Stash's Palaver

Happy new year! Circle January 10th on your calendar for the annual west Contra Costa chambers Super Mixer at the Craneway Pavillion in Richmond, 5 to 7 p.m. Premier Graphics will be among the many exhibitors. Stop by our table, say hello, and get your free gift. This event is mainly sponsored by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and other west county chambers participate.


Rest in Peace. Member Charlie Weaver, CPA, lost his battle with cancer last month. He served as our Secretary-Treasurer for many years.


New Biz. Did you make a new year’s resolution to get fit? Planet Fitness could be the place for you. The club will open soon at Macdonald & San Pablo in Richmond after remodeling the former Safeway site. Manager Efren Gonzalez notes this month’s promotion: a one dollar start up fee and just ten dollars a month for membership. Call (510) 232-2100 to speak with Efren.


Crustacean feasts. Salesian High School’s 48th annual crab feed will be held on Friday, January 18th, and again the next evening. Tickets ($40) are on sale; phone (510) 234-4433, ext. 1126, for information. Salesian is located at 2851 Salesian Avenue in Richmond and is an El Cerrito Chamber member.

Then there’s the Albany-El Cerrito Exchange Club crab feed on January 26th at El Cerrito’s Community Center. Howard Abelson is the contact person for tickets ($40) at (510) 693-8824.

Ever popular, the El Cerrito Police Association crab feed is tentatively scheduled for Friday, February 8th, at the Community Center. This is usually a sellout with great raffle prizes. Details to come.


Back on the Board is Kent Langston, Honda of El Cerrito, who was named to fill the board seat vacated by Charlie Weaver.


New leader. Sonja Givens-Thomas, Executive Director of El Cerrito Royale, will be our new Chamber President as announced at the December lunch meeting. Officer installation is on January 15th. Hopefully, this means more mixers and rejuvenation of the breakfast meetings. Increasing business is what the Chamber is all about and what members pay for. Let’s make some money this year and avoid “fiscal cliffs.”


Friends of the Cerrito Theater. Coming up are Psycho, January 10; The Way We Were, February 27; Wait Until Dark, March 14; and Airplane, April 11; all at 7 p.m. Eat while you watch a movie; the food is good, too. You will surely enjoy these Cerrito classics (and don’t call me Shirley.)


A Royale MLK Day. The annual parade begins at 9 a.m. from the El Cerrito DMV parking lot on Monday, January 21st. After the celebration dine on Dr. King’s favorite meal at the El Cerrito Royale (6510 Gladys Ave.). Southern Mixed Green Salad, Spare Ribs Atlanta, Deep Southern Black-eyed Peas, Baked Sweet Potato, Corn Bread, and Pecan Pie. It sounds delicious and it’s free! Call (510) 234-5200 to reserve. This year is off to a great start!