News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber | | |
Lafayette Business Women at Pillar Cowork
Wednesday, July 9, 5:15pm - 6:30pm
Lafayette Chamber Connectors at Creekside Commons
Wednesday, July 16, 8:15am - 9:30am
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at Town Hall Theatre
Thursday, July 17, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Zoom "Coffee" with City of Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell
Friday, July 25, 8am - 9am
Lafayette Chamber Mixer and Vendor Fair
Wednesday, July 30, 5pm - 7pm
➡ Lafayette Chamber Events Calendar ⬅
Chamber Member Events Calendar
Nonprofit Email Blast (Current issue June 2025)
Arts Community Blast (Current issue June-July 2025)
| | WELCOME OUR NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS | | |
The following businesses/organizations recently joined the Lafayette Chamber! We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
Dog Wood Design
Moraga, CA 94556
Ann De Villiers
Creative wooden pieces made from locally sourced wood.
Categories: Arts, Culture, & Entertainment, Local Artist
Fathers Brewing
Lafayette, CA 94549
Conor Begley, www.fathersbrewing.com
We are an organic brewery that produces a fantastic tasting clean beer. Free of pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals.
Categories: Restaurants, Food & Beverage
Flurael Floral
3455 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette, CA 94549
Chloe Ross, www.fluraelfloral.com
Flurael Floral is a floral design studio rooted in floristry, specializing in local Lamorinda intimate events-with flair for all things wildly perfect. We specialize in cultivating unique, and special flower varieties, always adding a little something unexpected and magical.
Categories: Events & Hospitality, Shopping & Specialty Retail
Pottery And Decor
Lafayette, CA 94549
Bao Hoang, https://potteryanddecor.com
"Greetings from Pottery and Decor in Lafayette!
We are proud to serve Lamorinda and the Bay Area with a curated selection of trending pottery, planters, and home décor.
We offer both retail and wholesale, always prioritizing quality.
We are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM by appointment only.
Mention CHAMBER30 for 30% off your purchase!"
Categories: Home, Garden & Landscaping
Quantum Escapes Danville
391 Diablo Road, Suite B, Danville, CA 94526
David Harrison, https://www.quantumescapesdanville.com
Offering an immersive thematic experience where a group solves puzzles to win the game within 60 minutes. Perfect for friends outing, date nights, team building, celebrations and more.
Categories: Arts, Culture, & Entertainment, Events & Hospitality
| | THANK YOU, RENEWING CHAMBER MEMBERS | | |
Celebrating 10 Years with the Lafayette Chamber!
The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) is a business-led board that builds public-private partnerships with education, economic development, labor, and community organizations to solve complex workforce challenges. The WDBCCC focuses on advancing economic opportunities by providing no-cost HR services, no-cost business advising/training, and no-cost recruiting services, as well as access to government incentives. They are proud to be celebrating their 60th anniversary as a business-led board and 10 years as a member of the Lafayette Chamber.
WDBCCC is sponsoring the Lafayette Chamber’s Mixer and Vendor Fair on Wednesday, July 30 at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center. Register for this event at https://lafayettechamber.org/mixer and stop by their vendor table to learn more!
📷: Charles Brown III and Verneda Clapp
📞: 925-655-3820
📍: 4071 Port Chicago Highway, Suite 200, Concord, CA 94520
🌐: www.wdbccc.com
| | IN REMEMBERANCE OF KARL ANDERSON | | |
Karl Bruce Anderson passed away peacefully at home on April 28th, 2025, just one day before his 73rd birthday. He was with the love of his life, Patti, who held him close until his very last breath. Karl fought a courageous battle with lung cancer for over three years, always wearing a brave smile.
Born on April 29th, 1952, Karl grew up in San Francisco and Woodside, CA, in an entrepreneurial family. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and then attended USF, graduating in 1973. Despite his degree in marketing, Karl seized the opportunity in 1976 to purchase a San Francisco building with his brother John, and together they opened Anderson Bros. Movers Antique, Used Furniture and Moving Company. At just 24 years old, Karl embarked on a journey that would span 49 successful years as a respected moving and storage owner-operator. He was known for his unwavering dedication to his employees and customers.
Karl met Patti Barrett in 1968 at a San Francisco corner market when he was just 15 and she was 14. They married six years later in 1974 and spent 51 beautiful years together, building a life filled with laughter and love with their two daughters in Lafayette, which became their home in 1978.
Karl was a generous soul who volunteered his “time & treasure” to many organizations. He was a member of the Concord Bocce Ball Federation, the California Moving and Storage Association, Contra Costa Realtors in Motion, Contra Costa Association of Realtors, Women’s Counsel of Realtors, the Senior Solutions Network, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and multiple Chambers of Commerce.
A devout Catholic, Karl was an active member of the St. Monica’s Men’s Club and the St. Perpetua’s Parish. He was also a Grand Knight and Fourth-Degree Brother Knight with the Knights of Columbus Local #7683 in Lafayette.
Karl cherished his “Maui home,” where he spent every summer enjoying sunsets on the lanai with family & friends with a Karl Mai Tai nearby. He loved cruising the globe with family and special friends, but he was truly happy anywhere he could find a sunny spot to close his eyes, turn his face toward the sun, and say, “I’m living the dream.”
Karl is survived by his beloved wife Patti, daughters Pamela Anderson Cridlebaugh and Stephanie Anderson, son Travis Cridlebaugh, and three grandchildren, Kellan, Dillon, and Emma, as well as his brother, John Anderson.
He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, unwavering integrity, deep faith, and his boundless love for his family and friends. Karl’s smile, laughter, and wisdom were gifts to all who knew him.
A rosary will be said for Karl on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 7 pm at St. Perpetua’s Church in Lafayette. A memorial mass and a life celebration will be held beginning at 10:30am on August 16th at St. Perpetua’s Church. Please RSVP to KarlAndersonMemorial2025@gmail.com.
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Lafayette Chamber Connectors at Creekside Commons
Are you looking for another networking opportunity? Do you want to meet people who might be able to help you grow your business through referrals?
Join Chamber Connectors!
They will meet July 16, 8:15am at Creekside Commons, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette.
Lafayette Chamber Connectors is Co-Chaired by Fred Steingraf, Edward Jones and Rebekah Dani, Rebekah Dani Coaching & Consulting.
No cost for Lafayette Chamber members. Guests welcome to attend their first Lafayette Chamber event/meeting for free, then we encourage guests to join the Lafayette Chamber or pay the $20 guest fee during registration.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for drinks and snacks! Please contact Fred Steingraf at fred.steingraf@edwardjones.com for sponsorship information.
Important Parking Information: At Creekside Commons, please park in Lot Entry A and enter the building through the courtyard and the Main Entry Doors. Oakview 1 is located to the right once you enter. Please do not park in Lot Entry B/C. Springstone School is a non-profit tenant who uses Lot B/C during the school day. If you park in Lot B/C, you will need to move your car as the students and their transportation arrive at 8:15am.
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Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at Town Hall Theatre
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals will meet Thursday, July 17, 5:30pm - 7pm in the Town Hall Theatre lobby.
Registration required!
Thank you to Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals Co-Chairs Carolyne Charvoz, Mass Mutual of Northern California and Matt Boone, Matt Boone Homes.
No cost for Lafayette Chamber members. 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.
Personal Note from Town Hall:
"Welcome to our vibrant space dedicated to radical hospitality! Town Hall Theatre is Contra Costa County's oldest theatre company and a Lafayette landmark; we build space for artists, audiences, and students to create lasting impact in our community through empathy and connection. We can't wait to host you! More information about our programming can be found at https://www.townhalltheatre.com."
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Mix, Mingle & Market Yourself!
Join fellow Lafayette Chamber members for an evening of networking, community connection, and local business discovery. This is your chance to build visibility, make new contacts, and showcase your organization in a casual, social setting.
Lafayette Chamber Mixer & Vendor Fair
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
REGISTER HERE
Hosted at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA.
Free for Chamber Members | $20 Guest Fee (Non-Members)
* All vendor spaces are now filled, please register to attend as a Chamber member!
Featuring local wines by Deer Hill Vineyards, Los Arabis Vineyards and Raisin d'Etre Vineyards at the no-host bar. Complementary non-alcoholic beverages from Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.
Event sponsored by Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County.
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Learn more about Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunities HERE. |
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Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
Save the date for the 28th Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, the 3rd weekend in September, September 20 & 21, 2025!
Sponsors and vendors paid 6/23 - 7/6:
Only a few opportunities still available!
- 2-day Beer Booth Hosts
- 2-day Wine Booth Host (only one available)
- 1-day Nonprofit Ticket Booth Hosts (24-30 volunteers required)
Email info@lafayettefestival.com if interested.
Learn more here!
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☕️ Coffee & Festival Chat
Tuesdays in August | 9:00 AM | Lafayette Chamber Office
Have questions about your booth, signage, setup, or anything festival related? Join us for a Coffee & Festival Chat — a casual 1-hour morning coffee session with Sara and the Chamber team. Whether you're a vendor, sponsor, volunteer, or just need clarity on logistics, this is your chance to get answers, troubleshoot details, and connect face-to-face with the crew making it all happen.
Space is limited — our conference room only fits so many chairs 😉.
RSVPs are encouraged so we can make sure your questions get answered.
Just bring your questions (and your caffeine cravings) — we’ll have the coffee.
| | Advertise in The Official Coupon Book of the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival | | UPCOMING CHAMBER MEMBER EVENTS | | |
Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Summer SWELL for Teens and Tweens starts Monday at the Lafayette Library!
Through August 1, Mon-Fri, 11:30am-3pm
Free summer fun for tweens and teens in grades 6-12!
Crafts * Games * Food - Located in the SWELL Center, outside the Library entrance.
Check out this week's schedule here!
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MCE
Are you a business owner? MCE is co-hosting our 7th Annual Certify & Amplify webinar with Silicon Valley Clean Energy on Friday, July 18th at 10:30 am PST. This is a free, virtual event that aims to help businesses across California learn how to get certified in the state’s Supplier Clearinghouse as a women-owned, minority-owned, disabled veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned, or small business and amplify opportunities across the state.
Register today and join us to learn if your business qualifies to certify in California’s Contracting Clearinghouse and how to leverage certification to grow your business! Certification is free, easy, and can help build your portfolio of work.
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Tudorka Tots
Join Tudorka Tots for an Open House!
Tudorka Tots is a nurturing play-based learning academy incorporating STEAM curriculum and they're excited to welcome families to their upcoming Open House on:
Saturday, July 19, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
1689 School Street, Moraga, CA
Discover how they inspire creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning in children ages from 18 months – age 5. Meet their dedicated teachers, explore their classrooms, and learn about their unique approach to early education.
Registration for the 2025 Fall and 2026 enrollment are open.
RSVP: moraga.tudorka@gmail.com
Website: www.tudorkatots.com
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Lafayette Juniors
Interested in becoming a 2025–2026 Beneficiary?
Lafayette Juniors is now accepting applications for their 2025–2026 beneficiary program from non-profit organizations in Contra Costa County that focus on social welfare, education and/or civic work. The deadline for submission is July 15, 2025. In August, Lafayette Juniors will select organizations from the applicant pool to be beneficiaries for the 2025 - 2026 membership year.
To obtain an application or learn more about Lafayette Juniors, please visit their website or email at communityfunds@lafayettejuniors.org. The link to the application can be found here.
Don’t miss this opportunity to partner with a local organization dedicated to giving back to the community.
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Lafayette City Council Announces Vacancy, Accepting Applications Until July 8, 2025
The Lafayette City Council has announced a current vacancy on the City Council and laid out the process for filling the position. On May 27, Councilmember Gina Dawson announced her resignation from the Council effective June 1, 2025.
The City will advertise the vacancy widely and accept applications until Tuesday, July 8 at 5:00 p.m. The appointed person will serve on the City Council until the next regularly scheduled municipal election in November 2026.
Applicants must be a resident of the City of Lafayette and registered to vote. The application form is available on the City’s website at www.lovelafayette.org/council-vacancy. Completed applications can be submitted to the City Clerk via email, mail or in-person. Applications must be received by Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Postmarks will not be accepted.
Applicants will be interviewed on Tuesday, July 15 and, if necessary, Wednesday July 16. The Lafayette City Council is obligated to fill the vacancy by July 30, 2025.
At the previous City Council meeting, Dawson announced she was resigning from the City Council for family reasons. She said, “This decision was at once an easy one to make, because family will always come first for me, but also a hard decision, as it has been a great privilege and experience to have served the residents of Lafayette since first elected in 2020. I am very grateful, and honored, to have worked with this Council, our dedicated city staff, the many passionate and considerate volunteers for the City, our wonderful business and school communities, and other organizations and individuals who work to make, and continually improve upon, the quality of life and community that Lafayette enjoys.” Dawson served on the Lafayette City Council since 2020 including one term as Mayor.
For more information, visit www.lovelafayette.org/council-vacancy.
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Read the Summer 2025 Issue of Lafayette Vistas
The latest issue of Lafayette Vistas, by the City of Lafayette, gives insights on how they are planning for growth through our State-certified Housing Element Update and includes and a map of the downtown area showing where multi-family housing has been built or is approved for development. There’s also information about incentives for ADUs, improving the livability of Lafayette for older residents, the Chamber's annual Art & Wine Festival in September, and EBMUD’s seismic project that will result in the Lafayette Reservoir Tower being shortened by 40 feet.
Read the Summer 2025 Lafayette Vistas now! Feedback about Lafayette Vistas can be sent to siarla@lovelafayette.org.
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White Pony Express
Join the Effort: Farms Sought to Partner with Food Recovery Nonprofit
White Pony Express (WPE), a leading CA food recovery organization, is interested in partnering with a farm or farm hub to pick up surplus fresh produce in their effort to provide access to fresh, healthy food to our most vulnerable neighbors.
Despite WPE’s efforts, the need in our communities continues to exceed their resources. Currently, approximately 50 organizations are on their waitlist seeking food assistance, which means they need additional sources of surplus food to help meet this demand.
· 25% of local children experience food insecurity.
· Over 1/2 of households fall below the "Real Cost of Living Measure" meaning the majority of households struggle to meet basic needs.
· Food prices are up 21% since 2022 and wages have not increased proportionately.
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Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, White Pony Express’ Food Rescue Program operates seven days a week, rescuing a daily average of 12,000 pounds of high-quality, surplus, fresh food from over 80 local food outlets. This nutritious food is checked for quality, curated according to the needs of each nonprofit recipient, and distributed within 24 hours to 100+ nonprofits that feed the hungry.
Since its inception, WPE has recovered and delivered more than 30 million pounds of nutritious food—equal to 23 million meals—and prevented more than 39,000 tons of CO2 emissions from entering the air we breathe.
The produce WPE accepts does not have to be cosmetically flawless. Fruits and vegetables that are blemished, have unusual shapes, or are otherwise imperfect in appearance—but are safe and edible—are welcome. By donating surplus and imperfect but palatable food, you help WPE reduce food waste and support neighbors struggling to make ends meet.
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This is a challenging time for WPE, as federal budget cuts and threats to the safety net mean increased need and reduced resources, but the organization was built to last. Recent articles in the Los Angeles Times and East Bay Times highlight how these cuts affect WPE’s operations.
By donating surplus fresh food, you will reduce food insecurity and help communities thrive. If you are interested in partnering with WPE, please contact CEO Eve Birge at Evebirge@whiteponyexpress.org or 202.251.4174.
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City of Lafayette: The Weekly Roundup
The Weekly Roundup, July 3, 2025 | Latest News | City of Lafayette, CA
News From the City Manager’s Corner
This week’s updates from City Manager, Niroop Srivatsa highlight:
- Read the Summer 2025 Issue of Lafayette Vistas
- City Council Vacancy Deadline is Tuesday, July 8
- Police Monthly Stats for June
- Ongoing Roadwork Advisories:
- St. Mary’s Road repaving (City)
- Pathway along Pleasant Hill Road near Springhill Elementary School (City)
- Upper Happy Valley Road sewer replacement (Central San)
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Reliez Valley Road (waterline replacement (EBMUD)
➡ 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
July 4, 2025, Weekly Update
➡ Celebrating Disability Pride Month in July
➡ Contra Costa 2025 Point-in-Time Count Shows Homelessness Decreased 26%
➡ ConFire Annexes Rodeo-Hercules Fire District in Major Regional Consolidation
➡ The City of Orinda Celebrates 40 Years!
➡ Contra Costa County Library Summer Camp from Brainfuse HelpNow
➡ Moraga Youth Involvement Committee
➡ Lafayette Youth Services Commission
➡ Orinda Teen Advisory Council
➡ Contra Costa County Probation Seeks Applicants for Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
➡ District 2 Volunteer Opportunities
Sign up for Weekly Updates here.
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Highlight Your Chamber Membership!
Showcase your Lafayette Chamber membership on your website or marketing materials with the official Chamber logo! Simply email your request to info@lafayettechamber.org.
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