Newsletter

Your Chamber Working For YouPhone Calls433

Office Visitors

365

Referrals

910

Directories

82

Maps

2

Information Packets

34

We'd like to share some ways we have promoted your business in November.

Gold Level

Silver Level

December 2019

Bronze Level

As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past and on you, our members, who have helped to shape our

organization in a most significant way.Because the support of those we serve is the

foundation of our success, there is no time more fitting to say

“Thank You”and to wish you and your family a

Happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity

Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce2019/2020 Board of Directors

and Staff

2

ChairpersonStephanie GarciaTehachapi News

Chair ElectJim Miller

Race Communications

TreasurerCarolyn Wiles

Terra-Gen Operating Company

• Directors •Susan Abrego

1st Priority Vehicle Registration Service

Jessica DavidsonAltaOne Federal Credit Union

Kellie DudevoirCanine Creek Pet Wash & Boutique

Liz TrejoBig Papa's Steakhouse & Saloon

Ida PerkinsPresident

Lourine HallReceptionist

2019Board of Directors

Staff

209 E Tehachapi BlvdP.O. Box 401

Tehachapi, CA 93581661 822-4180

Fax 661 822-9036www.tehachapi.com

Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 10 AM - 4 PMClosed 1 - 2 PM for lunch

Hours subject to change for Chamber events

19th Annual TehachapiChristmas Parade

Saturday, December 7, 2019 5:30 PM

Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce822-4180 • www.tehachapi.com

Tree Lighting to follow at the Tehachapi Depot!

Downtown on F Street

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Greg GarrettTehachapi City Manager It’s certainly the holiday season as our public works team completes one of my favorite tasks, putting up the Christmas decorations Downtown. We reinvested in new decorations a year ago with LED LED snowflakes along with illuminated garlands adorning each Downtown light post. This year we purchased a few more for Mill Street and the new transit center so the entrance to our City off of Highway 58 and the heavily-used parking and ridesharing facility had the same dose of Christmas cheer. Thanks once again to the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council, the Tourism Commission and Main Street Tehachapi for their contribution to those purchases.Our team also recently completed installing the Christmas tree at theTehachapi Rail Depot Museum, it is certainly one of the most-visited sites during the holiday season and that tree plays a big part of it. I willmention that although the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 7th following the Christmas Parade, the tree will be illuminated over the Thanksgiving weekend to allow forvisiting family and friends to take photos together. We’ve done this the last few years at the request of residents, so take advantage of that if you have loved ones visiting over the next few days.The holiday season is a great time to be in Tehachapi, the weather is just starting to head towards winter, the mountains get a few dustings of snow and we start to take on the true spirit of Christmas. We’ve had events over the years that have become a part of that tradition, we’ll kick things off with Main Street Tehachapi’s ‘Ugly Sweater Wine Walk’ on Saturday, November 30th. It’s a great opportunity to visit Downtown businesses, catch up with friends and enjoy a kickoff to the season. Ticket sales are limited this year so buy in advance at mainstreet.org or through Event Brite to ensure you’ll be able to take part.Our Tehachapi Police Department and Tehachapi Police Foundation will once again be hosting a ‘Shop with a Cop’ event on December 5th. This year the Foundation has identified 20 third and fourth graders that have shown leadership, citizenship and acts of kindness and selected them to participate. You won’t be able to miss the procession of lights as our officers and volunteers lead these shoppers from the Tehachapi Police Department to Walmart where they will be able to enjoy a Christmasshopping experience.Of course per tradition the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 19th Annual Christmas Parade, with this year’s theme ‘The Magic of Christmas’ on Saturday, December 7th along ‘F’ Street Down-town. Once the parade is finished we invite everyone over to the Depot as Mayor Susan Wiggins and Santa Claus officially illuminate the tree. It’s the perfect reminder that even as Tehachapi grows, we still stay true to our small town roots.On December 13th they’ll be a ceremony honoring our military veterans by Wreaths Across America with placing of Christmas wreaths at the five branches of the service monuments at Freedom Plaza. The public event starts at 5:30 P.M. and serves as a great time of reflection honoring those that have served.Volunteer opportunities abound as well with the Salvation Army in search of bell ringers for their kettles and Toys for Tots accepting new toy dona-tions for local kids. City Hall is one of a few collection points if you feel inclined to give, as mentioned the toys stay in Tehachapi benefitting local families. So take a few moments, enjoy the Christmas music on the Downtown Tehachapi speakers and the sites and sounds of the holidays surroundingyou. Welcome to Tehachapi Christmas 2019, indeed the most wonderful time of the year.

City of Tehachapi

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December Membership Anniversaries31 YearsColdwell Banker Best Realty/ Dottie Jean Connolly30 Years Antelope Valley Board of Trade27 YearsBaymont Inn & Suites

10 YearsLiberty Tax Service of Tehachapi3 YearsAMA Homes, Inc.Dunkin Donuts

Welcome Our Newest Member

Tehachapi Natural Health MarketSarah Rose

20221 W Valley BlvdTehachapi CA 93561

661-823-4087

tehachapi.com working for our members

We'd like to share with you a summary of our website business directory

activity for November

Main Directory Search Page Visits

Alphabetical Listing SearchCategorical Listing SearchSearch ForNew Member ListingReferred to Member WebsiteEmails Sent to MembersMember Map Views

1,600

3,712174

1,876401

756,4021,599

Calls Placed to Members 716Category Sponsor Ad 47

Congressman McCarthy & Senator GroveMobile Office Hours at the Chamber

Government Representatives will hold office hours at the Chamber office on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Congressman McCarthy's Office 661-327-3611 10:30 - 11:30 p.m. Senator Grove's Office 661-323-0443For appointments please contact the above representatives.

NOTICEThe Chamber Office will be closed from Wednesday, December 25th through

Wednesday, January 1st for vacation.

Returning Thursday, January 2nd

The 2020 California and Federal Employment Poster will soon be available at the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce. The price is $58.00 for members and $77.00 for non-members, which includes Poster Protect*.

Contact the Chamber to reserve your 2020 Employment Poster. Available in English and Spanish.

* If mandatory changes happen in 2020, you automatically receive a replacement poster at no additional cost.

Order Your 2020Employment Poster Today!

Make sure your business is in compliance. Even if you only have one employee, you can be fined $17,000 for not posting required notices. Our poster includes all notices in one convenient poster.Order yours today!

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Chamber Member Celebrations

Chamber Directors Stephanie Garcia and Carolyn Wiles; Chamber President Ida Perkins; Chamber Ambassadors Sandra Honea, Tina Larson and Carl Gehricke along with Mayor Susan Wiggins; Councilmembers Michael Davies and Joan Pogan-Cord and City Manager Greg Garrett joined Jesus Lopez for the Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting of A Barber Shop Tehachapi on Thursday, November 7, 2019.A Barber Shop Tehachapi is located at 1121 W. Valley Blvd. For more information call 661-771-7159.Congratulations Jesus!!

Chamber Directors Stephanie Garcia, Jessica Davidson and Liz Trejo; Chamber President Ida Perkins; Chamber Ambassadors Sandra Honea, Tina Larson and Carl Gehricke along with Mayor Susan Wiggins and City Manager Greg Garrett joined Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation for their Grand Opening on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is located at 401 S. Curry St. For more information call 661-823-8383.Congratulations Annette and Robert!!

Chamber Directors Stephanie Garcia, Jessica Davidson and Carolyn Wiles; Chamber President Ida Perkins; Chamber Ambassador Tina Larson along with Mayor Susan Wiggins and Councilmember Joan Pogan-Cord joined Donna Huckaba for the Grand Opening of High Ton Darts, Inc, on Thursday, November 21, 2019.High Ton Darts is located at 414 W. Tehachapi Blvd, Ste K. For more information call 661-877-8909.Congratulations Donna!!

6

Reference Checks: What Can I Say About a Former Employee?CalChamber HRWatchDog

Is an employer prohibited from providing a reason for separation when verifying past employment?No — an employer can provide reasons for separation/termination, but many employers are uncomfortable doing so due to concerns about a lawsuit from a former employee for defamation.Truth is an absolute defense to any claim for defamation but defending such a lawsuit can be an expensive saga.For that reason, many employers prefer to simply provide dates of employment and position held. Other employers do provide a wealth of information, and again — as long as they are being truthful, the law protects them.Future employers depend, to a certain degree, on getting information about applicants. It is helpful to find out if an applicant was frequently late, missed work often, was insubordinate, etc.Develop PolicyAccordingly, it is important to develop a policy of precisely what you will/will not provide when you get that call for a reference. It also is advisable to have a specific person designated to provide whatever information you decide to provide, so your practice is consistent.

It also is imperative to make sure that in providing information, you don’t base it on a discriminatory reason. For example, if an employee was frequently late but the lateness was due to a physical problem, tardiness should not be cited. If you think an employee was a troublemaker, but indeed he/she was a whistleblower, it should not be mentioned.

Answers ‘Without Malice’The Civil Code Section 47(c) offers protection when answering the question of if a former employee is, or is not, eligible for rehire as long as the statement is made “without malice.” It can be very telling to hear such a response from a former employer.Last, there are cases on “negligent referral.” This occurs when the former employer provides little or no information on an ex-employee. When that failure causes harm to an innocent third party, the new employer can sue the previous employer for failing to disclose information the employer knew to be true and should have reported.Negligent referral cases are not common, but there is that body of law that could come back to haunt a former employer.Once an employer decides how to handle reference requests, it is a good idea to run the policy by an attorney to assure that it is a good course of action.

HR Corner

Develop a policy of precisely what you will/will not provide when you get that call for a reference

Licensed and Bonded By dMV RenewaLs & TRansfeRs

20725 souTh sT, sTe 12, Tehachapi, caSusan Abrego661-823-4278

1s t Priori ty VehicleRegistrat ion Service

Chamber Office Closed

Tourism Commission Mtf

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195 20 21

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For detailed information on events, visit our Community Calendar at www.tehachapi.com

s h o p l o c a l !Support your local business community

www.tehachapi.com

61 542

Chamber ServiCeSFor Members Only

Mailing Labels Electronic (Excel) Mailing List

$25.00 $35.00

Directory of MembersAvailable to all at No Charge

Free to Members OnlyDisplay of Cards & Brochures in the Chamber Office Referrals From: Phone Calls Walk-In's Internet First Hotspot in Newsletter (first 90 days of membership)

Website Advertising - Members OnlyContact Chamber Office for pricing and options

Employment Posters 2019Members Non-Members

$57.00 $76.00

Advertising - Members OnlyNewsletter Hotspot Newsletter Card per month per year

$ 35.00 $ 25.00 $200.00

Relocation Packet Insert/per year

$125.00

Government Reps See page 5 for appt info

3

Board of Directors MtgChamber Office 4:30 PM

City Council Mtg 6 PMWells Education Ctr

December 2019 31

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Groundbreaking

Ceremony 12:00 PMMagellan & Athens Drive

30

7

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City Council Mtg 6 PMWells Education Ctr TUSD Board Mtg 6 PM

GTEDC Mtg 7:30 AMSlice of Life

First Friday 5-8 PM

2020 Chamber Network Luncheon Sponsorships

The Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce Monthly Network Lun-cheon is an opportunity to Showcase your Business. Luncheons are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, January through October (no luncheon in August). January, March and October are already reserved.

Your Network Luncheon Sponsorship includes:• 2 tickets to the luncheon ($30 value).• 250 words business bio in our monthly newsletter for the month of

sponsorship with your logo.• Your Business listed as a sponsor in our luncheon reminder email.• 3-minute infomercial at the luncheon.• Exclusive rights to distributing promotional material at each seat.• Your Business listed as sponsor on the New Member List and Calendar distributed at the luncheon by the Chamber.

All inclusive sponsorship for only $100.00. Call early to reserve the month important to you. Reservations on a first come basis. Only one Sponsor per luncheon. To sponsor a Network Luncheon or additional information, contact Ida Perkins at the Chamber 661-822-4180 or email idaperkins@tehachapi.com.

Chamber Office Closed

Breakfast with Santa 8-10 AM Santa at the Depot 11-3 PMChristmas Parade & Tree

Lighting 5:30 PM

Santa at the Depot 11-3 PM

Coffee with the Mayor & City Manager

7:30 - 9:30 AM Coffee Mill

GTEDC Holiday MixerDorner Family Vineyards

6-8 PM

Chamber Office Closed for Vacation

Chamber Office Closed for Vacation

Chamber Office Closed for Vacation

Chamber Office Closed for Vacation