President s Message. Now is the time we encourage you to join we encourage you to volunteer!

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1 Serving the El Sobrante Business Community Since 1957 About Town The El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter February 2016 President s Message I am pleased to announce our first Small Business Networking Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 7:30 am at the Elk s Lodge, 3931 San Pablo Dam Road. A flier is included in this issue. The topic is: ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), AND YOUR BUSINESS - IS IT AT RISK? DOES IT COMPLY? HOW CAN YOU PROTECT IT? Our speaker is an expert in his field and is familiar with our area. This information is of utmost importance, whether you are already in business or planning to start one. If our networking breakfast is well received, we plan to schedule quarterly meetings and your input will assist us in the selection of topics. All are welcome. Your Chamber is currently supporting a proposed sidewalk project by the CC County Public Works Department, to add sidewalks between May Rd and Appian Way. That would improve pedestrian connectivity from residencies to downtown El Sobrante, Sheldon Elementary School and the El Sobrante Library. The proposed sidewalk improvements will provide pedestrians with a safe route, in place of walking in the parking lane or shoulder. Also, improved pedestrian infrastructure will encourage walking, rather than driving, which will support a more sustainable Community. Your Chamber s goal this year is to encourage and engage our business owners to work together, not in a competitive environment, but with one that will join us together for the betterment of our Community. Our businesses offer unique services. Several of our businesses have made significant improvements, both within their establishments, as well as to the exterior, and we Thank You. Have you made, or heard others make the statement - What has the Chamber ever done to support me? Your Chamber asks - What have you ever done to support your Chamber? Now is the time we encourage you to join we encourage you to volunteer! Remember to honk, wave or say, Thank You, as you pass our business districts on a Saturday, for you will see volunteers proudly wearing green vests, working to beautify our streets and landscape. Sincerely, Marie Carayanis, President mariecofces@yahoo.com Cell: Chamber Office:

2 2016 Chamber of Commerce Officers & Directors President: Marie Carayanis Resident, Former Business Owner 1 st Vice- President: Scott Tuffnell -- Realtor, Windermere Rowland Realty 2 nd Vice-President: Barbara Pendergrass -- Resident, Chair 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 You are cordially invited to attend the Installation & Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at the Masonic Hall, 5050 El Portal Drive. An invitation is included in this issue. Website Updated! Martha Booz, our new Newsletter editor and website publisher, has updated the Chamber web site at Check it out! There is still much to do, but it is much improved! The design is simplified, and errors fixed. Get El Sobrante news there. You can contact Martha at her address, mlbooz@calnatives.com with any questions or comments. Newsletter content is due to her by the 3 rd Friday of every month. Street Lights Out Keep Reporting! So far, these street poles are reported to have lights out: Walgreen's, The Dollar Tree, Kaliente, Bill's Arco Station near Bank of America, and Oliver's Ace Hardware. Altogether there are 7 in El Sobrante. Please do keep reporting the street lights that don t work! Each pole is numbered, with the number visible halfway up the pole. Record the number and call the Chamber Office at We will notify Public Works and get the street light fixed. Do this if the light is flickering on and off, too.this will help diminish accidents and possible threats of crime. Thank you for your help and cooperation!

3 BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2016 The February Business of the Month is Dragon s Martial Arts. They are located at 4805 Valley View Rd, just past May Road, and their phone number is (510) The business is owned by Noel Tejano. They moved to this location in June of 2015 from their San Pablo Dam Rd location. Noel, who started his martial arts school over 10 years ago, selected El Sobrante because he wanted to work where he lives. Noel describes the business as a family run school with a family atmosphere. This is not just self-defense but the whole package. This is not a business that hands out belts because you are due, you earn it. He works with kids and adults who want to learn the arts. He also helps develop children into good citizens. The many benefits are: learning how to defend yourself exceling in school from learning to listen and focus enticing youth and adults off the couch, and getting fit and stabilizing your lifestyle Their classes are Monday thru Thursday 4pm-5pm; 5:15pm- 6:15pm and 6:30pm- 7:30pm. They are closed Friday thru Sunday and pm all major holidays. They added a big new sign. It looks great. Congratulations and thank you Noel!

4 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

5 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 which the Chamber holds monthly except January and September. The current available months are February, March April, and October. Show off your business! To sign up, contact Bob Davis, cell (925) 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 February March April 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 THANK YOU TO 2015 MIXER HOSTS: The Salvation Army, Appian Ranch Windermere Rowland Realty Costume Corner Boys & Girls Club of El Sobrante NERD Crossing Canyon Swim School Davis Investment Group Richmond Elks Lodge #1251 Mechanics Bank

6 SPAWNERS Community Work Party Sat., February 13, 9:30am - noon Wilkie Creek Site: De Anza Dr. and Santa Rita Way, El Sobrante Help take care of one of SPAWNERS' 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. Every volunteer must have valid waivers on file. Volunteers under 18 must have their waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian. Please contact Helen at helen@thewatershedproject.org for more information. Program Coordinator, SPAWNERS Living Shorelines Program Manager, The Watershed Project helen@thewatershedproject.org Phone:

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8 GREEN TEAM VOLUNTEERS HIT THE STREETS Since early November, Chamber of Commerce-sponsored volunteers have been sprucing up our downtown sidewalks and parking lots. Every month, on the first and third Saturday morning, one of four teams fans out to pick up trash and debris. These resident volunteers are setting a great example of civic pride and community participation, and it s hoped their example will motivate businesses, shoppers and others to do their part too. When you see these folks hard at work, show your support with a thumbs-up thank you. You can t miss them in their lime-green vests! Some GREEN TEAM members shown gathering trash & debris with pickers and buckets provided by ACE Hardware The El Sobrante Valley GREEN TEAMS are initially focused on the downtown business district from Appian Way to El Portal Drive. Many team members want to expand the cleanup effort to the Appian Way corridor including The Curve business district, and to the segment of Dam Road extending to Interstate-80 in San Pablo. Although we have some 30 volunteers, we ll need more to expand into these areas or we ll have to send teams out more frequently, says GREEN TEAM Coordinator, Maurice Abraham, who also chairs the Chamber s Beautification Committee. Right now we re just getting started, so we re taking baby steps with an eye toward expanding when possible. Another project these volunteers want to tackle is planting certain spots that are overrun with weeds. This will require permission from affected property owners, raising funds to acquire materials and a project-by-project commitment of extra time from our volunteers. GREEN TEAM member, Martha Booz, has taken on a very special task; monitoring the health of downtown s new street trees and reporting her findings to the County s Department of Public Works. Martha is also keeping an expert eye on the new container plants, counseling businesses about specific plant health and maintenance issues. Possessing a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from UC Davis, Martha is clearly qualified for this job. Anyone interested in joining the GREEN TEAM efforts is encouraged to contact Maurice at or via at mpabraham@aol.com.

9 BEAUTIFICATION TIPS For February, 2016 Have you read the previously published Beautification Tips? Have you decided to implement some or all of these tips? Even the smallest cleanup effort can make a difference and will be noticed. We re continuing to see business properties being improved; the former Goodwill building renovated to house a busy new Dollar Tree store, new paint and parking lot upgrades at PJ s Restaurant, a repainted Jeha building (Clancy s Bar) and a renovated ACE Hardware parking lot among others. And, hopefully you ve seen our green-vested El Sobrante Valley GREEN TEAM Volunteers in action. These Chamber-organized teams of resident volunteers are doing twice-monthly trash cleanups with the goal of maintaining a clean downtown the community can be proud of. This month s tip entitled ABOUT THOSE DETAILS calls attention to the little things...visible details that cause an otherwise decent building to look uncared for. These are often just remnant bits of hardware whose purpose has long-passed, but can also include more obvious things such as old and outdated signs. This month s tip is the eighth of twelve aimed at El Sobrante s downtown business district. A new tip will be included monthly in this newsletter until all have been published. 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 Although the Beautification Tips focus on the downtown business district, they do apply to ALL El Sobrante businesses. They re intended to help your specific business as well as the larger business district. The Chamber of Commerce Board encourages every business and property owner to take these 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 (home), (mobile) or mpabraham@aol.com. to arrange a meeting.

10 TIP NO. 8 ABOUT THOSE DETAILS Adding to the poor image of some buildings are non-functioning carryovers from the past. Often these are little things that have been there so long you don t even notice them. Look for old unused brackets and hardware even old nails and screws. Is there unused wiring, cable or similar items tacked to or dangling from the building? What about old light fixtures or old unused signs in disrepair? Exposed sign enclosure. Services in disrepair. Dangling wires. Unused rooftop sign poles. Newspaper racks no longer in use. ACTIONS: Visually inspect the building to identify non-functioning attachments such as sign frames, brackets, nonfunctioning lights and loose dangling wires. Remove these items wherever possible. Dangling, functioning wires should be enclosed in conduit or cable managers and painted to match the building or, at a minimum, stretched tight and secured. Holiday lights and decorations should be removed immediately after the holiday ends. This contributes to a fresh seasonally changing appearance. Year-round string lights, if used, should have clear, non-colored bulbs so as not to be confused with seasonal holiday lights. Wires should be stretched tight and secured to create a straight line, not allowed to sag or dangle. A simple rule; If its broken, fix it. If it no longer has a purpose, remove it.

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13 EL SOBRANTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD MEETINGS Board Meetings are held on the 1 st Monday of each month (except this year for July, which is July 4 th ) at the Sheriff s Annex / Chamber Office, 3769-B 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

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15 Monthly Community Meetings El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Meets 1 st Monday of the 5:00 pm Sherrif's Annex / Chamber Office B San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante Marie: / mariecofces@yahoo.com / Office: Supervisor John Gioia Code Enforecment Meeting Meets 1 st Wednesday of every OTHER 2:00 pm Office of Gioia / San Pablo Ave, Suite D, El Cerrito El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Meets 2 nd Wednesday of the 7:00 pm El Sobrante Library Meeting Room / 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante El Sobrante Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Meets 2 nd Thursday of the 6:00 pm El Sobrante Library Meeting Room / 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante SPAWNERS (San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education & Restoration Society) Volunteer Workday 2 nd Saturday of the El Sobrante Library or De Anza outdoor classroom at Wilkie Creek Water Bug Team meets 4 th Sat of the Month. See website for more info: spawners.org For information contact helen@thewatershedproject.org Citizens for a Greener El Sobrante (C4AGES) Meets 3 rd Wednesday of the 7:00 pm El Sobrante Library Meeting Room / 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante February Community Meetings Tue, Feb pm Wed, Feb 10, 7 9 pm Thurs, Feb pm Sat, Feb 12 Wed, Feb pm Mon, Feb 22 5:15 6 pm SPAWNERS Meeting Municipal Advisory Council Planning and Zoning Advisory Council SPAWNERS Community Workday Citizens for a Greener El Sobrante Library Meeting Room Library Meeting Room Back of the Library Library Meeting Room Wilkie Creek Site De Anza Dr. and Santa Rita Way Library Meeting Room Barbara Pendergrass RPender970@aol.com? Stroll Meeting Chamber Office Bob Davis

16 J & A Market Liquor Wine Beer Spirits & Grocery 5325 Valley View Road El Sobrante, CA Phone: Fax: Ranjeet B. Prasad Cell: Home: ranjeetb.prasad@gmail.com

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18 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 ( ) - 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 ********************* $ (1 year) 1/4 page Ad $40 per issue $ (1 year) ½ Page Ad $55 per issue $ (1 year)) Full Page Ad $70 per issue $ (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

19 2015 El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce Members **Abe Otter Locksmith** Tammy Mullen **Rixen Chiropractic** Dr. Daniel Rixen AC Transit Julie Waters **Rotary Club of El Randy Stevenson Sobrante** Adachi Florist & Nursery Round Table Pizza Greg Merritt **Allstate Insurance Company** Richard Smith The Salvation Army Captain John Hermanson **Ameriprise Financial Mark A. Porter Sam s Doghouse Renee & Mike Rowland Services** Beadiful Beads by Bobbie Bobbie Squellati **Security Public Christina Martinez Storage** **Bill s Underground** Bill & Donna Schupp **SPAWNERS** Helen Dickson & Judy Ward Boys & Girls Club of El Sue Rulli State Farm Insurance Sonny Randhawa Sobrante **Canyon Swim School** Fred Brown **US Financial Nicole Donn Mortgage Lending** Cloverfield Organic Farm Susan Abernathy **Wadsworth Glass* Veronica Jerge Coldwell Banker Bartels Anne Skeffington West County Marla Sena Wastewater District Costume Corner Lois H. Boyle **Wilson & Kratzer** Barbara Rosales **Creek View** Michelle Hatch Windermere Realty Sharon Quintero **Davis Investment Robert Davis **Windermere Rowland Mike & Renee Rowland Group** Realty** EBMUD Sharla Sullivan **Windermere Rowland Scott Tuffnell Realty** **El Sobrante Town Mark & Katrina Croda Z Realty Investments Mike Zeelen Garage** **El Sobrante United Mark Zier Maurice Abraham Resident Methodist Church** El Sobrante Wheel & Brake Lyle Miller Len Battaglia Resident Guardian Adult Day Health Peter Behr Martha Booz Resident center JBM Construction John Mora Marie & Nick Carayanis Residents **Jim Cowen Insurance** Jim Cowen Dina Johnson Resident Kool Cuts Branda Medrano Eleanor Loynd Resident Lakeridge Athletic Club Bruce Thomas Dick & Susan McCloskey Residents Lucy s Coin & Jewelry Pawn Adam Gross Aubrey Morgan Resident Lynden & Company Thomas Lynden Lorna Padia Markus Resident May Valley Neighborhood Michael Jennings Barbara Pendergrass Resident Council **Mechanics Bank** Michael Frith Steve & Sue Rulli Residents Nerd Crossing Jim Hammack Bob & Shirley Sharp Residents **On-Site Health Care Leesa Latimer Dennis & Sally Residents Services** Teeguarden The Pedaler Jeff Jerge Beverly Wallace Resident Pinnacle Capital Mortgage Jennifer Baniqued Ruth Williams Rocke Resident Corporation **Planchon Roofing** Lisa Fowler A&H Residents **The Pool Doctor** Kelly Heath Marion Allard Business Property Owner **Rancho Sports Bar** John Oliver **J & A Market** Ranjeet B. Prasad Richmond Elks Lodge #1251 Linda Pitts/Jim Cowen **Ad Sponsors**

20 2015 Stroll T-Shirt Sponsors These generous firms supported our 2015 Stroll: Central Foods, Olive's Ace Hardware, Rixen Chiropractic, Boys & Girls Club of El Sobrante, Maria's Gourmet Pastries, Thrift Town, Jim Cowen, Farmers Insurance Agency, Park Rexall Pharmacy, Mechanics Bank, Sam's Doghouse, Recyclemore (WCC Integrated Waste Management Authority), The Pedaler, Clancy's, Windermere Rowland Realty, Floor Dimensions, El Sobrante Town Garage USFinancial Mortgage Corp. Richmond Sanitary Services & Republic Services We are grateful to these firms for their continuing support of our Stroll. 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!

21 El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce About Town Newsletter February 2016 Please Join Us for the Breakfast Buffet, in March. 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 B San Pablo Dam Road El Sobrante, CA Office: