June 2008 Newsletter Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

The Brentwood Clarion Page

JUNE 2008 Vol. 43, No.6

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

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 pro-

gram, introduced the Mayor. Guarino noted the strong part-

nership 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 Brent-

wood Mall opening this fall at the corner of the Highway 4 By

-pass and Sand Creek Road. In addition to the 14 screen thea-

ter complex, the development will have REI, Banana Repub-

lic, 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 bet-

ter community.

Tom Guarino introduced

PG&E’s local staff and encour-

aged the audience to call on

them any time they had energy

concerns

TEAR OUT THE CENTER SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND GET INVOIVED!

Mayor Robert “Bob” Taylor

The Brentwood Clarion Page 2

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.

photo by

Generations Photography

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 defini-

tion of Food Facility, premises operated by a producer, selling or offering for sale only whole produce grown by

the producer, provided the sales are conducted on premises controlled by the producer. However, as soon as

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 proc-

essed 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


1984

Leadership East County Delta 2000

310 W. Tenth Street, #2 Antioch, CA 94509

Nancy Kaiser Leadership Chair

925-437-2924

LEADERSHIP is a nine month education and commu-nity training program that offers participants an opportu-nity 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 en-gagement, 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 develop-ment.

DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN LEADERSHIP

ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2008—2009 CLASS STARTED MAY 1, 2008

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.


McCurley Abbey’s Carpet Center

On the hottest day of 2008, McCurley’s was host to the Cham-ber’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 every-one thinking the 2008 CornFest. Looking forward to seeing everyone at:

June 19th Mixer At

Pierce Chiropractic Office 2489 Discovery Bay Blvd.

Jim Spann of the Monthly Grapevine, Katherine Van Hatten of

Skin Care by Katherine and Paul Roman of Window Innova-

tions found something funny.

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


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: [email protected]

Lic #705148


Income Tax Preparation Financial and Tax Planning Business Management Bookkeeping

8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite H 925-240-1242

www.reaganmanagementservices.com

Cell 925.813.1319

“Best of Brentwood” 2002-2007 Business of the Year, 15th Assembly District

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 Cham-

ber 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.

Paul Roman

Window Innovations, Inc.

(925-766-6774

Email: [email protected]


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Freedom,

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 Gov-

ernment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it”.

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 gov-

ernment. 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 to-

wards 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 ex-

tremist 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 un-

alienable 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


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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________


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JOIN US FOR THE

June Mixer

hosted by:

Pierce Chiropractic Group

Location: 2489 Discovery Bay Blvd.,

in Discovery Bay DATE: Thursday, June 19, 2008

TIME: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

*Raffle Prizes

*Share-the-Pot Drawing

*Network with your fellow Chamber members

BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

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

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Stay in tune with the latest business news!

Visit on a regular basis:

www.calchamber.com/dailyheadlines

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

It could influence your business!

Get to know the political issues and bills that affect businesses. Make a difference

on proposed laws.

Visit: www.calchambervotes.com


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 de-

cided to raise $240 in order to keep one Ghanaian child from being traf-

ficked; 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 inspira-

tion. 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 Leader-

ship 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 tracheot-

omy 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, [email protected],

telephone 925-759-4806.


Phone: 925-625-0278 P.O. Box 406 Oakley, CA 94561 www.linmarkltd.logomall.com

Sample Showroom: 707 “A” Street in Antioch

At-Home Tastings •Premier Wine Gifts

Custom-Labeled Corporate Gifts

Kathi Reed Independent Wine Consultant

925-240-8382

www.winealongwithme.com [email protected]

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 inter-

ests 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 lo-

cal leaders, including Chamber CEO Harry York, that he would meet with them to explore those op-

portunities.

The needs of a recourses available to local farmers were addressed by a panel of local farm organi-

zation 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. An-

other 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 wid-

ening of Highway 4 through Pittsburg and Antioch. The panelist also noted that planning is still un-

derway 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.”


(925) 516-8880 • Fax (925) 625-5316 Email: [email protected]

Bob & Sharon Sherriff, Owners

All Sports Trophies Advertising Specialties Custom & Corporate Awards

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 prob-lems with a services tax in a letter to the editor that ap-peared 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 en-ergy 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. Na-tional companies would use their in-house legal and ac-counting services for those in other states. Small busi-nesses would be stuck with higher prices they cannot af-ford. 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.”


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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] Www.carolcareysalon.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: [email protected]

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS Fresh Fruit Baskets, Dipped Fruit Tony Martinez, Owner 3101-D Balfour Road Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925 -516-0111 Cell: 925- 250-8455 Fax: 925- 516-3111 Email:

[email protected] 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: [email protected]

Paul Roman, Window Inno-vations 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


BRENTWOOD

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kathi Reed, President 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

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: [email protected]


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

The Chamber Ambassador Team

Brentwood Embroidery & Sewing 550 Harvest Park Drive Suite F Brentwood, CA 94513 925 787-8087


Phone: 925-634-3344

Fax: 925-634-3731

Email: [email protected]


The Brentwood Clarion

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

240 Oak Street

Brentwood, CA 94513

TEAR OUT THE CENTER SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND GET INVOLVED!

The Brentwood Farmers’ Market

is OPEN every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon

Downtown Brentwood

Documents

June 2008 Newsletter Brentwood Chamber of Commerce