Paramount Chamber of Commerce Hosts 18th Annual Job Fair
The Paramount Chamber of Commerce hosted their 18th Annual Job Fair last month, which was generously sponsored by Wavefront Technology, Inc. With 38 tables of opportunities available, it was an occasion to meet one on one with prospective employers. This one event is a vital community service where employers and job seekers come together. Wavefront Technology, Inc. as the main sponsor was accompanied by the Co Chairs to bring job opportunities and community services together in one place to find jobs, education and services to meet the needs of the community.
The event was cohosted with generous efforts from City of Paramount and Paramount
SASSFA, as well by Honorary Co-Chairs Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Senator Ricardo Lara, Assemblyman Anthony Rendon and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. With the advent of electronic application processing, job seekers find it has become
more difficult to have a one on one meeting where they can hope to catch the attention of an empoyer. Not only were there many opportunities to apply and seek out jobs, but also to invest in your tools for job hunting.
Paramount SASSFA conducted two vital workshops on “How
CA Assemblymen Rendon’ Office
CA Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s Office
CA Highway Patrol
CA Senator Lara’s Office
Chapel of Change
City of Paramount
Conservation Corps of L.B.
Domino’s Pizza
Easterseals Southern California
Employment Development Dept.
Executive Retirement Solutions Gehr Group
Grupo Deco California
Habit Burger
Home Depot
JVS SoCal
to Create a Winning Resume” and “How to Interview and Land that Job.” Paramount SASSFA, and the City of Paramount provided the resources for those who needed to create a resume. More than 40 individuals were able to have new resumes created for them and
receive printed copies as well as electronic copies sent to their emails. Also, Marquis McCrew a skilled Human Resources staff member from a leading employer in Southern California and member of the staff at Chapel of Change also provided critiques of resumes helping applicants fine tune their existing resumes. Several vendors reported that they met their goal for number of potential candidates that they wanted to find at this event. The event was well attended with about 245 job seekers.
Kaiser Permanente
Long Beach Job Corp.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
National Polytechnic College
Northgate Gonzalez Markets
Los Angeles Vet Center
Los Angeles World Airports
Primerica
Promise Hospital
Quality Driver Solutions
Salvation Army Bell Shelter
SASSFA America’s Job Center
Skillset Group
State Farm Insurance
TELACU – Veterans Upward Bound
Think Together
WaveFront Technology, Inc.
Weber Metals
Proud to be Your Mayor
on April 3, the Paramount City Council held its annual reorganization meeting. That evening, my fellow Councilmembers elected me as Mayor for the coming year. It warms my heart to receive their support, and it fills me with happy anticipation to know I will have the honor of representing our residents as Mayor over the next 12 months.
I am a lifelong resident of Paramount. Starting in my younger days, when I worked for the City’s Recreation Department, I have devoted my life to serving this community and making it a better, stronger place to live and work.
It is in this spirit that I gratefully embark upon this year’s journey.
Building is Booming in Town
There are several ways to look at the health of a city’s economy. Strong property values, for instance, and low unemployment rates. both of those indicators have been going in the right direction in Paramount for quite some time.
Another indicator, perhaps a bit more
obscure, is the valuation of total building permits issued throughout a year.
Whenever someone comes to the City’s building and Safety Department to apply for a permit to either modify a structure or build a new one on a property in town, the application asks for the total value of the improvement.
In 2016, the total building permit valuation in Paramount was $17,427,765. Last year, 2017, that figure jumped to $19,857,488, an increase of almost $2,430,000.
When construction activity is on the rise, it’s a sign that the local economy is doing well.
Library Hosting Open House
Did you know that our first library opened in 1913 as the Clearwater branch? Its shelves held 121 books in a one-room building.
In the first month of operation, 60 books were checked out and there were fines totaling eight cents.
over the years the library outgrew that location as well as two others. The current building, across the street from City Hall at Jackson and Colorado, has been in use since 1968.
As part of National Library Week, our Paramount branch will be holding an open house on April 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. entertainment will be provided by The Wacko Show (a magician) and there will be music, free books, light refreshments, raffle prizes, and giveaways. The event is being produced by the Friends of the Library, a devoted group that has been supporting our branch for many years in many ways.
The Paramount Library has been a great resource for our residents for more than a century. It features all sorts of special events
and programs throughout the year and its staff always provides excellent service. I hope you visit often. And definitely come out for this special open house. The Library is located at 16254 Colorado Ave.; phone (562) 630-3171.
Congratulations to Our TAG Art Winners
The Paramount Traditional Artists Guild held its 21st annual contest for Paramount’s kindergarten through high school students this year.
There were 1,157 entries from 15 Paramount elementary and middle schools, Paramount High, Paramount High West Campus, buena Vista High, the Community Day School, the Paramount Adult School, and our Lady of the Rosary.
Congratulations are due to all of the following:
1st Place Winners
Kindergarten – John Garcia (Wirtz)
1st Grade – Semaya Williams (Gaines)
2nd Grade – Makayla Williams (Lincoln)
3rd Grade – Alexis Tinoco (Hollydale)
4th Grade – eduardo Villareal (Lincoln)
5th Grade – Janae Ramirez (Lincoln)
6th Grade – Jocelyn Phillips (Alondra)
7th Grade – Alessandra Soriano (Alondra)
8th Grade – Andrea exiga (Zamboni)
9th Grade – Annette Angulo (Paramount High West)
10th Grade – Stephanie bravo (Paramount High)
11th Grade – Giselle Guevara (Paramount High)
12th Grade – Alexa Medina (Paramount High)
Special Award Winners:
best use of Color – Nataly Campos (12th – Paramount High)
best Composition – Vanessa Campos (11th – Paramount High)
Chamber of Commerce Award – Paola Villalobos (6th – Paramount Park)
Superintendent’s Award – Juan Serrano (12th – Paramount High)
Chairman’s Award – Gabriel Morales (3rd – Keppel)
Commissioner’s Award – Leilani Gormley (2nd – Gaines)
Mayor’s Award – Noah endo (12th – Paramount High)
Digital Art Winner – Daniela Campos (9th – Paramount High West)
Spring Discounts for Pet Adoptions
SeAACA (Southeast Area Animal Control Authority), which provides services to Paramount, has its latest special promotion going on now. Called “Spring on in to Adopt,” it offers reduced adoption fees for dogs five years and older ($55) and cats one year and older ($5), and runs until April 21.
The adoption fees include spay/neuter, micro-chip, first set of vaccines, and flea treatment. Some pets may require a refundable spay/neuter deposit. This promotion cannot be combined with other promotions and excludes “boutique buddies.”
Visit seaaca.org or call (562) 803-3301 to learn more about this and other programs. The facility is located at 9777 Seaaca St. in Downey. They are closed on Sundays.
Also, don’t forget the Pets 4 Troops program that lets Paramount residents who are in the military or who are veterans of the military adopt a cat or dog with no fees. (SeAACA pays half the cost and the City covers the other half.)
Mayor, Diane J. Martinez
While Driving – Not Worth
There are plenty of facts, figures, and details about distracted driving, but the California Office of Traffic Safety wants you to know the plain and simple ones:
• 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.
The City’s mass communication notification system, Nixle, sends emergency messages and other announcements to the Paramount community via cell phone, landline, email, text, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube).
• Up to 6,000 people nationwide are killed in crashes where driver distractions are involved.
To receive these important alerts –which can be related to public safety/ emergency/disaster issues, special events, community information, and other topics – go to the City website, find the Nixle tab on the left side of the homepage, and click there.
• Talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.
• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, long enough to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph. Most crashes happen with less than three seconds reaction time.
You can choose how these messages are delivered to you. You can cancel the service and delete your information at any time. Also, your information will never be shared with any businesses or outside agencies.
• The act of talking on a cell phone, even hands free, can give you “inattention blindness,” where your brain isn’t seeing what’s right in front of you. You aren’t even aware that you are driving impaired. If you think you can handle both driving and talking on a cell phone or texting, you are kidding yourself and putting us all at risk.
Again, please click on the Nixle tab at paramountcity.com to keep informed about essential items from the City of Paramount.
Prevent Theft from Your Vehicle
Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road or your hands off the steering wheel – especially texting and cell phone use, whether hands-free or handheld. Who’s doing it? Most of us. It has been estimated that, at any one time, more than 10 percent of drivers are using a mobile device.
A ticket for $159 for texting or talking on a cell phone is a major distraction to your wallet.
What can you do? Most important, obey the law. It’s there for a reason. Also, do your best to eliminate distractions:
• Never text and drive.
Thefts from vehicles are often due to valuables being left in plain sight or doors and windows being left unlocked. Commonly stolen items include money, wallets, credit cards, tools and power tools, computers, mobile phones, cameras, GPS and other electronic devices, handbags, jewelry, and sunglasses.
• Turn off your phone when you get behind the wheel.
Thefts can occur at any time, and thieves will smash a car window or break locks to get in – the cost of repairs may even exceed the value of the stolen items.
• Don’t text or call someone when you know they are likely to be driving.
• Make a pact with your family, spouse, and caregivers never to use the phone with kids in the car.
• No eating or drinking while driving.
Follow these simple steps to help reduce the risk of thefts:
• Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player, or other devices while driving.
• Pull over and stop to read maps.
Remove All Valuables
• No grooming.
• No reading.
• No watching videos.
• Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. Take them with you if possible.
• Try not to get too involved with passengers.
• If something falls to the floor, pull over before trying to reach it.
• If you must leave valuables in your car, place them in your trunk without being seen.
Project LEAD Sending Positive Message to Paramount Fifth Graders
• Remove GPS units and wipe the suction mark off of the window.
• Do not leave house keys or garage door openers in your car – they may be stolen and used in home burglaries.
Lock Up
Paramount has its own dedicated District Attorney – Kelly Tatman – who works out of the Sheriff’s Station. Her duties include making sure that criminal investigations and prosecutions in town receive full attention and don’t fall through the cracks at the larger County D.A.’s Office.
Lock your car – always physically check that it’s locked, even when parking at home or just leaving your car for a moment.
• Close all windows – including sunroof.
• Contractors – be sure to lock external tool boxes and equipment if they can’t be removed.
Tatman has been visiting a class of 36 students at Jefferson School as part of Project LEAD. The program, which goes into the classroom once a week for 20 weeks during the school year, uses volunteers like Tatman from the D.A.’s Office to teach fifth-graders about the law and help them recognize the social and legal consequences of criminal behavior.
Secure Your Car
• Park in a locked garage if possible.
Sadly, too many young people first become acquainted with the justice system as delinquents. Project LEAD is designed to avoid that scenario.
• Park off the street in your driveway if you don’t have a garage.
• Park in a well-lit area – thieves do not want to be caught breaking into cars, so you can increase the risk that others will detect them.
• Install a car alarm.
The class from Jefferson recently went on a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance. (They will also go to a local courthouse). In addition, Project LEAD’s curriculum includes speakers connected to the criminal justice system and a mock trial involving either drug selling or gun possession on campus. Students are assigned roles and argue a criminal case to a jury consisting of other students. Teachers and parents attend, too.
And remember – if your valuables have been stolen from your car, report the theft to the Sheriff’s Department.
Personal Paperwork Can Lead to Identity Theft
At the end of the program, the kids will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a certificate of completion from the D.A.’s Office at a meeting of the Paramount Public Safety Commission.
Summer Vacation Home Checks
To avoid being the victim of identity theft, never leave Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, vehicle pink slips, income tax records, checkbooks, or payroll stubs in your unattended car, even in the glove compartment.
With summertime approaching, remember that if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time, you can schedule a home check.
Thieves breaking into vehicles are often looking for these types of documents. Keep them at home in a safe location.
Paramount residents can contact the Sheriff’s Station about having Volunteers on Patrol keep an eye on your home or property while you’re gone.
Call (562) 220-2002 to ask about vacation checks.
Going Green - World Energy Acquisition of AltAir
In Massachusetts, World energy acquired renewable jet and diesel producer AltAir Paramount, and its Paramount Petroleum refinery assets, both collocated in Paramount, CA, as well as an adjacent tank farm and most of Delek’s California pipeline assets, from Delek u S Holdings. It’s the first time ever that a biofuels enterprise has acquired a well-known petroleum refinery. Sign of changing times (though there have been noted conversions by petroleum refiners of individual refineries).
The purchase includes a 63-acre complex consisting of a 45 million gallon per year renewable jet / renewable diesel production facility, for barrels of product storage, a truck rack for the throughput traffic, rail storage, and pipelines connecting the facility to major southern California distribution hubs including Long beach.
World energy is one of the largest and longest serving advanced biofuel suppliers in North America. Founded in 1998, the company now has more than 245million gallons of biodiesel and jet fuel production capacity, Verified QRINs, bQ-9000 quality, fleets services with delivered diesel blends from b99 to b5, glycerin & fatty acids, and engineering services. The company operates biodiesel manufacturing plants in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and now Paramount, CA.
In January 2016 it was reported that the Department of the Navy obtained 77.66 million gallons of cost-competitive, drop-in biofuels blends in support of the launch of the Great Green Fleet, which debuted January 20th, in San Diego at a launch ceremony that attracted uS Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and uS Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The fuel provided meets the F-76 marine diesel specification. It’s cost-competitive, drop-in, non-food, next-gen, advanced renewable fuel. And this buy is from AltAir.
AltAir, which converted the Carinata oil into jet fuel, operates the world’s first commercial-scale renewable jet fuel plant at the AltAir Paramount refinery in Paramount, Calif. The plant produces 35 million gallons per year of renewable fuels, including Honeywell Green Jet Fuel, using Honeywell’s uoP Renewable Jet Fuel process. Delivery of the fuel to the aircraft is provided by supply partner World Fuel Services from Miami, Florida.
Reaction from the stakeholders
“This acquisition places us in the heart of the growing California cleaner fuels market by adding to our platform
the world’s first renewable jet refinery and one of only three uS renewable diesel plants,” said Gene Gebolys, World energy’s Ceo. “our move into California, into renewable jet/diesel technology, and into expanding our downstream distribution capabilities are important next steps in our effort to establish a reliable coast to coast supply presence for growing blended biofuel customers.” he continued, “We look forward to being a great corporate citizen in Paramount and to making ever larger contributions to the nation’s quest for cleaner renewable fuels.”
“Supported by the frameworks of the national Renewable Fuel Standard and California’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard programs, AltAir converted a struggling petroleum refinery to one of the country’s most important renewable fuel refineries, while preserving and converting approximately 100 jobs to the green economy,” said b ryan Sherbacow, AltAir co-founder. “I am proud to have led the development of AltAir, excited to have facilitated this transaction with World energy and am thrilled to join the company’s executive leadership team to make an even bigger impact in California, North America and beyond.”
Vandewater Capital Holdings, the lead investor and controlling shareholder of AltAir Fuels from its inception in 2013 until Delek acquired a controlling stake in october of 2015, brought AltAir from concept to a leading refinery of renewable fuels. Describing AltAir’s track record, Jason Aintabi, Vandewater’s founder, and previous Chairman and Ceo of AltAir, said, “We are very proud of what we were able to accomplish here. AltAir is a globally recognized facility that has helped pioneer an era of impact investment in America’s energy future. our sustainable fuels are proudly used by the Department of Defense, united Airlines, uPS as well as other prominent companies.”
the Bottom line
It’s a masterstroke. An entry into hydrocarbon fuel markets to match what ReG has been aiming at — while getting a leadership position on the big opportunities in California and in the aviation biofuels market with a proven producer of low-cost fuels. It’s been a bravura run for AltAir — with little of the fanfare that’s attended to companies like Solazyme and Amyris, AltAir got it done. And now — a bravura acquisition that shakes of the world of renewable hydrocarbon fuels well, as President Trump might say, big league.
P aramount C
Subcommittee
As elevated levels of hexavalent chromium were discovered in late 2016, one of the ways the City took action was by forming the City Council Air Quality Subcommittee. The panel was designed to study the issues related to metal businesses and devise ways to reduce the problem in the future. The individuals from the community who served along with Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer were recognized at the March 6 City Council meeting for their time, feedback, insight, and judgement. Their work resulted in a number of measures such as suggested changes to the City’s zoning regulations that will control potential sources of polluting metals in the future. From left: Mauricio Hernandez, Councilmember Laurie Guillen, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Jacklyn Avila, PUSD Assistant Superintendent Ruben Frutos, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Alex Garcia, Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer, Public Works Commissioner Rosemary Vasquez, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, and Guillermo Parga. (Emmanuel Reformed Church Pastor Rudy Rubio was unable to attend.)
Mayor’s Healthy Heart Award
At its March 6 meeting, the Paramount City Council gave out the first Mayor’s Healthy Heart Award to Georgina Arceo Ruiz for her involvement in the “Healthy Paramount” Program. Healthy Paramount began in September, in conjunction with Apple Care Medical Group, and features monthly activities, health screenings, and other offerings to encourage fitness, good nutrition, and an overall healthy lifestyle. With her consistent participation, Georgina has been instrumental in helping to make the program a success and a valuable resource. From left: Councilmember Laurie Guillen, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Ruiz, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Women’s History Month
The City Council recognized March as National Women’s History Month at its March 6 meeting. During this celebration, Paramount honors the lasting contributions that women have made to the growth and success of the U.S. over its history. The City also applauds the Paramount Women’s Club, an important group of residents who, since 1926, have promoted education, health, and civic involvement for local women. Club members joined the Council and accepted the City’s proclamation.
Safe Communities Month
March was recognized as
during which
and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Safe Communities Month at the March 6 City Council meeting
the City’s commitment to public safety as its number-one priority was emphasized. Capt. James Wolak of the Sheriff’s Department’s Lakewood Station accepted the proclamation. From left: Councilmember Tom Hansen, Councilmember Laurie Guillen, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Capt. Wolak, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez,
Some Ways to Help Paramount College Students
To get a good, well-paying job in today’s world, higher education is a prerequisite. education is an important, life-enhancing issue that Paramount has embraced and promoted for a long time. The Paramount education Partnership, or PeP, is a nonprofit foundation that provides scholarships to local students who attend a four-year university, community college, or trade school. There are some easy ways for everybody in the community to join in this worthy enterprise.
Through GoFundMe
You can become a member of the PeP family of donors at GoFundMe.com/PepScholarships. Make sure you look for the “Certified Charity” checkmark to contribute to the correct account.
Any amount donated is helpful and appreciated. Plus, it’s tax deductible. If you give $50 or more, you can receive a PeP tote bag as a gift.
Donate with a Great Meal at Alondra Hot Wings
The Paramount business community has been a committed partner in the PeP Scholarship program, including Alondra Hot Wings, one of the “hottest” restaurants in town.
on Thursday, April 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., when you dine there a portion of your bill will go toward the PeP scholarship
Members in the News
fund. Just mention PeP and order away.
The restaurant is located at 8411 Alondra blvd. Thank you, Alondra Hot Wings, for giving back to the community!
And thank you, Gus!
Gus’s Deli, located at 8320 Alondra blvd. and a long-time fixture and purveyor of good food in Paramount, held another fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund on March 15. We appreciate Gus for his generous support of education in Paramount.
PeP has given almost $900,000 to nearly 300 Paramount students since 2004. This year, 46 scholarships will go to Paramount college-bound seniors and returning college students. In some cases, the money makes it possible for these individuals to further their education.
by taking part, you will promote education in Paramount and put a smile on your face knowing you’ve made a difference in a local student’s life. Call (562) 220-2121 for more information.
Scholarship Search
Speaking of scholarships, you can find a list of them, as well as other financial aid and internship opportunities, from more than 2,200 programs on the College board’s website.
Scholarship information is based on the College board’s Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs.
Go to bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ scholarship-search.
Zamboni Driver Fulfills Dream at 2018 Olympic Winter Games
“I’ve never had an opportunity this big in my life,” Paul Golomski said
A man who has lived and breathed ice since he was young is now the only American Zamboni driver working in the long track speedskating venue of the 2018 olympic Winter Games.
Paul Golomski is a 36 year old from Milwaukee who was hand-selected to make ice at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.
“Like a lot of kids playing hockey when they’re young, I wanted to drive the Zamboni as a kid,” Golomski said. “It’s kind of this magic machine.”
Paul Golomski knows ice.
More specifically, he knows how to make it for speedskating. It takes years of experience to master the art of making fast ice – ice that offers just enough grip to keep skaters upright in the corners without sacrificing speed on
the straightaways of a 400-meter oval.
Golomski, the facility director at the Pettit National Ice Center, has been doing it for two decades. He’s an expert at finding the balance between air temperature, ice temperature and relative humidity to create a glistening sheet of ice that enables speedskaters to perform at their peak.
Call him the Zamboni whisperer.
Golomski is so good at what he does that he has been asked to help maintain the ice at the Gangneung oval, the long-track speedskating venue at the Pyeongchang olympics. He left for South Korea on Jan. 29 and returns home March 1.
He considers the assignment the highlight of his career.
“There’s not been anything even close to working at the olympics,” Golomski said. “I’ve done a bunch of world-level events at the Pettit Center in the past, and that’s been great. but there’s not a greater honor than this for me.”
Paramount Pulse Beat
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Bartender
Part time: must have evenings and weekends available. Contact leroy at (562) 634-9001
Crew Worker
Specialty Construction, will Train – usage of mechanical equipment, painting, grinding, industrial floor coating. long Term 30+ hours including some weekends. report in person or contact: Jessica Gonzalez @ 562-529-5700 - TECHCOAT, 15720 Garfield Ave. Paramount, CA 90723; M-F 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Warehouse Maintenance Worker
Flexible, Will train, Part-Time, we welcome Veterans applicants. Job will include driving company vehicles. report in person or contact: Jessica Gonzalez @ 562-529-5700 - TECHCOAT, 15720 Garfield Ave. Paramount, CA 90723; M-F 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The following businesses renewed their membership in the Paramount Chamber of Commerce last month, they are celebrating another year as members. Chamber and Business Resource Center services are made possible by their support.
Healthy Paramount Seniors Getting Fit
Members in the News
Ribbon Cutting Calif Testing
Library Open House
& Inspections Owner Fabiola Jaque-Diaz, Paramount City Mayor Peggy Lemons, Field Representative from the Office of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard Kimberlee Tachiki-Chin.
Jorge Ancheytta of NRG Fitness (pictured at far right) conducted a workout session with our seniors at Paramount Park to help them stay fit.
Chamber Welcomes New Executive Director
As the newest member of the Paramount Chamber team let me say hello to the Paramount business community and the residents of the City of Paramount. My name is Kyle Miller and as the new executive Director I am honored to lead the chamber forward in what is our 94th year of serving Paramount businesses and advancing civic interest in our community.
I have a background in business, public service, and nonprofit leadership and am glad to add my experience to the chamber team to further our mission of serving the needs of our membership.
The chamber has benefitted greatly under the twenty seven year tenure of my predecessor Peggy Lemons, and now that she is enjoying a well earned retirement I am looking forward to continuing and strengthening the relationships she and her team help to build as well as looking for opportunities to increase the chamber’s value to each and every member. Whether that is new and interesting networking events, business training webinars, or government advocacy, we will be striving to make your chamber membership more valuable and relevant to your business.
The Paramount Chamber is very fortunate to currently have an active thoughtful board that works well together. In addition the chamber has a very good working relationship with the city, the school district, and other stakeholders in the community. That’s good for everyone who resides in Paramount. I’m a firm believer that a thriving business community leads to a healthy local economy, which leads to more resources coming to the city, which translates to more programs and services for the residents. I’m also a firm believer in the businesses giving back to the community. The chamber team will be focused on creating more opportunities for our members to get
involved in helping our local schools as well as worthy non profits here in Paramount.
To our current members, thank you for your investment. You’re the reason we have our popular signature events and programs year after year. We enjoy providing these events and look forward to adding a few strategic ones this year. To those that haven’t taken advantage of our chamber membership yet, I encourage you to connect with us. I think you’ll find that we’re much more than an organization that host events. There’s business advocacy at all government levels, business referrals, business counseling, and many other resources that you can utilize even if busy schedule doesn’t always allow you to attend our networking events.
I’m currently in the process of reaching out personally to all of our valued members to say hello and see how the chamber can help. However in the interim if anyone would like to share a thought, insight, or have a question, please reach out to me at kmiller@paramountchamber.com or by phone at 562-634-3980. All the best.
Kyle S. Miller
THANK YOU! WE JUST WANT TO SAY...
27 Years of building relationships, with businesses, government officials, schools, and city offices, Peggy Lemons has made the Paramount Chamber of Commerce a role model for many communities. Her strong sense of ethics and desire to make a better community for all has been the driving force in this office. Her legacy here has been to build Paramount Chamber of Commerce into a thriving and integral part of the community. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for all that she has poured into Paramount. From the board and all its members we wish her health and happiness in her retirement, and know that she will continue to be a vital part of all that we do.
Your knowledge, vision and wisdom took this chamber to what it is today!! We promise you that we will continue to push and make this Chamber the best one yet.
-Brenda Olmos
Peggy served the community for 27 years in the role of Executive Director for the City of Paramount Chamber of Commerce. Her Leadership and perseverance developed the Paramount Chamber of Commerce into one of the most respected chambers in Southern California. Peggy established the link between churches, government, residents, schools and businesses that makes Paramount such a remarkable community today. We will miss Peggy and all of the hard work commitment to the Chamber and the community.
-Paul Dennis
When I was first asked to join the Board, I was very reluctant . . . Peggy asked me out to lunch to discuss what Board membership would entail. After meeting with her, and just picking up on her amazing energy and love for the city of Paramount I was hooked. After 5 years of being a Board member I have watched with amazement how much she did for not only the Chamber, but for the city of Paramount as well. I will truly miss her laugh, git ‘er done attitude and just being around that beautiful smile. No matter what she does in retirement, the world will continue to be a better place because of her.
-Gary Johnson
I appreciated Peggy’s knowledge of Chamber issues and her willingness to share that knowledge with others. If not for her, my terms as president wouldn’t have been as easy or trouble free.
-Leonard Crespo
Digital Marketing Strategies
Small Businesses Should Adopt
By todd maxwell
First posted on Forbes.com on March 24, 2017
Todd Maxwell is the owner of eMaximize, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Manhattan Beach, CA. Web: www.emaximize.com. Tel: (310) 706-4051
Digital marketing is a very broad term that includes website design, social media, online advertising, email advertising, S eo and more. This can be extremely confusing to the local business owner simply looking to attract more eyeballs on their site. They are typically too busy running operations to investigate which digital marketing strategies work best for their business. In an effort to help local business owners such as restauranteurs, dentists, doctors, lawyers and any other service provider, I have put together the digital marketing strategies that all local businesses should adopt in 2017.
Your Website Is A Convertible Mustang
Just about every aspect of digital marketing is driving internet traffic to your website. This is the mother ship and you need to treat it as such. We still see too many websites that were not created with responsive design, meaning they look strange and difficult to navigate on mobile devices. We are seeing approximately 42% of all client traffic coming from mobile devices and that number is likely to increase.
Your website must look good with easy navigation on mobile devices. Visitors must be able to click on a phone number or an email address to contact you. If they have to zoom in or write down the number then you are likely to lose them to a competitor whose site is mobile optimized. The idea is to convert visitors into either a phone call, an email or a walk-in.
Additionally, Google has been tightening up its algorithm to award higher rankings to sites that are optimized for mobile visitors – and with good reason. You don’t want to be pushed to page two or three of Google’s search results. Get your site compatible for mobile devices immediately.
Implement Rich Answers o n Your Website
Chances are that you have probably typed a question into Google to find out how something works. People are changing the way they use Google. No longer do people want to search for information, they prefer Google to answer their questions. Google has recognized this and introduced rich answers ( e ditor’s note: rich answers are Google’s way of providing direct information to users) to its search algorithm so they can provide more accurate results.
Just about any local business – lawyer, dentist, plastic surgeon – has common questions they often get from their customers, e.g. What is a dental implant? How do you obtain a green card? What is rhinoplasty? It would be smart to implement rich answers on your website so when people are asking Google these questions, your site may appear first.
Fix Your Cat for Five Dollars
PAF bilingual Spay/Neuter Hotline (562) 336-1030
For a limited time, residents of Paramount can have their cats fixed for just $5. Pet Assistance Foundation is funding the program, in an effort to reduce the number of surplus animals born in this year’s kitten season.
Cats begin breeding in late December, and continue until well into autumn. The resulting population explosion, known as kitten season, begins in early spring and continues throughout the summer and fall. “Many people don’t realize that one female cat can produce three litters of kittens a year,” said Wendy Aragon, the President of Pet Assistance.
Abandoned cats and kittens face starvation, predators, parasites, and disease, and many die painful deaths. Those that survive can begin reproducing as young as 4 months of age, and the cycle of suffering continues. Pet overpopulation also affects dogs, with thousands euthanized in Los Angeles City and County shelters each year.
Spaying and neutering is a simple solution, but while many pet owners realize how important it is, they sometimes delay it because of the cost. unfortunately, cats and dogs can become pregnant in their first year of life. Complications of pregnancy can create large veterinary bills, and having even one litter adds to the number and suffering of homeless pets in our communities.
Pet Assistance Foundation seeks to assist pet owners in breaking this cycle, with spay and neuter surgery prices of $5 per cat, and $10 for most dogs, and wishes to thank Petco Foundation for their support in making programs like this possible.
Call the PAF bilingual Spay/Neuter Hotline (562) 336-1030 for more information, or to schedule an appointment.
About Pet Assistance Foundation: Since 1955, Pet Assistance Foundation has worked tirelessly to prevent animal suffering in Southern California. We focus especially on the need for affordable spay and neuter services. Not only does this directly reduce the birth rate of surplus cats, dogs and rabbits, it also helps keep animals in their homes, and out of already overcrowded shelters.
About Petco Foundation: At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we’ve invested more than $200 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.
* Proof of residency required. (utility bill with your name and address, driver’s license, etc.)
Cats– just $5 Most Dogs– just $10
Make A Difference • Join A Service Club
Serving the community for over fifty years Major Sponsor of Dictionaries for 3rd graders PUSD Monthly/Yearly Scholorships for PHS seniors Donate to Vets in L.B. Vets Hospital m eetings every m onday night 7:30 pm
HALL FOR RENT Weddings * Quinceaneras * Birthdays Max 250 people - (562) 884-1357 8108 E. Alondra Blvd • 562 633-1804 www.paramountelks.org
funds for community services through its annual Paramount Rotary Golf Tournament.
The Club meets at noon every Tuesday at Progress Plaza Park (15500 Downey Ave.) for fellowship, lunch and an informational program. Do the Club’s activities sound like fun to you? If so, please be our guest for lunch. For more information call President John Boogaard at (562) 881-0334 or Secretary Dean Mouren-Laurens at (562) 633-3224. Please visit our website at ClubRunner.ca/Paramount . We hope to see you soon!
Paramount Chamber Job Fair
