March 2013 e-Newsletter
Your business
news source
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 Message from the President
The Chamber has had a busy month this month-like many businesses in Laguna Beach, we are preparing for the Patriot's Day parade on Saturday, March 2, 2013. We would love to have you join us-we will march as a group representing the Chamber of Commerce. Remember, this is the event where "half of the town is in the parade, and half of the town is watching." For details, please call the Chamber office.
I mentioned last month a group called NextGen, business leaders of the present and future. The next meeting of this group will be at the Marine Room on March 18 at 6 pm. If you are interested in attending this meeting, show up!
The Laguna Leadership luncheon at which civic and business organizations will talk for a minute teach, will occur on March 12 at 11:30 to 1:00 at the Hotel Laguna. Please call the Chamber office for a reservation.
The Chamber is also selling tickets for the Pageant of the Masters performance on July 5. These tickets are excellent seats-perfect for giving to that valued customer or for taking your family to-and are $75 each. You can support the Chamber and give a gift of a lasting memory with these seats.
On a personal note, we would like to congratulate new Grandmother Kristine Thalman, the Chamber Executive Director. Her grandson, Robert William, arrived on February 23 shortly after midnight. Mom and son are doing well. To those who have seen her lately, Grandma seems shaken!
Finally, we would be remiss in not mentioning to you that one of our members, Laguna Beach Legal, has relocated to 682 North Coast Highway. As most of you know, this company has offered a wide variety of legal document services since 1998. Their website is www.laguna-legal.com.
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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Legacy Award goes to well-known Chamber Figure!
Ask a Laguna local to name a hometown volunteer, and there's a good chance the answer will be Sande St. John. "Sande has personally touched more lives in Laguna Beach than anyone I know," states Laguna Beach Seniors President Emeritus Chris Quilter.
St. John will be presented with the Laguna Beach Seniors Legacy Award for 2013 at this year's Legacy Ball on Friday, March 22, at the Resort at Pelican Hill. The Legacy Award honors individuals having made a lasting contribution to the quality of life in Laguna Beach.
Members of the community are invited to participate in the 7th Annual Legacy Ball on Friday, March 22, at the Resort at Pelican Hill. Proceeds from the Legacy Ball benefit Laguna's Susi Q Center, a 501c3 organization dedicated to programs and services that enhance the lives of seniors in
Laguna Beach.
For more information about the Legacy Ball and the award ceremonies that evening for Sande St. John, please contact Nadia Babayi at the Susi Q Center at 949. 497.2441.
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LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE
Local/Regional
Supervisor Pat Bates (County of Orange)
Report Highlights:
Special Saturday "Passport Day" Planned March 9
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department will join passport offices across the country to present a special Saturday "Passport Day in the USA" on March 9. The passport application office will be open at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
To save time, passport applications can be completed in advance online.
Property Tax Auction
The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector's (TTC) property tax auction is scheduled for Thursday, March 14 at 10:00 AM in the Board of Supervisor's Hearing Room at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana, CA. The list of properties scheduled for auction will be posted on the TTC website one month before the auction.
The Tax Collector annually offers for sale real property located in the County of Orange. The properties offered for sale have become subject to the Tax Collector's Power to Sell due to non-payment of property taxes for five or more years. The TTC is responsible for the administration of these sales pursuant to the provisions of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
Prospective purchasers for the live auction will be required to register. Registration will be held at the TTC offices Wednesday, March 13 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 625 N. Ross Street, Room G-58 Santa Ana, CA.
For more information, please call (714) 834-3411.
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WHY SHOULD YOU BE A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER?
As an institution that has been consistent with its focus, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is your 1st call when doing business in Laguna Beach. The Chamber strives to be the "insurance" that small business and major employers rely upon to provide "back-up" on issues of public interest, media response and provide peace of mind that your "back is covered" by an army of support. One of our key objectives is to make it easier to do business here. We exist because we believe in shaping the business and leadership in this community now and for the future
The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commercie offers a multitude of benefits including:
- LBCC advocates for business and stands ready to assist in maneuvering through the process or access at City Hall
- We are the access point for new businesses who need assistance in developing business plans or start-up information relative to Laguna Beach municipal code and ordinances
- Our new young professionals group, "Next Gen" has a robust agenda to encourage our young leaders to be engaged in civic issues and participate on Council committees or task forces
- We offer member-to-member discounts that includes offers such as reduced advertising rates, landscaping, lighting, legal advice and marketing...to name a few.
- We are the administrative manager of the Community calendar which tracks the myriad of non-profit events in Laguna Beach.
- We are a referral service to residents, visitors and other businesses who are seeking a particular service, restaurant or hotel.
- We offer a multitude of advertising opportunities to get your word out to targeted audiences or the media.
- We will soon provide a data service on commercial lease or purchasing opportunities exclusively available to Chamber members.
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
President-elect, Larry Nokes, Ilse Lenschow and President Mike Kinsman at DRB Member's retirement party
 Chris Keller hosting the "Next Gen" meeting at the Marine Room
Planning Commission Chairman Norm Grossman provided a "Primer" on City Planning at "Next Gen" meeting
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SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE
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As a small business, do you have:
- Fewer than 25 Full time Employees
- Average wages less than $50,000/Year, and
- Pay at least 50 % or more of employees' premium cost for health insurance coverage?
You qualify for a Federal Tax Credit! Claims can start with the 2010 income tax return. Tax credit forms are available at
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Executive Director's Report
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Greetings!
If you know of someone who is interested in opening a business in Laguna or is simply interested in how the process works, I encourage you to attend an Open for Business workshop. The workshop is held at the Community Center in an inviting lounge area around the fireplace in a conversation friendly atmosphere. Interested parties can have an open conversation with Planning Commissioners, city planning staff, the Assistant City Manager, architects, real estate professsionals and of course the Chamber. The last meeting brought record attendance from people interested in opening a business and others who just want to learn. Thanks to Anne Johnson, Planning Commissioner who was one of the main drivers for this idea.
The last workshop was a tremendous success thanks to Tommy Bahama, our host Billy McKee, Carmalite Green and Heinz Hofmann of the Hotel Laguna. Attendees were given gems of information from our customer service experts and left the workshop armed with new wisdom. If you have ideas on subject matters that you feel would be useful to our members, please contact me! Our next workshop is April 26 about "Developing a Marketing Plan." Stay tuned for more information.
As always, if the Chamber can be of any assistance to you or your business, please contact us. We stand ready to help!
Sincerely,
Kristine Thalman,
Executive Director
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
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Tristan Abel - Resident
Aesthetics Consortium
Club Laguna Apartments
Coldwell Banker - Valerie Wallace
Edward Jones - Todd Sandness
Michael Fullen Design Group, Inc.
Gallo Corporation
Gecko Cookie Company
Gladieux Consulting
Heidelberg Cafe & Bistro
Blake Hite
Horst Architects
Sheila Hughes - Resident
Jeanine Marie Luke
Laguna Classic Cars & Automotive Art
Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau
Laguna Numbers
John McInnes - Architect
Monique's Boutique
Nicholas Yrizarry Wealth Management
Omni Online Presence
Prelitz Design
Princess Boudoir
Retail Services & Solutions
Rochelle Rene Designs
Soroptimist International of Laguna Beach
T-Shirt Company
Trendy Surfaces
UPS Store
Ken Wallace Electric - Welcome back!
Whole Foods - Welcome back!
Wine Gallery
Work * Body * Life Balance
Wyland Galleries
Wyland Foundation
Wyland Worldwide, LLC
X and OH
YMCA of Orange County
Yoga Works
Zeda Stone Our Membership is GROWING!!!!
WE ARE OVER 330 MEMBERS STRONG!
Thank You for Joining!
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New California &Federal Employment Posters
DISCOUNT FOR MEMBERS
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The 2013 California & Federal Employment Poster is available through the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce FOR ONLY $20.00 each. This is all the required employer notices on one poster. Includes checklist to ensure poster is displayed according to the law. Available in English & Spanish.
Call (949) 494-1018 to Order
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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, March 5, AND 19, 2013 6pm 505 Forest Avenue
- Design Review Meeting - Thursday, February 28 - 6pm , 505 Forest Avenue.
- MARCH 16, 2013 ; 9:00 A.M - JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION AND DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING
- City Manager Weekly Updates
- Upcoming City Commission Meetings/Events:
Click here for City of Laguna Beach Calendar
DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKSHOP - OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOUR INPUT!
March 20, 20136:30 p.m.City Council Chambers
Transit Facts for Laguna Beach
This is great info! How many Trolleys are there in Laguna Beach?
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 GREEN CORNER Laguna Beach Chamber Environmental Committee
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Environmental Committee, Embracing our Natural Environment.
FUN FACTS!
Want to power your television for three hours? Recycle just one aluminum can.
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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Member Spotlight
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Laguna Beach Books Proprietor Jane Hanauer featured in Coastline Pilot BETTING ON BOOKS.....  2012 Spirit of Laguna Award Winner, Jane Hanauer organizes newly arrived books for shelving. Independent bookstore Laguna Beach Books survives in spite of stiff competition from online retailersREAD FULL STORY
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS!
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Forbes Travel Guide
Montage Laguna Beach Celebrates 10 Years With A Five-Star Award
Hayley Bosch, Contributor
It's a big year for Montage Laguna Beach. Not only does 2013 mark its 10th anniversary, but Montage Laguna Beach is now part of an exclusive group of properties: those that received Five-Star ratings for their hotels, spas and restaurants. What makes this newly minted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel stand out is its location-it sits on 30 lush acres atop a 50-foot bluff in Laguna Beach (between Los Angeles and San Diego). It evokes the days when the seaside town was an artists' colony. The Craftsman-style building features classic wood and stone architecture, crown moldings, copper gutters and a shingle-style roof.
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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" |
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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Community Calendar Available
on Laguna Beach Chamber Website!
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Calling all Non-Profits!!!! We now have a Community Calendar on the Laguna Beach Chamber's website. You can find it on the Events tab at www.lagunabeachchamber.org. For those agencies that would like to put their "signature" events on the calendar, please send your email address to chamberexecutivedirector@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation and invitation to view the Google Calendar. You can then input your events for the year. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact Kristine Thalman to input your events. PLEASE INPUT ONLY SIGNATURE EVENTS and not Committee or Board Meeting information. Make sure to put the Name of your agency as well as the event details.
Click here to go directly to the Community Calendar
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