June 27, 2016 News & Events
Lafayette Chamber's Young Professionals Present Cyber Security for the 21st Century & Best IT Practices
Tuesday, June 28,  5:30pm-7pm, Lafayette Chamber Conference Room

Grant Stubblefield (fellow Young Pro member & owner of Neighborhood Computers) will be our speaker/presenter for our June meetup. The topic of the night will be "Cyber Security for the 21st Century", and will touch on topics such as (but not limited to) passwords, updates/patching, phishing scams, and other technology security threats. Learn more here.
Green LogoGreen Committee Open Meeting
Tuesday, June 28, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Lafayette Chamber Conference Room

Join us for the Green Committee Open Meeting at 12pm (noon) at the Lafayette Chamber Conference Room. Please park on the street.
Flag and fireworks Lafayette Chamber Office Closure for 4th of July Holiday
Monday, July 4 through Friday, July 8

The Lafayette Chamber office will be closed for the Independence Holiday the week of July 4. We will reopen Monday, July 11 at 9am.
Welcome to our Newest Member! 

Welcome
 
 The following business has joined the Lafayette Chamber during the week of June 20 - June 26, 2016. We encourage you to visit their website to learn more about their services.

Jetsuite X - Aircraft Charter
  
This Month's Sponsor
Advertise in the Official Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
Lafayette Art _ Wine Festival



Premier Members



Quick Links 
Make Music Day 2016
A big thank you to everyone who came out on a very warm day to celebrate Lafayette's 1st Annual Make Music Day!

Huge kudos to Jay who was able to bring The Big Jangle band to the Plaza Park to play for our first ever LIVE Karaoke event. We clearly have tons of untapped talent here in Lafayette, as those who took to the mic were fabulous!

The Lamorinda Music Ukulele Club also entertained us in the Plaza while Lafayette Parks and Recreation's Camp Awesome crew helped with crafts, Norma from Lafayette Rotary gave out free popcorn, Lamorinda Music helped give mini-lessons on trombone and ukulele, and NCL volunteers helped to setup and keep things running smoothly.

We applaud all of the musicians who volunteered their time to provide live music to restaurants and senior living centers all over town, as well as the restaurateurs who stepped up to participate in Make Music Day in Lafayette! Watch the videos on Facebook!

Make Music Day was co-sponsored by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Lamorinda Music.
Capital Advantage Thank you for joining us at our June Monthly Mixer at Capital Advantage, Inc.

We had a great gathering for our June mixer last Wednesday at Capital Advantage, Inc. located at 3708 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 200.  Good food and lots of attendees! We were wowed by owner John Hyman and his fantastic team!
Rock the Plaza 2016 - Lamorinda Idol Finalists Lamorinda Idol Closed Out Rock the Plaza 2016 Friday Night

Awesome community event! Thank you to Lamorinda Arts Council for sharing their finalists. Thanks to NCL and Boy Scout Troop 200 for helping us set up the Plaza. Thanks to the Lafayette Rotary for running the concession stand and arranging for Sara the Balloon Lady. Thanks to Lafayette Park and Rec Department and Camp Awesome for providing all the kid's games. And thanks to our Chamber vendors for sharing the night with us ... KKDV, STAT MED, Orangetheory Fitness and MCE.
Celebrate July 4th in Lamorinda!

Orinda 4th of July Parade 2016
The Orinda Association invites you to enjoy the 4th of July starting with a 7:30am Pancake Breakfast, 8am Haley's Color Run for a Reason, 9am Book Sale. The Parade will begin at 10:00am followed by a Southside Party at 11am and Party in the Park at 11:30am. For parade route and more information click here.

Town of Moraga Fourth of July Celebration
Start the morning off with the Kirsten Buckley Fun Run to support Campolino athetic teams. Pancake Breakfast at the Commons starts at 8:00am. Booths in the Commons from 9am-1pm, activities, food, music and more all afternoon. Fireworks estimated start time is 9:30pm. For more information click here.
Leadership Contra Costa is Accepting Applications

Sponsored by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Contra Costa (LCC), the Bay Area's premier countywide leadership program, accepts 25-30 individuals from throughout the county with diverse backgrounds to participate in the program. LCC is geared to people who want to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work. Topics include Health and Aging, The Price of Justice, Business and the Economy, Environment, Education, Technology, Government and Politics, and Housing and Transportation. As the Leadership Contra Costa program enters its 30th year, they are now accepting applications. To apply, click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about the program, please contact Marcie Hochhauser, Senior Vice President of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at (925) 934-2007 or send her an email.
Lafayette Festival 2016 Countdown continues ... 81 days and counting down until the 2016 Art and Wine Festival!
 
We are mapping out the footprint this summer for our spectacular fall event. We are trying to anticipate your every need:  Hungry - we have 7 food trucks, 6 food vendors and 20 restaurants all within the festival footprint.  Thirsty - we have 10 wine booths and 9 beer booths (one of each still available).  Art - we have it all!  18 local artists in the Local Artist Alley and another 180 Art and Craft Vendors coordinated by our partner, Eckerstrom Productions. Entertainment - we have 4 stages filled with a variety of music all day each day. See our festival website for more details.
Chamber goes Deep Green with MCE

On January 25, 2016, the City Council passed Resolution No. 2016-02 stating that the City intends to join MCE. Once entered into the program, service will likely begin in September. Rates will vary depending on rate schedules, program choice, and rate adjustments.  Each resident or local business will have a choice of service or the ability to "opt out" and stay with PG&E.  Light Green is the default program that currently enrolls you in a 50% + renewable source.  To be enrolled in Light Green you do not need to take any action.  This level is currently 50% renewable and 63% carbon free.  You can also choose to go Deep Green which is 100% Renewable.  To enroll in the Deep Green program please enroll online or call 1 (888) 632-3674. The average increase in cost to a residential customer is about $5.00 a month.

The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors supports this new citywide program and has agreed to give an early endorsement and go 100% Renewable.  

MCE IS SCHEDULED TO REDUCE ITS RATES BY 9% ON AVERAGE, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016. Based on these rates, the cost of MCE Light Green 50% renewable energy service will be slightly less than the cost of PG&E 30% renewable energy service for typical residential and commercial customers. For more information click here.

 
Community Events and Member Announcements

Moving Made Easy! Thursday, June 30, 11am-12pm
Join Merrill Gardens in Lafayette on Thursday, June 30, 11am-12pm for a fun and informative presentation on how to make your next move your best move! Speaker Greg Gunderson is the owner and president of Gentle Transitions and a respected specialist in the art of senior relocation. RSVP to (925) 299-6912. Merrill Gardens Lafayette is located at 1010 Second Street. merrillgardens.com

Nominate a Volunteer for Diablo Magazine's 2016 Threads of Hope Awards  - Deadline is Thursday, June 30 
Do you know an outstanding volunteer who deserves to be recognized? Diablo magazine is now accepting nominations for Diablo magazine's 2016 Threads of Hope Awards, which honor individuals who help strengthen the fabric of the community. They are looking for outstanding East Bay volunteers of all ages who provide vital services in a variety of fields, including but not limited to, the arts, youth, children and families, education, health, the environment, and athletics. To nominate visit www.diablomag.com/threads. The ballot closes on June 30.

AC5 Seeks New Arts Recognition Award - Deadline is Tuesday, July 5
The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County is seeking a new Arts Recognition award. This award honors individuals and art organizations whose work has had a significant impact in Contra Costa County. AC5 is seeking an artist from Contra Costa County to design and create an original art piece that can be duplicated. Deadline is Tuesday, July 5. For more information, contact staff@AC5.ccCounty.us.

TechKnow - The Digital Marketing Guide for Business, June Issue
BlastMyBiz has been the leading small to medium sized business marketing service in the Bay Area for over six years. They help businesses connect with more customers online and on mobile. View their June issue here (PDF) or visit www.BlastMyBiz.com.

Come and Play on July 4th with the Orinda Volunteer Marching Band!
This year the Orinda Volunteer Marching Band will be marching in honor of Mic Gilette. All levels of musicians are welcome. Percussion practice starts are 8am, all others 9am, march starts at 10am. Meet at Casa Orinda on July 4th wearing blue pants/shorts and white shirt. For more information call Lamorinda Music at (925) 385-0963.
 

Be sure to also check out the the June Local Events Not to Be Missed!
Happening at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center has various on-going programs including Storytime, Book Clubs and T'ai Chi. Check out their on-going events on their calendar here.


Lafayette Library
Always check out the latest events at www.LLLCF.org and follow LLLC on Facebook and Twitter.

Upcoming Lafayette Chamber Events

Coffee with the Police Chief / Business Issues Forum
July 22 @ 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Join us for Coffee with the Police Chief / Business Issues Forum on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 8:00am in the Chamber Conference Room. Thank you to PG&E for sponsoring. This meeting is open to everyone. Please park on the street.

Green Committee Open Meeting
July 26 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join us for the Green Committee Open Meeting at 12pm (noon) at the Lafayette Chamber Conference Room. Please park on the street.

Ribbon Cutting at BevMo!
Thursday, July 28, Exact Time to Be Announced
You are invited to join the Lafayette Chamber and BevMo! for their "sabering" of a ceremonial bottle of champagne on Thursday, July 28, at their new store at 3590 Mt. Diablo Blvd. This is where BevMo! will cut a bottle of champagne with a large sword (don't worry, it sounds much more dangerous that it is) to signify the store's christening. We would be honored to have you join us for the debut of this exciting new location for BevMo! Grand opening/ribbon cutting. The exact time will be announced soon.

MEGA MIXER at Pleasant Hill Community Center
Thursday, July 28, 5:00pm-7:00pm
The Lafayette Chamber will be one of many local area chambers attending the Mega Mixer on Thursday, July 28, 5pm-7pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill. Delicious appetizers provided by participating Chamber members, incredible networking opportunities, bring a raffle prize and showcase your business! Register here.


If you'd like to receive a text message reminder about upcoming Lafayette Chamber events, email your full name and cell phone number to Sara at sara@lafayettechamber.org.

What's happening at the Lafayette Chamber? View our Events Calendar.

Jay Lifson, Executive Director