The Brentwood Clarion
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The Brentwood Voice of Business April 2009
Vol. 45, No 4
The Brentwood Chamber's CornFest is coming soon!!!!! The CornFest provides an excellent opportunity for local businesses to bring their business in front of thousands of local families attending this large community event and many more families who come to CornFest from outside he Brentwood area. The following is a list of some of those ways to place your business in front of those many many visitors to CornFest, both young and old: For just $150 you can be listed as a CornFest sponsor! For just $300-$700 your business can have a booth at the festival! For as little as $500, your business could receive sponsorship recognition in the local and regional media, in Chamber mailings and publications, in the CornFest program, post a banner at the CornFest event and received numerous entry tickets. For only $2,500 your business receives all of the above, plus you can have your logo placed in the program, and all media advertising. This includes being named in the Comcast and radio media advertising and we will place your banner in front of the stage, where thousands of people who view the entertainment would see your logo/business message. If you wish, we could tailor a sponsorship to fit your individual needs, with the combination of recognition, tickets, and a booth at the event. Or you and your staff could just simply volunteer; the Chamber needs hundreds of volunteers as do other local nonprofit organizations to help at this iconic local event. If you are interested in a sponsorship or just participating in the CornFest as a volunteer. You can contact the Chamber office at 925-634-3344; or you can contact the Chamber at info@brentwoodchamber.com or simply mail-in coupon below. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Yes, I am interested in:
NAME________________________________________PHONE NO.________________________ ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________ EMAIL__________________________________________________________________________
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Our Historic and Booming Local Ag Scene By Sean McCauley, Director Brentwood Olive Groves
I’ve been living in Brentwood since I was two years old and have watched the community evolve from rural village to small city. I would like to share with some of our newer residents Brentwood’s rich agricultural heritage. Did you know that Brentwood farmers are growing world-class products? Our bustling U-Pick farms and roadside stands attract people from as far away as San Jose, Sacramento and San Francisco. A woman once told one of our local farmers that she decided to move to Brentwood so that she could be close to his apricot trees. We are the region’s top choice for products like cherries, peaches, and wine. Brentwood raised corn is some of the sweetest on the planet. Brentwood contains generations of Farmers still farming to this day on the same land their ancestors worked. These farms are what separate Brentwood from our surrounding city neighbors. As you drive Brentwood’s rural areas this time of the year it is hard to miss the beauty of spring in the orchards that surround us, or the smell of newly planted crops. A new olive oil industry and the revival of our local wine industry are putting new energy into the local agricultural scene. New vineyards and olive groves are springing up everywhere. Local varietals are garnering prizes in regional, national, and even international competitions. Some local labels are competing with wines and oils from Napa, as well as products from foreign growers. Our local association of 40+ East County U-Pick farms, called Harvest Time of Brentwood, are working on programs to help us sell products directly to consumers. We’re expanding our ag activities through a strategy that combines training, grant money, support from the city, and especially participation by local residents. Agriculture is such a rich part of our town! Let’s not lose sight of the qualities that have made Brentwood unique from any other east county city. Patronize your local farm stands. Get in the habit of buying local and buying fresh. For an inexpensive “Daycation” take your family out and meet the farmers of Brentwood and surrounding areas. It’s all good!
Mission Statement: The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization dedicated to the promotion of the civic and commercial progress of the community. We will continuously strive to maintain and foster a healthy business climate for Chamber members and the entire community.
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Page 3 The Brentwood Chamber office is now able to provide you with all your Human Resource materials. We have copies of the 2009 California and Federal Posters, 2009 California Labor Law Digest, California Labor Law Administration, and the 2009c Employee Handbook software.
Now on sale in the Chamber office is a pictorial history of Brentwood by author Carol A. Jensen
BRENTWOOD CHAMBER 2009 CORNFEST If you are interested in securing a place in Info Alley for the Brentwood CornFest, you can obtain an application at the Chamber office. Don’t delay in returning the application because it does fill rapidly. All Sports Trophies Advertising Specialties Custom & Corporate Awards
(925) 516-8880 • Fax (925) 625-5316 Email: starawards@sbcglobal.net
Bob & Sharon Sherriff, Owners
The commercial and food vendor applications for space on the streets are now available. The Chamber is also looking for volunteers to help with the CornFest. If you are interested in joining the work force, either call the Chamber office at 6343344 or email us at info@brentwoodchamber.com with your contact information.
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Page 4 "The Hidden Escape Hatch in your 401k� EMPLOYEES:
Let me introduce you to Leon, age 58. Leon is his family's primary bread winner and very concerned about where his retirement money is invested. He learned a valuable lesson from the dot.com meltdown in 2000 -2002, because a sizeable portion of his family's savings and 401k assets were lost. It has taken the past seven years to recover from these losses, and since
October 2007 he has again suffered massive losses. What’s more, he's especially concerned
about what else might happen in the current uncertain economic times. He views the financial problems as alarming and wants to move his 401k money out of harms way, because he doesn't have time to wait for a market recovery. Leon's employer has modified the company's 401k plan to allow for in-service, non-hardship withdrawals. This is a simple procedure implemented by the administrator that will allow Leon, and other employees, to take their employer's contributions out of the company's 401k plan, regardless of their age, and put them in an IRA. Additionally, Leon and several other employees rolled over other qualified money into the employer's 401k plan when they joined the company, and these, along with the associated earnings, can also be moved to an IRA. There will be no tax due or withheld from a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA. Also, Leon and other employees transferring money can continue participating in the company's 401k.
EMPLOYERS: February 20, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that individuals have a right to recover 401k losses based on what were considered fiduciary breaches. This landmark decision means that the 50 million Americans participating in a 401k plan now have a right to recover their losses if plan administrators don't fulfill what's considered their obligation to participa nts With a defined contribution plan, the court focused on Section 409 of ERISA, which relates to the proper management, administration, and investments of plan assets to ensure that benefits are paid to plan participants. It was here that the Supreme Court found that under the law: " ... statutory provision authorizes a participant in a defined contribution plan to sue a fiduciary whose alleged misconduct impaired the value of plan assets in the participants individual account. " In the future, employers and 401k plan administrators can help protect themselves from such lawsuits by: Allowing 401k plan participants to make their own account changes, thereby the employee is directly responsible for their investments. Reviewing their 401k plan procedures to ensure they comply with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 as well as Department of Labor rules and regulations.
IN SUMMARY: Small business owners and their employees must rise up and take matters into their own hands, as most large companies and even the Federal Government has done in their Thrift Savings Plan (401k plan for federal civilian employees). They employ the Plan Administrators and can fire them - the same is true for the brokerage firms that manage the money entrusted to them. Generally, the trustee of the 401k for a small business is the business owner, and this is the person at legal risk should anything go wrong . To protect themselves and their employees, business owners must add the in-service withdrawal provision authorized by ERISA and they must insist that brokers and administers cooperate in helping concerned employees withdraw or transfer their money to more suitable options. The in-service withdrawal provision can be added at the direction of the employer at no cost and without delay or hassle by simply informing the third party administrator to change the prototype plan. To do otherwise is irresponsible and exposes the employer to undue liability as a trustee and fiduciary. Employees should absolutely insist in writing that employers make this change to their 401(k) plan. By: Joe Randall, Randall Investment Group, LLC A Registered Investment Advisory Firm www.jr.retirerx.com jr@retirerx.com
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Improve Your Company’s Return On Investment by Implementing Telework and Compressed Work Week Schedules _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Come and Learn From the Experts and Their Best Practices __________________________________________________________________________________________
Who:
Elham Shirazi Principal/E-Planning International Expert on Telework and Compressed Work Week Schedules
Jenny Erwin U.S. Department of Labor Regional Administrator Women’s Bureau, Region 9
What:
511 Contra Costa in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau, Region 9 will be holding a FREE workshop on how to implement a telework program at your worksite. Employers will learn how these workplace strategies can: provide tools to manage offsite employees, increase employee productivity, improve employee recruitment, retention and morale, reduce over head cost and result in a greener carbon footprint. 511 Contra Costa will also be available to work with you beyond this session to implement these valuable programs.
When:
April 22, 2009 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Box lunch will be served
Where:
City of Pleasant Hill 100 Gregory Lane Community Room
511 Contra Costa works on behalf of the cities of Contra Costa County to promote clean transportation options
RSVP: Funded by:
Matt Wood: mwood@511contracosta.org or (925) 969-1083 by April 20, 2009 Visit www.511contracosta.org for additional information on commuter programs. `
EFFECTIVE APRIL 6, 2009
FREMONT BANK 200 SAND CREEK ROAD, STE. F BRENTWOOD, CA 94513 925-634-6992
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Chamber President Karen Spann presents Gene Clare with the glass piece with his name engraved as the 2009 Citizen of the Year. This year’s dinner was held at the Nines Restaurant with more than 130 in attendance. Gene has been a resident of Brentwood for the past 18 years. He is a current member and the past president of the Brentwood Rotary Club, Board Member of the Police Activities League, Tri Delta Transit, and the Brentwood Youth Commission. He is also involved in A Place of Learning, the Village Community Resource Center and the One Day At A Time program He is a role model to all who know and work with him. He has devoted many hours of volunteer time in the community. In Gene’s spare time he loves spending time with his wife Gretchen and their two daughters, Alison and Ashley. Gene Clare joins past Citizens of the Year who attended the dinner in his honor. In front the ladies are Lill Pierce (2004), Barbara Guise (1984) and Helen Myers (2008). Next to Gene, Ike Montanez (2005), Jim Wangeman (2007), Joe Trebino (2003), Bill Putman (1996), John Slatten (1992) and Greg Robinson (2006). Missing From the picture is Bertha Ruiz (1999) who did not arrived at the dinner until after the picture was taken. Ann and Jim Wangeman, the Pappini’s with Gene Clare and John Slatten.
Lynette Stack, Helen Myers and Pam Taylor enjoying the festivities.
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Albert Seeno, Jr. and Albert Seeno III assisted by Mayor Bob Taylor cuts the ribbon on Discovery Homes new Portifino Estates located between Lone Tree Way and Grant Street,
Surrounded by friends, family, Chamber Directors and Ambassadors, Michelle Hart and Carrie Murphy marked their oneyear anniversary by cutting a ribbon on their child-care, learning center on March 31st. The center is located 2321 Eagle Rock Avenue. Their phone number is 925-513-4118.
On March 27, 2009, Sandy Carmellini cut the ribbon on Brentwood Yoga Center. Joining Sandy was family, friends, Chamber Directors and Ambassadors. To improve your sense of well-being visit Sandy at 8650-H Brentwood Blvd., phone 925-240-6864.
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APRIL CHAMBER MIXER
2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 2
Brown Bag Lunch, Chamber Office “Basic how to survive in your business”
April 15
Joint Chamber Mixer Los Medanos College in Pittsburg
April 16
Mixer—Eskaton Lodge
April 23
Good Morning Brentwood Breakfast Cortona Park
April 30
State of the City Forum & Open House, Brentwood Senior Center
May 7
Chamber Lounge - Cap’s
RAFFLE PRIZES
May 14
Employees’ Appreciation Luncheon Deer Ridge Golf Club
SHARE THE POT
May 21
Joint Mixer—Contra Costa Fair Ground With Antioch Chamber
May 28
Brown Bag Lunch—”Basic Marketing Of your Business”
June 18
Joint Mixer—Streets of Brentwood
July 10,11,12
CornFest
July 16
Mixer—Brentwood Golf Club
August 20
Mixer—Harvest Center
Hosted by
ESKATON LODGE 450 JOHN MUIR PARKWAY THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2009 5:30 TO 7:30 P.M.
MEGA JOINT CHAMBER MIXER ANTIOCH, BAY POINT, BRENTWOOD, OAKLEY, PITTSBURG & RIO VISTA
September 17 Mixer—First Bank September 18 Golf Tournament
APRIL 15, 2009 5:30—7:30 P.M. HOSTED BY LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE NEW LIBRARY & ART GALLERY 2700 LELAND ROAD PITTSBURG, CA
October 15
Mixer—John Muir Health
October 24
Hometown Halloween
November 7
A Taste of Brentwood
November 19
Mixer-Scary Larry's
November 21
Holiday Parade
December
Holiday Gala
Mixer Locations (or Ribbon Cuttings) can (and do) change at any time. Check the Calendar of Events on our website for updated information:
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MARCH MIXER Hosted by
CORTONA PARK 150 Cortona Way 925-240-7333
Lisa Pinguelo and the entire crew at Cortona Park did an outstanding job of hosting the March Mixer. There was wine tasting, olive oil, music, potted plants being given away to departing guests by Cagwin & Dorward, landscaping and maintenance. An abundance of delicious food prepared by Cortona Park’s Chef. The Chamber would like to thank the following businesses for their generous donations for the drawing: Bella Luna Chocolates Brentwood Press & Yellow Pages Brockman Engineering Contractors East Bay Regional Park District Mary Kay Cosmetics—Kimberley Victor Recollections Media Transfer The Monthly Grapevine
Chamber President Karen Spann introducing Willliam McCoy with Driftwood Yacht Club, who came as a guest of First Bank
Tim Stone with Ready Print collects his prize from Kimberley Victor of Mary Kay Cosmetics.
Joe Trebino was the lucky winner of the $120 Share-the-Pot drawing.
April 16, 2009 Mixer Enjoying the festivities are Olga Vidriales with Travis Credit Union, Lori Knudsen with California Payroll and Sayra Flores and her guest, Pamela Protsman, both with Mary Kay Cosmetics
Eskaton Lodge 450 John Muir Parkway
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Page 11 BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Karen Spann, President The Monthly Grapevine
Kathi Reed, Past President WineShop at Home
Shayn Cutino, President-Elect Anja Wellness
Ken Seamann, CFO Discovery Professional Services
Joe Trebino, Executive Committee Delta Pure Water, Etc.
Brent Aasen, Director EQUUS Group
Greg Benner, Director Les Schwab Tires
Bill Fee, Director Mazzy’s Fire Protection Specialists
De-De Hays, Director Prudential California Realty
Paul Kelly, Director Home One Mortgage
Sean McCauley, Director McCauley Olive Groves
Lyle Miller, Director Lyle Miller, Pastry Chef
The Chamber Ambassador Team
Richard Perez-Pacheco, Director Black Sheep Design
Marlon Smith, Director
Pat Trombino, First Bank 2008 Ambassador of the Year Paul Roman, Window Innovations Amy Alvis, Living Trusts by Amy David Mengel, Gemini Staffing Vicki Sexton, First Bank Olga Vidriales, Travis Credit Union Susanna Wahl, Edward Jones Donna Zickerman, Sarah Coventry Ed Gutierrez, Certa Pro Painters Melina Perdom, Certa Pro Painters Joe Randall, Randall Investment Group, Inc Michael Hernandez, New York Life Lori Knudsen, California Payroll Shirley Freeman, America’s Best Choice
Best Buy
Olga Vidriales Travis Credit Union t——————————————————
Harry York, CEO Bonnie Lucchese, Support Services Dir. Jilda Fairhurst, Event Coordinator Bill Putman, Volunteer Pat Trombino, CornFest Assistant CHAMBER HOURS Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone (925) 634-3344 Fax (925) 634-3731 email: info@brentwoodchamber.com
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CORNFEST IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER The Brentwood Clarion Brentwood Chamber of Commerce 240 Oak Street Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone: 925-634-3344 Fax: 925-634-3731 Email: info@brentwoodchamber.com www.brentwoodchamber.com