| Published November 20th, 2013 | business briefs | | ![](../issue0719/images/0719-01701.jpg) | New Arco gas station with car wash on Moraga Road Photo Andy Scheck
| Arco Station Opens
425 Moraga Rd., Moraga
After many months of planning and permits, the new Arco gas station and carwash has opened in Moraga. Located at the south-east corner of Moraga Road and Rheem Boulevard, the owners followed the Design Review Board recommendation to make the station appealing; they even added a water fountain in the garden in front of the station to improve curb appeal. The station's price signage is a bit smaller than that of its competition since the new owners had to abide by Moraga's most recent signage ordinance while the older stations' larger signs were grandfathered. The car wash will cost between $6 and $9, depending on the level of service. When the cars are being washed, doors enclose the vehicle so the operation is completely contained and does not create a noise nuisance for neighbors. The station also offers smog checks. Arco does not accept credit cards - a company business model that, it says, keeps prices low. PayQuick terminals are available for debit cards purchases, which include a 35 cent flat fee, and cash is welcome. Arco also provides pre-paid Arco cards. The community is invited to the Nov. 23 grand opening to enjoy food, music and $3 carwashes with a minimum purchase
of 12 gallons of gas.
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Kiwanis Sees Candy Holiday Shop Opening Soon
Moraga Valley Kiwanis will open the 2013 See's Candy Holiday Shop beginning Nov. 22 through Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day in Moraga's Rheem Center (next to Starbuck's). Other sales locations will include the Moraga Farmers' Market and CVS in Rheem. All the most popular See's chocolates, peanut brittle, and holiday novelties will be available at the same prices found in See's stores. Sugar-free items will also be offered. See's Candy holiday sales are the major fundraising effort of the Moraga Valley Kiwanis Club. All proceeds are donated to local charities, including Meals on Wheels, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties, Lamorinda schools' educational foundations, and many others.
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Beall Named Prudential Regional Manager
(925) 708-0800
Prudential California Realty announced that Mary Beall, previously the manager of the company's two Walnut Creek offices, has been named regional manager for the brokerage. Beall expands her leadership role gaining reach and authority in overseeing operations throughout the Lamorinda and Walnut Creek market.
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DeFoe Named Moraga Employee of the Month for November
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From left: Kevin Reneau, vice president of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, Safeway manager Bonita Vigil, Brenda DeFoe, and Moraga Rotary president Nora Avelar. Photo provided
Brenda DeFoe, who been serving local Safeway customers for 22 years, has been named the Moraga Employee of the Month for November. DeFoe manages the customer service desk at Safeway and assists in several different areas in the local grocery store, including working as a checker when needed, doing price changes and managing the store's donations to local charities. Before coming to Moraga in 2009, Defoe worked for 16 years at the Orinda Safeway store. The Moraga Rotary and Chamber of Commerce awarded DeFoe with a gift card to Safeway and a gift certificate to Mountain Mike's Pizza in Moraga at the Nov. 19 Moraga Rotary luncheon.
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News from the three Chambers of Commerce
Lafayette
Ribbon Cutting for the new Lafayette Art Gallery at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite A.
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The 35th Annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane. The breakfast will be catered by Dave's Cuisine (chef Dave Krider). The scheduled keynote speaker is SemiFreddi's owner Tom Franier. For reservations, visit the chamber website at lafayettechamber.org.
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Save the date for "It's a wonderful Life in Lafayette" - a holiday celebration with tree lighting, food, drinks, music and entertainment, children's activities and Santa - from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Lafayette Plaza. The event is sponsored by The Dana Green Team and Branagh Development.
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Moraga
The chamber has an office. On Nov. 13 the Town Council approved the use of a small corner office (about 100 square feet) in the La Sala at the Hacienda de las Flores for use by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce. After the first of the year the chamber will have office hours on Monday mornings (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. to noon. After being named executive director, Kathe Nelson will finally have a place to put her computer and set appointments. The space was formerly a storage area for the Moraga Movers and the Hacienda Foundation.
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Save for date for the Chamber's Christmas party from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Moraga Royale.
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Orinda
The 12th Annual Holiday Party is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5. As in previous years, the chamber invites its members to gather on the first Thursday each December, which has been deemed by the city of Orinda as Hilton House Day. Everything will be on sale from 5 to 9 p.m. Free gift wrap, refreshments, music - and a lot of fun, too.
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