October 2020
Whether in times of prosperity or times of crisis, we are with you on the front lines, leading the way and making sure our community emerges stronger than ever.  We are all in this together at www.pleasanton.org.
Catalyst. Convener. Champion.
Vic's All Star Kitchen under new ownership
Congratulations to The Muñoz and Castro Family on their recent ribbon cutting ceremony at Vic's All Star Kitchen, 201 Main Street in downtown Pleasanton. 
Both families are committed to offering the best food and service in the entire bay area and also to continue supporting our local Pleasanton community. Many are familiar with long-time Vic's employee Laura Castro, holding the scissors in top photo. Earlier this year, Vic Malatesta's retirement opened the door for this opportunity for Laura and her family to run Vic's.

In recent months, patio seating has been extended and they've also added heaters outside for the fall/winter weather ahead. Pictured to the right are the new pumpkin pancakes with homemade cinnamon apples. Regularly featuring weekend specials, available for catering and free delivery, Vic's All Star Kitchen offers breakfast and lunch every day until 3:00 p.m. Learn more about Vic's All Star Kitchen here or call (925) 484-0789.
Girls Soccer Worldwide is recipient of donation
A generous donor has partnered with the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce to provide a monthly contribution to a small business. The anonymous donation has been named The 214 Gift, and each month, a different Chamber member will be presented with a $200 check. The plan is to continue this monthly through 2020.

The 214 Gift for September was presented to Girls Soccer Worldwide.  Pamela Jacobsen and Walter Pratte accepted the donation on behalf of the non-profit organization that empowers girls to rise out of poverty through sports, education, and leadership. Their programs are currently operating in South America and locally in the Bay Area.
About the Founders of Girls Soccer Worldwide
We're going to take you on a journey that tells a story of a promise made over 25 years ago and is being fulfilled today.  The part of this story that you may already know is, Walter and Pamela are a husband + wife team and Co-founding Girls Soccer Worldwide™ together.  The part of this story you may not know begins in 1991 with Walter living in Paraguay as a young soccer player,  to a passion behind the lens being discovered in 1998 while Pamela was living in New York.  It's one of their favorite stories to tell because it shows the seeds being planted long before Girls Soccer Worldwide™ became a name. 
BACPAC Endorsements
The Chamber's Political Action Committee (BACPAC) recently endorsed Jerry Pentin for Mayor and Jack Balch and Randy Brown for City Council in the upcoming November 3, 2020 election. We are supporting them since they understand that Pleasanton is "The City of Planned Progress."

Without this approach and understanding from our elected leaders, Pleasanton would not be an integral part of the dynamic Tri-Valley community as it is today. Our schools would not be rated number one in Alameda County and number 11 best in the state. We would not be recognized as the center of creative technology and innovation. Our business community would not be strong. Our transportation system would not be where it is today. Our open spaces and active park locations would not provide our citizens with unlimited recreational pursuits. We would not be enjoying a strong and varied tax base to support city government. Cultural amenities would not be readily available. Our well-planned and maintained residential neighborhoods would not exist. Our historical downtown area would not be the envy of the Tri-Valley. Social service and health care facilities would not be available throughout our community. Our public safety programs would not be highly ranked, keeping our citizens safe. Pleasanton residents would not represent a culturally diverse population.

The bottom line is private and public investments have allowed Pleasanton to become an attractive location to live, work and raise a family. We believe Jerry Pentin, Jack Balch and Randy Brown, as our future elected leaders, will lead our city through the current pandemic so we will continue to be "The City of Planned Progress" for years to come. We urge you to support them when you vote.

Pleasanton School Board
BACPAC also carefully reviewed the five candidates running for school board, and we believe Steve Maher, Jamie Yee and Chong Wang are the best candidates to lead the school district through the many challenges that lay ahead. 
Steve Maher and Jamie Yee bring years of experience and already have a strong and positive relationship with Superintendent Haglund. This experience and relationship will be critical for success as the school board considers difficult decisions with bringing students back to the classroom and budget constraints.

The remaining three candidates were all well versed in the challenges facing the school district. We believe Chong Wang rose to the top primarily due to his experience serving on the Superintendent's Budget Advisory Council and Citizen Bond Oversight Committee. His many years of work in the technology industry will also bring valuable insight to the district as they consider new technologies to connect with students, teachers and the community.
Studies show consumers prefer to do business with Chamber members by a margin of 2-to-1 over non-members. Congratulations to these new members that have recently joined the Chamber.
Welcome to our newest 
Bluegrass & BBQ Benefit for Shepherd's Gate
A virtual benefit to help women and children transform their lives from homelessness, addiction and domestic violence
Join Shepherd's Gate for an exciting virtual event in the safety of your own backyard. The first 100 households to register will receive a special gift box filled with items for your BBQ. After registration, you will receive all the information to join us for this virtual event. Musical entertainment by The Petersens, as seen on American Idol.

This is an online event so you and your family and friends can attend from the safety of your backyard. Watch here on Facebook.

If you are unable to attend, you can still be a part of supporting this vital program by donating online today. For more information, contact Marcie Senter at (510) 366-6310 or [email protected].
What's not to like! Beets + Eats is a catering pop-up venture by Beets Hospitality Group, management company and caterer for the event venues, Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery and the Palm Event Center in the Vineyard. 
Palm Event Center in the Vineyard is now hosting pop-up picnics. Located on a winery estate, guests enjoy a relaxed setting with 180-degree views of the vineyards. The picnic includes your choice of a blanket, bistro table or lounge seating and boxed treats, including a sandwich, cheeses, crudites and dips and a dessert.  Craft cocktails, Rubino Estates wines, beer and non-alcoholic options are available for purchase upon arrival. 
October Specials at Niles Canyon and Halloween Family Diesel Trains
Ride through the canyon on a beautiful fall weekend day, afternoon or evening. And come celebrate Halloween with Niles Canyon Railway for the last weekend.
Saturdays in October 4:00 and 7:00 PM
10th (steam), 17th (steam), 24th (diesel)
Sundays in October 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM
11th (steam), 18th (steam), 25th (diesel)
Family Halloween Twilight Diesel Train Ride 
Twilight (7:00PM) trains
Come aboard and join us for a scenic October railroad trip through Niles Canyon. Goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are also welcome aboard for this special October train ride. Limited number of tickets available for each trip due to COVID-19 restrictions. Online ticket sales only, no walk-ups.
How Volunteers and Community Donations Meet a Student Need
This has been a very trying time for residents and non-profits in the Tri-Valley. Assistance League® of Amador Valley has been and is committed to the addressing the unique needs and challenges our communities. Their mission is to "transform lives and strengthen our community."

As a non-profit, their philanthropic projects are locally designed and carried out by volunteers-- so that their funds, which are generously supplied by the community-- benefit children and seniors in the Valley. Their volunteers spend an average 9,000 hours annually in making their contributions to our citizens.
In the past, Assistance League has supported their program, Operation School Bell® - Clothing the Children- in which they spend up to $150 for each school- aged child to purchase new school clothes. Volunteers have traditionally guided each child, one on one, to select their own clothes. The program has been incredibly satisfying for the children, their parents, and the volunteers.

In March of this year, they recognized a "new normal," which caused them to pivot in a new direction for the Operation School Bell without forsaking their mission. The pandemic has offered not only challenges but opportunities.
Dress up from the waist up
Wear your favorite party attire and join Sunflower Hill (via Zoom) as they toast, tour, dine and enjoy a night together to raise funds to support the mission and vision of Sunflower Hill.
Invest in Pleasanton
SMBX is a new way for you to invest in local small businesses you love. Invest in Pleasanton's own Uji Time  and earn 7.5% interest in the form of monthly payments back
SMBX helps local businesses raise capital from their customers and community.
Raise between $100,000 to $1,000,000 at interest rates as low as 4%.
Learn more at go.thesmbx.com