August 22, 2016 News & Events
Downtown Creeks Plan - Public Meetings Scheduled 

The City of Lafayette Creeks Committee will be presenting the Draft Downtown Creeks Plan to the community/landowners/business owners and various city commissions and committees whose responsibilities are affected by the draft Plan's recommendations over the next few weeks. These are public meetings and anyone interested in the Downtown Creeks Plan is encouraged to attend. The schedule for these presentations is as follows:  
  • TONIGHT, August 22, 7:00 PM, Design Review Commission, Arts & Sciences Discovery Center at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
  • September 15, 4:30 PM, Downtown Street Improvement Master Plan Implementation Committee, Suite 265, Lafayette City Offices, 3675 Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
  • September 28, 5:00 PM, Parking Ordinance Committee, Suite 265, Lafayette City Offices, 3675 Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
The Creeks Committee presentation will typically be scheduled early on the agenda. Please check the City Calendar to confirm the above information as this schedule may change. Following these presentations, the Creeks Committee will consider the comments received by these commissions and committees prior to presenting the Downtown Creeks Plan to the Planning Commission and City Council. Additional information on the Downtown Creeks Plan is available at  www.lovelafayette.org/creeksplan.  Contact Steven Goetz at 925-525-5527 or [email protected] if you have questions on this information.  
Lafayette Chamber
Election Petition for 2017 Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors

Those interested in filing as a candidate for the 2017 Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors should complete the attached form and return to the Chamber by September 15. Board meetings are held monthly on the second Monday at noon. Board members are expected to attend and pay a yearly charge of approximately $330 for their lunch meetings at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa as well as attend a planning retreat typically in early November. Each Board member is required to serve on a standing committee, attend regular committee meetings and help with the work of the committee. To be a successful Chamber, our leadership must be an involved leadership! For more information contact the Chamber office.  
This Month's Sponsor



Premier Members



Quick Links 
Now Scheduling Mixers for 2017

We are now currently scheduling mixer's for 2017. These events are a great way to showcase your business and meet new business contacts. Please email Barbara at [email protected] for dates and details.
Chamber's Business Showcase Area

Have you recently changed your business cards and/or brochures? Added new services or new entrees to your menu? Please bring them in to the Chamber office and we will display in our business showcase area. We have 100's of people coming into our office for meetings and for referrals. We are open Monday-Thursday 9-4:00 pm and Friday 9-1:00 pm. We love to see you!
Please join us in welcoming our newest members!

Welcome 

The Lafayette Chamber welcomed the following businesses from August 15-19. We encourage you to visit their website for more information.

 Home Care Assistance - Home Care / Care Management
Christoph Nauer Coaching
- Business Coaching  
Camp Bow Wow - Diablo Valley
- Pet Services 
 
2016 Lafaette Art _ Wine Festival
26 Days left until the 2016 Lafayette Art and Wine Festival!

Exciting things are coming your way. Check us out on social media - #LafayetteFestival.

Our volunteer committee just met this past week to work on planning details ... thank you Brian Aiello, Kerri Inserra, Chelly Dallara, Suzanne Dudeck, Harriet Davidson, Fred Lothrop, Reid Edwards, Dennis Erokan, Michael Heller, Yolanda Mendoza, Janice Yi, Heidi Holtz, Rebecca Haney, Robin Fox, Michelle Billings, Scott Hampton, Jeremy Steel and Lafayette's Finest Dan Nugent and Cathy Surgess-Moscato. We appreciate your time, insight and efforts!! We cannot make this weekend happen without all of your help.

We still have a few opportunities to get involved. Volunteer for a shift here. If interested in a booth or vendor space contact Sara Regan, Event Director at [email protected] or 925-284-7404.

And as always, please check out the festival website for more specific details.   
BART BART to Host Telephone Town Halls on Rebuilding Plan
 
BART is reaching out to the community to share details of the plan to rebuild our aging system after 44 years of service. This is your chance to hear from BART's General Manager as well as Board Directors.  This will also be a forum for participants to ask questions and give their input on why it's so important to update the system.
 
BART will be holding three different telephone town hall events: one for each county in the BART District. During these meetings, you'll hear from BART's General Manager and Board Directors, as well as input and questions from BART riders about why system reinvestment is so important.  This is your opportunity to add your voice to the mix, and to hear about what's in BART's plan for you and your county.

The town halls will take place at 6:30 pm on the following dates:
Alameda County - Wednesday, August 24th
San Francisco County - Thursday, September 15th
Contra Costa County - Tuesday, October 4th

Register here.  For the live webcast, click here. Choose a date that represents your county and dial the toll-free number 1-877-353-4701 to listen and participate.
MCE
MCE Forum at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church
Sunday, August 28, 2:00PM to 3:30PM, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church - 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette

Are you a Lafayette resident or business owner who is looking to learn more about your future renewable energy options? You're in luck! MCE staff will be hosting a forum in partnership with the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church to provide an in-depth look on how Community Choice Aggregation works and how it is beneficial for your local community and economy. Learn how the City of Lafayette and MCE are addressing climate change and working towards a brighter future! We encourage you to attend and ask questions. This is a public forum and all are welcome. Register here.

 
Community Events and Member Announcements

Monark Warehouse Clearance Event
This weekend, August 25-27, 9am-5pm, 30803 Santana St., Hayward
Monark Premium Appliance is holding a clearance event at their Hayward showroom. Up to 70% off top brand name home appliances. 30803 Santana St., Hayward, CA (510) 401-2068. www.monarkhome.com

Come Together Benefit Show for Concord Vet Center
Saturday, August 27, 7pm-10pm, Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles final concert and support a great cause! Come Together, one of the Bay Area's premier Beatles tribute bands will be playing. $25 at the door. Servicemen and women in uniform admitted free! All proceeds benefit the Concord Vet Center. www.vetcenter.va.gov

Exclusive Offer for Huckleberry Cafe-to-Go
We are excited to announce that our catering business, Huckleberry Cafe-to-Go, has received a makeover that includes a fresh new look, name and menu! Our new name is Huckleberry Kitchen. While our branding has changed, our mission remains the same: we will continue to make culinary dreams come true for adults with developmental disabilities while offering our customers exceptional service and cuisine. Huckleberry Kitchen specializes in making gourmet breakfast and lunch platters, baked goods, and other delicious treats for company functions or special occasions. As fellow Chamber members, our kitchen crew would like to offer you an exclusive 5% DISCOUNT on your first order from Huckleberry Kitchen. Please use code: CHAMBER16 (offer expires August 31). See our full menu here and details about how to order here.

September workshops being offered through the Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center is offering workshops including Finding the Right Franchise Business (Sept. 6) and The 5 Ways Smaller Companies can Become Bigger Companies (Sept. 29) at 300 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill. For a complete schedule and to register, visit ContraCostaSBDC.org.

Alameda County Career Expo
Tuesday, September 13, 9:30am-2:30pm, Zero Net Energy Center, San Leandro
The Alameda County Workforce Development Board invites Lafayette Chamber business members to participate in their First Career Expo on Tuesday, September 13.  For more information visit www.ACCareerExpo.com.

Mobility Matters Annual Raffle
Help support the programs of Mobility Matters including developing a Rides for Veterans program for Lamorinda and surrounding areas. Tickets are $25. Drawing to be held September 24, need not be present to win. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Be sure to also check out the the August Local Events Not to Be Missed!

Happening at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center

All Ears Reading
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 23 & 24, 3:00PM
Children can have fun and practice their literary skills by reading to Gusto, a sweet Lab from ARF's Pet Hug Pack. Gusto is a great listener! Bring your own book or pick up one at the library. For more information click HERE.

Eugene O'Neill Sneak Peek and Birthday Cake for the National Park Service
Wednesday, August 25, 2016, 7:00 PM - 8:00PM  Community Hall
Eugene O'Neill Foundation Artistic Director, Eric Hayes provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Eugene O'Neill Festival productions. The evening includes birthday cake to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. Click HERE to register. FREE
 

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


Upcoming Lafayette Chamber Events


Office Closed for Labor Day Monday, September 5
The Lafayette Chamber Office will be closed for Labor Day, Monday, September 5. We will be open Tuesday, September 6 at 9am.

Lafayette Art & Wine Festival in Downtown Lafayette
The 21st Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival (Music Too!) will be held on Saturday, September 17, 10am-7pm and Sunday, September 18, 10am-6pm. For entertainment schedule, volunteer opportunities and more, visit www.LafayetteFestival.com.

Office Closed for Art & Wine Cleanup Monday, September 19
The Lafayette Chamber Office will be closed on Monday, September 19 for Lafayette Art & Wine cleanup. We will reopen Tuesday, September 20 at 9am.

Social Media Strategies for Local Businesses Workshop - Easy Steps to Create Engaging Social Media Images
Wednesday, September 21, 6pm-7:30pm, Library Homework Center, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
NOTE NEW TIME AND PLACE FOR OUR SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOPS! Join us for Step by Step instructions to create engaging social media images. Regardless of platform, images matter! We will cover free tools and tips for creating social media images others will notice. Workshops are free but space is limited. Reservations recommended. Speaker: Robin S. Fox, Digital Strategist

Coffee with the Mayor
Friday, September 23, 8am, Chamber Office
Join us for Coffee with the City of Lafayette Mayor, Mike Anderson, at the Chamber Office on Friday, September 23 at 8am. Thank you to PG&E for sponsoring. Please park on the street.

Green Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 27, 12 noon, Chamber Office
Join the Lafayette Chambers Green Committee for our September meeting. Please park on the street.

Mixer at Top Shop Auto
Wednesday, September 28, 5:30pm-7:30pm, 3340 Mt. Diablo Blvd., #D
Join us for our September monthly mixer at Top Shop Auto. Bring your business cards!


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 [email protected].

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

Jay Lifson, Executive Director