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4 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Read about member business Frugatti's Italian Restaurant.
5 STAYING IN COMPLIANCE
Keep up-to-date on potential impacts to your business as employees return back to work.
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STATE OF THE CITY Sponsorships now available for one of the community’s marquee business events!
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10 BEAUTIFUL BAKERSFIELD Learn more about the 2020 Humanitarian Group winner Bakersfield North Rotary.
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MEMBER NEWS Discover the latest news and happenings with other members.
Cover
Cover by Ralph Fruguglietti, Frugatti's Italian Restaurant.
Contact us
1725 Eye St. • PO Box 1947 Bakersfield, CA 93303 661.327.4421 bakochamber.com
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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.
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Member Spotlight W
elcome to the backside of a pandemic. Restaurants have struggled through so many changes this past year: Dining room open, dining room closed, patio open, patio closed, takeout only, masks, sanitize everything, take temperatures, evaluate an Ralph Fruguglietti employee’s health every day, touchless ordering, curbside pick-up, sell alcohol to go in a cup. These things that would have shut you down during a normal year was OK during COVID. To say that the past year has been crazy would be a huge understatement! I feel bad for restaurants that decided to close temporarily in March 2020 and wait out the “two-week” shutdown to flatten the curve. Unfortunately, because of how long some restaurants stayed closed, many came close to closing or actually closed. So how did we retain sales? We quickly got the management team together and began to strategize by anticipating and staying ahead of the ever-changing COVID restrictions. We adapted to every change that they threw at us. One example, during the beginning of March 2020, we had to switch to takeout only and for a restaurant designed for
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mostly Southern Italian family dining, this was a major adjustment for us. Where we used to have two people handling our takeout, we soon had 10 employees each night handling takeout. We had to set up a new system to facilitate the huge increase in takeout orders. One change that helped immensely was to utilize our waitlist iPads for texting guests when their food was ready. We continue to use the system today as it created an opportunity to be better at takeout. Now that things will be open soon, we will be back to 100 percent capacity and plan on making our Italian courtyard around the fountain permanent. We are also excited to get our 40-guest capacity back in our wine cave for parties and special events, like our very popular five-course wine dinners. Even though 2020 was a year that we will never forget, we have become a better restaurant because we were forced to adapt and we did. – Ralph Fruguglietti, Owner Frugatti's Italian Restaurant
Mid-Year Labor Law & HR Update Webinar
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n a year of growing optimism that we may be past the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers must again focus on the many changes and challenges in employment law. Attorneys Jefferson Eberhardt of Young Wooldridge LLP and Daniel Klingenberger of LeBeau-Thelen LLP, will discuss the new obligations brought by the Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law (SB 95) related to COVID-19 and how it intersects with already existing laws imposed on employers during the Mid-Year Labor Law & HR Update Webinar. We will look at recent court decisions that further restrict timekeeping and wage and hour requirements in the workplace.
Date: Thursday, June 24 Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Cost: FREE Location: Zoom Webinar RSVP: HERE
Presenting Sponsor LLP
The update will discuss bills that are pending in Sacramento and Washington D.C., including: • Amending the Fair Employment and Housing Act to prevent discrimination based on“family responsibility.” • Expansion of the California Family Rights Act to allow time off to care for a “parent-in-law” or a “designated person.” • Requiring employers to provide bereavement leave. • Clarification of telecommuting laws. • Significant expansion of unions’ right to organize. • Reconciling conflicting guidance from CDC, Cal/OSHA and other agencies regarding COVID-19 protections in the workplace. To RSVP, click HERE and save your spot today! You will be emailed a Zoom link.
Co-Sponsor
Speakers
Jefferson Eberhardt
Dan Klingenberger
Date: Friday, June 18 Time: 7:30 a.m. Location: Chamber Office - 1725 Eye St. RSVP: kpeterson@bakochamber.com
* Chamber Members only
O
n Friday, June 18, GRC will return with in-person meetings. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamber offices. We will be joined by the Kern Groundwater Authority. Members of KGA will present and discuss the drought being experienced in California and most importantly, Kern County and SGMA. Please RSVP to Kaelyn Peterson at kpeterson@bakochamber.com. METRO | PAGE 5
SAVE THE DATE - STATE OF THE CITY TELEVISED, JULY 17 AT 6:30 P.M. ON KGET-TV 17
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he 2021 State of the City will be televised on KGET-TV 17 on July 17 at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and City Manager Christian Clegg.
Sponsored by Dignity Health - Mercy & Memorial Hospitals and hosted by KGET-TV 17, the 2021 State of the City will provide businesses with insight on top issues facing Bakersfield, progress that has been made of the past year and where the city is heading in the future.
Interested in sponsoring one of the community’s marquee business events?
Click HERE for more details! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Presenting
Hosted By
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Networking. Nonprofits. Nosh. First Tuesday of the Month 5:30-7 p.m. |Free to attend Learn how to get involved with these nonprofits and enjoy complimentary beer, wine and appetizers.
Imbibe Wine 4140 Truxtun Ave.
Temblor Brewing Company 3200 Buck Owens Blvd.
Don’t Miss These 2021 Events! July 13 @ Temblor
Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America
August 3 @ Imbibe
Covenant Community Services
September 14 @ Temblor
Double-Header Featuring Helping Animals Live Tomorrow (H.A.L.T.) Rescue & Strength of Shadow (S.O.S.) Dog Rescue
October 5 @ Imbibe
Bakersfield Pregnancy Center
Novermber 9 @ Temblor PathPoint
December 7 @ Temblor Be Finally Free
A partnership between
METRO | PAGE 7
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Retirement & Wealth Management Group
valleystrong.com The financial consultants at Valley Strong Retirement & Wealth Management Group are registered representatives with, and securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Valley Strong Credit Union and Valley Strong Retirement & Wealth Management Group are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using the name Valley Strong Retirement & Wealth Management Group, and may also be employees of Valley Strong Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of Valley Strong Credit Union or Valley Strong Retirement & Wealth Management Group. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:
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METRO | PAGE 9
Congratulations to the 2020 Humanitarian Group Winner! Being awarded the 2020 Beautiful Bakersfield’s Humanitarian Group Award was a magnificent achievement, and the highlight of the year for Bakersfield North Rotary (BNR) and the BNR Foundation (BNRF). Through witnessing and personally participating in the Bakersfield North Rotarians continuous good accepting their award. works benefiting our society, which were occurring long before I joined in May 2008, I have developed a sense of pride to be called a Rotarian. Not to mention, this award overjoyed the club members in knowing that the recognition brought awareness to the work done by Rotary clubs locally, and around the world. BNR has been giving back to the community since it was founded in 1942, primarily focusing on the North Bakersfield area. With around 50 active volunteer members, BNR continuously goes above and beyond to meet the needs of students, families and other nonprofit organizations through community service projects and granting donation requests through our foundation. In addition, we provide scholarships to graduating seniors, sponsor the Interact Clubs at both North and Frontier High Schools, and sponsor interact club members from each school to attend leadership training programs. What I appreciate most about BNR, is that we do so much more than just give out money. Rotarians get involved in programs and projects in North Bakersfield, including but not limited to, the annual Back-to-School Shopping Spree, Shoes for Students, Trunk or Treat, Holiday Families and our Thanksgiving Baskets Project. Although this year has been a challenge and we were not able to perform as many community service projects inperson due to the challenges presented by COVID-19, BNR did not give up and has still made significant strides to help our community, students and children-serving organizations. Some examples include our biggest and most interactive community service project – the BNR Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, wherein BNR members raise pass-through funds from club member donations, a grant from Chevron and a donation by Supervisor Mike Maggard's Office to provide 350 baskets for families to make a complete family meal. While the excess funds are donated to Church Without Walls to feed the homeless throughout the year. With the restrictions of COVID, the volunteers pivoted to make this a drive-thru experience, allowing us to continue to serve METRO | PAGE 10
those in need, and ensure families still had the opportunity to enjoy a nice, home-cooked holiday meal. We, along with other local Rotary Clubs, are also still 100 percent committed to work with California Veterans’ Assistance Foundation to construct the community room/ building at Covey Cottages, a tiny home community for homeless veterans that will consist of a dozen 400-squarefoot apartments. Construction is still in progress. In addition, BNR Foundation funds come from personal donations by Rotarians, our fundraising events, and funds from the BNRF investment account. All activities are driven by the club members and are all voluntary. Unfortunately, BNRF was not able to host our traditional fundraisers, Dinner at the Derby and the Wine Mafia Dinner in 2020/2021. Since we did not hold these events, several sponsors who had submitted funds redirected their donations directly to Youth Connection, a nonprofit dedicated to intervention programs to help at-risk youth from entering the juvenile or criminal justice system and the BNRF. In FY2020-2021, BNRF has, to date, awarded more than $50,000 to organizations throughout Kern. This is while maintaining our efforts to provide four-year scholarships to high school graduates, thus far, awarding more than $20,000. In addition, BNR members donated $6,000 to Rotary International’s Polio Plus to help fund the eradication of polio around the world to award as Paul Harris Fellow awards. Plus, BNRF also created a major gift program, Partners in Philanthropy, which has raised an additional $26,500 in the first few months of its inception to help raise funds in the absence of our fundraisers. With much gratitude for the accomplishments over the past year, it is with great anticipation that in the coming year, we are joining our fellow local Rotary Clubs in a few joint projects. These projects include the completion of the community room for Covey Cottages, the construction of Rotary Peace Pole Gardens on the Bakersfield College campus and providing start-up kits for homeless individuals transitioning to independent living. The kits will include items such as appliances, dishes, linens, etc. to give participants a leg up and hopefully help to maintain placement. On behalf of our club members, I cannot express what it has meant to us to receive this award, and to be Rotarians. I encourage anyone reading this article to look for ways to get involved in community organizations, find your passion and make a difference. It will truly transform you individually and create change for the greater good! – Patricia Keefer, Immediate Past President, Bakersfield North Rotary President, Bakersfield North Rotary Foundation
• Restaurants have been hit hard by the pandemic. So many independent and family-owned restaurants are struggling to keep their doors open. Todd Graves, founder of our school’s partner, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, wanted to help. In his new show Restaurant Recovery, Todd uses his expertise of growing Raising Cane’s to more than 550 locations to help these restaurants get back on their feet–giving more than a million dollars of his own money to help these restaurants. The full season is streaming now on Discovery Plus and airing on The Cooking Channel with two new episodes airing each Tuesday at 7 and 7:30 p.m. CST, the series even features his celeb friends like Snoop, Shaq, Nelly and more. Stream or tune in today! • Breeze into summer with the return of Affaires Extraordinaire with a luxurious surf & turf experience. The Guild House welcomes you Sunday, June 13 at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP no later than Saturday, June 5. Seating is limited. Reservations are $100 per person and includes an elegant evening of tastefully prepared delights, wines, taxes and gratuities. Menu includes champagne aperitif, artichoke appetizer trio served with red pepper aioli, red pepper and mushroom bisque served with focaccia triangles, iceberg wedge salad with bleu cheese dressing, strawberry sorbet, 7-ounce filet mignon with two large prawns served on a bed of mascarpone mashed potatoes and topped with bearnaise sauce with asparagus spears, rolls with butter, layered lemon cake topped with raspberry coulis and fresh raspberries, served with port wine and coffee and handmade truffles in a decorative box as a parting gift. Call 661-364-6838 or visit www.guildhousebakersfield.org.
• In anticipation of the grand opening of their newest tenant, Bird Dog Arts, the Outlets at Tejon is pleased to announce, they will be hosting “Art at OAT.” This outdoor event kicks off on June 12 at 10 a.m. and will celebrate the beauty of California through interactive art walls. A total of 10 art walls featuring three local artists, including muralist Jen Cordova, artist Cassandra Gear and event specialist Shannon Hough, will be constructed throughout the shopping center. Each wall will be uniquely decorated with their own California theme. Guests are encouraged to take photos at each wall and post to any of the Outlets’ social media platforms with the #ArtAtOAT hashtag. Festivities on the first day of the event will feature a balloon artist, caricaturist and face painter, who will be creating and sharing art of their own, free of charge for anyone who visits the Outlets on June 12. Local food vendors like Luvspun cotton candy, Tacos by Gonzalez Tacos and Pita Paradise will be selling their fan favorites. Giveaways will be presented by Bird Dog Arts and include a $300 gift certificate for one lucky winner, with other giveaways to the 1st, 50th, 100th and 150th person who enters their sweepstakes. The art walls will remain in place for two weeks, through June 26. To see a video of this event, click HERE. • Bakersfield Train Robbers return to Sam Lynn Ballpark, first home game is June 11. For tickets and other information, visit http://www. bakersfieldtrainrobbers.com.
• High Desert Medical College offers short programs to get trained in less than a year to begin your new career in health care. As a high school graduate, you do not have to wait to get started. Begin training online this summer in a nine-month program and you can be certified by next year. For more information, visit www.hdmc.edu or call 888-633-4362. • In French, Faire la fête means “to party.” Guests at Farm to Table(aux) will enjoy an evening reflecting turn of the century Paris with fine-dining, tableaux art inspired by Henri De Toulouse Lautrec, amazing paintings created by Boys & Girls Club youth, and entertainment in support of Boys & Girls Club enrichment programs throughout Kern County. The sixth annual event presented by Don C. and Diane S. Lake Family, will be held at Highgate at Seven Oaks by Castle & Cooke on Friday, October 8 from 6-9 p.m. Farm to Table(aux) brings together local community leaders to enjoy a feast of fresh and seasonal dishes prepared by local chefs and farmers alongside local artists and entertainers' imaginative productions and performances. Sponsorships for the October 8 event are now available. For more information, go to farmtotableaux.com/event/bgckc/ or contact Zane Smith at 661-325-3730.
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. METRO | PAGE 11
Welcome New Chamber 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 Rehbilitation Hospital 4400 Kirkcaldy Dr. Bakersfield, CA 93306 661-871-3911 www.ernesthealth.com “We provide rehabilitation to people recovering from disabling diseases and injuries, such as orthopedic, stroke and brain and spinal cord injuries.”
Nights Watch Private Security PO Box 40801 Bakersfield, CA 93384 661-859-8170 “We are a minority-owned Private Security Company that provides security services to the greater Bakersfield community. We are dedicated to deterring potential crimes.”
The Greater Bakersfield Chamber was founded in 1920. The Chamber guides Bakersfield toward a better and brighter future. We're driven by the belief that when business prospers, our community thrives. The Chamber serves as a small business support and economic development association primarily serving members in the Metro Bakersfield Area. The Chamber is widely known in our region for providing high-caliber programming, events and services that not only benefit our members, but the entire business community. Your membership dues will help us to expand and evolve our offerings to continue our mission to be a strong advocate for businesses. Our Business is a Better Bakersfield. For more information about joining the Chamber or renewing your membership dues, please contact Cathy Albyn at calbyn@bakochamber.com.
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Advertising in Metro and email blasts – it’s an exclusivity that only Chamber members enjoy. Regardless of your budget or needs, the Chamber offers competitive pricing to help you determine which advertising option works best for your company.
MEMBER TO MEMBER EMAIL BLASTS Member to Member email blasts are paid advertisements that the Chamber sends out on behalf of our members. With a reach of more than 4,500 email contacts, it’s the perfect option to promote your brand.
METRO A staple of news and informative for members, METRO is sent out monthly to more than 5,800 email contacts. This digital publication features Chamber programming and events as well as regulatory changes that can impact our members' bottom lines. All advertisements will link back to a your company's website. For more information, contact Jean Scheiber at jscheiber@bakochamber.com.
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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. ADT LLC – 1978 Advanced Center for Eyecare – 2016 Alpha Media, LLC – 2015 American Business Machines – 1999 ARRC Technology – 1996 AT&T California – 1946 Bakersfield PACE – 2020 Bakersfield Women's Business Conference – 2016 Belfor Property Restoration – 2010 Brimart D, LP – 2017 California Independent Petroleum Association – 1992 Cornerstone Mortgage – 2020 Cotterman Co. - CA Division – 2005 Crest Bar and Grill – 2016 Diamond Ridge Roofing, Inc. – 1994 Emser Tile – 2015 Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bakersfield – 1989 GAF Corporation – 1995 GEI Consultants, Inc. – 2015 Hall Letter Shop Inc. – 1990 Homewood Suites by Hilton – 2004
JUNE 2021
Junior League of Bakersfield – 2003 La Costa Mariscos - Southwest – 2018 Lamar Advertising – 2011 Links for Life – 2003 National Cement Company – 2009
6.18.21
GRC Meeting 7:30 a.m. | Chamber
Pacifica Senior Living – 2009 Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy – 1990 Principal Financial Group – 2005 S.A. Camp Companies – 2003
6.22.21
Ambassador Committee Meeting Noon | Chamber
Sagaser Watkins & Wieland – 2019 Sunpower by Quality Home Services – 2017 Sunshine Restaurant Group – 2019 Teen Challenge So. Cal. - KC HQ – 2019
6.24.21
Labor Law & HR Forum 9:30 a.m. | Zoom
Trinity Consultants, Inc. – 2000 Ultrex Business Products, Inc. – 1999 Urner's – 2018 Valley Republic Bank – 2009
7.5.21
Chamber Closed | Fourth of July
Well Analysis Corp. – 2019 White Stone Painters – 2014 Wiki's Wine Dive & Grill – 2013 WZI Inc – 1990
Independence Through GRACE – 2019
For more information about any of our events, committees or councils, visit bakochamber.com. METRO | PAGE 13
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE FOCUS
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
Deprigo is a Marketing, Promotional, and Print company dedicated to uplifting the community through media engagement. We offer competitive pricing with local service, visit us at Deprigo.com for a list of services. To get in touch Call | Visit | Email.
MAJOR INVESTORS
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS
Member-at-Large Rick Jhaj Countryside Construction/ Countryside Markets
General Counsel Mark Bateman Young Wooldridge LLP
BYNUM INC.
CHAMBER STAFF Nick Ortiz | President/CEO Cathy Albyn | Membership & Business Development Manager Hillary Haenes | Vice President, Member Engagement Hannah Mebane | Marketing & Communications Coordinator Kaelyn Peterson | Manager, Policy & Public Affairs Jean Scheiber | Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer
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@bakochamber METRO | PAGE 14