MAR 2015 – Member Profile – The Mitten Building

#6 Mitten Bldg PictureThe Mitten Building providing extraordinary space for extraordinary events

A part of Redlands history, The Mitten Building is a step back into the elegance, of historic Redlands.

Built in 1890, the Mitten Building was originally one in a series of packing houses in Redlands. The brick structure remains untouched and speaks to the history of the building and industry. Stepping into the event center with its exposed rafters, beams and joists, visitors are transported into a graceful period of strength of structure. The all wood interior offers character and ambiance not found in sterile venues that tend to all look alike.

The multilevel interior invites people to move around, explore and mingle. Typically, the downstairs is set up as a reception area. Wrought-iron chandeliers descend from the Mitten’s 50-foot ceiling, and garlands entwined with twinkle lights run along every rail and banister. The mezzanine above has a beautiful narrow-slat maple floor, and its slender iron support beams are each flanked by two shiny brass lamps.

The Mitten Building’s Summerbell Ballroom, offers a more modern feel. Colored LED up-lights transform the walls. There’s also a granite-topped bar, a dance floor, and a lounge section with leather couch and bar tables. An adjoining patio provides an outdoor experience overlooking the garden.

Most recently The Mitten Building has opened for lunch, Monday through Friday, 11 AM to 2 PM. Overseen by executive chef Roberto Argentina, the restaurant offers sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts. Complementing the menu, draft microbrew beer, handmade mixed drinks, wine and soft drinks are available. They bake all of their own breads each day and use local farmers whenever possible.

For your next special event, wedding or lunch date visit The Mitten Building at 345 North 5th Street in downtown Redlands. Call for more information, 909 793-1294 or log onto, www.mittenbuilding.com.

FEB 2015 – Chamber To Partner With City To Distribute Information About ADA Compliance

adaIf you are a business owner or landlord you must take action immediately. A growing number of attorneys are imposing lawsuits, settlement costs and attorney fees, construction costs and loss of business on business owners and landlords.

A tsunami of litigation has engulfed businesses of every kind. Many have paid, many have closed and many have filed bankruptcy. Access requirements differ from business to business, based on many factors, so it’s important to look at requirements that pertain to your type of business, your type of office building and your parking situation.

The Chamber in partnership with the City of Redlands will distribute brochures to businesses license holders assisting them in being proactive in an attempt to avoid unnecessary ADA compliance lawsuits.

The brochure will encourage business and property owners to review their vulnerability, seek advice and take action before they become a target.

While efforts to change legislation have been unsuccessful the Chamber continues to look for ways to help businesses become more aware of the potential exposure to needless lawsuits and expensive settlements.

FEB 2015 – Chamber Presents Mandated Paid Sick Leave Seminar

sick leave

Does your business employ at least one person? If so, you are probably covered by California’s new Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 which requires that California employers provide paid sick leave to most employees.

There are also new requirements for notice to your employees.

The Act took effect January 1st and has provisions for multiple penalties for employers who do not comply. The Seminar presented by Mark Edwards, Mirau, Edwards, Cannon, Lewin & Tooke, an employment lawyer with more than 32 years of experience, will explain the new law, and what your business needs to do to comply.

The seminar will take place Tuesday, February 3rd, 7:30 AM at the Chamber office. Reservations are needed as seating is limited.

You cannot afford to ignore the new law!

Call the Chamber office for reservations, seating is limited.  793-2546

 

FEB 2015 – Geoff Bonney to Remain in Office

President Geoff BonneyNo gavel exchange at this year’s Chamber Installation Dinner

Typically there is great pomp and circumstance as the Redlands Chamber says thank you and farewell to the outgoing President of the organization and welcomes the new one to the helm. No such ceremony this year as President Geoff Bonney, Bonney Architecture will serve a second term as President.  Over the years occasionally Presidents have been asked to serve a consecutive term and that’s the case this year.  The director who was preparing to step into the role needed to step away from the board late in the year. Bonney agreed to stay on and noted that “he was just finding the rhythm of the job”.

While the second term service precluded the need to pass the gavel or present awards Bonney did take the time to acknowledge and thank the board members who served in 2014 and indicated he looked forward to continued support and another interesting year in 2015.

His staggering Year in Review report noted the enormous accomplishments of the Chamber the past year and his vision along with that of the Board, for the upcoming year implied another industrious effort to advocate for the members and entire business community.

Bonney introduced his executive committee, President Elect, Jill Riley, Citrus Valley Plumbing, Treasurer, Mike Limon, Storage West, Vice President, Mike Hokana, Freeman Office Products, and Past President, Daney Bachiu, Redlands Blueprint and Commercial Printing.  He presented the remainder of the Board, Todd Underwood, Allstate Insurance, Jill Eaton, Lifestream, Scott Welsh, Welsh Insurance Services and Elizabeth Kulbin, All Four Paws Pet Care.

“In all the years I have been involved in the Chamber, I have witnessed change and diversity as we have had to continually adapt to the ever changing economic climate.  As we move into 2015 I believe the current board carries the knowledge and creativity to continue the Chamber’s mission amid new obstacles and challenges.”  Said Bonney.

FEB 2015 – Chamber Reviews 2014

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Redlands Chamber of Commerce prepares an annual report which includes a review of the prior year’s activities, events, and accomplishments. The report is published for the benefit of its members and general public as a review of the progress made over the past year to advance the future visioning the Redlands’ business community.

We are pleased to present the following as a summary of the Chamber’s progress toward  strategic objectives during 2014.

Redlands Chamber of Commerce, Year in Review 2014

Overview of Chamber accomplishments;

  • Maintaining 600 members
  • Maintained successful Business to Business Network program
  • Continued Speed Networking within the framework of Business to Business
  • A member of the Government Review Committee sits on the City and Climate Action Task Force to effectively review the Community Sustainability Plan insuring the best interest of the business.
  • Chamber staff serves on the on Senator Mike Morrell’s Small Business Advisory Council.
  • The Chamber serves on the City of Redlands Disaster Council that will help businesses prepare for the advent of a disaster, and plan for recovery as well as act as a conduit of information to the business community in the event of a disaster
  • The Chamber supported the City’s Alcohol Deemed Approved Ordinance, that provides an additional tool for the police department when overseeing businesses, new and old, that serve alcohol and the resulting behaviors.
  • The Chamber has worked with the Redlands Conservancy on a marketing campaign to reach out to the development community interested in restoring and adaptively reusing commercial buildings, enhancing the current makeup of the existing inventory in Redlands, the result was a brochure that shows the kinds of opportunities available when locating and adapting buildings in downtown and historic areas.
  • The Chamber continues the role of information disseminator as the Affordable Care Act became a reality in 2014, keeping members informed about the program, the California Exchange Market Place, and the numerous changes that have taken place over the course of the launch.
  • The Chamber led the regional campaign opposing AB 2416, a bill that would create a new super-lien that would allow employees, governmental agencies or anyone authorized on behalf of the employee to file liens on an employer’s real or personal property, and/or property where work was performed, based on alleged-yet-unproven wage claims. A lien could be placed on an employer’s property and on the property where the work was done, in an effort to collect unresolved wage disputes. Residential remodel, tenant improvements, landscaping or custom home construction, delivery, service and more could have placed you in jeopardy of being woven into a wage dispute and consequently create a financial nightmare for you. The bill failed.
  • The Chamber again took a position and rallied the effected non-profit organizations alerting them that the City Council would be again discussing the possibility of doing away with waiving “hard cost” fees for special events presented by local non-profit organizations.
  • After serving as a conduit to the businesses in the Orange Street Plaza and the Redlands Police Department and developing a model for communication the Chamber continued to connect businesses and police throughout the city to discuss pressing issues; including pan handling, the civil rights of the homeless population, public services available, and proactive partnerships in crime prevention.
  • The Chamber continues to work closely with lawyers and legislators to continue to stop the abusive attack on small business owners using the Americans with Disabilities Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act. After SB 1186 was past a new wave of offensive law suits have now surfaced and are plaguing our small businesses so further correction is needed. We are in the process of creating an information resource brochure that we hope to work with the City to include in all business license invoices, alerting the business community to the lawsuit attacks and what they might be able to do to prevent them.
  • The Chamber Government Review Committee continues to monitor recently introduced Assembly Bills 52 and 54 advocating ADA reform to decrease the frivolous ADA law suits continuing to plague California.
  • The Chamber provided a member to sit on the Redlands “Parklett Pilot Program”.
  • The Chamber presented a live televised City Council Candidates Forum, offering insight into seven candidates vying for three seats.
  • The Chamber is represented on a committee focusing on tourism that is establishing cross marketing efforts and casting an ever widening net to encourage visitors to Redlands.
  • The Chamber sits on the Redlands Charitable Resource Committee, serving as a business representative to that organization.

Membership Services

  • Continued discounted movie tickets program for chamber members
  • Continued Office Depot discounted office product program to chamber members
  • Offering a discounted Workers Comp Insurance Program that will allow Agents to offer a discount to Chamber members when shopping for Workers Comp insurance to qualifying businesses.
  • Continued the prestigious Presidents Circle Program a unique and exciting opportunity for our local businesses, community leaders, and distinguished members offering;

“Extraordinary Benefits for Distinguished Members”.

  • The Chamber identified and celebrated three “Top Chamber Businesses” in conjunction with Senator Mike Morrell’s office at the annual event held in November.
  • Chamber facilitated 44 Ribbon cutting/grand openings
  • Hosted the Annual Installation/Civics Awards dinner sponsored by Redlands Community Hospital
  • Hosted the State of the Community Luncheon sponsored The Gas Co.
  • Presented the fifth Annual Cruisin’ Cuisine
  • The Chamber along with the Rochford Foundation, presented for the first time ever in downtown Redlands, Redlands on Ice, a synthetic ice rink that brought hundreds of fun seekers to downtown to enjoy the sights and sounds of ice skating in Redlands. Sponsored by The City of Redlands, Circa 2020 and Inland Presort and Mailing Services.
  • Presented the second annual Redlands Chamber Night Light Run, sponsored by, Barich and Associates, Beaver Medical Group, Juice it Up, Redlands Fitness Training , Arthur Murray Dance Studio, JAMS Sportswear, and Redlands Blueprint and Commercial Press and Southern California Edison.
  • Produced a Holiday Shopping Guide distributed to all racers and skaters and delivered throughout the region.
  • Produced a new Business Directory and Visitors Guide
  • Facilitate committees:
  • Ambassadors
  • Government Review
  • Rise n Shine Redlands
  • The Cruisin’ Cuisine Committee
  • The Redlands Chamber Night Light Run
  • Redesigned the Chamber e-newsletter, through new delivery system that can now analyze data, from accessing areas of interest, the number of “clicks” on each article, who opened the email etc.
  • Introduced Wednesday morning member E-Blasts an opportunity for our members to E-Blast their message through the Chamber (Sold out).

 

 

 

 

FEB 2015 – New Chamber Members – January 2015

HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON
Alyssa King
885 E. Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA  92408
Phone:  799-6500
 
KENASTON FLOORING INC
Kambel Kenaston
201 Hillcrest Avenue
San Bernardino, CA  92408
Phone:  884-8788
 
WATERCRESS VIETNAMESE BISTRO
Phong Nguyen
1574 Barton Road
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-6181
 
ZIPRICK & CRAMER LAW OFFICES
William Ziprick
707 Brookside
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  798-5005

FEB 2015 – Chamber Members Renewing January 2015

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
Joyce Beauregard
663 New York Street
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-4211
 
BRENNA HAMRICK-STOTTS, DDS, INC
Brenna Hamrick-Stotts
1150 Brockton Avenue, Suite T
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-9711
 
C-21 LOIS LAUER REALTY
Janey Cole
1998 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  748-7026
 
CALIMESA COUNTRY CLUB
Bev Carlson
1300 3rd Street
Calimesa, CA  92320
Phone:  795-2488
 
CITRUS PLAZA
Jennifer Rowe
27530 Lugonia Avenue, Suite C
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  562-948-4317
 
COLDREN’S CLEANING CREW, INC.
David Coldren
P. O. Box 8181
Redlands, CA  92375
Phone:  215-2533
 
CUTLER CHURCH INSURANCE SERVICE
Jack Lucas
201 Cajon Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  307-8500
 
DAN CARLONE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Dan Carlone
234 North “D” Street
San Bernardino, CA  92401
Phone:  386-1828
 
DAN CROW
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Redlands, CA  92373
 
EMPIRE BOWLING CENTER, LLC
Will Mossonette
940 W. Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-2525
 
EVANS & CO HAIR COLOR & DESIGN, INC.
Cheryl Evans
101 South 6th Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-1991
 
GOODWIN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
Glenn Goodwin
1806 Orange Tree Lane, Suite A
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-8118
 
HIGHLAND COMMUNITY NEWS
Rhonda Narvaez
27000 Baseline, Suite G
Highland, CA  92346
Phone:  862-1771
 
INLAND VALLEY BANK
Stephenie Shackelford
1200 California Street, Suite 240
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  583-9150
 
JANET FLETCHER
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Redlands, CA  92373
 
LEONARD REALTY
Jack Leonard
6 North Eighth Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2436
 
MICHAEL REYNOLDS
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Redlands, CA  92373
 
REDLANDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Dr. Hanson Dusenberry
1093 W. Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-2181
 
REDLANDS AUTO BODY AND FRAME
Tim Brown
705 W. Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  798-1388
 
REDLANDS FOOTLIGHTERS
1810 Barton Road
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2909
 
SACRED HEART ACADEMY
Angela Williams
215 South Eureka Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  792-3958
 
SPORTBALL
Lori Digulla
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  794-1761
 
STOR-N-LOCK SELF STORAGE
Del and Pam Armstrong
1006 No. Wabash Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  389-7867
 
SUPER 8 MOTEL
Vissal Patel
1160 Arizona Street
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  335-1612
 
TONYS SPUNKY STEER REDLANDS, INC.
Vangie Fernandes
1350 Industrial Park Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  792-6200
 
UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS
Dr. Ralph Kuncl
1200 E. Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  748-8390
 
YMCA OF THE EAST VALLEY
Darwin Barnett
500 E. Citrus Avenue
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  798-9622
 

FEB 2015 – Member Profile – Redlands Family Practice

Redlands Family Practice meeting your health care needs10  Redlands Family LOGO

When you visit Redlands Family Practice at 1520 Barton Road, in Redlands, you will always feel important. The doctors and staff focus on meeting your personal health care needs. They offer health care that is convenient and affordable. They create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you will be treated with compassion and gentle concern.

The physicians at Redlands Family Practice have all completed many years of advanced medical training and the physicians maintain certification with American Academy of Family Practice. Family Physicians have extensive training to handle a wide range of health care concerns. If your care requires opinions or treatment by a specialist your physician with arrange care with extensive panel of local specialists. Redlands Family Practice is proudly affiliated with PrimeCare networks and Redlands Community Hospital.

The team at Redlands Family Practice use technology to provide patients efficient professional health care. Your medical records are always at the fingertips of you physicians and professional staff.

Should you require after hours care Redlands Family Practice offers 24 hour service. Same day appointments are available when you need care immediately.

Doctors; Alexander Terrazas, M.D., Henry Chai, M.D., Manuel Cantun, M.D. and Maria Elena Terrazas, PA-C along with the dedicated staff of professionals are ready to meet all your medical needs.

Call, 909 793-3208, or log on to www.redlandsfamilypractice.com to make an appointment.

FEB 2015 – Member Profile – Rosa Maria’s Mexican Restaurant

11 Rosa Maria LOGORosa Maria’s restaurants offer the authentic taste of Mexico

The Rosa Maria story begins with Jose and Guadalupe Robles, husband and wife.  The foundation for them to be in the food service industry started when they didn’t even realize what a talent they possessed.  Jose worked in the orange groves in Highland for many, many years. Guadalupe would prepare lunch (burritos) for her husband, children and even his co-workers.

After many years of working in the orange groves, they decided they wanted to open their own business.  They were going to open a bakery with another family member, but those plans didn’t come to fruition.  Jose and Lupe persisted with their vision of owning and operating their own business, so they changed plans and decide to open a Mexican restaurant.  They would sell what they knew best Lupe’s famous burritos!  And so, opportunity arose and the original San Bernardino location opened their doors on January 16, 1975.

Rosa Maria’s is now known for their authentic Mexican food.  Hand dipped rellenos, homemade tortillas and the signature garbage burrito are just a few of the reasons for their success.  A keep element to the on-going success of the family owned and operated business included all the kids putting in many work hours making Rosa Maria’s what it is today.

After thirty eight years Rosa Maria’s now has four locations in the Inland Empire. For the taste of authentic Mexican food you can always count on Rosa Maria’s. Catering is available for any special occasion. Both the restaurant and catering menus can be found of the website, www.rosamarias.com.

Stop by the Redlands location, at 1154 Brookside Ave. Suite AA Redlands, CA 92373 (909) 307-9077, the friendly folks will happy to help you Monday through Friday, 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday 10:30 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10:30 AM to 6 PM

JAN 2015 – Redlands On Ice Huge Success

Redlands On IceWith colder than usual temperatures Redlands on Ice really felt like a winter wonderland in downtown Redlands. Hundreds of skaters, some first timers, some well-seasoned made their way to the synthetic rink to “give it a go” braving the cold.

Skaters were treated to all the time they wanted on the rink honing their skills and finding their balance as they glided over the ice.

Mayor Paul Foster, and President Elect Jill Riley, opened the rink officially 12:00 PM December 26th  with the help of competitive figure skater Philip Warren. Warren dazzled those attending by demonstrating exactly what can be done including a breath taking back flip.

For the next seven days adventure seekers of all ages tried their luck. Little children who have never had ice skates on before bravely headed out with arms and legs going in every direction but always a smile from ear to ear. Families hit the ice with the adults often times acting as support as the little ones rounded the rink slipping and sliding like their legs had been replaced by noodles. Even the senior set made an appearance reminiscing of days when ponds, lakes and backyard rinks beckoned.

Without the extremely generous support of the rink sponsors it would have been impossible to bring the experience to Redlands. A very special thank you goes to The Rochford Foundation for acting as the presenting sponsor, the City of Redlands, Circa 2020 and Inland Presort and Mailing Services for their generosity.

“It was truly magical watching so many enjoy the experience.” Said Past Chamber President Daney Bachiu. “Even the cold weather played into the magic of skating in