OCT 2014 – YOUR VOTE CAN CHANGE HISTORY

14  Your VoteYour vote is your voice as an American citizen. It’s your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions and to have a say in important issues that affect your community. On Election Day, every vote matters.

  • In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England
  • In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed
  • In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German
  • In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union
  • In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment
  • In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States
  • In 1923, one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party
  • In 1941, one vote saved Selective Service – just weeks before Pearl harbor was attacked
  • In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected by one vote per precinct

In 2000, the difference in the total vote in the state of Florida in the Presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore was less than one-half of one percent. A recount was mandated by the Secretary of State. George W. Bush received the electoral votes from Florida. He won the election by 1 electoral vote; 270 were needed and he received 271.

Take the time needed to cast your one vote …. You could change the course

OCT 2014 – MEMBER PROFILE – KONA ICE

 Kona Ice11 Kona picture Experience, it’s more than a snow cone

Move over, ice cream man. There’s a new cool treat in town.

Kona Ice of Redlands premiered its food truck in April, just in time for the hot summer days of the Inland Empire.

Kona Ice provides a unique Tropical Shaved Ice product in a whole new way with a patented Flavor Wave System – where YOU can apply the flavors!

The bright and shiny Kona Ice truck, owned and operated by Cheri Lynn Faber, offers shaved ice that has a snow-like consistency for maximum flavor soak. The truck offers 20-30 flavors that result in hundreds of combinations. Cheri and her crew serve tropical shaved ice from the most unique entertainment vehicle you’ll ever see!

The ice is cranked out fresh into cups of various sizes, starting at $2; from there, customers big and small proceed to the patented Flavorwave pumps on the side of truck, creating a medley of as many flavors as they like, or choosing just one. The Flavorwave is purposely situated at a kid-friendly height.

Those who need to cut down on their sugar intake will be happy to know that, unlike some other water ice operations, there are always several sugar-free flavors to choose from.

Faber says the truck partners with nonprofit groups, schools, team sports, church groups and more throughout Redlands, Highland, Colton and Yucaipa to host fundraisers. When invited, Kona Ice of Redlands acts as a vendor for an event and returns a portion of the profits to the nonprofit immediately.

If you want to learn more about Kona Ice of Redlands, make an appointment to have the truck roll up to your event or business call Cheri at 909 809-9294. To find out where Kona Ice of Redlands is on any given day, check them out on Facebook.

OCT 2014 – REDLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDORSES THREE CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL

The Redlands Chamber of Commerce announced endorsements of City Council Candidates Paul Foster, Paul Barich and Jane Dreher.

As the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, we have historically taken the stand that it is important for us to endorse candidates that will best understand and promote policies that enhance the business community of Redlands,” Said Geoff Bonney, Chamber President, “This year we have endorsed three candidates that we feel will further strengthen our movement towards sound economic development and fiscal responsibility.  We interviewed all the candidates, and while some have the expertise and experience in dealing with business issues, we feel that the three candidates that we are recommending were the best suited for the job.  We believe Paul Foster, Paul Barich and Jane Dreher, have the ability, skill and passion necessary to lead us to economic prosperity and success. We encourage all Redlands voters to thoroughly review campaign material, attend speakers’ events, and watch televised events to make an informed decision November 4th.” 

 Paul Foster has served the community as a Council Member for the past 4 years.  He was also a City Planning Commissioner.  He served as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Chamber of Commerce and has served as its president. His past service on the Historic Preservation Commission; Blue Ribbon Commission and his commitment to the Boy Scouts of America have proven him to be a man of integrity, honesty and substance. Foster will continue his thoughtful leadership, fiscal responsibility and good planning on the Council

Council candidate Paul Barich has demonstrated an excellent vision for the City of Redlands. His commitment to community has been never ending, as the “man in the white jacket” at the Redlands Bowl where he has served on the Board for a number of years.  He also served two terms of office as president of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce as well as committing to community boards and committees. He has proven his dedication to the community he was born and raised in. His ability to grasp the significance of well managed business and economic development strategies along with his commitment to public safety make him an ideal candidate for council. His willingness to work with fellow council members to resolve the issues make him a strong team player with a single focus on the future of Redlands.

Jane Dreher has returned to the City after an eight year employment in the regional environment. Her years of service as the Public Information Officer for the city of Redlands along with her years of serving in an administrative capacity at Redlands Community Hospital rounds out her resume that includes small business owner. Her grasp of both local and regional issues that impact the City of Redlands provides her with the insight necessary to make sound decisions for the residents of Redlands. Her commitment to creating an ongoing revenue stream through a sound business development plan suggests her long term vision for Redlands includes prosperity in a safe environment.

The Redlands Chamber of Commerce encourages you to vote for Paul Foster, Paul Barich and Jane Dreher for Redlands City Council on November 4th.

 

OCT 2014 – CHAMBER TO ENCOURAGE HOLIDAY REVELERS TO SHOP REDLANDS

shop redlandsThe post-Christmas visitors to Redlands will be treated with not one but two very special events presented by the Chamber. Redlands on Ice will have young and old ice skating in downtown Redlands December 26 through January 1, made possible by The Rochford Foundation and the City of Redlands. On Saturday, December 27th the second annual Night Light Run will find hundreds of fun seekers dashing through the streets of Redlands in the dark.

Both events will be found in downtown Redlands and in an effort to encourage all who are participating in both events to visit the unique businesses, shops and restaurants, the chamber is developing a coupon/advertising hand-out that will be distributed to all the runners and skaters that visit throughout the week.

“Not only do we want to host these fun filled events we want our guests to discover everything that Redlands has to offer”. Said Daney Bachiu, Night Light Run Chairperson, “We will draw regionally for both events and decided this is a perfect opportunity to showcase the businesses in town.”

The 5 ½” by 8 ½” book will include advertising, coupon offers and additional information for residents and visitors alike.

“The cost of space is incredibly inexpensive so any and all businesses will be able to afford to put something in the book”. said Jan Nowlin, Chamber General Manager.

OCT 2014 – ARE YOU PREPARED

Are  you readyAt 10:16am on October 16, 2014. Millions of people will Drop, Cover and Hold on in the Great Shakeout, the world’s largest earthquake drill ever! All businesses are encouraged to participate in the drill (or plan a more extensive exercise) and to inform the public about the drill. http://www.shakeout.org/

“Are you prepared” How quickly can your company get back to business after an Earthquake, Fire, Flood or Terrorist attack?

Taking simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies is the key to your business survival before, during and after a disaster.

These steps consist of:

  • Planning to stay in Business
  • Talk to your people
  • Protect your investment

Planning to stay in business:

  • Continuity Planning
    • Include your co-workers in the planning as well as members of the emergency management team to assist you in the process. Assess your equipment, materials, and procedures are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
  • Emergency Planning for employees
    • Include emergency information in newsletters, staff meetings and emails to inform your employees, provide an out of town check in procedure for your employees to ensure that they and their families are okay.
  • Make an evacuation plan
    • The ability to evacuate workers, customers and visitors effectively can save lives.
    • Practice your evacuation plan quarterly or every six month.
  • Emergency Supplies
    • Talk to your employees about where the emergency supplies are kept.
    • Invest in food, water, portable radios and supply kits for your employees.

Talk to your people:

  • Practice the Plan with Co-workers
    • Practice with your employees on what should be done during an emergency or disaster. Identify needs and develop preparedness skills. Include disaster training in new employee orientation programs.
  • Promote family and individual preparedness
    • Your company and your co-workers are better positioned in an emergency situation.
    • Encourage employees to make a family plan, supply kit and take training such as CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Amateur radio training, First Aid & CPR training.
  • Write a crisis communication plan
    • How will your employees, customers and others communicated during and after a disaster. Develop and practice your procedure.
    • Encourage employees to invest time in amateur radio training.
    • Purchase Satellite phones and train employees on how to use the phones.
    • Provide an out of town check in procedure for your employees to ensure that they and their families are okay.
    • Registering for the City of Redlands Emergency Notification System (aka as reverse 911) https://redlands.onthealert.com

Protect your investment:

  • Review Insurance coverage
    • Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed or simply interrupted for a period of time.
  • Prepare for Utility Disruptions:
    • Plan ahead for extended disruptions during a disaster. Consider alternatives options such as portable generators.
    • Things to think of in advance, install fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and detectors in appropriate places. Secure ingress and egress and plan for mail safety.
  • Improve cyber security
    • Protecting your data and information technology systems may require specialized expertise, but even the smallest business can be better prepared.

Preparing makes sense:

An investment in planning today will not only help protect your business investment and your livelihood, but will also support your employees, customers and stakeholders, the community, the local economy and every the county.

“Failure to plan is planning to fail”

If you need any additional information,

Contact Fay Glass, Emergency Operations Manager, City of Redlands.

Office (909) 335-4705

Email address:  fglass@cityofredlands.org

OCT 2014 – NEW CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES PAID SICK LEAVE

ca mapCalifornia recently has adopted a new law, the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 (the “Act”), that will require employers to offer almost all California employees, including part-time employees, at least three paid sick days per year. While the law will not become effective until July 1, 2015, it is important that California employers begin to think about whether their current policies meet the minimum requirements of the law and also whether new policies need to be created.

Employer Action Items

Employers should review their current policies to assess whether their sick leave or other paid leave policies comply with the new statute’s requirements.

In particular, employers who restrict the use of sick leave or paid time off to employees who work a minimum number of hours per week will either need to expand the current policy’s coverage or make a separate policy that gives the statutorily mandated minimum number of sick days to employees not eligible for the benefit under the employer’s current policy.

Employers also will need to review whether existing sick leave policies allow use of sick leave for all purposes prescribed by the new law.

Eligibility and Use of Sick Leave

Employees who, on or after July 1, 2015, work in California for thirty (30) or more days within a year from the start of their employment, will be entitled to receive paid sick leave pursuant to the Act. The Act provides that an employee is to accrue no less than one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. Employees will be entitled to use their accrued sick days beginning on the 90th day after their employment starts. Accrued sick days are to be carried over to the following employment year under the Act; however, employers may limit an employee’s use of paid sick days to twenty-four (24) hours or three (3) days each year. Additionally, in the event a policy makes the full amount of leave available at the beginning of each year, no accrual or carry over will be required pursuant to the Act. In any event, employers are not required to allow an employee’s total accrual of paid sick leave to exceed 48 hours or 6 days.

Under the Act, employees can use sick leave for the diagnosis, care or treatment of an existing health condition of, or preventive care for, the employee or a family member. The Act defines “family member” to include: a child, a parent, a spouse, a registered domestic partner, a grandparent, a grandchild, and a sibling. Sick time must also be made available to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to obtain treatment for mental or physical injuries; to obtain services from a domestic violence shelter, program or rape crisis center; or to participate in safety planning and to take action to increase safety from future domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

The Act expressly excludes certain employees covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement, certain providers of in-home supportive services, and certain employees in the construction industry covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement.

Employers with Existing Policies

Employers who currently have a paid leave policy or paid time off policy will not be required to provide additional paid sick time under the Act if the current leave policy meets certain enumerated requirements. The leave policy must at least make available an amount of leave that may be used for the same purposes and under the same conditions specified in the Act, and the policy must either:

  • satisfy the accrual, carry over, and use requirement of the Act; or
  • provide no less than twenty-four (24) hours or three (3) days of paid sick leave, or equivalent paid leave or paid time off, for employee use for each year of employment or calendar year or 12-month basis.

Accrued Sick Leave & Termination

Under the new law, employers will not be required to pay employees their accrued, but unused, paid sick days upon termination; however, an employer will have to reinstate such sick leave if an employee is rehired within a year from the date of separation.

Posting and Notice Obligations

The Act further requires employers to display in the workplace a poster to be created by the Labor Commissioner and to include on the wage notice provided to new employees various attestations regarding the right to sick leave. (As with the poster, the statute directs the Labor Commissioner to revise its template wage notice accordingly.) Employers are required to maintain records regarding sick-leave use and accrual for at least three years and to make such records available to employees upon request as prescribed in Labor Code Section 226. Finally, the Act requires employers to include the amount of sick leave, or paid time off provided in lieu of sick leave, available for use on either the employee’s itemized wage statement or a separate writing provided on the designated pay date.

OCT 2014 – CHAMBER MEMBERS RENEWING SEPTEMBER 2014

BILL & WAG’S INC.
Edward Arensdarf
Jorge Guerrero
945 W. Brockton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  798-4863
 
BLOSSOM GROVE
Marissa Drinkhouse
11116 New Jersey
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  335-6660
 
BRAKE MASTERS
Don Goeres
1705 W. Lugonia Avenue, Suite 101
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  792-0351
 
BROOKSIDE HEALTHCARE CENTER
Matthew Stevenson
105 Terracina Blvd
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2271
 
C-21 LOIS LAUER REALTY
Shirley Harry
1998 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  748-7002
 
C-21 LOIS LAUER REALTY
Vaughn Bryan
1998 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  748-7000
 
CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK
Trey Weatherill
301 Vanderbilt Way
San Bernardino, CA  92408
Phone:  888-6363
 
CLIFF’S PEST CONTROL, INC.
Cliff Utley
3165 June Street
San Bernardino, CA  92407
Phone:  887-1862
 
COLDWELL BANK REALTY CENTER
Marsha Gebara
501 W. Redlands Blvd, Suite A
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  748-5105
 
COMFORT SUITES
Gayatree Patel
1230 W. Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  335-9988
 
GOOD NITE INN
Pamela Vengarick
1675 Industrial Park Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-3723
 
INLAND MASTER CHORALE
Debbie Biddick
P. O. Box 7727
Redlands, CA  92375
Phone:  793-2267
 
JOYCE MOVING AND STORAGE
Phil Ridenour
1785 Industrial Park Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-5094
 
KAISER PERMENANTE MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM
Paul Foster
9985 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, CA  92335
Phone:  427-5348
 
LEDESMA OPTOMETRY
Sylvia Ledesma
490 Alabama Street, Suite 107
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-5565
 
LOMA LINDA RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
Mike Kovack
11365 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA  92354
Phone:  558-8338
 
MISSION COMMONS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Kelly Bissland
10 Terracina Blvd
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-8691
 
PAT GILBREATH
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-7057
 
PROCARE PHYSICAL THERAPY
Ed Castro
1752 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  307-2244
 
REDLANDS AYSO
Trisha Aurelio
P. O. Box 8487
Redlands, CA  92375
Phone:  792-3402
 
REDLANDS PLAZA
Kim Tillery
330 No. 6th Street, Suite 202
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-6622
 
REDLANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lori Rhodes
20 W. Lugonia Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  307-5300
 
ROSA MARIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Maria Carberry
1154 Brookside Avenue, Suite AA
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  307-9077
 
SENZA MEDICAL GROUP
Stephanie Tickemyer
226 Nordina
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-3563
 
SONJA MCCART, CPA
Sonja McCart
P. O. Box 7843
Redlands, CA  92375
Phone:  307-0553
 
THAI HOUSE RESTAURANT
Chanyudh Hutchavinyu
1824 W. Redlands Blvd
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  798-3143
 
THE ENERGY LAB
Sean Rooks
304 E. Citrus Avenue
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  798-1800
 
THE MITTEN BUILDING
Margie Armontrout – Jami Spencer
345A North 5th Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-1294
 
WELLS FARGO BANK NA
Carolina Labounty
220 E. State Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2955
 
ZONTA CLUB
Attention:  Treasurer
P. O. Box 7785
Redlands, CA  92375
Phone:  792-3291

 

OCT 2014 – NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS FOR SEPTEMBER 2014

1 STOP MAIL SHOP
Angela Frame
1752 E. Lugonia Avenue, Suite 117
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  794-7776
 
CURVES OF REDLANDS
Rita Weaver
1457 Ford Street, Suite 103
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-3711
 
EMERGENCY PET HOSPITAL OF REDLANDS
Raymond Chae
2072 W. Redlands Blvd, Suite B
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-5999
 
LARRY LEONARD
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  951-316-4389

SEPT 2014 – Chamber to host City Council Candidates forum

Vote pictureOn Tuesday, September 23rd the Redlands Chamber will host a City Council candidates’ forum at City Hall.  Candidates have been invited to join the Chamber Government Review Committee at a televised forum at Redlands City Hall, Council Chambers. All seven candidates have accepted the invitation to participate. Candidates include Paul Foster, Jon Harrison, Jane Dreher, Neil Derry, John Montgomery, Paul Barich and Elizabeth Johnson.

Questions will be taken from the floor and can be emailed to the chamberredlands@aol.com.

The Chamber believes education is the key to casting a well-informed vote. Listening to the candidates, hearing first hand their key issues and plans for addressing those issues are critically important before your vote is cast.