The Brentwood Clarion
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JUNE 2008
Vol. 43, No.6
Mayor Taylor Praises City at the State of the City Address Luncheon At the Chamber’s State of the City presentation Mayor “Bob” Taylor praised the City of Brentwood For balancing the city’s budget without using the city’s reserves. Even though the city’s income is off from budget projections, the city has been able to make cutbacks in many areas, including those directly related to development. Tom Guarino of PG&E, the corporate sponsor for the program, introduced the Mayor. Guarino noted the strong partnership PG&E has with the city and local businesses. He also commented on the Mayor’s commitment to alternative energy uses. The Mayor highlighted the new upscale The Streets of Brentwood Mall opening this fall at the corner of the Highway 4 By -pass and Sand Creek Road. In addition to the 14 screen theater complex, the development will have REI, Banana Republic, Chico’s Jos. A. Bank, Talbots, American Eagle, Coldwater Creek, White House/Black Market and many other name brand stores. This mall will attract customers from a wide region bring dollars to Brentwood and the city. In closing the Mayor emphasized the need for the city and business to continue to work together as a team to build a better community.
Tom Guarino introduced PG&E’s local staff and encouraged the audience to call on them any time they had energy concerns
Mayor Robert “Bob” Taylor
ewsletter Contents:
Citizen Helen Myers....1, 2, 3 Directors Message..............3 Ribbon Cuttings..................4 Downtown Thursdays.........6
CENTER SECTION TEAR OUT & SAVE
Chamber Classifieds ........7 Lori’s Minute .....................8 State of the City Lunch.....9 Calendar of Events..........10 Chamber Event News......10
CENTER SECTION TEAR OUT & SAVE
Alerts - CA Chamber.........11 Appreciation Luncheon.....12 April Mixer.........................13 Welcome New Members...14 Chamber Changes............15 Ambassador Team..........15 Board of Directors...........15
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Page 2 Board Supports Local Farmer’s Legislation AB Chamber 2168
The Brentwood Chamber Board of Directors voted to support AB 2168 which allows Farm Stands to sell certain processed agricultural products, soda, and bottled water. It will also expand opportunities for Certified Farmers Markets to sell to more members of the public. Consumers are demanding access to locally grown foods and our local farmers would like to meet this demand, but there are some impediments. Currently, the California Retail Food Code (CRFC) exempts from the definition of Food Facility, premises operated by a producer, selling or offering for sale only whole produce grown by photo by the producer, provided the sales are conducted on premises controlled by the producer. However, as soon as Generations Photography growers sell processed agricultural products at their retail stands, they are classified as Retail Food Facilities and are subject to all of the requirements of the CRFC. These requirements include access to public water and sewer systems, which are not typically available in rural areas. It also requires mop sinks, special flooring and other building upgrades that would be prohibitively expensive for small operations and not needed for a facility selling only pre-packaged products. Examples of this are: A small strawberry grower in would be allowed to sell strawberries during the growing season at her farm stand without meeting any CRFC requirements. However, if she wants to extend her marketing season by having her strawberries turned into jam, she is suddenly required to put in a plumbing system and overhaul the stand to meet all of the requirements of the CRFC. It’s unlikely that the sales from the strawberry jam would be enough to cover the costs of these upgrades. As another example, local cherry growers are only open a few weeks out of the year and most are U-Pick operations. Their crop literally draws bus loads of people from the Bay Area and San Francisco as both young families and elderly are enticed to experience picking their own cherries. Many of these families are coming from a coastal climate where the temperatures are in the 70’s and traveling out to Brentwood where the temperature could be over 100. If the U-Pick stand sells their customers bottled water or canned drinks, they are suddenly classified as a Retail Food Facility by the current law. AB 2168 (Jones) creates a limited exemption from the California Retail Food Code for farm stands selling processed agricultural products. Growers would be allowed to sell bottled water, soda, and processed agricultural products that are not classified as potentially hazardous food without being classified as a Retail Food Facility. Processed agricultural products would have to come from an approved source (i.e., a certified kitchen) and would have to be stored in a vector proof container when the farm stand is closed. These requirements ensure that public safety is addressed, while allowing growers to meet public demand for locally grown product. It also allows small scale growers to extend their marketing season by selling processed products (i.e. jelly, salsa, salad dressing, olive oil, pickles, canned fruits & vegetables, etc.). In addition to improving the ability of farmers to sell healthy, California grown products at their farm stands, AB 2168 (Jones) also works to expand other direct marketing opportunities for California’s farmers and ranchers
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.
The Brentwood Clarion Leadership East County Delta 2000 310 W. Tenth Street, #2 Antioch, CA 94509 Nancy Kaiser Leadership Chair 1984 925-437-2924
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DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN LEADERSHIP ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2008—2009 CLASS STARTED MAY 1, 2008
LEADERSHIP is a nine month education and community training program that offers participants an opportunity to examine civic issues, increase community knowledge, and network with the region’s leaders in government, business, education, health care and elected office. LEADERSHIP EAST COUNTY fosters community engagement, and sets the stage for positive change. Alumni have been making a difference from Bay Point to Discovery Bay for over 15 years, and a number of graduates have gone on to serve their communities in elected positions, nonprofits and business development.
Leadership begins August 21, 2008 Leadership meets the third Thursday of every month through May 2009 There is no class in December Tuition is $375 and covers all materials, meals and field trips.
Quality of Life ● Health Services ● Environmental Influences ● Local & Regional Government ● Economic Development ● Education ● Criminal Justice, Emergency Services & the Courts Labor, Business & Industry ● Cultural Heritage Call Nancy Kaiser at 437-2924 or Delta 2000 at 779-1404 for more information.
The Brentwood Clarion
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McCurley Abbey’s Carpet Center On the hottest day of 2008, McCurley’s was host to the Chamber’s May mixer. Since the weather had been very mild owner, Eric Metz decided he would do a little barbeque. It’s possible he lost 20 pounds before the evening was over. However, he looked fine while talking to Chamber members and staff in the picture at right. McCurley’s very generous donated prize for the business card drawing was a choice of two equally lovely area rugs. The rug was won by lucky Sarah Jamar of Paychex. Along with this prize they also donated a full floor care basket and a box of chocolate covered strawberries. As you can see below it was an evening filled with good food and great networking.
Many thanks to the following businesses who generously donated prizes: Brockman Engineering & Shutters Restaurant The Brentwood Press Gooseberry Fool Wineshop at Home The Chamber office donated some vintage CornFest car show T-shirts to get everyone thinking the 2008 CornFest. Looking forward to seeing everyone at: June 19th Mixer At Pierce Chiropractic Office 2489 Discovery Bay Blvd.
The Chief and his wife, Dona with Paul Kelly of Home One Mortgage
Olga Vidriales of Travis Credit Union and Rich Inglis of Reagan Management Service
Jim Spann of the Monthly Grapevine, Katherine Van Hatten of Skin Care by Katherine and Paul Roman of Window Innovations found something funny.
The Brentwood Clarion
PRO-TECH HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING Bob & Sheri Dickson - Owners P.O. Box 2001, Brentwood, CA 94513
925-978-1776
925-516-1776 925-673-3776 Fax: 925-673-3777
www.protechheating.com
email: bob@protechheating.com Lic #705148
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Ambassador’s Message By Paul Roman
As Ambassadors our objective is to help the Chamber member get value out of the Chamber for their Chamber membership. A way we are doing that now is through member surveys. Our Ambassadors are calling on Chamber members to find out aspects of your business functions and goals so the Chamber can do their part in helping you. As Chamber members you are encouraged to take the time to talk with them as well as network with them to help you grow. This is an outreach program the Chamber wants in place to help with the business growth. I encourage you to call the Chamber or look online for this member survey. In this changing business climate it is great to have a resource like this to be of benefit to hyou. We can assist you, but it is your effort with us that can make it happen. Let’s grow together to make things happen with this program.
Cell 925.813.1319
Paul Roman Window Innovations, Inc. (925-766-6774 Email: paul@wiglasscoatings.com
Income Tax Preparation Financial and Tax Planning Business Management Bookkeeping
8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite H 925-240-1242 “Best of Brentwood” 2002-2007 Business of the Year, 15th Assembly District
www.reaganmanagementservices.com
The Brentwood Clarion
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Freedom,
These words are critical to understanding what has made this country the greatest, most prosperous nation in the history of this world. Notice that the Founders say that our rights are given to us by our Creator, not government. That is the key to our success as a country. It is not our government that has made this country great, it is the sacrifice, hard work, and ingenuity of the people of this country to create better lives for themselves without government intervention that has made this country great. More and more government is sticking it’s nose into areas it doesn’t belong. There is currently an assault on oil company executives and the compensation they are paid as CEO. Regardless of what your feelings are towards the oil companies, there is nothing in the Constitution that give government the ability to regulate how much money someone earns. If government does find a way to regulate ones pay, where does it end? How will that affect us as successful small business owners. Will our success be limited by a government that arbitrarily decides that we are making too much money in an industry that that is considered “evil” by certain small extremist segments of the population. What about the movie stars, or sports stars, will they be next? Is making $20,000,000 for shooting a film too much? Is signing a $100,000,000 contract by a sports star too much? Government is also assaulting freedoms in our personal lives. The freedom to home school our children, to choose the type of vehicle we drive, the choice of light bulb we use to light our homes, the Right to invoke God in the public square. Individually these issues may not seem like a big deal but when combined it is huge. It is like death through a thousand cuts. Government is not the solution to our problems, we are. Government should exist to facilitate our success not stand in the way. Self-reliance, hard work, education, and the knowledge that we are endowed with certain unalienable rights by our Creator are the keys to our continued success. As business owners and leaders in our communities it is our duty to stay informed on the issues and protect the freedoms that countless thousands have died to protect. God bless and continued success during these difficult economic times. It’s a good life, -Rich Create ~ Commit ~ Achieve Richard R. Inglis Tax & Financial Advisor Inglis, Reagan & Associates 8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite H Brentwood, CA 94513 P: 925-240-1242 C: 925-525-8891 F: 925-848-1682
TEAR OUT THIS CENTER SECTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE! STAY INFORMED---STAY INVOLVED!
Our Founding Fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it”.
The Brentwood Clarion
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“State of the Chamber Luncheon� Presentations by Harry York, CEO Kathi Reed, 2008 Chamber President Learn about the changes that have been made, are underway, and are being planned to better serve and represent the Business in the Brentwood area. Voice your ideas - Share your thoughts Vote on the changes to the Chamber By-Laws
June 12, 2008 11:30 a.m. Nines at Brentwood Golf Club 100 Summerset Drive Brentwood, CA 94513 For more information or to make a reservation please call the chamber office at 925 634-3344 $25.00 pre-paid reservation only Chicken Salad Croissant sandwich, apple and chicken salad, tender chicken, walnuts and a dash of honey stuff in a flaky croissant served with side salad and garnish. Dessert
Name:_________________________________________________________ Company:___________________ Phone;#___________________________ How many attending:______ Total amount enclosed:________ Check:____________ Cash:__________Credit: Card________
Page 9 The Brentwood Clarion
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BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
TEAR OUT THIS CENTER SECTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE! STAY INFORMED---STAY INVOLVED!
JOIN US FOR THE
June Mixer
June June 5
Traveling Chamber Lounge at CoCo Wine Co.
June 12
State of the Chamber Luncheon
June 19
Mixer at Pierce Chiropractic Group
June 26
CEO Coffee Club at Sylvia’s Sabor Latino
July
July 11, 12, and 13 CornFest 2008
July 17
Mixer at Calif. Pac. Federal Credit Union
August
hosted by:
Pierce Chiropractic Group Location: 2489 Discovery Bay Blvd., in Discovery Bay DATE: TIME:
Thursday, June 19, 2008 5:30-7:30 p.m. *Raffle Prizes *Share-the-Pot Drawing *Network with your fellow Chamber members
August 21
Mixer at Arbor Ridge Executive Apartments
September September 18
Mixer at Discovery Professional Services
October October 16
Mixer at Shepherd’s Gate
October 25
Hometown Halloween
November November 1
A Taste of Brentwood (restaurant tour)
November 20
Mixer TBA
November 22
Holiday Parade
December 18 Holiday Mixer
Mixer Locations (or Ribbon Cuttings) can (and do) change at any time. Check the Calendar of Events on our website for updated information:
www.brentwoodchamber.com Stay in tune with the latest business news!
It could influence your business!
Visit on a regular basis:
Get to know the political issues and bills that affect businesses. Make a difference on proposed laws.
www.calchamber.com/dailyheadlines
Visit: www.calchambervotes.com
The Brentwood Clarion NEW MEMBER PROFILE KIDS HELPING KIDS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy is a unique organization that evolved from a simple idea and a big heart of a 10 year old boy who decided to raise $240 in order to keep one Ghanaian child from being trafficked; today it is a fundraising and leadership movement for global transformation. In February of 2007, 10 year old Tyler Page got inspired while watching an episode of Oprah where he learned that children, just like him were being sold into labor. Picturing himself in their shoes is all it took for him to leap into action. He wanted to raise just $240 which he learned would keep one child out of trafficking for an entire year. Little did he know that his commitment would become a legacy of hope and inspiration. Within the first year his $240 quickly turned into $38,000. His desire to help children he has never met on the other side of the globe is what inspired his family and friends to start Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy, Inc. Kids Helping Kids has been featured on ABC 7 News twice, the June 2008 issue of Family Circle, Jan/Feb issue of 110 Magazine and has a radio interview due to come out on Voice of America by mid-June 2008. They raise money for local children in need as well as others across the globe. In 14 months they have launched 2 pen pal programs, one for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the other for the rescued children in Ghana, West Africa. They sent over 6,000 zip-lock bags filled with candy to our troops and 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to the rescued children in Ghana. They have multiple projects underway, one of them called “Project Shane” is for a 6 year old Brentwood boy who was born with paralyzed vocal cords that caused him to spend the first 6 months of his life struggling to breathe. He breathes through a tracheotomy tube and feeds mainly from a tube connected to his stomach. He has to travel to Ohio for all his medical surgery and treatments. In addition to many projects, they started an “Amazing Kid Nomination” program with 110 Magazine this past spring in order to high light and recognize children who are doing amazing things and giving them a voice. They are teaching children the secret to happiness through giving back, which boosts their self esteem and leaves them hungry for more. For more information please contact Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy, www.KidzHelpingKids.org, laurapage@kidzhelpingkids.org, telephone 925-759-4806.
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The Brentwood Clarion
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BRENTWOOD ECONOMIC SUMMIT Brentwood’s 11th District Congressman Jerry McNerney held a very successful Economic Summit on May 17th at the Brentwood Community Center. The summit was focused on three primary interests of the region, small business, agriculture, and transportation. Three panels made up of five leaders in each subject addressed the local business people in attendance. The small business panel focused on the local and federal resources that are available to business in the way of “how to do it” seminars, to job training, and hiring opportunities that are available right here in the Brentwood area. A question asked by many was the possibility of locating a SCORE counseling office here in Brentwood. Paul Lundstedt from the Oakland SCORE office promised local leaders, including Chamber CEO Harry York, that he would meet with them to explore those opportunities. The needs of a recourses available to local farmers were addressed by a panel of local farm organization representatives including Brentwood City Council Member Erik Stonebarger. Martha Bair Stienbock from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the C.C. area excited the crowd with new food products that are being developed from what are currently bi-products. One product she noted was the anti-browning coating that is used to treat apples that are sliced from turning brown. Another product was 100% fruit snack bars. These types of products and others could be produced right here in Brentwood area. The panel on transportation updated those in attendance on some of the latest transportation projects underway and being planned for the East Contra Costa County. Two of the major projects that will soon be underway are some significant safety improvements to Vasco Road and the continued widening of Highway 4 through Pittsburg and Antioch. The panelist also noted that planning is still underway for extending BART to the Hillcrest area of Antioch. Congressman McNerney ended the session on an upbeat note commenting that “The Brentwood area better hold on because when the economy turns around this area will take off.”
At-Home Tastings •Premier Wine Gifts Custom-Labeled Corporate Gifts
Kathi Reed Independent Wine Consultant
925-240-8382 www.winealongwithme.com wine@kathireed.com
Phone: 925-625-0278 P.O. Box 406 Oakley, CA 94561 www.linmarkltd.logomall.com
Sample Showroom: 707 “A” Street in Antioch
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ALERT Stories From the California Chamber Budget Solution Lies in Economic Recovery, Not Services Tax A recovering economy, not a new tax on services, is the solution to the state’s budget woes, the California Chamber of Commerce pointed out this week. CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg highlighted problems with a services tax in a letter to the editor that appeared in the Los Angles Times. Following is the letter prepared for the Times. “The only proven solution to the severe budget deficient in California is a sustained economic recovery. Any interim solution to our budget woes must not lose sight of that goal. A sales tax on services, as discussed in your recent article, would impede California’s ability to recover from our current crisis and close the gap once and for all. Increasing the price of services in California by 8 percent would cause consumers already challenged by rising energy and food prices—to use less of those services. Many California businesses would face an immediate 8 percent competitive disadvantage to companies in other states. A services tax discriminates against small businesses. National companies would use their in-house legal and accounting services for those in other states. Small businesses would be stuck with higher prices they cannot afford. Businesses and individuals who share in the ever-rising cost of health care would e further priced out of the market. Entertainment and tourism would suffer dramatically under a government-imposed 8 percent price hike. There is a reason that other large states that have tried to impose taxes on services repealed them quickly. These taxes simply do not work and our economy cannot afford them.” All Sports Trophies Advertising Specialties Custom & Corporate Awards
(925) 516-8880 • Fax (925) 625-5316 Email: starawards@sbcglobal.net
Bob & Sharon Sherriff, Owners
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS! MAG Playground, Inc Sales & Installation of Play Ground Equipment Todd Gammon/Martin l. Mathes, Owners 1617 Dawnview Dr. Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 831- 594-7397 Fax: 925 308-4775 Cell: 831 594-7397 Email: magplaygrounds@aol.com
Dow Credit Union Credit Union Rose Relich 4041 Lone Tree Way, Suite 100 Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-331-1036 Cell: 925-437-4963 Fax: 925-331-1066 Email: rrelich@dowcu.org
Farmers Insurance Insurance Services Robert Cooper, Insurance Agent 5776 Stoneridge Mall Rd. #312 Pleasanton, CA 94588 Phone: 925 708-9845 Fax:925 262-2317 Email: rcooper2@farmersagent.com
EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS Fresh Fruit Baskets, Dipped Fruit Tony Paul Roman, Window InnoOwner vations 3101-D Road 2007 Ambassador of the Brentwood, Year Phone: 925 Cell: 925- Amy Alvis, Living Trusts by Fax: 925- Amy Liz Beth Fletcher, Mary Kay Email:
Granite Construction General Contractor William Dorey, CEO Jerry Salvens, Contact Person 2155 Elkins Way, Suite A Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-626-3542 Cell: 209 481-3570 Fax: 925-626-3679 Email: jerry.salvens@gcinc.com www.graniteconstruction.com
Carol Carey Couture Salon & Spa Salon/Spa Carol Carey, Owner 9040 Brentwood Blvd, Suite E Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-777-1950 Fax: 925-420-5690 Cell: 925 766-0562 Email: carol@carolcarey.com Www.carolcareysalon.com
Martinez, Balfour CA 94513 -516-0111 250-8455 516-3111
Cosmetics Chris Krohn, The Emerging Soul Richard McDaniel, Mutual of Omaha David Mengel, Gemini Staffing Vicki Sexton, First Bank
ca847@ediblearrangements.com www.ediblearrangements.com CONTRA COSTA HEARING AID CENTER Hearing Aids/Medical Toby Hill, President Rachelle Hill, CFO 1240 Central Blvd., Suite A2 Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-303-4668 Cell: 925-285-0339 Fax: 925-884-8013 Email: toby@contracostahearingaids.com
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Page 15 BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kathi Reed, President
Brentwood Embroidery & Sewing 550 Harvest Park Drive Suite F Brentwood, CA 94513 925 787-8087
WineShop at Home
Shelly McMahon, Ex-Officio Shelly’s Garden
Shayn Cutino, Director Anja Wellness
Bill Fee, Director Mazzy’s Fire Protection Specialists
Toni Grimes, Director Notary Public
The Chamber Ambassador Team Paul Roman, Window Innovations 2007 Ambassador of the Year Amy Alvis, Living Trusts by Amy Liz Beth Fletcher, Mary Kay Cosmetics Chris Krohn, The Emerging Soul Richard McDaniel, Mutual of Omaha David Mengel, Gemini Staffing Vicki Sexton, First Bank Pat Trombino, First Bank Katherine Van Hatten, Skin Care by Katherine Olga Vidriales, Travis Credit Union Susanna Wahl, Edward Jones Renee Woodruff, MAP Donna Zickerman, Sarah Coventry
De-De Hays, Director Prudential California Realty
Richard Inglis, Director Reagan Management Services
Paul Kelly, Director Home One Mortgage
Richard Perez-Pacheco, Director Black Sheep Design
Ken Seamann, Director Discovery Professional Services
Karen Spann, President-Elect The Monthly Grapevine
Joe Trebino, Director Delta Pure Water, Etc.
John Fink, Alternate Director Delta Ranches & Homes
Lyle Miller, Alternate Director Scheer Home Systems & Security ——————————————————
Harry York, CEO Bonnie Lucchese, Support Services Director Jilda Fairhurst, Event Coordinator Bill Putman, Volunteer 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
www.brentwoodchamber.com
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The Brentwood Farmers’ Market is OPEN every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon Downtown Brentwood
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
TEAR OUT THE CENTER SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND GET INVOLVED!