We would also like to congratulate another Richmond Chamber member who was recognized at the 2012 Small Business Awards, Kemberly Aleman of Golden Eagle Cleaning. Golden Eagle Cleaning was awarded as the 2012 Hispanic Chamber Small Business of the Year. Experience the difference in your cleaning service by contacting Golden Eagle at (888) 251-0090. Congratulations to both of these successful members of the Richmond Chamber.

Zoe Smith and JoAnn Perez, Zoe's Cookies and Other Delights

Kemberly Aleman, Golden Eagle Cleaning

Join our Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia for a special Senior Fair, sponsored by Nerd Crossing and Supervisor Gioia, to discuss a variety of important topics for seniors. Organizations will be available to answer questions and provide resources include County Veteran Services, Social Services, Health Services, Fire Services, Doctors Medical Center, AMR Ambulance, and much more. Healthy choice snacks will be provided. This is a special day dedicated to you! Call (510) 223-7977 today to RSVP. Download the event flyer here.

This event will offer opportunities to network with local businesses and workshops where you can learn how to procure business from the big guys! The workshops will feature how to do business with all levels of Government, the Corporate Sector and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. End the day with a time of appetizers and open no-host bar provided by the BoilerHouse Restaurant. Register online now.

Deborah Haley EA Tax Preparation, El Sobrante
510-235-5592
www.deborahhaleyea.com

Pinole Dental, Pinole
510-669-0350
www.brightnow.com

Restaurante La Revolucion, Richmond
510-222-7500
www.restaurantelarevolucion.com

Technology Expressions, Richmond
510-224-3090
www.technologyexpressions.com

Wonderful World Pet Suppliers, Inc., Rodeo
510-787-2013
www.wwps-inc.com

After six years, Richmond’s long-awaited General Plan update was passed by the City Council early Wednesday after a lengthy City Council meeting.

The vote was 5-2, with Councilmen Corky Booze and Nat Bates dissenting. Read more

Information provided by Chevron Richmond

On Tuesday, April 24, the Richmond City Council voted to adopt the General Plan 2030 – a document that will be used to guide future planning and development in our community.

Neighborhood leaders, labor union members and business community representatives worked together to pass a balanced General Plan that creates jobs, grows the local economy and protects the environment.

We would like to share with you the letter that Chevron Richmond General Manager Nigel Hearne sent to the City Council members after the meeting. If you should have any questions, please email Melissa Ritchie.

What: Education & Entrepreneurship: Powering Richmond’s Economy

Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Location: East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, 339 11th Street, Richmond

For more information, please contact Andrea Bailey, Community Engagement Manager at 510.242.5403 or andreabailey@chevron.com.

When Malcolm Ajayi was recruited to Contra Costa College, he could not take to the gridiron right away because his grades were too low.

Coach Alonzo Carter took over the football team in 2010 and told Ajayi he would not be able to play safety that season until he turned around his grades.

Two years later, the Sacramento High School graduate has earned a full scholarship to Prairie View A&M University in Houston, Texas.

“I wanted to better myself and work harder to earn my scholarship,” Ajayi said. “This is a great accomplishment for me.”

Ajayi and his other transferring teammates were honored at a football team banquet recognizing athletic and academic accomplishments in the Fireside Room on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Comet football players Ajayi, Jordan Morrow, Najee Lovett and Tate Mustin, from the 2011 team, were in attendance to receive recognition for the scholarships they received, while other football players received certificates for earning GPAs of 3.0 or better.

Cameron Fuller and Isaac Goins also received scholarships to New Mexico State University and the University of Maryland, respectively.

They are already attending their new colleges and were unable to attend the ceremony.

A change in scenery awaits Lovett, Morrow and Ajayi, who will be leaving California to attend colleges in the Midwest and South regions of the country, but they say they are prepared and ready for the adjustment.

Lovett began his tenure at the University of Idaho as a spring transfer and was able to make the ceremony. The communications major said he might become a social worker.

Morrow said his scholarship to Murray State University in Kentucky, “means the world to me. I’m excited to be moving to a new environment.”

Speakers at the event included Carter, Athletic Director John Wade and Oakland Raiders running back Taiwan Jones.

When Wade shared his thoughts to the crowd, he stated his mission as athletic director.

“My goal at CCC is for you guys to transfer,” he said. “If you’re here to only play football and not focus on your academics, then you’re not short-changing anyone but yourself.”

Hiring Carter in 2010 proved Wade to be a man of his word.

Known for turning struggling high school football programs into winners and sending student-athletes to four-year universities, Carter has lived up to his reputation at CCC.

“I wanted to acknowledge the (football) team’s academic achievements as well as the signees,” Carter said. “We’ve had 52 players earn 3.0 or better GPAs in a two-year period: 28 in 2010 and 24 (in 2011).

“You can feel the pride in the room,” Carter said. “I want them to understand that this should be a standard. I want to emphasize that it is their academics that will enable them to go anywhere.”