Top of the Week Report

Linking the Business Community

Monday, July 26, 2010

Chamber Mixers & Events

Jul 28, 5-7 pm, NewPark Mall Dental, 1131 NewPark Mall, Newark, CA, 94560, (510) 796-8888 A dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles!  A standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables us to provide the quality dental services our patients deserve. more | map

Aug 11, 5-7 pm, WyoTech Fremont, 200 Whitney Pl., Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 490-6900- Wyotech is not just a tech school. They are a community of students and instructors who are passionate about the automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, collision and refinishing, plumbing, and electrician career fields. That’s why Wyotech is dedicated to supporting their students with superior college-level education in their tech-based training classes. more | map

Ribbon Cuttings

Aug 19, Thu, 4:30pm, Floor Coverings International, 43106 Christy St., Fremont, CA 94538 (510) 493-2555 more | map

Aug 26, Thu, 5pm, Staffing Network, LLC, 3563 Investment Blvd., Ste. 1, Hayward, (510) 931-0904- Please notice the Date Change!!! more | map

Chamber Events and Dates to Remember

July 31-Aug 1, 27th Festival of the Arts! 5 square miles of fun! 10am–6 pm, Paseo Padre Pkwy. @ Walnut Ave. What started in 1983 at the Hub has grown into the largest free street festival this side of the Mississippi; jam-packed with nearly 700 quality artisans, two stages, Kid City, the Wine Garden and Gourmet Marketplace. Fun is guaranteed for every family member! www.fremontfestival.net

Aug 2-6, Chamber is closed.

Member Events

Jul 29, 7:30-8:30am, Alameda County Community Food Bank is hosting their Leadership Breakfast, which brings local community-minded business leaders and thought provoking speakers. This intimate event includes a complimentary breakfast and a tour of the Food Bank. Keynote Speaker is James Potter, Sr. Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Del Monte Foods Company. To attend this event please call Kathryn Weber at (510) 635-3663, ext. 328 or email kweber@accfb.org

Aug 5, 10-noon, Washington Hospital Community Education Classes:  “Get Answers to Your Health Insurance Questions”  At this seminar, you will learn from an expert about the options available.  Such as: Health Care Reform, HMO & PPO insurance plans, Medi-Cal and other government sponsored programs, Medicare and Medigap changes, Insurance options for children, COBRA, Washington on Wheels Mobile Health Clinic, and Washington Urgent Care.  This will be held at the Conrad Anderson, M.D. Auditorium at Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave., Fremont.  For more information please call (800) 963-7070.

Sep 16, 10-2pm, WyoTech is hosting a Job Fair.  The Career Services Department of WyoTech invites you to showcase your organization and employment opportunities at their Job Fair.  Attendees will include the general public and WyoTech’s recent graduates, alumni, and current students specializing in automotive, electrical, HVAS, motorcycle and plumbing.  You may collect resumes from individuals attending the fair.  This event is free to employers and job seekers alike!  Please register with Rudith Sampaga at (510) 580-5416 or email at rsampaga@cci.edu

Business Building Forums

Business Building Forums co-sponsored with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce. Held at the Fremont Chamber offices located at 39488 Stevenson Place, Ste. 100, Fremont, CA 94539. There is no cost to attend these free workshops.

Aug 12, 10-noon, Dark Indigo presentation is CANCELLED

Aug 12, 2-3pm, Electro Imaging is presenting “Security Risks.” According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, healthcare was responsible for 26.1% of data exposed records in 2010. As a consumer of healthcare, it is important to understand the new medical environments and technology being used. As leaders in healthcare, securing your environment is more challenging than ever before as you ensure compliance with HIPAA and the HITECH act. This presentation will give attendees an insight on the security risks and vulnerabilities associated with the new healthcare technology and featured devices that are beneficial to both consumers and providers. Lunch will be provided. RSVP call (925) 371-4100 x124

Aug 12, 5-7pm, Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP presentation is CANCELLED

Small Business Solutions at the Library

Small Business Solutions at the Library Co-sponsored by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, the Fremont Main Library and Alameda County Library Foundation. All classes are held at the Fremont Main Library, a branch of the Alameda County Library system, located at 2400 Stevenson Blvd. and is wheelchair accessible. There is no cost to attend these workshops. No reservations are required. The Library will provide an ASL interpreter (please call 510-745-1401 or TTY 888-663-0660) for any event with at least 7 working days notice.

No classes at this time

How to do business with CalTrans

The (Caltrans) Toll Bridge Small Business Program is hosting 3 free upcoming Training Workshops. The State of California contracts over $9 billion every year. The State buys food, construction, transportation, consulting services, and many other products and services. Learn first-hand from the State how you can maximize your access to these dollars. To register, call (510) 286-0974 or email smallbizconstruction@dot.ca.gov or go online http://baybridgeinfo.org/small-business-training

Jul 29, 9-noon, How to do Business with Caltrans
Aug 12, 9-noon, Bidding and Estimating, Part 1
Sep 16, 9-noon, Bidding and Estimating, Part 2

Free Government Contracting Course and Seminars

The Alameda County Small Business Development Classes & Workshops The Alameda County Small Business Development Center (ACSBDC), offers classes, consulting services and business planning resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The East Bay SBDC is focused on developing and implementing programs and services that support small business growth and sustainable economic development. All classes are held at SBDC Training Center, 1000 Broadway, Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607 unless otherwise indicated. Visit www.acsbdc.org to register. 2090 KittredgeSt., Berkeley, CA 94704

No classes at this time

The Federal Technology Center In these free training seminars you will learn techniques to tap into the profitable federal, state, and local government markets. The instructors have extensive experience in government contracting and are familiar with the latest contracting laws and regulations. Register online at www.TheFTC.org or call (866) 382-7822 toll free.

300 Ellinwood, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Sep 14, 9-noon, Responding to RFPs

951 Turner Ct., Hayward, CA 94545
Sep 16, 9-noon, Project Management

34009 Alvarado Niles Rd., Union City, CA 94587
Jul 29, 9-noon, SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program
Sep 23, 9-noon, Getting Started with Government Contracting

455 Market St., 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
Aug 17, 9-noon, Responding to RFPs

125 12th St., 4th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607
Aug 19, 9-noon, Marketing to Government

100 East Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA, 94607
Aug 26, 1-4pm, Getting Started with Government Contracting
Sep 21, 1-4pm, Introduction to Federal Contracting

Chamber

Don’t miss the 2010 Fremont Festival of the Arts – July 31 & Aug 1! There’s still time to sign up for Business Alley or buy your tickets to the Wine Garden!  But whatever you do, don’t miss this wonderful fun-filled family event!

LOCAL

Click here for Upcoming Member Events

Nordstrom Rack opening in Fremont Nordstrom Inc. has announced that it will open a Nordstrom Rack store at the Pacific Commons shopping center in Fremont.  (7/23/2010)

City Council will consider Centerville Framework Plan and awarding contract for South Fremont/Warm Springs study At its Tuesday meeting, the last before its August recess, the City Council will consider key components of the Centerville Framework Plan and will consider entering into a $330,000 contract with Perkins Will for Planning and Technical Studies related to the South Fremont/Warm Springs Area.  The $330,000 contract is funded by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Fremont Unified places parcel tax on November ballot Come November, voters will decide whether to tax themselves $53 per parcel for the next five years to help the financially ailing Fremont Unified School District. District officials estimate that the tax could generate $12.85 million over 5 years.   (7/23/2010)

Ohlone puts $349 million bond measure on November ballot Ohlone College is asking voters in Fremont, Newark and part of Union City to support a $349 million bond to refurbish its 40-year-old main campus.  (7/15/2010)

Union City wins grants to fund downtown project Union City has received two grants, totaling $6.35 million, that should complete funding for the eastern phase of its downtown.  When complete, the Intermodal Station District will feature 1.2 million square feet of office space, 120,000 square feet of retail space and 1,636 new housing units, including high-rises.  (7/20/2010)

STATE

California's small-business confidence higher than nation The "merchant confidence index" for small businesses in California stands at 61.5, slightly higher than the national average of 60.65, according to a new report Thursday. (7/22/2010)

NATIONAL

White House predicts record $1.47 trillion deficit New estimates from the White House on Friday predict the budget deficit will reach a record $1.47 trillion this year. The government is borrowing 41 cents of every dollar it spends.  (7/23/2010)

President Obama signs extension of emergency unemployment benefits President Obama signed a six-month extension of emergency jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed on Thursday, restoring aid to nearly 3 million people whose checks have been cut off since the program expired in early June.  (7/23/2010)

Obama signs financial overhaul into law President Obama launched a new era in the relationship between Washington and the financial world when he placed his signature Wednesday on a massive bill to rewrite the nation's financial rules.  The landmark legislation grants broad new powers to federal watchdogs -- and places great faith in them to prevent another crisis.  (7/22/2010)

No Fed plans to give more support, Bernanke says The chairman of the Federal Reserve, in saying that it had no immediate plans to provide additional support to the economy, dashed the hopes of some economists and executives who have been pushing for action to add momentum to the sluggish recovery.  (7/21/2010)

Homebuilders losing confidence in the recovery Homebuilders are feeling increasingly pessimistic about their industry, more evidence that the economic recovery is slowing.  The weak job market and an increasing number of foreclosed properties have prompted builders to limit construction of new homes. A modest revival in sales over the past year ended in May after federal tax credits expired at the end of April.  (7/19/2010)

INTERNATIONAL

China surpasses U.S. as top energy user The International Energy Agency says China is now the world's largest energy consumer, not the U.S.  China's energy use has more than doubled in less than a decade, but per capita, the U.S. still consumes 5 times more energy.  (7/20/2010) 

COMPANIES IN THE NEWS

Vermillion to move headquarters from Fremont to Austin

BART vote puts Oakland airport connector back on track

BART board delays vote on fare cut as support for plan wanes

Tesla electric cars: Revved up, but far to go

San Jose Mayor Reed wants to push ahead on A's ballot measure —without baseball's OK

Selig: November San Jose A's vote 'premature'

BUSINESS TIP

Do you have an idea for a product or business? On August 23, from 9-11am, the Northern Silicon Valley Partnership is providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to angel investors in the areas of green technology, biotechnology, information technology, and sustainable products or services. Pitch slots are limited. Contact claire.kinlaw@terviva.com by August 1.

For more BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, check out the Business Opportunity Section of Top of the Week.

Food For Thought

The Great Recession is just the beginning Here's a cheery midsummer thought. You know those 15 million unemployed, and that sluggish growth, and the debt hangover and de-leveraging, and those soaring deficits? Well, these woes aren't our biggest economic problems.

Welcome New Members

Become a member today! Call KK at 510-795-2244, ext. 103

Member Ads

Chamber Members: Advertise with the Top of the Week.   Fremont Chamber members: Spend less & get more with the Chamber Office Depot Program. As a Fremont Chamber member, you can save 15 to 25% annually on your office supply needs. Features: shop online or in the store; customize up to 10 items you use the most; FREE next day delivery - qualifying orders $50 or more; copy & print services; and more. Click here to sign up June Promo for Chamber members: Receive $30 off your order of $150 or more! note: you must be signed in to your Office Depot chamber benefits account.

Marketing Opportunities!

The Fremont Chamber of Commerce offers easy and cost effective marketing venues for your business!

Business Building Forums – Produce your own seminars! This is a great opportunity to showcase your expertise or demonstrate a business skill. Held on the first Thursday of each month; using the chamber’s conference room and with the chamber marketing your seminar all at no cost…you can’t miss out on this opportunity! Hosting a seminar is free for all Fremont Chamber members.

Certificates of Origin – For any businesses who export their products to other countries, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce issues Certificates of Origins. For Fremont Chamber members the cost is $2. For non-members, the cost is $30

ChamberPak – a quarterly direct mail program where Fremont Chamber members drop off 2,000 identical flyers and the cost is $175 and you are done. We do all of the stuffing; the sorting of zip codes; and go to the post office for you. For $0.08 per flyer you can’t pass this up!

Connection Clubs – Need referrals? Open only to Fremont Chamber members. Six groups meet at a variety of days and times of the week to exchange leads and assist members in growing their businesses. Fremont Chamber’s Connection Clubs are so successful that they now serve as the model for similar “Leads-Generating” groups in Chambers all over the state. Cost for Fremont Chamber members is $55.

Doing Business Over Lunch – for Fremont Chamber restaurant members! A section of our hard copy newsletter which lists your restaurant as reminder to dine at your establishment for business lunches or dinners. The cost is only $50 for a three month run.

Mailing List – Need a mailing list for your advertising campaigns? Purchasing the chamber’s list provides all of the contact information you will need and ability to use it over and over again. The cost for Fremont Chamber members is $150. For non-members the cost is $300.

New Business List Subscription – gives you leads for new business prospects and a “consistent source” of leads which is vital for any business. It is emailed to you every month and on average there are 125-150 new business owners listed.. The list contains all of the contact information you will need. The cost for Fremont Chamber members is $20 for a yearly subscription. For non- members, the cost is $40.

Open for Business – a section of the chamber’s website where members may post a job opening; business announcement/event; and/or advertise a coupon or discount. The chamber’s website receives an average of 10,000 to 13,000 hits a month. Posting is free for all Fremont Chamber members.

For more information about any of the services listed above, please contact KK Kaneshiro at kkaneshiro@fremontbusiness.com

Social Media

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Business Opportunities

Alameda County provides online resource for information on contract opportunities for goods, services, and professional services, and professional services. In an effort to connect businesses to government and reach out to the small and local business community, To Register in their Local Vendor Database and receive email notifications about new contract opportunities please visit www.acgov.org
Here’s just a few to choose from…

Aug 5, 5:30pm:  Clark Design/Build of California, Inc. and Alameda County invites all interested subcontractors, vendors/suppliers and truckers to attend an outreach meeting to discuss bidding opportunities for the Highland Hospital Acute Tower Replacement Project.  This meeting will be at City Beach, 4020 Technology Pl., Fremont, CA 94538.  To RSVP call (510) 837-1439 or www.clarkhh.com/outreach.

August 11, 9:30am - 4pm:  the Greater Bay Area Workforce Investment Board will be hosting a job fair for dislocated NUMMI workers at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.   NUMMI employees are skilled in many areas, so if you have job openings, please take advantage of this opportunity!   Contact Bill Templeton at (510) 257-1072.  

Aug 19, deadline for RFP No. 900585 Telephone Billing System -Calendar change

Aug 23, 9-11am:  The Northern Silicon Valley Partnership is providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to angel investors in the areas of green technology, biotechnology, information technology, and sustainable products or services. Pitch slots are limited. Contact claire.kinlaw@terviva.com by August 1.