Contents

Reflecting on 2024 6

Lighting of the Old Oak Tree 8

Chamber Advocacy 10

Elections 12

Oktoberfest 14

‘Make Your Statement’ with FASTSIGNS of San Ramon 16

Nonprofit 17

Denim & Diamonds Community Awards &
75th Anniversary Dinner 18

Meet our community champions 22

Meet our community partners 24

The Fun is Here in Danville! 25

new members 26

Education & Leadership Training 28

Chamber ambassadors 30

Board of directors 31

Vol. 1 | Issue 2 | 2024

117 Town and Country Dr. ste. E, Danville, CA 94526

(925) 837-4400 | danvilleareachamber.com

This publication was created and produced by
Town Square Publications for the
Danville Area Chamber

Copyright © 2024 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | tbusby@tspubsdigital.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Town Square is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Director of Operations | Joseph Nugara

Account Executive | Dac Randall

Editor | Angela Holmes

Project Manager | Mike Nickells

Reflecting on 2024

As we look towards 2025, it’s important to reflect on the future of businesses and non-profit organizations in the greater Danville Area.

We know that our Downtown is the heart of the Town of Danville. We worked collectively with the Town of Danville to present four events to help promote Downtown businesses this year.

Our Spring Sip & Stroll in May is always a crowd favorite. It’s a nice night out on the Town and we enjoy partnering with local businesses who host wineries and breweries and offer open houses and shopping discounts.

Our Summer Arts Fling in June paired local businesses with local artists, offering an opportunity to once again shop local and meet aspiring artists.

Our Oktoberfest Danville in October is featured in this magazine. Scroll through to see more about this new event that we hope to replicate in 2025 in our Downtown.

The Lighting of the Old Oak Tree is a community favorite, with more than 5,000 people in attendance each year. This year’s event was especially memorable, as we welcomed nine entertainment acts in three locations along Hartz Avenue.

In 2024, the Chamber also held our annual State of the Town Luncheon, our Denim & Diamonds Community Awards and the Tri-Valley Mayors’ Summit in Danville. By the end of the year, the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce will have hosted 50 programs to support local businesses. Be sure to scroll through this digital magazine to see new businesses that are featured.

The Chamber was also involved in advocacy on behalf of our businesses and joined a coalition in support of Proposition 36, which reclassified some misdemeanor theft and drug crimes as felonies. During the pandemic, the rate of shoplifting and commercial burglaries skyrocketed to its highest level in 24 years. We took action on behalf of our members and the community. Clearly state voters understood how important it was to help our businesses battle retail theft. The measure passed with nearly 69% of Californians voting in favor of it.

We were also very pleased to work alongside the Danville Town Council and local restaurants to extend outdoor dining another two years to 2025, and to support the three candidates who won their races for Danville Town Council: Renee Morgan, Mark Belotz, and Newell Arnerich.

We’re looking forward to welcoming the community to our bright and shiny new Downtown in 2025.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to let us know how we can help you thrive and grow. We’d love to get your feedback on ways we can work even closer with local businesses in 2025!

Best wishes,

Judy B. Lloyd

President & CEO

Danville Area Chamber of Commerce

Lighting of the Old Oak Tree

The 2024 holiday shopping season officially kicked off on November 29th with the “Lighting of the Old Oak Tree”, a holiday favorite, in downtown Danville.

This popular event traditionally held on the Friday after Thanksgiving each year, is co-sponsored by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Danville. The event kicks off at the Old Oak Tree, featuring a visit from Father Christmas and the Snow Angel and holiday classics performed by the Danville Girls Chorus, the Monte Vista High School Chamber Singers & San Ramon High School Chamber Singers. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District shared their vintage fire truck and a visit from “The Grinch”.

Estimated to be 350 years old, the Danville Oak Tree on Diablo Road is a symbol of the community and a central gathering point for the last 30 years.

The tree was discovered to be in jeopardy of weakening and possibly falling down. With the support of the community, a special metal support structure was installed to prevent the tree from falling. It continues to be the most notable landmark in the Town of Danville and is the symbol of community and the traditions of the holiday season.

Downtown businesses, such as the Doyle Quane Law Group, traditionally hold Open Houses, featuring hot chocolate and other treats. Non-profit organizations also join in, providing holiday cheer, caroling, photo opportunities, hot chocolate and s’mores. This year’s non-profits who participated included CPC Danville, Fostering Wishes, Rolling Hills Community Church, and Messiah Lutheran Church.

Other entertainment took place in three areas of Downtown to the delight of visitors to our community. We want to thank the Olympia Fields Brass, the Danville Pep Band, Next Step Dance, Studio 8, SASS Dance, and country artists Dave Ouzo Land & Jaxen Spurs for joining us for this year’s festivities.

Chamber Advocacy

Advocacy

The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce believes that economic vitality and community engagement go hand in hand. This year, we’ve been more engaged than ever advocating for smart policies that help businesses on the state, county and local levels.

In March 2024, President & CEO Judy Lloyd joined Sandra Floyd, a California Chamber of Commerce Board Member, as leadership of the Small Business Policy Council, a pivotal initiative designed to amplify the voices of small businesses in the State Capitol.

The Council, comprised of 30 members – 15 local chamber CEOs and 15 CAL Chamber members – aims to ensure that the needs and priorities of small businesses are at the forefront of legislative discussions.

We’re working together to ensure that small businesses continue to be a driving force in our economy and a cornerstone of the California dream. This is especially important as our small businesses in Danville deal with higher costs of goods and services, supply chain issues, employee recruitment and retention and retail theft.

Government Affairs

We continue to work with County Supervisor Candace Andersen, East Bay EDA and the Contra Costa Workforce Development Board on economic vitality.

Additionally, we are a proud partner with Visit Tri-Valley, co-hosting the annual Taste Tri-Valley Restaurant Week and our Spring Sip & Stroll.

We partner regularly with the Town of Danville on programs aimed to increase economic vitality, visibility and foot traffic for local businesses. Most recently, the Chamber attended a study session to advocate for local restaurants with parklets and a meeting of downtown businesses to encourage formation of a Downtown Association.

Economic Vitality

The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce promotes our community as a destination to live, work and play. We work collaboratively with our partners to promote programming throughout the year to boost turnout in our downtown, the heart of Danville, and throughout our community.

Some of the programs we’ve worked on in 2024 to boost our community’s economic vitality and highlight our fantastic businesses include –

•  March 21st – State of the Town Luncheon, with Mayor Karen Stepper

•  July 18th – State of the County Luncheon, with Supervisor Andersen

•  May 9th – Spring Sip & Stroll

•  June 21st – Summer Arts Fling

•  August 22nd – Tri-Valley Mayors’ Summit

•  September 18th – Denim & Diamonds Community Awards

•  October 20th – Oktoberfest Danville

•  November 29th – Lighting of the Old Oak Tree

We encourage you to contact Judy Lloyd at (925) 837-4400 or ceo@danvilleareachamber.com if you would like to be involved with our local advocacy efforts to help our businesses and non-profits succeed. Please take a look at our website Advocacy page here.

Elections

Danville Town Council

All candidates that the Chamber endorsed for the Town Council in Danville won. We are happy to welcome back Councilmembers Newell Arnerich and Renee Morgan. Voters also chose to add Councilmember Mark Belotz to the Town Council, replacing Vice Mayor Dave Fong, who did not run for re-election. We look forward to working with Newell, Renee and Mark to support our Chamber Member businesses and all licensed businesses in the Danville Area and surrounding Tri-Valley region.

Supervisor Candace Andersen

For the second consecutive term, Supervisor Candace Andersen did not face a challenger in her race for District 2 County Supervisor, which is a testament to the wonderful job she does in our region. Candace has been a strong supporter of the Chamber, particularly our Women’s Enterprise Initiative, through the County’s Livable Communities Trust Fund. We appreciate her guidance and support as we continue the initiative in 2025.

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan was re-elected to a third term as our state assemblymember. We look forward to working with Rebecca and her team, as she continues in the legislature in 2025.

State Senator Tim Grayson

We will welcome a new face to our region, with the election of Assemblymember Tim Grayson who won the election to replace retiring State Senator Steve Glazer. Grayson has already expressed an interest in working closely with the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2025.

Tim Grayson

SRVUSD Measure Q Wins Among
San Ramon Valley Voters

The Chamber supported Measure Q, the parcel tax measure before voters. Measure Q was strongly supported by area voters with nearly 75% of the vote, demonstrating the voters’ commitment to quality education for our students.

State Ballot Measures

The Chamber opposed two measures on the State Ballot.

Proposition 32 would raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour. As of Nov. 17, 2024, the measure was failing by a vote of 50.9% to 41.1%, according to the Secretary of State. Proposition 32 was opposed by major business organizations like the California Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, the largest association of small businesses in California.

Proposition 33 sought to repeal a state law preventing cities and counties from implementing rent control on properties built after 1995, allowing for broader rent control measures. Proposition 33 was defeated by a vote of 60.3% to 39.7%, as of Nov. 17, according to the Secretary of State.

The Chamber supported Proposition 36.

Proposition 36, which increased sentencing for certain drug and theft crimes, passed by a wide margin – 68.6% to 39.4%, according to the Secretary of State.

Oktoberfest

Nearly a thousand residents and friends joined us for Oktoberfest Danville, our local take on a century’s old favorite, featuring a Beer & Wine Stroll throughout Downtown Danville businesses.

The event, which took place on Oct. 20, began on Railroad Avenue with a Kids’ Zone and Business Pop-Ups. The Olympia Fields Brass Band joined in the fun, playing polka-style Oktoberfest favorites. We want to thank the non-profit organizations who joined us in the Kids’ Zone – FOR The Valley, San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, SPARC Theater, Danville San Ramon Rotary, Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley, and the Nephrotic Syndrome, to name a few.

The Chamber was pleased to present this event in partnership with the Town of Danville and hopes to bring it back in 2025. Stay tuned!

You can see our photo gallery at this link.
https://danvilleareachamber.com/oktoberfest-2024-gallery/

‘Make Your Statement’ with FASTSIGNS of San Ramon

FASTSIGNS of San Ramon is a franchised signs and graphics company that has been in business for 35 years throughout the San Ramon Valley and the whole Bay Area. Wade and Ruby Luckhardt have managed the location for the last 19 years.

“We can make any sign or graphic, everything from the concept through to install if it’s required. Our catchphrase is ‘make your statement.’ And that’s what we attempt to do with our customers,” Wade Luckhardt said.

Whether it’s a large monument, a sign on the side of a road, or a banner at the local high school, FASTSIGNS strives to bring their customers’ vision to life through visual communication.

“If you go around Danville, or even the San Ramon Valley, you’ll see signs that are on vehicles, on buildings, inside of buildings, on schools, on city property. Those are the types of things that we have our graphic designers create by working with our customers and clients,” Luckhardt said.

FASTSIGNS also works with area chambers of commerce to bring their events and festivals to a higher level with banners and signage that set the tone.

Luckhart has served as a member and on the board of directors of area chambers of commerce.

“We are members of the whole San Ramon Valley community and thus local is very important, as well as trying to enhance the local businesses within the Valley,” he said. “For any business that is in the area, it’s important to get involved in the chamber, because it enhances your presence, as well as adds to the overall economic development of the area.”.

FASTSIGNS of San Ramon

551 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Ste. 113
San Ramon, CA 94583
(925) 361-3487
www.fastsigns.com/san-ramon-ca

Products offered:

Business Hours Signs

Electric Signs

Custom Flags

Party Signs

Wayfinding Signage

Safety Signs

Custom Decals

Vehicle Graphics

Lawn Signs

Take Out Signage

NONPROFIT

FOR the Valley makes the community a brighter place

With more than 300 volunteers, FOR the Valley, a nonprofit group run by the Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) of Danville, makes a positive difference in the community.

“We believe that being for others can truly change the world and showing them love and support,” said Stephanie Nava, Service Director of FOR the Valley. “We believe that we're the ones who should be the first responders to the businesses, besides our wonderful police and fire departments. You should be here for them to help lift them up and make sure they're successful.”

FOR The Valley partners with the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce with some of its larger events such as the Lighting of the Old Oak Tree. During the annual event which rings in the holiday season, volunteers give out 1,250 s’more kits and provide a “heat zone” where families can gather around fire pits to warm up and cook their treats. Music is also provided from the CPC’s worship team during the celebration.

The group also partnered with the chamber in the first Oktoberfest by providing entertainment in the Kid Zone, where they rented an ax-throwing inflatable, had a pretzel toss, face painting and coloring activities,

Throughout the year the group supports local businesses during ribbon cutting events, giving new businesses a gift box. FOR The Valley also supports the chamber with sponsorships for projects such as the Youth Mental Health Outreach Initiative and Women’s Enterprise Initiative. FOR the Valley Business Breakfasts are specifically for business leaders and owners. Guest speakers give a motivational message while the attendees enjoy a free breakfast.

FOR The Valley especially helped businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We knew businesses were struggling in general. Any time we could, we made sure we placed large orders to local businesses for food,” Nava said. “We had a staff event and ordered from a chamber restaurant. We received a letter from them about six months later saying that order literally saved their business because it allowed them to make payroll and continue on.”

The next year when there were riots damaging businesses in neighboring cities, the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce reached out to FOR The Valley.

“We bought all the plywood and went down to the local businesses and anybody who wanted it, we boarded up their windows for them,” Nava said.

About 50 - 75% of FOR the Valley volunteers are members of the CPC, but more and more people from the community are also signing up, Nava said.

“They’re catching that vision of being for each other. When we can do that, our community will grow and become a better place to live.”

Denim & Diamonds Community Awards & 75th Anniversary Dinner

The Chamber held its 2nd Annual Denim & Diamonds Community Awards Dinner on Sept. 18 at the Blackhawk Country Club.

This event was so popular in 2023, that we brought it back again in 2024.

Guests were treated to country music, featuring local artist Dave Land, whose a cappella version of the National Anthem inspired the crowd of nearly 300 who attended the event.

We want to congratulate our winners, those who placed 2nd and 3rd, and our community for casting more than 4,700 votes!

Best Retail, Boutique Sales & Service

1st place – (tie) Rakestraw Books & America’s Finest Hemp

2nd place – Whim House

3rd place – Sweet Street

Best Restaurant, Bakery, Catering Business

1st place – Batter ‘N Icing – Danville

2nd place – Old Towne Danville Bakery

3rd place – Republic of Cake

Business Person of the Year

1st place – Terence Doyle – Doyle Quane Law Group

2nd place – Rica Ruiz – Meraki Real Estate

3rd place – Sarah Fendrich – Makeup By Sarah Fendrich

Citizen of the Year

1st place – Bob Hammer – Have a Ball Foundation

2nd place – Bryan Ware – The Crayon Initiative

3rd place – Gaby Ghorbani – Pledge to Humanity

Non-Profit of the Year

1st place – (tie) Pledge To Humanity & The Crayon Initiative

2nd place – Have A Ball Foundation

3rd place – Kid’s Country

Best Health, Wellness, Beauty, Fitness

1st place – SPENGA Danville

2nd place – Iron Horse Fitness and Sports Performance

3rd place – Makeup by Sarah Fendrich

Best Construction, Design, Landscaping

1st place – A.G. & Associates - Hardscape & Landscape Construction Company

2nd place – Benchmark Home Construction, Inc.

3rd place – Wehrli Construction, Inc.

Best Promotional - Marketing, Photography & Video

1st place – Marcus Jackson Photography

2nd place – Sam Bennett Media

3rd place – Trending Now

Best Real Estate, Banking, Escrow Services

1st place – Meraki Real Estate

2nd place – Joe Tagupa-Realty ONE Group Future

3rd place – Coldwell Banker - Joe Kehrig

Best Business Services

1st place – Family Matters

2nd place – The Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation

3rd place – Young Learners Academy

Employee of the Year

1st place – Amy McKelligan – CPC Danville

2nd place – Sara DaSie (Ms. Sara) – Young Learners Academy

3rd place – Max Brown – Danville Brewing Company

Non-Profit of the Year

1st place – (tie) Pledge To Humanity & The Crayon Initiative

2nd place – Have A Ball Foundation

3rd place – Kid’s Country

Chamber Ambassador of the Year

Joe Tagupa

The Chamber also celebrated its 75th Anniversary with anniversary facts from the Valley Pioneer Newspaper, gathered by Beverly Lane, one of Danville’s first Mayors. Beverly has written several books and serves as our local historian at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.

The crowd was treated to a special reading of anniversary facts by former Chamber Chairs Tim White, Kim Lindeberg, and Tim Argenti.

Meet our Community Partners

January 1 - November 30, 2024

Alamo Plaza Shopping Center

Align Healing Center

Barry & Wynn Architects, Inc.

Brookdale Diablo Lodge

CCCTA-The County Connection

Community Bank of the Bay

Contra Costa Association of Realtors

Cottage Jewel Antiques

Danville Hardwood Co. Inc.

Davidon Homes

Diablo Valley College, San Ramon Campus

FloorTex Design-First Choice Abbey Carp…

Graham-Hitch Cremation and Memorial

Heller Jewelers

Hope Hospice

JD Academy of Salon & Spa

Locanda Ravello

Mechanics Bank

Mt. Diablo Recycling Center

MYO Pure Frozen Yogurt

Next Step Dance Studio

Old Towne Danville Bakery & Cafe

Palo Alto Medical Foundation - Sutter He…

Piatti Ristorante and Bar

PotozkinMD Skincare Center

Primo's Pizzeria & Pub

Republic Services

Vortex Psychiatry & TMS Clinic

The 2024 Community Partners Program further supports Chamber efforts to promote economic vitality, mentoring and business training programs in our community. We are pleased to recognize our participating business partners. Thank you for your support!

The Fun is Here in Danville!

This year, the Danville Area Chamber held 50 events in support of Chamber Members and our community. Each month, the Chamber enjoys holding Monthly Mixers at Chamber Member businesses. We also welcome new members to our community with ribbon-cuttings, held twice a month. You can view our photo gallery at this link.

2024 College Scholarship Presentations

Lighting of Old Oak Tree

Americas Finest Hemp Mixer

Contra Costa Mega Mixer

Danville Summer Arts Fling Event

Denim and Diamonds 75th Anniversary

2024 Oktoberfest

Spring Sip and Stroll Event

Tri-Valley Mayors Summit 2024

New Members

Each month, the Chamber enjoys holding Ribbon-cutting events for new members. Come join in the fun by visiting our Events Calendar.

Check out some of our new members’ ribbon cutting photos on our Gallery page.

Joya Yoga

Diablo Valley Animal Hospital

Republic of Cake

Swan Medical

Diablo Tox & Aesthetics

Toastique

Education & Leadership Training

The Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Enterprise Initiative kicked off its educational programming in 2024, with six featured programs.

This transformative leadership and mentoring program, created by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Three Valleys Community Foundation offers community workshops to educate, mentor and train women business owners and non-profit leaders.

We embrace inclusivity, welcoming participants of all genders, while specifically championing diverse female entrepreneurs in growth industries such as technology, retail, service, hospitality, restaurant, health, wellness, finance, and professional services.

Read “Our Story” and get involved in 2025. Sponsorships for our educational programming are available and we’d love to work with you.

You can meet our advisors and participants of the “Class of 2024” by clicking through our flip-book.

Chamber Ambassadors

Meet the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. Our Ambassadors are the public relations arm of the Chamber. They help members feel welcome, provide introductions for new and existing members at public gatherings and networking meetings, engage with new businesses in the community, advocate to support the Chamber’s goals, and get people involved. Their role is invaluable and we truly appreciate their volunteerism!

For more information, visit
https://danvilleareachamber.com/ambassadors/

Scott Bigelow

Executive Director, Founding Wine Ambassador, Scott’s Wine Taste / Boisset Collection

Klara Bleier

Sales Account Representative

Old Republic Title

Monica Nolasco EdD

Owner & CPR Instructor

The Art of CPR in Danville

Kim Falahati

Founder,

Family Matters

Lara George

Ambassadors Chair

Owner and Photographer,

Lara George Photography

Liz Hansen

Ambassador Liaison

to Board of Directors

Agent, RE/MAX

Valerie Howard

Val Howard Insurance Agency, Farmers Insurance

James "Tony" Trowbridge

CEO & Co-Founder

Mindful Construction, Inc.

Steve Koel

Partner,

Trending Now Tri-Valley

Bob Landy

Owner,

RNL Enterprises

Peter Larson

Co-owner,

Lawn Doctor

Melonie Pederson

Owner and Chief Craftswoman, MP Custom Woodworking

Donna Piper

Account Executive

Old Republic Title

Christine Raymond

Owner

Greet Lafayette and BeLocal Lamorinda & Diablo

Rica Ruiz

Realtor
Meraki Real Estate Group

Joe Tagupa

Realtor®,

Broker Associate,

Realty ONE Group Future

Board of Directors

We are proud to introduce the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, well-established community leaders who represent businesses and non-profit organizations.

For more information, visit danvilleareachamber.com/board-of-directors/

Brittany Doyle Riley

2024 Board Chair

Attorney, Doyle Quane
Family Law

Uday Kumar

2025 Chair-Elect

Owner, Batter 'N Icing - Danville

Tim Argenti

2024 Board Member & Chair, Economic Vitality & Government Affairs Community Relations Manager, Republic Services

David Behring

2024 Board Member

President, The Wheelchair
Foundation

Keva Dodd

2024 Board Member

Whim House

Steve Glaski

2024 Board Member

Vice President, Relationship

Manager, Heritage Bank
of Commerce

Liz Hansen

2024 Ambassador
Liaison to the Board

Agent, RE/MAX

Kim Lindeberg

2024 Board Member

President, The Lindeberg Group

Paige Meyer

2024 Board Member

Chief, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District

Randy Negi

2024 Board Member

Owner, Bridges Danville, Danville Brewing, The Vine & Spirits

Jerry North

2024 Board Member

Vice President of Operations,

Stanford Health Care - Tri-Valley

Glenn Novotny

2024 Board Member & Finance Chair

Founder, Glennhawk Vineyards and Emerald Pet Products; Managing Director, GMMR,LLC

Dipak Rao

2024 Board Member

Co-Founder and CEO, Ayutherapy Ayurveda
Wellness Center

Shayna Ronan

2024 Board Member & Chair, College Scholarship Committee Founder, I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center

Jeremy Soine

2024 Board Member & Membership Chair

President & CEO,
Face Reality Skincare

117 Town and Country Dr. ste. E, Danville, CA 94526

(925) 837-4400 | danvilleareachamber.com