here.
AND
Don't miss the chance to win a free ticket to the
EBWC REIMAGIND SPEAKER SERIES, click here
Follow Us 
In accordance with City and State directives, the Chamber office is operating virtually. While the Chamber office location is closed, all phone calls and emails will be returned promptly. We will continue to serve our members and community.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if we can assist you or your business in any way. We will continue to keep you updated.
Stay well.
Jay Hoyer, President/CEO
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
1280 Civic Drive | Suite 100 | Walnut Creek | CA | 94596
t.925.934.2007 f.925.934.2404
Follow us on Facebook | www.walnut-creek.com