GET CONNECTED! The Chamber is now on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest! Are you following us on all these social media sites? If not, connect with us today. And please, send us anything you would like us to share about your business. The Chamber is here to help support your business endeavors! Email Lsephos@riponcha mber.org with anything you would like shared!
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! For more information or to get involved, visit nbcam.org.
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Director’s Corner: Safe Mobile Banking Contributed by Kristine Griesheimer
Using a smartphone, tablet or other mobile devices to manage your finances can be convenient and help you monitor your money from practically anywhere. At the same time, it’s important to take steps to protect your account information. • Be proactive in securing the mobile device itself. Create a strong password or PIN and periodically change it. • Never leave your mobile device unattended. • Make sure you enable the “timeout” or “auto-lock” feature that secures your mobile device when it is left unused for a certain period of time. • Be careful about where and how you conduct transactions. Don’t use an unsecured Wi-Fi network such as those found at coffee shops, because fraud artists might be able to access the information you are transmitting or viewing. • Don’t send account numbers or other sensitive information through regular emails or text messages because those are not necessarily secure.
company. The best place to download an app is from the official website of the company that you are doing business with or from a legitimate app store. • Be on guard against unsolicited emails or text messages appearing to link to a financial institution’s Web site. Those could be “phishing” messages containing some sort of urgent request or an amazing offer designed to lead you to a fake website controlled by thieves. ©FDIC Consumer News Winter 2012/2013
• Take additional precautions in case your device is lost or stolen. Check with your wireless provider about features that enable you to remotely erase content or turn off access to your device or account. Quickly contact your financial services providers to let them know about the loss or theft of your device to help prevent or resolve problems with unauthorized transactions. • Research all applications before downloading. Just because the name of an app resembles the name of a company you’re familiar with, doesn’t mean it is the official one of that
Every Business Has a Breakeven Point Contributed by Vermeulen & Company
Before agreeing to serve as an executor of someone’s estate, carefully consider the requirements and ramifications. Your duties could include any or all of the following: · Accounting for assets and liabilities. You’ll need to locate and list everything the decedent owned, whether tangible (real estate and personal property) or intangible (bank accounts and investments). You’ll also be expected to identify and quantify each of the decedent’s debts. · Determining whether probate proceedings are needed and, if so, petitioning the court. · Locating (and sometimes identifying) heirs.
· Determining who inherits what, according to the will or according to state law if the will is ambiguous, invalid, or nonexistent. · Administering the estate, including notifying financial institutions, creditors, and government agencies of the death, terminating leases and credit cards, setting up estate bank accounts, managing the decedent’s property, liquidating assets as needed, and paying applicable expenses and debts. · Filing the decedent’s final income tax returns (from the beginning of the year to the date of death) and any additional returns required for the estate as a separate entity.
· Distributing the remaining assets to the people and/or organizations named in the will or otherwise entitled to inherit under As an executor, you’ll have a fiduciary duty to act honestly, diligently, and with good faith, and the law will hold you to these standards. Your duties will be timeconsuming and may include unpleasant interactions with disgruntled heirs. You’ll almost certainly need to hire an accountant and an attorney to provide advice and prepare the necessary returns and filings. Before accepting an executorship, ask to review the will, preferably with the attorney who prepared it. If your alarm bells continue to ring, consider tactfully declining the appointment.
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Meet Ripon’s Newest Mascot In case you didn’t already know, Ripon is all about the almonds! So, it is my pleasure to introduce the newest addition to our Ripon family - the Almond Mascot! This Mascot would not only embody the spirit of Ripon and its status as Almond Capital of the World but would also pay tribute to the spirit of the Ripon community as a whole. A special Chamber
committee is actively seeking sponsorship to cover the cost of the costume, looking to raise a total of $1,700. As an added bonus, logos or names of sponsors will be forever inscribed on the back of the mascot for as long as the costume exists. While the goal is to make this a grower-centric sponsorship, the opportunity is open to all in Ripon. What a great way to immortalize
one’s business on Ripon’s inaugural Almond Mascot! The Almond Mascot would attend Ripon events such as Ag Day, parades throughout the year, the Almond Blossom Festival, Main Street Day, and many others - the possibilities are truly endless! If you are interested in taking advantage of this unique advertising and community building activity, please contact the Chamber.
Casino Entertainment Scholarship Fundraiser On Saturday, November 16 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Clinton McCausland Post 190 will be holding their first annual Casino Entertainment Scholarship Fundraiser. The fundraiser will be held at Post 190 Hall (206. S. Stockton Ave, Ripon). Light appetizers will
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person. You must get your tickets in advance so be sure and visit the American Legion booth at Main Street Day or call 923.3141 to purchase your tickets. It will be a fun-filled night so don’t miss out on this great event! be served. Price is $40 per
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Main Street Day Updates: Vendors, Car Show, & Raffle Prizes As you know, October 19 – the date for Main Street Day – is just around the corner. The staff here at the Ripon Chamber has been busy making sure all the preparations are just right. But there are a few more things we could really use your help and support with! 1)
Main Street Day is an event that celebrates Ripon’s historic downtown and this year will feature a health fair, car show, live music, pie-eating contest, horse-drawn hayride, and a kid's zone! We want to make sure our members stand out prominently at this event. If you haven’t already, have you considered having a booth at the event? The price for members is a mere $70. This will be an excellent opportunity to promote your business and its respective services as we are expecting a turnout of between 5,0007,000 people. Please send applications ASAP or call the Chamber (599.7519) to reserve your place. Spots are filling fast! To register, visit tinyurl.com/mainstreet2013. Click “register” to download application. Need more info? Email Laurin at lsephos@riponchamber.org.
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The 11th Annual Car Show, held during Main Street Day, is still looking for entrants. The first 50 entrants will receive a free commemorative car show shirt and dash plaque so hurry and send in your application. Judging categories include Best in Show, Longest Distance, Most Unique, Best Interior, Best Paint Job, People’s Choice, Exhibitor’s Choice, & Best Engine. Price is only $30 before October 13! Form can be found at tinyurl.com/ MSDcarshow2013. Speaking of the Main Street Day Car Show, the Chamber is looking for 25 raffle prizes to raffle off throughout the Car Show. This will be an excellent opportunity to highlight our business community as you can donate items that promote your business! Raffle items can be as small or as large as you like and can feature businesscentric items from or even things from your re-gifting stash. Give us a call at the Chamber and let us know if you are willing to donate. We would be happy to pick up donations at your place of business to save you an additional driving commitment. Thanks in advance for helping make the raffle a success.
Promote your business! Become a vendor or donate a businessrelated item for the Car Show raffle!
Behind the Scenes: Ripon Chamber Edition
By Tamra Spade (As Seen in the Ripon Bulletin)
There's a common vacuum in the appreciation for chambers of commerce and ours is no exception. Chambers make a difference in the business world from Ripon to the larger cities of Modesto, Fresno and even San Francisco, but they continue to be regarded by members of the public as agencies that only hand out maps of their communities and hold coffees and ribbon cuttings. Ripon like many other chamber offices needs to raise its image high enough to be recognized in a higher profile for what they actually do to represent not only the business and professional segments of the community but to also make the
general public aware of their worth. The managing of street fairs, ribbon cuttings and business members' office coffees are but few of the activities of a busy chamber of commerce. Its membership should be aware of the watchdog element of the chambers where staffs diligently keep an eye on the political scene from smallest city councils and school boards, to state and national government activities that affect the business world in cities across the country. It is in that political world where Riponites need an ear and a voice to avoid ignorance especially relating to future trends. In today's business world, the many
chambers have an active role is actually political advocacy. Chamber professionals also bring experts into their communities, offering training sessions and educational workshops to expand employee skills and aid in business expansions.
business spectrum from finance to social networking, along with marketing, communications and being a volunteer coordinator.
Events and networking opportunities are offered through monthly coffees and mixers in Ripon and serve as an added perk in the traditional chamber calendar activity.
A chamber depends on its community participation, the input of city departments and community members along with local businesses that partner with their chamber of commerce the more success to achieve the greatest amount of success.
Managing a chamber office is an exciting professional post, like none other, where the vision of goals and the accomplishments and realization of those goals is paramount. It involves everything imaginable across the
The chambers office and its telephone should be key to the community in its need for information and for outside businesses and families considering a move to Ripon.
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Egyptian Festival ‘13 St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, located at 315 S. Orange Ave, Ripon, will be holding their annual Egyptian Festival on October 18, 19, and 20. Admission is free and they will be having a number of fun and cultural activities. There will be live music featuring an Egyptian band, a boutique offering traditional Egyptian garments, and a bazaar where you can grab souvenirs. For kids there will be henna tattoos, face painting,
and games. Not to mention, the Festival will have Egyptian cuisine with the usual delicious suspects: kebabs, gyros, dolma, Egyptians sweets, and more! Also, there will be a photo studio where you can transform yourself into a Pharaoh. Tours of the church will be held throughout the event and there will be a chance to win a raffle. Don’t miss out on this great cultural celebration!
For additional information, visit www.egyptian-festival.org, email info@egyptianfestival.org, or call 918.6605 & 510.364.5428. Hours of Egyptian Festival: 10/18: 4pm - 8pm 10/19: 10am - 8pm 10/20: 10am - 6pm
October Events Calendar October is packed with events from Chamber Coffees to Ribbon Cuttings galore! Be sure and join us for these great events!
Friday, October 4
Friday, October 11
Monthly Morning Coffee & Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting & 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
Reo’s Expresso
Just Rewards
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
229 W. Main St.
203 W. Main St.
Thursday, October 17
Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, October 16
Monthly Chamber Mixer
Iris Pure Water
Ribbon Cutting
ReMax
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Corner Stop Eatery
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
467 N. Wilma Ave.
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
442 W. Main St.
102 W. Main Street
Saturday, October 19 Main Street Day Downtown Ripon 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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CA Health Insurance Launches New Marketplace Contributed by Californiahealthinsurance.com California health insurance had launched new marketplace this morning, more than 3-1/2 years after President Barack Obama or you can call Obama care signed into law his signature legislative achievement. At 8 a.m., Covered California switched on its online insurance exchange and began taking phone calls at facilities across the state. Many of the state’s more than five million uninsured residents can now enroll for health coverage plans regardless of whether they have preexisting health conditions. Covered California health insurance Executive Director Peter Lee described it as a historic day for the state and the nation. He characterized the California health insurance in its early stages as nimble, innovative, selfsustaining and reflecting the diversity of the state. “This is a day when for millions dreams come true,” Lee said as the clock ticked down to the official launch in Rancho Cordova. “This is a day when people finally will have access to quality, affordable health care that cannot be
denied and cannot be taken away.” Nearly everyone must obtain California health insurance beginning next year or pay a penalty. Lee said his agency was prepared for the roll out and undisturbed by the federal government shut down triggered last night, which he termed the “brouhaha that is happening in Washington.” “Our success isn’t about Washington. It’s not about Sacramento,” he said. “It’s about what happens in East L.A. It’s about what happens in Oakland. About what happens in Eureka. In Lincoln. In Fresno. And what happens in county offices and clinics across the state.” The state agency has been scrambling to get the word out and make more services available to online shoppers. Still, some features of the website including the ability for small businesses to obtain coverage on the website will not be available for about six weeks. “As of today small businesses will be able to quote what they want to buy
and get the whole application process through private quoting,” Lee said. That should give them plenty of time to be up and running by Jan. 1. Health experts have already identified California as a key focus for the rest of the nation given its size, diversity and the high number of uninsured residents. People here must sign up for insurance through the exchange by Dec. 15 to get coverage on Jan. 1. The first open enrollment lasts through March 31. Diana Dooley, a board member of the state agency, described the enrollment efforts as a marathon and said officials were merely at the starting line. State officials said they suspect applications to trickle in during the first month and then pickup closer to the deadline. “Everyone in California is going to be welcome in this new state of health,” said Dooley, secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency.
Ripon Police Memorial Update Contributed by John Mangelos The Ripon Police Memorial still has bricks available for sale. Help make the Ripon Police Memorial a place of community pride by purchasing a brick if you have not already! Bricks are one hundred dollars each and honor our fallen officers. Buying a brick is a great way to personally honor and show support for our local police. Forms are available at the Ripon Police Department or you can get a form from John Mangelos, 599-4007.
“Health experts have already identified California as a key focus for the rest of the nation given its size, diversity and the high number of uninsured residents.”
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Housing Authority Helps Homeless Veterans
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Contributed by Supervisor Bob Elliot
The Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin is pleased to announce that it has received an increase in the number of its Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers. The Housing Authority is now currently serving 125 vouchers issued under this HUDVASH program. This very important program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA provides many types of services to veterans typically at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics. The Housing Authority's Executive Director, Barbara Kauss, is very proud of its coordination and management of this HUD program, 'Our success in managing this much needed program for San Joaquin County veterans was only made possible through the hard work of the staff."
“The Housing Authority was one of the first housing authority to recognize the importance of this program in this county which has a large number of veterans who are chronically homeless.”
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The Housing Authority was one of the first housing authority to recognize the importance of this program in this county which has a large number of veterans who are chronically homeless. The Housing Authority hosts a One-Stop Service Center every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am where the HUD-VASH Coordinator's evaluate homeless veterans to determine eligibility for the HUDVASH program. The meetings are held at the Housing Authority's Business Office located at 421 S. El
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Dorado Street, Suite B. As one can imagine, there are many stories to be told by the lucky recipients of this program. Christopher Smith, Jr. is one of those stories. Smith became aware of the program quite by happenstance as he was playing dominoes with another veteran who alerted him to the program. It could not have come at a better time as Smith was homeless and living in a field south of Stockton. He was put in contact with Kate Butler, a case worker assigned to this important program. Within weeks Smith had filled out an application, received a call back from Butler following a an unremarkable background check, and had received a voucher from the Housing Authority which also assisted Smith in locating a one bedroom residence. Smith could not believe his fortune, 'A huge amount of stress was lifted from my shoulders. " And Smith does not intend to waste the opportunity, he now intends to work with Butler to get some job training so as to "get a job." Butler remarked "Chris' story is similar to many veterans. This VASH program is targeted to assist many veterans back into the workforce.” Rudy Willey, the Chairman for the Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners may have said it best, 'This is a wonderful program that continues forward, one success at a time." Every year since 2008, HUD and
VA have awarded HUD-VASH vouchers based on geographic need and public housing agency (PHA) administrative performance. The allocation process for HUDVASH vouchers is a collaborative approach that relies on three sets of data: HUD's point-in-time data submitted by Continuums of Care (CoCs), VAMC data on the number of contacts with homeless Veterans, and performance data from PHAs and VAMCs. After determining which areas of the country have the highest number of homeless Veterans, the VA Central Office identifies VA facilities in the corresponding communities. HUD then selects PHAs near to the identified VA facilities, taking into consideration the PHAs' administrative performance, and sends the PHAs invitations to apply for the vouchers. HUD has awarded funding for approximately 10,000 HUD-VASH vouchers each year in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012. There is at least one site in each of the 50 states, in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. In 2011, $50 million was appropriated to serve approximately 7,000 voucher families. in addition, HUD setaside $5.4 million from its 2010 allocation to competitively award over 600 project-based vouchers to existing HUD-VASH sites. Since 2008, a total of 48,385 vouchers have been awarded. Please call (209) 460-5031 with any questions.
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New Members and Member Renewals A warm welcome to our new members:
Lockeford Meat & Sausage
W & L Harris Ranches, LLC (Gold)
And a big thank you for our members that renewed last month:
Ripon Historical Society
Tuff Boy Sales (Gold)
TIV, Inc.
Assembly Member Kristin Olsen
Dave Uecker Construction, Inc.
Vermeulen & Co.
Munson for Supervisor
Ripon Garden Club
Creative Outdoor Environments
Hope Sandoval (PMZ Real Estate)
Iris Pure Water
Brenda North
Hospice of San Joaquin
Ripon VFW Post #1051
Jonathan Garzoli, Attorney at Law
Nerium Skin Care
A Crystal Clear Vision
The Natural Path Wellness Center
We will be
Bethany Home (Gold)
raffling off a
Schaffer’s Tae Kwon Do
pair of tickets to the Eagal Lakes
Eagal Lakes Bluegrass Festival The first annual Eagal Lakes Bluegrass festival will be held at Eagal Lakes in Tracy. This private outdoor sports, recreational, and event facility is located on 200 acres surrounded by the beautiful San Joaquin River and hosts a private water sports lake, catch and release fishing pond, outdoor activities center, nature trails, and beaches. This festival features the option for two nights of camping
bring valuable information to businesses and keep them up to date on community developments. Michael Malone, author, will speak on Tracy as the next Silicon Valley. Kevin Downes, of Amazon, will touch on how Amazon is bringing big benefits to the Valley. And, Rob DeLange will talk on how to multiply leaders in your organization. The Progressive
Festival at our Chamber Coffee, Friday October 4
under the stars with a full day of bluegrass music, vendors, arts & crafts, great food, and more! Performances by the Central Valley Boys, Red Dog Ash, Rock Ridge, the Mount Diablo String Band, PLUS AJ Lee & Angelica Grim. For more information or to register for tickets, visit www.eagallakes.com/bluegrass or call Eagal Lakes at 209.640.4252.
at Reo’s Expresso.
Progressive Leader Seminar A new series for organizations and leaders! The Progressive Leader event is the first of a series the Tracy Chamber will host to promote education and leadership training for businesses in the local area. Other upcoming events for the series will include the State of the City in March and the Economic Development Business Forum in April, both intended to
Bluegrass
Leader Seminar will be held on Wednesday, October 16 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Grand Theatre Center, 715 Central Avenue, Tracy. Tickets are $35 dollars and can be purchased from the Tracy Chamber. For more information, call 835.2131.
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PRESORT STD AUTO U.S. POSTAGE PAID RIPON, CA
Ripon Chamber of Commerce
929 West Main Street Ripon, CA 95366 Phone: 209..599.7519 Fax: 888.556.4944 Web site: riponchamber.org info@riponchamber.org Keeping Ripon’s Business Community Vibrant
Ripon FD Pancake Breakfast SATURDAY OCTOBER 19 6:30A.M. - 10:00A.M. RIPON FIRE DEPARTMENT 142 S. STOCKTON AVENUE, RIPON PRICE: ADULTS $7.50 CHILDREN $5.50 (7-12 YEARS) CHILDREN 6 AND UNDER ARE FREE!
On Saturday, October 19, (Ripon’s Main Street Day) the Ripon Volunteer Fireman’s Association, with the support of the Ripon Fire Explorers, Post 904, will host our annual Pancake Breakfast from 6:30 a.m 10:00 a.m. Come and enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs and help support our Volunteer Association and the Explorer Program. For more information, please call 599.4209.