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_______________________________________________________________ Serving the El Sobrante Business Community Since 1957
About Town
The El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter January 2018
President’s Message
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope the
holidays brought you happiness, health and
peace.
On December 13, the results of the Board
election were announced at the mixer
hosted by Mechanics Bank. Your chamber
board for 2018 will be:
Officers:
President – Scott Tuffnell, Realtor® with
Windermere Rowland Realty
Vice President – Mark Croda, El Sobrante
Town Garage
Secretary- Beverly Wallace, Vice President,
West County Forum
Treasurer – Bob Davis, Davis Investment
Group
Newly elected board members (each serving
a two year term):
Major John Hermanson, Salvation Army
Sonny Randhawa, State Farm Insurance
Re-elected for another two year term were:
Marie Carayanis, retired business owner
Nicole Donn, U.S. Financial
Barbara Pendergrass, President of El
Sobrante Municipal Advisory Committee
Returning board members for another one
year term:
Maurice Abraham, Community Planning
Consultant and Founder of El Sobrante
Green Team
Jim Cowen, Farmers Insurance
Susan McCloskey, retired business owner
Judy Ward, SPAWNERS
Bob Sharp, Independent Real Estate Agent
Bobbie Squellati, owner, Baskets by Bobbie
Congratulations to all new and returning
board members. I look forward to working
together to continue to improve the El
Sobrante business and resident community.
I also want to thank 2017 board members
Anne Skeffington from Coldwell Banker
Realty, Richard Smith from Allstate
Insurance, Eduardo Guzman, and Oliver
Chavez for serving on the board last year. I
invite you to continue to serve the
community as you see fit.
I also appreciate the hard work of Martha
Booz, our newsletter editor and webmaster,
for the hours and hours of volunteer work
keeping our members and visitors informed
through our publications, in print and
online.
I hope everyone reading this message will
attend the Installation Dinner on January
20, 2018, to greet the new board and
celebrate the outgoing 2017 board. Look
for the formal invitation announcement
inside this newsletter. Seating is limited, so
get your reservation in early.
Here’s to a great 2018 #ElSobranteSpirit
Scott Tuffnell, Chamber President
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
STOP & SHOP IN EL SOBRANTE!
2018 Chamber of Commerce Officers & Directors Officers:
President: Scott Tuffnell: Realtor, Windermere Rowland Realty
Vice-President: Mark Croda, Owner, El Sobrante Town Garage
Treasurer: Bob Davis, Investment Advisor, Davis Investment Group
Secretary: Beverly Wallace, Resident
Directors:
Maurice Abraham, Resident
Marie Carayanis, Membership Chair
Jim Cowen, Farmers Insurance
Nicole Donn, US Financial Mortgage
Lending
John Hermanson, Salvation Army
Susan McCloskey, Resident
Barbara Pendergass, MAC Chairperson
Sonny Randhawa, State Farm Insurance
Bob Sharp, Independent Real Estate Agent
Bobbie Squelatti, Baskets by Bobbie
Judy Ward, SPAWNERS
Martha Booz, Newsletter Editor and Website Publisher, [email protected]
The Business of the Month is awarded to El Sobrante Valley business owners who beautify their
storefronts to improve their appearance. Beautifying includes exterior painting, exterior
landscaping and improving the signage.
SPOTLIGHT: EL SOBRANTE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH January 2018
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
4955 Appian Way
510-640-0001
Hours: Mon-Sun 10 am-10 pm
The January Business of the Month is Krispy Krunchy Chicken. The business is owned by
Dajit Uppal. Dajit opened this second store in the area 6 months ago and owns multiple
locations, as found online. His background was in retail in ethnic stores. He likes the
area and had previously owned retail stores in El Sobrante. He likes the area because
there are few problems. The building had previously been a Mexican taqueria.
Dajit describes the business as the best recipe chicken that is fresh, not frozen. He
specializes in spicy food. Currently, their hours are Monday thru Sunday 10am – 10pm,
open all year. They have painted the building, added new signage and remodeled the
interior. It looks great! Congratulations and thank you, Dajit.
2018 Calendar of Mixers
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Mixers are held monthly,
except if there is another event that month.
January 20 No Mixer: Chamber Installation
Banquet (see flyer in newsletter)
February 7 Chamber office, 3769B San Pablo
Dam Road
March 14 Cricket Wireless, 3550 San Pablo
Dam Road
April 11 Somewhere Else Sports Bar, 5216
Sobrante Ave
May 9 To Be Determined
June 13 El Sobrante Town Garage, 4012 San
Pablo Dam Road
July 11 Jim Cowen’s Insurance, 5341 Valley
View Road
August 8 To Be Determined
September 16 No Mixer -- STROLL!!
October 9 To Be Determined
November 14 Elks Lodge, 3931 San Pablo Dam
Road
December 12 Mechanics Bank, 3884 San Pablo
Dam Road
Photos from the December Mixer at Mechanics Bank
WHY JOIN AND SUPPORT YOUR CHAMBER?
Networking & Visibility - It’s not just who you know, it’s also who others know.
Networking is powerful. Attend and enjoy our monthly mixers, free of charge. Meet your
fellow business associates and residents. We always have a good time.
Advertising & Exposure - Discounts on your ads in our monthly About Town
Newsletter and free listing in our El Sobrante Guide to Shopping, Dining and
Services publication, over 4,000 copies distributed. Spring and Fall issues published
annually, and posted on the Chamber website. www.elsobrantecachamber.com.
Have a Voice - Gain a say in planning future projects and events for our El Sobrante
Valley Community. Your Chamber membership is needed to fund street maintenance,
advertisement and website expenses, school scholarships, new Welcome Signs and
much more.
Join now – membership offers you endless opportunities! Application included in this
issue.
Marie Carayanis, Membership Committee
SPAWNERS JANUARY EVENT
SPAWNERS Volunteer Work Party Sat. January 20, 9:30am – noon, El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way in El
Sobrante
Join us at the newly opened El Sobrante Library Plaza! We're finishing up planting
our native plant demonstration garden. People with all levels of experience are
welcome. Please wear sturdy shoes, comfortable work clothes, and bring a water
bottle. SPAWNERS will provide tools, gloves, and snacks.
Helen Fitanides
Program Manager, The Watershed Project and SPAWNERS
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 510-665-3538
C4AGES JANUARY MEETING C4AGES Meeting
Wednesday January 17,
El Sobrante Library Meeting Room, 7 pm
An agenda will be provided at the meeting.
NEIGHBORS PROTEST PROPOSED
METHADONE CLINIC AGAIN
A standing room only crowd of El Sobrante Valley residents again packed
the MAC meeting Dec 13, 2017. At the meeting, neighbors again
overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, and asked the MAC to send a letter
against the proposal to the County planning department. The MAC voted
unanimously and with urgency to deny the clinic's conditional use permit.
The letter requested by the people at the meeting has been written, and is
being sent to Supervisor Gioia with copy to Richmond Mayor Tom Butt,
District 1 Coordinator James Lyons, San Pablo City Manager, Matt
Rodriquez, Richmond City Planner Hector Lopez, BAART Regional VP Nadine
Robbins-Laurent (company proposing the clinic), and El Sobrante Chamber
of Commerce President Scott Tuffnell.
Some of the issues raised in the letter are:
● The homeless population, already a major problem in our El Sobrante
business district, will be increased, as the homeless from Richmond
and San Pablo will migrate to El Sobrante to make use of the Clinic.
● The heavy traffic on San Pablo Dam Road, already a major problem for
commuters, will increase. The San Pablo Dam Road overpass on
Highway 80 is due to a have a major years-long construction project
which will cause even more problems for commuters.
● The El Sobrante businesses and residents are looking for new business
that will add to the improvement for our community. The Methadone
Clinic relocation will not help our residents or our business tax base.
● The owner of a physical therapy business going into the old Floor
Dimensions building has spent over two million on redoing the
building. Now his business will be negatively impacted if not destroyed
by the proposed move.
● No Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report has been
completed or is planned that would identify the impact on businesses,
traffic, homelessness, parking, residences, the two child care centers
located within a couple of blocks, and law enforcement coverage as
only one Deputy is available in the El Sobrante area.
In the interim, residents can call Supervisor John Gioia at 510-231-8686,
call Mayor Tom Butt at 510-620-6503 or email him at
[email protected]. You can also contact his Chief of Staff, Alex Knox
510-621-1302 or [email protected].
A petition against the medical clinic is being circulated
at https://goo.gl/LFoCm3
EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BOARD MEETINGS—Visitors Welcome
Board meetings are held every month at 5:15 pm on the dates below at the
Chamber Office, 3769-B San Pablo Dam Road. Park in Kaliente’s lot.
January 8 February 8 March 5 April 2
May 7 June 11 July 2 August 6
September 10 October 1 November 5 December 3
Monthly Community Meetings
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
Meets 1st Monday of the Month @ 5:15 pm
Sheriff'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
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Mixer
Meets 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 5:30 – 7:00 pm,
at a different location each month
See Community Meetings Listing below
Supervisor John Gioia Code Enforcement 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 pm, at Library Meeting Room, 4191 Appian Way,
in back of the library
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. Meeting room, El Sobrante Library
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 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
Location to be announced. See http://www.greenelsobrante.org
Richmond Elks Lodge has a dinner the 3rd Friday of every month, at 3931 San Pablo Dam
Road, 6 pm – 9 pm.
Indivisible Group, formed to resist hatred and promote peace and understanding, meets
the 4th Saturday of the month, @ 2 pm, Hope Lutheran Church on May Rd.
January 2018 Community Meetings
Mon, Jan 8
5:15 pm
Chamber of
Commerce Board
meeting
At the Board office 3769-B San Pablo Dam
Rd.
Wed, Jan 10,
7 pm
Municipal
Advisory Council
Library Meeting
Room
4191 Appian Way
Thur, Jan 11,
6 – 8 pm
Planning-Zoning
Advisory Council
Library Meeting
Room
4191 Appian Way
Fri, Jan 19,
6:30 pm
Richmond Elks
Lodge
Monthly 3rd Friday
Dinner All Welcome
RSVP 510-223-3441 and
for information
Wed. Jan 17,
7 pm
C4AGES Monthly
Meeting
Library meeting
room
4191 Appian Way
Sat. Jan 20,
9:30 – noon
SPAWNERS Work
Party
Behind the Library 4191 Appian Way
Sat. Jan 20,
6 – 9:30 pm
Chamber
Installation and
Awards Banquet
Masonic Lodge 5050 El Portal Drive, El
Sobrante
Sat, Jan 27
2 – 4:30 pm
Indivisible Group Hope Lutheran
Church
On May Road in El
Sobrante
“LIGHT UP THE TOWN” CONTEST WINNERS
Our thanks to the following businesses who helped “Light Up Our Town” for
the Holidays:
First Prize: Adry’s Beauty Salon/El Sobrante Lock & Key
Second Prize: 7 Star Meds Dispensary
Third Prize: Jim Cowen Insurance/Vegan ‘N Chicken
California Thai Restaurant
Cam Hong Restaurant
Chamber of Commerce Office
El Trompudo Mexican Restaurant
El Sobrante Town Garage
Fancy Paws
Four Corners Pizza and Pasta
G & L Haircuts
Godfather’s Limousine Service
Indian Grocery Store
Kaliente Restaurant
Oliver’s Ace Hardware
Pari Salon
PHO Saigon #2 Somewhere Else
Sports Bar
Waggs & Whiskers Pet Grooming
If we have overlooked you, please accept our apologies and let us know
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Members **Allstate Insurance Company** Richard Smith **Planchon Roofing** Doug Planchon **Ameriprise Financial Services** Mark A. Porter **Plumbing Express** Cathy Brazil A P N Smoke Shop Wahid Ahmadi **The Pool Doctor** Kelly Heath Appian Express Mart & Gasoline Ashok Attri Rancho Sports Bar Richard Oliver, Adam
Oliver Bay Alarm Andrew Nosanchuk **Real Estate Services” Anne Skeffington Beadiful Beads by Bobbie Bobbie Squellati **Republic Services** Bielle Moore Big Minds Unschool Dr. Melanie Hayes Richmond Elks Lodge Linda Pitts **Bill’s Underground** Bill & Donna Schupp **Rixen Chiropractic** Dr. Daniel Rixen **Boys & Girls ClubS of Contra Costa
Lorna Padia Markus **Rotary Club of El Sobrante** Randy Stevenson
Burgess-Allard Family K. Schminke Round Table Pizza Greg Merritt **Chapel of the Mission Bells** Larry Cyr **Security Public Storage** Melissa & Enrique
Serrano Cloverfield Organic Farm Susan Abernathy **Signs by Scott** Scott Erwin **Davis Investment Group** Robert Davis **Space and Time Organized** Janet Flint EBMUD Sharla Sullivan **Spunaugle & Tuffnell** Jenny Tuffnell Elite 24 Fitness & Nutrition Larry Brooks **SPAWNERS** Helen Fitanides **El Sobrante Town Garage** Mark & Katrina Croda **St. Joseph Cemetery** Jerry Burkeen **El Sobrante United Methodist Church**
Mark Zier St. Paul School Natalie Lenz-Acuma
El Sobrante Lock & Key Kyle Hager State Farm Insurance Sonny Randhawa El Sobrante Wheel & Brake Lyle Miller The Noodle House Miguel Gallegos Envios Na Ya Natilie Esperanza **US Financial Mortgage
Lending** Nicole Donn
Envoy Mortgage Evelyn Freitas **Vegan ‘N Chicken** Shabaz Abbasi, Zafar Khan
Epicycle Media Charles Anderson **Wadsworth Glass* Veronica Jerge Fisk Termite Control Robert C. Sibley West County Wastewater
District Marla Sena
Godfathers Limousine Service Tony Raffanelli West County Reads Robin Wilson Grisham & Associates Marc & Dana
Grisham **Wilson & Kratzer** Kim Welch
Guardian Adult Day Health Ctr Peter Behr **Windermere Rowland Realty** Mike & Renee Rowland **J & A Market** Ranjeet B. Prasad **Windermere Rowland Realty** Scott Tuffnell Jay Vee Liquors Fathi Elias Z Realty Investments Mike Zeelen Jeha Properties Dave Jeha **Jim Cowen Insurance** Jim Cowen Maurice Abraham Resident Kool Cuts Branda Medrano Lakeridge Athletic Club Bruce Thomas Arnold E. Bolton Resident **Little Wishes Spa** Karla Amador-Daza Martha Booz Resident Los Cerros Mexican Restaurant Eduardo Guzman Eletha Cannon Resident Lucy’s Coin & Jewelry Pawn Adam Gross Marie & Nick Carayanis Residents Lynden & Company Thomas Lynden Mary Beth Ferguson Resident MCECleanEnergy.org Kalicia Pivirotto Dina & Bob Fowler Residents Michael Pejza Insurance Michael Pejza John S. Koepke Resident **Mike’s Appliances** Mike Murphy Susan & Dick McCloskey Residents **Mechanics Bank** Michael Frith Lillian Nardi Resident Morgan Properties Aubrey Morgan Barbara Pendergrass Resident Mr. Fixit Handyman Carlyle Garrick Shirley Rosenthal Winston Resident Nerd Crossing Jim Hammack Beverly Wallace Resident On-site Health Care Services Leesa Latimerr Bob and Shirley Sharp Residents Oliver’s Ace Hardware Richard Oliver Sheila Ann Webb Resident Paul Morris Management Paul Morris Ruth Williams Rockey Resident PHQ Wireless Edson Burges Anna Zazueta Resident
**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,
Jeha Properties
The Guide is available on our web site as well as at the Library, the
Chamber office and at many businesses. Check it out! The website link to
the Guide is: http://www.elsobrantecachamber.com/BOM.html
Green Team Update
The Green Team, who clean up the downtown area of trash frequently, are
still hard at work. 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!
Friends of the Library Update
The Friends of the El Sobrante Library invite you to our book sale Jan 5th
and 6th: Jan 5th, from 4 – 6 pm, and Jan 6th, from 1 – 3 pm, at the Book
House, behind the Library, at the back of the library parking lot! The
Friends newsletter has gone out. If you didn’t get one, or if you want to get
one, please let me know, and I’ll be glad to send it to you.
Martha Booz, Editor, and President of the Friends of the El Sobrante Library,
El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce
About Town Newsletter January 2018
THE EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.ElSobranteCaChamber.com 3769 – B San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante, CA 94803 Office: 510-223-0757