News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber |
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Monday, December 20, 2021 |
Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Office Hours by Appointment only:
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Please call for an appointment; masks required inside.
Chamber Staff Holiday Break: Dec. 22, noon until Jan. 3, 9am.
This will be our last email blast of the year!
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Happy Holidays from the Chamber Staff
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Shop Local Lafayette!
Our downtown banners have changed, but the theme resonates on. Please shop local this holiday season.
Here are some great resources:
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Welcome New Lafayette Chamber Member!
The following business just joined the Lafayette Chamber last week! We encourage you to visit their website to learn more (and see their special holiday deals!)
La Fiesta Square, 977 Moraga Rd., Lafayette, CA 94549
Alejandro Arnez, 925-329-6333
Body Contouring Spa - Personal use
Category: Health Care / Wellness
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Welcome New Friend of the Chamber!
Last week we welcomed Caren Armstrong as a Friend of the Chamber! Thank you Caren!
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Thank You Renewing Members!
The following members renewed their membership during the timespan December 13-20, 2021. Curious about your membership status? Contact us.
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New Cal/OSHA Workplace Rules
As many of us race to the finish line and make the most out of the last week or two of 2021, unless you are a business of ONE person, you now have new Cal/OSHA rules to read, understand and prepare your business for the continued battle with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The chamber has contacted our county and state officials regarding the somewhat over-reaching mandate that holds employers responsible to:
- Communicate to employees about the employer's COVID-19 prevention procedures.
- Identify, evaluate and correct COVID-19 hazards.
- Require and provide face coverings and respirators in the manner and in the circumstances specified in the ETS.
- Advise employees they can wear face coverings at work, regardless of their vaccination status, without fear of retaliation by the employer.
- Use engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment under certain circumstances.
- Follow procedures to investigate and respond to COVID-19 cases in the workplace.
- Provide COVID-19 training to employees.
- Make testing available at no cost to employees who have had a “close contact” (as defined in the ETS) with a person with COVID-19, and in the case of multiple infections or a major outbreak, make testing available at no cost on a regular basis for employees in the exposed work areas. This requirement does not apply to exposed employees who are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms, except during major outbreaks.
- Exclude COVID-19 cases and exposed employees from the workplace until they are no longer an infection risk. Exposed employees who are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms do not need to be excluded.
- Follow return to work criteria.
- Maintain records of COVID-19 cases, and report serious illnesses to Cal/OSHA and to the local health department when required.
OSHA Workplace Rules:
Our County Supervisor Candace Andersen is checking with County Health to see if they can assist in creating information or a check list that is easier to follow than sifting through all of the rules and regulations. We will keep you posted!
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Contra Costa Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund available for small businesses impacted by COVID
The Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund offers grants to micro-businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Contra Costa County cities except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch which receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, directly.
The Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprises Relief Fund is funded by the Contra Costa County CDBG program. The CDBG program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This fund is administered by the nonprofit organization Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s East Bay office.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS FUND, A “MICRO-ENTERPRISE” WILL BE DEFINED AS A FOR-PROFIT ENTITY WITH:
- A maximum of 5 employees (including owner)
- Less than $250,000 in annual business revenue
- Registered, in good standing with, and operating in Contra Costa County cities except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch
ELIGIBILITY, BUSINESS MUST:
- Be an existing micro-enterprise with 5 employees of less (including owner)
- Have a business operating in Contra Costa County except for Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch
- If resident lives outside of the county, business must be a brick and mortar in eligible cities
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Have a business license or permit (They will accept a State seller’s permit for Lafayette businesses since the City does not issue a business license.)
- Have a DUNS number (or able to obtain one prior to grant receipt)
- Be able to show their business financials from 2020 (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, POS reports, quarterly taxes)
- Have a household income that is low to moderate-income (varies based on household size) or the majority of employees are low income (must show proof of income)
- Be directly impacted by COVID-19
INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES:
- Operating one of the following types of businesses: adult entertainment, liquor, cannabis, franchise
- Gig-workers: Uber, Instacart, etc.
- Received over $25,000 in PPP or EIDL loan/grants, if so, grants must be used for different expenses.
EXAMPLE USE OF FUNDS (NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST)
- Purchasing technology (i.e. laptops, printer, point of sale system)
- COVID-19 precaution supplies (PPE)
- Safety remodeling (plexiglass, spacing tape, construction labor)
- Façade improvements and signage
- Online platform fees and social media marketing to further online sales
- Commercial rents
- Employee salaries (must provide third party payroll vendor, 941 Form or W3 IRS Form)
- Funds cannot be used to pay debt or loans.
GRANT AMOUNT: $1,000.00- $10,000.00
To apply visit Contra Costa County Micro-Enterprise Relief Fund – Renaissance Center: Renaissance Center (rencenter.org)
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Supervisor Candace Andersen's December 16 Weekly Update
➡ Despite New State Masking Order, Contra Costa can Continue its Exceptions for Gyms, Offices & College Classes Where Everyone is Vaccinated
➡ Teens - Ages 16-17 Now Eligible for Pfizer Booster Shots
➡ Contra Costa Health Services - A Year in Review
➡ Contra Costa Health Services Urges Vaccinations and Boosters Amid Discovery of Omicron Variant
➡ COVID-19 Test Kits Available in our Office
➡ Dashboard Shows Progress Toward Lifting Indoor Masking Order in Contra Costa County
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City of Lafayette, CA: The Weekly Roundup, December 17, 2021
➡ City Council Reorganization
➡ The Park Theater Trust Announces Purchase of Historic Local Cinema
➡ Minor Roadwork Still Underway on Moraga Road and Reliez Valley Road
➡ Year End Office Closure
➡ Lamorinda Spirit Van Program Needs Drivers and Dispatchers
➡ Update for Parents/Guardians of Incoming Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Students
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It's About Time!
Your online profile is search engine optimized. Include a full business description including key words that your potential customers and clients would use to find you. You can also add up to four social media platforms to the listing.
And guess what? The Lafayette Chamber now has a TikTok account. Follow us for future postings! |
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Lafayette Reservoir Photo Book Available for Your Gift Giving Needs!
The Lafayette Reservoir: A Visual Celebration coffee table book, by Steve Hobbs, is available at the Lafayette Chamber office, 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150 for a $35 donation. Please call for appointment, (925) 284-7404.
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Retire with Prosperity - Wealth Management Meet & Greet
Tuesday, December 21; MORNING SESSION: 10am to 11:30am; EVENING SESSION: 6pm to 7:30pm
Join Retire With Prosperity, an educational Open House event for Prosperity Financial Group clients and everyone in the community! Fiduciary Advisors will cover different topics each month, including tips on:
- ENSURING you DON’T outlive your retirement income.
- NAVIGATING recent changes in legislation that could potentially affect your nest egg.
- REDUCING exposure to factors like taxes on your income streams.
- OPTIMIZING your Social Security and Medicare strategy.
- ACCOUNTING for long-term health care costs.
- GIFTING strategically to future generations and to your favorite causes.
- And much, much more.
Advisory Services offered through Prosperity Financial Group, Inc., an independent registered investment advisor. Securities offered through Fortune Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Prosperity Financial Group, Inc. and Fortune Financial Services, Inc. are separate entities.
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FREE Showcases!
Lafayette Beauty is looking to give way (free) 8 showcases from the store by 12/24. They are 4’4” in height and 3’8” wide.
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Positive "Rewiring" For Your Best 2022 - Learn More From Michele Molitor
At Mt. Diablo Business Women's January meeting, learn from Michele Molitor how her unique "Rapid Rewiring" approach can bring you less stress and more success in 2022. Called “The Brain Detective” by her clients, Michele is the founder and CEO of Nectar Consulting, Inc., and co-author of the best-selling book “Breakthrough Healing." You'll also be able to introduce yourself and your business, and enjoy the great camaraderie of our group and our meetings.
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Guests are welcome to participate in two meetings prior to joining Mt. Diablo Business Women (there is an annual membership fee upon joining).
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Learn how to respond after a disaster with Lamorinda’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Are you and your family prepared for an emergency or community wide disaster? Do you have an escape plan for your home? Do you know where your emergency gas and water shutoff valves are located? Would you know how to help your neighborhood if emergency responders were not available from 911?
Learn how to respond after a disaster when first responders are overwhelmed, and communications are down. Many homeowners are not aware of hazards around the home that can cause fire or add to possible damage during an earthquake. Learn to spot home safety hazards and protect you, your family, and neighbors by attending CERT classes.
There is a series of classes available from Lamorinda’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Learn, in detail, disaster preparedness and response, how to work with your neighbors as a team and help your community during an emergency. The course covers many subjects:
- emergency preparedness
- radio communications
- fire safety
- medical triage and treatment operations
- light search and rescue techniques
- CERT organizational skills using the Incident Command System
- disaster psychology
- pet preparedness and response
- terrorism awareness
Classes are taught twice a year, once in Lafayette and once in Orinda. Class series are one night a week for nine weeks, including hands-on exercises and a final drill. The next class series will be held at the Orinda Library on Wednesday nights from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm starting January 12 and finishing on March 9.
GET READY and become one of the over 900 trained Lamorinda CERTs. Sign up now!
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Lamorinda Spirit Van Program Needs Drivers and Dispatchers
The Lamorinda Spirit Van Program is looking for a part time paid driver from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Eventually this shuttle will run two+ days a week. The route will include stops along Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette with each circuit taking about 30 minutes. If additional hours are wanted, this position can also include dispatching and/or driving older adults to errands and shopping when we don’t have a volunteer driver. Position requires a good driving record, cheerful communication skills, agility to bend over to tie down a wheelchair on occasion. The Program is also looking for:
- a part time paid dispatcher to take ride reservations, schedule the route, communicate with passengers and drivers, and prepare reports. Position requires good communication skills and knowledge of Excel.
- volunteer drivers to drive a 4-hour weekly or bi-weekly morning or afternoon shift to take older adults on errands and shopping.
For more information, please contact Mary Bruns at 925-284-5546.
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center |
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'Tis the Season. . .
Give the gift of literacy this holiday season with a donation in support of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Make a tribute gift in honor of someone on your list and we will send a personal note to your honoree!
Thank you to everyone who has given this year, especially our first-time donors. We are thrilled to welcome you into our family of supporters!
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Show Your Membership!
Would you like to include a Lafayette Chamber membership emblem on your website or other marketing materials?
The Lafayette Chamber would be happy to provide you with the appropriate logos. Simply email your request to holly@lafayettechamber.org. |
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Please note: to signup via text 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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