Page It could influence your business! Get to know the political issues and bills that affect businesses. Make a difference on proposed laws. Visit www.calchambervotes.com Not everyone has time to be a labor and employment law expert. HR Handbook for California Employers is employment law for the rest of us--- the state and federal labor law basics presented in an easy-to-read, question & answer style focusing on the critical rules to follow, the appropriate forms to use and helpful step-by-step checklists to make sure you don't miss a thing. MARCH 2008 Vol. 43, No. 3 Newsletter Contents: Directors Message--Lyle Miller .....................................................3 New Member Profile - Pre-Paid Legal David Redding........4 Small Businesses Valuable Information....................................6 CENTER SECTION - TEAR OUT & SAVE Chamber Classified Ads................................................................7 Lori’s Minute “Service Member Families”...............................8 Business Luncheon Sign-Up Sheet................... .........................9 Calendar of Events.......................................................................10 Chamber Event News..................................................................10 CENTER SECTION - TEAR OUT & SAVE February Mixer Highlights..............................................12 & 13 Welcome New Members............................................................14 Chamber Ambassador Team...............................................15 2008 Board of Directors......................................................15 Stay in tune with the latest business news! Visit on a regular basis: www.calchamber.com/dailyheadlines The Best Way to Show Your Employees That You Appreciate them....is to bring them to the Employee Appreciation Luncheon and special fashion show on Wednesday, April 25! The luncheon will be held at Shadow Lakes Golf Club in their new event center and will feature your choice of Chicken Marsala or Tri-Tip for lunch! Prepaid Reservations only: $25.00 per person Special Gift for each attendee. Fill out the enclosed flyer and mail it to the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce at 240 Oak Street, Brentwood, 94513 with your check. Join us! Items for goodie bags are needed and appreciated. Call 634-3344 to donate items for bags or raffle prizes. Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor with his new “green car”
Transcript
The Brentwood Clarion Page
It could influence your business! Get to
know the political issues and bills that affect businesses. Make a difference on proposed laws.
Visit www.calchambervotes.com
Not everyone has time to be a labor and employment law expert. HR Handbook for California Employers is employment law for the rest of us---the state and federal labor law basics presented in an easy-to-read, question & answer style focusing on the critical rules to follow, the appropriate forms to use and helpful step-by-step checklists to make sure you don't miss a thing.
MARCH 2008 Vol. 43, No. 3
Newsletter Contents: Directors Message--Lyle Miller .....................................................3 New Member Profile - Pre-Paid Legal David Redding........4 Small Businesses Valuable Information....................................6
CENTER SECTION - TEAR OUT & SAVE
Chamber Classified Ads................................................................7 Lori’s Minute “Service Member Families”...............................8 Business Luncheon Sign-Up Sheet................... .........................9 Calendar of Events.......................................................................10 Chamber Event News..................................................................10
CENTER SECTION - TEAR OUT & SAVE
February Mixer Highlights..............................................12 & 13 Welcome New Members............................................................14 Chamber Ambassador Team...............................................15 2008 Board of Directors......................................................15
Stay in tune with the latest business news!
Visit on a regular basis:
www.calchamber.com/dailyheadlines
The Best Way to Show Your Employees That You Appreciate them....is to bring them
to the Employee Appreciation Luncheon and special fashion show on Wednesday, April 25!
The luncheon will be held at Shadow Lakes Golf Club in their new event center and will feature your choice of Chicken Marsala or Tri-Tip for lunch!
Prepaid Reservations only: $25.00 per person
Special Gift for each attendee.
Fill out the enclosed flyer and mail it to the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce at 240 Oak Street, Brentwood, 94513 with your check.
Join us!
Items for goodie bags are needed and appreciated. Call 634-3344 to donate items for bags or raffle prizes.
Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor
with his new “green car”
The Brentwood Clarion Page 2
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.
All Sports Trophies Advertising Specialties Custom & Corporate Awards
Director’s Message
by Alternate Director Lyle Miller
T his year has started out great for the Brentwood Chamber and its members. We have new members joining, a new
Chamber website, and some new networking activities like the CEO Coffee Clubs & the Traveling Chamber Lounges. But what can you do to make more of your Brentwood Chamber Membership? Here is a list of three “BEs” to get the extra mile out of your membership.
#1 “BE Supportive” Make the effort to support your fellow chamber members. Participate at their ribbon cuttings and mixers. Take the opportunity to become more than just casual acquaintances with the people you network with. Shop at their stores, eat at their restaurants, and use their services before you go elsewhere.
#2 “BE Involved” The Chamber Board has been working hard over the past several months to develop some new teams that will work on key areas of interest to benefit a vast majority of the Chamber Membership. It is time for each chamber member to come forward and volunteer to participate on one of these teams. Some of these teams will be working on Marketing, Community/Events, Agriculture/Tourism, etc. #3 “BEcome a Chamber Cheerleader” Over the past several years the Chamber has grown to over 750 members, but we still have the opportunity to grow. Each of us knows individuals that can benefit from membership with the chamber and can contribute something great to our whole organization. Invite these people and groups to come to our mixers and events or join the Chamber. Let’s all try to apply these three “BEs” as chamber members and we can see not only the Chamber grow, but our own businesses as well.
The Brentwood Clarion Page 4
Business Management Bookkeeping
Income Taxes for Small Business and Individuals
8440 Brentwood Blvd., Suite H 925-240-1242
www.reaganmanagementservices.com “Best of Brentwood” 2002-2007
Business of the Year, 15th Assembly District
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. David Redding, Independent
There are many situations in life that require legal assistance. David Redding is a Pre-
Paid Legal Independent Associate. David has credentials as a Small Business Specialist, Group Benefits Specialist, and Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist. Pre-Paid Legal Services has been in business for 35 years, is traded on the NYSE, and uses a law firm that has been in business for 78 years. Included in their services are their “Your Life Events Legal Plan,” providing preventive legal service for the entire family, motor vehicle service, trial defense service, and a free living will for husband and wife; “Identity Theft Shield,” providing complete identity theft services by Kroll International; and “Legal Shield,” providing 24/7 attorney phone consultation for special circumstances. They also offer special plans for real estate agents, teachers, law enforcement officers, and foster parents. Protect yourself today and call.
LEGAL EMPOWERMENT FOR YOUR LIFE
Your Family • Your Will • Your Money • Your Retirement • Your Car
New Member Profile
The Brentwood Clarion Page 5
David Mengel, MBA, Managing Partner
The Brentwood Clarion Page 6
Contra Costa Small Business Development Center is a partnership program of the U.S. Small Business
Administration, the Northern California SBDC Network, and the Workforce Development Board of Contra
Costa County. Other sponsors include: the Cities of Brentwood, Pittsburg and San Ramon, the Community
Development Block Grant programs of Antioch, Concord, Contra Costa County and Walnut Creek.
Helping your business . . . Start. Grow. Succeed!
WASHINGTON - More than 125,000 entrepreneurs interested in starting or expanding a business have used the U.S.
Small Business Administration's newest online assessment resources, the SBA announced today.
The SBA is helping hundreds of prospective entrepreneurs each day through two online assessment tools, the
"Small Business Readiness" and the 8(a) Business Development assessment tools. In just over three months, more
than 125,000 budding entrepreneurs have benefited from the latest Web-applications.
"These new tools represent a changing SBA, where more Web applications are being used to better serve our small
business customers so they can have information when they need and wherever they are doing business," said SBA
Associate Administrator Anoop Prakash.
Since the SBA introduced the online "Small Business Readiness" assessment tool, usage has climbed rapidly. The
assessment tool - the first of its kind - helps budding entrepreneurs evaluate their readiness for starting a small business.
The Small Business Readiness assessment tool helps prospective entrepreneurs determine their level of
preparedness for venturing into a new business through a series of automated questions. It helps them evaluate
their skills, characteristics, and experience as they relate to starting a business.
Based on their scores, entrepreneurs are directed to the SBA training resources that support the identified needs
to improve business preparedness. The Small Business Readiness assessment tool is available on the SBA's Web
site at http://www.sba.gov/assessmenttool/index.html, or by clicking the "Assessment Tool" icon under the
spotlight heading on the SBA home page.
The 8(a) Business Development assessment tool was launched in October to help small business owners decide
whether they are suitable and eligible for the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program. The program helps
small disadvantaged businesses compete in the U.S. economy through business development. Like the small
business readiness assessment, the customized 8(a) Business Development assessment tool directs entrepreneurs
to targeted training and resources online. It too is available online at http://training.sba.gov:8000/assessment.
The Small Business Readiness and the 8(a) business development assessment tools help take away the guess work,
and are easy to use. They are customer-focused and designed to make it easier for entrepreneurs to evaluate and
recognize needed business skills. The new Web-based tools are simple to use and take about 10 minutes to
Rent in Brentwood - 800 to 1600 square feet available Call Sunset Plaza Properties at 925-634-2900
Office Space Available
1. Ideal Downtown Location 240 sq. ft. Office Space for Rent 161 Chestnut Street in Downtown Brentwood For information, call 925-634-5361 2. Furnished office space available 500-2000 sq. ft. Call Sam at 925-516-0870.
Sub-Lease at 3330 Main St. in Oakley
Almost 900 sq. ft. $1,200 per month, includes utilities, parking lot, large windows, nearly new carpet & paint. Require first/last. Call 925-625-2879 for more information.
Positions Available
Brentwood Family Pet Care Veterinarian Hospital Animal Handler Wanted: Technician Assistant part time A.M. or P.M. On-the-job training. Duties include handling animals (dogs/cats), restraining animals, paperwork, and cleaning. Cleaning includes kennels, sinks, floors, etc. MUST have a great attitude, be a great team player, love to stay busy and be a hard worker. Please contact Kindra at 925-240-7387, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Servpro of Concord Servpro of Concord is now hiring for Administrative assistant. Duties include answering phones, filing, and maintaining job files and work flow, scheduling appointments, invoicing, data entry, some cleaning required. Computer skills a must, QuickBooks, Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook. Must have great attitude, be a team player, willing to tackle special projects, and problem solve. Must want to work hard and like to stay busy. Insurance knowledge a plus! Please fax resume to 925-240-8701.
Looking for Employment? Go to www.brentwoodchamber.com and type the word “employment” in the search box. We have several Chamber Members who can help you find that perfect job!
Your free classified ad can be here -- for Chamber Members only. Ad must be related to your business but cannot be used to advertise
the business itself. Office furniture for sale? Space available? Need employees?
PG&E is offering no-cost energy consultations which help business owners take advantage of energy efficiency rebates.
Please call PG&E’s Brentwood Customer & Community Relations Manager Jacqueline Clarke at 925-674-6590 to schedule an appointment. Jacqueline will be able to assist you in becoming energy efficient and reducing your energy costs!
If you're not volunteering to make this incredible event happen on July 11, 12 and 13, why not be a vendor? Have you thought about
the exposure you and your business could get as thousands of people walk by your booth as you are advertising or selling your products? For a vendor application, go to:
www.brentwoodchamber.com/cornfest
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“Lori’s Minute” (by Lori Knudsen of California Payroll)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) now gives family medical leave rights to qualifying family members of military personnel.
One of two extensions of the FMLA benefits to families of military personnel became effective Jan. 28 when President Bush signed the newly
passed legislation.
1st Change. Taking effect immediately is Caregiver Leave: This new benefit allows a "spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin [nearest blood relative]" to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a "member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in outpatient status, or is otherwise on the temporary
disability retired list, for a serious injury or illness."
Note: This new caregiver leave allows a qualifying employee to take up to 26 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period. This 26 workweeks of
leave is new for an FMLA benefit since other types of FMLA leave allow only 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period.
2nd Change. Active Duty Leave: Taking effect as soon as the Secretary of Labor issues final regulations defining "any qualifying exigency" is family leave due to a call to active duty. This new FMLA leave will provide up to 12 weeks of leave for "any qualifying exigency...arising out of the fact that the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent of the employee is on active duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to active
duty) in the Armed Forces in support of a contingency operation."
A dictionary definition of exigency is: A situation calling for immediate attention, urgency, pressing needs. A qualifying exigency for FMLA
purposes soon will be defined by the Secretary of Labor.
Two other significant terms in the new FMLA legislation are covered servicemember and next of kin.
A covered servicemember is "a member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in outpatient status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or
illness." A next of kin is "the nearest blood relative" of an individual.
The new FMLA law states an "eligible employee may elect, or an employer may require the employee, to substitute any of the accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave, family leave, or medical or sick leave of the employee for leave provided under [the new FMLA provision] for any
part of the 26-week period of such leave..."
In addition, if a husband or wife are employed by the same employer, the aggregate number of workweeks of leave they're entitled to under the
new FMLA benefits may be limited to 26 workweeks during a single 12-month period.
Two more important definitions: Covered employer and eligible employee.
Covered employer: The FMLA covers all employers who employ 50 or more employees for each working day during each of 20 or more
calendar workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year.
Eligible employee: Under FMLA, an eligible employee works for a covered employer: (1) and has worked for the employer for at least 12 months, (2) has worked for the employer for at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the leave, and (3) is employed at a worksite where 50 or more employees work for the employer within 75 miles of that worksite. (The 12 months of employment
need not be consecutive months.)
[NOTE: Information and guidance in this story is intended to provide accurate and helpful information on the subjects covered. It is not intended to provide a legal service for readers' individual needs. For legal guidance in your specific situations, always consult with an attorney who is familiar with employment law and labor issues.]
New FMLA Changes Cover Service Member Families
The Brentwood Clarion Page 9
March Working Business Luncheon
Location: Willy’s Bagels & Blends (their new location)
(just off Balfour Road, west of Highway 4 Bypass, in Brentwood)
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Lunch will be a buffet with sandwiches, salads, drinks.
Event is $15.00 per person with or without lunch.
PREPAID RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
Carma’s Word Creative Writing and Editing Services
Presents:
How to Write Effectively Without Drawing Blood!
Reserve your space today! Names of Attendees in your party:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
______________________________________________
Please bring this reservation sheet with your payment to: 240 Oak Street
in Brentwood by Friday, March 7, 2008
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JOIN US FOR THE
March Mixer hosted by:
Shadow Lakes Golf Club
Location: 401 W. Country Club Drive, Brentwood
DATE: Thursday, March 20, 2008
TIME: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
*Raffle Prizes
*Share-the-Pot Drawing
*Network with your fellow Chamber members
BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March
March 6 New Traveling Chamber Lounge See ad on opposite page
March 11 Business Luncheon at Willy’s Bagels & Blends Pre-paid reservations only - 634-3344
March 12 New CEO Coffee Club See ad on opposite page
March 20 Mixer at Shadow Lakes Golf Club
April
April 12 Citizen of the Year Banquet
April 17 Mixer at Contra Costa Fairgrounds
April 23 Employee Appreciation Luncheon
May
May 15 Mixer at McCurley’s Abbey Carpet Center
June
June 19 Mixer at Pierce Chiropractic Group
July
July 11, 12, and 13 CornFest 2008 July 17 Mixer at Calif. Pac. Federal Credit Union
August
August 21 Mixer at Arbor Ridge Executive Apartments
September
September 18 Mixer at Discovery Professional Services
October
October 16 Mixer at Shepherd’s Gate
October 25 Hometown Halloween
November
November 1 A Taste of Brentwood (restaurant tour)
November 20 Mixer (TBA)
November 22 Holiday Parade
December
December 18 Holiday Mixer at Veterans Hall
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85°
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
Pricing for Mixers:
Members: $ 5.00 each
Visitors: $15.00 each
Please note:
If you haven’t paid your membership dues for
2008, you are considered a visitor.
The Brentwood Clarion Page 11
Cell 925.813.1319
Phone: 925-625-0278 P.O. Box 406 Oakley, CA 94561 www.linmarkltd.logomall.com
Sample Showroom: 707 “A” Street in Antioch
The Brentwood Clarion Page 12
Welcome back, Maurice Daroy of Delta Valley Insurance! Maurice bought his raffle tickets and went home with $73.00 in cash from the Share-the-Pot drawing. The other $73 went to the Chamber. A smiling Maurice is pictured above with Chamber President Kathi Reed of WineShop at Home. Maurice went on to win the choice of a free flier or a write-up in the Clarion for the Business of the Month drawing.
A big thank you to all the generous Chamber Members who donated raffle prizes! We appreciate you!
Cozette’s Ballroom Dancing The Brentwood Press Bella Luna Chocolates
Delta Community Services Dreams Are A Wish Your Heart Makes
Gooseberry Fool Mainly Margaritas
Mary Kay - Kimberley Victor The Monthly Grapevine
WineShop at Home President Kathi Reed welcomed our visitors from the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and introduced our Directors and Ambassadors.
It was great to see, for the first time at a mixer, Mr. Jack Jiang, owner of Mangetsu Japanese Cuisine. Jack had fun meeting new people and seeing the many familiar faces of people who are already regulars at his restaurant at 50 Sand Creek Road in Brentwood.
Y ou are really missing out if you don’t stop by Gooseberry Fool and check out their menus for
lunch, dinner and full-service catering. Gooseberry Fool Cafe, Catering, and Gourmet Grocery has so much to offer in addition to their exciting menu, items such as oils, vinegars, chocolate, jellies, cookbooks, pastas, sauces, culinary, and seasonal items.
Owner Kerri Marvel (who is also head of the Downtown Merchants Association) prides herself in serving fresh, healthy, made-on-the-premises delicious entries, with many organic and “natural” choices.
Our hostess served some wonderful food to a huge crowd at this mixer. It was great to have just a taste of what is served at Gooseberry Fool!
Business Card Drawing Winner: Photographer Jennifer
Fink of Generations Photography accepts the beautiful
gift basket from Gooseberry Fool owner, Kerri Marvel.
March Mixer Hosted by:
Photos Courtesy of Generations Photography www.generationsbyjennifer.com
The Brentwood Clarion Page 13
We thank our new members for coming to this mixer, introducing themselves to dozens of fellow chamber members, and for getting involved! We enjoyed meeting you!
We welcome Nicole Miliano, Wellness and Weight Loss Coach!
Welcome to Brenda Goodie, Max Muscle Brentwood!
We look forward to seeing all of you at the next Chamber Mixer on March 20th at Shadow Lakes Golf Club!
(Above) Chamber Alternate Director Lyle Miller of Scheer Home Systems accepts his raffle prize from Bella Luna Chocolates President Annalee Herman. (Below) Annalee presents a box of her delicious chocolate creations to winner Bill Putman of the Brentwood Chamber.
Donna Ross (r), owner of Creme dela Gem Jewelry in Downtown Brentwood had the winning raffle ticket
for the gift certificate donated by Ernie Young of Mainly Margaritas!
The Brentwood Clarion Page 14
WELCOME TO OUR
NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS!
Nicole A. Miliano, Wellness and Weight Loss Coach 4577 Ford Court Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-418-5635 Email: [email protected] Law Office of Jim Price Jim Price, Esq. 6569 Brentwood Blvd. P.O. Box 1417 Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-516-4686 Email: [email protected] Max Muscle Brentwood Sports Nutrition Pierre and Brenda Goodie, Owners 5887 Lone Tree Way, Suite R Antioch, CA 94531 Phone: 925-757-6299 Email: [email protected]
Support our new members!
Visit them,
introduce yourselves,
network with one another!
The road to success can
be challenging....let’s
pull together!
The Brentwood Clarion Page 15
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 Discovery Professional Services
Karen Spann, President-Elect The Monthly Grapevine
Joe Trebino, Director Delta Pure Water, Etc.
John Fink, Alternate Director Delta Ranches & Homes
Lyle Miller, Alternate Director Scheer Home Systems & Security
——————————————————
Bonnie Lucchese, CEO Office Manager
Paula DeYoung-Wong Administrative Assistant, Newsletter Editor
Paul Roman, Window Innovations 2007 Ambassador of the Year
Amy Alvis, Living Trusts by Amy Liz Beth Fletcher, Mary Kay Cosmetics Chris Krohn, The Emerging Soul Richard McDaniel, Mutual of Omaha David Mengel, Gemini Staffing Vicki Sexton, First Bank Eric Soiland, Wachovia Securities Katherine Van Hatten, Skin Care by Katherine Olga Vidriales, Travis Credit Union Pat Trombino, First Bank Susanna Wahl, Edward Jones Renee Woodruff, MAP Donna Zickerman, The Monthly Grapevine
