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Celebrate Palo Alto's
Tall Tree Champions
Coming May 2022
The 42nd Annual Tall Tree Awards
About the Tall Tree Awards
The Tall Tree Awards are given to individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional civic contributions and service to the community. The annual event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and the Palo Alto Weekly, a Chamber Leaders Circle Member. Nominations are submitted by the general public once a year and awarded in four categories. From time to time, a special Global Impact Award is given to a person or business whose business or professional contributions have been felt around the world.
Click Here for Nomination Form
The Tall Tree Awards are proudly co-presented by
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Consider becoming a Tall Tree Sponsor
to receive special benefits and preferred seating
at the event.
All proceeds support for the leadership and community service
programs of the Palo Alto Chamber Foundation,
a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit corporation.
Questions? Contact the Chamber at 650-324-3135 or events@paloaltochamber.com
The 2019 recipients were: Dr. Enoch Choi (Professional)
Paula Collins (Citizen Volunteer)
KEEN Garage (Business)
La Comida de California (Nonprofit Organization)
Consider becoming a Tall Tree Sponsor
to receive special benefits and preferred seating
at the event.
All proceeds support for the leadership and community service
programs of the Palo Alto Chamber Foundation,
a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit corporation.
Questions? Contact the Chamber at 650-324-3135 or events@paloaltochamber.com
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PAST TALL TREE AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding Citizen Volunteer
2019 Paula Collins 2018 Mary and Allan Seid, M.D. 2017 Winter Dellenbach 2016 Olenka Villarreal 2015 Fran Codispoti 2014 Cathy Kroymann 2013 Becky Beacomb 2012 Alison Cormack 2011 Bill Alhouse * & Jane Alhouse Gee 2010 Mary and Victor Ojakian 2009 Carolyn Tucher 2008 Megan Swezey Fogarty 2007 Gary Fazzino* 2006 Barbara Spreng 2005 Mike Cobb 2004 Julie Jerome 2003 Lanie Wheeler 2001 Walter Hays 2000 Nevida Butler 1999 Sam Webster* 1998 Madeline J. Stein 1997 Boyd C. Smith 1996 Bill & Carolyn Reller 1994 Larry Klein 1993 Stephen W. Player 1991 Gretchen Emmons 1989 Aggie Robinson * 1988 Jim Burklo 1987 Debbie Mytels 1985 Anne Warner Cribbs 1983 Virginia Lee* 1982 Alan Henderson * Outstanding Nonprofit Company or Organization
2019 La Comida de California 2018 Ada's Café 2017 Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford ** 2016 Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto 2015 Acterra 2014 Palo Alto Community Child Care 2013 Bay Area Cancer Connections (Breast Cancer Connections) 2012 Foundation for a College Education 2011 Youth Community Service (YCS) 2010 Downtown Streets Team 2009 Abilities United ** 2008 Canopy, Trees for Palo Alto 2007 Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto 2006 Children’s Health Council 2005 Adolescent Counseling Services 2004 Palo Alto Housing Corporation 2003 YMCA of the Peninsula 2002 Hidden Villa 2001 Environmental Volunteers 1999 Palo Alto Medical Foundation 1997 Palo Alto Children’s Theatre 1996 Palo Alto Police Department 1995 Gleim the Jeweler 1994 TheatreWorks 1993 Hobee’s Restaurants 1992 Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich (Ware & Freidenrich) ** 1991 Sun Microsystems ** 1990 KARA 1988 Neighbors Abroad 1987 Winter Lodge (The Trust for Community Skating) 1984 Avenidas (Senior Coordinating Council) 1982 Hewlett-Packard Company ** 1981 Palo Alto Host Lion’s Club 1980 Roche Bioscience (SyntexCorporation) ** Outstanding Business
2019 KEEN Garage 2018 SAP 2017 Presidio Bank 2016 Palo Alto Bicycles 2015 Stanford Federal Credit Union 2014 Sheraton Westin Hotels 2013 Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 2012 Whole Foods Market 2011 University Art Center ** 2010 Stern Mortgage 2009 Ming's Chinese Restaurant ** 2008 IDEO 2007 JJ & F Food Store ** 2006 Lockheed Martin 2004 Garden Court Hotel Outstanding Professional or Business Person
2019 Enoch Choi, M.D. 2018 Shashank V. Joshi, M.D. 2017 James Shelby 2016 Richard "Dick" Peery 2015 Sharon Keplinger 2014 Dennis Burns 2013 Ray Bacchetti * 2012 John Barton 2011 Jim Baer 2010 Roxy Rapp 2009 Carroll Harrington * 2008 Linda Lenoir 2007 Chop Keenan 2006 Dr. Don Barr 2005 Tony Carrasco 2004 Sandra Pearson 2002 Jay Thorwaldson 2000 Elliot Margolies 1999 Lupe Garcia 1998 Larry Hassett 1997 Margo Dutton 1993 Sylvia Seaman 1992 Gary Cavalli 1991 Loretta Green 1990 William Johnson 1989 Andy Doty 1988 John Northway 1986 Kay Philips 1985 Sarita S. Berry 1984 Dr. Bernard S. Aarons 1983 Jack Wheatley 1982 Leonard Ely * * deceased
** organization's name has changed or it no longer exists as shown
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New Law for Employers
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA)
The full text of the FFCRA can be found here.
The FFCRA is a new federal law that requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide two new paid leave benefits for eligible employees affected by the COVID-19 virus in 2020. This applies only to those employees (not already laid off) who are home sick. The leave requirements generally provide paid sick time or paid leave under certain circumstances (as described more fully in the notice poster, link #4, below). The FFCRA also provides tax credits that may help employers provide the paid leave benefits.
The FFCRA helps the U.S. combat workplace effects of COVID-19 by reimbursing American private employers that have fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for the cost of providing employees with paid leave, taken for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The law enables employers to keep workers (who are home sick with COVID-19 related illness and therefore unable to work, even remotely) on their payrolls, while at the same time ensuring that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus. The Departmnt's Wage and Hour Division administers the paid leave portions of the FFCRA.
If an employer has fewer than 50 employees and providing the paid leave benefits would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern, the small business exemption may apply. Employers who believe they qualify for the exemption should document why the business meets the exemption criteria unless and until the Department of Labor issues additional guidance on claiming the exemption.
Effective April 1, 2020, employers are required to properly notify their employees of the new FFCRA leave benefits and implement the requirements.
Below are links to important resources that contain compliant employee notices, guidance, and recommendations for employers subject to the FFCRA.
- Department of Labor: COVID-19 and the American Workplace
- Fact Sheet: FFCRA – Employee Paid Leave Rights (in English)
- Fact Sheet: FFCRA – Employer Paid Leave Requirements (in English)
- Compliant FFCRA notice poster for private-sector employees (in English)
- Department of Labor FAQ for the FFCRA employee notice poster
courtesy of Montgomery & Hansen, LLP