News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber | | |
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Monday, February 26, 2024 | |
Sara Regan, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Typical Office Hours
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Closed Monday-Thursday 12:30pm-1pm for lunch.
(925) 284-7404 | info@lafayettechamber.org
LafayetteChamber.org
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Taste of Lafayette tickets go onsale March 1 for the May 21 event.
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at Postino, March 7, 5:30pm
Save the Date for our March 15 Business Seminar, 9am-12noon (Info and registration link coming soon.)
Lafayette Business Women at Pillar Cowork, March 20, 5:15pm-6:30pm
"Coffee" with the Lafayette City Manager, March 22 8am via Zoom
Lafayette Chamber Non-Profit Network, March 28, 8am at East Bay Health
Citizen of the Year Dinner Honoring John A. Coleman at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, March 28, 6pm-9pm.
➡ Lafayette Chamber Events Calendar ⬅
More events from our members!
Lafayette Community Events Calendar
Arts Community Email Blast (current issue Feb. 9)
Nonprofit Email Blast (next issue March 1)
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2024 Lafayette Citizen of the Year: John A. Coleman
On Tuesday, February 13, the Citizen of the Year nomination committee selected John A. Coleman for his decades of service to Lafayette.
John served on the Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors in the late 80’s and early 90’s. John worked for the Coleman family business running a small food distribution company in Lafayette for military bases. He became the Chamber Board President in 1991. Under John's leadership at the Chamber, the first Lafayette Run, now called the Lafayette Res Run for Education, was held on October 25, 1992, and has continued as an annual event ever since. Also, under his leadership the last Concours d'Elegance was held and it was replaced with the vision of the current Lafayette Art and Wine Festival. Lois Requist, the Chamber’s Executive Director wrote, “As Executive Director for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce from 1986 to 1992, I worked with John A. Coleman who was then a member of the Board of Directors. He was always positive, always willing to work on whatever projects we had going at the time. He frequently had good ideas and was also willing to listen to other people's ideas and work together to reach goals successfully.”
Read more about John's contributions to Lafayette here.
A dinner in his honor will be held at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa on Thursday, March 28, 2024, 6pm-9pm. Registration is now open for the dinner. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.
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Welcome to our NEW Lafayette Chamber Members!
The following businesses recently joined the Lafayette Chamber! We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
1300 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, CA
Sherry Nadworny, 925-239-2487
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has improved the lives of vulnerable seniors living in Contra Costa County by delivering nutritious meals and supportive services that allow seniors to remain in their homes, safely and with dignity.
Category: Non-Profit Organizations & Clubs
Studio Jule
Juleen Lapporte, 925-285-7953
I am an award winning Lafayette based full-service portrait photographer specializing in custom sessions and printed heirloom products. I create portraits for families, high school seniors, and women. Plus I work with businesses to shine a spotlight on their teams.
Categories: Photography, Photographic Imaging Services
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Thank you Renewing Members!
The following members renewed their Lafayette Chamber membership between February 20-25, 2024!
RENEWING PREMIER MEMBER
Douglah Designs, member since 1999
Accurate Bookkeeping, LLC, member since 2001
Anne-Marie Friday Design, member since 2023
Assistance League Thrift Shop, member since 1984
Bay Area Rescue Mission, member since 2021
Blodgett's Abbey Carpet & Flooring, member since 1958
Cooking with Kids Foundation, member since 2015
J.V. Chiropractic, member since 2002
La Finestra Ristorante, member since 1999
Lafayette Library & Learning Center Foundation, member since 2010
Lamorinda Tooth Buds - Pediatric Dentistry, member since 2015
Michael Lane Preschool, member since 2004
Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen & Coffee Bar, member since 2016
St. Anselm's Episcopal Church, member since 2010
St. Perpetua School, member since 1996
Town Center Apartments, member since 1996
Your CBD Store, member since 2020
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Lafayette Business Women at Mighty Market!
View photos from the February 21 event at Mighty Market HERE. Thank you for hosting and providing the coffee, Claire and Bronwyn! Thank you Tosi Superbites for the bars!
Lafayette Business Women is a women-led business group. Shared experiences, contributed knowledge and skills, networking and collaboration opportunities. Empowering female entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.
Meeting once a month through November, typically the third Wednesday of the month alternating from morning to evening events, at member locations throughout Lafayette.
This group is for Lafayette Chamber members and their employees. Guests welcome to attend the first meeting for free, then we encourage guests to join the Lafayette Chamber or pay the $20 guest fee during registration.
Upcoming events (more to be added soon!)
Wednesday, March 20 at Pillar Cowork, 5:15pm-6:30pm REGISTER HERE
May 15 at Clocks, Etc. 5:15pm-6:30pm CELEBRATING 48 YEARS IN BUSINESS!!
June 19 at Douglah Designs, 8:45am-10am **DATE TO CHANGE
October 16 at Abio Properties, 8:45am-10am
November 20 at Mighty Market, 5:15pm-6:30pm
This group is a subcommittee of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Sign up for text notifications at https://eztxt.net/RFs4Sc. Sign up for email notifications at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/yozHC2T/women.
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Maximize Your Membership
On Thursday evening the Lafayette Chamber held Maximize Your Membership at the Lafayette Library. View photos HERE.
Special thanks to Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling Company for the drinks!
Thank you to all the members, board members and ambassadors who joined us. And to our speakers and panelists:
Katie Santos, Chamber Board President, Katie Santos Consulting-Fitness HR
Travis Johnson, Dream Big Construction
Kathy Merchant, Chamber Board
Christina Alba, Rivulet Chiropractic
Dennis Garrison, Oakwood Athletic Club
David Benet, Mobility Matters
Carine Camara, CARRINNA
Matt Boone, Dan Fitzpatrick Team
Alan Koenigsberg, Agile Digital Marketing / MVPC
Wendy Tamis, Clocks, Etc. / Harpist
Mike Harris, SCORE East Bay
Suzanne Iarla, City of Lafayette
Recording of the event available upon request, email holly@lafayettechamber.org.
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"Coffee" with City of Lafayette Mayor Gina Dawson
Thank you Matt Pease for moderating our first 2024 "Coffee" with Mayor Gina Dawson. Thank you Mayor Dawson for your time!
The discussion touched on the following topics:
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State of the City Address recording available on the City’s YouTube Channel: 2024 Lafayette State of the City
- $2 million deficit
- Seeking public input on a range of issues
- Plan 2040 is the General Plan Update (last one 2002). What do you want for Lafayette in 20 years?
- Housing Element 2023-2031
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Parking - Increase in hourly fee. Survey on City owned parking meters; State regulation on parking near crosswalks, to be enforced by 2025. You can take the poll about hours of operation for City-operated Parking Meters at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CJCCGC3
- Plans to respond to Housing Plan
- Update on new developments Brandt, Madison Park, Deer Hill
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Enforcement for Gas Powered Leaf Blowers Ban; Info on gas-powered leaf blower ban: https://www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/commissions-committees/environmental-task-force/leaf-blowers. Check out an electric leaf blower (two styles available) through the lending program: www.lovelafayette.org/leaf-blower-lending
- How often the City uses Nixle to send out emergency information. Only when life-threatening issue.
- Supervisor Candace Andersen updated us on: Shaded Fuel Breaks, Lafayette Alamo Cemetary Study
Next "Coffee" will be with City of Lafayette City Manager Niroop Srivatsa
March 22, 8am via Zoom. On Friday, April 26, 2024 8 am via Zoom we will host "Coffee" with CCC Supervisor Candace Andersen. REGISTER FOR ZOOM LINKS HERE.
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Thank you to our Business Seminar Speakers and Panelists!
The Lafayette Chamber is hosting monthly business seminars in 2024 with the intention to educate, train and share real-world knowledge in a classroom environment. Each seminar will be led by a group of respected leaders in their respective fields.
Thank you to our Friday, February 23 speakers and panelists in the seminar: Your Guide to Financial Literacy and Planning.
Thank you Tosi Superbites for the bars and Starbucks for the coffee!
View photos here. Our Business Seminars are free for Members, $35 for non-members. Registration required. Space is limited to 30 attendees. Our next event is being planned for Friday, March 15. Registration will be available online soon.
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Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at POSTINO
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals will meet in 2024 the FIRST THURSDAY of the month at various locations throughout Lafayette. The times may vary as well. Please check the calendar for each event for specific details. Registration required.
Next Yo Pros –> REGISTER HERE
Thursday, March 7, 5:30-7pm at Postino.
Thursday, April 4 - Joint Mixer at the Roundup Saloon
Thursday, May 2 at Lafayette Public House
Thursday, June 6 at Lafayette Public House
Thursday, July 11 at Lafayette Public House
Thursday, August 1 at Headlands Brewing
Thursday, September 5 at Headlands Brewing
Thursday, October 3 at Headlands Brewing
Thursday, November 7, location TBD
December 11, Holiday Mixer After Party, location TBD
Guests may attend one event, following the one event we encourage you to join the Lafayette Chamber or pay the $20 guest fee during registration.
📷 Photo from our February social at Postino.
Learn more at https://lafayettechamber.org/young-professionals.
Join the email list here: https://lafayettechamber.org/e-blast.
Want a text notification? Sign up here: https://tapit.us/N56jNh.
Participate in the Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lafayetteyopros.
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NEW! Non-Profit Network - Sharing Knowledge & Building Community Together
At the Lafayette Chamber Non-Profit Network, we believe that non-profit organizations play an essential role in building and sustaining thriving communities. Our mission is to foster collaboration, share expertise, and promote best practices among non-profit professionals and volunteers in the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a newcomer to the non-profit sector, we're here to provide you with the resources, connections, and support you need to make a positive impact in the world.
Meeting quarterly throughout 2024: March 28 at 8am, May 9 at 5pm, August 8 at 8am, November 14 at 5pm at East Bay Health, 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 101, Lafayette, CA.
Flow of meetings to include: first 15 min will be time for everyone to come in, mingle, and connect with each other. 15 min introductions. 30 min for a roundtable topic of discussion or speaker & closing discussion.
Photo from Lafayette Business Women at East Bay Health in January.
FREE and open to Lafayette Chamber member non-profit executives, staff, board, volunteers. Not a Lafayette Chamber member? Reach out to us for a guest pass. REGISTER HERE.
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Rabbi Nicki Greninger to Receive 2024 CCAR Hakarat HaTov Award for Exemplary Leadership in Rabbinic Ethics Task Force
Temple Isaiah is thrilled to announce that Rabbi Nicki Greninger will be honored with the esteemed Hakarat HaTov award at the 135th Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Convention, scheduled to take place in Philadelphia from March 10-13, 2024.
The Hakarat HaTov award recognizes Rabbi Greninger for her outstanding leadership
as the co-chair of the CCAR Ethics Task Force for the past two years. Her commitment
to advancing rabbinic ethics and her dedication to the task force's mission have set a
standard of excellence within the community.
Rabbi Greninger expressed her gratitude, stating, "It is such an honor to receive the
Hakarat HaTov award. The work of the CCAR Ethics Task Force was incredibly
meaningful, and I hope that our collective efforts will contribute to the strengthening of
rabbinic ethics for years to come."
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The Wheel Well - Lamorinda now offers small party event rentals
Wheel Well Events offers a rounded suite of products for any community, backyard or holiday event. Make your next event stand out with the Wheel Well. Serving the Lamorinda and West Diablo Valley areas - with direct delivery and day-of drop-off and pick-up.
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Community Water Academy
The Community Water Academy (CWA) provides EBMUD customers and community leaders a rare opportunity to learn about EBMUD’s water and wastewater systems through interactive, behind-the-scenes tours and staff presentations.
Participants leave the CWA with a deeper understanding of how EBMUD manages, operates, and maintains our East Bay and Upcountry facilities and watershed land. Topics include water treatment and distribution, investments in infrastructure, finances, diversity and equity, community programs and more.
Upon successful completion of the CWA program, participants are considered Community Water Ambassadors who are better able to educate their communities and constituents on these important local water issues.
We welcome applicants 18 years and over who live and/or work within our service area or our upcountry watershed area.
Participants are expected to attend ALL in-person sessions for completion of the program. Learn more and apply HERE by March 8.
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Mt. Diablo Business Women - March 14 lunch meeting
Caterine Rando, a business coach and best-selling author, shares strategies for gaining influence, new clients, and long-term client relationships.
Thursday, March 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Greenery, 1551 Marchbanks in Walnut Creek. Ample free parking.
$30 for MDBW members, $35 for guests. Includes buffet lunch and iced tea. Additional drinks can be ordered and paid at the restaurant. Optional raffle supporting CASA: 6 raffle tickets for $5 (cash, please). REGISTER HERE
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Small Business Help Office Hours - Hosted by SCORE
SCORE has the largest network of free volunteer small business mentors in the nation. No matter what stage your business is at SCORE can be a valuable resource.
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce has been partnering with SCORE for over 15 years.
We welcome our chamber members and community members to schedule a complimentary meeting with a SCORE representative on Tuesdays between the hours of 1:30pm-4:00pm in our Chamber office at 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150.
Upcoming dates: April 2, 9, 16
Mike Harris is our in-house SCORE counselor. Mike earned a BS with an emphasis on electronics from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MBA from Santa Clara University. After a few years in engineering, Mike spent most of his career in high tech marketing and operations management. While continuing to work in electronics he helped manage his family retail business. After retiring from his career in electronics, Mike began working with small businesses helping them obtain working capital loans. Besides mentoring, Mike helps present SCORE business plans and financial planning workshops.
To schedule your appointment, please call the Lafayette Chamber at (925) 284-7404 or book your appointment online here. Enter your desired time frame. In person meetings at the Lafayette Chamber office are by appointment only and are scheduled every 30 minutes.
SCORE also offers free and low-cost workshops. VIEW WORKSHOP SCHEDULE HERE.
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Business Card and Business Resource Center at the Lafayette Chamber Office
Our walls are filling up with our members promotion materials and business cards! Stop by the office or email Rebekah Dani to be included! We love to showcase our members!
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Upcoming Chamber Member Events | |
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A tasting experience at Byron Park, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 12:00 PM thru 01:30 PM, https://www.kiscoseniorliving.com/senior-living/ca/walnut-creek/byron-park/?nab=0
Applying Climate Solutions in Everyday Life, Sunday, March 3, 2024 11:30 AM thru 12:30 PM, Parish Hall at St. Anselm’s Church, 682 Michael Lane
Diablo Symphony: Rite of Spring and Elgar Cello Concerto, Sunday, March 3, 2024 2:00 PM thru 04:00 PM, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek
The Future is Here: Four Keys to the New Retirement, Thursday, March 7, 2024 3:30 PM thru 05:00 PM, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) @UC Berkeley.
Miramonte High School presents: Footloose, Friday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are available here: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/80916
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City of Lafayette The Weekly Roundup
February 23, 2024
The Weekly Roundup, February 23, 2024 | Latest News | City of Lafayette, CA (lovelafayette.org)
➡ News From the City Manager’s Corner
- Lamorinda Spirit Van Senior Transportation Program Expands Shopping Trip Destinations
- Congratulations to 2024 Lafayette Citizen of the Year, John A. Coleman
- Watch Recordings of “Coffee” with the Mayor & the 2024 State of the City Address
- Last Call for Green Award Nominations
- Lafayette Achieves 81% Diversion Rate for Construction Debris
- Police Department Stats
Public Parking Meter Rates to Increase for First Time in More Than 18 Years
Starting on Monday, March 4, the parking meter rates at City-operated meters will be increased to $2 per hour. This change will bring rates into line with the private lots at La Fiesta and Town Center. The last time our rates were increased was in 2006.
Arguably, parking meters may be unpopular, but they do serve an important role in the community. The meters ensure that there is adequate parking turnover so that businesses and merchants can thrive. In addition, paid meters are more efficiently enforced than “timed areas” with signage only.
It is important to note that revenue from meters does not go into the General Fund, but rather, since the meters were installed over 25 years ago, all net income from meters has been directed to a special fund used to purchase additional parking in the downtown. Using these funds, the City purchased the Oakbridge lot, 949 Moraga Road, and lent money to the former Redevelopment Agency to purchase land for the library parking lot.
While on the topic of parking meters, we would like to know if you think the hours of operation for public parking meters in the downtown should match the private lots (with the exception of Sunday, which will remain free all day for public parking spaces). Please take the quick online poll to let us know your thoughts about keeping or changing the operating hours for our downtown meters.
➡Are you listed on the Experience Lafayette website? If not, reach out to Suzanne Iarla at the City of Lafayette
➡ Lafayette Planning Applications and Major Development Projects: Want to know the planning applications that the City’s Planning Department is processing? You can visit the Planning Applications Received page for the latest application information. Curious about construction taking place around town? Information on major developments that are underway can be found on the Major Development Projects website.
➡ Sign up to receive City notifications: Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette’s publications at bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications. Also, find out how to follow the City of Lafayette on social media at https://www.lovelafayette.org/connect
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Supervisor Candace Andersen Weekly Update
February 23, 2024
February 23 Weekly Update (constantcontact.com)
➡ Election Day is March 5 - Options for Early Voting and Where to Take your Ballot
➡ The Contra Costa Crisis Center is Here to Help
➡ Street Smarts "Be Reel" Video Contest
➡ Are You Interested in Supporting Individuals With Developmental Disabilities?
➡ Make a Difference - Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury Seeking Applicants
➡ American Association of University Women STEM Conference for Middle School Girls
➡ A Panel Discussion on Intimate Partner Violence
➡ Contra Costa County Behavioral Health - Mental Health First Aid Certification
➡ Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity
➡ 2024 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards and 30th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration
➡ The Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is Currently Accepting Applications for the Alternate Public Member Seat
➡ Would you like to serve on the Measure X Community Advisory Board?
➡ County Volunteer Opportunities
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Show Your Membership!
Would you like to include a Lafayette Chamber membership emblem on your website or other marketing materials?
The Lafayette Chamber would be happy to provide you with the appropriate logos. Simply email your request to holly@lafayettechamber.org.
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