DECEMBER 2015

W E P R O M OT E, S U P P O R T & E N H A N C E B U S I N E S S P R O S P E R I T Y, C I V I C V I TA L I T Y & Q UA L I T Y O F L I F E .

School District Hiring!

Did you know?

City Update

New Members

Ribbon Cutting Pictures

R U Compliant?

Minimum Wage Increase

Advocacy Efforts

Tax Dollars

Tourism/California’s Economy

Calendar of Events

‘tis the season...T O R O C KU G LYSWEATERS

“Holiday Ugly Sweater” C o n t e s t

1) Share your “Holiday Ugly Sweater” photo, your name and company name on the Palm Desert area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page

2) Wear your “ Holiday Ugly Sweater” to our Business After Hours Mixer on Decem-ber 16 at the Living Desert (from 5pm - 7pm).

3) Great Company recognition; show your Holiday Spirit and have fun! A chance to win up to $500*

Winners will be announced during the mixer - 1st Place $500; 2nd & 3rd Place winners too!

*Prizes may be in the form of gift card(s). Participants MUST be PDACC Members to qualify for prizes & present to win.

The quality education that is provided to the students of Desert Sands Unified School District is dependent on approximately 1,400 highly teachers who are in the classroom each and every day. Our teaching family extends beyond those in a permanent position on the DSUSD team to our guest teachers who cover our classrooms when a teacher is out for professional development training or for personal reasons. On any given day there are approximately 100-120 substi-tutes needed at DSUSD. Recent articles in both the education-focused press & mainstream media have noted the shortage of teachers in school districts around the country. They have not always included the fact that there is also a shortage of qualified substitutes. DSUSD, maintains lists of pre-qualified and trained substitute teachers - and that pool is shrinking. Why is there a shortage of qualified substitute teachers here and around the country? “School officials say the shortage worsened as the unemploy-ment rate improved, & job seekers who might have settled for a part-time job such as substitute teaching are now insisting on full-time positions with better pay & benefits.” Coyne goes on to write, “A frequent source of substitutes has been education majors looking for experience. But officials say fewer college students are choosing teaching as a career path…” Desert Sands Unified School District seeks professionals with college degrees in all industries to consider guest teach-ing. Desert residents in professions requiring top level skills in math, science, language arts, foreign languages, & other academic subjects are encouraged to speak to the district regarding serving as CBEST “waivered” teachers. The CBEST is the California Basic Educational Test that gauges the competency levels of a teacher in math & language arts. Qual-ified professionals interested in serving as guest teachers, but who have not taken the CBEST, may apply for a CBEST waiver that is good for one year. A recent increase to the substitute daily pay rate has assisted in the recruitment of qualified guest teachers. DSUSD sub-stitutes receive payment of $135 as a daily rate & $155 for those serving as long term guest teachers. CBEST waivered teachers receive $115 as the daily rate and $135 when serving in an extended substitute role. Substitute teaching is a fulfilling way to share those talents and skills. For more information on guest teaching at Desert Sands Unified School District, individuals should contact Patricia Gomez at 760-771-8694.

Create your OWN BUSINESS PROFILE on our website!

1) Login 4) Add Your LOGO2) Add content 5) Add Your Video(s) 3) Add Photos 6) Engage more views

D i d Yo u K n o w ? M e m b e r s R e c e i v e F R E E B e n e f i t s

“...100-120 substitutes needed...”

There is No Substitute for a Good Substitute

By Gary Rutherford, Ed.D., Desert Sands Unified School District Superintendent of Schools.

OPENING DOORS FOR BUSINESS

Palm Desert has changed a lot since it be-came a City in 1973. Today, our community is poised for more exciting changes as the City plans how Palm Desert will develop over the next 20 years through an update of its General Plan.A general plan guides a city’s physical devel-opment including buildings, roads, parks, and other key infrastructure. Areas that have been identified for the most change under the up-dated General Plan include the Highway 111 corridor, the area west of the Cal State and UCR campuses, and San Pablo Avenue from Magnesia Falls Drive to El Paseo. Key concepts include creating a walkable com-munity space on San Pablo with wide side-walks, shade trees, and reduced traffic lanes; reworking the frontage roads on Highway 111; and permitting development of taller, mixed-use buildings at strategic locations.A draft of the new General Plan has been completed and public hearings are expected to take place in 2016. As part of the update pro-cess, the City is reaching out to business and resident groups who would like to learn more.For more information or to schedule a presen-tation for your organization or group, please call 760-776-6386 or email rstendell@cityof-palmdesert.org.

On November 26, several of the Palm Desert Area Chamber Board of Directors, Members & Staff attended the groundbreaking ceremonies at the Hotel El Paseo site held by the City of Palm Desert. The $36 million dollar hotel will be independently operated under the Marriott Autograph Collection and situated on the adja-cent lot behind the Gardens on El Paseo.This project is another example of how through our unified eco-nomic development team we continue to attract private developers to invest in Palm Desert. The new hotel will will be a great ad-dition to our city and this project will continue the momentum that is transforming the downtown corridor and famous shopping district. The construction is a great way to launch the cities "general" plan. This is the first of many positive developments that Palm Desert residents and businesses can look forward to. In addition, this project helps us keep business travelers & visitors at hotels here in Palm Desert. "Heads in beds" helps drive our healthy economy. When people stay in our beautiful city, they typical-ly eat, shop and use services that keep our business community thriving.

O u t I n t h e C o m m u n i t y

Groundbreaking 11/6/2015

Mapping Palm Desert’s Future

J o i n u s D e c 10 a t B u s i n e s s B r e a k fa s t H e a r a b o u t t h e G e n e r a l P l a n . . .

Details or RSVP www.pdacc.org

N E W M e m b e r s

Formation Stone Surfaces 74824 42nd Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260

(760)773-1001

JJ's Spa 78696 Hwy 111 La Quinta,CA 92253 (760)673-6371

Millennium/GHA Companies30875 Date Palm Dr., Cathedral City, CA 92234

(760)275-5531

Palm Desert Urgent Care 72757 Fred Waring Dr.,Ste1 Palm Desert,CA 92260

(760)340-5800

BOARD OF D IRECTORS 20 15-20 16Executive Committee

Linda LongBoard ChairLamar Outdoor Advertising

Ray RodriguezPast-ChairCasuelas Cafe

Patrick KleinChair-ElectThe Gardens on El Paseo

Brandt KuhnChief Financial OfficerIntegrated Wealth Management

Cindy PieperVice-ChairState Farm Insurance

Dominique ShweVice-ChairDesert Sun Publications

Board of DirectorsSteve BohmVIP Promotional ServicesPrecision Screen Printing

Terri BonaYMCA of the Desert

Cindy BurresonClassic Party Rentals

Margaret ClaggettRabobank

Jennifer CusackSouthern California Edison

John EddyEisenhower Medical Center

Debbie FrazerMary Kay Cosmetics

Kristal GranadosUnited Way of the Desert

Mike HardinThe Lock Shop

Melanie HinrichsIndian Wells Tennis Garden

Christine HunterKiner Communications

Matthew JohnsonWilson Johnson Real Estate

Carl KarcherCarl’s Jr.

Steven MillerO’Brien, Miller & Blake, CPAs Naran ReitmanLaw Office of Naran Reitman

Natalie RussoFirstBank

Stacy ThetfordThetford Web Development

Van Tanner - Ex OfficioCity of Palm Desert Liaison

Ronald Mcdonald House 11365 Anderson St., Loma Linda,CA 92354

(909)558-8338

Top Spa 34151 Monterey Ave Ste 104A, Rancho Mirage CA 92270

(760)442-0108

Tsunami Car Wash 42185 Washington St Palm Desert,CA 92211

(760)360-4990

BOB SOLOMON Desert Business Machines Bob Solomon, quintessential small business owner in the Coachella Valley and 2013 PDACC Ambassador of the Year, recently announced that he is selling his business and retiring. “Today is my last day at my desk. Wendy and I started Desert Business Machines when I was 28 years old; that was 42 years ago. We officially retire at 5:00 PM today (Oct 29). I will miss all of you, (but) I will still see you around and see you at mixers, etc.” A native of New Jersey, trained and certified in automotive repair, Bob was a diesel truck

mechanic who served two years as a U.S. Army Crew Chief on combat helicopters. In 1972, Bob, wife Wendy, and 9 month-old son Jared moved to the Coachella Valley to start a new life. An experienced office equipment salesman, Bob recognized the opportunity in Palm Desert. In 1973, he and Wendy founded Desert Business Machines (DBM) in their small home office. Quickly successful, they moved the business to larger facilities several times, and brought in Wendy’s parents to help out part time, employ-ing them through the remainder of their long lives. Bob joined the Palm Desert Area Chamber in 1973. As an active Board member and Ambassador of the Chamber for many years, Bob values the great friendships and business relations he has developed. He is also a member of Professional Business Alliance of the Desert, Business Technology Association, and Desert Trekkies. Bob feels that his family owned and operated busi-ness has made an important contribution to the economy of Palm Desert and surrounding areas. Giving service, caring for and helping others is what Bob Solomon is known for. Raising two children who are very happy and successful, helping support Desert Business Machines employees and their families, and raising funds for Disabled American Vet-erans by riding in the Tour de Palm Springs and Patriot Ride are priorities and sources of great pride. He would like to be remem-bered for helping disabled veterans and being known as a caring and fun-loving person. Bob looks forward to spending more time with Wendy, their two children, two grandsons, and enjoying his boat and classic car. We salute Bob Solomon for his exemplary contributions to the PDACC. You are an inspiring role model of a family business and loving partnership. Your contributions to our community are exemplary. We will truly miss you. Have a great new stage of life! Bless-ings and best wishes.

H a i l & Fa r ewe l l t o A n A m b a s s a d o r

Alvis Investments, LLC 44489 Town Center Dr Ste D 495, Palm Desert, CA 92260 (769) 895.2662

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices-California2905 Tahquitz Cyn Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

(760)404-0500

Chevelle's Skin Care & Hair Spa269 Serena Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92260

(760)805-9900

Dr.Jenni Martin41660 Woodhaven WestPalm Desert, CA 92210(760) 895-7640

for November 2015

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sPacific Western BankPalm Desert Country Club/Golf CoursePalm Desert Urgent CarePresageRE/MAX - Rita LathamRed LobsterResort Parking Services IncRonald Mcdonald HouseSalon SuitesSecurity Public StorageSimply DivineSpectacular ShadesSpotlight 29 CasinoSt. George Greek Orthodox ChurchState Farm Insurance - Melanie Villeneuve-GrossStone Revolution, Inc.Suderman SolutionsTolerance Education CenterTop SpaTsunami Car WashUnited Cerebral Palsy of the InlandWell in the Desert

Detailed Contact Info www.pdacc.org

Rite Aid #5682 Elizabeth Sass Fine Jewlery

Prokinetic Sports Chiropractic Robann’s Jewelers

74958 Country Club Dr 73320 El Paseo, Suite 1 Palm Desert, CA Palm Desert, CA

73140 Hwy 111, Suite 8, 73750 El Paseo Suite 1, Palm Desert, CA Palm Desert, CA

A & A Home Care ServicesAmerican Leak DetectionAnimal Samaritans SPCA, Inc.Anything With WordsAtria Palm DesertAutomation PrideAvlis Investments LLCB. Alsohns Jewelers - A Family TraditionBaltes & Associates CPAsBarber Shop, TheBerkshire Hathaway HomeSer-vices-CaliforniaCalifornia Bank & TrustCalifornia Desert Association of ReCapo Fireside

Chevelle’s Skin Care & Hair SpaClassic Party Rentals - Palm DesertCoachella Valley Watercolor SocietyCoda GalleryDemo Unlimited, Inc.Desert Empire Insurance Services, Desert Satellite Communications Enclave CondominiumsEntertainment Mortgage / Benton Mortgage

Esser Air Conditioning and HeatingFirstBank - Washington StFormation Stone SurfacesFranks Palm Desert UpholsteryGEMIS Investigative ServicesGeneral Air Conditioning & HeatingGirlfriend Factor, TheGrand Prix Car Wash & Detail CtrGuide Dogs of the DesertHARC, Inc.Heaven’s Best Carpet & UpholsteryImperial Irrigation DistrictIndependent Living PartnershipJJ’s SpaKW Luxury Homes by Keller WilliamsLos Pepes Mexican GrillLotus Garden CenterManhattan in the DesertMario’s Tile Care & Concrete CleaningMike Thompson’s RVMillennium/GHA Companies Mission HealthcareMorton’s of Chicago Palm Desert Murph’sOpera Arts R

enew

ing

Mem

bers

Attention All Businesses

Order by email : info@pdacc.org or Fax this form back to 760.346.3263On Sale Through December 15

Avoid Potential Fines

Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce is Here to Help You Be Compliant Order your compliance poster for only $35* (inc. tax/ship)

English & Spanish** Versions Available.ORDER BY DECEMBER 15th, 2015 - Will Ship Direct to your

Business First Week of January 2016

ALL California employers, regardless of size, are required by law to post a current compliance employment poster in a conspicu-ous place in the workplace where all employees and applicants can see it. You may need to order several to ensure that your business, branch-es, and satellite offices are display-ing the poster according to the law.

FAILURE TO POST COULD RESULT IN FINES UPWARDS

OF $17,000 - ouch!

NEW POSTERS FOR 2016ALL required notices on 1 poster

*Prices includes tax & shipping costs (will be mailed directly to your place of business).** if you have at least (1) employee who speaks Spanish, a Spanish version poster must be posted

****sole proprietor? no employees? - NO need to order or post this poster.*****We also have required Pamphlets (FMLA, unemployment, sexual harrassment, etc,) please call for price

Q’s

Non Laminated Version - $35 ENG SPAN If need multiple put Qty needed in the square

Laminated Version - $55 ENG SPAN Total:$___________ prices include tax & shipping

Company Name______________________________________ Email_________________________________Address (Mail) ____________________________________________ Invoice Y / N or Check

Credit C:___________________________________________ exp:___/____ Sec Code______ (amex, visa, mc)

Address if mailing check:72559 Highway 111Palm Desert, CA 92260

Deadline is December 15, 2015

H u m a n Re s o u r c e s On January 1, 2016, California’s minimum wage will increase to $10 per hour from the existing minimum wage of $9 per hour.Employers need to prepare for the minimum wage increase. Also, employers should remem-ber that state enforcement agencies have made it a top priority to stop employers from en-gaging in so-called “wage theft,” which includes not paying the minimum wage for all hours worked.Employers will want to examine all pay practices that might be affected by the minimum wage increase. Don’t forget •Minimum Wage •Overtime Rate •Notice Requirements •Etc.

Tax Planning & Return Preparation (Businesses/Owners) Trust, Estate, and Gift Returns

Small Business Consulting

760-707-8535 frank@foxadvisorsinc.com

Palm Desert’s Food Truck Ordinance by James Brownyard, PDACC Legislative Affairs LiaisonThe Food Trucks are coming!!! The food Trucks are coming!!!It’s a controversial, revolutionary cry to many of our restaurant owners, and to some extent, boutique shop owners. They fear that the food truck vendors will park directly in front of their established brick and mortar businesses, thus harming their livelihood. The good news is that the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Palm Desert Council have a great working relationship and we are both willing to listen to each others views. The City of Palm Desert has temporarily lifted the moratorium on food vendor trucks, December 31, 2016. It will be testing the effects, positive and negative in four (4) distinct, primarily industrial sub-communities. The key word here is “testing” it is clear that City Council understands our concern that Food Trucks may not have a place in our city, and are not making rash decisions that are final and without input. The temporary ordinance states the following criteria.1. Civic Center – Close to C.O.D., the Y.M.C.A and government agencies, but at a significant distance from the baseball/softball fields so as not to interfere with non-profit/league fund raising.2. Cook Street Industrial Business Parks – Both sides on Cook Street north of the wash and south of Hovley Lane East. There are 5 small eateries in the vicinity that might be effected.3. Dinah Shore Industrial Business Park – East of Gateway Drive, north of Dick Kelly Drive and south of I-10. While there aren’t any eateries considered as within walking distance, there are many restaurants to the west of this zone straddling Monterey at Dinah Shore Drive.4. California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert and University of California Riverside, Palm Desert Campuses – While Appleby’s is to the southwest (corner of Cook St. and Frank Sinatra) and several restaurants are established at Cook Street and Gerald Ford Avenue, near the I-10 interchange, representatives of the universities have expressed interest in allowing food truck vendors within their parking lots.While food truck vendors’ ultimate wish is high foot traffic areas like, and particularly El Paseo, the City of Palm Desert City Council have stated that under no circumstance will that be allowed in the test period. With the exclusion of the Industrial Business areas identified above, City Coun-cil want to take measures to ensure brick and mortar eateries are safe from direct competition of the food truck vendor.Additionally, beyond the limitation of the 4 zones, these mobile food vendors are subject to all the health and sanitation requirements as any other restaurant which is a good thing. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is currently in discussion to address the Palm Desert City Council at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on December 10 and ask for reconsideration of the ordinance with consideration of the business community that will be impacted. Concerns with safety, how they fit with our demographics, and how they impact our economy are a few items we will ask them to consider. All in all, the Chamber and the City want the best for all - both our businesses and residents.

Government Affairs

R.H. Peterson Authorized Master Dealer

Master Dealers carry the full line of R.H.P. products.Visit them today for excellent prices and service!

Coachella Valley

74-055 Highway 111 | Palm Desert, CA 92260(760) 345-4003 | DesertFirePlacesEtc.com

Desert Fireplaces & BBQ’s

Annie HallBroker AssociateBRE License# 01925411Re/Max Signature Services

Anniehall@remax.net

www.anniehall.remaxagent.com

Cell: 760-289-8812

Bring your business clients and staff for a day at the matches. Mini Packages and GroupPackages are the perfect way to entertain. Order today at bnpparibasopen.com or call 800.999.1585.

TENNIS PARADISE

March 7-20, 2016Indian Wells, CA

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Home Care Assistance Brandman University39620 Washington St Ste D, Palm Desert, CA 75105 Merle St Suite 800 Bldg B, Palm Desert, CA

Koutouki Greek Estiatorio Ironwood Country Club73675 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA 73735 Irontree Dr., Palm Desert, CA

Artisana Gallery nesteggg Group74271 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA 258 N Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA

Doing Good Can Save You Tax DollarsRobert Hendrix, MBAOsborne Rincon CPAs

If you are planning to make a contribution to a charity, you should consider donating appreciated stock from your investment portfolio instead of cash. The DOW has improved greatly since the market low of 6400 in 2008. Now investors are starting to pay capital gains again on the sale of their stocks.

For example, if you purchased a stock in 2008 for $1,000 that now has appreciated to $10,000 and you sell that stock in the current year at a 15% capital gain rate, you would be paying taxes of $1,350 ($9,000 gain x .15). If you then donated the $8,650 that remained, you would get the deduction at your tax rate.

If you decided to give that same appreciated stock directly to your charity, you would receive a full credit of $10,000 without having to pay any capital gains on the appreciation of the stock. Now your charity gets a bigger donation and you receive a larger deduction on your taxes.

Remember, it’s always better to give than receive. The best part of certain charitable donations is that you can definitely give and receive at the same time. For more information call Osborne Rincon CPAs at 760-777-9805.

As California gears up for a busy winter travel season, tourism remains an economic engine for the Golden State, supporting state and local economies by driving significant visitor spending and creating valuable jobs.

RURAL TOURISM ESSENTIAL TO CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC FUTURETourism is everyone's business in California. While millions of travelers explore California's major gateway cit-ies, people often overlook how tourism helps sustain the California dream in rural areas. Rural communities are home to the majority of California's natural resources and unsurpassed recreational opportunities.

In 2014, tourists spent approximately $8.9 billion in the state's rural counties, making travel and tourism a top five export industry in terms of employment in all of California's rural regions. As California's recent economic growth continues, it is important that the power of tourism to sustain jobs, opportunities and services in rural areas is demonstrated.

According to Visit California, located at 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1100, Sacramento, CA 95814.(c) 2015 Visit California. All rights reserved

Tourism Fuels Californian Economy

8.9 Billion spent by Tourists

PRSRT STD

US PostagePAIDPalm Desert, CA

Permit No. 9

CLOSEDNew Year’s Eve

& New Year’s Day