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_______________________________________________________________ Serving the El Sobrante Business Community Since 1957
About Town
The El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter July 2016
President’s Message Summer has arrived, we are embarking on the last half of this year, and your Chamber is thriving! The months of Summer will bring new LED street lights, PG&E’s upgrade program, a new look for our Chamber Office building, along with volunteers working in our Chamber Office on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 to 12 pm. Starting date to be announced. During these forthcoming months, your Stroll Committee will be hard at work finalizing the planning for the Stroll, which will be held Sunday, September 18th. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the chairpersons listed below. In answer to several inquiries: Yes, we are fully aware of the need for stronger supports to uphold the trees that are unable to withstand the winds along our downtown corridor and we are working with the County to correct this. We do need your help. If you see any destruction of the trees or potted planters, we ask you to contact Martha Booz at: [email protected]. Our second business breakfast held on June 15th,, which focused on Marketing and Social Media, with presentations by Jim Hammack, NERD Crossing and Vivian Wong, San Pablo Economic Development Corporation, was another successful networking meeting. We will be planning another breakfast for the Fall. These networking opportunities are sponsored by the Chamber with the intent of providing professional services, not only to the business community, but to our residents, as well. The contact information for stroll volunteers: Bob Davis, Chair: [email protected] Jim Cowen, Traffic: [email protected] Scott Tuffnell, Parade: [email protected] Marie Carayanis, Vendor Booths: [email protected] Thanking you in advance for your assistance and support. Marie Carayanis [email protected]
2016 Chamber of Commerce Officers & Directors
President: Marie Carayanis – Resident, Former Business Owner 1st Vice President: Scott Tuffnell Realtor, Windermere Rowland Realty 2nd VicePresident: Barbara Pendergrass Resident, Member Municipal Advisory Council Treasurer: Bob Davis Investment Advisor, Davis Investment Group Secretary: Beverly Wallace Resident 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, Coldwell Banker Richard Smith, Allstate Insurance Judy Ward, SPAWNERS Martha Booz, Newsletter Editor and Website Publisher, [email protected]
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR JULY, 2016
The July Business of the Month is Super Master Car Wash. They are located at 4209 Appian Way (no phone). It is owned by Soo Sun Cho and he just bought this business at the beginning of 2016. He has a history of over 30 years as a small business owner of several different businesses. The car wash was originally built in the 1970s and has had several owners over the years. Soo lived in El Sobrante and had a love
of the area and saw an opportunity to own a business in the area, so he took it. He also wants to encourage other business owners to take pride in the looks of their property. The car wash is where neighbors can come together. All they ask is to not trash the grounds, and please pick up after yourself. They are open 24hours a day and 365 days a year. They painted the exterior. It looks great. Congratulations and thank you Soo.
SPAWNERS EVENTS
Summer Nature Walk: Landfill Loop Trail Tuesday, July 5, 5:307:30pm Directions: Meet at the Landfill Loop trailhead at the end of Parr Boulevard in Richmond. Walk will start promptly due to sunset plan to arrive early! Join SPAWNERS Steering Committee members Martha Berthelsen and Donald Bastin for a hike along Landfill Loop Trail. Learn about local history and native plants on this manmade landfill mountain at the intersection of San Pablo and Wildcat Creeks. The trail is a level 3 miles long, and may be windy. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you plan on joining us. 3rd Saturday Community Work Party Saturday, July 16, 9:30amnoon Behind the El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante Help take care of our creek restoration site on San Pablo Creek behind the El Sobrante Library, where we have been restoring native habitat since 2000. 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 supply tools, gloves, and snacks. If you’re bringing a group of four or more, please RSVP to [email protected].
BUSINESS BREAKFAST LEARNS ABOUT WEB BRANDING STRATEGIES
Our second networking business breakfast, at the Elks Club on June 15, was a great success. Not only was the food delicious, and the coffee hot, the talk by Jim Hammock, of Nerd Crossing, was very interesting and informative. Jim has been in web marketing for 5 years at Nerd Crossing, and he gave us an interesting primer on how to market your business online. These are the current, best ways to get your business in front of your customers: 1) Create a content rich, interesting, frequently updated website. 2) Create a Facebook business page (this is different from a personal Facebook page. It costs a little bit of money, but is well worth it. You also need to maintain your Facebook business page with updated content, the more often the better.
3) Yelp presence is a possibility, but at present Yelp is charging $600 per month to advertise your business.
4) LinkedIn also provides you a presence online 5) Use “Google Places” to list your business. This is a free service, and gets you on the map, literally. Yahoo and Bing also have such a service.
6) Get your business reviewed in Yelp, Google Places, Yahoo and Bing. Online reviews of your business increase your page rankings in Google (your web site will be closer to the top of the first page in Google search results. Also use Facebook reviews. Finally, feedback on the reviews can increase your page ranking.
7) Online Search: Google AdWords is a service you use by choosing various keywords that you use on your website, and all your online listings. Use the Google Keyword Planner to optimize your website for the various search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing). This helps increase your page ranking organically. Then use AdWords to “bid” on your keywords. You pay for each click on a Google results page that your website gets. The “cost per click” is often more than $1.00 per click. You can set the limit you want to spend, and the times you want to advertise, e.g. when you have seasonal content or a new update to your website. You can advertise with a similar process on Facebook.
8) Use Google Analytics to find out your “page views”, how many people visit your website, what country they’re from, which pages are looked at, how long they stayed, and even the order of pages they look at .
9) Email marketing is another useful tool. You can send out a monthly newsletter, or reminders of industry relevant events, or info about a raffle, or contest, or various email only specials you may have. Two easy programs to use are Constant Contact and Email Chimp. Constant Contact offers analytics, and can tell you how many people opened the email, and if they clicked on something in the newsletter. Mail Chimp is free for up to 2000 email addresses. Of course you should get your customer’s permission before bombarding them with advertising emails.
10) Enter a business award competition. Join all the local Chambers of Commerce. Compete for a small business award, e.g. Business of the Year, East Bay Leadership Council, Best of the Bay. Join your trade associations.
If you have any questions on this information, please call Jim Hammock at Nerd Crossing. He is eager to help you.
Breakfast guests enjoy talking to each other after the presentation.
Note: Everyone reading this Newsletter is invited to the Chamber of Commerce Mixer! Please Come!
The July Mixer on July 13 will be at Jim Cowen’s Farmers Insurance office, 5341 Valley View Rd, El Sobrante (corner Dam Road and Valley View, behind gas station). Jim always puts on a great barbecue spread, with hamburgers, hot dogs/sausage, chips, salad, and fruit. Plus lots of drinks of different kinds, to suit everyone.
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 RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND MINGLE
July Farmers Insurance, Jim Cowen August Boys and Girls Club/Nerd Crossing
September NO MIXER (STROLL) October State Farm Insurance, Sonny Randhawa November Elks Lodge December Mechanics Bank
The Chamber of Commerce says “Thank You!” to Mike and Renee
Rowland of Windermere Realty for hosting the June Mixer. Scott Tuffnell and the rest of the Windermere staff worked very hard to put on a wonderful mixer. The food was delicious, and the Warriers game was on the big screen TV!
Scott Tuffnell busy at the June Mixer barbecue; Guests filling their plates.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB COMMUNITY BARBECUE AND SUMMER CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, JULY 9TH 9AM TO 3PM 4660 Appian Way, El Sobrante
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
PINOLE/EL SOBRANTE RELAY FOR LIFE RICHMOND MOOSE LODGE 550
EL SOBRANTE LIBRARY JUNIOR WARRIORS
LOCAL VENDORS AND PARTNERS
BRING THE FAMILY OUT TO ENJOY MUSIC, LET THE KIDS LOOSE IN THE BOUNCE HOUSE, WATCH EXHIBITION
BASKETBALL, FIND A BARGAIN AT OUR RUMMAGE SALE, ENJOY SOME AWARD WINNING BARBEQUE!
DOWNTOWN STREET TREES – AN UPDATE
Unexpected wind damage to our downtown street trees has been observed by many people, and the problem is being addressed, by the Chamber and by the County. The most obvious problem is failure of the steel support poles, as more than five have broken off at the base flange. Additionally, the rubber straps securing the trees to the poles have been breaking. Though strong winds are the primary culprit, vandalism may also be contributing. Close inspection shows the pole and strap system was not designed for El Sobrante’s strong late spring winds. The trees are being whipped in all directions, pulling the poles back and forth and stressing the flange welds to their breaking point. Be assured that the problems are being addressed. Chamber Board volunteers are working directly with the County Department of Public Works (DPW) on all the tree issues. After receiving a written report and photos from Board Member, Martha Booz, followed by her telephone plea to Mary Halle, County Project Manager, for help, the County acted quickly. Department of Public Works staff have assured us they, like us, “want the trees to thrive”, and agree that immediate action is needed. We have been told they are treating this as an emergency situation and the frequency of emails exchanged attest to that. DPW visited the area within a couple days of Martha’s call and is evaluating several solutions. Indications are they are leaning toward a twopole solution with stronger poles and a better system of securing the trees to the poles. They intend to test the systems before moving ahead to replace all the current poles. In the meantime, to minimize further tree damage, we are temporarily securing affected trees to their steel grates, a help, but certainly not a solution. All in all, the trees are doing well, according to Martha, who is voluntarily monitoring them and reporting issues to DPW staff on a quarterly basis. She has alerted DPW of irrigation issues, and needed pruning and weed control around the tree grates. It’s essential the County protect this investment, not just for downtown’s image but for far less obvious reasons. A just published U.S. Forest Service study reminds us of the unseen value of California’s street trees. 1
1U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station: "Structure, Function and Value of Street Trees in California, USA," June 2016 issue of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening
The study concluded that “every $1 spent on planting or maintaining a street tree returns, on average, $5.82 in benefits. From carbon storage ($10.32 million) and removal of air pollutants ($18.15 million) to interception of rainfall ($41.5 million) and energy savings from both heating and cooling ($101.15 million), California's street trees are paying big dividends. They even bolster property values and home sale prices to the tune of $838.94 million.” Your Chamber Board is working diligently to assure the trees are cared for. Article written by Maurice Abraham. Thanks, Maurice!
ALERT! SIDEWALK URN PLANTERS
By Maurice Abraham
While most of the plants in the downtown urns (planters) seem to be getting adequate water and care, some are not. It’s essential to downtown’s streetscape image that the plants be healthy. All business and property owners that have urns placed by the County are obligated by agreement to maintain the plants. Failure to do so can result in removal and relocation of the urns to others whom have expressed a desire to have them. We’re moving into our hottest weather period. Please do your part to keep the plants watered and weed free…please don’t use spray on the weeds, instead, pull them. If plants need to be replaced, cut a sprig and take it to Adachi’s Nursery on Sobrante Avenue to buy replacements of the same species. If you have any specific problems with the urns or their selfcontained water bladder, please leave a message at the Chamber office.
contact Dick McCloskey 510 7341575
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, when the meeting will be Monday, July 11th) at the Sheriff’s Annex / Chamber Office, 3769B San Pablo Dam Road
Parking next door Kaliente’s lot. 5:00 pm
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
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Meets 1st Monday of the Month @ 5:00 pm Sherrif's Annex / Chamber Office 3769B San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante http://www.elsobrantecachamber.com Marie: 5103870581 / [email protected] / Office: 5102230757
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Mixer Meets 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 5:30 – 7:00 pm At various locations. See Community Meetings Listing below 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.contracosta.ca.us/5216/DistrictISupervisorJohnMGioia 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.contracosta.ca.us/1640/ElSobranteMunicipalAdvisoryCouncil 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 3rd Saturday of the Month @ El Sobrante Library or De Anza outdoor classroom at Wilkie Creek Wilkie Creek site, De Anza Dr. and Santa Rita Rd. 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
July Community Meetings Tues July 5 5:30 – 7:30
Nature Walk Landfill Loop Trailhead
End of Parr Blvd, Richmond
Sat, July 9 9 am – 3 pm
Barbecue and Celebration
Boys and Girls Club
4660 Appian Way El Sobrante
Wed, July 13, 5:30 – 7 pm
Chamber Mixer, all welcome!
Farmers Insurance
5341 Valley View Rd, El Sobrante
Wed, July 13, 7 – 9 pm
Municipal Advisory Council
Library Meeting Room,
George Cleveland, President [email protected]
Thurs, July 14 6 – 8 pm
PlanningZoning Advisory Council
Library Meeting Room
Library Meeting Room back of the Library off Appian Way
Thur, July 16 9:30 noon
Community Work Party
Behind the Book House
At the El Sobrante Library
EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 23rd ANNUAL EL SOBRANTE STROLL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 PARADE 11:00 AM STROLL TO 4:00 PM
Your Name: _________________________________________________________________ Business Name: ______________________________________________________________ Type of Business: ____________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________Fax: ___________________EMail: _______________________ Participating in Parade: Yes_____ No _____ Booth Specifications: MAXIMUM SPACE SIZE IS 12’ X 12’
Product or service you will be offering: ___________________________________________
Using: Tent/Canopy _____ Table Only _____ Other ______________________________
(Please specify) FEES (Include Booth Space and One TShirt) NonProfit Organization ( schools, churches, etc.) ________________________ $ 85.00 Crafter____________________________________________________________ 100.00 Business __________________________________________________________ 135.00 Dam Road Business – (See Page 2)_____________________________________ 100.00 Food Booth ________________________________________________________ 135.00 Food Booth Applications must be returned by AUGUST 1ST. (See Page 2). Bands, Demonstrations & Entertainment must have prior approval. No Fee. One Free TShirt (included with booth fee): Mens Sizes: MED ___ L ___ XL ___ XXL ___ XXXL ___ Ladies Sizes: MED ___ L ____ Additional TShirts $7.00 ea. Mens Sizes: MED ____ L ___ XL ___ XXL ___ XXXL ___ Ladies Sizes: MED ____ L ___ Total additional TShirts: # ____ x $7.00 Total amount enclosed: $ _________ Make check payable to El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce. Mail to: Marie Carayanis, 4460 Fieldcrest Drive, El Sobrante, 94803 The event rain or shine NO REFUNDS.
For information call: Marie (510 3870581 email: [email protected] Chamber Office (510) 2230757 or Dina (510) 2226001.
BOOTH CATEGORIES
NonProfit Organizations – Any organization which can provide proof of nonprofit status with this application. If selling food or beverages see Food Booth description below.
Crafters – Home made products only – non food. Original handcrafted work in any media by the artist who is present. Business – licensed business, resale manufactured products.
Dam Road Businesses – REMINDER – If you do not send in an application and fee, the Stroll Committee will place another booth in front of your store on the street. All sidewalks must remain clear per Contra Costa County requirements. A SPECIAL RATE OF $100.00 FOR BUSINESSES ON THE DAM ROAD. Food Booth – Commercial or nonprofit groups selling or sampling foods/beverages prepared on or offsite for immediate or later consumption. Must comply with County Health Department requirements and pay licensing fee of $118.00 additional. Make check payable to the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce PARADE NOTES Line up – Parade begins at 11:00 am. Line up starts at 10:00 am at the Walgreens parking Lot, but location may be subject to change. The parade line begins at the drive thru pharmacy and goes behind the building. Parking The Walgreens parking lot is NOT for parade participant parking. Walgreens is still open for business, and any parking should be SHORT TERM. We appreciate Walgreensfor letting us use their lot, Usually public parking is available at the Masonic Lodge lot and a Stroll Shuttle will be available.
Stroll Application Page 2
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Membership Application
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 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 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 InHome Business $80 NonProfit Organization $80 Resident $40 TotalAmount Enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ ____________
COMPLETE FORM AND RETURN WITH CHECK TO: El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce
3769B San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante, CA 94803
**Abe Otter Locksmith** Tammy Mullen **Planchon Roofing** Doug Planchon AC Transit Julie Waters The Peddler Jeff Jerge **Allstate Insurance Company**
Richard Smith Olivers Ace Hardware Richard Oliver
**Ameriprise Financial Services**
Mark A. Porter **The Pool Doctor** Kelly Heath
Appian Express Mart & Gasoline
Ashok Attri Rancho Sports Bar Richard Oliver, Adam Oliver
Beadiful Beads by Bobbie Bobbie Squellati Ray’s Cars Ray Fahid **Bill’s Underground** Bill & Donna Schupp Republic Services Bielle Moore Boys & Girls Club of El Sobrante
Sue Rulli Richmond Elks Lodge Linda Pitts
**Canyon Swim School** Fred Brown **Rixen Chiropractic** Dr. Daniel Rixen Chapel of the Mission Bells Larry Cyr **Rotary Club of El
Sobrante** Randy Stevenson
Cloverfield Organic Farm Susan Abernathy Round Table Pizza Greg Merritt Coldwell Banker Bartels Anne Skeffington **Security Public
Storage** Christina Martinez
**Creek View** Michelle Hatch Signs by Scott Scott Erwin **Davis Investment Group**
Robert Davis **SPAWNERS** Helen Dickson & Judy Ward
EBMUD Sharla Sullivan **US Financial Mortgage Lending**
Nicole Donn
**El Sobrante Town Garage**
Mark & Katrina Croda **Wadsworth Glass* Veronica Jerge
**El Sobrante United Methodist Church**
Mark Zier West County Wastewater District
Marla Sena
El Sobrante Wheel & Brake Lyle Miller West County Reads Robin Wilson Envoy Mortgage Evelyn Freitas **Wilson & Kratzer** Kim Welch Guardian Adult Day Health center
Peter Behr **Windermere Rowland Realty**
Mike & Renee Rowland
Independent Real Estate Shirley and Bob Sharp
**Windermere Rowland Realty**
Scott Tuffnell
**J & A Market** Ranjeet B. Prasad Z Realty Investments Mike Zeelen JBM Construction John Mora Jeha’s Pharmacy, Inc. Dave Jeha Maurice Abraham Resident **Jim Cowen Insurance** Jim Cowen Arnold E. Bolton Resident Kool Cuts Branda Medrano Marie & Nick Carayanis Residents Lakeridge Athletic Club Bruce Thomas John S. Koepke Resident Los Cerros Mexican Restaurant
Eduardo Guzman Susan & Dick McCloskey Residents
Lucy’s Coin & Jewelry Pawn
Adam Gross Barbara Pendergrass Resident
Lynden & Company Thomas Lynden Steve & Sue Rulli Residents Michael Pejza Insurance Michael Pejza Dennis & Sally
Teeguarden Residents
Mike’s Appliances Mike Murphy Beverly Wallace Resident **Mechanics Bank** Michael Frith Ruth Williams Rockey Resident Morgan Properties Aubrey Morgan **OnSite Health Care Services**
Leesa Latimer **Ad Sponsors**
2016 El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Members
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 is available on our web site. Check it out! The link is: http://www.elsobrantecachamber.com/BOM.html
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 2436652 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 Book House is closed in July. The dates for the rest of 2016 are: August 5, 6 September 2, 3 October 7, 8 November 4, 5 December 2, 3
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce About Town Newsletter
July 2016
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: 5102230757