January 2013 e-Newsletter
Your business
news source
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 Message from the President
Your Chamber has completed one of its most successful years in history, thanks to the efforts of our members and our fine staff and volunteers. Thanks to all who have worked to make 2012 a banner year.
What made it a banner year? A bunch of things-we have a larger membership, thanks in part to adding value to businesses in Laguna Beach. Our Governmental Affairs Committee, headed by Gregg Abel, has worked with the City of Laguna Beach to take steps to make the City a more business friendly place. Although we still have some work to do, we have a good working relationship with the Council and City Staff and good reason to believe that 2013 will be another good one in this arena.
Under the leadership of Larry Nokes (our President-elect for 2013), we canvassed businesses throughout Laguna Beach to talk about the problems of being in business here. That survey, carried on by four interns, was well received both by our members, many of whom contributed to it, and by the City Leadership who will help to carry out many of the recommendations contained in it.
We upgraded our events in 2012, giving members many chances to interact and to talk with other members about business problems and opportunities. Our staff, and particularly our Executive Director Kristine Thalman and her volunteers, are responsible for the excellence of our events.
Finally, we instituted a series of educational seminars in 2012, including seminars on the effective use of social media such as Facebooks and Twitter; and seminars on business security, which included a lot of great ideas for assuring that your business does not get "ripped off."
For 2013, Debbie McDonald and Chris Keller are working to put together a golf tournament, so you golfers should be ready for that.
And in 2013 we are also giving you the opportunity to get a great deal on dues by paying for two years with one January check. If you are a business member pay your check of $295 or more for each of the two years in January, you will get a ticket to the Pageant of the Masters (including dinner) on July 5, the "Chamber night at the Pageant."
As always, if you have ideas of things the Chamber can do that will help you, please contact our office at 949-497-1018 or contact me by email at Michael@Kinsmans.com. We are a service organization, and it's you we serve!
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Visit our Premier Partners
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CITY UPDATES
Business License Renewals On-line
Contractors and businesses that pay a flat rate can now renew their business license on-line through the City's website.
Click link to renew
Flat Rate Business
Contractor
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CLICK HERE TO SEE LISTING OF AVAILABLE PROPERTIES
Searching for Office Retail or Commercial space in Laguna Beach? Check out Cary Glenn's listing of available properties! |
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
Local/Regional
Supervisor Pat Bates (County of Orange)
Report Highlights:
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Trail
The Board approved a trail easement that will provide additional public access between Bommer Canyon and the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, as well as adding another piece to the County's Pacific Ridge Trail.
Though this land was originally granted to the County through several easements from the Irvine Company and the Transportation Corridor Agency in 2003, our OC Parks department waited to pursue the connection until complete public access was available.
As your Supervisor, I have been steadfast in my commitment for additional recreation space and am proud to include this new section in the Fabulous Fifth District.
For more information about our regional trail system, please visit our OC Parks website.
The Riverside Freeway (SR-91) is one step closer to finishing its lane addition project.
Construction crews on the $75-million freeway improvement project this week opened up a new, 6-mile lane in each direction to help reduce congestion during peak hour traffic.
The new general-purpose lanes from Lakeview Avenue to the Eastern Toll Road (SR-241) will improve traffic for commuters driving to and from Riverside and Orange counties.
A new, second eastbound exit at Lakeview Avenue, Imperial Highway and Yorba Linda Boulevard / Weir Canyon Road will help to improve these key interchanges.
Recruitment for Children and Families Commission
The Board of Supervisors has launched a countywide recruitment to fill three positions for the 2013 Children and Families Commission of Orange County. The recruitment is open to new applicants and current members. Applications for these positions will be accepted by 3:00 pm on February 1, 2013.
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Real Value of the Chamber
A national study reveals that membership in the Chamber of Commerce can significantly boost a business' image among consumers
Join Us!
FREE Ad in Business eNews when you join
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JOIN THE CHAMBER! CLICK HERE
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PHOTO CORNER
Hospitality Night!
Record Attendance at one Magical Evening!!!
Santa & Mayor Kelly Boyd
Sandy St. John with Santa's Helper
 Larry Nokes aboard Trolley
Sparky & one of Santa's Helpers! 
Bagpipes Leading Santa down Forest Avenue  Strolling Carolers
 Tyler Russell, Emcee Extraordinaire!
And... the Marimba Band that rocked the House!
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Executive Director's Report
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Happy New Year!I'm excited and eagerly looking forward to 2013! This will be a banner year with regard to membership, programs and events! Our goal this year... 500 members by December 1, 2013! If that comes to fruition, we will be the "biggest little" Chamber in Orange County!Next Member Showcase - Passionate Collector!The Member Showcase events have turned out to be a great member service and are typically combined with our new member reception. It is a great way to showcase your business and target the audience you are trying to reach. Our next event will be held Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 5-7pm at the Passionate Collector at 1294 South Coast Highway. Please call to RSVP by contacting Karen at (949) 494-1018. By now, many of you have already received your renewal notices. Along with the notice, you will receive our new Premier Partnership sponsorship program that is now available for 2013. The values have been enhanced and we hope to increase the number of partners by 100% in 2013. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM Regardless of what you choose, please know that we value and sincerely appreciate your membership. Your Chamber of Commerce is only as strong as its membership!Next Gen Launches in 2013!Headed by Board Director, Aaron Talarico, the new committee, "Next Gen" will be conducting it's inaugural meeting on Monday, January 14 from 6-8pm at Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer. If you are interested, please RSVP to Karen at (949)494-1018. Members and Non-members are invited to this event.Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Kristine Thalman,
Executive Director
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
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Club Laguna Apartments
Edward Jones - Todd Sandness
Michael Fullen Design Group, Inc.
Gecko Cookie Company
Gladieux Consulting
Heidelberg Cafe & Bistro
Horst Architects
Sheila Hughes - Resident
Jeanine Marie Luke
Laguna Classic Cars & Automotive Art
Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau
Laguna Numbers
Monique's Boutique
Nicholas Yrizarry Wealth Management
Omni Online Presence
Princess Boudoir
Rochelle Rene Designs
T-Shirt Company
Wyland Foundation Our Membership is GROWING!!!!
WE ARE OVER 325 MEMBERS STRONG!
Thank You for Joining!
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Guest Column
Tax Laws set to Change in 2013!
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How is the looming Fiscal Cliff affecting your business? by Kevin Cunningham:
Fellow member, There has been much talk in recent weeks about the Fiscal Cliff. This is obviously something that is going to affect all businesses-large and small-and is of particular importance to my business because we are in the business of advising and helping other businesses regarding their payroll. I work for Paychex, one of the largest and most active business service providers in the country. We are fielding questions on a daily basis from our customers about the effects of the "fiscal cliff" on business. I'd like to share some of the answers we are giving: What is the fiscal cliff?
In this world of perfect storms, the fiscal cliff is exactly that. The Bush Tax cuts, which were an economic stimulus to business and the economy in general, will expire at the end of 2012. In addition, a number of the "Obamacare" tax increases will first be felt in 2013. Finally, the 2 percent payroll tax cut will expire at the end of 2012. All of that was antipated by Congress, which earlier in the year "kicked the can" down the road by agreeing to a series of draconian spending cuts if they could not resolve the budget crisis. In what has to be a surprise (not), Congress has not yet been able to agree on revenue raisers or spending cuts.
They have run out of time, and are now facing a problem of their own making. Business as usual is not possible, and we have reached the edge of the chasm called "The fiscal cliff."
How will it affect business? It is clear that your taxes will go up. Personal income tax rates are scheduled to increase by about three percentage points in each bracket. That's three dollars you, and your customers, will not have to spend out of each dollar they make. And that's only the federal effect on income taxes. In addition, there are increases scheduled to be five percentage points on long term capital gains (the old rate was 15 percent federal); a nearly four percentage point increase on taxes on "unearned" income for the more well to do Americans; increases in California sales taxes; and an increase in the federal payroll tax of two percentage points. In short, nearly every tax will increase. This will not have a stimulating effect on the economy. How will it affect my business? Clearly, business in general is going to be under pressure in early 2013 because of the extra taxation. Business is likely to be depressed because customers don't have as much money to spend and because of the uncertainty in the economy. Some tax credits will expire, so business taxes will go up
Equally importantly, your employees will need to increase their withholding taxes so that they are not under-withheld for their 2013 taxes. That problem is exacerbated by the fact that the IRS has not released its withholding tables for 2013 yet.
As Michael O'Toole of the American Payroll Association has said, companies not using a payroll processing service are going to have more problem with incorrect withholding than anyone else, and may end up paying penalties for underwithholding.
Can you help? Please contact me, your fellow chamber member and local payroll consultant for more information. 2013 is bringing on many changes as it relates to payroll and tax liabilities. Please plan ahead and take advantage of the new calendar year. I wish you the best in 2013!!!
Best regards,
Kevin Cunningham
Payroll Consultant
kcunningham1@paychex.com
949-375-7333
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City Square
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This section of the Business E-News is designed to keep our members informed about upcoming city initiatives, business development and changes in city policies or regulations.
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Upcoming Meetings:
- City Council Meeting - Tuesday, January 15 & 29, 6pm 505 Forest Avenue
- Design Review Meeting - Thursday, January 10 - 6pm , 505 Forest Avenue.
- City Manager Weekly Updates
- Upcoming City Commission Meetings/Events:
Click here for City of Laguna Beach Calendar
ALERT OC - BUSINESSES URGED TO REGISTER!
Emergencies can happen at any time. A wildfire could spread or an unexpected flood closes roads. Be prepared and in the "know" by registering your business and/or resident contact information with AlertOC so that the City can notify you of potential disasters and timely methods of disaster preparedness. You can register by logging onto www.AlertOC.com.
For further information, please contact Jordan Villwock At (949) 497-0701 or email jvillwock@lagunabeachcity.net.
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 GREEN CORNER Laguna Beach Chamber Environmental Committee
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Environmental Committee, Embracing our Natural Environment
The New Year is here, so it's a good time to renew your commitment to making more sustainable choices for 2013.
"Say No" to single-use plastic shopping bags in Laguna Beach. Bringing your own reusable shopping bags is one
of the simplest changes you can make to help the environment. Plastic bags litter the landscape, clog waterways, pollute our ocean and endanger wildlife, and take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Single use plastic bags are recyclable and out of billions of bags in circulation, only a small percentage is recycled.
Remember the Laguna Beach disposable bag ordinance goes into effect on Tuesday, January 1, 2013.
The purpose is to reduce the spread of plastic bag litter
to the local environment and ocean. Local retailers, grocery stores, pharmacies, drug stores, convenience marts and liquor stores will be required to only provide recycled paper bags or reusable bags to customers. The ordinance will also require most of those businesses to add a 10-cent pass-through for every recycled paper
bag distributed to their customers. The stores will keep the 10 cents for their own use. For more information regarding the ordinance visit www.clbwq.net.
Stay engaged with the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee for environmental education, environmental legislation and economical environmental solutions -your first call for water, energy and waste solutions for business.
Michelle Clark
Environmental Committee Chair
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SCORE - FREE CONSULTATION for Small Business Start-ups!
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Starting a Business?? Not sure where to start? Overwhelmed by government paperwork? Free consultations given at the Chamber office.
Call Jack Curtis at (714) 550-7369 or Jack.Curtis@SCORE114.org
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS!
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 Board Past President, Chris Keller, get's front page billing on OC Register's Business Section! Chris Keller was featured as one of fourteen "Game Changers" for Leadership in Orange County. The OC Register's Business Section of the Monday, December 31, 2012 edition sited Chris as one of the 14 leaders who made significant contributions to the Orange County Business landscape in 2012! READ FULL ARTICLE HERE!
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Laguna Beach Chamber Supports 3/50 Project to Encourage Residents to SHOP LOCAL!!!!
| |  The "3/50 Project" is a campaign to save the brick and mortar small businesses our nation was built on. This national effort is encouraging local spending to help save your local economy.
The web site declares that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.
To read more about the "3/50 Project" |
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GLENNWOOD FUNDRAISER EVENT SLATED FOR FEB. 2 !!
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SIGN UP FOR GREAT SEATS AT THIS YEAR'S CHAMBER NIGHT AT THE PAGEANT!
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Don't wait until June to purchase your premier tickets to one of the year's best events! This is the first performance of the year and includes dinner with your ticket. July 5, 2013...Only $75/Person for an amazing evening! Makes a great gift for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grads and more!
Advanced purchase your tickets early to insure great seats! Contact Karen at (949) 494-1018 to purchase today!
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