Top of the Week Report

Linking the Business Community

Monday, January 30, 2012

Mixers: 5-7pm, unless otherwise noted.

Feb. 1, Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., 39159 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Ste. 315, Fremont, (510) 797-8661- Established in 1964, Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. is a full service CPA firm providing accounting, tax, strategic planning and wealth preservation to high net worth individuals, closely held businesses and family offices. Recognized as a top twenty-five best managed CAP firm in the nation by Inside Public Accounting. more | map

Feb 15, BJ Travel Center, 39102 State St., Fremont, 94538, (510) 796-8300- Since 1977, BJ Travel has work on everything from car rentals to fully and professionally customized Europe trips. They are full time consultants always on hand to help their clients with both leisure and corporate travel. BJ Travel prides itself on constantly learning they try and experience as many locations first hand as possible. At BJ Travel, they take classes and attend seminars to increase their product knowledge. You are meeting more than a travel agent…you’re meeting a Destination Specialist. more | map

Chamber Events

Feb 9, 12:30-2:30 or at 5:30-7:30pm, the Fremont Chamber and East West Bank presents: Professional Practice Solution. At the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, 39488 Stevenson Place, Suite 100, Fremont, CA. Whether you are just getting started, looking to grow your practice or planning for life after retirement, our team has the experience and resources to help you reach your goals. The National Accounts Regional Sales Manager for the Professional Practice Group at East West Bank Mr. Burnett Facer is the featured speaker. This free seminar is designed for Dentists, Veterinarians, Optometrists, Physicians, Pharmacists and CPAs who need help in obtaining capital. To register, please contact Richard Li at Richard.Li@eastwestbank.com.

Feb 15, 11:30-1:00pm, Membership BootCamp! BootCamp Basics is a 90-minute class designed to introduce you to membership skills and drills. The focus is on helping new participants dip their toes into the membership waters. But, don’t be fooled, you’ll still get an awesome, full-membership workout. Attending a BootCamp class is NOT required before taking a on your membership, although highly recommended.

Here’s the drill!:
• Call or email “Coach KK Kaneshiro” to RSVP at kkaneshiro@fremontbusiness.com
• Arrive at 11:20am on Wednesday, Feb. 15th at the Fremont Chamber.
• Bring your business cards & brochures.
• Bring your lunch.
• Learn how to Network!
• Learn how to use your membership!
• Learn how to benefit from chamber services!

There is no cost to attend a Membership BootCamp. The BootCamp is open to new members, seasoned members who need a refresher course and for non-members who would like to know more about membership.

Feb 16, 10am or at 6pm, the Fremont Chamber and BJ Travel present Discover Tuscany 2012! At the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, 39488 Stevenson Place, Suite 100, Fremont, CA. Have you always wanted to travel to Italy? Now, is your opportunity! The Fremont Chamber is launching its Travel Program with BJ Travel and Collette Travel. They will present the itinerary for your 10 day trip to Italy. To register for this free presentation please email KK Kaneshiro at kkaneshiro@fremontbusiness.com

Feb 20, Fremont Chamber is closed for Presidents Day

Feb 24, ChamberPak Deadline. Interested in participating in a highly successful direct mail program? The ChamberPak is a highly successful quarterly direct mail program offered exclusively for Chamber members. Drop off 2,000 identical flyers and $175 and we take care of the rest; such as the stuffing envelopes, sorting by zip codes, etc… By using our bulk postage rate...at $0.08 per flyer how can you resist? Contact KK Kaneshiro (510) 795-2244, ext. 103 to reserve your spot.

Business Building Forums

Business Building Forums give Fremont Chamber members opportunities to host their own seminars on the first Thursdays of each month at no cost. They are co-sponsored with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and all seminars are held at the Fremont Chamber offices located at 39488 Stevenson Place, Ste. 100, Fremont, CA 94539. There are no costs to attend these free workshops. If you would like to host your own seminar at no cost please contact KK Kaneshiro at kkaneshiro@fremontbusiness.com

Feb 2, 8am Yourweb-services.com & Mugwump Enterprises

Small Business Solutions at the Library:

Co-sponsored by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fremont, 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.

Feb 9, 3:30-5pm, Successful Interviews
Mar 14, 3:30-5pm, Free Help for Job Seekers
Apr 11, 3:30-5pm, Job Search Strategies

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 Kittredge St., Berkeley, CA 94704
Feb 14, 2-5pm, Starting a Business

777 B St., Hayward, CA 94541
Feb 2, 9-noon, E-Commerce

505 14th St., Oakland, CA 94612
Feb 9, 10-noon, EZ Training

East Bay SCORE Workshops:

East Bay SCORE serves clients in Alameda, Contra Costa & Solano counties at 25 convenient locations. They offer unlimited face-to-face and online counseling for businesses that range from a single employee to a formal organization in a broad range of industries. They also offer workshops and provide clients with additional resources for success.

Feb 18, 8;15am-1:30pm, Export/Import Workshop

Mar 3, 8-1pm, Simple Steps for Starting Your Business in 2012

Free Government Contracting Course and Seminars

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.

125 12th St., 4th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607
Feb 9, 1-4pm, Doing Business with Alameda County

100 East Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA, 94607
Feb 14, 1-4pm, General Services Administration Schedule

455 Market St., 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
Feb 21, 1-4pm, Project Management for the Small Business Government Contractor

The Internal Revenue Service

The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The IRS is responsible for collecting taxes and the interpretation and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS encourages those who are self-employed to take advantage of the tax benefits and learn about various IRS resources that can help them meet their federal tax obligations. Below are free webinars. Click on the link to register The Small Business Tax Center (www.irs.gov/smallbiz) has links to some of the most useful tools the IRS offers, including the Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop, a downloadable tax calendar, common forms and their instructions and help on everything from how to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online to how to engage with the IRS in the event of an audit.

CHAMBER

State of the County: Alameda County weathers storm of cuts and realignment  Alameda County is weathering the double storm front of prison realignment and the dismantling of redevelopment, District 1 Supervisor Scott Haggerty told a crowd of about 200 elected officials and business leaders gathered Friday in Fremont during a State of the County address sponsored by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce at the Marriott Hotel. (1/28/2012)

LOCAL

CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS

City Council to interview 6 candidates for mayor tonight, Jan 30 The City Council will interview 6 candidates for the interim mayoral position tonight, starting at 5pm, and will potentially appoint one of them interim mayor by the end of the meeting. The six candidates were selected at a Special City Council meeting held last week, from the 13 who had applied for the position.

Interim Fremont mayor’s term will be short, eventful  The interim mayor’s term will be a short one, but whoever is selected will face a host of issues in the next 10 months. The City Council, grappling with a bleak budget outlook and the elimination of the Redevelopment Agency, will tackle the potential development of the Midtown district and the future Warm Springs BART station area, as well as the adoption of a Climate Action Plan. (1/24/2012)

Fremont council supports county transportation tax increase  A November ballot initiative that could help local projects like the Irvington Bay Area Rapid Transit station come to fruition received a nod of support from city officials last week. Fremont City Council on Jan. 10 said it would support the Alameda County Transportation Commission's Measure B3, an extension of a half-cent transportation tax to be presented to voters this fall. In addition to the tax extension, the ACTC is also asking for a half-cent increase on the tax. (1/19/2012)

Realtors oppose Fremont ordinance Local real estate and business representatives are battling a proposed ordinance in the city's Climate Action Plan that could require energy-efficient upgrades when homes are sold. Realtors and the Chamber of Commerce say such ordinances could hobble an already struggling real estate market. (1/29/2012)

STATE

California adopts nation’s most aggressive clean car rules  California approved the nation’s most advanced clean car regulations on Friday, positioning the state to be a leader in the electric vehicle industry. (1/27/2012)

Steinberg: Extending redevelopment agencies ’not going to happen’ Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said Thursday that he believes an effort to extend the life of local redevelopment agencies through April 15 is “not going to happen.&148; Legislation to that effect, Senate Bill 659, faces a Tuesday deadline for winning passage in the state Assembly. (1/26/2012)

Calif. tops in adding construction jobs in December  California added more construction jobs in December than any other state. (1/25/2012)

California Supreme Court denies challenge of Senate maps  The California Supreme Court ruled Friday that state Senate maps drawn by a citizens commission will be used in this year’s elections, despite a pending referendum to overturn them. (1/27/2012)

California lawmakers to sue John Chiang over their pay  Democratic legislative leaders sued Controller John Chiang for blocking their pay during last year’s budget dispute. They said they are not suing for back earnings, but to ask the court whether Chiang can intervene this year if lawmakers face another budget dispute with Brown at the June 15 deadline. (1/24/2012)

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Fed to keep interest rates low through 2014 The Fed announced Wednesday that it will keep interest rates around zero until 2014, a decision that revealed it doesn't believe that the anemic economy will be recovering anytime soon. (1/25/2012)

Economy shows strongest growth since mid-2010  The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a year and a half over the final quarter of 2011. According to the Wall Street Journal, “The question is whether the momentum in the fourth quarter will simply be another blip in a recovery marked by fitful starts, or whether it marks a stronger phase of the recovery.” (1/27/2012)

World Bank’s action on Europe reflects fear of another global meltdown  The World Bank is committing $27 billion to keep nations in eastern Europe and central Asia from bearing the brunt of a European banking crisis. (1/25/2012)

COMPANIES IN THE NEWS

Lam Research profit down but ahead of street estimates

Water District sells bonds to fund infrastructure projects

GreenVolts partners with Independent Solar Developers to provide solar for agriculture

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

More iPhones in Q4 sold than babies born  Apple sold more iPhones in the period ending in December than there were babies being born throughout the world. The new calculation is based on the Cupertino company’s statement Tuesday that it sold 37.04 million iPhones in the three-month period, which works out to about 377,900 a day compared to the average number of world births per day of 371,000.

Welcome New Members

Become a member today. Call 510-795-2244

Member Ads

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

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Business Opportunities!

Alameda County provides online resources: 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:
Feb 1, 2pm deadline for RFP No. SSA-FYMP 2012 for Foster Youth Mentoring
Feb 15, 2pm deadline for RFP No. SASYEP 2012 for Summer & After-School Youth Employment Program Feb 23, 2pm deadline for RFP No. 900955 for Inmate Commissary
Mar 16, 2pm deadline for RFQ No. 900953 for OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES OF SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS IN THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SERVICE AREA (CSA) R-1967-1 CASTLEWOOD

San Francisco County Transportation Authority is inviting you to submit a proposal for the performance of these services. The proposal must respond to the specific scope of services described in Section III of this Request for Proposals (RFP). The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is located at 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102-5244 www.sfcta.org