The Brentwood Clarion
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The Brentwood Voice of Business OCTOBER 2008
Vol. 44, No 10
BUSINESS AND EDUCATION “My children are out of school, why should I care about schools?” “My business is in Brentwood, but my kids go to school in Walnut Creek, so why should we care about Brentwood schools?” I hear that message or one similar to it regularly. I'm going to try to address the business-education subject and why chambers need to be involved with education in schools. All of us need to be involved with the Brentwood area schools, whether our children attend them or not. As business people we should recognize that for businesses to be successful and grow, and for our communities be successful and grow, we must produce the best and the brightest students from our schools. As an employer, you want to hire someone who is smart, well-educated, well-rounded, and who has a good, no, a great work ethic. You want someone who can adapt easily to your work force. Schools, K-16, really are our workforce development sites. In addition, our schools play a critical role in economic development. When businesses are looking to relocate or expand to a region or a new community, one of the first things they look at is the quality of the education system. How do the test scores compare? What is the physical condition of the schools? How is the overall community committed to its schools? Do bond issues pass? Is there stability between the teachers and administration? How involved are the parents in their schools, and how involved is the business community with the schools? Businesses need to insist that the schools produce excellent, well-rounded, well educated students, and are not just letting students slip through the system. I firmly believe that all students can learn and be pushed harder than they might wish. We need to support the education system to ask for more not less of our students. The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and its collective gathering of business people need to be involved in education, not just as PTA moms and dads. We need to be leaders in supporting schools and we need to be constructive critics of the education system. Business people must be prepared to volunteer to help schools when asked and to let their staff participate with their own family’s school and as industry representatives in schools. The Brentwood Chamber will soon start a weekly e-mail page with opportunities for businesses to get involved with the local schools. Hopefully, this business-education relationship will grow into a full partnership with the businesses and the local schools beyond what currently exists. Together, we can work with the schools to improve our future work force for our own local businesses and for other businesses that will be looking at the Brentwood region to build their company. If you're interested in participating with the Chamber and getting involved with the local school districts, please give me a call at 634-3375, or a quick e-mail to harry@brentwoodchamber.com, and indicate your wish to be involved and I will get you plugged into the system.
Harry York, CEO
Brentwood Chamber
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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Shayn Cutino, Anja Wellness I am very honored and privileged to serve on the Board of Directors of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. While I am not only proud to be in such an honored position, I see it as an opportunity to make an impact on both our area and the surrounding areas as well. As a small business health care practitioner our $2 trillion health care system is one of the United States largest industries – but one of its worst performing by almost any measure. The problems are painful, including escalating costs, expensive insurance premiums, poor customer service, lack of coordination between major players and regional variations in quality of care. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of reviewing the upcoming candidates and their views regarding healthcare reform. As individuals we can make a difference and it is imperative that we all get involved. As individuals we also need to be involved with our community. In the past years that I have been part of this Chamber I have seen our membership continue to grow. We have increased our benefits to our members by offering many opportunities to network, learn about different business objectives and build relationships. One of the most important factors about the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is that we genuinely care for each and every member and we will do our best to ensure that you receive the most out of your participation with the Chamber. As a member you can spend as much time or as little as you want! In less than two hours you can: Volunteer time in a Chamber–sponsored event. Attend a Chamber luncheon or a business seminar. In less than one hour you can: Contact the Chamber with a news worthy item about your business. Phone us about job openings in your company. And even if you have no time to be involved, remember that the Chamber is always watching out for your business interest. The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce strives to represent the business community and the City of Brentwood in a professional and positive manner. We are always available to assist you and we welcome any suggestions that you may have.
Mission Statement: The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization dedicated to the promotion of the civic and commercial progress of the community. We will continuously strive to maintain and foster a healthy business climate for Chamber members and the entire community.
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The Brentwood Clarion
Page 3 The Brentwood Chamber office is now able to provide you with all your Human Resource materials. We have copies of the 2008 California and Federal Posters, 2008 California Labor Law Digest, California Labor Law Administration, and the 2008 Employee Handbook software.
Now on sale in the Chamber office is a pictorial history of Brentwood by author Carol A. Jensen
Phone: 925-625-0278 P.O. Box 406 Oakley, CA 94561
All Sports Trophies Advertising Specialties Custom & Corporate Awards
(925) 516-8880 • Fax (925) 625-5316 Email: starawards@sbcglobal.net
Bob & Sharon Sherriff, Owners
Cell 925.813.1319
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SUNSET PLAZA
7710-7760 Brentwood Blvd. X Heather Santos of Loard’s Ice Cream was instigator of putting together a mixer for the whole Plaza, but Tena Parish of TLCakes soon joined in the planning and execution of getting thirteen businesses to combine their efforts to host the September Mixer: Brentwood Bike Co., Anytime Fitness, Loard’s Ice Cream, Subway Restaurant, Starbucks, TL Cakes; Whole Dog Barkery & Paw Spa, Tangles Salon, Computers USA, Bobbi Jackson with ChamDelta Sands Florist, Tanvir Choudhary Tax Care, Rose Dental ber Director Bill Fee Care and Tulip Nails & Spa. A fine job they did of it too— a band playing, all kinds of great food and a lot of wonderful prizes to be won. The weather was perfect for wondering around the Plaza and getting to know the many businesses and just enjoying a relaxing evening. Ever enthusiastic, Bobbi Jackson, owner of Sunset Plaza, was on hand to help coordinate the event. In addition to prizes from all the above businesses who were hosting the mixer, the Chamber would like to thank the following businesses for their prize donations: Cabanas in the Garden, WineShop at Home, The Monthly Grapevine, Mary Kay- Kimberly Victor, Brentwood Press, Best Buy, and Dreams are a Wish Your Heart Makes. Linda Riggs of Skinergize was the winner of the Share-the-Pot drawing and went home with $85.00. The Chamber wishes to thank all the businesses at Sunset Plaza for a great mixer, a good time was had by all. Councilman Chris Becnel, Esq., CPA, Don Stirling of Stirling Architects, Mike Hernandez of New York Life and Rich Inglis of Inglis, Reagan & Associates enjoying the great weather.
Ambassador Donna Zickerman of Sarah Coventry Jewelry chats with Lois Chelini of Oak Street Boutique and Sally Martinez of Mustang Sally’s Leather. Jennifer Birge of Delta Sands Florist who donated two beautiful floral arrangements poses with lucky winners Dave Mengel of Gemini Staffing and Sally Martinez of Mustang Sally’s Leathers
Chamber new member, Bill Hirvonen of Prisma Design introduced himself to the membership and told about his business. If you have any design work or printing needs, give him a call.
Whole Dog Barkery & Paw Spa furnished Doggie Daiquiris and treats for man’s best friends. John & Jennifer Fink brought both of their Goldens to partake of these treats, seems one of them didn’t want to have his/her picture taken.
Photos by Generations Photography
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Income Tax Preparation Financial and Tax Planning Business Management Bookkeeping
8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite H 925-240-1242 “Best of Brentwood” 2002-2007 Business of the Year, 15th Assembly District
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CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT September 19th, what a perfect day for a golf tournament. The temperature wasn’t too hot or too cool, the wind cooperated and didn’t blow anyone off the course. Shadow Lakes staff had taken of everything so it was just a day for fun and relaxation. The day starts off at the check in table to pick up your shirt, hat and bag filled with donations from the Chamber membership. One of the tournament sponsors, Liberty Mutual Insurance, was at the check in table for people to take a chance on winning a gift certificate for dinner at Caps. The lucky winner was John Palazzotto of West Coast Commercial Interiors.
FIRST PLACE WINNERS
Paul Kelly, Home One Mortgage Lanny Brown, Sales Productivity Plus Fred Valverde , Prudential California Realty
Some players, like Rich Inglis, Chamber Director, actually practiced their golf swing before the tournament.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TOURNAMENT SPONSORS PLATINUM SPONSOR
TAMAYO VINEYARDS AND TOWN & COUNTRY ROOFING
GOLD SPONSORS -
LES SCHWAB TIRES ECC BANK
GOLF CART SPONSORS
COMCAST CABLE LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE
HOLE SPONSORS
CABANAS IN THE GARDEN CALIFORNIA PAYROLL CHRISTOPHER A. BECNEL, ESQ.,CPA DALLAS SHANKS CHEVRON HARVEST PARK BOWL JOHN MUIR HEALTH MAZZY’S FIRE PROTECTION REAGAN MANAGEMENT SERVICES SUTTER DELTA MEDICAL CENTER THE MONTHLY GRAPEVINE TRAVIS CREDIT UNION
Then we have some players who have never played the game before, but still had a lot of fun.
Our Mayor Bob Taylor asked “where’s the ball?” He probably had to use a mulligan.
(Continued on page 7)
The Brentwood Clarion (Continued from page 6)
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THE CHAMBER THANKS THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES FOR THEIR GENEROUR RAFFLE PRIZE DONATIONS:
Aadvantage Carpet Cleaning Brentwood Bike Shop Brentwood Golf Club Brentwood Olive Oil Brentwood Party Rentals Brentwood Press Bust-A-Bug Pest Management Cabanas in the Garden California Payroll Cap’s Oak Street Bar & Grill Crème Dela Gem Jewelry Cinelux Theaters Cortona Park Discovery Bay Golf Club Exquisite Events First Bank Gabby’s Grind Oak Street Boutique Harvest Park Bowl
His & Hers Formal Wear Juli Mijares Photography Les Schwab Tires Liberty Mutual Linmark LTD Mary Kay Cosmetics—Kimberly Victor Mary Kay Cosmetics—Juli Mijares Mayor Bob Taylor Mazzy’s Fire Protection Monogramming by Frichy Pro Forma Red Barn Hot Rods Roddy Ranch Golf Club Shadow Lakes Golf Club Tamayo Family Vineyards The Monthly Grapevine The Weathervane Western Wear Travis Credit Union WineShop at Home
Of course without players we couldn’t have a tournament. So to all of you who braved the wonderful weather to play golf, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
At-Home Tastings •Premier Wine Gifts Custom-Labeled Corporate Gifts
Kathi Reed Independent Wine Consultant
925-240-8382 www.winealongwithme.com wine@kathireed.com
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TEAR OUT THIS CENTER SECTION MAIL IT ALONG WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO THE CHAMBER OFFICE !
Good Morning Antioch, Brentwood, & Pittsburg ** A Joint Chamber Event **
Sponsored & Hosted by Cortona Park Cortona Park, 150 Cortona Park Way October 23, 2008 7:30 AM
Agenda Breakfast & Connecting at your table Welcome:
Kathi Reed & Harry York
Greetings from Cortona Park:
Liza Pinguelo
Ten Second Introductions:
Lead by Harry York
What’s really happening in East County? Get the inside scoop! Guest Speakers: Linda Maurer, Economic Development Dir. City of Brentwood Guy Bjerke, Economic Development Dir. City of Antioch Only $10 for members --- $15 for non-members Make your Reservations now: call 925-634-3344 or e-mail info@brentwoodchamber.com
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BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
October Mixer hosted by:
SHEPHERD’S GATE 605 Sycamore Avenue Brentwood, CA Thursday, October 16, 2008
October October 16
Mixer at Shepherd’s Gate
October 23
Good Morning Antioch, Brentwood & Pittsburg
October 24
Streets of Brentwood Opening
October 25
Hometown Halloween
November November 1
A Taste of Brentwood (restaurant tour)
November 13
Good Morning Brentwood
November 20
Mixer
November 22
Holiday Parade
December December 12
Chamber’s Holiday Gala
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. *Raffle Prizes
*Share-the-Pot Drawing
Mixer Locations (or Ribbon Cuttings) can (and do) change at any time. Check the Calendar of Events on our website for updated information:
www.brentwoodchamber.com
TEAR OUT THIS CENTER SECTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE! STAY INFORMED---STAY INVOLVED!
JOIN US FOR THE
2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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CalChamber Urges Members to Register to Vote for General Election (September 29, 2008) The California Chamber of Commerce is urging its members to register to vote for the November 4 General Election before the October 20 deadline. Voter registration information is available at the website of the Secretary of State. The last day to register to vote for the November 4 election is October 20. To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of California, not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony and have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and vote. Sample Ballots A sample ballot will be mailed to each voter who registers or re-registers at least 29 days before an election. Persons who register between 29 and 15 days before an election may be sent a sample ballot if there is time to process these last-minute registrations. If not, such registrants will receive a postcard confirming voter registration, which will also include a notice of their polling place location. For all elections, extra sample ballots will be available at polling locations. When to Re-Register to Vote Voters will need to re-register to vote when they: move to a new permanent residence; change their name; or change political party choice. California voters should be aware that in some areas, local elections are held on dates that do not coincide with statewide election dates. The 15-day close of registration deadline for these local elections varies depending on the actual date of the election. If a voter needs to know a deadline for a local election, contact your county elections office. Polling Places The location of a voter’s designated polling place is listed on the back of the Sample Ballot. Voters can also find their polling place on the Secretary of State’s website, or voters can contact their local elections official. Voters can obtain a form to register to vote from most post offices, city offices and libraries by calling 1-800-345-VOTE, or online www.ss.ca.gov.
Sharing Information with Employees The CalChambepr encourages employers to share information on the November ballot measures with their employees. Businesses are within their rights to do so -- just remember, NO PAYCHECK STUFFERS, no coercion, no rewarding or punishing employees (or threatening to do so) for their political activities or beliefs. For more guidelines on political communications to employees, see the brochure at www.calchamber.com/guidelines. Note the distinction between internal communications (to employees, stockholders and their families) and communications to external audiences (such as non-stockholder retirees, outside vendors, customers, passersby). For voter registration information, see the website of the Secretary of State.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS! EAST BAY TATTOO COMPANY Leonard & Lori Duran, Owners 6715 Brentwood Blvd., #D Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-513-4090 Cell: 925-783-2168 Email: eastbaytattooco@aol.com www.myspace.com/eastbaytattooco RAVE BRENTWOOD 14 THEATER Jeremy Devine, VP Marketing 3333 Welborn Street, #100 Dallas, Texas 75219 Phone: 972-692-1665 Fax: 972-692-1681 Email: jdevine@ravemotionpictures.com www.ravmotionpictures.com
The Brentwood Clarion
Page 11 BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kathi Reed, President WineShop at Home
Shelly McMahon, Ex-Officio Shelly’s Garden
Shayn Cutino, Director Anja Wellness
Bill Fee, Director Mazzy’s Fire Protection Specialists
Toni Grimes, Director Notary Public
De-De Hays, Director Prudential California Realty
Richard Inglis, Director Reagan Management Services
Paul Kelly, Director Home One Mortgage
Richard Perez-Pacheco, Director Black Sheep Design
Ken Seamann, Director
The Chamber Ambassador Team
Discovery Professional Services
Karen Spann, President-Elect The Monthly Grapevine
Paul Roman, Window Innovations 2007 Ambassador of the Year Amy Alvis, Living Trusts by Amy De-De Hays, Prudential California Realty Chris Krohn, The Emerging Soul Richard McDaniel, Mutual of Omaha David Mengel, Gemini Staffing Vicki Sexton, First Bank Pat Trombino, First Bank Olga Vidriales, Travis Credit Union Susanna Wahl, Edward Jones Renee Woodruff, MAP Donna Zickerman, Sarah Coventry Clarissa Perez-Pacheco, Black Sheep Design Shirley Freeman, America’s Best Choice Susan George, Ayurveda Knowledge For Life Liz Andrade, Ribbons & Roses Ed Gutierrez, Certa Pro Painters Melina Perdom, Certa Pro Painters Joe Randall, Randall Investment Group, Inc
Joe Trebino, Director Delta Pure Water, Etc.
Lyle Miller, Alternate Director Bust-A-Bug Pest Management t——————————————————
Harry York, CEO Bonnie Lucchese, Support Services Director Jilda Fairhurst, Event Coordinator Bill Putman, Volunteer CHAMBER HOURS Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone (925) 634-3344 Fax (925) 634-3731 email: info@brentwoodchamber.com
www.brentwoodchamber.com
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The Brentwood Clarion
The Brentwood Farmers’ Market is OPEN every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon Downtown Brentwood
The Brentwood Clarion Brentwood Chamber of Commerce 240 Oak Street Brentwood, CA 94513
Phone: 925-634-3344 Fax: 925-634-3731 Email: info@brentwoodchamber.com www.brentwoodchamber.com
TEAR OUT THE CENTER SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER AND GET INVOLVED!