LAMORINDA WEEKLY | business briefs


(Lto R) MEF Eric Andresen and Diana Obrand, Wells Fargo Arturo Gonzalez and Geri Echague Picture Courtesy of MEF

Wells Fargo becomes an MEF Community Partner

Wells Fargo Assistant Vice President of Community Banking, Arturo Gonzalez, and Geri Echague, Assistant Manager of the Wells Fargo Moraga branch presented the Moraga Education Foundation (MEF) at the end of 2010 with a $5000 Education Grant check. MEF President, Diana Obrand and MEF's Chairman of Business and Community Partners, Eric Andresen (left) were pleased to nominate Wells Fargo their newest Community Partner. The Education Grant is part of Wells Fargo's commitment to community development and support. Presenting the check for The Moraga Education Foundation provides significant funding to local schools, supporting counseling, arts, music and science programs, as well as promoting community involvement in our schools.

Parkmon Vinyard Wins Big In Competition

http://web.mac.com/parkmon/iWeb/Site/PARKMON.html

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition released the results of the testing to wine makers, ahead of the public wine testing that will be held on February 19 at Fort Mason in the City. Local Winemaker Parkmon Vineyard won several medals. "We've been participating for a few years to this competition," says Dave Parker, "previous years we won silver awards but this is the first time that we won the gold." Parkmon got the Gold metal for their 2008 Sangiovese. In his tasting notes about the Sangiovese, Parker wrote, "the Sangiovese grapes are some of the older vines in the Lamorinda region (at least 14 years old in 2008). They were planted to the same clone that has been isolated in the Montalcino area of Tuscany that contribute 100% of the fruit for the famed Brunello di Montalcinos. Our 2008 version, the third year we've produced this wine, represents the darkest, richest, most decadent edition yet, and is as true a replica of the noble Tuscan wine as California-grown Sangiovese can produce." The winemaker recommends pairing the wine with veal scallopini with a mushroom cream sauce or a rosemary-roasted chicken. "Then again, this wine is light and versatile enough to enjoy with a great pizza," he adds. Parkmon also got Silver for their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bronze for both the 2008 Debbie's Cuvee and 2009 Shari's Rose.

News from the three Chambers of Commerce

Lafayette

- Shop Lafayette Committee Meeting on February 8th from

12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in the Lafayette Chamber Conference Room

- Monthly Mixer on February 9th at Wells Fargo Bank,

3525 Mt. Diablo Blvd. from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

- Board of Directors Meeting on February 14th from 12:00 pm

to 2:00 pm in the Lafayette Chamber Conference Room

- Twitter Strategies (and More!) for Local Businesses on February

16th from 8:00 am to 9:30 am in the Lafayette Library & Learning

Center, presented by Robin Fox, Social Media & Inbound

Marketing Coach. Limited seating, reservations recommended,

at workshops@lafayettechamber.org.

- Thursday: Entrepreneur's Club on February 17th from 8:30 am

to 9:30 am in the Lafayette Chamber Conference Room

Moraga

Grant Stubblefield was elected Business Person of the year at the January 28 Chamber meeting. The 26 years old Moraga native has been involved with the Chamber and the community since he was still a student at Saint Mary's College. A passionate proponent of community marketing, he created Community Marketing Group a company focusing on local campaigns, like Shop Moraga First, and local business websites, business consulting and serving on the Chamber Board. This year, Grant began a new venture with his purchase of Neighborhood Computers, formerly owned by Paul Ghysels, a business that has been in Moraga for over a decade. "The Moraga community makes it easy to do business here, the more you plan your feet in a community, the easiest it becomes," said Stubblefield, "I am very thankful for the support I have received here and do not plan to move anytime soon." On Tuesday, February 22 starting at 6:00 pm, the Chamber and Mechanics Bank are sponsoring the Business Person of the Year Dinner at the China Moon Restaurant, 380 Park St. All Chamber members and their guests are invited. Please RSVP to Kathe Nelson at kathenelson@gmail.com by 2/15/11

Orinda

Save the date for the First Annual State of the City Address and Special Recognition Awards Dinner on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Orinda Country Club. Cocktails: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m., Dinner: 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., 315 Camino Sobrante, Orinda, RSVP: Required by Feb. 22. on the city's web site orindachamber.com, cost is $65 per person. The event will recognize as Best Small Business in Orinda, Orinda Taxi: Julian Juricevic. A long-time Orinda resident, Juricevic started the business three and a half years ago with a single green, hybrid car and one driver - himself. Today, the company has six such cars, four full-time employees, and a dozen independently contracted drivers. Last August, Juricevic and his wife Tanja inaugurated the new Orinda Taxi offices at 15 Altarinda Road, in Orinda. The State of the Town Address will be given by Mayor Victoria Smith. The Chamber will also give Special Recognition Awards to Sally Hogarty, Editor of The Orinda News and columnist Valerie Hotz.