Tax Deadline Approaching October 15, 2009

This just in from Chamber Member Stanislawski and Company: If you filed an extension for your 2008 individual income tax returns – the due date to file is October 15, 2009.
The 2009 Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) has been WAIVED (and you don’t have to “make-up” for it in tax year 2010)! If you are over age 70½ you are usually required to take a minimum distribution from your employer-provided qualified retirement plans, IRAs and/or individual retirement annuities, but for tax year 2009 this has been waived. If you’ve already received your RMD you can return it by November 30, 2009 (and avoid paying the tax). To learn more about the 2009 RMD – see our September-October newsletter.
Stanislawski sends out a bi-monthly newsletter on many different tax and financial subjects, and you can contact them to be on this list. We also have other accounting firms and CPA's who are Chamber Members - perhaps you want to give them a call if you have questions. Find complete contact info online at http://www.southpaschamber.com/ in the section called "Find a Business". Or call your own accountant . . . and if they are not Chamber Members, ask 'em why not! Chamber Membership and Tax Deadlines make the world go 'round, right?
For help or more information from Stanislawski, visit their site at http://www.stanislawskiandcompany.com/. Go to Contact Us to be added to their newsletter mailing or to set-up an appointment.

New Businesses in South Pasadena

Just a quick look at some exciting new businesses in town on Mission Street between the Gold Line and Fair Oaks Ave. While the recession seems to linger worldwide, there is optimism and change in the town that "would prefer not to" . . .

Here are a few to watch: The Chocolate Box is under new ownership. Stop in and say hi to Yvette-Jenine Pardo. Common Thread Studio at 1011A Mission. Creative Director Jin Kim sells fun stuff and teaches. Play area for toddlers. Jasleen is accross the street in the 1020 building. And just east of that you'll see Videotheque relocating, Bellini resizing and Zinnia opening a brand new space. Accross the street Great Harvest Bread is under construction. An email sent by owner Patricia Diaz today targeted November as opening month. Mission Ten Eleven is Ernie Hernandez - okay, so it's not brand new. But I bet many of you have not seen it yet. Stop in and tell him the Chamber sent ya. Finally, take a look at The Jane & Joe Shoppe. New owner Robin Guzman bought the boutique and is offering "Chic Clothing at Ooh La La Prices!" Robin has energy and enthusiasm and has been a terrific and tireless promoter of the upcoming ArtsFest.

This post wasn't meant to be a promo so much as a prompt. Look around! There's an energy and a spirit on Mission Street in South Pasadena, even in these tough times. So take a minute and check it out. Shop local if you live here, and shop here if you don't!

$2,500 for Small Employers for Return to Work Expenses

Here's money for small employers (50 or less) who have spent money to get an employee back to work. If you've purchased equipment or furniture, tools or made any other adjustments to accommodate an injured worker so they can return to work, you can get reimbursed. Just check out the details at this link on our website.

City Council Candidates Forum Wed., October 14

Three contenders are running for two seats on the South Pasadena City Council. What should we be asking of them? The elections are November 3rd, and the Chamber will host a Candidates Forum to see where the candidates stand on key issues.

Post a comment here. Email the Chamber. Or stop in at 1121 Mission Street and let us know. What's on your mind? Downtown Revitalization? Traffic? The Economy? Infrastructure repairs, revenue streams and government services? If you give us the issues - we'll check the pulses . . .

The Candidates Forum is on Wednesday, October 14th before a live audience in City Council Chambers at 1414 Mission Street in South Pasadena. Channel 19 will also cover the event. Prior to the forum, a meet and greet will be hosted by Reimagine Your Home at 1518 Mission Street, from 6:00 to 7:00. Both events are free.

Special thanks to BurkeTriolo Studios, Shaw, Moses, Mendenhall & Associates, The Gas Company and Athens Services as well as Reimagine Your Home for making this event possible.

ArtsFest Saturday, October 3

ArtsFest is coming soon. Eight galleries. Two stages with live music. Food beer & wine garden. Merchnts open houses. And more!

Merchants interested in the details of participation give us a call at the office. we have maps with entertainment schedules for distribution, and we can connect you with an artist if you'd like to give up a bit of space on your floor for the evening! Liz Reday will be at ReImagine Your Home, and Bonnie Lewis is featured at Family Fair. Book 'Em Mysteries will have author signings. And Dinosaur Farm is having a terrific sale, as is The Jane & Joe Shoppe. New kids on the block Barbara Goldeen and John Selmer have a special exhibit planned with an artisan who has never ventured into California before. I'm sure there's much more planned. Wait! We're the ones planning this. Well, that's why I'm sure of it . . . there's always more. In fact, feel free to post it here if you've got some news for us on your plans for ArtsFest.

With ArtsFest we're continuing to support the arts in South Pasadena, and we're doing it in a way that we hope builds the local economy by attracting people from across the San Gabriel Valley, as well as our own residents.

Attendees who seek more info on the event - visit our webste: www.SouthPasadena.net.

Got Blog?

Well, we do now! Here's the Chamber's new newsletter. It's interactive, and we'll keep it timely, and full of news for you. And news from you, if you post!

The Chamber, like all our members, has been cost-cutting and comparison shopping in every way to ride out this recession. So, we stopped printing and mailing our snail-mail newsletter. We'd like to bring it back - but we're spending the dollars on marketing, events and promotion.

Meanwhile, enjoy!