June June 20142017
Volume Issue XIIXI VolumeXI, XIV, Issue
2017 State of the City Did you know that over 1.6 million people enjoyed parks in Cerritos last year or that over 11.5 million shoppers visited the Los Cerritos Center? Cerritos Mayor Grace Hu and City Manager Art Gallucci shared this information and much more at this year’s State of the City Luncheon held on May 25th in the Theater in the beautiful Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
State of the City Luncheon Cerritos City Councilmember Jim Edwards, City Manager Art Gallucci, Mayor Grace Hu, Councilmember Yokoyama, and Mayor Pro Tem Mark Pulido were on hand to present and listen to the 2017 State of the City.
More on Page 6
Networking Mixer
“The Grove at Cerritos” Wednesday, June 7, 2017 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm 11000 New Falcon Way - Cerritos
Annual Installation & Awards Luncheon Thursday, June 15, 2017 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Sheraton Cerritos Hotel
Taste of the Region & Business Expo Wednesday, September 27, 2017 4:30 pm -7:30 pm Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
As in past years, this event featured a great surprise. This year the surprise was at the beginning of the program when Mayor Hu took a tour of the City on the Sky Knight helicopter. In a pre-recorded video, the Mayor was seen showcasing what makes this community great. At the end of video the helicopter blades became loud and filled the theater before SWAT deputies slid down from the catwalks and brought the Mayor to the stage. What an entrance! The presentation included updates and reports about the exciting projects going on across the City. The Sage at Cerritos luxury apartments are expected to be completed later this year and Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks recently opened in the Cerritos Towne Center. Most of the auto dealers in the world famous Cerritos Auto Square are going through significant renovations and remodeling which will give the center a new and exciting look. The business environment in Cerritos continues to thrive. Overall retail sales are expected to top $3.4 billion over the next fiscal year. Retail sales play a vital role in the City as they both show a strong local economy and bring in important sales tax revenue to fund the City’s unique programs and infrastructure. The City of Cerritos is a “no-low” property tax city, meaning most of the operating budget comes from sales tax revenue with only a small portion coming from property taxes. Although auto sales are flat or decreasing around the nation, the Cerritos Auto Square continues to perform well. More than 60,000 vehicles have been sold by Cerritos Auto Square dealers in the past several years and that trend is expected to hold. Across the freeway from the Auto Square, the Los Cerritos Center saw those aforementioned 11.5 million shoppers were spending money making the regional shopping center one of the most valued in the area. The City of Cerritos, with a robust local economy and low joblessness rate, remains a great place to live, work, or own a business. You can find the 2017 State of the City presentation deck on the City’s website at www.cerritos.us.
Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce · 13259 E. South Street · Cerritos, CA 90703 phone: (562) 467-0800 · fax: (562) 467-0840 · chamber@cerritos.org · www.cerritos.org
page 2 Thank You & Farewell
Teri Bazen Board Chair 2016-2017
It has been my privilege and an honor to be able to serve the Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce in this capacity - I have enjoyed getting to know on a personal level and work with Scott, Jill & May and the Board of Directors as well. They are a great group of people and we have all worked well together as a team - we have worked hard to make the Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce a better organization and represent the City of Cerritos in the best way possible for all concerned.
I do have to admit that it has not been a hard task at all - I have enjoyed every minute of the time that I have spent as your representative and just because I am leaving does not mean that I will not continue to do so in the future as well. Please feel free to contact me directly in the future if there is anything that I can do. Thank you again - Teri Bazen
Executive Committee Board Chair TERI BAZEN Norwalk-La Mirada Plumbing DR. MARK CHUNG Sleep & Lung MD ANN GRIFFO ABC Unified School District BRIAN JONDLE Hub International Insurance Services GINA COLE Legal Shield Past Board Chair RONALD JOHNSON Irvine University
Board Members JAE LEE Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary PAUL MOTENKO Stacked Restaurants JB D’SOUZA Calmet Services ALEXANDER KHANANASHVILI Obesity Solutions KEN KRAUS Los Cerritos Center DESMOND THOMPSON Lexus of Cerritos JONATHAN MATSON Matson Architects, Inc. MAHA RAYAN Union Bank GIGI MANZANILLA Primerica
Staff SCOTT SMITH President/CEO JILL OVARD Operations Manager MAY PEITZSCH Member Benefits Coordinator CLARENCE FUQUA Bookkeeper
The Business Insider
is published monthly by the Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce. 13259 E. South Street Cerritos, California 90703 562/467-0800 chamber@cerritos.org
page 3
Chamber Celebrates the Growth of 2 Local Business with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony ISLANDS FINE BURGERS & DRINKS 12751 Towne Center Drive Cerritos, CA 90703 562-356-8905
A Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Ceremony was held at Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks on May 4th. The company was founded in 1982 in West Los Angeles and currently has more than 50 locations. Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks is a casual, dining restaurant chain that specializes in burgers, fresh cut fries, and specialty drinks. Their tropical-themed restaurant brings in the "Ohana" (family) feel to the restaurant's environment. Chamber guests enjoyed relaxing on Island’s patio and were treated like family with an array of appetizers including buffalo wings, sliders, fries, quesadillas, and spinach & artichoke dip. Islands adheres to the basic philosophy that fresh food, friendly service and a laid back atmosphere is the prefect end to a hard day of work or play. Stop by and meet General Manager Kasie Lambert and her enthusiastic staff, and enjoy a delicious lunch, dinner or Happy Hour.
MOD PIZZA
453 Los Cerritos Center Cerritos, CA 90703 562-202-0624 A Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Ceremony was held at MOD Pizza on May 12th. MOD Pizza is a chain of fast casual pizza restaurants which offers 3 sizes of individual-sized pizzas and salads. Founded in 2008, MOD currently has more than 200 locations in the United States and United Kingdom. The acronym "MOD" stands for "Made on Demand” allowing customers to build their own pizzas or salads. MOD also serves hand-spun milkshakes, fountain drinks, beer and wine. MOD is a culture based company that is claimed by its owners to be "more about the people than the pizza", focused on paying living wages and providing employees with opportunities to give back to the community. MOD’s philosophy was apparent by the enthusiastic and helpful staff as the Chamber guests eagerly created their individual pizzas and salads. General Manager Deon Griggs and his staff will warmly welcome you as soon as you step into MOD Pizza and will ensure that you have a delicious and positive dining experience.
page 4
Upcoming Events JUNE NETWORKING MIXER
7
“The Grove at Cerritos” 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm 11000 New Falcon Way Cerritos Members: Please be our guest - Non Members: $20
15
ANNUAL INSTALLATION & CHAMBER MEMBER AWARDS LUNCHEON 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Sheraton Cerritos Hotel Lunch is $35/person - Non Members: $55/person Sponsorship Tables & Opportunities are available
SEPTEMBER 27
TASTE OF THE REGION & BUSINESS EXPO
4:30 pm -7:30 pm Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Sierra Room, Grand Lobby, and Fountain Area Exhibitor Booths and Sponsorships are available
Are You Receiving the Chamber’s Email Alerts? Send us your email address & we will add you to our list:
chamber@cerritos.org
NETWORKING MIXER
The Grove AT CERRITOS Wednesday, 7th Networking * Food Fun * Door Prizes
June
Chamber Members: Please Be Our Guest Non-Chamber Members: $20/Person
RSVP: 562/467-0800 0r just stop by the Mixer!
Advertising Space is Available! 1/8 page color ad (3.5" x 2"): $25/month 1/4 page color ad (3.75" x 4.5"): $50/month 1/2 page color ad (7.5" x 4.5"): $100/month
Contact the Chamber:
562/467-0800 or chamber@cerritos.org
Taste of the Region Business Expo
page 5
New Chamber Members Please join us in welcoming these new Members to the Chamber of Commerce. Stop by their respective locations and welcome them to our business community!
Member Anniversaries 30 Years or More
ISLANDS FINE BURGERS & DRINKS Kasie Lambert 12751 Towne Center Drive Cerritos, CA 90703 562-356-8905 www.islandsrestaurants.com
MLC HOLDINGS, INC. Moses Kim 1401 Dove St. Suite 640 Newport Beach, CA 92660 925-372-3305 www.mlcholdings.net
HAND AND STONE
SARIYA VORASARUN OD Sariya Vorasarun 11525 South St. Cerritos, CA 90703 562-402-1115
OPENING SOON
Ray Fas 13247 South St. Cerritos, CA 90703 www.handandstone.com
CA ORTHOPEDIC & MICROSURGERY INSTITUTE Dr. Gary Chen 12659 166th St. Cerritos, CA 90703 562-239-2152 www.comsi.com
CIVIC MEMBER – JOOHI SOOD Joohi Sood Cerritos, CA 90703 562-716-8346
We appreciate your membership!
CalMet Services Wiechelman Accountancy Corporation Soroptimist International of Artesia-Cerritos
15 Years or More
Erhart's Catering A.J. Padelford & Son, Inc. Frisbey, Carter and Associates Daum Commercial - Sam Chu Bellflower Unified School District Civic Member - Allen & Mary Ann Wood
10 Years or More
First Choice Bank Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-b-que Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary Water Replenishment District of Southern CA
5 Years or More
PIH Health AT&T California Orbit Event Rentals Cerritos Towne Center 1st CEB Adoption Committee Civic Member - Jason Amansec
1Year or More
Pita Pit MedPost Luna Grill Travel Host World Financial Group Centercal Properties LLC
Thank you for your continued membership!
BRONZE
CRYSTAL George Ray
DIAMOND
SILVER
page 6
2017 State of the City Cerritos Mayor Grace Hu and City Manager Art Gallucci presented the 2017 State of the City Address at the May 25th luncheon held inside the theater at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you to Premier Sponsor The Picerne Group/Aria Apartments and Event Sponsors City of Cerritos, ABC Education Foundation, ABCUSD, Chugh, LLC, East West Bank, Fidelity Hearing Center, GST, Kaiser Permanente, Los Cerritos Center, MLC Holdings, PIH Health, Rancho Southeast Association of Realtors, Trinity Worldwide Reprographics, and Westcliff University. And a special thank you to Centerpiece Sponsor Orchard Supply Hardware and Tote Bag Sponsor Kaiser Permanente.
The Chamber Ambassadors are always on hand to help— Anthony LeBlanc, Michelle Soto, Amanda Blanton, Anna Rodriguez, and Paolo Quiroga
Cerritos Sheriff’s equipment was on display—the City has invested in technology to keep Cerritos safe
City of Cerritos Librarian & Marketing Manager Annie Hylton with Councilmember Edwards
City Manager Art Gallucci presents his portion of the 2017 State of the City—a great deal of information was shared about the local economy and the overall economic health of the community.
Chamber Board Members visit with the city manager: Brian Jondle, Ronald Johnson, City Manager Art Gallucci, Gigi Manzanilla and Desmond Thompson
Chamber CEO with Cerritos Sheriff’s Captain Joe Nunez
Captain Nunez with a member of the Department’s SWAT Team
Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere in the theater at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Captain Nunez with members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors
Former Mayor Sherman Kappe with Ken Picerne and City Director of Community Development Torrey Contreras
page 7
Centerpiece Sponsor Orchard Supply Hardware provided the perfect touch to the tables
Larry Lee and Bing Lee talk business before the event begins
Everything was picture perfect for this year’s State of the City Luncheon
Irma Macias, Breanna Clifton, Matt Ramos, and Darwin VandeHoef
Representatives from elected officials offices: Lynda Johnson, Christopher Craig, and Adam Galia
Pam Day, Todd Leutheuser, and former Cerritos Mayor Dr. Bob Hughlett
page 8
2017 Fiesta on the Fairways Golf Classic The Chamber’s annual 2017 Fiesta on the Fairways Golf Classic was held on Monday, May 2nd at the Los Coyotes Country Club Golf Course in Buena Park. Chaired by Ken Kraus of Los Cerritos Center, golfers were treated to a different activity at nearly every hole including cervezas, massages, sangria, Italian ice, pies, and margaritas. Thank you to Cart Sponsors CalMet Services and Los Cerritos Center; Birdie Sponsors LA Supervisor Don Knabe, CTA Travel, Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, Spectrum Business, UPS, Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., and Wal-Mart. Congratulations to Closest to the Pin winner Joe Bakunes, Longest Drive Winner Wilson Sabalburo, Straightest Drive Winner Jacob Lentz, and Putting Contest Winner Mark Marcus. First Place Overall Team score went to CalMet Services with CTA Travel coming in a close second. The team from the Los Cerritos Center in the Cinco de Mayo spirit at the Fiesta on the Fairways Golf Classic
Chamber volunteers make this event a success!
Who can resist celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Not John Heffernan, Daniel Urserie, Bill Sinko, and Christopher Craig!
Always a favorite, Hole Sponsor - Extreme Autowerks had a great looking BMW X5 at their hole
Hole in One Sponsor Desmond Thompson Fleet Manager - Lexus of Cerritos showing the new 2017 Lexus
The teams from CalMet Services and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Golf Pro Jim Caspio was at the Pro Drive Hole - guaranteed to drive a team’s ball 300 yards!
page 9
Former Supervisor Don Knabe invited members of the Long Beach Community Foundation to join his team
Hole and Lunch Sponsor Sheraton Cerritos Hotel
Golf lesson were offered this year—here students learn from the course’s golf pro
Massage Hole Sponsor - Fremont College
Cerritos Travel Agency
Golfers couldn’t pass up the pie & sangria hole— thanks to Polly’s Pies & Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for providing the treats
Everyone enjoyed the Awards Banquet & delicious Mexican Buffet
Thank you to all of our Sponsors
Captain Joe Nunez and his son Joseph had a great time on the course
Golf Committee Chair Ken Kraus presents the team from the Cerritos Optimists Club with their first place trophies
Scooter’s Italian Ice is always a hit with the Golfers and Volunteers
The Travel Host Magazine team had a great time on the course!
page 11
Chamber Celebrates the Growth of a Local Business with a Ribbon Cutting CerMIMI’S CAFE
12727 Towne Center Dr. Cerritos, CA 90703 562-809-0510 A Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Ceremony was held at Mimi’s Cafe on May 4th. Mimi’s Café opened in 1978 and now operates 124 locations in 24 states. Mimi’s is a French inspired restaurant opened all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh, quality ingredients and healthy options. They are known for their warm, attentive hospitality, delicious fresh cooked meals, and quant charm. Chamber members can certainly attest to the fact of Mimi’s warm hospitality and great food as we celebrated the relaunch of their Old Favorites Menu and café enhancements. Guests were able to sample some of Mimi’s popular appetizers, sides, entrees and desserts of warm spinach artichoke dip, jambalaya, fried zucchini, Caesar salad, and individualized sized cheesecake and chocolate custard served in cups. Mimi’s banquet room can be reserved for business meetings or private special events. The room seats up to 50 guests and includes a screen and projector. General Manager Andrew Lach invites everyone to stop by Mimi’s Café and experience their new ambience and food.
CAPC’S Kaleidoscope Six Chamber Mixer CAPC, Inc. hosted it’s 15th annual Kaleidoscope Mixer & Silent Auction on May 11th. CAPC, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower adults with developmental disabilities to live and work on their own. Each year CAPC invites local chambers of commerce to get together and help raise funds for the organization. Each chamber is assigned a color to keep with the kaleidoscope theme. The Cerritos Regional Chamber was done up in purple for the event. Plenty of Chamber members were on hand to show their Cerritos Regional Chamber pride! A great time was had by all, and guests didn’t leave with a silent auction item, left with more knowledge of the outstanding work CAPC, does. To learn more about CAPC, Inc., visit their website at www.capcinc.org.
page 10 ABC Unified School District Cerritos High School is hosting a Career Day on Wednesday, June 7th, at 7:30-8:30am. We are inviting professionals in various industry sectors to participate in this fair. We will have tables set up so that people can speak to students about their college/ education experience, their typical on-the-job responsibilities, their favorite things about their chosen field, and any fun facts they want to share about their job. Our goal is to help our students better understand the expectations in various occupations, which will lead to more informed career choices. We will be serving breakfast after the fair at 8:30am. Contact Jennifer Mai at (562) 926-5566 or Jenifer.Mai@abcusd.us to participate.
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que restaurant was chosen for Cerritos’ Business Recognition Program, which showcases local businesses that foster pride in the City’s community and economy. General Manager Timothy Shea was on hand to accept the honor. Known for its great-tasting ribs served with a side order of Southern hospitality, Lucille’s was founded in 1999 when the first location opened in Long Beach, California. Besides ribs, the restaurant serves an extensive menu of Southern delights, including its famous smoked barbequed chicken, burgers and sandwiches. The restaurant’s Cerritos location is on 11338 South Street.
Cerritos Mayor Grace Hu presents Lucille’s General Manager Tim Shea with a City Proclamation recognizing the restaurant
Community Family Guidance Center Join the Community Family Guidance Center for its 27th Annual Golf Tournament on June 26, 2017 at the Los Coyotes Country Club. The event supports the organization's ongoing mental health services for children and families who are victims of trauma and abuse. This year, Dr. Bob Hughlett will be honored with the Protector of Children Award at the event. Register online at www.cfgcgolf.com or call (562) 924-5526.
AMF Cerritos Lanes Enjoy weekly specials at AMF Cerritos Lanes: Sunday Funday - Sunday's at 6 PM $3 games, $3 shoes, $3 PBRs; Monday Mayhem - Monday's at 8 PM $13.09 unlimited bowling with shoe rentals along with food & drink specials; and $2 Tuesday - Tuesday's at 8 PM $2 shoes, $2 pizza, $2 games, $2 PBRs with arcade bonus play. Visit AMF Cerritos Lanes at 18811 Carmenita Road in Cerritos. They can be reached at (562) 924-9363.
ABCUSD Education Foundation Into the Summer Fun Run/Walk & Wellness Fair www.abcsummerfunrun.com
Orbit Event Rentals Orbit congratulates our grads this season! Call us today to reserve the items you need for your celebration! We can provide a wide selection of seating, staging, lighting, canopies and decor. Call now to reserve your items TODAY! 562-696-8875 Los Cerritos Community News For the fifth straight year, Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News, Publisher Brian Hews and staff garnered six Los Angeles Press Club finalist nominations to be awarded at the 59th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards, June 25, 2017 at the Millennium Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles.
June 17, 2017 Los Cerritos Center
Wellness Fair: 7:00 am - 10:00 am 5K begins at 7:30 am 2K at 8:15 am Kids Run at 9:00 am
page 12
Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce · 13259 E. South Street · Cerritos, CA 90703 phone: (562) 467-0800 · fax: (562) 467-0840 · chamber@cerritos.org · www.cerritos.org