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Model Homes Open in Each Community 661-664-6039 • Ming Ave. and Allen Rd. Sunday-Monday 11-5, Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 HighgateSevenOaks.com
Seven Oaks Country Club Membership Incentives Available* * Requires financing through Castle & Cooke Mortgage. Seven Oaks Country Club memberships subject to application approval.
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INSIDE
4 COVID-19 WEBINAR
Applying for PPP? This webinar can help!
5 STAYING IN COMPLIANCE
New laws took effect for California on Jan. 1. Keep up-to-date on potential impacts to your business.
6 BEAUTIFUL BAKERSFIELD
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Learn more about the 2020 A Better Bakersfield winner - Kern Community Foundation.
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BEAUTIFUL BAKERSFIELD
Nominate Today!
Come in, we’re
Learn more about the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year winner Links for Life. 1 2 3 4 5 6
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MEMBER NEWS Discover the latest news and happenings with other members.
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13 STAY OPEN SIGNAGE
Request your complimentary COVIDrelated signage.
Cover Cover by Matthew Spindler, Executive Director, The Fox Theater.
Contact us
1725 Eye St. • PO Box 1947 Bakersfield, CA 93303 661.327.4421 bakochamber.com
Metro is the official publication of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. This publication is produced and digitally distributed to the Chamber’s membership at the beginning of each month. Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is correct and accurate as of the publication date. Metro does not warrant the accuracy or claims of its advertisers. The Chamber President/CEO has the sole right to refuse any advertisement. Please send any comments, questions, article suggestions or advertising inquiries to jscheiber@bakochamber.com. © Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means of the entire contents portion of this publication without written permission is prohibited.
METRO | PAGE 3
Happy New Year! Stay Safe and Stay Healthy
W
e would like to thank all our members for supporting the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. We know that for many of our members, 2020 was a trying year. Throughout last year, we continuously communicated with our members whether it be COVID-19 relief resources; advocacy efforts; updates from the state and public health department; educating our members on the ever-changing labor laws; and striving to help you navigate this journey. We believe that our business is a better Bakersfield, and we'll be looking for additional ways to support you and your business. Last year, we paused our in-person meetings and events. We were waiting to see if, or when, we could resume them. Going into 2021, we will continue to meet virtually while remaining optimistic that we can eventually offer hybrid and in-person meetings soon. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we navigated the challenges that 2020 brought. We know it was not always ideal or easy, but the perseverance and ingenuity shown by our members truly inspired us.
M
ake sure that your business is ready to obtain necessary financial support, with this next round of stimulus. Hear directly from our panel of experts on documents, reports and tips to get your application in quickly. Whether you've received support or weren't able to obtain it, make sure your business is prepared! Watch the webinar HERE. Speakers included: Norma Dunn, MCSC Kern Women's Business Center Deanna Blaise, Valley Strong Credit Union Kelly Bearden, CSU Bakersfield Small Business Development Center
METRO | PAGE 4
SERIES Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Location: Zoom Cost: Series Pricing: $50 members; $75 nonmembers (Includes registration for New Year and Mid-Year Updates and a 2021 Labor Law Poster will be mailed to each attendee)
RSVP: HERE
R
eserve your spot today – limited to the first 100 people! This series, presented by Young Wooldridge LLP and co-sponsored by LeBeauThelen LLP, includes the New Year Update (January 27), Mid-Year Update (Summer) and a 2021 Labor Law Poster that will be mailed to each participant.
Some of the key changes in the law that will be addressed during this presentation are: • Expansion of the California Family Rights Act to employers with 5 or more employees. • Codification of the presumption that an employee with COVID-19 contracted the virus at work. • Extensive reporting requirements for employers with 100 or more employees. • New reporting and tracking requirements for COVID-19. • Modifications to AB 5 regarding independent contractors. • Federal stimulus legislation and its effect on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
With 2020 behind us, employers look to new opportunities and challenges in 2021. From an employment law perspective, the challenges will be many. The California legislature and the Governor were very busy this past year passing legislation and creating Executive Orders that employers must deal with in the coming year.
Speakers Presenting Sponsor
LLP
Co-Sponsor Jerry Pearson
Dan Klingenberger METRO | PAGE 5
Congratulations to the 2020 A Better Bakersfield Winner!
K
ern Community Foundation was not prepared to receive the Beautiful Bakersfield Award for helping to create “A Better Bakersfield” through our Give Big Kern Online Day of Giving in 2019 — much less for a second year in a row in 2020! Because this award is not ours alone. We live in a wonderfully generous community that has rallied around Kern County’s hard-working nonprofits through Give Big Kern since the Foundation launched this crowdfunding effort in 2016, setting aside the first Tuesday in May (May 4th this year) as “One day to celebrate the giving spirit of Kern County!” To date, Give Big Kern has raised more than $1.7 million and received some 385,000 pledged volunteer hours from thousands of community members in support of local charities. Through the giving day platform givebigkern.org, nonprofits can raise unrestricted dollars and engage volunteers to help with current needs, while additionally vying for cash prizes. These benefits are provided free of charge to local charities thanks to the generosity of sponsors who believe in Give Big Kern. So again, the award belongs to our entire community. More than just a Giving Day Give Big Kern is an integral part of the Foundation’s Nonprofit Strengthening Initiative, which aims to increase the visibility, capacity, sustainability and resiliency of Kern’s nonprofits. Leading up to Give Big Kern, the Foundation makes available plenty of training and visibility opportunities to help nonprofits hone their skills in marketing, public and media relations, social media strategies, best practices in online fundraising, engagement of board members/donors/ volunteers and more. By strategically following up with participants beyond Give Big Kern, we encourage them to continue utilizing these skills throughout the year, thus helping to further nonprofit strengthening. 2020: The year COVID couldn’t stop good! As a fundraising effort that is 100 percent social-distancingcompliant because it happens online, in 2020, Give Big Kern was well poised to come to the rescue of struggling nonprofits, many of which had to abandon live fundraising events to prevent community spread of the novel coronavirus. Through training and strategic messaging, we helped 125 participating agencies “pivot” their online fundraising appeals to reflect quickly evolving and very real challenges.
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Kern’s generous community responded tremendously, donating close to threequarters of a million dollars (72 percent more than 2019) and pledging upwards of 155,500 volunteer hours to local causes. “While this pandemic has certainly presented a whole host of challenges for the community, it has also shown us how much we can accomplish when we work together,” Foundation President and CEO Kristen Beall Watson said. “Give Big Kern is just one example, but we have seen so many more,” she said, highlighting other efforts that include close to $700,000 received and granted out through the Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund; the creation of a regional inclusive economic development effort known as B3K Prosperity; and new and innovative web-based ways to support nonprofit resiliency through the soon-to-be-unveiled Nonprofit Empowerment Center on the Foundation’s website, kernfoundation.org. “The crisis has reinforced Kern Community Foundation’s commitment to creating ‘A Better Bakersfield,’” Beall Watson affirmed. Give Big Kern 2021’s enormous potential! Because so much living — and giving — continues to happen online, and more local nonprofits are choosing to participate in our day of giving as they discover the value of online fundraising, Give Big Kern 2021 has the potential to outperform even 2020. Our lovable mascot, Billy the Give Big Goat, encourages Kern residents to “Give B-i-i-i-g!” once again in 2021, in support of local causes they care about. Nonprofits wanting to fundraise, and sponsors wanting to support the Give Big Kern effort, can visit givebigkern.org/ info/faq or write to Louis@kernfoundation.org now to find out how to get involved, as preparations are just getting underway. Individual donors and volunteers wanting to give back to participating nonprofits they care about can visit givebigkern.org starting April 4, one month out from Give Big Kern Day. The website will begin receiving donations and volunteer pledges then, and remain open till May 5, one day after the big day, so that even late stragglers can give back — after all, it wouldn’t be a celebration of giving if we didn’t make it easy for everyone to join in the fun! – Louis Medina, Kern Community Foundation
Submit your nominations today at bakochamber.com! Presented by
CATEGORIES A Better Bakersfield An annual event or project that enhances the quality of life in the community. Architecture & Renovation The completion of a brand new interior and/or exterior building design. Or the completion of a renovated design that upgrades an existing structure. Arts & Culture Efforts by a group or individual to improve and/or enhance the arts and culture within our community. Education Efforts by an educator, project or school/college that promotes or benefits education in our city at all levels. Health An individual, group or organization impacting healthy living - above and beyond their normal scope or activities - through education, prevention or medical services.
Humanitarian Group A group whose personal volunteer efforts have made a significant impact in the community. Humanitarian Individual An individual whose personal volunteer efforts have made a significant impact in the community. Youth An individual or group under the age of 17 years old that, through personal involvement and endeavors, has answered the challenge of good citizenship. Young Professional An individual from 21 to 40 years old whose efforts truly impact and enhance the quality of life in the community.
Business Categories Business Person of the Year A local business owner/manager whose efforts truly impact and enhance the quality of life in the community. Corporation of the Year The recognition of a corporation whose volunteer hours and/or financial donations have made a meaningful difference. Nonprofit Organization of the Year Efforts of a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that impacts the community.
Small Business of the Year A small business (25 employees or less) whose contributions and/ or products and services instill community pride. Harvey L. Hall Lifetime Achievement (55+) A local long-time community leader, who has made a lasting impact to Bakersfield and its residents.
Please Note:
Nominations must be for work completed in 2020 to be eligible for consideration.
Nomination Deadline: Monday, March 1, 2021
Congratulations to the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year Winner!
L
ast year was a difficult one for many in our community. Being named Beautiful Bakersfield’s Nonprofit of the Year Award is beyond humbling. With so many diverse, hardworking nonprofit organizations in Kern County, having our work highlighted in such a way leaves you truly speechless. We had to think fast and act even faster with new social distance guidelines, state mandates and quickly losing our traditional ways of fundraising for programs and services. For many of our clients, we are all they have. Our programs are their lifeline to surviving mentally and emotionally, as their bodies fight for survival under medical care. We were determined to not let anyone slip through the cracks. As we begin a new year, we are focused on the good we can continue to do for our community. We have a dedicated group of volunteers and supporters who are always coming up with new ideas for fundraising and promotions. They are the links that keep us together. LAST YEAR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS There is much to celebrate. Our staff and dedicated team of volunteers worked diligently to make sure there were no gaps in services, no programs forgotten and no clients’ needs left unmet. Here are some highlights of our work: - $8,500 grocery gift cards were distributed, serving nearly 90 survivors in treatment - 185 mammograms and ultrasounds were funded - 538 walk-in patrons were assisted - 473 cancer survivors were fitted for wigs/head coverings - 420 survivors & family members attended a support group (virtually starting in April) - 67,747 Kern County residents were educated on breast health and Links for Life services. WALKING INTO 2021 We still have a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to funding our breast screening services for those who are not insured or underinsured. Kern County has a great need and we are determined to meet those needs. We will continue to connect and support our community with our virtual support groups for breast cancer survivors. Our first meeting in January has 28 women registered to attend and three of them are new survivors. The new survivors will METRO | PAGE 8
meet with a Licensed Social Worker in a breakout room as part of the meeting. We will also continue to supply wigs for patients facing hair loss with any cancer. This is a promise our organization has maintained since its inception. We ask that patients contact our office to schedule an appointment, 661-322-5601 or email staff@linkforlife.org. New in 2019, our grocery cards for breast cancer survivors in active treatment will continue to be supplied. This service helps offset a financial need and also includes a nutrition class, taught by a registered dietitian. This monthly class encourages our survivors to focus on healthy eating while going through treatment. Later this year, we will be partnering with Kern County Cancer Foundation, Josh Farler Foundation and Thumbs Up Cancer Down, all local cancer-based organizations to host a collaborative event, “Teaming Up Against Cancer” a barbecue drive-thru fundraiser, at Compassion Corner in downtown Bakersfield. The more awareness and funding we can bring to our organizations, the stronger our services and programs will be for our Kern County community. It’s important to remember that our neighbors continued to be diagnosed with breast cancer; therefore our services continue to support their needs during treatment and as long as needed. Last year was complicated, but through all the challenges, we learned to adapt to the safety protocols and how we serve our cancer patients. We are in this together and together we will continue to thrive. – Jennifer Henry, Links for Life
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• The Bakersfield Condors took a huge step toward returning to action with the American Hockey League’s announcement that 28 teams have agreed to participate in the 2021 season, scheduled to start Feb. 5. Click here for more ticket information: https://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/ tickets/ • After thoughtful discussions with their Board of Directors, Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference decided to move their 2021 conference to a fully online, virtual experience that will take place on Monday, April 26 to Thursday, April 29, 2021. They believe this is the safest approach for the well-being of their attendees. They are excited that a virtual event makes it possible to broaden not only learning and engagement opportunities, but the audience beyond Bakersfield as
well. Attendees will have access to more conference than ever before! In addition to their celebrity keynote speakers, attendees can now partake in as many BWBC workshops as they’d like (30+ options!) with early access starting Monday, April 26. They will release more details on ticket registration, their conference agenda and other BWBC updates soon. Subscribe to their email list to be first to know of these updates: http:// bakersfieldwomen.org/bwbc-2021sign-up/ • Young Wooldridge LLP is proud to announce Jefferson X. Eberhardt and Kevin D. Danley as the firm’s newest partners! Mr. Eberhardt specializes in Personal Injury and Employment Law, while Mr. Danley is an expert in Estate Planning & Business Law. Congratulations!
• Dignity Health launched Operation White Lights on Friday, Jan. 8, which encourages the public, community leaders and businesses to support health care workers by displaying white lights and ribbons on their homes, businesses, cars or on their lapel, and to share messages of gratitude on social media. To read the entire article that ran in The Bakersfield Californian by Stacey Shepard, click HERE.
Attention Chamber Members Have an announcement or news you would like us to share? If so, please email the information to info@bakochamber.com *Member news is a benefit to Chamber members only.
NEW MEMBERS We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the companies that have joined the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Thank you for investing in our mission to Build a Better Bakersfield. Bakersfield Recovery Services Inc. PO Box 3218 Bakersfield, CA 93385 661-706-8299 www.bakersfieldrecoveryservices.com "We operate multiple substance abuse and addiction treatment facilities that provide various levels of care, ranging from outpatient to inpatient residential treatment." Energy Upgrade California 1513 6th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401 310-260-3331 www.energyupgradeca.org "We are a statewide initiative committed to motivate and educate California residents and small businesses to be more energy efficient, utilize more sustainable natural resources, reduce demand on the energy grid and make informed choices about their energy use at home and at work." METRO | PAGE 12
Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association PO Box 45001 Bakersfield, CA 93384 661-204-7944 "This association was established to foster a high standard of business ethics for Automotive Dealers in our city and to be a united front for the retail automotive business in business and community affairs in Kern County." WoodSpring Suites Bakersfield - Airport 8740 Spectrum Park Way Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-450-9100 www.woodspring.com "We are an extended stay hotel. Our amenities are designed to help you feel at home while you're away. Enjoy the convenience of an in-room kitchen, on-site laundry room, fitness center and free basic WiFi."
REQUEST YOUR
Stay Open Signage The City and the Chamber have come together to provide COVID-related signage for Chamber members and other businesses and organizations in Bakersfield. We have created a couple of vinyl window clings. One of the window clings encourages customers to wear a mask or face covering when entering a business. The second promotes social distancing. We offer them in both English and Spanish.
Use this link to order your FREE signage: https://bakochamber.com/stayopensigns/
METRO | PAGE 13
ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN
N O W AVA I L A B L E ! ONLINE APPLICATIONS
Same day processing Print certified documents at your own desk
SECURITY & COMPLIANCE Verify at CertificateOfOrigin.com
What’s in it for YOU? o o o o
or at certificates.iccwbo.org
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ADDITIONAL SERVICES
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Utilizes international template
Legalization requests Management reports available Certificates of Free Sale
LOW-COST
$40.00 per document $20.00 special member rate
R E G I S T E R T O D AY ! Contact (661) 327-4421
jscheiber@bakochamber.com www.bakochamber.com
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All certification staff is accredited by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation AWTCC seal is recognized and accepted by customs worldwide Ensures you have taken all steps to comply with rules, regulations, and international industry best practices Helps you achieve objectives in terms of quality, cost, scheduling, performance Ensures your transactions are secure with security background on completed certificates and secure web-based application Reduces shipment delays due to incomplete documentation Online certification saves on couriers, travel, postage, parking fees Engineered to prevent common errors with repetitive applications— perfect for high volume users Video tutorials, online help, certification help, phone and email support System is SaaS (Software as a Service) model—only pay for services used All applications are stored online with audit trail, fully searchable database and attachments Downloadable, detailed management Excel/PDF Reports Verify certificate authenticity at www.certificates.iccwbo.org
AWTCC is the only US member of the International Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Origin (CO) Accreditation Chain
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
RENEWING MEMBERS Thank you to our members who have reinvested in the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Your continued investment helps the Chamber continue its mission to Build a Better Bakersfield. Aaron Companies – 1991 KHSD - Regional Occupational Center – 2014 Affirma – 2019 KMI Mechanical, Inc. – 1991 Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault – 1992 LANPRO Systems – 2009 Anita M. Waits, Little Caesars Pizza!Pizza! – 1991 Accountancy Corporation – 1995 M.D. Atkinson Company, Inc. – 1994 Anthony Vineyards, Inc. – 1994 McIntosh & Associates Engineering, Assistance League of Bakersfield Inc. – 1990 –2004 Mickey, Casanova & Sack, CPAs Associated Builders & Contractors, – 1989 Central CA Chapter – 1998 Mid State Development Corporation B&B Surplus, Inc. – 1993 – 1990 Bakersfield Condors Hockey – 1995 Morgan Corporation – 1997 Bethany Services-Bakersfield Nickel Family LLC – 1994 Homeless Center – 1991 Parsons – 1991 Buttonwillow Raceway Park – 1996 Pat Callahan Ceramic Tile, Marble & CASA of Kern County – 1996 Granite Fabrication – 1992 CCM Mortgage – 2007 Payment Systems Worldwide – 1999 Chevron – 1920 Petro Travel Plaza – 2006 Clifford & Brown, P.C. – 1990 Pismo Beach Hotel Partners, LLC – 2011 Countryside Market & Restaurants – 2017 Price Disposal – 1997 Darlene Denison State Farm Prochorus, LLC – 2019 Insurance & Financial Srvcs. – 2018 ProParks Management Company El Pollo Loco - Stockdale Hwy. – 2015 – 2011 First Solutions Insurance Services Rick's Recycling, Inc. – 2002 – 1999 Si Senor Grill & Cantina – 2018 Frugatti's Italian Restaurant – 2004 Skarphol Frank Associates – 1995 Garden Pathways, Inc. – 2000 Skyline Cabinet & Millworks – 1998 Golden Walk – 2016 Stockdale Ceramic Tile Center, Inc. Guidance Senior Care Services, Inc. – 1990 – 2018 Stockdale Country Club – 2004 Gundlach's – 1995 Stockdale Podiatry Group – 1998 Hagan Law Group, LLP – 2012 Sunbelt Business Brokers of Hardwood Floor Company – 2001 Bakersfield – 2000 Howard's Garbage – 1997 Team Busby – 2017 JJ's Legacy – 2013 The Marcom Group Incorporated – 1999 Keathley, Maxwell & Antongiovanni, LLP – 1990 Ticor Title Company – 1995 Kern Citizens for Energy – 2014 Uniglobe Golden Empire Travel DBA Uniglobe Tvl Partners – 1987 Kern County Taxpayers Association – 1991 United Refrigeration & Air Conditioning – 1999 Kern High School District - Career Resource Department – 1994 Varner Bros. Inc. – 1996 Kern Law Enforcement Association Vital Signs of Bakersfield – 1991 – 2013 Kern Literacy Council – 2012
JANUARY 2021
1.15.21
GRC Meeting 10 a.m. | Zoom
1.18.21
Chamber Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1.26.21
Ambassador Committee Noon | Zoom
1.27.21
Labor Law & HR Forum 9:30 a.m. | Zoom
1.29.21
GRC Meeting 10 a.m. | Zoom
For more information about any of our events, committees or councils, visit bakochamber.com.
METRO | PAGE 15
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE Kern Health Systems, the County Health Authority, is an independent public agency that governs Kern Family Health Care, the Health Plan of more than #274,000 members.
2021 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman of the Board Derek Jeffery KGET-TV 17
Chairwoman Elect of the Board Kristen Beall Watson Kern Community Foundation
Vice Chair Public Policy & Political Action Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company
Vice Chair Economic Vitality Andy Anderson Aera Energy LLC
Vice Chair Member Engagement Tasha Clayton Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc.
Vice Chair Leadership & Workforce Development Denise Newton Pacific Gas & Electric Company
MAJOR INVESTORS
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS
Member-at-Large Rick Jhaj Countryside Construction/ Countryside Markets
BYNUM INC.
General Counsel Mark Bateman Young Wooldridge LLP
CHAMBER STAFF Nick Ortiz | President/CEO Cathy Albyn | Membership & Business Development Manager Frances Klingenberger | Manager, Strategic Programs EVERYTHING FOR YOUR OFFICE
Hillary Haenes | Vice President, Member Engagement Kaelyn Peterson | Manager, Policy & Public Affairs Jean Scheiber | Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer
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