September 20, 2016 News & Events
The Lafayette Art & Wine Weekend Was a Big Success Thanks to... 

BMW The village was built! The crowd came, the wine and beer were flowing, the kid zones were packed, the artists' work was outstanding, the booths dazzled, the food vendors and restaurant offerings were delicious, the free water stations were appreciated and the bike valet was packed ... despite the souring temperatures. We thank you one and all for your support and effort. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked to help make the event such a huge success from setup to take down and everything in between:

This event was a huge team effort by so many so please let the credits roll ...

Thanks to our generous sponsors! We appreciate the support.  Sungevity, Xfinity, La Fiesta Square, BMW Concord, Yelp, Mechanics Bank, Cobain Orthodontics, Eckerstrom Productions, MCE Clean Energy, Diablo Foods, JetSuiteX, Merrill Gardens, Sutter Health, BART, Oakwood Athletic Club, Whole Foods, Lafayette Park Hotel and Spa, Rotary Lafayette, Special Events, Red House, JV Lucas Paving, Minuteman Press Lafayette, Cresco, EBMUD, C&M Party Props, CERT, Chevron, Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, Diablo Rapid Print, Central-Self Storage, Bank of the West, Mangia Ristorante, Hank and Frank's Bike Valet, Backyard Carnivals, AMR, Sequoia Signs, Wine Thieves, Lamorinda Theatre Academy, Republic Services, Alice 97.3, 92-1 KKDV, Section925 Podcast, Lamorinda Weekly, Lamorinda Presents, and Lamorinda Web.

Thank you to the beer and wine sponsors for greeting and serv
ing our guest so well. Alain Pinel Realtors, Blodgett's Floor Covering, Pacific Union Real Estate, Forma Gym, J Rockcliff - Larry Williams Office, Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, Floor Coverings International, Leap Frog Plumbing, Anderson Movers, Mechanics Bank, Dudum Real Estate, Lamorinda Gives Back, Hank & Frank Bikes, Very Nice Pools, REMAX, J Rockcliff - Jones and Duson Team, Village Associates, Lace & Bustle Bridal, JV Lucas Paving, Bay Sotheby's, Manor Care Health Services, Karen Richardson Group, Ironstone Vineyards, Dr Julia Lee, DDS, Winning Ways, LLC, Lamorinda Wine Growers and Wine Thieves.

Thank you to our volunteers who brought smiles and hands to help us this past week. From prep, to set-up, to festival activities, to take down and everything in between - you are the heroes who help the festival be such a success: Bank of the West Staff, LPIE, Lamorinda Gives Back Organization, NCL Acalanes Chapter, Boy's Team Charity, Boy Scout Troop 212, GSE Global Student Embassy, Acalanes Cheerleaders, Campolindo Water Polo Parents Club, Artemis Rowing, Acalanes Class Parents 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, LIA Lafayette Improvement Association, Lafayette Youth Art Society, Acalanes Key Club, Art for Change, Autism Speaks, Kathe and Walter Nelson, Jacques Bernou, Kathy and Mike Merchant, Phil Remotto, Logan MacDonald, Drew Cirelli, Christina Vaccarro,  Jonathan Crain, Sierra Regan, Carrie Lifson, James McDonald, April French, Grace Paolini, St Perpetua, Buddy and Roni Brodwin, Mo Levich, Stacy Spell and Norma Evans.

As always, thank you to our Premier Sponsors for their continued support of all of our programs and services to the Lafayette Community: Diablo Foods, Douglah Designs, Mechanics Bank, Oakwood Athletic Club and Wells Fargo Bank.

And our hats our off to our 2016 Volunteer Committee, Chamber Board of Directors and the Lafayette Police Department for all of the extra time and effort that were generously given. You are amazing!!

Finally, mark your calendars now ... The 2017 Art and Wine Festival will be September 16-17th.   
This Month's Sponsor
Lamorinda Villate



Premier Members



Quick Links 
Social Media Workshops
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.  
Mark Mitchell

Coffee with the Mayor
Friday, September 23, 8am, Chamber Office

Join us for Coffee with the City of Lafayette Mayor, Mark Mitchell, at the Chamber Office on Friday, September 23 at 8am. Topics may include the Sales Tax Campaign, November Ballot issues, Downtown Congestion Plan, Review of Parking Committee Recommendations, Downtown Creek Plan and more. Thank you to PG&E for sponsoring. Please park on the street. 
Please join us in welcoming our newest members!

Welcome 

The Lafayette Chamber welcomed the following businesses from
September 12-September 19.
We encourage you to visit their website for more information.  

 Prosperity Financial Group, Inc. - Financial Services & Planning
AT&T - Lafayette - Cellular Phone Services / Repair
Cambiati Wellness Programs - Health Food / Nutritional Supplements
Oakmont Mortuary - Cemetery
Onelawn - Landscape Design / Construction / Services
 
Green LogoGreen Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 27, 12 noon, Chamber Office

Join the Lafayette Chambers Green Committee for our September meeting. Please park on the street.
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.  
  • 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.  
Top Shop Auto 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!

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the new Funeral Center at Queen of Heaven Cemetery
Saturday, October 1, 11am, Queen of Heaven Cemetery & Funeral Center, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette

Please join us October 1 to celebrate the Grand Opening of Queen of Heaven Cemetery's new Funeral Center.  Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ Celebrant, will be celebrating Mass beginning at 11am followed by a ribbon cutting.  Afterward, there's a walk-through to see our lovely new addition followed by light refreshments. Receive a bottle of Bishop's Vineyard Wine upon registration to commemorate your visit.  We look forward to welcoming you.  Queen of Heaven Cemetery & Funeral Center, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, CA  94549. Call (925) 932-0900 or visit www.cfcsOakland.org/events to register.

EBMUD Diablo Vista Pumping Plant Construction Update Fall 2016

Pumping Station
EBMUD thanks you for your continued patience as we work to upgrade the Diablo Vista Pumping Plant for continued reliability of your water infrastructure. Work continues on the new pumping plant located at the corner of Mount Diablo Blvd. and Mount Diablo Ct. This work will continue into the summer of 2017. Once the structure is complete, systems will be tested and it will be placed online to pump water to your community. The old pumping plant will then be taken out of service and demolished and a new City parking lot will be constructed in its place.

As part of the project, new 30-inch diameter distribution pipe is currently being installed on Mount Diablo Blvd. to serve the new pumping plant. Expect lane closures and traffic shifts, in phases, along Mount Diablo Blvd. through October 2016. Flag persons have been stationed on Mount Diablo Blvd. to ensure the safety of crews and the public during intensive project-related work activities and deliveries. Please heed reduced speed limits and no parking signs and allow some additional time for your regular commute.

If you have any questions about the Diablo Vista Pumping Plant replacement Project, please contact Sharla Sullivan, [email protected] or call (510) 287-7208. To learn more about the project, please visit www.ebmud.com/construction and scroll to Lafayette. If you have questions about the unrelated Lafayette Park Terrace development project that is taking place at the end of Mount Diablo Ct., Please contact Larry Babli, [email protected] or (408) 677-2977.
Lafayette Reservoir Run 2016
Sign up Now for the Lafayette Reservoir Run 
Sunday, October 30, 2016

The 24th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run will be held Sunday, October 30, 8am in Downtown Lafayette. The Lafayette Reservoir Run is a Fun Halloween Event - Wear Your Costume for the 2 Mile Fun Run at 8am, 5K Run at 8:30am, 10K Run at 8:45am or Family Bicycle Ride at 9:30am. Also enjoy the Kid Zone, Live Music and Healthy Lifestyles Fair. This event supports local education.
Help your school qualify for early bird credit! Sign up now for the 24th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run! Volunteer opportunities now available at http://bit.ly/res-run-volunteer-2016Learn more here.   
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 next town hall will take place at 6:30 pm on Contra Costa County - Tuesday, October 4.

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.
 
Community Events and Member Announcements

College Financial Planning Workshop
Tuesday, September 20, 6:30pm-8pm, Acalanes High School
Assemblywoman Catharine Baker is hosting a College Financial Planning Workshop today, Tuesday, September 20 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Acalanes High School.  We will be joined by the California Student Aid Commission and the College Funding Coach who will be discussing the different approaches to paying for college. The workshop applies to parents of students of all ages - from K through 12. RSVP to (925) 328-1515.

The Ask Asha! Podcast Release
Ask Asha! is a podcast for aspiring entrepreneurs, nonprofits and small business owners. It will provide quick legal updates and interviews with business owners and entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Topics range from forming a business to hiring employees and everything in between. The first episode has been released! Check it out on the The Wilkerson Law Office Blog. Archives of all the episodes will be uploaded here. Look out for podcasts discussing entrepreneurship, relationships and business in Cuba this month! Learn more here.

Candidates and Issues Night sponsored by the Lafayette Homeowners Council - ALL WELCOME!
Thursday, September 22, 7pm-10pm, Lafayette Community Center, Jennifer Russell Building, 500 St. Mary's Road
The Lafayette Homeowners Council is sponsoring a Candidates Night, including an initial, brief, Annual Meeting, on Thursday, September 22, at 7pm in the Jennifer Russell Building of the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Speaking and participating in Q and A will be candidates for Lafayette School District Board of Governors and the Lafayette City Council. 

CASA of Contra Costa County - Bring Positive Change to a Child in Foster Care!
Friday, 9/23, from 12:30pm-2pm; Monday, 10/17, from 6:30pm-8pm; Wednesday, 10/19, from 12:30pm-2pm
A child in foster care longs for a safe and loving family like no one else. As a CASA volunteer, you are empowered by the courts to help make this dream a reality. Bring positive change to a child in foster care. And in doing so, change your life as well. Sign up to attend one of our Informational Sessions to learn more.  
 
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.

Brighter Beginnings' 9th Annual Playing Together for a Brighter Beginning Tennis Tournament & Dinner Auction
Saturday, September 24, Registration 2pm, Dinner 6:15pm, Moraga Country Club
Spots are filling up fast, don't miss this chance to support important services for vulnerable children and families in the East Bay. Brighter Beginnings has been meeting the needs of families in Alameda & Contra Costa Counties for over 30 years now. Last year, we provided services to over 5,200 individuals in the areas of healthcare, early childhood development, teen family support, and community strengthening. This year, we expect to serve over 6,000 individuals in the Brighter Beginnings Family Health Clinics alone. Be a part of our work in ensuring the best health outcomes for at-risk families by joining us on September 24th at the Moraga Country Club. Purchase tickets here.

Managing Employees in the Restaurant & Retail Industries: Regulations & Best Practices
September 26, Cal State East Bay, Montclair Room, 1000 Broadway, Suite 109, Oakland
Calling Restaurant and Retail Business Owners!
The Wilkerson Law Office will be hosting a seminar with the Alameda County Small Business Development Center to help business owners navigate the maze of federal, state and local regulations while creating a robust and positive working environment. Topics will include: The rules regulations that apply to your workforce. Developing and maintaining operations that work within these parameters. Creating a high functioning operation with goal setting, accountability and responsibility. This seminar is FREE to attend! Sign up today!

Meet & Greet at Merrill Gardens
Thursday, September 29, 4pm-6pm
Join the team at Merrill Gardens at Lafayette for a reception to welcome our new General Manager, Rosa Campbell. We will be serving light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres in our beautiful roof top garden. www.merrillgardens.com
 
Lafayette Rotary Golf Classic
Monday, October 3, 10am, Rossmoor Golf Course
The Lafayette Rotary Golf Classic at the Rossmoor Golf Course is sponsored by Lafayette Rotary and will be held on October 3, 2016. Registration will open at 10am with use of the driving range. The event will begin at 12pm with a shotgun start and a box lunch. Proceeds from The Lafayette Rotary Golf Classic are used to support a variety of charities in the San Francisco Bay Area and internationally. The tournament concludes at 4:30pm and participants can join us for cocktails and then dinner. To register, click here

Character Builder Awards
Saturday, November 12, Rossmoor Event Center, 1021 Stanley Dollar Drive, Walnut Creek
On Saturday, November 12, 2016, The First Tee of Contra Costa will be hosting our third annual Character Builder Awards dinner & Concert at Rossmoor Event Center, the Tahoe Room.  We will be honoring nine adult leaders whose values anchor our community, as well as nine youth who represent our "Nine Core Values" of Respect, Courtesy, Responsibility, Honesty, Sportsmanship, Confidence, Judgment, Perseverance, and Integrity. We are looking for businesses to help us make this the best Character Builder Awards for our participants, their families and our coaches. We have several ways in which a business can help us.  The first is to be a sponsor, the second is by buying an Ad, and the third is by donation. A donation can be anything from money to free items or services that we can use in our auction we have during this event. Contact Wendy B Jones at (925) 446-7701 or [email protected] for more information.

VOTING is NOW open for the Local Happenings Magazine 2017 Local's Choice Awards!
You can now nominate and vote for your favorite businesses in Napa, Solano and Contra Costa Counties in our annual Local's Choice Awards. Voting will be open until Sunday, December 11. The winners will be announced in our February/March 2017 edition. You can nominate AND vote for your favorites. Vote here.

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

Contra Costa Master Gardeners: What Went Wrong in Your Garden? (& How to Fix it)
Tuesday, September 20, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Arts & Science Discovery Center
Experts from the Contra Costa Master Gardeners talk about common vegetable growing problems and how to correct them. For more information click HERE.

Preserve Your Independence Protect Your Assets
Wednesday, September 21, 1:00-2:15 PM, Homework Center
This free program informs seniors, their families, and the community about estate planning, laws and resources protection against common scams, as well as prevention strategies to combat financial elder abuse and fraud. The presenting attorney is authorized by the Educating Seniors Project of the Trusts and States Section of the State Bar of CA. To register click HERE.

Social Media Strategies: Easy Steps to Create Engaging Social Media Images
Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Homework Center
Social media strategies for local businesses. Fall Workshop Series: Step-by-Step! Regardless of platform, images matter! We will cover free tools and tips for creating social media that others will notice, LIKE and share. Speaker: Robin S. Fox, Digital Strategist. To register click HERE.

World Affairs Council presents The Syrian Uprising Five Years On: The Ba'thi Regime Strikes Back
Thursday, September 22, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Library Community Hall
Speaker: Fred H. Lawson, Professor and Head of Government Department, Mills College. Events on the ground in Syria have changed dramatically as the civil war moves into its sixth year. The stage is set for a pivotal battle to control Aleppo, as well as a reconfiguration of the various radical Islamist movements struggling against
Ba'thi rule. Fred H. Lawson is a professor and head of the government department at Mills College. A former Fulbright lecturer in Syria, Lawson is the author of several books and articles on Mid East affairs. For more information visit worldaffairs.org or call (415) 293-4601 or click HERE.

Lafayette Library & Learning Center hosts NASA exhibit celebrating the Science of Light Panels
On Exhibit through Friday, September 23, Library Open Space
LIGHT: Beyond the Bulb is an open-source international exhibition that showcases the incredible variety of light-based science being researched today across the electromagnetic spectrum, and across scientific disciplines and technological platforms. The exhibit materials and striking images were crowd-sourced and expertly curated for science content, high-quality printability, stunning beauty, and ability to engage wide audiences. This exhibit is on loan to us from our friends at NASA. Features 12 exhibit panels throughout the entire library focusing on the science of light. The exhibit is free and open during normal library open hours.  More information on this exhibit can be found at: www.lightexhibit.org.

Distinguished Speaker Series Presents Leslie McGuirk The Power of Mercury
Friday, September 23, 7:00PM, Library Community Hall
In her new book The Power of Mercury, author Leslie McGuirk explains how Mercury oversees our intelligence, mind and memory, and impacts our ability to listen, speak, write, and negotiate. With equal parts humor and practicality, McGuirk reveals the mysteries of Mercury Retrograde, and offers advice on how to flourish during this period. For more information, visit HERE.

Architects Cafe Series
Saturday, September 24, 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, Lafayette Library, Community Hall
With the monthly Architects Cafe Series, Marvin Design Gallery brings the best architects and designers together to offer free one-on-one appointments to the public. Just bring   your building plans, projects or ideas and sit down for a personal consultation with a member of the team while enjoying coffee and small bites. This is one of the best opportunities to ask a professional what you always wanted to know about remodeling   and design, and especially about windows and doors. Appointments available at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, or 10:30 AM. Presented by Marvin Design Gallery by Truitt and White Admission is FREE. For more information: www.truittandwhite.com/events. Or contact Christine Thatcher, [email protected], (925) 260-9999.

Savvy Social Security Planning for BOOMERS
Saturday, September 24, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Arts & Science Discovery Center
What You Need to Know to Maximize Your Retirement Income. Bring your questions and join us at this FREE educational workshop, which will cover the essential information on Social Security planning for couples, singles, divorced and widowed Boomers who are concerned about their financial security in retirement.  
Register now - seating is limited. Call 925-283-2733,  Email [email protected] or visit www.jeff-stark.com.

Gold Coast Chamber Players Concert Oboe-Centric
Saturday, September 24, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Community Hall
In a not-to-be-missed season premiere, the Gold Coast Chamber Players launch their 2016-2017 season with the first of five concerts, Oboe-Centric featuring oboist Mingiia Liu, Principal Oboe of San Francisco Opera. To purchase tickets visit: www.gcplayers.org or call (925) 283-3728. For more information click HERE.

Gregory Taboloff Performs Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Copland
Sunday, September 25, 3:00 - 4:30 PM, Lafayette Library, Community Hall
Pianist-composer GREGORY TABOLOFF in a masterful program of virtuoso piano classics. Taboloff garnered rave reviews from NY Times critic Tim Page for his Carnegie Hall debut. He competed in the Tchaikovsky & Queen Elisabeth competitions in Moscow and Brussels, and was guest artist for the California Symphony and other orchestras. Hear Schubert's Impromptus, Chopin's famous "Heroic" Polonaise, Copland's "The Cat and the Mouse", and Schumann's Symphonic Etudes. Delight in seeing Taboloff's nimble hands on a 20 ft screen onstage as he performs. Advance purchase recommended. Email [email protected] or call (925) 968-1704. Admission $40, refreshments included.


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


Upcoming Lafayette Chamber Events

Chamber Office Closed: Monday, October 10 (Columbus Day)

Lamorinda Business Forum -
Thursday, October 13, 5:30pm-7pm, Lamorinda Music, 81 Lafayette Circle

Social Media Workshop -
Wednesday, October 19, 6pm, Lafayette Library's Homework Center

Green Committee Meeting -
Tuesday, October 25, 12 noon, Lafayette Chamber Office

Mixer at Byron Park -
Wednesday, October 26, 5:30pm-7pm, Byron Park, 1700 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek

Coffee with City Planning Director - Niroop Srivatsa
- Friday, October 28, 8am, Lafayette Chamber Office

Trick or Treat Street -
Friday, October 28, 4pm-6pm, Downtown Lafayette (1st Street to Dewing Ave.)

Reservoir Run -
Sunday, October 30, 8am-11am, Downtown Lafayette/Lafayette Reservoir

Chamber Office Closed: Monday, October 31 for Reservoir Run Cleanup

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