March 2016 - El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce · designer and land planner. During this period...
Transcript of March 2016 - El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce · designer and land planner. During this period...
_______________________________________________________________ Serving the El Sobrante Business Community Since 1957
About Town
The El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
March 2016
President’s Message
The time has arrived, along with Spring, to “spring” into action – GET INVOLVED! – JOIN YOUR CHAMBER!
Your Chamber Board members are participating in a Membership Drive asking for
your support. It is your voice that will shape the future of your Community. We are asking for your assistance – business/property owners and all residents - to help maintain existing
landscaping, provide additional upgrades and improvements, and to support our local businesses. You can do this by joining the Chamber for our workshops, networking opportunities, and our About Town Newsletter. We also provide our website, and sponsor
various Community Events. The Chamber Members do all of this for the sole purpose of enhancing our Businesses and Community, and to provide a profitable and viable future for El
Sobrante. Our first business networking breakfast will be on Wednesday, March 16th. The topic will be
the Americans with Disabilities Act, and whether your business conforms. A flier is included p 6
In the next few months, the businesses and property owners along Appian Way in El Sobrante will be contacted by the County, to attend a workshop outlining the future plans for Appian Way. I know many of you have concerns that need to be addressed, so please participate.
Are you a business owner on Appian Way and interested in displaying a street pole banner?
Contact Mr. Bob Ostini at: [email protected].
Do you want to volunteer to work on the 23rd Annual Stroll being held on Sunday,
September 18th? Contact Bob Davis at: [email protected].
Do you want to volunteer on our Beautification Committee? Contact Maurice Abraham at:
Do you want to join the Chamber? Contact Marie Carayanis at: [email protected].
Or visit our website at: www. elsobrantecachamber.com.
I am also pleased to announce that our Welcome Package to new businesses and residents has been warmly received and orders are being received daily. Thank you to all businesses who have contributed your products to this project. If you would like to provide
items for the Welcome Package, please contact me.
Marie Carayanis [email protected] Office 510-223-0757; Cell 510-387-0581
2016 Chamber of Commerce Officers & Directors President: Marie Carayanis – Resident, Former Business Owner 1st Vice- President: Scott Tuffnell -- Realtor, Windermere Rowland Realty 2nd Vice-President: Barbara Pendergrass -- Resident, Member Municipal Advisory Council
Treasurer: Bob Davis -- Investment Advisor, Davis Investment Group Secretary: Mary Hill – Mechanics Bank
Directors:
Maurice Abraham, Resident Jim Cowen, Farmers Insurance Mark Croda, El Sobrante Town Garage
Nicole Donn, US Financial Mortgage Lending
Eduardo Guzman, Los Cerros Mexican Restaurant
Richard Oliver, Ace Hardware
Steve Rulli, Resident Bob Sharp, Independent Real Estate Agent
Shirley Sharp, Independent Broker Anne Skeffington, Caldwell Bankers
Richard Smith, Allstate Insurance Judy Ward, SPAWNERS
Martha Booz, Newsletter Editor and Website Publisher, [email protected]
Citizen of the Year 2015:
Maurice Abraham
Citizen of the Year 2015 Continued Maurice Abraham was presented with the Citizen of the Year 2015 Award at the El
Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Dinner and Awards Event, held January 30, 2016. Here is a bit of his life’s story.
Maurice’s life is strongly rooted in El Sobrante, despite his living in the South Bay
for some 35-years. In 1946 at age four, he moved here from Richmond with his parents and sister. He attended local schools, graduated from De Anza High School
in 1960, studied Architectural Design at Contra Costa College and later graduated from San Jose State University, with a BA in Geography.
Maurice credits local influences for his chosen career, urban planning and design.
As a De Anza student he won six regional and international architectural design competitions. These awards were significant factors in his being hired immediately
after high school by an El Sobrante civil engineering and planning firm. Starting as
an apprentice draftsman, he advanced over the next six-years to architectural designer and land planner. During this period Maurice also became active in the
newly organized El Sobrante Valley Council where, as part of his vision for El Sobrante’s downtown, he proposed a Dam Road bypass concept that eventually
became part of the County’s General Plan. The bypass was removed from the General Plan by a 2013 Amendment.
In 1969, following three years with the City of Alameda planning department,
Maurice moved his young family to San Jose. There he joined a prominent civil engineering and planning firm and by 1980 was managing its Urban Planning
Division. In 1992 he started his own consulting firm, Land Solutions, serving primarily private-sector clients. One of Maurice’s career highlights came in 1984
when his Master Plan for Hawaii Technology Park received the top Gold Nugget Award at San Francisco’s Pacific Coast Builders Conference.
In 2003 Maurice returned to El Sobrante with his wife, Jean, and began winding
down his consulting business. By 2010 he was fully retired and re-engaging with the community. Today he serves on the Boards of the El Sobrante Chamber of
Commerce, Citizens for a Greener El Sobrante and the El Sobrante Historical Society, which he co-founded. He is also a member of the Commonwealth Club of
California and past member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
As a Chamber Board member, he started the Beautification Committee, which has greatly improved the appearance of our downtown on San Pablo Dam Road, and
which is working with the County on improving the appearance of Appian Way. He also started the Green Team, volunteers from El Sobrante who keep the downtown
area cleaned up, free of weeds and trash. For his ongoing devotion to the betterment of El Sobrante, he was named Citizen of the Year 2015.
Business of the Year 2015:
Windermere Realty
Mike and Renee Rowland receive the award, along with their staff, from left to right: Luis
Cintron, Melissa Ranese, Maria Werbel, Diane Cockrell, Sharon Quintero, Shelby Rowland, Renee Rowland, James Quintero, Mike Rowland, Joseph Pineda, Scott Tuffnell, Amy Davis
The owner and guiding light of Windermere Realty is Mike Rowland, who along with his wife, Renee, has done very well by doing good for El Sobrante. Mike was born
in 1963 in Richmond Hospital. His grandmother was a Rosie Riveter during World War II here in Richmond. His grandfather worked for Standard Oil. His father
owned an Exxon station off of San Pablo Ave in San Pablo.
In the early 1990s he bought Sam’s Dog House, a familiar eatery on San Pablo
Dam Road in downtown El Sobrante. His wife Renee runs Sam’s now. Eleven years ago he opened up Windermere Realty, which was only 1,200 square feet.
They were very successful, and moved to their current location which is 11,000 square feet, a couple of years ago.
A portion of every transaction the Realty office closes gets put into a fund, which is
given back into the community at the end of each year. Last year the Boys and Girls Club was the recipient of over $35,000.
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH 2016
The March Business of the Month is the First Baptist Church of El Sobrante, located at 4950 Appian Way. The phone number is (510) 223-2760. The pastors are Charlie Nason and
Mike Fong. They moved to this location in August of 2015 from their Hilltop Dr. location. The church was started in the 1950’s at the Hilltop location. They switched houses of
worship with another church, which was a win-win situation for both. Their grand opening took place in January.
Pastor Charlie describes this church as a place where ordinary people worship extraordinary Christ, sharing glory with all people. The focus is on Christ. They have a
commitment to be a blessing in the community. Their hours are Sunday 9:30 Bible Study and 10:30 Worship Service; Monday 7pm-9pm Men’s Bible Study and Tuesday 5pm-6pm Ladies’ Bible Study.
They renovated the exterior and the interior to bring the building up to code. With new
paint on the exterior and a new sign, the interior has new air conditioning, new carpets, new electrical and paint. They plan to add a brand new sign. It looks great.
Congratulations and thank you Pastor Charlie and Pastor Mike.
ADA* and Your Business… Is it at risk? Does it comply? How can you protect it?
Learn more at this informative program …
‘PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH ADA’ Expand your clientele…make your business fully accessible…protect your business Led by Bassam Altwal, CASp of CalAccessibility Hosted by El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce
BREAKFAST WITH FULL BUFFET Menu: Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Sweet Breads, etc When: Wednesday, March 16, 2016, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Where: Richmond Elks Lodge 3931 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante (ample parking in the rear) Cost: $10.00/person Reserve by March 11th: Mail check and attendee name(s) to: El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce 3769-B San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante, CA 94803 *Americans with Disabilities Act
MIXER HOSTING OPPORTUNITY! Do you want to get your business advertised and in front of the public and fellow Chamber members? Do you want to connect with other business owners? If so, you can host a mixer. The last available month for 2016 is October. Show off your business! To sign up, contact Bob Davis, cell (925)788-5055.
EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MIXER DATES
Monthly Mixers are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND MINGLE
March Con-Sabor-Cubano, Dance & Fitness Studio April Los Cerros
May El Sobrante Garage
June Windermere Realty
July Farmers Insurance
August Boys and Girls Club/Nerd Crossing
September NO MIXER (STROLL)
October
November Elks Lodge
December Mechanics Bank
The Citizens for a Greener El Sobrante Social is a Fundraiser. Please RSVP!
SPAWNERS EVENTS Community Work Party Sat., March 12, 9:30am - noon El Sobrante Library
4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante Help take care of one of our native plant restoration sites! People with all levels of experience
are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear sturdy shoes, comfortable work clothes, and bring a water bottle. SPAWNERS will provide tools, gloves, and
snacks. Heavy rain cancels. Please RSVP if bringing a group of 4 people or more to [email protected] or 510-
665-3538. Groups of 10 or more minor volunteers (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Every volunteer must have valid waivers on file. Volunteers under 18
must have their waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian. Click here for waiver forms and more information.
Water Bug Team Sat., April 2, 9:30am-noon Wilkie Creek site
De Anza Dr. and Santa Rita Rd., El Sobrante
Join us for a family-friendly event as we look for bugs in Wilkie Creek. Please RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spot.
Public Speaker Series: Trout in the Classroom Tue., April 5, 7-9pm
El Sobrante Library Community Meeting Room 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante
Bob Flasher and Ethan Rotman will tell us about Trout in the Classroom, the program that's
connecting students to their watersheds. We'll also learn all about trout life cycle and habitats, and play some games. You won't want to miss this unusual and interactive event!
BEAUTIFICATION TIP For March, 2016 If you haven’t noticed, look around and notice how El Sobrante business and property owners
have stepped up to improve their buildings and grounds. Many have repainted their buildings, some have resurfaced their parking lots and many are now caring for the potted plants installed by the County. We at the Chamber are gratified to see these positive actions and the
entire community has reason to be proud of the improved image. We’ve also had some new businesses open: Dollar Tree next to Park Pharmacy, Metro PCS next to Prowheels scooter
shop, and the recently renovated Cam Hong Vietnamese Restaurant. And, Moore’s Meats is opening soon in the Sobrante Station strip mall on Appian Way.
The Chamber’s Green Team citizen volunteers are doing their part too, working to keep the sidewalks and parking lots weed and debris free. But, there’s still more to do. Have you done
your part? Remember, it’s not just about the community; it’s about your business…about bringing in more customers. We hope you will read all the Beautification Tips and take action on them. Even the smallest cleanup effort can make a difference.
This month’s tip entitled “PAINT – AN IMAGE BOOSTER” discusses the positive effect fresh
paint can have on not only the look of your building, but on your business. A fresh new look attracts the eye of passersby and many may notice your business for the first time. We’re confident they’ll stop in or at least remember your business in the future.
This month’s tip is the ninth of twelve aimed at El Sobrante’s downtown business district. A
new tip is included monthly in this newsletter. We encourage everyone to download, print and keep a copy of the Beautification Tips for quick reference. All twelve Beautification Tips are available for download on the Chamber website at www.elsobrantecachamber.com.
The Beautification Tips do focus on the downtown business district, but they apply equally to ALL El Sobrante businesses. They’re intended to help every business as well as the
business district as a whole. The Chamber of Commerce Board encourages every business and property owner to follow the lead of others and take steps to continue the improvement of El
Sobrante’s business districts. Topics being covered in this series are:
1. TRASH & DEBRIS REMOVAL
2. TRASH BINS, SHIPPING CONTAINERS & DONATION RECEPTACLES 3. GRAFFITI REMOVAL 4. THE WINDOW TO YOUR BUSINESS
5. BANNERS ARE BANNED 6. BUILDING SIGNS
7. SECURITY BARS & DOORS 8. ABOUT THOSE DETAILS
9. PAINT – AN IMAGE BOOSTER 10. ADD A TOUCH OF NATURE
11. THE PARKING LOT 12. WORKING WITH THE ARCHITECTURE
The beautification tips begin with the most simple and progress to those involving greater expenditures. This approach is designed to facilitate planning and budgeting for the more
costly ones.
The Chamber’s Beautification Committee Chair, Maurice Abraham, will meet and consult with any business or property owner about applying the tips to their specific conditions. He can be contacted at 510 243-6652 (home), 408 921-9176 (mobile) or [email protected]. to
arrange a meeting.
TIP NO. 9 – PAINT – AN IMAGE BOOSTER A clean, nicely painted building attracts customers by providing a fresh, welcoming
appearance, especially combined with well done signage. Faded, peeling paint suggests a lack of care…about the business and the community. Fresh paint can boost your business’ image, and image is important for getting customers in the door. Only then will you have an
opportunity to make a sale.
Before: In need of attention… …and after, a more inviting
appearance
Before the new paint…. …and after, a fresh new look. Nice job!
ACTIONS Paint all sides of the building, not just the front.
Paint schemes should complement and enhance the buildings architecture. Color
changes should occur where building wall planes change or trim demarks a change.
Exposed utility service meters and conduits should be painted to match the building.
Better yet, build an enclosure around them
Wall murals and large wall graphics should we used sparingly. These can be effective if
professionally done, but can also look terrible if overdone.
Faded awnings should be cleaned, if possible, or painted for a fresh, new look.
Keep extra paint on hand for possible graffiti removal. Keep a record of the paint colors for future touch up or graffiti removal.
EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BOARD MEETINGS—Visitors Welcome
Board Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month
(except this year for July, which is July 4th) at the Sheriff’s Annex / Chamber Office, 3769-B San Pablo Dam Road
Parking next door - Kaliente’s lot. 5:00 pm
Monthly Community Meetings
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Meets 1st Monday of the Month @ 5:00 pm Sherrif's Annex / Chamber Office ---- 3769-B San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante
http://www.elsobrantecachamber.com
Marie: 510-387-0581 / [email protected] / Office: 510-223-0757
January 4 February 1 March 1 April 4
May 2 June 6 July 11 August 1
September 5 October 3 November 7 December 5
Monthly Community Meetings Continued
Supervisor John Gioia Code Enforecment Meeting Meets 1st Wednesday of every OTHER Month @ 2:00 pm
Office of Supervisor Gioia / 11780 San Pablo Ave, Suite D , El Cerrito
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5216/District-I-Supervisor-John-M-Gioia
El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Meets 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 7:00 pm
El Sobrante Library – Meeting Room / 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/1640/El-Sobrante-Municipal-Advisory-Council
El Sobrante Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Meets 2nd Thursday of the Month @ 6:00 pm El Sobrante Library – Meeting Room / 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante
SPAWNERS (San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education & Restoration Society) Volunteer Workday 2nd Saturday of the Month @ El Sobrante Library or De Anza outdoor classroom
at Wilkie Creek
Water Bug Team meets 4th Sat of the Month. See website for more info: spawners.org
For information contact [email protected]
Citizens for a Greener El Sobrante (C4AGES) Meets 3rd Wednesday of the Month @ 7:00 pm El Sobrante Library – Meeting Room / 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante http://www.greenelsobrante.org
March Community Meetings
Fri & Sat Mar 4,5
4-6 and 1-3 pm
Friends of the
Library Book Sale
Book House Behind the Library off Appian
Way
Sat, Mar 12
9:30 am - noon
Community Work Party
El Sobrante Library
4191 Appian Way
El Sobrante
Wed, Mar 9,
7 – 9 pm
Municipal Advisory
Council
Library Meeting
Room, Back of the Library
George Cleveland, President
Thurs, Mar 10
6 – 8 pm
Planning and Zoning Advisory Council
Library Meeting Room
Sat, Mar 12
6 – 10 pm
C4AGES Party and Fundraiser
Elks Lodge
4131 San Pablo Dam Road
Please RSVP by March 7 to [email protected]
April Events Save the Date!
Sat, Apr 2
9:30 am – noon
SPAWNERS Water Bug Team
Wilkie Creek Site
De Anza Dr. and Santa Rita Rd., El Sobrante
Tue, Apr 5
7 – 9 pm
SPAWNERS Speaker Series:
Trout in the Classroom
Library Meeting Room
Connect students to their watersheds
J & A Market
Liquor Wine Beer Spirits & Grocery
5325 Valley View Road
El Sobrante, CA 94803
Phone: 510-222-1811
Fax: 510-758-5600
Ranjeet B. Prasad
Cell: 510-778-4025
Email: [email protected]
Business Name _____________________________Date______________________
Representative _______________________________________________________
Resident’s Name or Web Site Address _____________________________ _______
Address_____________________________________________________________
City/Town ________________ Zip __________ Fax (____)______-___________ Phone
(_____)_______-________ Other Phone (____)______-_________
Email Address ____________________@________________ PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
New Membership Renewal
Business Card Ad ********************* $ 70.00 (1 year)
1/4 page Ad $40 per issue $135.00 (1 year)
½ Page Ad $55 per issue $185.00 (1 year))
Full Page Ad $70 per issue $235.00 (1 year)
Art Included Art to be sent
Membership Dues:
Business $90
Business (over 10 employees) $115
In-Home Business $80
Non-Profit Organization $80
Resident $40
TotalAmount Enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ ____________
COMPLETE FORM AND RETURN WITH CHECK TO:
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce
3769-B San Pablo Dam Road
El Sobrante, CA 94803
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce
Membership Application
Do you wish your name/business to be in the Monthly Newsletter? YES NO
Would you like to serve on a committee? YES NO
Would you like to include an advertisement in our Newsletter? YES NO
2016 El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Members
Three members wished to remain unlisted, so their names are not included in the List of Members.
**Abe Otter Locksmith** Tammy Mullen Signs by Scott Scott Erwin
AC Transit Julie Waters **SPAWNERS** Helen Dickson & Judy
Ward
**Allstate Insurance
Company**
Richard Smith **US Financial
Mortgage Lending**
Nicole Donn
**Ameriprise Financial
Services**
Mark A. Porter **Wadsworth Glass* Veronica Jerge
Beadiful Beads by Bobbie Bobbie Squellati West County
Wastewater District
Marla Sena
**Bill’s Underground** Bill & Donna Schupp **Wilson & Kratzer** Kim Welch
Boys & Girls Club of El
Sobrante
Sue Rulli **Windermere Rowland
Realty**
Mike & Renee Rowland
**Canyon Swim School** Fred Brown **Windermere Rowland
Realty**
Scott Tuffnell
Chapel of the Mission Bells Larry Cyr
Cloverfield Organic Farm Susan Abernathy
Coldwell Banker Bartels Anne Skeffington
**Creek View** Michelle Hatch
**Davis Investment
Group**
Robert Davis
EBMUD Sharla Sullivan
**El Sobrante Town
Garage**
Mark & Katrina Croda
**El Sobrante United
Methodist Church**
Mark Zier
El Sobrante Wheel & Brake Lyle Miller Maurice Abraham Resident
Envoy Mortgage Evelyn Freitas Marie & Nick Carayanis Residents
Guardian Adult Day Health
center
Peter Behr Barbara Pendergrass Resident
**J & A Market** Ranjeet B. Prasad Ruth Williams Rockey Resident
JBM Construction John Mora Steve & Sue Rulli Residents
**Jim Cowen Insurance** Jim Cowen Dennis & Sally
Teeguarden
Residents
Kool Cuts Branda Medrano
Lakeridge Athletic Club Bruce Thomas
Lucy’s Coin & Jewelry Pawn Adam Gross
Lynden & Company Thomas Lynden
Mike’s Appliances Mike Murphy
**Mechanics Bank** Michael Frith
Morgan Properties Aubrey Morgan
**On-Site Health Care
Services**
Leesa Latimer Marion Allard Business Property
Owner
**Planchon Roofing** Doug Planchon
**The Pool Doctor** Kelly Heath
**Rixen Chiropractic** Dr. Daniel Rixen
**Rotary Club of El
Sobrante**
Randy Stevenson
Round Table Pizza Greg Merritt
**Security Public
Storage**
Christina Martinez **Ad Sponsors**
El Sobrante Guide to Shopping, Dining & Services Sponsors
The following firms and people supported our Guide to Shopping, Dining and Service in El Sobrante: Dr. Dan Rixen, Jim Cowen, Mark Anthony Porter,
Bob Davis, Scott Tuffnell, Park Pharmacy
The Guide will be available on our web site soon. Check it out!
Green Team Update Anyone interested in joining the GREEN TEAM efforts keeping downtown El Sobrante
cleaned up is encouraged to contact Maurice Abraham at 510 243-6652 or via email at [email protected]. Maurice is always glad to have more volunteers!
Dates of the Book Sales Held Monthly by the
Friends of the El Sobrante Library
The Friends of the Library Book Sales are held on the first Friday and Saturday of each month.
On Friday the member’s sale is from 4 – 6 pm, with inexpensive memberships available at the
door, and on Saturday the sale is from 1 – 3 pm. The dates for the rest of 2016 are:
March 4, 5
April 1, 2
May 6, 7
June 3, 4
July 1, 2
August 5, 6
September 2, 3
October 7, 8
November 4, 5
December 2, 3
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce
About Town Newsletter
March 2016
Please Join Us for the Breakfast Buffet, March 16.
Look inside for Details.
Thank you for renewing your membership,
and Thank You to all the NEW members too.
THE EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ElSobranteCaChamber.com
3769 – B San Pablo Dam Road
El Sobrante, CA 94803
Office: 510-223-0757