Business Perspective - Millbrae Chamber of Commerce

Business
Perspective
February 2012
February
22
Downtown Process
Committee
Chamber Office
8:30am
23
Art & Wine Committee
Chamber Office
11am
24
Mayor’s Civic
Coordinating Council
Chetcuti Room
8:30am
27
Board of Directors
El Rancho Inn
6pm
March
19
Board of Directors
El Rancho Inn
6pm
23
Mayor’s Civic Coordinating Council
Chetcuti Room
8:30am
28
Downtown Process
Committee
Chamber Office
8:30am
29
Art & Wine Committee
Chamber Office
11:30am
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Millbrae
Chamber of Commerce is
to provide leadership and
support to effect positive
results for the business
www.millbrae.com
A monthly publication of the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce
Excellence in Business
Awards Recap
The Palm Room at the El Rancho Inn &
Suites, with its famous underwater window, was the setting for our 13th Annual
Millbrae Excellence in Business Awards on
January 19th.
The Business of the Year award went to The
Magnolia of Millbrae, a well-earned
honor for this exemplary community business who has been elegantly housing
senior citizens since 1999.
Owner Vince Muzzi, Executive Director
Patricia Sorensen and Marketing Director Sherry Plambeck were all on hand to
accept the award and share with our audience their thoughts on being recognized.
They received numerous commendations
from local and state officials. Vince Muzzi
recounted the difficult time he had when
first trying to establish The Magnolia as an
independently-run retirement community
and how happy he is that his vision became
reality. “The Magnolia of Millbrae stands out
as a one-of-a-kind, first-class senior housing
alternative,” stated Rotary President Denis
O’Halloran.
Hong Kong Flower Lounge was given
the Restaurant of the Year award for their
outstanding cuisine and popularity. Their
Dim Sum and fresh seafood specialties, as
well as an extensive mix of contemporary
and traditional Chinese dishes earned this
year’s special recognition. Danny Cheng
accepted the award on behalf of General
Manager Eric Lau and the Hong Kong
Flower Lounge.
The 2011 Chamber Excellence Award was
given to the Millbrae Community Foundation for their community fundraising
efforts that help keep vital programs, projects and services going. Janet Fogarty
accepted the award and told our audience
how the foundation works. The Millbrae
Community Foundation (MCF) raises and
coordinates funds in order to make substantial grants to important programs and
projects like the new Youth Center, meal
programs, senior outreach, programs for
children, youth, families, public safety and
even the preservation of open space in the
community.
We would like to congratulate all our award
winners and thank the members of the
community who took the time to submit
nominations. The chamber would also like
to thank the Rotary Club of Millbrae for cosponsoring the Business of the Year award
and Tom Dawdy of Dawdy Photography
for his great event photos. The event continues to grow in terms of attendance and
importance.
Please see page 4 for photographs from
the event.
Longtime Millbrae
Volunteer Dies at 88
January 26, 2012,
Daily Journal Staff
Report, reprinted with
permission
Longtime Millbrae
volunteer and
chamber supporter
Marjorie Egan Wilson died peacefully
Jan. 23, 2012. She
was 88.
Wilson moved to Millbrae in 1962 and
became embedded in the community. Her
long list of activities included working with
the Millbrae Newcomers, volunteering for
the Millbrae Historical Society and working as a 43-year member of the Millbrae
Chamber of Commerce. Wilson’s work
didn’t go unnoticed; she was recognized
with service awards as well as by state
elected officials.
“Marge was the longest tenured member
of the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce,”
said Chamber CEO John Ford. “She had
(Continued on page 2)
February 2012
Longtime Millbrae Volunteer Dies at 88
(continued from front page)
been a member since 1969. She was involved with every
Millbrae Art & Wine Festival from its beginning in 1971
through the 40th one in 2010. She attended last year’s
festival much to the delight of the many festival volunteers
who have worked with her over the years. She was one
of the original chamber ambassadors and would always
wear her ambassador badge when she was downtown.
She loved the Monster March parade and is a big reason
why it has continued to this day.”
Wilson was born Halloween day 1923 in Central, Ind.
as the sixth of seven children to Alva and Zina G. Egan.
Described by her family as a strong — and strong-willed
— red-headed, green-eyed Scorpio Irish woman, Wilson
was working as an usherette at the Orpheum Theatre
in Pocatello, Ind., when Pearl Harbor was bombed. She
married George, her husband of 70 years, in 1942, and
followed him across the country working a variety of jobs
including at a naval ordinance plant, as a recorder for
Robertson Aircraft, as a model and clothing designer at
a department store, on the line in a peanut factory, as a
nurses’ aide and as an office manager.
In California, Wilson discovered the Asian style and from
1962 until now surrounded herself with Chinese and
Japanese influence. Her closet is filled with cheongsam
dresses she made from gorgeous fabrics. She also loved
tradition, and her youthful spirit was expressed in her
celebration of significant dates large and small.
Wilson was a person of many talents and interests. Described as a “joiner,” she became very active in Millbrae
after moving to the Peninsula city in 1962. She received
numerous awards and certificates of appreciation for her
community service, being recognized by the state Assembly and Senate, as well as by the Chamber of Commerce
for her service as first recording secretary of the Womens’
Division of the Chamber, services as entry chair and volunteer work in association with the Miss Millbrae Pageant,
as Millbrae Business Woman of the Year in 1976, and
Chamber Service Award as an ambassador, to list a few.
Message from the President/CEO
John Ford Leaving Chamber
It was January 2003 when I was hired to be the President/CEO of the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce. I
had seen an advertisement for the position on MCTV
and contacted Tom and Faye Dawdy who I knew were
actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce. They
told me about the job and encouraged me to apply. I
interviewed for the position and told the search committee that if hired, I would commit to staying for two
years but would then likely head back to the technology sector where I had spent most of my career.
What I didn’t know at the time was that I would come
to love the job and develop a passion for the things
we do at the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce. Now,
after nine years, I will be leaving my position with
the Chamber. I am not, however, returning to the
software industry as my years with the Chamber have
helped me understand that my passion lies in public
policy and in building private-public partnerships.
I have been appointed to the position of Executive
Director with the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief
Alliance (Commute.org) and will begin my new job
on February 6th.
The Chamber’s board of directors has begun their
search for a new President/CEO to lead the Chamber
to new heights. We have an exceptional board that
will take the time necessary to find the right person
for the job. I have offered to assist the board through
the transition. If you know someone that would be a
great candidate for the position, please refer them to
one of our board members.
I want to thank all of the people, businesses, and
organizations that I have had the privilege to work
with over the past nine years. Your support, guidance,
and commitment to the Millbrae business community
has made it a pleasure for me to come to work every
day.
Wilson was also a member of the founding committee of the annual Millbrae Art and Wine Festival, and is
responsible for setting the date as Labor Day Weekend.
Each year, she looked forward to being a block captain
at the festival.
The Millbrae Chamber has been an important part of
our community since 1949. I am proud to have been a
part of it since 2003 and commit to you that although
I will no longer be employed by the Chamber, I will
continue to be an active supporter and participant.
Until 2011, Wilson exercised daily and made her rounds
to visit friends at Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Safeway, Millbrae
Jewelers, the chamber office and the recreation center.
Sincerely,
John Ford
page 2 - Millbrae Business Perspective
February 2012
Millbrae’s proposal isn’t an outright ban as there are
exceptions to the rule. A variety of businesses would be
exempt from the ban such as food vendors, dry cleaners
and nonprofit organizations. Some types of bags — like
Millbrae moves forward with
bakery item bags; meat and produce bags; pharmaceuplastic bag ban
tical bags; flat greeting card bags; dry cleaning bags;
January 25, 2012, By Heather Murtagh Daily Journal Staff and bags that hold live plants or small hardware items
— would be exempt, Popp wrote. There is also an option
(reprinted with permission)
for a business to apply for an exemption which would be
Those planning to shop in Millbrae on or after Sept. 1 given at staff discretion. Holober expressed concerns about
should bring a reusable bag or plan to spend an extra dime giving one business an opportunity to be exempted while
per bag after the City Council moved forward last night its competition meets the rules. There was also discussion
with a ban on single-use bags by retail businesses.
about whether exemption requests should go to council,
Millbrae discussed banning single-use carryout bags from but that change wasn’t made.
five grocery stores and supermarkets in town last year If a business doesn’t follow the new rule it would face an
but expanded the law, at the direction of the council, to infraction fine ranging from $100 to $500. The highest
include all retail businesses. As proposed, about 50 busi- fee would only occur if three infractions occurred within
nesses will be affected. On Tuesday night, the council a year, said City Attorney Joan Cassman.
held a public hearing and adopted a negative declaration
of environmental impact. While many spoke in favor of El Camino Real Work Continues
the measure, John Ford, CEO of the Millbrae Chamber of Construction Activities
Commerce, noted the board was against the rule change Starting Tuesday, Jan. 17, Ranger Pipelines, Inc. began
which would put local businesses at a disadvantage. But the next segment of pipeline replacement for the Crystal
the council unanimously opted to move forward with Springs Pipeline No. 2 (CSPL2) along El Camino Real.
the ordinance. If approved during a second reading, the To access the pipeline, the contractor will open segments
rules would go into effect Sept. 1.
of the road and build “access pits” to the pipe.
City/County
Green
CornerNews
“Millbrae is taking a step forward here and I think it’s an
important step,” said Vice Mayor Gina Papan who added
it was brought up years ago and put aside in hopes of the
state creating a measure. “This is going to be, probably at
one point in time, very universal to all the cities.”
This initial work will occur on El Camino Real between La
Cruz and Victoria Avenues.
What to Expect?
For neighbors and businesses along El Camino Real, the
contractor will maintain driveway access to all residences
Under the current proposal, businesses would not be able and businesses, however there may be temporary access
to distribute single-use bags and free paper carryout bags, delays during work hours. Traffic control measures will
Popp wrote. Stores can charge a minimum of 10 cents per be in place to accommodate traffic along El Camino Real
bag, should a customer need to purchase one. Those paper and those who live near the work areas. The contractor
bags must be comprised of at least 40 percent post-con- will abide by the local noise ordinance. Work will take
sumer recycled materials. Thicker reusable plastic bags are place Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7
allowed but would also need to be imprinted showing the a.m. and 2 p.m.
bag is made of at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled To limit congestion along El Camino Real, the contractor
materials, Public Works Director Popp wrote.
will use the “sliplining” technique. “Sliplining” allows a new,
Ford said the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce isn’t op- slightly smaller pipe segment to be threaded through the
posed to the goal of reducing the number of single-use existing pipeline between two access pits. The pits and
bags and promoting reusable bags. However, it had con- the surrounding work areas are approximately 300 feet
cerns about economic disadvantages, financial impacts long and may require 1-2 lane closures on El Camino Real.
Once in place, these access pits can remain for 3-6 months,
for possibly needing to redesign checkout stands and
depending on the weather and installation conditions.
additional work to tally the number of bags sold.
Councilwoman Nadia Holober didn’t believe the ordi- Work Hours: Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
nance would be that intrusive. Papan agreed, asking staff Questions:
to check in on that to be sure it doesn’t create too many 24-hour answer service: 866-973-1476
problems for the businesses. If it does, those issues could Project e-mail address: cspl2@sfwater.org
be revisited, she said.
Project website: www.sfwater.org/cspl2
Millbrae Business Perspective - page 3
February 2012
Membership Renewals
Excellence in Business Awards
Thanks For Your Continuing Support There Would Be No Chamber Without YOU!
1 - 10 Years
Millbrae Station Self Storage – 2005
Trans Pacific National Bank – 2005
Glen Oaks Montessori School – 2004
Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance – 2002
11+ Years
Jeffrey Gressard D.D.S. – 1997
Provident Credit Union – 1997
Denis Fama – 1996
Miramar Events – 1995
First National Bank of N. CA – 1990
Dr. Patricia Chang Optometric Group – 1983
Wells Fargo – 1982
Restaurant of the Year
Hong Kong Flower Lounge
New Board Chair
Ron Frediani
Member News
Reviv Medspa February
Filler Special
The elegant Reviv Medspa & Laser Center, located
next to HSBC Bank at 31 South El Camino Real, will be
having a month-long special on ALL facial fillers, with a
“Buy One, Get One Half Price” discount. That includes
Radiesse, Juvederm, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Restylane and
other fillers. You can buy now and bank for later use so
this is a great time to try or touch up facial fillers!
Reviv Medspa & Laser Center is also one of the only
places on the Peninsula to have the advanced PlateletRich Plasma Treatment machine for those wishing to
enhance their appearance naturally, using only their own
platelet-rich plasma to enhance skin tone and restore lost
volume to facial areas and hands without the use of artificial fillers. Please call Reviv at (650) 697-3339
for more information or to book a consultation with Dr.
Gayle Misle. You can see the full line of Reviv Medspa &
Laser Center treatments by visiting their website at www.
revivmedspa.com.
Outgoing Board Chair – Chris Benson
Chamber Excellence Award
Millbrae Community Foundation
PCBA Lunar New Year Dinner
The Peninsula Chinese Business Association
invites chamber members to attend their Lunar New Year
dinner on Sunday, February 12th at the Zen Peninsula restaurant. Come enjoy a wonderful banquet with proceeds
benefitting local schools. For more information please call
(650) 259-9388 or visit pcbausa.com.
page 4 - Millbrae Business Perspective
Business of the Year – The Magnolia of Millbrae
February 2012
2012 Officers
Board Chair
Ron Frediani Associated Window Cleaning
First Vice Chair
Robert Lee
Chapel of the Highlands
Second Vice Chair
Nicolas Bronzini Bronzini Dental Group
Secretary
HSBC Bank
Janet Chen
2012 Board Members
Gary Barranti
Chris Benson
Lisa Charney
Stephen Cheung
Marilou Edwards
Denis Fama
Barry Ongerth
Vijay Patel
Mary Ellen Pellegrini Amanda Riddle
Leonardo’s Café & Deli
Walgreens
Millbrae Jewelers
SIS Insurance/Farmers
Provident Credit Union
Management Consultant
San Francisco Airport South Travelodge
Millwood Inn & Suites
Coldwell Banker
Corey, Luzaich, Pliska, de Ghetaldi
& Nastari LLP
Staff Members
John Ford
President/CEO
Lorianne Richardson
Executive Assistant
James Barrett
Farmers Market Manager
ADVERTISE in our NEWSLETTER !
Members of the Millbrae Chamber have the
opportunity to advertise their business services or
products in the Chamber newsletter.
Call the Chamber @ (650) 697-7324
to reserve your advertising space.
Community Events
Farmers’ Market
Sponsored by the Chamber,
held every Saturday, year-round from
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 200 block of El Camino/Broadway.
Millbrae Annual Art & Wine Festival
Labor Day Weekend
Publication Information
This newsletter is a monthly publication of the
Millbrae Chamber of Commerce.
For information on submitting articles,
ads and flyers, call (650) 697-7324.
Layout & Graphics: Soler Graphics
Millbrae Business Perspective - page 5
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February 2012
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www.millbrae.com