Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Appoints Experienced Local and Regional Leader as Interim CEO

     Dan Quigley to Join Chamber During Transition; Paul Junge leaving to join California Chamber

Oakland, CA – The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Oakland’s voice for business, today announced that it has retained Dan Quigley to serve as its Interim CEO.  He will step in starting January 2014. 

Dan Quigley is a proven local and regional leader.  He has guided and collaborated with leaders at all levels of business, small business, government and philanthropy. From 2010-2012, Dan served as the Chief Executive at the Oakland Schools Foundation. Recently, he has advised the East Bay Community Foundation including its work with Kaiser Permanente and other major local employers.  He was PG&E’s Director of Charitable Contributions for nearly 15 years.

Quigley replaces Joe Haraburda who announced earlier this year that he would retire after 18 years and end his tenure in December 2013.  Haraburda will be honored at the Chamber’s Holiday Party on December 19, 2013 at the Claremont Hotel. The Chamber is in the midst of a national search for Joe Haraburda’s replacement.

“Dan brings a blend of wisdom, experience, and a steady hand as we transition to our future leader,” said Shannon Pedder, Chair of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber Board of Directors.  “He is an excellent listener and implementer.  He will be a valuable interim leader as we find our new CEO in the months ahead.”

The Chamber also announced that Paul Junge, its Vice President and Public Policy Director, has accepted a similar role with the California Chamber of Commerce.  He will begin his new role with them in January as well. 

Pedder added, “This is a time of transition and opportunity for the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber.  We are grateful for our talented staff, dedicated Board, committed volunteers, and strong members.  Together we all work to provide a clear voice to local government and to create meaningful opportunities for economic growth for all local employers.”

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About the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce:

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is serving member companies and affiliate members with upwards of 200,000 employees throughout the East Bay. The focus of the Chamber staff is building a strong economy, representing business to government and enhancing the quality of life in the Oakland region.  More information can be found at OaklandChamber.com.

JACK LONDON SQUARE LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 6

55-ft Mount Shasta Fir Tree, 5,000 Sparkling Lights, Grazing Reindeer, Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, Santa, Holiday Music and More

OAKLAND – (November 13, 2013) – Jack London Square is lighting up for the holiday season with a festive annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 6, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy this special evening of holiday magic on the waterfront including festive music, live reindeer, a visit from Santa, cookie decorating, costumed characters, more than 90 local artisans and more! Oakland Mayor Jean Quan will lead the annual lighting of the 55-ft Mount Shasta Fir Tree, decorated with more than 5,000 sparkling white lights and new, festive decorations.



"The tree lighting at Jack London Square has become a classic holiday tradition for families here in Oakland," said Jack London Square Marketing Director Linda Meyer. "We invite families and friends from all over the Bay Area to enjoy this magical evening of festivities and merriment on the waterfront."

This year, the annual Jack London Square tree lighting will feature:

 Santa’s Water Sleigh Arrival – Santa will arrive via water sleigh, pulling up on the shore to join in the tree lighting festivities, greet families and pose for photos.

 Live Reindeer – Jack London Square welcomes special guests on this evening of wonder – live grazing reindeer! Families are invited to meet the beautiful creatures and even pet and feed them.

 Tap Dancing Christmas Trees – A highlight will be a dazzling dance number by the world-traveling, Oakland-based tap dancing Christmas Trees who have appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 Musical Entertainment – The evening will feature live musical performances from Veronica Powers, the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts (COVA), choral group TOSCA and special guests from Radio Disney.

 America’s Children Holiday Parade Preview – Catch a sneak preview of festive entertainment and meet costumed characters from the America’s Children Holiday Parade, set to take place on Saturday, December 7, in downtown Oakland. More than 100,000 spectators will line the streets of downtown Oakland along the parade route to marvel at giant balloons, marching bands and other exciting entertainment!



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JACK LONDON SQUARE LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 6 – Page 2

 Holiday Pop-Up – More than 90 local artisans will fill Jack London Square with art, crafts, hand-made goods, treats and more, from 5 PM to 9 PM. The Holiday Pop-Up is sponsored by Oakland Grown to benefit local Oakland non-profits.

 Interactive Activities – Families are invited get in on the holiday action at a festive cookie decorating station, or create one-of-a-kind ornament to take home and hang on the Christmas tree.

 Holiday Treats – Free hot chocolate and hot cider will keep visitors warm on this cool December evening.

 Oaklandish – Visit the Oaklandish pop-shop starting Wednesday, November 20 and throughout the holiday season, at its special Jack London Square location. The boutique offers local apparel and accessories that celebrate Oakland, and benefit Oaklandish’s ongoing calendar of free public events.

 Dinner on the Waterfront – Arrive early and enjoy dinner in Jack London Square’s thriving restaurant corridor, home to contemporary restaurants including Bocanova, Haven, Forge Pizza, Lungomare and more.



Help brighten the holiday for those less fortunate and bring non-perishable canned food donations for the annual canned food drive for the Alameda County Community Food Bank, taking place throughout the holiday season, at Jack London Square. Food donations will be accepted Wednesday, November 18 through Monday, December 30, from 9 AM to 5 PM, as well as at the tree lighting ceremony.

Visitors and locals are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Mayor’s Toy Drive. From board games to dolls, the community is encouraged to open their hearts this holiday season. There will be a collection bin located at Jack London Square throughout the holidays.

Situated in Oakland along the Oakland/Alameda estuary, Jack London Square is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront area and a well-known landmark since the mid-1800s. With its rich history as the heart of Oakland’s Port operations, Jack London Square is a historic working waterfront and is one of the Bay Area’s premier recreational, dining and commercial districts. Jack London Square offers visitors, residents and commercial tenants an authentic, vibrant hub for outdoor recreation, events and the latest dining options. For additional information about Jack London Square, call 510/645-9292, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com or follow Jack London Square at www.facebook.com/jacklondonsquare and www.twitter.com/jacklondonsq.

OCYP 5K Turkey “Fun Run”- November 23rd

 

Join us for the 1st ever, Oakland Chamber Young Professionals

5K Turkey Fun Run

 

 

November 23, 2013| 10 AM| Lake Merritt

***Meet in front of Children’s Fairyland***

Brunch and  $12 Bottomless Mimosas to follow at Portal Restaurant

(1611 2nd Avenue, Lake Merritt)

Race Fee– One Food Item Donation to the Alameda County Community Food Bank

Please bring food item to race.

 

    

Race Hosts:

 Run Hosted by                                                                                                         Walk Hosted by

 

 

 Danetha Doe                                                                                                                                                        Ashley Rose

 @MissDanetha                                                                                                                                                  @ Ashleysaindon 

 

 

                                            
Can’t attend in person, no problem! 

Scan the QR code and help us reach our online goal!

 

Follow Us On Twitter @OCYPOAK

Event Hashtag: #ocypfunrun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Profit Roundtable Discussed Healthy Bodies, Minds & Workplace

While getting a flu shot is of utmost importance for many people this time of year, maintaining our overall health is just as critical. Being healthy, staying healthy and supporting a healthy work environment were the focus of the Oakland Chamber’s October 15, 2013 Non-Profit Roundtable meeting.

The conversation began with the customary empowered introduction that included responding to the question of how each attendee kept healthy at work. Answers included eating right (especially snacks), drinking plenty of water, being positive and grateful even under duress, and taking elongated walks to the bathroom. One attendee shared how she has signed up to various list-serves that send her positive emails throughout the day.

Following the introductions, the guest presenters took the floor. Teryn Radvany of iTrim (www.itrim.com), a new member of the Chamber, noted that maintaining a regular physical activity program or even getting occasional exercise is challenging for many people. Only a small percentage of us include exercise as a lifestyle habit. In response, the iTrim program is a multi-faceted and sustainable combination of eating, exercise and encouragement that notes that the faster a person loses weight or gains muscle in the beginning of a program, the more motivated that person will be to continue. iTrim is currently planning to offer a series of workshops for companies and to integrate into ClubOne at Oakland’s City Center.

Local Massage Therapist Chantelle Lorenz(www.chantellelorenz.massagetherapy.com) spoke eloquently about the importance of breathing and touch in our lives. She noted that many American adults do not get enough physical contact, which affects our health and our dispositions. While the workplace environment may impose many strictures on contact between employees (especially between supervisors and their subordinates), there are gentle ways to connect with each other during the day, such as patting someone on the shoulder or guiding a colleague by the elbow. She further noted that body pains and discomforts are connected to what we do during the day, and a person can only hold a good posture for 20 minutes before needing a break. She also shared that proactive massage in the workplace decreases incidences of worker’s comp claims. Lorenz offers a variety of massage styles for individuals and programs for companies.

With the Affordable Healthcare Act (also known as Obamacare) and Covered California on everyone’s mind, Colonial Life (www.coloniallife.com) representatives Diane Hur and Ryan Behm shared some of the
oft-misunderstood stipulations and benefits of the plan with the attendees.
Some of the basic points include:

 

·         The Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in 2010

·         Parents can keep their children under their coverage until the child turns 26

·         Insurance companies may no longer exclude members for pre-existing conditions

·         Small business owners may qualify for tax credits

·         All insurance companies must offer certain basic coverage

·         And there are four levels of coverage

·         Companies that provide insurance for their employees must cover all the basic needs

·         Companies with 15 or fewer employees have different options

·         Everyone must have insurance coverage by March 2014 or be penalized

·         The amount of the government subsidy is based on individual’s income

 

Following the information about Affordable Healthcare, Ryan shared several of the options that Colonial Life offers to help individuals and families prepare for health and life emergencies.

Being prepared for a variety of emergencies is also important to mental health and safety, and Non-Profit Roundtable Co-Chair Âna-Marie Jones, Executive Director of CARD (www.CARDcanhelp.org) led the attendees through an exercise on how our smartphones can be used for a variety of health purposes. In addition to making sure that all of our important family and personal contacts are loaded in, she suggested creating groups for texting (like all of your work colleagues); adding not just emergency numbers but also the non-emergency numbers for police and fire; including your medications and allergies; programming meeting locations for family and colleagues in case of emergency; and recording multiple routes to destinations like home or a parent’s house. Having all of this and other information just a quick lookup away reduces stress and anxiety before and during any emergency.

 

* * * * * * * * *

 

The next Oakland Chamber Non-Profit Roundtable meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from 2:30-4:30pm in the Chamber Boardroom. RSVP HERE.End-of-year solicitations are looming on the horizon, so please join us in a conversation and activities on FUNdraising.

Contacts:
Co-Chair Âna-Marie Jones, Executive Director of CARD (AMJ@CARDcanhelp.org)
Co-Chair Jerry Metzker, Development & Marketing Manager of Biotech Partners (jerry.metzker@bayer.com)

Chamber Liaison Nikki Mendez, Membership Director (nikki@oaklandchamber.com)

BUILD 7th Annual Holiday Sales Bazaar at the Scottish Rite Center

You are cordially invited to BUILD Oakland’s 7^th Annual Holiday Sales Bazaar on Thursday, Dec 5^th. BUILD’s Holiday Sales Bazaar is an opportunity for members of the community and other special guests to appreciate and support the work of BUILD’s youth entrepreneurs. This year will be our largest bazaar with a whopping 61 student businesses in attendance! Get an early start on your holiday gift shopping by stocking up on some unique and innovative products all manufactured by BUILD students. Please join us!

 

Event Details:

BUILD Oakland’s 7^th Annual Holiday Sales Bazaar
Thursday, December 5^th, 2013 – 5:30pm-8:00pm
Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612

Directions

Google Map Link

Transportation & Parking:

Conveniently located near Lake Merritt BART (or either the 12^th St & 19^th St Oakland BART) *All about 6 blocks away
*There is a free venue parking lot located behind the venue on Madison St with first come, first serve parking!

**Street parking is free after 6pm, and there are other paid lots surrounding the area

 

 

Please share this event invitation with your networks! Our students would be delighted to have you join us at the Holiday Sales Bazaar. Attached please find a JPEG version of our Holiday Sales Bazaar Flyer for distribution. For additional information or to answer any questions you may have, please call 510-269-2804 or email Christopher Nelson at cnelson@build.org 

BUILD Event Page:

http://www.build.org/events

 

Facebook Event Page:

*Coming Soon on BUILD’s National Page! Be sure to follow us!

Bell Investment Advisors Offers Wine and Cheese Gathering,“The Women’s Roundtable: Giving with a Plan”

 

 

Bell Investment Advisors, a Bay Area registered investment advisory firm, today announced that The Women’s Roundtable, a financial learning cooperative for and by women, will be hosting its wine and cheese gathering, Giving with a Plan, on November 13, 2013, 5:30–7 PM PST. The event is part of the firm’s ongoing educational efforts providing informational material on relevant topics related to Investment Management, Financial Planning, and Career/Life Coaching.

This collaborative conversation will provide an opportunity for guests to learn about and discuss topics surrounding wealth transfer. Marivic Hammond, Senior Investment Advisor at Bell will be joined by Melanie Hamburger, Principal, Catalytic Women, and attorneys Agnieszka K. Adams and M. Brooke Wilson of Roisman Henel LLP. They will facilitate discussions on such topics as making giving part of your financial plan, how to engage family members around wealth transfer discussions, tax impact of gifting, and philanthropy. Additional topics include: how much is “too much” to leave to the next generation, the appropriate time to include younger children in wealth planning, finding the right wealth transfer channel, and balancing between transferring an adequate amount to the next generation while still honoring personal charitable initiatives. There will be ample opportunity for registered participants to have their questions discussed and answered during the event.

Ms. Hammond has said, “One aspect of financial planning that should be included sooner rather than later, along with other financial concerns, is wealth transfer. A major question at the heart of this conversation is how to engage the next generation in the discussion.”

 
Reservations are required. To RSVP for the wine and cheese gathering visit our website at:  

http://www.bellinvest.com/news-events/events/women’s-roundtable-giving-plan.

Space is limited.

Bell Investment Advisors is a privately-owned, registered investment advisory firm, managing over $500 million in assets. It is in its 22^nd year of business, offering investment management, financial planning, and career/life coaching services. For more information, visit www.bellinvest.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Nancy Isaacs

Bell Investment Advisors

info@bellinvest.com

We Salute our Veterans!

November 11, 2013 Veterans Day is a day of memories that many would wish they had not experienced!  The pain of conflict and battle burn scars far more permanent than what anyone can imagine.

On this day we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice!  We honor and reach out to those who have served and in particular those men and women who have suffered a loss of limbs and capacity.

Our prayers are dedicated to all who have suffered the pain of war and terrorism! 

Please as you remember loved ones and those who have served consider how you can extend your prayers, best wishes and if possible contributions to organizations that have made it their mission to aid our Veterans.

The mission and commitment to ‘protect and defend’ is honorable and we thank all who have stepped forward to protect America and the values we cherish!

Freedom for all!  God Bless America

Small Business Support Services

Summary of Up Coming ESP Contracts (As of 10-15-13)

The SBSS team offers a variety of services to help small businesses on the Earthquake Safety Program projects.  For actual bid dates please see BART’s website at:

http://www.bart.gov/about/projects/index.aspx

·         Seismic Retrofit – Miscellaneous Structures Co. No. 15SV-130

o   Projected Advertisement January 2014

o   Estimated Construction Value is Unknown

 

·         A-Line 4 Stations Detail Cleaning Co. No. 15PJ-110B

o   Projected Advertisement is unknown

o   Estimated Construction Value is Unknown

 

For more information regarding Post-Bid services, please contact:

Harry Overstreet II, Outreach Specialist

The Allen Group

BART Earthquake Safety Program

Small Business Support Services

(510) 599-6336

harry@the-allen-group.com

hoverst@bart.gov

The Barbara Lee & Elihu Harris Lecture Series Presents "Daughter’s of the Civil Rights Movement Speak"

Four women discuss their views as daughters of:

 President Lyndon B. & Lady Bird Johnson (Luci Baines Johnson)

Civil Rights Luminaries Ralph & Juanita Abernathy (Donzaleigh Abernathy)

Alabama Govs. George & Lurleen Wallace (Peggy Wallace Kennedy)

Attorney General Robert F. & Ethel Kennedy (Kerry Kennedy)

--- Moderated by Belva Davis ---

 Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 | 7:30 pm
Oakland Marriott City Center
10th & Broadway, Downtown Oakland, CA
 

FREE EVENT | LIMITED SEATING | REGISTRATION REQUIRED 510.434.3988 or DRoberts@RobertsEvents.com

Ed Forum- 1 Week Away RSVP Today

To RSVP contact Paul Junge | OMCC Public Policy Director

 at (510) 874-4817 or email: pjunge@oaklandchamber.com

Carpentry Workshop- November 7th

Dia De Los Muertos 2013

Dia de los Muertos 2013 was a great success! Thanks to The Unity Council & Sponsor Wells Fargo for a great event Saturday November 2nd in the Fruitvale area of Oakland.

There were many beautiful altars from local artists, the community and local businesses plus the food was just as diverse as the crowd. With pony rides, a kids zone, carnival rides, stages with many talented bands there was something for the whole family to enjoy. Check out some pictures here on the blog, on our Facebook page and The Unity Council's FB page! 


Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.  The celebration takes place on October 31, November 1 and November 2. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.

The Unity Council (officially known as the Spanish Speaking Unity Council) was founded in 1964, incorporated in 1967, and received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 1968. The Unity Council is a non-profit community development corporation committed to enriching the quality of life of families primarily in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. Its mission is to help families and individuals build wealth and assets through comprehensive programs of sustainable economic, social and neighborhood development.