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GREAT NEWS FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND! We are excited to announce that that Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) has chosen the Richmond Field Station as their choice for expansion of the LBNL campus!

Congratulations to the City Staff, the City Council and to the community of residents, business, and industry that supported these efforts.

The selection of the City of Richmond by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is a signal to all who demonstrated unity for the project that our community can work together to achieve a common goal that reflects a big tent with everyone having a role and a responsibility. The City will benefit in untold ways: not only with economic development for decades to come, but with a new prestige for the placement of a national asset in our midst.

The Richmond Chamber of Commerce is anxious to partner with everyone to create jobs and training opportunities for youth and adults that lead into careers at the new LBNL campus. Congratulations to all of us!

Here are some helpful links for more information:

The story on SF Gate
The story on KQED
The story on Mercury News/CC Times
Visit the Richmond Field Station website

Representing well over 500 Manufacturers directly, the company distributes Lighting and Electrical Materials in the Bay Area and throughout California. Learn more about Omega Pacific by visiting www.omegapacific.com.

Last week at our annual Super Mixer, we were honored to have Todd Lewis, Principal at Omega Pacific Electrical Supply, Inc. as one of our local business exhibitors. Throughout this last year, Omega Pacific has been the proud recipient of two awards from the California Department of General Services for outstanding achievement. Most recently, LEDs Magazine featured the San Francisco International Airport Terminal Project on the cover of its September edition. Other projects include the GAP Headquarters, the St. Regis Towers, the Elihu Harris State Office Building, the Moscone Center West, San Francisco Muni Third Street Light Rail, the California Academy of Sciences Building, the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Richmond Parkway.

We are also looking forward to Omega Pacific hosting a Chamber Mixer sometime this year! You won’t want to miss that one!

As a good community partner and a local business that delivers quality lighting projects, it is most appropriate to recognize one of our local companies for their success and contribution to our community. Congratulations Omega Pacific.

Keep in mind – the Super Mixer takes place every year in January. Don’t miss another opportunity to advertise and network your business!

What’s happened?

On January 17, the city of Richmond City Council will consider amendments to the General Plan update proposed by Planning Commission (see Resolution linked below).  The proposed amendments, provided by Oakland-based Communities for a Better Environment (CBE), were passed by Planning Commission on November 3, 2011 with no public notice, review or comment.  The proposed amendments, if adopted, are very harmful to economic development and jobs.

What’s the concern?

Richmond cannot afford to adopt public policy that stops or discourages new businesses and other enterprises from locating in Richmond, or encourages existing businesses to leave.  Most importantly, the lack of transparency for passage of the proposed amendments undermines a multi-year public review process for the General Plan.

They duplicate existing complex and highly technical air regulation programs and regulation that already exist at the Federal, State and Regional levels. Local planning and zoning ordinances should not be used to overlap and conflict with such schemes, especially where the City lacks the essential technical expertise and resources.

These measures will cause existing and potential new businesses in Richmond to defer or void any new investment and development, at a time when jobs and tax revenues from smart growth are sorely needed.  These proposed amendments are adverse to Businesses in Richmond.

What can you do?

First, please carefully review the proposed changes outlined in the resolution linked below.

Second, call and ask City Council members to support a General Plan that does not include the Planning Commission’s proposed amendments.

Finally, send the same request and any other comments to Mr. Richard Mitchell, Richmond Building and Planning Director, at email address  Richard Mitchell@ci.richmond.ca.us. Please email a copy to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce for incorporation into the business coalition comments.

• PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 11-20

For additional information please contact Judy Morgan by email or call (510) 234-3512.

1. Gather your records Round up any documents you’ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support income or deductions you’re claiming on your return.

2. Be on the lookout W-2s and 1099s will be coming soon; you’ll need these to file your tax return.

3. Have a question? Use the Interactive Tax Assistant available on the IRS website to find answers to your tax questions about credits, deductions, general filing questions and more.

4. Use Free File Let Free File do the hard work for you with brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. It’s available exclusively at www.irs.gov. Everyone can find an option to prepare their tax return and e-file it for free. If you made $57,000 or less, you qualify to use free tax software offered through a private-public partnership with manufacturers. If you made more or are comfortable preparing your own tax return, there’s Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms. Visit www.irs.gov/freefile to review your options.

5. Try IRS e-file IRS e-file is the safe, easy and most common way to file a tax return. Last year, 79 percent of taxpayers – 106 million people – used IRS e-file. Many tax preparers are now required to use e-file. If you owe taxes, you have payment options to file immediately and pay by the tax deadline. Best of all, the IRS issues refunds to 98 percent of electronic filers by direct deposit within 14 days, if there are no problems, and some may be issued in as few as 10 days.

6. Consider other filing options There are many options for filing your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or go to a tax preparer. You may be eligible for free face-to-face help at a volunteer site. Give yourself time to weigh all the options and find the one that best suits your needs.

7. Consider direct deposit If you elect to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, you’ll receive it faster than a paper check in the mail.

8. Visit the official IRS website often The IRS website at www.irs.gov is a great place to find everything you need to file your tax return: forms, publications, tips, answers to frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes.

9. Remember this number: 17 Check out IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, on the IRS website. It’s a comprehensive resource for taxpayers, highlighting everything you’ll need to know when filing your return.

10. Review! Review! Review! Don’t rush. We all make mistakes when we rush. Mistakes slow down the processing of your return. Be sure to double check all the Social Security numbers and math calculations on your return as these are the most common errors. Don’t panic! If you run into a problem, remember the IRS is here to help. Start with www.irs.gov.

LINKS:

Information on e-file
Forms and Publications

Information provided by the Internal Revenue Service, Newsletter Issue IRS TAX TIP 2012-01

The holidays can be a wonderful time for family, friends, gifts and food and can be a very profitable for your business! However, it is also a time when there is a spike in thefts and robberies. We’d like to provide a few holiday safety measures you can take in order to prevent your business from falling victim to crime.

Safety Tips for Your Business

1. If you have surveillance cameras ensure that they are in working order. If you have signs that state that you have surveillance, be sure to have them in plain view. Signs which state that you have cameras can deter people from stealing and/or robbing your business.
2. Change your routine; people who are looking to rob businesses, search for patterns. If you or your employees take money to the bank at the same time everyday you/they can fall victim to those who are looking to rob you/them. Be sure to periodically change the time when you/they do so, in order to not create routine.
3. Ensure that when operating and closing your business that there is more than one person doing so. You or your employees are more vulnerable to robberies if you/they are alone. There is power in twos!
4. Ensure that when leaving your business you do not have money containers/bags, or other expensive items visible. Robbery can also be a crime of opportunity; if you or your employees are exposing money or expensive items, you/they can easily fall victim to those who are looking to commit this crime.
5. Be sure to keep in mind and to tell your employees to be aware of their surroundings. Pay attention! If there is someone hanging around at the time of closing when they should not be; do not hesitate to call the police. If you are not sure if these individuals are a threat, you can also call the non-emergency number (510) 233-1214 and we will send someone by, just in case.

As we prepare to bring in a New Year we hope you all are having a safe and profitable Holiday Season!

Below you will find a few extra safety measures to keep in mind:

Shopping in Stores

• Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
• Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
• Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multiuse disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
• Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
• Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.

Walking To and From Your Car

• Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
• Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle.
• Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
• Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.

Shopping with Small Children

• If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you are separated from each other.
• Select a central meeting place.
• Teach them to know they can ask mall personnel or store security employees if they need help.

Shopping Online

• Before surfing the Internet, secure your personal computers by updating your security software. Everyone’s computer should have anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam software, as well as a good firewall installed. Visit www.bytecrime.org for free software downloads.
• Keep your personal information private and your password secure. Do not respond to requests to “verify” your password or credit card information unless you initiated the contact. Legitimate businesses will not contact you in this manner.
• Beware of “bargains” from companies with whom you are unfamiliar—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• Use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address.
• Shop with companies you know and trust. Check for background information if you plan to buy from a new or unfamiliar company.

Crime Prevention & Safety At Home

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
• Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.

These are the organizations that, every day of the year, help teach our children, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and train the unemployed. They care for our parks, community centers and cultural institutions. They change lives daily by turning dreams of a well-paying job, a peaceful neighborhood, a college education – even self-expression through the arts – into reality.

Listed in this directory are more than 50 organizations, all members of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, committed to these efforts. We invite you to support them financially, and to contact them by phone or online to see how you can support their programs. With your help, working together, they can continue to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

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The Richmond Circular Shuttle began operation through its service provider – TransMetro, Inc. on July 1st. The service is funded through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and can be accessed within a five mile radius to multiple health facilities and clinics, pharmacies, businesses, recreation, residential communities, and employment centers for those traveling to and from the El Cerrito Del Norte and Richmond Intermodal BART stations.

In an effort to provide the highest level of quality, dependability, reliability, customer service and a convenient schedule, riders can hop aboard the free “Richmond Circular Shuttle” at any of its 11 stops. Buses will arrive every 15-20 minutes during commute hours from 7am – 7pm (excluding weekends and holidays).

The objectives of the service is to ensure mobility and access and to link key regional destinations through reliable public transportation services including bus, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Amtrak for all of Richmond residents to travel to and from San Francisco and other Bay Area destinations. The service uncommon efficiency to meet evolving transportation needs promotes quality service and reliability.

Shuttle Route Cutting Blvd | Schedule
Medical Shuttle Route | Schedule

Dr. Christopher Thornberg
Beacon Economics
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Sunne Wright-McPeak
The California Emerging Technology Fund
(Part 1 of 3)