Newsletter

2009 Lemon Festival A Sweet Success!

by Teri Breier, Chamber Ambassador

Thanks to the efforts of our sponsors, vendors and volunteers, this year's California Lemon Festival sponsored by Marborg Industries was the biggest and best in its 18-year history, exceeding 35,000 visitors at its Girsh Park venue. As the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce's largest fundraiser, a successful Festival turnout supports the Chamber's programs throughout the year.

More than 175 volunteers, spearheaded by the Chamber's enthusiastic Lemon Festival Committee in cooperation with the Ambassador team, worked from 6:00a.m. on Friday, October 16 through 8:00p.m. on Sunday, October 18th to set up, strike down and keep everything running smoothly—not to mention the months of preparation that went into planning and organizing the event beforehand.

Special thanks to the Lemon Festival Committee chaired by Megan Hilton. Committee members included Tad Clark, Steve Cousens, Susan Engles, Cynthia Estrella, Patricia Fabing, Brian Jordan, Earl McCutcheon, Ed Pena, John Pfeifer, Jo Rogers, Larry Urzua, Clara van Meeuwen, Sergio Villa, and Cris Wood. Sylvia Redding did a fabulous job as the Lemon Festival Coordinator and Chamber Staff Members Kristen Amyx, Valerie Kushnerov and Max White provided their expertise as well.

Thank you to our Lemon Festival sponsors. Marborg Industries was the presenting sponsor.
Venoco and the Towbes Group were the Co-Sponsors. Cox was the Media Co-Sponsor. The Santa Ynez Band of the Chumash Indians, SBParent.com and Camino Real Marketplace were Sunshine Sponsors. Goleta Water District and Allied Waste were Growers Sponsors.

Other sponsors include: Albertsons, Ameravant Web Design, AMS Entertainment, ATK Space Systems, Inc., Brock Communications, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Cabrillo Business Park, Citrix Online, FLIR Commercial Vision Systems, Foundation for Girsh Park, Hollister Brewing Company, Maravilla, Media 27, Montecito Bank & Trust, Noozhawk, Rabobank, Raytheon, Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, Santa Barbara Signs & Graphics, Synergy Computing, Tri-Valley Trophies, Wilson Printing. The Green Business Trade Show was sponsored by Hayward Lumber, Goleta Water District, Goleta Sanitary District, Goleta West Sanitary District and Green Business Santa Barbara County. Media sponsors included Daily Sound, Independent, KEYT, K-Lite, Radio Bronco and Univision.

2010 Membership Renewal Underway; Third Quarter Membership Survey Results Positive

by Teri Breier, Chamber Ambassador

It's already November...time to renew your annual Chamber membership! According to Kym "Max" White, Director of Business Development and Volunteers, the Chamber's goal is to not only keep all of its 450 current members, but also increase our membership in early 2010. The Ambassadors play an important support role for renewing and securing prospective members by being available and willing to answer questions, provide encouragement and direct members to the appropriate staff person when necessary. What's more, this year, the Chamber is planning two renewal "phone-a-thons" in December and January where the Ambassadors will contact current members to renew their memberships and process credit card payments over the phone.

Results of the third quarter membership survey are in and, once again, very positive. Our members believe the Chamber’s priorities are to create a strong local economy, provide networking opportunities and represent business to government. 88% percent said the Chamber is meeting or exceeding expectations. The majority of respondents had attended a Business 2 Business Breakfast, Business After Hours and/or the Lemon Festival. Feedback from the membership is always appreciated. Please feel free to email Kristen Amyx, President & CEO, with your thoughts, comments or suggestions.

From the CalChamber

Holiday Season Scheduling - What legal requirements should I consider in planning staffing over the holiday season?

Employers may be surprised to learn that no federal or state law requires private businesses to provide paid time off for holidays, or to offer premium pay to employees who work on a holiday. Many employers do provide paid holidays and premium pay for work on holidays, but this practice is solely at their discretion. Full article

Workplace Poster Needs Updating Due to EEOC Notice Change
A new mandatory change to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) notice in the Employment Notices Poster must be posted by November 21.
http://www.calchamber.com/alert/alert_11-6-09-6.htm

Legislative Voting Record – How Our Legislators are Working For (or Against) Business

http://www.calchamber.com/GovernmentRelations/Documents/voterecord_11_06_2009.pdf

Mind Economy When Designing ‘Green Chemistry’ Program

The California Chamber of Commerce is urging members to speak out about a state program affecting nearly all firms that manufacture or sell consumer products in the state.

http://www.calchamber.com/alert/alert_11-6-09-2.htm

Member News

Special Olympics Santa Barbara – Tip A Cop Event

Special Olympics Santa Barbara invites you to help support the local Special Olympics at the Tip A Cop event on Monday, November 16th from 5-10 p.m. at Chili’s in the Camino Real Marketplace. All tips will be donated to Special Olympics Santa Barbara. For more information, visit http://www.sosc.org/images/ChilisTip-A-Cop.png.

FREE Workshop for Building Professionals: New Financing & Tools for Energy Efficiency and Solar (Hosted by CEC)
Local building trade professionals are invited to attend a free informational workshop on a proposed new countywide program that will help property owners pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes or businesses. In order for the program to be successful, local building professionals will need to start preparing now for what is expected to be a wave of new “green jobs” for home performance contractors.

This workshop will take place on Monday, November 16, 2009, from 8-11 a.m. at Santa Barbara Contractors Association Built Green Resource Center, 914 A Santa Barbara St. RSVP to the Community Environmental Council by Friday November 13, 2009 by emailing Lindsey at ltaggart@cecmail.org or calling 805-963-0583 x111. Space is limited.

Marmalade Café Opens New, Private Dining Room

Marmalade Café invites you to celebrate the grand opening of its new private dining room. The opening will be held on Wednesday, November 18th from 5pm to 8pm at 3825 State Street (in LaCumbre Plaza). Complimentary wine and hors d’eouvres will be served.

This new space can accommodate up to 44 people for a private dining event. Contact Warren Butler, General Manager, at 805-682-5246 or santabarbara@marmaladecafe.com for more information on renting this space for your next event.

Santa Barbara County Business Resource EXPO
Thursday, November 18th, 2009, 8 a.m. – Noon at the Cabrillo Arts Center, 1118 E. Cabrillo
For more information, visit http://www.goletavalleychamber.com/pdfs/09sbreflyer.pdf

Hosted by the Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce, the California Small Business Association, Women’s Economic Ventures, Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce, and the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Burns Featured in Daily Sound
Valerie Burns, Image & Design Consultant, was featured in the Daily Sound. Read the article here: http://www.thedailysound.com/DRESS

Santa Barbara Partners in Education Reports Volunteer Force Increase

Currently, the Santa Barbara Partners in Education has a force of 1570 volunteers for local schools. This means teachers can rely on Partners for prepared volunteers who are ready to serve. A list of current volunteer opportunities is available. Contact Michelle Magnusson at mmagnusson@sbceo.org or (805) 964-4710 x4418 for more information on how you can get involved.

Chamber News

China Trip Still Has Openings. Have Your Made Your Plans?

Whether you use this opportunity as a family vacation, a once-in-a-lifetime pleasure trip, or a trade mission for your business, our China trip is the best value for luxury and affordability at under $2,000 all-inclusive. See our website or stop by the China booth at the Lemon Festival. Download the brochure or the China Information Packet for the trip (packet includes FAQs, itinerary, shopping information and optional tour information.)