April Newsletter 2010

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2010 PINNACLE CORNERSTONE SPONSORS INSIDE: Report from CEO..................2 What’s Happening................4 New Members........................6 Member News.....................4, 7 Upcoming Events.................7 May 2010 Volume 26 Number 2 s part of the Chamber’s commitment to “going green”, we are pleased to announce that this will be the last regular print version of the Vallejo Business newsletter. Please don’t worry – we will still provide the same great Cham- ber business news and information on events, members, and politi- cal advocacy through our twice a month, newly expanded version of our popular electronic newsletter Vallejo BusinessWire. Please make sure that we have the up-to-date email addresses for everyone in your organization you would like us to sent the Business- Wire every two weeks. You can send that information to jenny@ vallejochamber.com. For those of you who would like to receive their Chamber and Business news in the mail, we will be happy to send you a hard-copy of the Vallejo BusinessWire. Simply call or email the Chamber office and let us know. Thank you, as always, for your support of our newsletter. We look forward to continuing to provide you with up-to-date and relevant Chamber and Business news that most affects your business. Vallejo Business Newsletter is “Going GREENA Mayor Osby Davis speaking on the State of the City at the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce Legislative Day. Anita Hawkes (middle) with Long Time Members California State Automobile Association, Miae Louie and Philip Matheson. See page 3 for full story. Legislative Day 2010 hallenges and successes were addressed in presentations by city, county, and state leaders at Legislative Day, hosted by the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce on April 30, 2010. This event was well received by the almost 100 people in attendance. Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis spoke about the continuing reduction of services if revenues do not increase. City services will be adjusted by leaders based on what the city can afford rather than searching for ways to pay for the existing levels of service. “If the city lives within its means, Vallejo will succeed…” Mayor Davis said. Vice Mayor Stephanie Gomes spoke of the lack of revenues and the continuing escalation of costs. Gomes said that recovery will require avoiding any “quick fixes” and finding sustainable, long term solutions to our problems. Both Councilmembers, Davis and Gomes, expressed support for Measure A which eliminates binding arbitration from the city charter. Assemblywoman Noreen Evans was present and spoke to the budget of the State of California. “We lost $40 billion in the first half of 2009,” Evans said. “We were literally facing insolvency and were exploring (See page 5) C

Transcript of April Newsletter 2010

Page 1: April Newsletter 2010

2010 Pinnacle cornerstone sPonsors inside:report from ceo..................2

What’s Happening................4

new Members........................6

Member news.....................4, 7

Upcoming events.................7

May 2010 • Volume 26 • Number 2

s part of the Chamber’s commitment to “going green”, we are pleased to

announce that this will be the last regular print version of the Vallejo Business newsletter. Please don’t worry – we will still provide the same great Cham-ber business news and information on events, members, and politi-cal advocacy through our twice a month, newly expanded version of our popular electronic newsletter Vallejo BusinessWire. Please make sure that we have the up-to-date email addresses for everyone in your organization you would like us to sent the Business-

Wire every two weeks. You can send that information to [email protected]. For those of you who would like to receive their Chamber and Business news in the mail, we will be happy to send you a hard-copy of the Vallejo BusinessWire. Simply call or email the Chamber office and let us know. Thank you, as always, for your support of our newsletter. We look forward to continuing to provide you with up-to-date and relevant Chamber and Business news that most affects your business.

Vallejo Business newsletteris “Going Green”

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Mayor Osby Davis speaking on the State of the City at the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce Legislative Day.

Anita Hawkes (middle) with Long Time Members California State Automobile Association, Miae Louie and Philip Matheson. See page 3 for full story.

legislative day 2010hallenges and successes were addressed in presentations by city,

county, and state leaders at Legislative Day, hosted by the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce on April 30, 2010. This event was well received by the almost 100 people in attendance. Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis spoke about the continuing reduction of services if revenues do not increase. City services will be adjusted by leaders based on what the city can afford rather than searching for ways to pay for the existing levels of service. “If the city lives within its means, Vallejo will succeed…” Mayor Davis said.

Vice Mayor Stephanie Gomes spoke of the lack of revenues and the continuing escalation of costs. Gomes said that recovery will require avoiding any “quick fixes” and finding sustainable, long term solutions to our problems. Both Councilmembers, Davis and Gomes, expressed support for Measure A which eliminates binding arbitration from the city charter. Assemblywoman Noreen Evans was present and spoke to the budget of the State of California. “We lost $40 billion in the first half of 2009,” Evans said. “We were literally facing insolvency and were exploring

(See page 5)

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Page 2: April Newsletter 2010

Page 2 • May 2010

2010 Vallejo Chamber of Commerce

OfficersJerry Wilkerson Chairman Umpqua Bank

terry Glubka Treasurer Sutter Solano Medical Center

Past Board ChairFreda dill Board Chair US Bank

Divisional Vice ChairmenMichael coan Political advocacyFavaro, Lavezzo, Gill, Caretti & Heppell

Peter Wilson Member servicesBenicia Vallejo Humane Society

tom atwood economic development Vallejo Insurance Associates, LLC

linda Johnson community PromotionMerrill Gardens Vallejo

Directorsclark Blasdell DirectorSuburban Alternatives Land Trust (SALT)

John Bustamante DirectorEnterprise Wireless Solutions

derik calhoun Director VallejoTransit/MV Transportation

Kathe chandler Director First Bank

Pippin dew Director RE/MAX Gold Phil elfstrom Director Skyview Memorial Lawn

norbert Frost DirectorLaw Offices of Norbert Frost

eric Gilbert Director Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

carol larson DirectorGeorgia House Graphics

tony loForte DirectorZio Fraedo’s of Vallejo rudy Manfredi DirectorMedic Ambulance Service, Inc.

shane Mcaffee DirectorGVRD

Kevin Miller DirectorM2 Mail

tony shannon DirectorMiyoji Productions

Chamber Management & Staff

anita Hawkes President and CEOrich curtola Membership Sales & SponsorshipsJenny Klimisch Marketing and Publicationsconstance Howard Community Promotion Josette lacey Admin. Assistant lemyrtle thompson FinanceBobbie dill Finance

Vallejo chamber of commerce427 York Street

Vallejo, CA 94590 (707)644-5551

www.vallejochamber.com

www.vallejochamber.com

s the new President and CEO

of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, I want to express how very excited I am to have

the opportunity to help move the organization forward. It’s a joy, just to be a part of this city’s business commu-nity. I look forward to continuing to support and strengthen the city’s existing businesses and to helping create an atmosphere that welcomes new business development. I’m also eager to lead the Chamber in our efforts to ensure legislation is passed which is fair to business and advocating for our business community in the halls of local, regional and state government. Among my first tasks as Chamber president was to hire Rich Curtola as our new mem-bership, sales and sponsorship director. A Vallejo native from a prominent family, Rich’s skills and experience lend themselves perfectly to this position. Since coming on board in February, I have begun working with city officials on the Down-town Specific Plan, which we hope will create a more vibrant arts and entertainment district by permitting more restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues to open downtown.

The Chamber was instrumental in organizing our community’s first Business Education Summit which was held recently. We were fortunate to have Ian Kaiser, our Education Task Force chair, who was able to interest Ford Motor Company’s philan-thropic arm to look at Vallejo – specifically our school district.

Ford’s Rick Delano explained at the summit the measurable success his organization has had helping other struggling school districts nationwide by partnering with their business communities. With his guidance we are on a path to increasing the Vallejo City Unified School District’s suc-cesses. The idea is to forge a symbiot-ic relationship between the school district and the business commu-nity to create and expand specially focused “academies” within our

high schools that will engage the students and produce graduates who possess the skill sets needed by local and regional industries now and into the future. Ford’s past success with this approach has proven, if students find their studies relevant to their lives, they are more likely to attend and to finish school. Interested students are less likely

to be disciplinary problems and the more graduates there are, the fewer drop-outs. Fewer drop-outs could have an impact on crime rates. Ford will continue guid-ing us in this effort, and may even expand its role, if Vallejo demonstrates a determination to succeed by meeting several goals on which we have already begun work. The chamber recognizes Vallejo’s economic development is closely tied to our educational system. To recruit new businesses to

Vallejo, employers need to know they have a skilled labor pool to draw from and great schools to which their employees can send their children. I’m convinced that while working in partnership with others for a common goal, the Chamber can make a difference in the busi-ness community and by extension, in Vallejo and the region. I thank you and look forward to working with each and every one of you.

rePort FroM President and ceo anita HaWKes

Business education summit a success

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connectinG tHe coMMUnity

The Chamber was

instrumental in organizing our community’s first Business

Education Summit

When Solano Land Trust CEO Nicole Byrd says “Take a Hike” she means it. I recently was invited to tour the Solano Land Trust properties with Nicole, Greg Peterson, Development Director and Harry Englebright, Board Member and volunteer and Wikipedia for the Solano Land Trust.

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2010 cornerstonesPonsors

PreMierRecologyMV TransportationSkyview Memorial LawnKaiser Permanente

eliteUS BankMarkstein DistributingWeston Solutions Inc.AvisotekMinuteman Press

selectARC Inc. ArchitectsCooper Crane & RiggingSutter Health Solano County FairTouro University California

PlUsUmpqua BankMare Island Golf ClubCallahan DeSilva Vallejo LLCPetersen Janitorial Services

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS • SPORTS • CLASSIFIED • MOVIES

PEOPLE • WEATHER • ENTERTAINMENT •

OBITUARY • OPINIONS • NEWS • SPORTS •

CLASSIFIED • MOVIES • PEOPLE • WEATHER

• ENTERTAINMENT • OBITUARY • OPINIONS •

NEWS • SPORTS • CLASSIFIED • MOVIES •

PEOPLE • WEATHER • ENTERTAINMENT •

OBITUARY • OPINIONS • NEWS • SPORTS •

CLASSIFIED • MOVIES • PEOPLE • WEATHER

ENTERTAINMENT • OBITUARY • OPINIONS

ED • MOVIES •

LOCAL...LOCAL...LOCAL...

707.644.1141707.644.1141707.644.1141

w w w . t i m e s h e r a l d o n l i n e . c o m

Page 3 • May 2010www.vallejochamber.com

WHat’s HaPPeninG at tHe cHaMBer

Welcome rich curtolaname and face already familiar to many, Vallejo native Rich Curtola is the

Vallejo Chamber of Commerce’s new Membership Sales and Spon-sorship Director. A St. Mary’s College graduate who earned his masters degree from Chapman University, Rich was hired in March.He comes to the chamber follow-ing 18 years as the Director of Development at St. Pat’s. Rich grew up working in his

family business – Terry’s Restau-rant – which was sold in 1983. He then built Swensen’s, in the Target center where Panda Express is now. That was sold in 1994. Rich is the past president of Native Sons of the Golden West, past chairman of the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau and past president of the Vallejo Rotary Club. He is also a former board member of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, a recipi-ent of the United States JayCee’s

Distinguished Service Award, “Young Man of the Year,” as well as serving on the original board of Leadership Vallejo.Rich says he has several passions in his life and one is the commu-nity of Vallejo. “Working with the Chamber of Commerce is a huge opportunity to make a difference in my town,” he said. Rich lives in Vallejo with his wife Ronda and their two yellow labs, Jake and Molly.

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• Best of Solano County 2007-2009• AutocheX Premier Achiever for Customer Satisfaction• Efficient, Reliable, and Professional Service• Family Owned for Over 60 Years• Eco Friendly

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(p) 707.643.2519 • 285 Couch Street • Vallejo, CA 94590Your Satisfaction is Our Reward!

ach Year the Vallejo Chamber will recognize 5 year anniversaries of

members who have been with the Chamber for a minimum of 10 consecutive years. we especially thank these members for being part of the Chamber and supporting our community for so long:

60 YearsCalifornia State Automobile Association

50 YearsThree Brothers Furniture

45 YearsColonial ChapelsGreater Vallejo Recreation District

40 YearsWiggins-Knipp Funeral HomeFavarro, Lavezzo, Gill, Caretti and Heppell

35 Years

Buddy Murray D.D.S.

30 YearsJack Anthony’s 7 Flags Car WashVallejo Naval & Historical MuseumFirst Bank

25 YearsBay Shore MaterialsSolano Community CollegeLaunderlandRegency InnWiler’s Towing IncBremner PropertiesSyar IndustriesSt. Vincent Elementary School

20 YearsUS BankMasonic TempleTipp Realty at Glen CoveGeorgia House GraphicsVallejo Travel CenterJohn Bristow D.D.S.Harley Davidson of Vallejo

Krystle Property ManagementArtmond Louie D.D.S.Neal Roth D.D.S.Bank of the WestLandmark BuildersSolano County Office of EducationBroadway Pet Hospital

15 YearsDonald DemmonArneson AppraisalAllen-Simmons Heating & Sheet MetalThe Monthly GrapevineVallejo Neighborhood Housing Services

10 YearsMoschetti CoffeeSpeedee Oil Change &Tune-upCavanagh, Connor & CompanyCooper Crane & RiggingUmpqua BankMiller’s Signs & Sheet MetalJulie Becker

Happy anniversary long-time Members

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Page 4 • May 2010 www.vallejochamber.com

Hiddenbrooke Honored with 2010 Bride’s choice awardiddenbrooke Golf Club, Vallejo’s very own Arnold Palmer Signature golf

course has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Award for its wedding venue. The annual Bride’s Choice Award recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from more than 500,000 newly-weds. Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is among the top five percent of all ven-dors in the Wed-dingWire commu-nity, which includes more than 100,000 wed-ding professionals across the U.S. and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. “We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique

opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.” ”We are happy to be among the very best wedding reception sites within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings,” said Hiddenbrooke Golf Club General

Manager Eric Thompson. “We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards. It’s

a great honor to be the only wedding reception site in Solano and Napa

Counties to be recog-nized.” Operated by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports since 2006, Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is conveniently located off I-80 and showcases dramatic elevation changes and dynamic water fea-tures. Multiple sets of tees enable golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the par-72 layout. Hiddenbrooke also features banquet facilities for wedding receptions and other social and corporate events.

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Vallejo entrepreneur Honored By Business community

he 15th Annual Hispanic Business Salute Gala took place at the Four Seasons

Hotel in San Francisco on March 26th. More than 400 business and community leaders, as well as politicians and diplomats attended the event at which local Vallejo businessman Roberto Cortez, President and CEO of Monarch Engineering and Developments, Inc. was honored with the Hispan-ic Business Salute 2010 Award. “It is an honor and a humbling experience being recognized by my peers,” said Cortez. “It gives me more enthusiasm to continue giving back to the community.”

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared March 26th as Hispanic Business Salute Day in the City and County of San Francisco. This proclamation was presented to NBC and Telemundo during the event. Every year, the Hispanic Busi-ness Salute Gala and its sponsors recognize outstanding Bay Area Latino entrepreneurs at the Annual Business Salute. The gala event focuses on Hispanic owned busi-nesses and their contributions to the Latino community by present-ing a series of television vignettes that feature each honoree’s life experiences and their successes.

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elisa Mendel For Kaiser PerManente

a Workforce Health Program your new competitive edge

orkplace health programs aren’t just a feel-good proposition. They can have

a positive effect on a company’s bottom line. At a time when businesses are trying to do more with less, fostering a total-health culture that improves employee health, job performance and morale can give you a competitive edge. Studies have shown that unscheduled absences can cost employers $3,600 a year per hourly employee. Additionally, “presenteeism”—when employees are at work but not fully produc-tive due to chronic conditions such as diabetes—can potentially cost employers another two or three dollars for every dollar they spend on direct medical costs. Employees are a company’s most important asset, and since they spend about 2,000 hours a year at work, it makes good business sense to help them live healthier and more active lives—which can translate into happier and more productive employees. There are a variety of ways to create an effective workforce health program, but the most successful programs share several important elements. First, you need leadership endorsement. A program has a much better chance of success if your company’s owner or CEO is on board. To maximize employee partici-pation, involve your employees in designing the program. You might want to conduct a short survey to find out your employees’ interests. They’ll tell you what’s important to them. You also want to build a pro-

gram that works on many levels. For example, your program should support individual employees in achieving their personal goals, and your company policies should encourage physical activity in the workplace and healthy food choices in your cafeteria and vend-ing machines. Your program doesn’t need to be expensive. Setting up a workplace gym can be prohibitive. A walking program is cheap and easy to do—and it can do won-ders for employee camaraderie and teamwork. Just remember to offer something for every fitness level—for employees who are fit and healthy and want to stay that way, to those who want to change their lifestyle. And if your health plan offers e-mail contact with physicians and effective, evidence-based online tools that help further engage your employees in their health, that’s a bonus. Communication and motiva-tion are also critical. If you want your employees to participate, you need to get the word out—consid-er increasing visibility by creating a name and a logo for the program, and celebrate successes with your employees through a variety of channels, including e-mails and newsletters. Finally, make sure you under-stand what you want your program to accomplish, and then set appro-priate goals, such as the number of participants or behavior improve-ments. It may take time to start your workforce health program, but it’s an investment that will pay dividends, for your organization and for your employees.

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MeMBer neWs

Page 5: April Newsletter 2010

Page 5 • May 2010www.vallejochamber.com

WANT TO KEEP SOME?

Tax Minimization Business Effectiveness Accounting & Auditing Wealth Building

CAVANAGH CONNOR & COMPANY Certified Public Accountants, APCBusiness Development Consultants

1350 Tennessee Street 724 Texas Street Vallejo, CA 94590 Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 642-4427 (707) 429-1550

“One good idea. . . . . . . . . every time we talk!”

QuickBooksPro® Professional Advisors

MeMBer neWsPublication Title: Vallejo Business; Publication No.001-616; Filing Date: Oct. 2009; Issue Frequency: Monthly; No. of Issues Published Annually: 4; Annual Subscription Price: $12.

Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 427 York St., Vallejo, CA 94590; Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 427 York St., Vallejo, CA 94590.

Publisher: Vallejo Chamber, 427 York St., Vallejo, CA 94590; Editor/Managing Editor: Vallejo Chamber, 427 York St., Vallejo, CA 94590; Owner: Vallejo Chamber of Com-merce, Vallejo Chamber, 427 York St., Vallejo, CA 94590.

Know Bondholders, Mortgagees and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None.

The purpose, function and non-profit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding 12 months.

Number of Copies Printed: Average Per Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 750; Actual Number of Issue Nearest To Filing Date: 750.

Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions: During Preceding 12 Months: 73; Actual Number of Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 73.

Paid In-County Subscriptions: During Preceding 12 Months: 474; Actual Number of Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 474.

Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: During Preceding 12 Months: None; Issue Nearest To Filing Date: None.

Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: During Preceding 12 Months: 547; Issue Nearest To Filing Date: 547.

Free Distribution by Mail: Outside-County During Preceding 12 Months: None; Issue Nearest to Filing Date: None.

Free Distribution by Mail: In-County During Preceding 12 Months: None; Issue Near-est to Filing Date: None.

Free Distribution Outside the Mail: Preceding 12 Months: 0; Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 0.

Total Free Distribution: Preceding 12 Months: 0; Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 0.

Total Distribution: Preceding 12 Months: 547; Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 547.

Copies Not Distributed: Preceding 12 Months: 203; Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 203.

Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Preceding 12 Months: 100%; Issue Nearest to Filing Date: 100%.

statement of ownership, Management and circulation

legislative day 2010 cont. from pg 1

Business education summit allejo’s first Business Education Summit was a great success thanks to

all 250 people who came out on a cold, wet Sunday afternoon to participate. We hope to make it an annual event. First, thanks must go to Vallejo Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Jerry Wilkerson and President and CEO Anita Hawkes who have embraced the idea of the business community leading the way for new growth through improving our schools. They recognize that workforce development in the high schools is essential for recruiting business to Vallejo and making it possible for them to thrive. I truly appreciate their efforts in creating and initiat-ing the vision for this summit and in assuring a strong partnership with the Vallejo City Unified School District. Touro University’s Jim O’Connor and Jesus Mena also deserve thanks for their outstand-ing contribution, without which the event would not have been as successful as it was. Kudos also go to Michael Boyer of Boyer Productions for his selfless donation of time, equipment and creativity in film-ing a powerful presentation, and to Lenard East of VCAT’s Real Talk.I also want to thank the Vallejo

Times Herald and the Marriot Cor-poration for its gracious hospital-ity and accommodations to Ford’s, Rick Delano. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medi-cal Center, XKT, Monarch Engi-neering, Jeffco Painting and the Solano Board of Realtors —thank you for your representation. I appreciate Solano Communi-ty College President Laguerre and Jerry Kea for jumping right into the process; and the Solano Com-munity Foundation, James Cooper of the Work Force Investment Board and Mike Amman of the Solano Economic Development Corporation for their involvement. I also want to thank AT&T, the Vallejo School Board, staff and teachers, Fighting Back Partner-ship, First Five Solano, John Riley of the Napa Solano Labor Board and all the elected officials from Vallejo, Solano County, Sacra-mento and Washington D.C. for supporting the event. And to all those on the Summit Committee who spent long hours planning the event – your passion will continue helping make Vallejo schools stronger.

Ian KaiserEducation Task Force ChairVallejo Chamber

v

if or how the state could declare bankruptcy. Evidently, we can’t.” she said. Through various measures over $60 billion was found but, she concluded, ” the state is not out of the woods yet.” Linda Siefert, Solano County Supervisor addressed the county issues as did Assessor, Marc Tonnesseon, and Mike Johnson, County Administrator. Although the county has the same problems as the state and the city, due to hard work, they have reserves to cover much of the losses except the state keeps coming back to take city and the county funds that in the past were used to fund

the county and city services. Mr. Tonnesson pointed out the reduction in assessments of home values and commercial buildings is good news for the taxpayers but not so good for the county budget. Finally, Mr. Steve Snyder, of CalChamber spoke about Chamber trends. Statewide Chamber membership has dropped 21%; a large number of California Chambers (36% ) had to dip into their reserves; and 40% finished the 2009 year in the red. This event was a huge success and we look forward to our next opportunity to meet with our legislators.

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VALLEJONISSAN, INC.

3287 Sonoma BlvdVallejo, Califonia(707)643-8291

NAPANISSAN, INC.

510 Soscol AvenueNapa, California(707)253-1551

GREGCOMPAGNO

Welcome new MembersElectriciansJ’s electrical serVices Joe Barajas10 Vine Terrace WayAmerican Canyon, CA 94503(707) 645-1676Apartments tHe ValenciaJackie Ponce1101 N. Camino AltoVallejo, CA 94589(707) 556-3360Real Estate Agents - Residentiallea Pannell realty LaGuan Lea 1768 Tuolumne StreetVallejo, CA 94589(707) 642-3587Real Estate Agents - ResidentialMUstico realty - Pat Molinar-JeFFers Pat Molinar-Jeffers112 SkywayVallejo, CA 94591(707) 980-1094Event FacilityValleJo Veteran’s MeMorial BUildinG Gary Smith420 Admiral Callahgan LaneVallejo, CA 94591(707) 644-3097Restaurants aPPleBee’s neiGHBorHood Grill & Bar 1041 Admiral Callaghan LaneVallejo, CA 94591-3681(707) 558-0824Financial Planning Services eaGle stateGies llcGeorgia Cockerham507 First StreetBenicia, CA 94510(707) 745-1172

Real Estate Agents realty World silVeradoHarlan GriswoldPO Box 4654Vallejo, CA 94592(707) 648-1743IndividualdaVid c tHacKer3336 North Texas Street Suite J-232Fairfield, CA 94533(707) 344-4492Bookkeeping Janine WeBer BooKKeePinG and taxJanine Weber793 Hillborn CourtSuisun City, CA 94585(707) 421-8391Schools-Private startinG Gate scHoolDorothy Arzadon579 Couch StreetVallejo, CA 94590(707) 643-4283Mortgage Companies land HoMe Financial, inc.Sean Murphy3469 Tennessee Street #102Vallejo, CA 94591(707) 750-9594Fashion Store iscaH Uzza FasHion HoUseCamari HendersonPO Box 9065Vallejo, CA 94591(707) 642-2255Restaurants ristorante la stradaMartino Gonzalez100 Square Rigger CoveHercules, CA 94547(707) 226-3027

*New Members from 10/05/2009 - 04/30/2010

Page 6 • May 2010 www.vallejochamber.com

linda JohnsonMerrill Gardens Vallejo

Description of Business: Merrill Gardens at Vallejo is part of the Merrill Gardens Family of Retirement Communities. They offer an all inclu-sive package which includes housekeeping, utilities (except phone), in room call system, transportation schedule, and 24-hour staff. Activities and Dining programs are in a class by themselves. Merrill Gar-dens mission is to help residents be as independent as they want while having the security of knowing we are here to help at any time.

Description of Job/Duties: As the Community Relations Director, I am responsible for bringing new clients into the community. It is also my duty, and pleasure, to assure that Merrill Gardens at Vallejo has a pres-ence in Vallejo and the surrounding areas.

Community Involvement: I am currently a member of 3 Chambers of Commerce, Vallejo, American Canyon and the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce. I serve as an Ambassador and Vice Chair of Community Promostions for the Vallejo Chamber. I also serve on the Se-nior Coalition of Solano County as the representative for James Spering an9am a member of SHARE (Solano Health and Resource Exchange).

Personal Information: I am originally from North Carolina. I have a BS in English from Appalachian State University. I began working in the senior housing industry in 1989 in Washington, DC and was transferred to Fairfield in 1996 to be part of the marketing team at Paradise Valley Estates have I met and married my husband of ten years, Chuck Johnson, who is a Fairfield native. We enjoy spending time with friends and liv-ing where the rest of the world comes for vacation. I graduated Empire Law School with a Juris Doctor Degree in 2000

Board MeMBer sPotliGHt

Page 7: April Newsletter 2010

aroUnd tHe cornerMay networking @ 5

Merchant Hall of FameKaiser Permanente975 Sereno Drive

Thursday, May 27 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

3rd annual WinemakersZio Fraedo’s of Vallejo

23 Harbor WayFriday, June 11 from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

June networking @ 5Solano County Fair

900 Fairgrounds DriveThursday, June 17 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Great Vallejo ducky derbyVallejo Waterfront

Sunday, July 4 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

July networking @ 5Vallejo Insurance Associates

840 Tuolumne StreetThursday, July 22 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

For an updated listing of all Chamber and Community events please check out www.vallejochamber.com

BUsiness MeetinGs (MontHly)Executive Committee 1st Tuesday - noon Ambassadors 1st Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. Vallejo Business Alliance 2nd Tuesday - 9:00 a.m. ValNet 2nd Tuesday - 6:00 p.m.Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday - noon Economic Development 2nd Wednesday - noon Political Advocacy 1st Thursday - 8:30 a.m.

Page 7 • May 2010www.vallejochamber.com

UPcoMinG eVents

2 0 0 72 0 0 72 0 0 7

“Your Comfort System Specialist”License #719381 Insured and Bonded

“Let Our Family KeepYour Family Comfortable”

(707) 645-07341768 Broadway Street • Vallejo, CA 94590

www.a-1guaranteed.comBest of Solano

2004-2007

Did you know you can now find the Chamber on Facebook, Linked-In,

and Picasa? For more information, visit www.vallejochamber.com.

Join the Vallejo chamber in our new online communities

MeMBer neWs

MyVallejoWaterfront.com Hosts 1st cleanup event

yVallejoWaterfront.Com (formerly The Vallejo Waterfront Alliance), a

non-profit volunteer group, started by five members of the 2010 Leadership Vallejo class, is aiming to put some life back into Vallejo’s waterfront. The group is dedi-cated to restoring and revitalizing Vallejo’s unique waterfront park areas, to create a more positive first impression, attract more visi-tors, and encourage them to spend more time on the waterfront. The group’s first project was a volunteer waterfront cleanup day on March 20th. Nearly 150 volunteers, including City staff, students, and families worked together to rebuild picnic tables, repair and paint benches, paint restrooms, pull weeds, clean the concrete boardwalk, scrub the railings and trash containers, and remove litter. Together, the volun-teers picked up enough trash and weeds to fill ten 96 gallon trash containers, five 65 gallon recycle containers and eighty-four 33 gal-lon trash bags. The organizers would like to thank all the sponsors of the event, including the Solano Green Alli-ance, Vallejo Rotary Club, Results

Marketing, Krystle Property Management, All Clean Pressure Washing, Recology of Vallejo, the Front Room, REM Property Services, Panama Jack’s, Safeway (Lincoln Road), Lord’s Fellow-ship Church, The Value Center, Umpqua Bank, Broadway Pet Hospital, All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, Sign-A-Rama, Solano Advocates Green Environments (SAGE), and Platinum Palates Catering.What’s next for the Waterfront:1. Re-roof the GVRD restroom.2. Self-sustaining Dog Waste Stations. 3. Progressive brunch at the water-front restaurants. 4. Historical markers for the wa-terfront railings.5. Remove the unused, newspaper racks near the ferry dock. 6. Add colorful banners/flags to the light poles.7. Install anti-roost devices on top of light poles. 8. Implement the “Stars of Vallejo” fundraising plan. For more info, please visit the website at www.myvallejowater-front.com or call Paula Strickland at 707-552-7052.

M

Page 8: April Newsletter 2010

Vallejo Business

Anita Hawkes....... EditorRich Curtola......... WriterJenny Klimisch..... Graphics/LayoutShawn Miller........ Photographer

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RED info is for graphic artist tochange each month!Publ: Vallejo Chamber NewsletterDate/Revision: 04/09/10-1:00pmDeadline: 15th of previous monthIssue: May 2010Job: 4675.04.01LslrGrp-PromoFile: 4675LGad02r28VJC040910.pdfSize: 1/4 Page (3.7” x 4” Horiz.)

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• Hampton Inn & Suites, Suisun City• Henley Architects + Associates• Indoor Environmental Services• King Security Services, Inc.• Newcal Industries• NorthBay Healthcare • OFFCO Offset Printing Co.• Paragon Commercial Building

Maintenance• PRJ Insurance Marketing• S. L. Pemberton, Inc.• State Farm Ins. - Tara Dacus• Suisun Harbor Square• TechPro Source • Umpqua Bank

• California Telephone• Carl Recknagel General Contractors• Chipman Relocations• Cirkadia Software Development• Cole Professional Cleaning Supplies• Credit Bureau Associates• C+D Consulting Engineers• CSI Career College• David L. Welch CPA• Discovery Land Care, Inc.• Express Employment Professionals• Law Offices of Favaro, Lavezzo,

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