News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber |
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
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Happy New Year!
With much anticipation for a healthy and prosperous 2021, we have many opportunities to help you thrive in this new year.
➡ We encourage you to attend a plethora of different online events - networking, tech, non-profit, legal and more! Learn more below or view calendar >>
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Lafayette Business Assistance Program starts today, Monday, January 4
The City of Lafayette will restart its Business Assistance Program today, Monday, January 4, 2021. The Lafayette Business Assistance Program will have updated information regarding available, as well as upcoming, resources from federal, state, and local sources.
Additionally, businesses may register with the Business Assistance Program for one-on-one assistance by completing the business verification form. The form and more information about the Lafayette Business Assistance program can be found on the City’s website here: https://www.lovelafayette.org/businessassistance. This service is FREE for Lafayette, CA businesses and non profits.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.*, Mayor Susan Candell and Townsend Public Affairs will host a webinar to provide detailed information about the new funding and highlight the services offered by the Lafayette Business Assistance Program. Register for this important webinar here.
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California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides micro grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 and the related health and safety restrictions.
Please note that the grant has a quick turnaround time for small businesses to apply; however, the application should be very straightforward for those applying. The program will likely be oversubscribed, so we encourage eligible businesses to submit their applications as early as possible (the program began accepting applications on 12/30).
Townsend Public Affairs will discuss this grant program at the January 6 webinar.
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Main Street Small Business Tax Credit
On December 1, 2020, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) began accepting applications for tentative small business hiring credit reservation amounts through an online reservation system. Qualified small business employers must apply with the CDTFA for a credit reservation. The credit reservations will be allocated to qualified small business employers on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservation system will be available from December 1, 2020 at 8:00 a.m., through January 15, 2021. Within 30 days of receiving an application, CDTFA will notify each applicant via email whether a tentative credit reservation has been allocated to them and the amount of the tentative credit reservation.
Please note, this credit only applies to California small businesses that meet the following qualifications:
- Employed 100 or fewer employees as of December 31, 2019, and
- Suffered a 50 percent decrease or more in income tax gross receipts (generally, all income less returns and allowances), when comparing second quarter 2020 to second quarter 2019.
Example: You had $250,000 in gross receipts for second quarter 2019 and $100,000 in gross receipts for second quarter 2020. The percent of decrease in gross receipts is 60 percent. ($250,000 – $100,000 = $150,000. $150,000 ÷ $250,000 = 0.6 x 100 = 60%)
Funding for the Small Business Hiring Tax Credit program totals $100 million and is to be allocated to qualified California small business employers. Generally, these employers may receive a credit of $1,000 for each net increase in qualified employees from April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020, compared to July 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. (For more information on “net increase in qualified employees,” please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the Calculation FAQs).
If you need assistance, please call the CDTFA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711). Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time), except state holidays.
If you need assistance with your Franchise Tax Board (FTB) questions, including how to use your credit on your personal or corporate income tax return, please visit the Small Business Hiring Credit.
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Available: 15 Minute Parking Signs
Lafayette businesses - if you need signs for parking meters near your take-out pickup or curbside pickup locations, email jay@lafayettechamber.org! He can facilitate getting you signs to help your customers safely patronize you!
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City of Lafayette Resources
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Welcome NEW Member!
Last week we welcomed the following business to our membership!
3595 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 200
Erin Martin, 925-951-3817
Category: Real Estate Services
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Thank You Renewing Members!
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Episode 37: Empathy & Honesty in Business
If you are looking to learn from the master of pivoting in business, be sure to listen to the podcast.
Jay shares his journey as an entrepreneur and as the leader of our chamber navigating the pandemic for small business owners.
He shows us how to walk through business with empathy and honesty while remaining
inspired!
Jay was raised in Beverly Hills, had an odd adolescence- 1 part athlete, 1 part hippie and 1
part mischievous. During his adult years he was a fry cook, restaurant owner,
husband, father, grandfather and a terrible guitarist.
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Chamber Networking Events |
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Chamber Connectors - the Lafayette Chamber's Networking/Referral Group
We meet twice a month on the first and third Wednesday at 4:30pm. Our January meetings are Wednesdays, January 6 & 20 from 4:30-5:30pm.
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First Mixer of 2021!
Wednesday, January 27, 6pm-7pm
Excited for the hopefulness of 2021, join the Lafayette Chamber for our first mixer of 2021.
Hear from Board President John McCormick on the Chamber's mission for 2021. Be updated on the City's Business Assistance Program from Executive Director Jay Lifson. Meet and network with our new members and learn about important upcoming events that could help you thrive in 2021 and beyond! Networking and of course a fun surprise or two!
Plus, to start your year off with rejuvenating healthy hair, skin and nails, Microhair Aesthetics will be giving away a free Fountain of Youth Collagen Powder and Cleansing Oil package worth $110!
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Upcoming Member Events & Resources |
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Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten registration for 2021 - 2022
Online Pre-enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year opens January 4, 2021
If your child will be five years old by September 1, 2021, please go to www.lafsd.org; click on the Enrollment icon and follow the links to pre-enroll for Kindergarten. Kindergarten is optional in California (CA Ed Code 48200). Note: Transitional Kindergarten is for children born between 9/2/16 and 12/2/16.
If your child will be six years old by September 1, 2021, please pre-enroll for first grade (CA Ed Code 48010). Children who have completed kindergarten in a private or public school in California shall be admitted to the first grade unless the parent/guardian and the school district agree that the child may continue in kindergarten for an additional year. (CA Ed Code 48011). View flyer >>
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Market update and outlook from J.P. Morgan
Thursday January 7, 12:00-12:30pm
Using the most recent edition of J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Guide to the Markets, David Lebovitz, Executive Director will share thoughts on the current economic landscape, discuss key drivers and trends taking place in the markets and answer your most pressing questions. Specific topics include:
• Understanding the implications of the presidential election
• The outlook for the global economy
• Equities: growth versus value and U.S. versus international
To join by one-tap mobile or phone if you have no computer, call (669) 900-6833. You will need the following meeting ID and password: Meeting ID: 928 7454 7079, Password: 881786
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Mountain Shadow Film Society kicks off its 2021 Season with a new release documentary of an old master, with two virtual screenings!
Rembrandt, the grandmaster of intimacy, rocks the art world; 350 years after his death, many people, even entire nations are obsessed with his paintings. Aristocrats cherish, experts rule, art dealers investigate, collectors hunt, and museums battle. The epic documentary MY REMBRANDT dives deep into the art world of Old Masters, exploring the motives of its elite. The film follows aristocratic Dutch art dealer Jan Six as he seems to be on the trail of not just one but two ‘new’ Rembrandt paintings. This nerve-wracking journey of discovery seems to be the realization of his biggest boyhood dream. But when he is accused of having violated an agreement with another art dealer, his world looks about to collapse. The film MY REMBRANDT allows us a fascinating insight into what makes the work of this Dutch master painter so special and why his work touches so deeply. Docu-Drama – Subtitled – 97 min. TRAILER
Saturday, January 9, 4:30pm and Saturday, January 16, 7:30pm
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Six-Figure Souls: Doing Good & Making Money
This FREE Online Summit highlights soul-centered entrepreneurs who crushed the six-figure ceiling and still feel they are in alignment with the Universe and their purpose. They are making money AND serving others!
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New Year 2021 Let's Network!
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Visualize Your Year & Make it Happen!
Tuesday, January 19, 4pm-5pm, Online
A 1 hour interactive workshop where we uncover your big dreams and goals for the year. Less than 8% of people who make resolutions actually achieve them. Instead of simply setting resolutions, it can be more effective to set a clear vision with underlying clear goals for the year ahead.
This is an opportunity to experience what you are desiring so that you have a guide post motivating you to get there and a northern star letting you know when you have arrived. Presented by Holly Jean Jackson. Register here >>
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Author Talk About Plastic-Free Living During A Pandemic
Thursday, January 21, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Online
During her presentation, which is co-hosted by Sustainable Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber, you'll be sure to pick up some easy new tips to tune up your plastic-free lifestyle in every room of your house. Plus, you'll learn about how waste during the Covid-19 crisis is piling up, including single-use PPE, like the blue polypropylene masks we're seeing littering the streets, disposable takeout containers, online shopping plastic packaging, etc... But don't despair, Sandra will guide us by sharing many easy tweaks we can make to significantly reduce our plastic footprint.
Longtime Chamber of Commerce member and local eco-minded citizen, Sandra is the owner of ECOlunchbox, a local plastic-free food container company that's a Certified California Green Business and socially responsible B Corporation. If you'd like to read the book, it's available at Reasonable Books, a new chamber member business, next to Trader Joe's in Lafayette.
We hope you'll join us for this fun, local and interactive evening of eco-friendly conversation. Presentation will last 1 hour and be tailored for adults as well as children ages 12 and older. Register here >>
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Effectively Harnessing Your Nonprofit's Human Capital During Crisis - Strategies to Ensure Organizational/Employee Sustainability and Financial Security
January 25, 12:00pm-1:30pm, Online
Gian Panetta, Samantha Davenport, Kim Smith, and Matthew Sagers from MassMutual Northern California will address some of the prominent issues in harnessing your organization’s human capital at this time of significant stress and duress. Protecting your nonprofit from loss during significant shifts or transitions should be an important focus of leadership. In this program we will discuss the following:
- How to address the myriad challenges from finance to culture and compassion fatigue
- Why it is important to pay attention to the wellness of your employees and their financial situation
- Why non-profits shouldn’t overlook the importance of employee benefits at all levels
- How to package compensation/benefits at low or no cost that will encourage employee retention
- What is the employer’s responsibility to employees as it pertains to financial wellness
- How to maintain healthy relationships through voluntary wellness programs
We know that challenges in human capital are exacerbated during crisis times which means organizations must recalibrate and pivot as needed to grow and thrive. These topics will be covered with ample time and opportunity to discuss specific cases and issues that nonprofit leaders might be experiencing at the moment. $10 CEN Members | $20 Non-Members. Learn more and register here. Questions? Contact Gian at (925) 979-2330.
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The State of Digital Marketing for Local in 2021
Tuesday, February 2, 12noon-1pm, Online
Uncertain about how to manage your digital marketing in 2021? Learn the “5 Virtual Pillars” of digital marketing that will keep your business top of mind for your most valued customers in 2021 and beyond.
- Small business advertising solutions that don’t include Google Ads.
- Get tips on simple adjusts to your website that will improve your SEO.
- Automating social and best channels for your industry.
- Why reviews matter more than you know and how to ask for more.
- How to update and keep track of your company citations across the web.
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Announcement about Participating in Be Kind and Be Happy Project
There’s an opportunity to participate in a new project that encourages kindness and different ways to find happiness. It’s a new documentary series in which Be Kind features two dozen individuals and experts talking about what they do to be kind to others and what others have done to be kind to them. Be Happy features individuals and experts talking about what makes people happy and what they do to make others happy. Here is more information about these projects and how you can participate to promote kindness and happiness, which is very much needed in the world right now.
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Branch Office Administrator, Edward Jones Lafayette
If you find yourself looking for a fulfilling career, the Branch Office Administrator (BOA) role may be the right opportunity for you. BOAs team up with financial advisors to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals. We’re proud to have more offices in the U.S. and Canada than any other investment firm, serving over seven million clients. Details here.
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Temporary Workforce Services Specialist
Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County is recruiting for a Temporary Workforce Services Specialist, for the short term, through June 2021. See further details in the attached job announcement flyer.
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Would you like to join others who are brightening their hair for the holiday season and beyond and have it glisten with a professional clarifying shampoo?
You can immediately remove your old last year’s shampoo residue of hard water minerals, chlorine, hairspray, mousse, gels, wax, and moisturizers. A clarifying shampoo can be used whenever your hair begins to appear dull.
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center |
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Martin & Anne, Read by author Nancy Churnin
Tuesday, January 12, 3:00 – 3:30 PM via Zoom
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank were from different worlds, but they were born the same year, 1929. Across the ocean, they both faced racial discrimination and reacted to hate with words of hope, striving for unity and understanding rather than divisiveness.
Martin & Anne is a beautifully illustrated book that shares the powerful, inspiring stories of two heroes whose messages of goodwill encourage all of us to choose tolerance and kindness towards one another.
This special FREE program is made possible thanks to financial support from the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation and its donors. The Library Foundation has donated copies of Martin & Anne to the Lafayette Library and to the four Lafayette elementary school libraries.
WOW Presents: Instituting Women Representation
Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art
January 13, 2:00 - 3:00 PM via ZOOM
A 2018 study revealed only 11% of works in the nation’s major museum collections are by female artists. Acknowledging this gender inequity, Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (SMCMoA) in Moraga reframed their operational and professional practices to enhance the voice and representation of women in the arts. This webinar informs viewers of the underlining practices to build gender inclusion in museums, and shares how a small college art museum has examined their institutional history, collection practices, and exhibition curations to generate a richer, more inclusive model.
This program is hosted by Friends of the Lafayette Library.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, January 19, 2020
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Don Tatzin Community Hall
Give Blood. Help Save Lives! The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation and American Red Cross have teamed up to host monthly community blood drives. Donating is a safe process and healthy, eligible individuals are strongly urged to give blood or platelets.
For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to our donors. To schedule an appointment go to: redcrossblood.org/give or call 1-800-733-2767 and use Sponsor Code: lafayettelibrary.
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New Member Posts on Social
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Please note: to signup you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age. |
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