April 2012 Clarion

April 2012 Vol. 48, No. 4

The Brentwood Voice of Business

Page 1: Taste of Brentwood, CornFest Page 2: Director’s Message, Board of Directors and Staff

Page 3: Ambassador’s Corner, Upcoming Chamber Events

Page 8 and 9: CornFest Sponsor Info and Form Page 10: Cal Chamber Employer Article Page 11: Community News Page 12: General Information

Page 4: New and Renewing Members, Upcoming Ribbon Cutting Page 5: Relay for Life of Brentwood, Chamber Team Info Page 6: March Mixer Page 7: April Mixer

CornFest 2012 Applications

are now available! Download from

www.brentwoodcornfest.org

Calling all Sponsors, Vendors and Info

Alley

Applications are available in the Chamber

office, online or email us at

[email protected] to have one

sent to you

SPONSORS! See inside for details and

form. Advertise your business!

The Brentwood Clarion Page 2

BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Kelly, President Prospect Mortgage

Joe Trebino, Past President Delta Pure Water

Dirk Zeigler, Chief Financial Officer Zeigler Insurance Group

Brent Aasen Equus Group

Amy Alvis Alvis Frantz and Associates

Kathy Blanton Sutter Delta Medical Center

Maurice Daroy Farmers Insurance

Fred Ehler Ehler Management Group

Kerri Fritsch Monogramming by Frichy

Jacqueline Hanel John Muir Health

Lori Knudsen California Payroll

Greg Robinson Brentwood Press

Robin Schiavone

Raley’s

Ken Seamann Discovery Professional Services

********************************

Chamber Staff

Jilda Fairhurst, Office Manager

Lisa Hurt, Support Services Director

Pat Trombino, Event Coordinator

Bill Putman, Volunteer

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGEDIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

As I look back over my 5 or 6 years of membership and activity with the Brentwood Chamber, I have seen the change in the not only the membership of the Chamber but the direction of the Chamber. Likewise, I have seen changes in my own business. Starting my law practice a few years back with a partner is the first time I have ever had a partnership in my business endeavors. I was not prepared for all of the challenges that running a business with someone else can bring. But one thing I have realized, is that when you are in business with someone else, you expand your sales force and there is always someone you can depend on to help you out. That is what becoming involved in the Chamber can provide for a business owner, especially if they are in business by themselves. The Chamber provides a wonderful opportunity to not just market your business, but to network and grow your sales force. If you look at your networking in the Chamber with the idea that you are not looking for the next great client, but looking for the next great referral partner, you may find the benefits of your membership invaluable to your business. Look at how you can find other business owners that will not only refer business to you, but that You can refer business to. (Sorry for the dangling participle there). By engaging in smart networking with other Chamber members, learning how you can better refer clients to them, and sharing with them how to look for a good business referral for you, you are guaranteed to find more referrals to your business. You many never have any connections with a certain demographic that you would like to expand your business into, but someone in the Chamber in a completely unrelated field of business, may have that connection to that demographic into which you are looking to expand. Of course business does get done at Chamber events, but is it the most “bang for your buck” so to speak? If you do not believe you are receiving the value out of your Chamber membership, it would be a good thing to look at how you are using (or not using) your membership. You may want to attend an ambassador meeting, or stay after for a membership orientation, or maybe seek out a director that has been active and involved and see what it is that they do that you could incorporate into your own networking and marketing activities. As the old saying goes, you get out of things what you put into them. Take advantage of the value of your chamber membership. Work it and it will work for you. Amy Alvis, is the owner of Alvis Frantz and Associates, A Professional Law Firm located at 181 Sand Creek Road, Suite K, Brentwood, CA www.AlvisFrantzLaw.com. Their office specializes in Estates, Trusts, Probate, Business and Corporate Law, as well as Uncontested and Mediated Family Law. They can be reached at 925-516-1617.

Sincerely, Amy Alvis, Esq. 181 Sand Creek Road, Ste. K Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone 925-516-1617 Fax 925-775-7008

http://www.AlvisFrantzLaw.com


Chamber Ambassadors

Vicki Sexton, Chair, First Bank

Amy Alvis, Alvis-Frantz and Associates

Kathy Blanton, Sutter Delta Medical Center

Maurice Daroy, Farmers Insurance

Nelda Devine Delta Community Services

Fred Ehler, Ehler Management Group

Kerri Fritsch, Monogramming by Frichy

Lori Knudsen, California Payroll

Sam Lamantia, Lamantia Insurance Services

Michele Lane, ReMax/Accord

John Lawrence, New York Life Insurance

Diem Nguyen, State Farm Insurance

Kathi Reed, Wineshop at Home

Kathi Regan, Maxx Worms

Kurt Tomicich, KRT Services

Dan Torres, New York Life Insurance

Joe Trebino, Delta Pure Water, Etc.

Pat Trombino, First Bank

Kimberley Victor, Mary Kay Cosmetics

UPCOMING EVENTS

Chamber Mixers

Thursday, April 19, 2012

New York Life Insurance

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Bill Brandt Ford

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.

Ambassador's Corner

Spring is here, a great time to live in East Contra Costa County. The fields are being planted, fruit

trees are in bloom, a promise of warm days ahead.

Spring, the time of new beginnings, a time of change and hope. Over the past several years we

have seen our booming economy take a tumble. Many were unprepared for this downward slide.

Everyone knows someone who sold their home via short sale or lost their home to foreclosure.

In the middle of the great slide we saw unscrupulous people try to take advantage of homeowners.

As part of the Federal Government bailout, banks were told they must offer homeowners loan

modifications. The guidelines were unclear, with no standards and no system to monitor those

who offered those services.

Programs are now in place to help homeowners. Like the seasons these programs are not designed

to last. There are many misconceptions of who qualifies to modify their mortgage. Whether you

are on time or behind on your mortgage payments, have equity or not, there may be a program for

you.

Did you know that Contra Costa County is the home of the only Non-Profit Organization in North-

ern California that can analyze a mortgage loan and the homeowner’s finances using the same por-

tals that banks use?

I have been asked, why I would take time from my schedule to help homeowners save their

homes? Yes, I sell homes. The ability to offer my clients one more option is a welcome relief.

When the housing market suffers the entire economy suffers and the domino effect tumbles on. I

have a great affection for our community and my clients. When the economy is strong everyone

benefits.

As a member of the Brentwood Chamber, I have the opportunity to meet like minded people to

share ideas and visions. Being part of the team of Ambassadors gives me the opportunity to give

back to the Chamber while meeting many business owners at a level we could never make time for

in our day to day lives.

Let’s work together to build a stronger community.

Michele Lane

GRI, SRES, CDPE, Realtor

Foreclosure Counselor RE/MAX Accord The Lane Real Estate Team Your Avenue to Success in Real Estate (925) 513-2331

DRE 01252457


NEW MEMBERS

The Brentwood Chamber is pleased to

welcome the following new members:

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Thank you to the following members who recently

renewed their membership. The Chamber appreciates

your continued support.

New Member and Mixer Offers! Thinking about joining the Chamber? Come to

our next mixer, complete an application there and

pay your first year dues and we will waive the

$25 administration fee!

Bring a friend to a mixer! You will receive a free

drink ticket and if your friend joins the Chamber

that night, you will receive a free 1/2 page ad in

the Clarion!

Bring a raffle prize and receive a free drink

ticket!

Connect Tek

Jason Lehrer

2420 Sand Creek Road

Suite C-1177

Brentwood, CA 94513

(925) 634-8475

[email protected]

Comcast Spotlight

Brent Redford

1267 Arroyo Way

Walnut Creek, CA 94546

(925) 482-0207

[email protected]

Virtual Planet

Chris Hopkins

Brentwood, CA 94513

(925) 234-4489

[email protected]

A&A Auto Parts & Sales

Biglow Insurance Agency

Bill Brandt Ford

Black Sheep Design

California Payroll

Delta Networking Partners

Discovery Professional Services

Got-A-Party

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca,

DMD

Holy Rosary School

Liberty Adult Education

New York Life Insurance

Reach Project

Upcoming Grand Opening

and

Ribbon Cutting

Gallery on Second

A division of the Brentwood

Theater Company

Saturday, April 14th at 4 p.m.

741 Second Street, Brentwood

Join Jack and Betty Gaughan at the Grand Opening of

Brentwood’s newest art gallery. A complimentary

reception will follow the ribbon cutting. Attendees

will be able to view the gallery’s first show, meet

many artists and enjoy light refreshments.

For more information contact the Gallery on Second at

925-516-2741.



March Mixer at Gursky Ranch

Last month’s mixer was hosted by Relay for Life of

Brentwood and Gursky Ranch. It was a wonderfully

purple evening filled with food, drink, great company

and loads of raffle prizes! Thank you to Relay for Life

and Gursky Ranch for hosting such a terrific event.

Relay for Life of Brentwood informed everyone that

now is the time to join a team and support Relay for

Life’s annual event taking place this year on June 16th

and 17th at Liberty High School. Funds raised go to

the American Cancer Society’s effort to fight cancer.

If you are looking for a team to join, the Brentwood

Chamber will have its own team this year. We’d love

to have you!

Thank you to the following who donated raffle prizes:

Relay for Life of Brentwood, Gursky Ranch, The

Brentwood Press, The Monthly Grapevine, Solar

Universe, Pizzagoni’s Towing, Kimberly Victor-Mary

Kay Cosmetics, Big Wave Dave’s Mongolian Grill,

The Citations Blues Band, Maxx Worms, Nancy

Kaiser, Delta Valley Athletic Club, Dr. Margaret

Stahler, WP Fangirl, Sutter Delta Medical Center, Oak

Street Boutique. We appreciate your support. Anyone

who brings a raffle prize to a mixer, will receive a free

drink ticket!

If you haven’t been to a mixer lately, you are missing

out! Members are invited to give a 30-second

infomercial about their business. Members who bring a

guest receive a free drink ticket. If their guest joins the

Chamber that night, the member receives a free 1/2

page ad in the Clarion and the guest receives a discount

on their first year-dues! The first to take advantage of

this was member Jack Gaughan of Brentwood Theater

Company who brought in a new member, Steve

Kinsella of Kinsella Theater Group.





Top 10 Things Employers Do to Get Sued

CalChamber highlights top mistakes that cause employment lawsuits

(April 3, 2012) There is no question that California has some of the most stringent and complex labor laws in the nation. The California Chamber of Commerce white paper, “The Top 10 Things Employers Do to Get Sued," details some of the mistakes that could lead to employment lawsuits. CalChamber knows that one of the toughest tasks for an HR manager or business owner is managing risk to prevent lawsuits. Employers may unintentionally violate employment laws and never realize the risk they create for the company. Trying to provide some flexibility for an employee, saving money for the company, or just being nice are all ways that an act of kindness can become a business liability. Although this list does not apply to all employers (regulations and collective bargaining agreements may override these general rules), these 10 HR examples can help employers better manage their risk:.

1. Classify all employees as exempt, whether they are or not.

2. Be nice to employees — let them work through lunch so they can take off early. 3. Make everyone an "independent contractor" because having employees is too much trouble. 4. Don't bother providing training about harassment and discrimination to managers and supervisors. They won't need the

information. 5. Let employees decide which hours and how many they want to work each day. 6. Terminate any employee who takes a leave of absence, whatever the reason. It is too much trouble to administer

leaves of absence, and who knows if the employee will return. 7. Don't give employees their final check if they fail to return company property. 8. Provide loans to employees and deduct the money from their paycheck each pay period. 9. Use non-compete agreements to protect confidential information such as business secrets, customer lists and pricing

information and prevent employees from working for the competition. 10. Implement a "use it or lose it" vacation policy and avoid paying out all the money at termination.

The Top 10 white paper can be found at http://www.calchamber.com/hr-california/Pages/top-10-lawsuit-risks.aspx


In Our Community...

The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has a program that offers small business, schools and organizations (like the Boy Scouts) a FREE Recycling Starter Kit (RSK) to help them start their own recycling program. A free recycling bin, printable labels, posters and more are available at bottlesandcans.com or by calling 1-800-RECYCLE.

Upcoming Events and

Ongoing Programs

450 John Muir Parkway

Brentwood

(925) 516-8006

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group: Third Saturday

of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Pet Adoption with Halo: Saturday, April 28th from

9 a.m. to 12 noon. “A Pet for Every Personality!”

Featuring Pet Fashions, Pet Groomers, Kennel

Owners, Trainers, Vet Services

Champagne & Shortcake Tour: Wednesday, May

9th from 5:30—6:30 p.m. Please RSVP, Seating is

Limited

Spring Trade Faire

Saturday, April 28th

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At Landmark Mortgage

813 First Street, Brentwood

DNP members will have a booth showcasing

their products and services.

RSVP by April 25th to Linda LoGrasso at (925)

783-9872, [email protected] or Kerri

Frichy at (925) 513-8054, [email protected]

May 10, 2012

Visit: ebbc.org/btwd

511contracosta.org

Based on information from research groups (and from our

very own residents!), it is quite clear that visits from specially

trained animal friends can help with the healing process and

curb boredom and loneliness. These caring animals offer

comfort and diversion for residents of Assisted Living

communities and patients at skilled nursing facilities and

hospitals.

Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is expand-

ing their animal therapy program “Pet Hug Pack” to East

Contra Costa County. To apply to train as a pet therapy

volunteer, you must first meet the requirements for becoming

a Pet Hug Pack Volunteer. Please join us for an informational

meeting on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30

a.m. at The Commons at Dallas Ranch, 4751 Dallas Ranch

Road, Antioch, CA 94531. Light refreshments will be

served. For more information contact Dina Osakue,

Community Relations Director at (925) 754-7772.

Volunteers Needed for

Tony LaRussa’s Animal

Rescue Foundation Pet

Hug Pack Program!

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/Consumers/RSKOrder.htm


Phone: 925-634-3344

Fax: 925-634-3731

Email: [email protected]

www.brentwoodchamber.com

The Brentwood Clarion

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite C

City of Brentwood (925) 516-5400

Parks & Recreation (924) 516-5444

Community Development (925) 516-5405

Brentwood Library (925) 516-5405

Police Non Emergency (925) 634-6911

Fire Department (925) 634-3400

Brentwood Aquatic Park (925) 516-5430

Newspapers

Brentwood Press (925) 634-1441

Contra Costa Times (925) 757-2525

Brentwood News (925) 779-7120

Transportation

Tri Delta Transit (925) 754-4040

Hotels

Hampton Inn (925) 513-1289

Holiday Inn Express (800) 345-8082

Medical Services

Sutter Delta Medical Center (925) 779-7200

John Muir Outpatient Center (925) 308-8100

Kaiser Permanente Antioch

Medical Center (925) 813-6500

Theaters

Delta Cinema (925) 240-7370

Rave (925) 809-0030

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

SCORE Counselors, Counselors of Small Business Now at the Brentwood Chamber Office ----Call (925) 634-3344 for your appointment today.

http://www.brentwoodchamber.com

http://www.guarddogalarms.info/

Documents

April 2012 Clarion