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Chairman's Circle Sponsors
Platinum
Malaga Corp.
Gold
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
UC Berkeley
Silver
Bayer
Berkeley Patients Group
Bregante + Company, LLP
Maloney Fine Building
PG&E
Rose Garden Inn
Sign-A-Rama
Wells Fargo Bank
2011/2012 OfficersRod Howard, Chairman of the Board, SynecticJonathan DeYoe,
Immediate Past Chairman,
DeYoe Wealth ManagementDiane Rames, First Vice Chairman,
Rames ConsultingPaul Hammond, Treasurer,
Bregante + Company, LLP
Vice Chairmen Michael Goldin, Swerve Erik Holland, Fidelity Insurance Mark McLeod, Sustainable Business Alliance Malaga Smith, Malaga Corp. Board of Directors
(*Ex Officio Director)
Kevin Allen, Rose Garden Inn
Manjul Batra,
Ajanta Enterprises/Coopreative Realty
Alicia Bert, Pacific Gas & Electric
Lisa Bullwinkel,
Another Bullwinkel Show
John Caner,
Downtown Berkeley Association
Steven Donaldson, RadiantBrands
Fred Fassett, Minuteman Press
Heather Hensley*,
North Shattuck Association
Barbara Hillman*, Visit Berkeley Dr. Betty Inclan, Berkeley City College
Terrie Light,
Berkeley Food and Housing ProjectMichele Molitor, Nectar Consulting
Doreen Moreno, University of California
Trina Ostrander, Bayer Healthcare
Roland Peterson,
Telegraph Property and Business Improvement District
Ioannis (Yanny) Rallis,
Mechanic's Bank
Mark Rhoades,
Citycentric Investments
Daniel Stea, PBG Real Estate
Richard Villarreal, Spenger's
Armando Viramontes,
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
Chamber Staff
Polly Armstrong, CEO
John DeClercq, CEO
Shiloh Alexis Elias
Communications and Event Director
Tammy Ruiz,
Executive Assistant/Office Manager Photography/Videography
Worldwide Communications
Berkeley Community Media Website
Malaga Corp. Statement of Editorial Policy
It is the policy of Berkeley Business Advocate to present in a fair and objective manner information of interest to the business community in general, and to the membership of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce specifically. Editorial opinions published are signed and reflect the opinions of the author and are not necessarily those of the Board of Directors or the members of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. Those of differing opinions are encouraged to offer those opinions in a Letter to the Editor. Letters must
be signed to be considered for publication. Names may be withheld at the request of the writer.
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EVENT CALENDAR
January
January 9 :: Government Affairs Committee Meeting
12:00 pm - Chamber Office
January 4 :: Ambassador Meeting
8:30 am - 9:30 am - Rose Garden Inn
January 12 :: Sunset Networking Mixer
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Kala Art Institute
January 25 :: Sunrise Networking Breakfast
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Spenger's
January 28 :: Grand Opening at Kitchen On Fire West7:00 pm - 11:00 pm - Kitchen On Fire
February
February 1 :: Ambassador Meeting
8:30 am - 9:30 am - Rose Garden Inn
February 6 :: Government Affairs Committee Meeting
12:00 pm - Chamber Office
February 9 :: ANNUAL CRAB FEED
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Spenger's
February 16 :: New Member Orientation
9:00 am - 10:00 am - Chamber Office
February 22 :: Sunrise Networking Breakfast
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Spenger's
March
March 5 :: Government Affairs Committee Meeting
12:00 pm - Chamber Office
March 7 :: Ambassador Meeting
8:30 am - 9:30 am - Rose Garden Inn
March 8 :: Sunset Networking Mixer
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union
March 14 :: New Labor Laws Luncheon
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Pyramid Alehouse
March 28 :: Sunrise Networking Breakfast
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Spenger's
PLEASE NOTE:
Beginning in January, 2012, there will be some changes to the Chamber Calendar.
The monthly Sunset Mixer will be moved from the fourth Thursday to the second Thursday of the month.
The monthly Sunrise Networking Breakfast will be moved from the second Wednesday to the fourth Wednesday of the month.
These changes assure that our Mixers do not conflict with the Emeryville or Oakland Chamber's Mixers.
Thank you in advance, and STAY TUNED for more information.
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AMBASSADORS' CORNER  by Janet Creps, 360 Church Berkeley Chamber Ambassador Ambassadors Reach Out: Our Story
My husband and I are pastors of 360church in Berkeley and enjoy our role serving as part of a large group of Ambassadors for the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. Who would have thought a couple years ago that our move to Berkeley from Missouri would lead to being an active part of this significant organization? It all started soon after we arrived in the city when we were encouraged to attend a two-day seminar in a distant state on how to do a start-up church. The long distance of the travel and high cost of the event seemed like a burden. But once we became involved in the sessions, our coach began to tell us the many benefits of being a part of a local Chamber of Commerce. When we returned to California, Earl immediately searched online for the Berkeley Chamber and after a few clicks, we were in. Our first event was a delightful breakfast at Skates on the Bay. Having heard how difficult it is to make friends in Berkeley, we were pleasantly surprised by the warm reception from the members of this friendly organization. They reached out to us and it seemed like we gradually became part of their "family." After a few months of being members, we were asked to serve as new Ambassadors. Ironically, our new responsibility seemed like a role reversal from the first day we attending a meeting. In essence, our role now is to extend the same hand of friendship to new people in the community that was once offered to us. We continue to enjoy being Ambassadors for this wonderful organization. I am grateful to the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce for reaching out to us when we were strangers. To all our new friends in Berkeley who are searching for a network of businesses, and organizations, welcome to the Chamber of Commerce! Check out our calendar and make sure to attend our next event. I believe that speak for the rest of the Ambassadors when I say "We are looking forward to meeting you!"
Want to get more involved?
Join the Berkeley Chamber Ambassadors!
The most fun you'll ever have - while networking for your business! Call Shiloh Elias for more information. (510) 549-7000 |
2011 AMBASSADOR
OF THE YEAR
WINNER'S SPOTLIGHT
Melanie Mentzel accepting her award from State Assembly Member Nancy Skinner at our Annual Gala in June.
Our Ambassador of the Year, Melanie Mentzel, makes quite a first impression.
With her halo of pixie-like blonde hair, warm, expressive smile, boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, when Melanie enters a room, people take notice!
Born and raised in Berkeley, Melanie swam on the Berkeley Barracudas Swim Team and graduated from Berkeley High in 1985 ("Go Yellow Jackets!"). She went on to study at Alameda, Vista, Laney and Merritt Colleges before receiving her degree in Psychology from Idaho State University Pocatello.
Melanie has co-owned Master Peaces Landscaping Company with her mother since 1996, when she also began working as a docent at UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, leading a tour on the last Sunday of each month.
In early 2009, Melanie began taking classes at Berkeley Community Media, where she became a Member Producer. Later that year she accepted a position as their Membership Development and Community Outreach Coordinator.
Since then, her life has been a whirlwind of change and opportunity! Melanie's goal is to increase the awareness of Berkeley
Community Media so that individuals, organizations and businesses look to BCM as their one stop media shop, and we have every faith that she will reach and exceed that goal!
Since becoming a Chamber Ambassador in 2010, Melanie has brought a tireless dedication and commitment to the position that has not gone unnoticed. From brainstorming at monthly Ambassador meetings, to envelope stuffing and soliciting raffle donations, to bringing in new members and working events, Melanie comes early, stays late, and brings her strong sense of integrity and her cheerful disposition to everything she does. Above all, she is a team player, and that is at the core of what being an Ambassador is all about.
When not working to promote BCM and the Berkeley Chamber, or gardening with her mom, Melanie can be found knitting, bike riding, roller skating, hiking, or relaxing at home in San Pablo with her husband Eric, her beloved dogs Peaches Jubilee and Rogue Shenanigans, and her cats Daisy (20), Comet (19) and Invader Zim (6).
Melanie loves being surrounded by all the creative people at Berkeley Community Media, and she loves being a Berkeley Chamber Ambassador. We are lucky to have her! Thanks Melanie, for all you do!
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FIRST ANNUAL BERKELEY
COFFEE & TEA FESTIVAL
RECAP
What do the First Annual Berkeley Coffee and Tea Festival and the latte have in common? They both originated in Berkeley! On Saturday morning, September 24th, while most of the city still slept soundly, a crowd of coffee and tea lovers began to gather in the Crystal Ballroom of the beautiful Hotel Shattuck Plaza in downtown Berkeley. With tasting mugs in hand, these early risers were treated to steaming hot and delicious beverages from over 2 dozen specialty coffee and tea booths, as well as a dozen pastry and dessert vendors. Throughout the day there were expert panels on Coffee 101 and Tea 101, as well as an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony. This being our inaugural Coffee and Tea Festival, and the first of it's kind in Berkeley, we were surprised and delighted when over 350 people showed up to join in the festivities! The event was widely well received, and the Chamber looks forward to an even bigger and better Festival next year! Mark your calendars and join us on August 25th, 2012, when we do it all again!
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CRUSH FESTIVAL 2011
"I've got a Crush on you!"
AN EVENING OF
GERSHWIN & GRAPES Several hundred guests and dozens of vendors came out for our annual Crush Festival in November and enjoyed a panoply of excellent wines and gourmet bites from local wineries, restaurants and caterers. With our theme of "Gershwin and Grapes" in mind,  tables were decorated with everything from tiny pianos to musical note shaped cookies and grape leaves galore. Mother Nature did her part in providing a spectacular sunset through the windows of our host venue, the Doubletree by Hilton. The silent auction was very popular as vendors donated samples of their wines or gift certificates for their wares and many guests were seen doing their early holiday gift buying.  We noticed that some returning Crush enthusiasts brought friends along this year, so there were little parties going on within the big event..a creative idea! Next year's Crush will be on Sunday November 4th. Put it on your new 2012 calendar so you don't miss it! 
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Over the course of the last few weeks, and at our Holiday Sunset Mixer on December 8th, Berkeley Chamber members responded to our request for warm coat and toiletry donations for Berkeley Food and Housing Project, and donated over 25 warm coats, in addition to many scarves and sweaters, and over 100 toiletry articles!
Thank you for helping us keep people warm this Holiday Season!
Berkeley Food and Housing Project can always use more warm clothing, coats and blankets this time of year, as well as items from their "Wish List" which we have linked to here.
Donations can be dropped off weekdays during business hours at BFHP, 2362 Bancroft Way in Berkeley.
Be an angel this Holiday season and give what you can.
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 YEAR-END MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
by Polly Armstrong and John DeClercq, Co-CEOs
YES! Your Berkeley Chamber of Commerce is a critical part of your business community. We spend every day looking for ways to build understanding of the importance of a good business climate in Berkeley. We are forging an ever-stronger relationship with the City Government and the University to help them remember that a strong business presence is vital to their own success. Berkeley businesses pay the taxes, provide the goods and services and create jobs while drawing people to our city. The Chamber is the Voice of those businesses.
We played an important role in the community meetings that were held to help convince the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab of the wisdom of building their new second campus in Berkeley. That campus would retain jobs, bring new jobs to Berkeley and heightened profits to businesses located in the vicinity.
We met with LAZ, the new parking management company for Berkeley's City parking lots, and took the opportunity to remind them that our members' priorities were clean and safe parking lots for their customers. We got a commitment from LAZ to join the Chamber and work with us to meet the community's needs.
It's dues renewal time for the Chamber and most of you have chosen to stick with us and that's exciting. We know it is not an easy time to maintain a business so we are particularly appreciative of your ongoing support. Please let us know if there are ways we can help you make your business flourish.
John and Polly
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THE CHAMBER WELCOMES 35 NEW MEMBERS!
(Listed by join date)
GIFT SENSATIONS
Gift Sensations is one of the most sought out gift basket companies in the Bay Area and over the last eight years has built a thriving and prosperous company. We redefined gift giving into a new realm of elegance, sophistication and sheer artistry. Gift Sensations is an excellent resource for your corporate, professional, and personal gift giving needs. Unique gifts for unique people.
BERKELEYHOMES.COM
We're Ira & Carol Serkes, local Real Estate Realtors, who have lived in Berkeley, California for over 35 years. (25 years in North Berkeley's delightful Thousand Oaks Neighborhood)
We specialize in helping nice folks sell and buy wonderful homes in Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, Rockridge, Oakland, El Cerrito and Emeryville's most livable neighborhoods.
PICANTE CATERING
Picante Catering... All Dressed Up
Your big celebration is coming soon and you want it to unfold exactly as you have dreamed. Picante Catering offers you unforgettable food, stellar service and the experience to walk you through the steps needed to plan your perfect day. Our goal is to help you relax and enjoy your guests - our promise is to surpass your expectations.
ZAIKA RESTAURANT, BAR & LOUNGE
Zaika Restaurant, Bar & Lounge, in the heart of Downtown Berkeley, offers a unique dining experience. Set in the historic Koerber Building which was built in 1923, the restaurant presents authentic cuisine from the Indian sub-continent and a carefully matched wine list - all designed to reflect an ethos of innovation and creativity.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is recognized as one of the industry's premier global wealth management firms.
Epicurean Group is an independent, privately-owned company established in 2003 and based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over 25 years of culinary and dining management experience. We're a fresh face for the 21st Century, specializing in business, campus and fine arts dining plus exquisite catering services.
Mobile tech support services for business or home."Let's make your computer a joy to use!"
We are pleased to have been able to assemble this team of dedicated orthodontic professionals who sincerely care about each patient. They are committed to quality and will make every effort to ensure each visit is a pleasant experience.
The spirit of the Berkeley population is unwavering, and drives the city towards the dynamic, powerful image that it has. The City collectively toes no line, as it rests perfectly with its creative energy and Bear pride. It is no surprise, then, that residents of Berkeley and the Bay Area turn to California Closets for their
storage-related needs.
A traditional Mexican Bakery specializing in Pan Dulce, Tres Leches cakes, Flan, Specialty Coffees, Tortas, Tacos, Burritos and Tamales.
Located in Oakland, we serve a diverse clientele. We have clients from all over the world from every walk of life. And our homes are as unique as the people who live in them.
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems are tested and certified by NSF International to reduce the widest range of contaminants of health concern. Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems are one of the most effective, economical, convenient and reliable home water filters available today. ACT CATERING AND EVENT PRODUCTION ACT Catering is an innovative Catering Company serving the greater Bay Area. We feature the freshest seasonal ingredients of Northern California. The company makes food as exquisite at the Bay Area's finest restaurants; it is matched only by their attentive personal service and expertise. We are pleased to offer the finest cuisine along with excellent service suitable for any event large or small, formal or casual. JAZZCAFFE Opened in 2002 in the Berkeley Jazzschool, Jazzcaffè is a hidden treasure - a little spot of class in the midst of the busy downtown Theater District, right next door to the Jazzschool, Aurora Theatre Company and Berkeley Rep. Originally intended to serve a quick coffee for students and teachers, the cafe has become a gathering place for the great (and soon-to-be-great) of the local jazz scene. I seek to render a unique and honest portrayal of the human story through the moments captured in my lens. It all began with my mom's old Canon camera I found when I was twelve. I discovered it hidden away from days gone by, with a roll of film still inside. I then rounded up my little sisters and dressed them; we had a fashion shoot. Some of the photos from that day are still among my favorites; They capture a sense of personality, spontaneity and beauty that I continue striving for today. Now, many years later, I have never stopped taking photos and telling stories. For story telling is my central focus, whether it be a portrait, a wedding or a film, I strive to tell the story behind the images, moving or still. KAVA MASSIH ARCHITECTS
APPROACHING COMPLETION: Golden Valley Health Centers: Senior Health and Wellness Center, Merced. The 28,000 square foot outpatient building will include several specialty clinics as well as space for administrative and training functions. The project also includes the development of 4.5 acres of existing site including a new central quad and 150 new parking spaces.
BIZ CARE
Our specialty is network services, computer support and IT consulting for the small business owners throughout San Francisco, Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, San Carlos, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Concord, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, San Leandro, Hayward, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
FREIGHT AND SALVAGE
The Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to promoting public awareness and understanding of traditional music - music that is rooted in and expressive of the great variety of regional, ethnic, and social cultures of peoples throughout the world. Nothing draws people together like a shared musical experience, and nowhere is there a more welcoming environment for audiences and musicians to connect than at the Freight. CHRIS E. HECHT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION We are "visionary problem solvers" and quality design/builders. We like to work with people to create an outdoor environment of utility, harmony, and lasting beauty.We design mostly naturalistic gardens, with a specialty in hillside terrain, that is, steep or even very steep grades. Naturalism, whether in a level or sloped area, is often harder to achieve than one might think. We design and build imaginative projects with quality and durability in mind. We believe that good planning and quality construction result in owner satisfaction, and longevity. This means value, when initial cost is averaged over many years. The best-constructed landscape projects last a very long time, and need relatively little maintenance. SIERRA PARK PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCING SIERRA PARK AT QUINCY, the newest development of affordable homes in Quincy, designed and built by Sierra Park Property Development. Choose from six distinct home styles such as The Malham, The Bainbridge, The Gordale, The Aysgarth, The Ingleton or The Helmsley, names derived from the beautiful national forest area of England known as the Yorkshire Dales, a forested area which shares its beauty of majestic pines and crystal clear water falls with its American sister, the Plumas National Forest. NCR PROPERTIESNCR Properties, LLC has a location in Castro Valley. Active officers include Nathan George, Radu Mihaescu and Cheyenne Wu and Joann Wu Revocable Trust. NCR Properties, LLC filed as a Domestic on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in the state of California and is currently active. William E Horwich serves as the registered agent for this organization.The company's line of business includes Real Estate Investments. GROOVE YOGAGroove Yoga is a 100% power yoga studio and we offer power yoga and hot power yoga classes. Our classes are athletic and challenging enough to give the most experienced yogi a workout, but are designed to work magic on even the tightest hamstrings. While your body strengthens, you learn techniques to settle and focus your mind, improve your breathing, and tap into a fundamentally transformative experience. If you're athletic, but have never tried yoga, this is a fantastic place to start. ESSENTIA - NATURAL MEMORY FOAM MATRESSESThe ONLY Natural Memory Foam in the World Designed to be the healthy alternative to conventional memory foams, our petroleum-free foam was developed in-house and is the only natural memory foam in the world. Made from rubber tree sap, our natural memory foam is given its unique feel with organic essential oils, plant extracts and water. Essentia's patented natural memory foam has all the benefits of memory foam but without the all the gunk. NAMASTE MADRAS INDIAN CUISINENamaste Madras Indian Cuisine specializes in authentic South and North Indian dishes made hot and fresh everyday. We have a buffet during the day that includes plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items and a dinner menu at night. KITCHEN ON FIRE Founded in 2005 by seasoned restaurateur and author Olivier Said of Cesar and popular chef instructor and caterer Chef MikeC. of Party Lifestyle, Kitchen on Fire® is located in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto in the Epicurious Garden which is an expansion and continuation of the gourmet cuisine legacy started by Alice Waters at Chez Panisse more than 30 years ago. Our classes offer a range of real skills for entertaining from learning how to throw a party on a budget to uncovering the mysteries of baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie. We also offer kitchen design consulting, corporate teambuilding workshops, in-home classes, classes for kids, private parties and events. INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY RESOURCES Originally ICR's services focused on adults with developmental disabilities and our services were targeted to those folks and their families. Over the years, we began working with seniors, clients of the Department of Labor, and adults with physical disabilities. Recently, we have also begun to serve out-of-state students with disabilities who attend UC Berkeley. It is not very common to find an agency that meets the needs of so many different populations. All services begin and end with the person in need of service. This perspective makes labels irrelevant because the planning process is truly about the person, not his or her diagnosis. LAZ PARKING LAZ is a national parking company, headquartered in Hartford, CT, with regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In existence for over 29 years, LAZ has over 425,000 parking spaces under management in 21 states. VALLEY CREST LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE The nations largest integrated landscape company, we are relied upon to design, build, maintain and enhance unique places of lasting beauty. We have a 60-year reputation for unparalleled knowledge and technical ability,outstanding customer service and retention, relentless execution and true understanding of customer's needs. We routinely transform the everyday into one-of-a-kind environments - whether it's a resort, corporate campus, retail center, master-planned community or the place you call home. AXA ADVISORS In business since 1859, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (formerly The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States), headquartered in New York, NY, is a leading financial protection company and a premier provider of life insurance, annuities and related financial services. AXA Equitable's assets under management totaled $559.9 billion as of December 31, 2010. BERKELEYSIDE Berkeleyside is Berkeley's independently owned local news site. We report on the extraordinary diversity of people, issues, events, food and environment in our city on the Bay. Launched in 2009, Berkeleyside was founded and is produced by three veteran journalists - Lance Knobel, Tracey Taylor and Frances Dinkelspiel - along with a team of community contributors.Our strength is our community and the engaged - and always fascinating - citizens of Berkeley. PREMIER CRU Since 1980, Premier Cru has been offering you some of the world's finest wines at significantly reduced prices. Making great wine experiences available to collectors, connoisseurs, and everyday wine lovers alike. MERCHANT TRUTH Merchant Truth was established in 2011 by Jason Benz. Jason has 12 years of Merchant Services experience. He started Merchant Truth because he felt that business owners weren't being told enough about what they were signing up for and wanted to take a true consultative approach to providing Merchant Services to businesses. At Merchant Truth you will find that all of the fees and charges are explained to you in a way that makes sense. There won't be any confusion. TERRANOVA Impeccably pure fragrancesand natural body care With TerraNova, experience simple, true bodycare for a more beautiful, healthy you. Always made with premium plant ingredients and fresh, evocative fragrances. Trust that you are getting the very best in every bottle.
We are the Pioneers in Elastomeric Waterproof Coatings. Davlin Coatings is a California business established in 1968. We manufacture a complete line of coatings - architectural and industrial - as well as many specialty coatings including the ACRYLASTIC line of waterproof elastomerics.
CARRINGTON COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA
Founded in 1967, Carrington College California offers certificate and associate degree programs designed to help prepare students for a variety of career opportunities in the healthcare, legal and technical fields
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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
by Mark McLeod, Outgoing Committee Chairman
 Mark McLeod is the Executive Director of Sustainable Business Alliance
Report from the Berkeley Chamber's
Committee on Government Affairs
Sept. 12, 2011
Education, economic development, and a healthy business climate and business community are all integrally interrelated.
In light of that, and in honor of the new academic year, the Committee invited two leading Bay Area educators to speak to the question: "What is relevant education in Year 2011?" The two guest speakers were
- Pasquale Scuderi (Principal, Berkeley High School)
- Nicky Gonzalez Yuen (Professor of Politics at Foothill Community College and Trustee of Peralta Community College District)
Here are some paraphrased highlights of the conversation we had with Pasquale and Nicky.
Q: What is your mission?
Pasquale: Teach young people to read, write, count and compute.
Nicky: Teach students the skills they need for effective, creative civic engagement.
Q: How do you develop great teachers?
Pasquale: We believe that teachers who teach in teams are the most dynamic, creative and relevant. It is in this format that teachers can share best practices and constantly learn from each other.
Q: How do you build a relationship between the classroom and the world beyond?
Nicky: In my opinion, the greatest challenge we face as a country is to discover how we can operate sustainably - how we can organize ourselves so that we are providing a healthy world not only for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren. I encourage my students to apply their learning to creating vibrant and sustainable communities.
Q: How has the floundering economy impacted your schools?
Pasquale: The impact has been significant, but has been partially cushioned because we live, fortunately, in a community that is willing to support local bond measures which provide funding to maintain the quality of its public schools.
Nicky: Community colleges have been severely impacted. In the Peralta Community College District, we have had to cut 1,600 sections, to cut 50,000 seats, and to make draconian reductions in faculty. While this may make short-term sense, it makes for long-run disaster.
Q: How can the connection between the business community and the schools be strengthened?
Pasquale: Certainly the Chamber's Scholarship Program is a step in the right direction when it comes to the business community's willingness to participate in preparing students for work and further academic life.
Nicky: On the other hand, the business community and the educational establishments need to engage with each other far more than they currently do. They both need to recognize that they inevitably have a symbiotic relationship. If they are to succeed, they must do so together, and if... (you fill in the blanks).
Thank you, Pasquale & Nicky ..... may we all become smarter and wiser this year .....
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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
by Roland Peterson, Incoming Committee Chairman
Roland is the Executive Director the of Telegraph Business Improvement District (TBID)
Report from the Berkeley Chamber's
Committee on Government Affairs
Monday, October 3, 2011
Highlights of Chief Michael Meehan's comments and responses to questions:
BPD Chief Meehan began his remarks by noting that police budgets are down and that they are in "belt tightening mode." He sees nothing hopeful soon to change that budget picture. He noted that the BPD's budget is 92% people, and they have indeed cut staff over the past two years and may lose more. Five years ago, the department had slightly over 200 officers, and now they are at 168. Administrative support has been reduced as well.
One strong positive that he cited is that complaints are down (from the community, regarding how the police does its job). There was a recent two-month span without a single complaint, and he thought that was amazing. Additionally, he said that written commendations from the public about the work of the department are up.
Chief Meehan noted that overall crime was down 16% in Berkeley. One of his oft-used phrases is "Nothing is good enough." He admitted that this is a hard message for command staff to hear, but he wants the staff to continually push forward to reduce crime.
Chief Meehan then shared his three-point mission for the department:
* Reduce crime
* Treat people respectfully
* We are open, accountable, and ethical The Chief was asked if crime tended to spike upwards during a recession. He replied that the data give conflicting evidence. Usually it is thought that crime goes up in down economic times, but he pointed out that crime was down during the Great Depression. He spoke well of BPD's good relationship with the UCPD. Joint Southside patrols are occurring again this fall on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. He described a number of the problems they are addressing so that the radios and other equipment can communicate cross-departmentally. On the question of bicycle cops, he stressed that they will remain. He said that they have been reduced from 12 to 6 officers, but he would like to do more. Currently they are strictly in the Downtown and Telegraph districts, but would expand them to other parts of the city if he could add more officers to this. Chief Meehan said that he was pleased with his relationship with Berkeley High School and Principal Scuderi. He noted that there are truancy problems, but he expressed satisfaction at the efforts taken to address them. On the question of additional resources that other departments have, he noted that the Berkeley Police Department has neither a dog nor a helicopter. When they do use either one, the department has to "beg" from a nearby department to use either one of those. With a smile, the Chief admitted it's always good to have a "wish list." Thanks Chief! Learn more about GA and upcoming events |
2011 CHAIRMAN'S AWARD WINNERS SPOTLIGHTFrom "How to Eat" to "How to Live"  | |
Chairman's Award winner Mark McLeod & Chairman of the Board Rod Howard
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At the Annual Gala, Mark McLeod and Michael Goldin were each awarded the "Chairman's Award" for the year. Mark McLeod's journey has been via politics to food, back to politics. He studied politics (from Stanford to Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison and finally to UC Berkeley), and went on to teach public policy and public administration at UCB and in the College of Professional Studies, University of San Francisco (1970-2000). Simultaneously, Mark co-owned and managed several Bay Area restaurants, during which time he became intensely aware of the politics of food and the importance of linking these politics with the building of vibrant local living economies (1975-2005). In 2005, Mark became increasingly committed to progressive advocacy in the related areas of urban economic development, smart growth, and the ways in which human beings could respond to rapidly accelerating climate change by the way in which they organized their communities and their lives. Mark has been extremely busy on many community-based efforts, notably the Downtown Berkeley Association (Bd President), American Sustainable Business Council, Business Alliance For Local Living Economies, Buy Local Berkeley, Citizen Advisory Group (for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), East Bay Living Economies Group, Oakland Grown, and, of course the Sustainable Business Alliance, of which he is the Executive Director. But most of you know Mark for his studious and detailed work as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee of the Chamber. Thank you, Mark for a great job well done!!  | |
Chairman of the Board Rod Howard & Chairman's Award winner Michael Goldin.
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Michael Goldin comes to us from Chicago, via Washington Univ, St Louis where he majored in mechanical engineering and obtained his degree in biology - yes - a pre-med guy focused on research and transplants. But then he became engrossed in Chicago's finest 4-star restaurants and the culinary-bug bit him. He left the states and went where to focus on food? Yes, France - where he brushed up on his French at the Sorbonne. And then lived in Switzerland for a year. He came back to Chicago and studied under Leslie Rice ("the Alice Waters of Chicago") and mastered his rustic Italian Provencal French cooking. But while he was in Paris, he was struck that life is more than food, and was drawn to architecture. So, he attended the Art Institute of Chicago for a year and traveled west to Cal, where he obtained his masters in architecture. Needing to feed his food and architecture pursuits, he began developing real estate. At his east/west restaurant site he was involved in every aspect - purchasing the property, financing, design, and, finally in constructing / crafting various components. That led to his live-work creation on 7th Street - Swerve furniture design and fabrication. Currently, he is guiding his design / architectural team through the process of competing for LBNL's 2nd campus, in which he is focused on keeping LBL's building needs in tune with the neighborhood. Michael was a leader of the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee and its Search Committee last fall, which resulted in the hiring of the new co-CEOs. Thank you, Michael for your many hours and dedication!
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Santa Claus at Whole Foods Market Berkeley?
That's right, last Saturday the Big Elf himself made an appearance at Whole Foods Market Berkeley, and some of our members were there to welcome him, and to get their last minute Christmas wishes in!
(Photo, from L to R, Dr. Jay Sordean - The Redwood Clinic, Melanie Mentzel (Ambassador of the Year) - Berkeley Community Media, Saint Nick, Jim Hallock - Community Relations, Whole Foods Market)
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