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Enjoy the rest of your summer! P A R A M O U N T

PULSE BEAT Paramount Chamber of Commerce (paramountchamber.com) • Serving the community since 1947 • August 2021

Job Fair at Paramount Park on August 31

ur annual regional Job Fair will be held on Tuesday, August 31, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Paramount Park Community Center, 14400 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723.

Admission and parking are free for the event, which is being sponsored by SoCal Gas and hosted by the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board, the City of Paramount and the Paramount Chamber of Commerce.

Last year’s event was cancelled because of COVID-19, and the pandemic has had a significant impact on our regional economy. This Job Fair will offer valable opportunities for both companies and job seekers to recover economically. So far, more than 45 companies have signed up to participate in the Job Fair, and their representatives will be engaging directly with a large contingent of ready-for-hire job seekers to fill a wide variety of full-time and part-time positions. Companies will be able to hold private interviews with potential job candidates on the spot in reserved meeting rooms and possibly even hire new employees that day. A number of federal, state and county agencies and organizations also will be on hand to provide event participants valuable information about available community services and resources.

Shown here are just some of the businesses and agencies (thus far) that will be participating in our Job Fair on August 31.

Free workshops for job-seekers will include sessions on creating a winning résumé, employer expectations and honing interview skills and techniques. Free services will include résumé preparation and critiques, as well as coaching on how to “dress for success” for an interview to make the best impression.

Please note that all pandemic-related guidance from Los Angeles County Public Health will be followed. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities, including TTY and TDD services for the deaf (call 562-403-2125), as well as assistance from California Relay Service (CRS) by dialing 711 or calling 800-735-2922. The Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO WDB) is an equal opportunity employer and program operator that serves the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Norwalk and Paramount. The SELACO office is at 10900 E 183rd St., Suite 350, Cerritos, CA 90703. For additional information about the Job Fair, please visit paramountchamber.com or call 562-634-3980. We hope to see you at Paramount Park Community Center.

EVENT SPONSOR:

HOSTED BY:

PARAMOUNT

Chamber of Commerce

PULSE BEAT

Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, California 90723 Telephone: 562-634-3980 paramountchamber.com

A L S O

I N

T H I S

I S S U E

From the Mayor’s Desk..........................................................................................................................................................................................3 Public Safety: Most crime rates in Paramount down by mid-2021....................................................................................................4 PEP Talk: Top-performing students recognized.........................................................................................................................................4 Paramount City Council report..........................................................................................................................................................................5 Where in Paramount to get vaccinated against COVID-19.....................................................................................................................6 City receives $1.25 million from state for parks and recreation..........................................................................................................6 Business Corner: Five secrets hidden in your finanacial statements..............................................................................................11 CityScape: Weekend reservations for park picnic shelters.................................................................................................................13

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

Vicky Uisprapassorn

August 2021

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

From the

Mayor’s Desk

In July 2020, members of the Paramount City Council broke ground for a new water well. Construction is now underway. Mayor Brenda Olmos

he City of Paramount provides clean, safe water to homes and businesses in town. We work non-stop—seven days a week, 24 hours a day—to certify that your water is healthy and meets all the rigorous quality standards demanded by law. Your water comes from two sources: pumped from groundwater wells in the City or bought from the Metropolitan Water District through the Central Basin Municipal Water District. The water wells, treatment, and delivery systems are made up of a complex, extensive network that connects to every home and business and requires constant maintenance and improvements. We are building another well, for instance, to help keep rates low and provide a consistent supply that reduces dependence on purchased water. The purchased water is quite expensive and is expected to continue rising in price. It’s a fact: Water is costly to pump, more expensive to buy, and costly to deliver. Still, Paramount’s customer rates are the lowest of 12 nearby cities and three local water agencies (see the chart below). But delivering high-quality water and service to our residents at the lowest rates has resulted in a substantial financial deficit for our water enterprise. This is unsustainable since we must continue to invest in building and maintaining our system to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and affordable for the future. We have not raised our rates in five years, since 2016.

If this is approved at a future City Council meeting, Paramount’s rates will remain a bargain, potentially the second-lowest in the region for 2022. Safeguarding the water our residents use is one of the most important jobs for a City. The City Council takes this responsibility very seriously and does not take the possibility of a rate change lightly. Look for announcements regarding upcoming public meetings where you can provide your input on this topic. In the meantime, should you ever have questions or concerns about our water system, please feel free to call the Public Works Department Water Services Division at (562) 220-2020 or the Water Customer Service–Billing at (562) 220-2018.

Let’s meet for coffee We’ve begun a series of informal gatherings for residents and members of the business community to have conversations with Paramount’s elected officials. Our first “Coffee with the Mayor” was held late last month, and I want to thank everyone who came out to Spane Park. It was both enjoyable and informative. Please mark your calendars for the remaining quarterly events. Other councilmembers will join me, and coffee and light snacks will be served. • Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 9 a.m. at Horchateria Rio Luna, 15950 Paramount Blvd. • Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 5 p.m. at Meadows Park, 15753 Gundry Ave. • Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 9 a.m. at Starbucks, 8522 Rosecrans Ave.

Air monitors in Paramount Over the last few years, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has conducted “the most extensive hexavalent chromium air monitoring program in the world in Paramount.” They have now completed that program after determining that the levels of hexavalent chromium are “low and stable and odor complaints have decreased.” But we know the importance of ongoing monitoring for the health and safety of our residents, so the City will continue the practice with our own monitors. While we conduct a search for a qualified consultant to help with the process for the future, SCAQMD will maintain and check our monitors, which are at Lincoln School, Gaines School, Kindred Hospital, and on Madison St. in the industrial area. Results of the readings will be available on SCAQMD’s website (aqmd.gov/home/ news-events/communityinvestigations/air-monitoringactivities) and the City’s environmental website (paramountenvironment.org).

Image: AQMD; cup image above by Kollsd from Pixabay.

Paramount water

The City Council is considering a rate adjustment that would be phased in over the next five years starting in January 2022. This modification would likely add just over $2.00 a month to the average bill for a single-family residential account during the first year. There would be similar incremental adjustments in each of the following four years.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

Public Safety

City of Paramount • Paramount USD • Paramount Chamber of Commerce

Paramount Education Partnership

P E P TA L K Top-performing Paramount students recognized at 2021 Heritage Festival

tudents with the highest grade-point averages in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades at Paramount High School and the highest overall GPAs at Odyssey STEM Academy and Buena Vista High School from the last school year were recognized at the Heritage Festival in downtown Paramount. Members of the City Council and the Board of Education were on hand to congratulate the scholars. Here is the list of those amazing students who reflect the excellence of the Paramount school system, the community and their families.

Paramount High School: 9th Grade 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Alexis Hay Evelyn Osorio Martin Valerie Osorio Martin Jessica Osorio Martin Gabriela Perez Cristian Cortes Myka Juliana Biala Gilberto Cervantes Rivas Yoseline Rodriguez Desteny Sicairos

4.8 4.8 4.8 4.6 4.8 4.6 4.6 4.27 4.6 4.2

Most crimes in Paramount drop significantly through mid-year

tatistics for the first half of 2021 (see chart below) reveal that overall Part I violent crimes decreased by 15% in Paramount compared to the same period last year. Likewise, in every category except auto theft (in Property Crime), numbers dropped by hefty margins. Specifically, assaults and robberies dropped by 15% and 16%, respectively, while there was no change in the numbers for homicides and rapes. With property crimes, burglaries fell by 14%, thefts were down by 10%, and arson declined by 60%. But an increase of 74% in auto theft, which has become a major regional issue, produced a rise of 6% in overall crime numbers.

Paramount High School: 10th Grade Marlen Hernandez Angel Munoz Edwin A. Bautista Darian A. Valencia Macio Santos Jose C. Berdeja Christopher D. Kaing Imara Zepeda Ximena Sifuentes Denise Huerta

4.77 4.67 4.61 4.58 4.57 4.54 4.54 4.52 4.50 4.48

Paramount High School: 11th Grade 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Eric Lopez Disleiry F. Hernandez Anthony S. Guzman Luis Ruiz Aylin Mendoza Janea P. Tan Brandon I. Tress Francisco Botello Azaleah G. Pompa Eduardo J. Lopez Lizeth E. Sanchez

4.81 4.77 4.65 4.61 4.58 4.58 4.57 4.56 4.56 4.54 4.54

Odyssey STEM Academy 1. 2. 3. 4.

Ajah G. Butler Natalie Chiriboga Cristina I. Estrada Paul N. Seehusen

4.16 4.16 4.16 4.16

Buena Vista High School 1. 2.

Abraham Equihua Ashley Guadalupe Monge

3.7 3.5

Free vehicle anti-theft devices available Certain vehicle models appear to be more targeted when it comes to theft. Consequently, the City of Paramount and the Sheriff ’s Department have a program providing free wheellock anti-theft devices for Paramount residents who own the following: Honda Civic and Accord; Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche, Tahoe and Express; and GMC Sierra. Residents can get one device per vehicle at the Paramount Sheriff ’s Station, 15001 Paramount Blvd., Monday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. You must provide a photo ID, proof of residency (such as a utility bill) and proof of vehicle ownership. First come, first served, while supplies last. For more information, call (562) 220-2002.

Image: Pexels.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

City Council

August 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Community Partners

Paramount Pride Foundation award

S he Mayor’s Award of Excellence for July was presented to the Paramount Pride Foundation at the July 6 City Council meeting. The non-profit organization was founded by Tony Velasquez in 2018 when he gathered a group of Paramount High grads who also happened to work at the school. Holding fundraisers like a golf tournament, a poker tournament, and raffles, the Foundation has awarded 64 scholarships worth a total of $94,000 in only four years. In addition, they have partnered with members from the Pirates Class of 1963 to create a mentorship program that matches college students with professionals from their same school or who share the same major. Thus far during the pandemic, they have hosted free food distributions that have helped more than 500 Paramount USD families, distributed masks, and donated gift cards to families in need for the holidays. From left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Councilmember Laurie Guillen, Velasquez, Mayor Brenda Olmos, Foundation member Lourdes Aguayo, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Isabel Aguayo.

Parks and Recreation Month celebrated

Home Security Rebate Program returns for Paramount residents

o help Paramount residents make their homes more secure, the City of Paramount has relaunched the Home Security Rebate Program for those purchasing a security product or service designed to deter property crimes. Paramount residents can receive a rebate of up to $200 for such a purchase of their choice. To be eligible, you must have bought a new security product or become a new subscriber to a security service. Eligible products and services include: • Home alarm systems • Security camera systems he City Council proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month • Doorbell cameras at its July 6 meeting. The observance celebrates the positive • Exterior floodlights with camera aspects that parks and recreation bring to our communities, the • Motion-sensor lights with camera professionals who staff Parks & Recreation departments, and the members of the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission. An online application must be submitted within 60 days of The Commission consists of five residents appointed by the City the purchase date. The rebate program is limited to one rebate Council to provide suggestions and recommendations to enhance per household and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. the City’s recreation programs. Accepting the City’s proclamation Funds are limited, so residents are encouraged to apply as soon was Parks & Recreation Commission Chair Alicia Anderson. From as possible. left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Councilmember Laurie Guillen, Anderson, Mayor Brenda Olmos, Councilmember Isabel To apply, visit paramountcity.com/government/public-safetyAguayo and Councilmember Peggy Lemons. department/home-security-rebate-program.

Image: Neurolink from Pixabay.

ince the start of the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the City has worked diligently to get the word out to residents about how to receive them, and eventually partnered with various agencies, local pharmacies, and healthcare providers to bring clinics to town. At the July 6 City Council meeting, those partners were recognized for helping the community reach an overall vaccination rate of just above 60% and an 85% rate for those vulnerable residents 65 and older. The partners are: The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Office of Emergency Services; Paramount Family Pharmacy; Los Angeles County and Supervisor Janice Hahn; Clínica Médica Hispana; Center for Family Health & Education; and Coast Plaza Hospital. Back row from left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Councilmember Laurie Guillen, Mayor Brenda Olmos, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, and Councilmember Isabel Aguayo. Front row from left: Lynda Johnson from Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office; Bowen Norberto Bowen of Coast Plaza Hospital; Dr. Maribel Khoury, Dr. Nabil Horacio Khoury and Manuel Alberty of Clínica Médica Hispana.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

Let’s knock out the Delta variant!

Image: Surprising Shots from Pixabay.

Thank you, Assemblymember Rendon!

August 2021

Get vaccinated in Paramount

umbers of new COVID-19 infections in Los Angeles County have been going up dramatically, mostly due to the Delta variant, which spreads much more easily than earlier virus types.

he City of Paramount thanks our Assemblymember, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, for including $1.25 million in the latest state budget for recreation programs in the City. The funding will go toward facilities, parks, or improvements, and there is a process underway to determine where the money will be spent.

Shown above: Mayor Brenda Olmos shows off the big check with the help of some of the many youngsters who will benefit from the funding.

It’s time to register for

So it is vital that those of you who have not been vaccinated get your free shots as soon as possible. Paramount’s number of eligible residents who have received COVID-19 vaccines is just over 60%. Listed below are locations where you can get your shots locally. Call for times and other details. • LA County Oﬃce of Education, 9300 Imperial Highway, Downey, 562-922-6111. • Rite Aid, 8447 Alondra Blvd., Paramount, 562-634-9074. • Medical Group of Paramount, 14906 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, 562-630-6271.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

egister for STAR, a great after-school program offered by the City of Paramount and the Paramount Unified School District at all PUSD K-8 schools. Applications are now available for the 2021-2022 school year. Due to pandemic social-distancing protocols, registration is only being done via email. Please go to paramountcity.com/residents/star-program to fill out the application, and then send it to the email address associated with the school site. Please note that this year, the usual $10 registration fee will be waived.

• Paramount Family Pharmacy, 8010 2nd St., Paramount, 562-531-1313. • Clínica Médica Hispana Medical, 14906 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, 562-630-1991. Remember, any resident between the ages of 12 and 29 who has become fully vaccinated after May 4 can receive a free $20 gift card. Just show proof of vaccination and proof of Paramount residency or attendance at a Paramount Unified School District campus at City Hall (16400 Colorado Ave.) or the City Yard (15300 Downey Ave.).

Image: Arek Socha from Pixabay.

Severe blood shortage! Donations needed now. Right now, hospitals are responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits. In addition, there is great hospital demand for blood as patients who previously deferred care during the COVID-19 pandemic present with more advanced disease progression, therefore requiring increased blood transfusions. Because of blood shortages throughout the nation, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care. These patients really need the help of the American people—please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling toll-free 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All blood types are needed.

Long Beach Blood Donation Center 3150 E 29th St., Long Beach, CA 90806 800-733-2767 • redcrossblood.org

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

D Got kittens? Image: Jan Mallander from Pixabay.

id you know that we’re now in the midst of “kitten season” in Los Angeles County? It’s a natural seasonal increase in kittens being born that starts in early spring and lasts into fall or even winter. With our mild climate, we have a very long kitten season! If you find what you think is a stray kitten, don’t pick it up and take it to a care center! Mom is likely close by and watching. Kittens have the best chance of survival when raised by their moms. Each year, our care centers are faced with thousands of kittens taken away from their moms—far more than we can care for! Not all kittens need our help. If kittens appear clean and healthy with full bellies, mom is caring for them. Please visit animalcare.lacounty.gov/got-kittens to learn more.

RECEIPTS FOR REWARDS • Customers can keep their receipts to enter drawings for cash and prizes. • Customers can upload receipts to ExploreParamount.com or drop them off at the Chamber of Commerce office (15357 Paramount Boulevard). • $50 or more in receipts per each entry. • Enter as many times as you want. Explore Paramount is brought to you by:

PARAMOUNT

ation.

inform e r o m r fo 0 8 9 Call 562-634-3

Chamber of Commerce

PRR

PUBLIC DISPOSAL SITE IN PARAMOUNT

OPEN

Monday-Friday........6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday....................6 a.m.-4 p.m. (Call for holiday hours.) Sunday........................8 a.m.-3 p.m.

All types of non-hazardous waste materials accepted

•

CLEAN FLAT QUICK EXITS Paramount Resource Recycling 7230 Petterson Lane Paramount, California

562-602-6505

Music & Lights Every Friday & Saturday night: 7- 9 pm $11 admission * $4 skate rental Every Tuesday night: 7- 8:30 pm $10 admission * Free skate rental * Live music

Iceland

8041 Jackson Street Paramount, CA 90723 www.paramounticeland.com

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

Paramount Chamber of Commerce

member-to-member discounts As a Paramount Chamber of Commerce member, these discounts are extended to you by your fellow members. Visit the following businesses to receive the discounts listed below. But remember, these offers are available only to Paramount Chamber members! Attorney & Legal Services

Hotels & Motels

Lerma Law Office (562-272-4353): 15% discount on initial retainer fee or flat-rate service.

Embassy Suites Hotel (562-861-1900): 15% off best available room rate (subject to availability). Ask for “Chamber rate.”

Automotive

Insurance

Herald’s Garage (562-633-2136): 15% discount on labor and a free engine light reset.

2000 Insurance Service (562-602-0001): 25% off new business.

Beauty

Clínica Médica Hispana (562-630-1991): 25% discount.

Marali Beauty Salon (562-964-1126): Free haircut & treatment with purchase of any chemicals. Communications Transcom Telecommunications (562-630-1200, ext. 221): 10% off equipment (business phone services). Contractors H1 Floor Covering (424/785-5551): 15% off first visit. Jones Scaffold Co. (800-266-3864): 10% off net rental of scaffold equipment. Financial Services SG Tax Services (562-630-4004): $25 off tax preparation for Chamber members and their employees. Vicky Professional Services (562-634-1178): 20% off bookkeeping and accounting service. Flowers Diana’s Flowers (562-529-5045): Free local delivery and free balloons.

Medical

Delfin Seafood & Market (562-630-1928): 10% off any order. El Compa Restaurant (562-630-1068): 10% discount on all food purchases. Gus’s Deli, BBQ & Grill (562-630-2802): 10% off all food purchases. Mariscos Alas (562-633-1348): 10% Chamber member discount. 15% discount for law enforcement & City employees.

Plumbing & Heating

Mariscos El Perihuete (562-408-1661): 10% off on food purchases over $10.

Downey Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning (562-861-1234): 10% off HydroJet service and/or 10% off material.

Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa #1 (562-529-5110): 10% discount on all food purchases.

Production (Events)

Pika Tortas Ahogadas (562-529-5787): 10% discount on all regular-priced food items (excludes combo deals).

YSL Production (323-490-6315): 20% any event services: Sound, lighting, stage, LED video, wall & truss equipment. Printers Source Graphics, Inc. (562-408-2734): 10% discount on all printing. Real Estate GM Properties (562-696-0200): 5% of gross commissions on closed deals will be sent to the charity of our choice in your name. Ask for Matt. Penta Pacific Properties (562-699-1922): Free market value opinions on commercial and industrial properties. Restaurants Café Corleone (562-408-6100): 10% discount on all food purchases.

Funeral Services

Casa Adelita (562-408-2360): 10% off (may not be combined with other specials).

Palacios Funeral Home (562-972-5429): 5% off services.

Casa Gamino (562-634-6225): 10% discount on food purchases.

Pulse Beat available only online until further notice In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce has decided to suspend hard-copy printing and distribution of the Paramount Pulse Beat until further notice. However, the full text of each new Pulse Beat will be available online each month on the Paramount Chamber of Commerce website at paramountchamber.com. If you would like to have a printed copy of the Pulse Beat, contact us and we can mail it to you, or you can pick it up at the Chamber office. If you have questions, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 562-634-3980. We at the Chamber thank you for your continued support and understanding during these difficult times for our community, and we will keep you informed about our future plans for the publication.

El Sinaloense Restaurant (562-363-3011): 10% off on food purchases. Roofing One Coat Roof Seal LLC (833-232-8121): 20% off each can. Wellness & Health Spiritual Quest (877-535-2267): 50% off salt lamps only. Enagic (562-833-3823): Free ionized alkaline water. Wholesalers & Distributors Rayvern Lighting Supply, Inc. (562-634-7020): 5% off fixtures and ballast orders (commercial distributor of lighting and fixtures).

To add your business to this section, please call the Paramount Chamber of Commerce for information:

562-634-3980

PULSE BEAT A monthly publication of the

Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, CA 90273 562-634-3980 • Fax: 562-634-0891 paramountchamber.com Executive Director: Barbara Crowson Executive Assistant: Dora Sanchez

Distributed to and read by more than 20,000 residents and business owners in Paramount. Layout & design: Danmark Associates Copyright 2021 by Paramount Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Pulse Beat and Paramount Chamber of Commerce are not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings made herein or responsible for product availability that may be advertised.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

Run your card for as little as $31 per month. Call the Chamber at 562-634-3980.

August 2021

B U S I N E S S

C A R D

DIRECTORY

ERALD’S GARAGE

General Dentistry General Dentistry R

Hablamos Español Hablamos Español

Max B. Martinez, DDS, FAGD, FACD Max B.un Martinez Chia-l tsao, DDS

Vilma Flores REALTOR®

DDS, FAGD, FACD

562-260-6899 mobile

GET YOUR FREE HOME VALUE REPORT 15740 Paramount Blvd, Ste. A, Paramount, CA 90723 DRE License #01312934 • 562-251-0217 Office

29 Smog Check

For the maximum touch of care

Chia-Lun Tsao

vflores@calhomesrealty.com Se habla español

Complete Automotive Repair Collision Center & Body Shop 95 Plus Certificate & ETF

16299 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723Foreign & Domestic • Autos & Trucks • Complete Engine DDS Check Engine Light • A/C • Electronic • Transmission Rebuilding Phone: 562-531-4740 • drmaxmartinez.com

16299 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

562-531-4740 • drmaxmartinez.com

cmh

Suspension • Brake Service • Specializing in Fleet Service

Fernando Kim: likeautobody@gmail.com 8124 E. Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

562-633-2136 Joseph Keays Vice President

CA Lic. #731172

City directory - Proof Form Paramount Chamber of Commerce Total-Western, Inc. City directory - Proof Form Paramount Chamber of Commerce General Contactor (License # 506020) Clínica Médica Hispana Dedicated people focused on customer expectations 8049 Somerset Blvd. Paramount, CA 90723

Call: 562-220-1450 total-western.com

Sammy T Kotob Insurance Agency 147 S Beach Blvd La Habra, CA 90631

866-204-4068 • 562-861-1234 11829 Downey Ave., Downey, Ca 90241 • joe@downeyplumbing.com

FENICO

PRECISION CASTINGS

CA License 0L68077 Cell: 714-932-9656

562-634-5000 • 800-634-5000

Fax: 562-691-9113

fenicocastings.com • stran@fenicoinc.com

skotob@farmersagent.com • 562-691-9100

7805 Madison St., Paramount, CA 90723-4220

Sanchez Professional Services

Income Tax, Real Estate & Immigration Services

Peticiones Familiares • Residencia Cuidadania • Permisos de Trabajo Veronica Sanchez

7300 Alondra Blvd., Suite 201A Paramount, California 90723 562-372-1382 • 562-633-6588

WARD PROPERTIES 16311 Garfield Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

Rose C. Towe

562.633.2300 • Fax: 562.633.2345 wardprop.com • Rose@wardprop.com

Madame 57 Years In57Business Years In Business

Pompador

PARAMOUNT

We Llve Animals We Llve Animals

13516 13516Paramount ParamountBlvd. Blvd. Dog CatCatGrooming • Dog&and Grooming • Chamber of Commerce (CornerofofParamount ParamountBlvd. Blvd.&& 105 105 Freeway) (Corner Freeway) 13516 Paramount Blvd. Local Pick-Up and Delivery • Dog and Cat Grooming • www.madamepompador.com Local Pick-up & Delivery madamepompador.com (Corner of Paramount Blvd. & 105 Freeway) Barbara Crowson, Executive Director All Breeds and SizesPick-Up and Delivery Local www.madamepompador.com

(562) 408-6145

All Breeds and Sizes (562) 408-6145 (562) 408-6145 All Breeds & Sizes 15357 Paramount Blvd. • Paramount, CA 90723 paramountchamber.com • 562-634-0891

Paramount American Legion Post #134

✯ Serving our veterans since 1923 ✯ Business meeting every second Tuesday Trusted janitorial services of the month at 6 p.m. Please check off the below listed items carefully, sign and fax to 562-634-0891 for nearly 60 years Please check off the below listed items carefully, sign and fax to 562-634-0891 ❏ Company Name ❏• Phone ❏ Approved Complete janitorial services ❏ Company Name

❏ Phone

Contact: Brad Pollak

❏ Approved

❏ Logo ❏ Logo

• Post-construction cleanup with Changes ❏ Approved ❏• Fax ❏ Approved with Changes effective disinfecting services ❏Safe, Fax ❏ Second Proof Required with Changes

❏ Address ❏ Address

❏ Spelling ❏ Spelling

❏ Second Proof Required with Changes CLEANTIME Signature Required __________________________ Signature Required __________________________

Small Business Development Center

Building Co. By CheCkiNg the ABove LiSted itemS,Maintenance heLPS uS to eNSuRe No eRRoRS ARe mAde. 7550 Somerset Blvd., Paramount, CA E. Conant ARe St., Bldg. O-2, Suite 108 By CheCkiNg the ABove LiSted itemS, heLPS uS to eNSuRe4900 No eRRoRS mAde. “Canteena” open daily at 1 p.m. Long Beach, California 90808 Hall for rent—call for a quote at: 3450 E. Spring St., Ste.101 • Long Beach, CA 90806

562-421-2010

562 -788 -7352

cleantimejanitorialservices.com

562-938-5100 longbeachsbdc.org

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

EMPLOYMENT

Picjumbo (Pixabay)

OPPORTUNITIES

Membership RENEWALS We’re very grateful that the businesses below have renewed their Paramount Chamber of Commerce memberships, making our valuable services possible. Aerocraft Heat Treating Co.........................................55 years 15701 Minnesota Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

Anchor Pacifica..........................................................35 years 7520 Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

Tam’s Burgers #22........................................................23 years 8454 Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

Mariscos El Perihuete................................................15 years 16600 S. Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

Lerma Law Offices.....................................................14 years 12749 Norwalk Blvd., Suite 101, Norwalk, CA 90650

W.H. Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning.............14 years whplumbingheating-airconditioning.com

Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa........................................12 years 7610 Rosecrans Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

Bodycote Thermal Processing....................................11 years 9921 Romandel Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Daniels Bookeeping & Tax Service Inc.........................8 years 8225 Alondra Blvd., Suite A, Paramount, CA 90723

Candy Kravins...............................................................1 year 6836 Rosecrans Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

LGH Ceramics, Inc..........................................................1 year 7720 Jefferson St., Paramount, CA 90723

EPOXY COATING LABORER—Long-term, full-time (40+ hours per week). Will train. Install various flooring systems for commercial and industrial projects. Perform tasks involving physical labor; must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods. Operate equipment (as instructed). Techcoat Contractors, 15720 Garfield Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723. Contact: Brenda or Jessica at 562-529-5700. Apply Monday– Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. WAREHOUSE MAINTENANCE WORKER—Longterm, part-time (20 to 25 hours per week). Will train. Staging equipment and materials for daily projects. Receive and process warehouse stock products. Maintain inventory. Operate and maintain warehouse vehicles and equipment. Run errands (as needed). Techcoat Contractors, 15720 Garfield Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723. Contact: Brenda or Jessica at 562-529-5700. Apply Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN—Full-time. Experience helpful, but willing to consider an excellent new graduate who can learn quickly. Call Martha at Fobi Pharmacy: 562-630-5700. BARTENDER—Part-time, including evenings and weekends. Call Leroy: 562-634-9001. SKILLED LABOR OPPORTUNITIES—SkillsetGroup currently has these positions available for first, second and third shifts: Machine operator, sanitation, loading & unloading, forklift drivers, production line, and order pulling. Come in and apply today! SkillsetGroup actualmente tiene aperturas para puestos disponibles para Primer, Segundo y Tercer turno. ¡Ven y aplica hoy! Call us at 866-375-3094 or use Instagram (@ skillsetgroup) or Facebook for weekly updates. 7300 Alondra Blvd., Suite 202, Paramount, California 90723. STATE FARM AGENT—State Farm Agents help their customers protect what’s important to them, all the while making time to give back to their neighborhoods. Improve your career! Call David Maciel: 562-305-2111. FULL-TIME SEAMSTRESS—5-Star Interior Services, Inc., needs a full-time seamstress with drapery-making experience. Contact Leroy at 818-845-4518. CREW WORKER—Specialty construction. Will train. Installation of epoxy coatings, including preparation of concrete floors and other structures using various equipment. Long-term, 30+ hours, including some weekends. Report in person to TECHCOAT, 15720 Garfield Ave., Paramount, California 90723; M-Th 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Non-profit organization. Visit on Facebook and YouTube

CLEANING SERVICE JOB (Persona para limpiesa)— A&R Cleaning Multiservices. Please contact Yolanda Monday-Friday at 562-500-2284.

Republic Services..........................................................1 year

To place an ad, call the Chamber at 562-634-3980.

Por Amor a la Humanidad............................................1 year

2531 E. 67th St., Long Beach, CA 90805

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

BUSINESS CORNER

Five secrets hidden in your financial statements By Gene Marks (This article originally appeared in the Small Biz Ahead newsletter (smallbiz.com) on June 16, 2021.

“These secrets aren’t known or used very much by most business owners.”

merely a summary of what’s in your general ledger. Your general ledger has all the juicy info. So once a month, print out your general ledger (maybe it’s 30 pages) and go through it manually with a pen. Seriously. Circle items that you don’t recognize or that look unusual. Ask your accountant about them. You’ll almost always get a reasonable answer. But your eyes will be open to the type of things that you’re spending money on, as well as the people you’re doing business with — both customers and suppliers. Once you know your general ledger, you’ll really know your business.

SECRET 4: Projections are more valuable than your financial statements.

id you know that within your boring financial statements are five hidden secrets that could have a significant impact on your business? Some of my most successful clients have figured this out. By understanding these things, they’re better able to manage their cash flow and interpret the numbers necessary to make profitable decisions. So what are these five secrets?

SECRET 1: Flash reports are more valuable than financial statements.

As I wrote above, your financial statements give you insight into the past. That’s interesting. But what’s more important is the future. My successful clients are always looking ahead. So while they do read their financials to better understand their businesses, they’re leveraging that past data to build forecasts so that they can see what’s coming. Doing this isn’t so tough. Just take your year-to-date financial statements, put them on a spreadsheet, and figure out the next 90 days ahead. Knowing your expenses shouldn’t be too hard. Payroll, utilities, rent, maintenance — most of this stuff is the same. Your margins can be estimated (a forecast is not an exact science). What’s challenging is figuring out your sales. But you can do this using past data, pipelines, open orders, and discussions with your sales team. Again, it’s only 90 days into the future.

As a CPA, I’m used to being referred to as the “mortician of numbers.” That’s because we’re always looking behind. Financial statements, by the Once you have a reliable process for putting together regular forecasts, time they’re prepared, reviewed and blessed, are almost always out of date. you can get the best of both worlds: using your past financial statement My smartest clients read their financial statements regularly and look for info to generate predictions for the future. trends and anomalies, but they’re always making business decisions based on real live data. And that data usually comes from a “flash report.” A flash report has — daily or at most weekly — key metrics that put the business owner’s thumb on the pulse of his or her business. It has daily cash balances, open accounts-receivable amounts, year-to-date sales, and upcoming orders. It has key metrics you really need to know what’s going on right now to help you make decisions for the future. These metrics are always compared to prior amounts for a benchmark. The report is easily compiled by an administrative person. When used the right way, you’ll find your flash report to be much more valuable than your financial statements.

Having a good CPA gives you an advantage when you’re digging through your numbers.

SECRET 2: Cash isn’t what it seems.

So is your book balance. That’s the balance showing on your financials. This cash balance may not be what you think, either. For it to be real, it needs to be reconciled, so make sure you have someone outside your company reconciling your book balance to your bank balance every month. There will be timing differences and other items that someone may have missed. It happens all the time. Cash can be a tricky thing — make sure you completely understand why your book and bank balances don’t agree.

SECRET 5: You may not need an audit, but you should get a review. Consider bringing in a certified public accountant to look at your numbers. If you have a good CPA (you can find a firm through your state CPA society or a good referral), then you’ll have the advantage of someone with a financial background digging into your numbers, comparing you to other companies in your industry, and pointing out items of note.

SECRET 3: Your real business is in your general ledger.

CPAs do compilations, reviews, and audits. Unless you’ve got outside investors or lenders, you generally won’t need a review or audit. Professional standards require CPAs not to offer any opinion on a “compiled” financial statement, where they’re basically taking your internal records, like your general ledger, and creating financials for you. But good CPAs will still offer advice, recommendations, and counsel based on what they see, even with a simple compilation. That kind of guidance is critical and can go a long way in helping you better manage your business – and understanding your financial statements.

Ever read your general ledger? You should. Because it’s only in the general ledger where you will find the true details about your business— and like my grandmother used to say, the devil’s always in the details! The general ledger is the underlying “diary” of your business. It’s here where every transaction is recorded. It’s here where you will see every single thing impacting your company’s cash flow. Your financial statements are

In summary, your financial statements hold some secrets. These secrets aren’t known or used very much by most business owners. But my savviest clients know them. They know to use flash reports, read their general ledger, reconcile their cash, create projections, and lean on outside help from a CPA. They do this to unlock all the value that financial statements can provide.

Images: Mohammed Hassan and Megan Rexazin from Pixabay.

When you see your cash balance on your bank statement, don’t kid yourself into believing that it’s the actual amount of cash in the bank. That’s because cash isn’t what it seems. Your bank doesn’t know what cash is coming in or what payments are still in process. So when you see your bank balance, it’s always out of date.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

PARAMOUNT USD - STUDENT NUTRITION SERVICES Questions? Please call

562-602-6031 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SUMMER MEALS Available each Thurday for children & teens under 18 Each child or teen will receive ingredients to prepare easy-to-make home-cooked meals for breakfast and lunch for seven days. Children or teens do not need to be enrolled at PUSD and do not need to be present. One grocery kit per person on each pick-up day.

There are two ways to pick up your grocery kits: 1. Pick up food at curbside from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m each Thursday at any of the following schools: Alondra • Collins • Lincoln • Los Cerritos • Wirtz 2. Pick up food at the following PUSD bus stops from 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. each Thursday: 7101 Rosecrans Ave. • Paramount Blvd. & 54th Way Downey Ave. & Andy St. • South St. & Ackerfield Ave.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

August 2021

Families grow healthy with WIC! Familias crecen sanas con WIC! WIC is a nutrition program for women, infants and children. WIC es un programa de nutricion para mujeres, bebes y niños. South Los Angeles Health Projects WIC Program

You may qualify if you:

WIC provides:

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby • Have a child under age 5 • Have a low to medium income* • Receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh (Food Stamps) benefits • Live in California

• Nutrition education and health information • Breastfeeding support • Food benefits • Referrals to medical providers and community services

Usted puede calificar si:

• Educación sobre nutrición e información de salud • Apoyo con la lactancia • Beneficios de comida • Referencias a proveedores de servicios medicos y servicios

• Está embarazada, está dando pecho o acaba de tener un bebe • Tiene un niño menor de 5 años • Tiene un ingreso bajo a mediano • Recibe beneficios de Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) o CalFresh (Estampillas de Comida) • Vive en California

WIC proporciona:

*Income levels change annually. Niveles de ingreso cambian anualmente. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Está institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

310-661-3080

Call WIC today to see if you qualify. Llama a WIC hoy para ver si calificas.

@WICSouthLosAngeles • wicforyou.org