News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber |
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Monday, November 16, 2020 |
Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Closed Friday, November 20, 1pm - Monday, November 30, 9am.
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Stay safe this holiday season!
As of this afternoon we have returned to the Purple Tier. See next article for press release.
Then join us for COVID Q&A with Jay on Wednesday, November 18 at 9am.
One tap mobile +16699006833,,89058268167#,,,,,,0#,,334062# US (San Jose)
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State Response to COVID-19 Spike Returns Contra Costa to Purple Tier
With new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surging across California, the state today restored safety measures in Contra Costa and many other counties that are needed to protect the public and save lives during the pandemic.
The return to the purple tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy comes with some additional requirements for businesses and community activities not imposed in Contra Costa since summer. But the change also reflects an approaching danger that health experts see in recent COVID-19 data, in the U.S., California and Contra Costa County.
The adjusted average daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Contra Costa has doubled in recent weeks, rising from 4.3 per 100,000 population on Oct. 16 to 9.2 on Nov. 16.
The average daily percentage of COVID-19 tests that return positive in Contra Costa has also increased sharply, from 1.9% on Oct. 16 to 3.6% on Nov. 16.
Health officials are also closely monitoring the number of people hospitalized in Contra Costa because of COVID-19, as a large surge in patients could overwhelm the local healthcare system. There were 21 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Contra Costa on Oct. 16, compared to 48 on Nov. 16.
To prevent unnecessary illness and death in our community, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) urges residents to take the safety requirements seriously and consider what they can do to reduce the risk of infection to themselves and their families – such as wearing face coverings whenever they leave home.
Growing evidence shows that simple cloth face coverings reduce the spread of COVID-19, providing some protection to the wearer and, more importantly, protecting people near a wearer who is infectious but does not yet know they are sick.
“The most simple, effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a face covering whenever you leave home or are around people who do not live with you,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, county health officer. “This may also be a time to consider a remote holiday gathering. We all want to see each other, but it is important to carefully consider the risks before meeting in person with our loved ones.”
Contra Costa, previously in the red tier, already enacted local health orders last week that added additional safety requirements beyond what the state had mandated, including a moratorium on indoor dining and operation of indoor gyms and fitness centers.
Contra Costa moved into the red tier just last week from the orange tier. The state today changed its guidelines to expedite movement of counties into more restrictive tiers in response to the growing public health crisis. More information is expected to be posted at the state’s web page.
Changes caused by the state’s action today will include:
- Social gatherings involving people from different households are permitted outdoors only, with a maximum of three households and 25 people, preferably for less than two hours.
- K-12 schools may not reopen for in-person instruction unless they have already begun to do so.
- Worship services and cultural ceremonies must now be held outdoors only.
- Higher education institutions must move indoor lectures and student gatherings outdoors only.
- Movie theaters may operate outdoors only.
- Museums and exhibit spaces may open outdoors only.
Visit covid19.ca.gov for more information about the state health guidelines, and state data regarding COVID-19.
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We are truly saddened to report ... |
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Karen Rose will be missed but well and fondly remembered.
Dearest friends and family,
I am both grieved and relieved to report that after a long and exhausting battle, my Mom finally decided that it was time to go, and took her leave of us this afternoon peacefully at home.
I have put together a memorial site for her that features the obituary she helped me write a couple of weeks ago, information about her final wishes and upcoming memorial plans, as well as areas for all of you to share your reflections, memories and any photos you'd like to post.
Please share the site with anyone else you know who might want to participate.
I hope you all know how much my Dad and I have appreciated all of the wonderfully supportive and loving words you've sent over the past few months...they made a world of difference to all of us.
A friend pointed out that today is World Kindness Day and that it seemed particularly poignant to associate that with the loss of such an incredibly kind human. Of course, it's also Friday the 13th, which seems oddly apropos as well. :)
In peace and sadness,
Melissa (Karen and Rich's daughter)
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"It is a sad day for the Chamber, the City of Lafayette which benefited so much from Karen's work and attention, all who knew her but it is an especially sad day for the Art and Wine Committee.
Karen was such a force within that crowd, she put up with all the stupid jokes and comments as well as all the eccentric personalities and she never missed a beat. Karen will be missed but well and fondly remembered.
Best wishes and condolences to Rich and Melissa." -Terry Ring
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"My eyes teared up as I read that obit. Just sounds so like Karen, which means she is still hovering around us. What a spirit, so full of energy, with easy laughter bouncing off her to fill any space. And she could organize anything. I’m not a chocolate person but today I shall stop at Sees and buy a couple of truffles to devour in her honor.
Thanks for sharing this, Jay. Our thoughts are with Rich and Melissa." -Kathy Merchant
Photo: Karen Rose (lower left) then clockwise Natalie Lane, Karen's sister Adele Christensen and Barbara Gilmore in the "Bank" during the 2019 Lafayette Art & Wine Festival.
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On a positive note, Karen would be so excited to hear ... |
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ResRun Reimagined was a great success! Congratulations Lafayette!!
Congratulations Burton Valley Bobcats for registering the Most Participants!
Congratulations Stanley Wildcats for winning the Early Bird Competition!
and most importantly ... CONGRATULATIONS to Lafayette (Moraga & Orinda, too) for supporting OUR schools!
Through our registrations, sponsorships and donations the Lafayette Chamber is proud to announce that ResRun Reimagined will give back a record $32,185.17 in 2020!
Burton Valley $6,737.63
Happy Valley $5,563.24
Lafayette $5,851.84
Springhill $5,175.94
Stanley Middle School $6,090.74
Acalanes High School $2,209.08
Campolindo High School $342.10
Miramonte High School $214.60
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We thank all of our coordinators for their extra efforts this year: Caitlin, Danielle, Jackie, Jeannine, Katie, Kelly and Sarah. We thank the principals, teachers and staff for promoting this event. We thank the Parent Clubs and PTA’s. We thank Lafayette School District Superintendent Richard Whitmore for being our biggest cheerleader. We thank our sponsors for continuing to see the value in supporting the Chamber’s effort to host this event. And most of all, we thank all of the participants from our eldest entry Grandma Marie at 93 to our youngest toddler Aumkar at age 1 and everyone in between.
Lafayette, you showed you truly have heart 6 feet apart!! Thank you!
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Honoring Our 2020 Citizens of the Year – Janet and Rick Cronk
In February the Lafayette Chamber’s Citizen of the Year Committee unanimously chose Janet and Rick Cronk as Lafayette’s 2020 Citizens of the Year.
Unfortunately, the celebration dinner to honor them in March was postponed and then regrettably canceled because of COVID-19 and the current Contra Costa County Health Shelter in Place restrictions.
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce will continue to honor Janet and Rick Cronk as our Citizens of the Year throughout 2020. We are most appreciative of their philanthropy and community minded efforts through the years.
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The Lafayette Chamber staff will be taking the Thanksgiving holiday week off. Please stay safe and remember to #shoplafayetteca ... |
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And the Décor to Make it Festive!
Emerson Grace Design - Festive Tablescapes in the Shops November. 19, 11am-5pm, 3620 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.
Misto Lino - New store hours: Monday-Saturday. 10am-5pm & Sun. 12pm-5pm.
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Your Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are approaching and so is gift giving season. The Chamber is preparing a Holiday Gift Guide featuring our Chamber Members.
Keep checking back because the guide will continue to grow as we add new gifts daily!
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Welcome New Members!
Last week we welcomed the following new members to the Lafayette Chamber. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more.
28 Orinda Way, Orinda
Staci DeShasier, 925-787-0121
Organized and managed by CCCFM, a 501c5 non-profit, the Orinda Farmers' Market is a year-round Certified Farmers' Market. Offering freshly picked in-season product and artisan food by small producers. Buy fresh, eat local, live well. Open Sunday 9am-1pm
Categories: Non-Profit Organizations & Clubs, Food Concessions
Nicole Carberry, 925-658-2461
271 Lafayette Circle
Artisan bakeshoppe specializing in bite sized treats. Perfect for get together or gifts.
Categories: Bakery, Catering & Event Planning
The Lafayette Kitchen
925-658-2461
271 Lafayette Circle
Category: Production Kitchen
Welcome New Friend!
We are truly appreciative of your support.
Mary Ann Hoisington
Thank you Renewing Members!
The following members renewed their Chamber membership between November 9 and November 15. Thank you!
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Council Votes to Cap Food Delivery Fees in Lafayette
Voting unanimously on Monday night, Lafayette’s City Council passed Urgency Ordinance 680 establishing a temporary cap on third-party food delivery service fees during the local COVID-19 emergency. The temporary 15-percent cap is on fees charged by app-based food delivery services such as DoorDash and GrubHub. Also, the ordinance imposes a 10-percent vendor fee cap on pickup orders. Councilmembers noted that the City wants to support local restaurants who have seen their business hurt by COVID-19 public health restrictions. The cap takes effect November 16 and will expire when Contra Costa County declares an end to the COVID-19 emergency.
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Looking to network (virtually)? The Lafayette Chamber is starting a networking/referral group called Chamber Connectors.
We are looking for founding members to help kick off the group. We will meet twice a month (first and third Wednesday of the month at 4:30pm). Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 18 from 4:30 to 5:30pm.
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December Networking Mixer
The Chamber's holiday mixer is typically our "mixer of the year" but let's not let COVID stop us. Join us for our December mixer which promises to be your opportunity to welcome our new members and network with fellow members.
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Photo: Impromptu caroling at the 2019 Holiday Mixer at Merrill Gardens Lafayette.
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Making the Holidays Bright
What a year it has been. We will always remember 2020. Wouldn’t you agree we all need a little holiday cheer? The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette invite you to enjoy the downtown "twinkle lights" along Mt. Diablo Blvd. and then to also share a moment in time with us that we can do all together but separately.
For the past seven years the Dana Green Team and Branagh Development have sponsored the twinkle lights up and down Mt. Diablo Blvd. Their donation helps the Chamber pay for the installation and maintenance of the lights that have a heartening effect on our downtown, giving us cheer and raising our spirits during the holiday season.
Due to strict shelter-in-place guidelines we will not be able to schedule the annual “It’s A Wonderful Life in Lafayette.” However, on Sunday night, December 6, we will flip the switch to turn on the tree in Plaza Park and we invite you to have your holiday decorations up and ready to turn on at 6:00pm. Imagine how fun that will be in each neighborhood. Back at the Plaza Park, we’ll have the Holiday Snow Globe available for your Holiday Family Photo through December 25. Learn more here >>
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Experienced Business Professionals Help You Succeed
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Layoff Aversion Funding for Small Businesses
Tuesday, November 17, 3pm, Online
If you are a small business in need of assistance due to the pandemic's adverse financial impacts, join us for a webinar on November 17 at 3 p.m. for in-depth information about our Layoff Aversion Grant Program. We'll cover eligibility, reporting requirements, how to apply, and more. We want to help you keep your workers! Learn more and register here.
If you have questions before or after the November 17 webinar, call the WDBCCC COVID-19 Resource Hotline at 833-320-1919 or email bouncebackcoco@ehsd.cccounty.us. |
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Leave Laws
Wednesday, November 18, 12pm-1pm, Online
The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) in partnership with the California Employers Association (CEA), is sponsoring the "Leave Laws" webinar, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 12:00 pm (noon). There is no cost to this webinar.
California Leave Laws are confusing! With over 20 different leave laws and the FFCRA ePSL and eFMLA, how do you know if your company has to provide the leave and/or which of your employees are eligible to take time off work? As employees come back to work after and during quarantine, how do you know what leave someone is eligible to take and how do you document and apply the time off accurately?
After the webinar, you will have a clear understanding of:
- Leave and time off laws governing employers: Pregnancy, Personal Leaves, FFCRA ePSL and eFMLA, Domestic Violence, School Suspension, School Activities, and more...)
- Who is eligible
- Employee’s rights under the law
- Notice requirements
- Effects on PTO, vacation, sick, and wages
- Employer Rights & Responsibilities
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Welcome to The New Reality of Online Virtual Business Networking.
Thursdays, November 19 and December 17, 10am, Online
JOIN THE FUTURE - ONLINE VIRTUAL BUSINESS BUILDING NETWORKING
Learn how to adapt your business to the new reality of multi-media networking and marketing across multiple platforms that can take your business to the next level of networking, presenting, and closing more sales.
Learn the one-stop that will raise your profile and exposure on Linkedin, Facebook, FB Messenger, Twitter, Eventbrite, Meetup, and more.
Start building business relationships with people who may have clients that can use your services. These like-minded professionals may help you access key decision-makers. This will be a fun, very productive 2 hours well spent.
Expand your network by engaging with professionals who focus on business to business networking on our engaging video meeting with breakout rooms hosted by Professional Speed Networker Ambassadors.
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Happy Holidays Mixer with White Rabbit Business Solutions
Networking is so important now more than ever!
Building relationships has always been important to make money in business, now it has become even more difficult since it can't be done in person. Until large group settings are safe and allowed, networking has to be conducted virtually. So join White Rabbit Business Solutions on Tuesday, December 1st from 3:00pm-4:30pm to let everyone know what it is you do and how we can help. Register HERE.
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Member & Community Announcements |
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Hospice East Bay presents Tree of Lights 2020
Lafayette: Tuesday, November 17, 5:30 pm
Hospice East Bay has been caring for patients and their families in our community since 1977. We are proud to be celebrating our 34th annual Tree of Lights. These ceremonies have provided a way for families and friends to honor their loved ones and find solace in the symbolism of light as the names of their loved ones are read. Hospice East Bay has been caring for patients and their families in our community since 1977.
The funds raised by these ceremonies make it possible for us to provide hospice care to patients who are not covered by insurance. Your support also allows us to offer additional services and programs, such as music therapy and children’s grief programs, which are not covered by Medicare.
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Be informed - Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is now through 12/7
Canopy Health, a partner of John Muir Health, UCSF Health, and Hill Physicians Medical Group, wants you to be safe and informed this Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 10/15 through 12/7.
Join us for a free online meeting! For dates and times go to jmh.vanbergins.com or hp.vanbergins.com. If you do not have access to a computer, tablet or smart phone, you can also call 925-204-3412 TTY: 711 for dates and times to call in and hear about your Medicare options.
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DLHA Law Group Presents First Complimentary "Evening of Estate Planning" Webinar
Thursday, November 19, 5:30pm
Maybe you need to update your estate plan following passage of the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017? Maybe you have concerns about your healthcare directive in light of the pandemic? Maybe you need to designate or change your beneficiaries? Maybe you are concerned about the implications of the 2020 election on your estate plan?
DLHA Law Group can help answer these questions and more. To register please email to Heather@dlhalaw.com. |
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American Association of University Women Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch Announces the launch of a new Webinar Series For High School Girls: Girls4Stem
The Girls4STEM webinar series is launching on Sunday, November 22, 2020. This webinar series introduces women working in STEM fields to high school girls who at this stage of their lives are making choices about high school coursework, in preparation for potential college majors and STEM careers. The presenters share their education and career paths, discuss their actual job activities, and provide tips for getting college internships and jobs after college. Girls4STEM is free and open to all high school girls. Learn more here: https://oml-ca.aauw.net/girls4stem-webinars
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Stations and Suites Available for Rent
Shear Perfection Hair Salon is currently seeking hair stylists to rent stations or suites in Lafayette’s NEWEST boutique salon. We offer competitive rent available for FULL TIME and PART TIME.
Our friendly and professional salon offers bright, natural light and an open floor plan. In-salon education, commission on product sales, towels and backbar products.
Our salon accommodates all Covid-19 protocols. Including but not limited to:
~stations spaced for social distancing
~temps taken and heath assessments upon entry
~frequent sanitizing of all surfaces and equipment
We are conveniently located on Mt Diablo Blvd in Lafayette, with easy on and off freeway access and free parking. Walking distance to downtown Lafayette gives way to a fun and lively environment with lots of foot traffic! We have many walk-ins and new callers if you’re looking to build your business and expand your clientele!
We would love to have you come join our team!!!
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Part-time opportunities with Lafayette Social!
We are growing like crazy! We are in need of two energetic individuals who enjoy meeting people and helping local businesses. The first step is to email your resume to LafayetteSocial@n2pub.com. Top-notch sales training is included, lots of team support, and the opportunity to build a steady stream of residual income! We will follow up individually to provide more details and to answer any questions.
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center |
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WOW Presents Woodson Art Museum - Local to Global: Travels through Birds in Art 2020
Wednesday, November 18, 2:00 – 3:00 PM via Zoom
Setting the standard for avian art since 1976, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, draws on diverse aesthetics, perspectives, and ecologies to deliver exceptional indoor birdwatching. Museum director Kathy Kelsey Foley and curator of education Catie Anderson travel with participants through art.
This program is hosted by Friends of the Lafayette Library.
Sweet Thursdays presents Lindsay (Bowles) Chervinsky: The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution
Thursday, November 19, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
The U.S. Constitution never established a presidential cabinet. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention explicitly rejected the idea. So how did George Washington create one of the most powerful bodies in the federal government?
This program is also hosted by Friends of the Lafayette Library.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Wednesday, December 16, 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 this fall. 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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