The Paramount Chamber Holiday Mixer was filled with memorable moments. The annual event was sponsored by Southern California Edison, and refreshments were donated by member restaurants including: Alondra Hot Wings, Café Corleone, Casa Adelita, Casa Gamino, Cocina de Catalina, Domino’s Pizza, El Compa, Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant, Gus’s Deli, BBQ & Grill, Mariscos El Perihuete, Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa, Mc Donald’s, Pika Torta Ahogada’s, Rosewood Restaurant, Subway, and Taqueria 2 Amigos.
The event was attended by more than 100 members who networked while enjoying a variety of tasty dishes. In addition to good conversation and delicious food some guests showed off their singing voices during karaoke. Many showed real talent while others showed real courage; but everyone had a good time.
Tori Romero, granddaughter of Paramount Petroleum employee Bill Winters singing at holiday mixer.
Maria MacLean (Paramount Chamber), Erin Stibal (Office of Supervisor Knabe), and Brenda Olmos (AppleCare Medical Group).
George Ahumada (Stolen From Heaven) picks up his raffle prize from Maria Villasenor (Paramount Chamber) with help from Ambassador Grace Padilla (Marukan Vinegar).
Gina and Joe Abed (Heraldʼs Garage) with Jim Stevens (Paramount Furniture) and Pastor Ken Korver (Emmanuel Reformed Church).
Happy New Year, Paramount!
As 2012 passes into history, we hope it was a better year for residents and businesses, alike. On behalf of my fellow Councilmembers, we wish you a happy and fruitful 2013.
While the continuing sluggish economy presented the City with challenges this past year – not the least of which was losing our Redevelopment Agency – we have still been able to maintain our important programs and services for residents. We took significant steps in 2012 to trim the City’s operational costs and establish a sound financial posture for upcoming years. We were also able to construct some noteworthy improvements around town.
Here are some of the project highlights from 2012.
We opened our third water well and treatment plant, adjacent to Dills Park. As costs for imported water continue to rise sharply in Los Angeles County, we are taking steps to increase our groundwater pumping capacity to sta-
bilize rates for residents and become as self-sufficient as possible with this critical resource.
We began construction on the Paramount Fitness Park on ten acres of Edison right-of-way property across from the Post Office, with a scheduled opening of this spring.
We continued refurbishment of major boulevards and renovated and updated park playgrounds throughout town.
In addition, thanks to our innovative public safety efforts with the Sheriff’s Department, crime statistics continued their long-term decline.
As the new year begins, I know that the teamwork and commitment to our community from all corners of Paramount will continue to make this a great place to live, work and play.
City Website as a Resource
The City’s website, at www.paramountcity.com, offers a good source of information for all things Paramount.
You can find a schedule of City Council and Commission meetings, see the City Council meeting agendas, and explore a list of recreation offerings or the entire municipal code. There are descriptions of City programs and services and departments. You can email City Council members. And much more.
Come for a visit sometime.
Taking Down Your Holiday Lights
Here’s a friendly reminder that the City has an ordinance relating to the display of exterior winter holiday lights for residential properties. The law states
that such lights must be removed by January 15.
“Holiday lights” are defi ned as a string of lights commonly associated with the holiday season that contains multiple- or single-colored or clear light bulbs that are attached to a structure. Only residential properties are affected.
The ordinance was passed a few years ago in response to concerns voiced by residents about keeping our neighborhoods attractive. The City appreciates everyone’s cooperation.
Reminder About Christmas Trees
This holiday season, residents of Paramount who have Christmas trees can place them out for pickup by CalMet, the City’s refuse hauler. The trees will then be recycled into mulch.
CalMet will pick up trees at no charge until January 11th for singlefamily residential accounts. Be sure to remove the stand and all the decorations, lights and tinsel, and do not wrap the tree or enclose it in a plastic bag. If the tree is four-feet-tall or less, you can put it in your green waste recycling barrel. For anything larger, set it curbside on your normal garbage collection day by 6:00 a.m. (Flocked trees will also be picked up.)
After January 11th, your tree can still be taken away by scheduling a bulky item pickup.
For apartments or condominiums, if the trees are on the curb by 6:00 a.m. they will be taken away for free on regu-
larly scheduled pickup days. If it’s necessary to drive onto the property there will be a $5.00 charge per tree. In these latter cases, the service must be ordered 24 hours before regular pickup day by the manager or owner who must have the account number for verification. Also, commercial customers must call CalMet before placing a tree out for collection so a greenwaste truck will visit their location.
If you have any questions, please call (562) 259-1239.
Congratulations to Coach Villasenor
Rafa Villasenor, the co-head coach of the Paramount High boys soccer team, has been named the 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Western Region Coach of the Year.
Villasenor gave credit to his staff – co-head coach Juan Navarro and assistants Luis Silva, Edward Garcia and Beto Ochoa – and all other coaches and players he has worked with over the years. Rafa now goes on to join seven other regional winners in the running for national coach of the year honors, which will be announced later this month.
The team has been on an incredible streak, winning three consecutive CIF Southern Section championships and two CIF State Regional titles over the last three years. At this point in the current season, they are ranked number two in the CIF-SS Division ll.
Let’s all think good thoughts about a four-peat!
Mayor, Peggy Lemons
Paramount Sheriff’s Station Offers Variety of Services
The Paramount Public Safety Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have a strong partnership that brings the finest law enforcement services to the residents of Paramount. The Paramount Sheriff’s Station, located at 15001 Paramount Blvd., is a prime example of this relationship.
The facility offers a number of services for the public. Among those are: filing crime reports; reporting suspicious activities and talking to deputies; paying parking violations and vehicle impound release fees; and responding to, or reporting, code enforcement complaints. Deputies are also available at the Station to interview victims and criminal suspects.
The Paramount Sheriff’s Station hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on holidays.
The phone number for the Station is (562) 220-2002.
Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
Kids today are growing up online. Studies show that almost every school child has been online, and three-quarters of young people can access the Internet from their homes. Kids go online to research and complete school assignments and to learn about topics that interest them. They also go online to chat with friends, play games, download music, keep a journal or blog, create websites, shop and more.
It may seem like kids are pretty savvy Web users, and many parents think that their children are better computer users than they are. But that doesn’t mean that kids understand the dangers they could encounter on the Internet or how to avoid them. Here are some tips to share with them.
• To guard against identity theft, for example, tell your kids to never give out their Social Security number.
• Commit all passwords to memory. Never write them down or carry them with you or give them to friends.
• Choose a commercial online service that offers parental control features.
• Tell your children never to give out their home address, telephone number, password, school name or any other personal information.
• Make sure your children never agree to meet face-to-face with someone they’ve met online without discussing it with you. Only if you decide that it’s okay to meet their “cyber-friend” should they arrange a meeting, and then only in a familiar public place in the presence of a trusted adult.
• Tell your children never to respond to messages that have bad words, are scary or just seem weird.
• Tell your children never to enter an area that charges for services without asking you first.
• Tell children to never send a picture of themselves to anyone without your permission.
Safely Using Social Websites
You’ve probably heard the names – Facebook, MySpace, Xanga. These are some of the top social networking websites. You’ve probably also heard some stories about how pedophiles are surfing these pages for their next targets, or how teens are having their identities stolen after posting too much information online. The good news is that young people can protect themselves and their personal information easily, if they know how.
Social networking websites may seem high-tech, but they’re easy to use and to understand. None of their technology is inherently dangerous, and if it’s safely used it can be a great creative outlet for young people.
However, many young people are sharing too much information online and aren’t aware that anyone with an Internet connection can view it. As a parent, you can teach your children how to safely use social networking websites, and make sure that they do.
Explain that online images and information can live forever. It can be very hard and sometimes impossible to take down information that is posted, and photos and information may already have been copied and posted elsewhere.
Tell your children that some college admissions boards and employers are checking social networking sites before they admit students or hire people.
Make sure they know that some people they meet online may not be who they say they are, and may even pretend to be someone else.
For more information, go to the National Crime Prevention Council’s website at www.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safety.
Paramount Elks give Christmas gift bags
Breakfast with Santa
Thirty volunteers from Chapel of Change Christiansen Fellowship
feed
than 200 people at the
Breakfast with Santa. Pictured: Chapel of Change volunteers Lisa and Zack Cayton.
BUSINESS WORKSHOP
Being An Employer
JOSE DONLUCAS
PARAMOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Invites you to attend a Open House / Ribbon Cutting Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa Thursday, January 10th 7610 Rosecrans Ave.
Beginning at 11:30 am Lunch Served
RSVP: (562) 634-3980
Grand re-opening of Los Cerritos YMCA Branch at Woodruff Ave.
The Los Cerritos YMCA held the grand re-opening of their Branch Facility at 11530 Woodruff Ave. Bellflower. This Facility will open to Afterschool Child Care students starting in January 2013, and serve the communities of Paramount, Bellflower, Artesia, and Cerritos. The Los Cerritos YMCA is also the main facility for registrations of
year- round swim lessons which are held at the Bellflower Aquatic Center, day camp during off school days, as well as summer residence camp at Camp Oakes. The grand re-opening was attended by, Supervisor Don Knabe, representatives from the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein and
Congresswoman Lucille Royball-Allard, the Bellflower City Council, board members of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, as well as members of the community.
If you would like to tour the facility or hear more about YMCA programs please contact Mary Jane Villalovos at 562-925-1292.
P ARAMOUNT C HAMBER H OLIDAY M IXER 2012
Sponsored by: Southern California Edison
Raffle winner Dr. Max Martinez.
Paramount Chamber President Leonard Crespo calls out winning ticket numbers for lucky raffle prize winners.
Maria Villasenor (Paramount Chamber) and Cindy Estrada (Pika Tortas Ahogadas).
Melissa and Skye Hickok with Grace Padilla (Marukan Vinegar).
Nancy Martinez and Pastor Debbie Jameson (Lifegate Foursquare Church).
Paramount Chamber President Leonard Crespo (Total-Western) announces raffle prize winners while Payal Modi (Mahi Beauty Care) claims her prize from Maria MacLean (Paramount Chamber).
Darlene Moore (Canon Solutions America), Pamela Rice (Office Depot) and Veronica Simas (US Bank).
Apply for a College Scholarship Today
You can now get a copy of this year’s application for PEP’s Dollars for Scholars college scholarship.
Finished applications must be submitted in person or by mail by March 30. There is a certain amount of work needed to complete the form and some associated documents that must be included. So get started now to give yourself plenty of time.
Scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to students attending a community college and $3,000 to students attending an accredited four-year institution within the U.S, including vocational/ trade/ technical schools. Scholarship monies may only be used to pay tuition, fees, books and supplies for the 2013-2014 school year
An average of 24 scholarships are given to local students each year
Hard copies can be picked up at Paramount City Hall, the Paramount City Yard and locations throughout the School District. Copies can also be downloaded on the City of Paramount website at www.paramountcity.com and on the Paramount Unified School District website at www.paramount.k12.ca.us/.
Applicants will be reviewed based on their completed application, academic record, financial need, extracurricular activities, work or volunteer experience and future goals. Plagiarism or false information will permanently disqualify an applicant. Please be aware that first-time applicants will receive priority over past recipients.
The following are the mandatory requirements:
• You must be a City of Paramount resident or Paramount Unified School District student.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Be enrolled in an accredited program to obtain an Associates of Arts or Bachelor’s degree and/or vocational certification. (Students must be able to provide proof of enrollment in an institution to be eligible.)
• Provide one letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor (who cannot be a relative).
Possess a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or better.
• Submit forms that demonstrate financial need as determined by FAFSA (and include a copy of Student Aid Report).
The completed applications need to be returned to: Attention: Scholarship Committee Paramount Education Partnership, Inc., 16400 Colorado Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723
For information regarding the PEP Scholarship Program, please contact Suleyma Rosales at (562) 220-2132.
PEP is a collaborative effort between the City of Paramount, Paramount Unified School District and the Paramount Chamber of Commerce.
Thank You, PEP Moms!
Lots of sincere gratitude goes out to the 67 moms of PEP kids who helped put together the bags of apples and candy canes for this yearʼs Santa Train excursions. To give you an idea of how much work they put in, 24,696 apples and 24,696 candy canes were passed out by Santa and his helpers. And they couldnʼt have spread that joy without all the great ladies at the North Pole (or, actually, the City Yard). Thank you doesnʼt begin to cover the Cityʼs appreciation.
PARAMOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Invites you to attend a Open House / Ribbon Cutting Villa Dental Thursday, January 17th 15717 Paramount Blvd. Ste. C
Beginning at 11:30 am Lunch Served
(562) 634-3980
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS TOYS FOR TOTS RECEIVES $26,000 FROM STATER BROS. CHARITIES
Donation will make Holiday Season Brighter for Children in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties
For the eighth year in a row, Stater Bros. has been a part of spreading cheer through the local Toys for Tots Program. Stater Bros. Charities, the charitable arm of Stater Bros. Markets, proudly presented a $26,000.00 check to representatives from the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program earlier this month. With toy requests being at an all-time high, Stater Bros. Charities wanted to help meet the needs of Southern California kids. Representatives from the United States Marine Corps attended the check presentation ceremony at the Stater Bros. Corporate Offices and received the check on behalf of the Marine Corps.
The United States Marine Corps will use the donation to purchase thousands of toys. These toys will be distributed to community-based organizations in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and these organizations will donate the toys to local children and families who are in need of a helping hand this holiday season.
“The Stater Bros. ‘Family’ believes in giving back to the communities we serve,” said Jack H. Brown, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros. Markets. “We are very proud to help make the Holiday wishes of so many children come true this year by supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.”
This generous donation was made possible through a partnership between Stater Bros. Charities, Stater Bros. Markets, and the manufacturers of Stater Bros. brand products. Stater Bros.’ customers support the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program every time they purchase a Stater Bros. brand product.
PARAMOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Invites you to attend a Open House / Ribbon Cutting
Gus’s Deli, BBQ & Grill Thursday, January 31st 8320 Alondra Blvd. Beginning at 11:30 am Lunch Served
Compton Community College District Begins Recruitment Process for Chief Executive Officer Position
The Compton Community College District (CCCD) announced today that recruitment is underway to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the District. Currently under the direction of the Special Trustee for the Compton Community College District, the CEO serves as the operational officer for the CCCD. The job description for the CCCD CEO may be viewed at: www.district.compton. edu/administration/human-resources/docs/ CEO2012.pdf.
A search committee has been established consisting of members of constituent groups served by the District, and held its first meeting and training in November. Recruited candidates for the CEO position have an application submittal deadline of
January 24, 2013. The search committee will conduct an initial paper screening of the applications.
In February 2013, the Special Trustee and the Superintendent/President of El Camino Community College District will review the applicant pool to determine if the size of the pool is adequate. Candidate interviews will also take place in February and finalists for the CEO position will be selected.
A forum will be held in March 2013 to introduce the finalists, followed by another round of interviews for those candidates. The Special Trustee and the Superintendent/ President of El Camino Community College District will select the final candidate and that person will be appointed as the new CEO for the CCCD in April 2013.
HELP WANTED
INSURANCE SALES – Growing company seeking dynamic selfstarters, hardworking, energetic, bilingual (Spanish/English), and sales oriented individuals with a strong interest in educating the community about Insurance and Financial Products. A positive attitude and commitment to providing exceptional customer service are required. Insurance experience is a bonus but not a necessity. More importantly, we are looking for ambitious quick learners who are excited about determining their own salary and want to be an integral part of a growing company. Email resume to maria@galliagency.com or fax resume to 562-817-5621.
Now hiring, AUTO MECHANIC, BODY AND PAINT TECH., AND OUTSIDE SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER. Email Heraldsgarage@gmail.com or visit Herald’s Garage 8124 E. Alondra Blvd., Paramount.
Earthquake Preparedness Tips
By Maria F. Galli State Farm Insurance 562-817-5620
Living in California, means living with earthquakes. They can happen at any time. Are you and your family prepared? If not, you may want to familiarize yourself with these earthquake safety tips.
The best protection during an earthquake is to get under heavy furniture such as a desk, table or bench. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Fatalities often happen when people run outside of buildings and get hit by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has information to help you prepare for all types of disasters, including earthquakes. Here are a few:
* Check your home for hazards – make sure shelves are fastened securely to walls; large, heavy objects and breakable items are stored on lower shelves; pictures and mirrors are hung away from areas where people sit and sleep; check for defective electrical wiring and gas leaks as these pose potential fire hazards
* Have disaster supplies on hand – flashlights; portable battery-operated radio; first aid kit and essential medicines; emergency food and water; hand-operated can opener; cash and credit cards; sturdy shoes
* Develop and emergency communication plan – in case family members get separated, have a designated place to meet; ask an outof-state relative to be your family contact and make sure everyone has the phone number.
A little advance planning can help you and your family weather disasters of any kind more safely. And remember ... earthquake damage is generally not covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy, so make sure to include your local insurance agent in your planning.
Lower Education Expenses by Making Them Deductible
By Cecilia J. Tascon, CPA
Vicky Professional Services, Inc.
(562) 634-1178
Once of the biggest expenses most people will face during their lifetime is the cost of education, both for their children and for themselves. However, with a little creative planning, you can lower those education expenses with some help from the IRS.
Your children’s education
Buy a second home for your child to live in at college. Instead of paying housing expenses to a college or paying rent to a landlord, your child can live in your second home. If it is your only second residence, you can take several deductions.
• You can deduct the interest on the mortgage for your second home as long as the total of the mortgages on your primary residence and your primary residence and your second residence is not more than $1,000,000. You must use the mortgage proceeds to buy, build, or improve the home.
• You can di8duct the interest on a home equity loan as long as the total of the home equity loans on both of your residences do not exceed $100,000. And the home equity loan cannot exceed the home’s fair market value less the mortgage which was used to buy or improve the home.
Buy rental property for your child to live in at college
If your child pays you a fair market rent and you actively manage the property yourself, you can deduct your property taxes, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, utilities, and other expenses from your rental income. The maximum rental losses you may deduct is $25,000 if your Adjusted Gross income does not exceed $100,000. If your adjusted Gross Income is between $100,001 and 150,000, the $25,000 maximum deduction is phased out.
Your own continuing education
You can deduct the cost of non-reimbursed tuition, books, and supplies if your employer requires you to take courses as a condition of your employment, or if you take courses to maintain or improve your job skills. If you travel directly from work to school, you can also deduct transportation costs, including tolls and parking. However, education expenses must be included as miscellaneous itemized expenses on your personal income tax return and you
6 Righteous Things You Should Keep in Mind in 2013
B Y J OE L OPEZ
As I sit here during this wonderful holiday season I wonder what to expect in the New Year. I’ve got to make good on my decision to continue writing hoping to get published and applying what I have been teaching for the last ten years at one of the local high schools. So I have decided to share what my personal goals are for the upcoming twelve months, hopefully influencing some of the readers to adopt some of these resolutions as well.
1. Involve Myself in Community Service
can only deduct your total miscellaneous itemized expenses to the extent that they exceed 2% of your Adjusted Gross Income.
Student Loans
The maximum deductible amount of interest on education loans is $2,500. Deductibility is based on income. If your interest is greater than $2,500 or is limited, it may be better to take out a home equity loan because the interest is fully deductible. By using the proceeds from a home equity loan, you effectively convert your interest on education loans to fully deductible interest.
American opportunity tax credit
For 2012, an enhanced version of the Hope Scholarship tax credit, called the American opportunity tax credit, is available to taxpayers who paid tuition and other expenses for an eligible student during 2012. The amount of the credit is 100% of the tuition and related expenses paid by the taxpayer during the tax year for education furnished to the eligible student, during any academic period beginning in the tax year up to $2,-000 and 25% of the next $2,000 of the same expenses, for a maximum credit of $2,500.
Tuition, required enrollment fees, books and other required course materials generally qualify, and eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time.
The American opportunity tax credit is allowed for four tax years per student, and for the first four years of post-secondary education at an eligible educational institution. Even taxpayers who owe no tax can get a payment of the credit of up to $1,000 for each eligible student.
YEAR END TAX SAVERS
College Savings. Some states allow state income tax deductions for contributions to Section 529 college savings plans. If your state does, and you’re planning to send a child to college, consider making one. Individual retirement accounts. Convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA to obtain future tax free investment returns from the Roth IRA while escaping minimum annual distribution requirements. Added benefit: You can reconsider and reverse the conversion if you later decide it is not in your best interest or that you can make the conversion at a lower tax cost later if the value of your account had dropped – as late as October 15, 2013. You may reverse a conversion only once in a single year.
A Lions’ Club member, a more active member of the church, and helping with monthly beach clean-ups are a few of the ideas I hope crystalize in the coming year. Maybe I’m aging myself, but I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming more involved in community activities and it has been tugging at my sleeve like a five year old trying to get your attention when you’re in the midst of an interesting conversation, “...dad, dad, dad, dad, dad...”. If you have kids, you get the picture.
2. Continue Recycling
I’ve got a bag in my kitchen filled to the brim with plastic water bottles that may make it to the recycling center at Pavilions. If the glass bottles end up in the blue bin in the alley, it would be because of my wife Judy’s commitment to becoming more environmentally conscience. Being more cognizant of the eco-system is something I will challenge myself to do in the coming year.
3. Become More Critical about My Consumer Decisions
Where do you spend your hard earned money? Your Pension? Your 401K? These are questions I’ve begun asking myself regarding my spending habits; what companies are you sponsoring? What businesses are you promoting? Do they
appreciate your patronage? This is an issue I will address this year.
4. Sharpen My Social Versatility
E Pluribus Unum lost to In God
We Trust as our country’s official motto recently, although it behooves us (am I using this word correctly?) to consider taking a risk, step out of our comfort zones and try more than just our cultural counterpart’s food. Now, this is no call to affirmative action or such, only a nudge for me to look into the eyes of people without assuming too much. And I’ll be the first to have the need to read the book titled, “Stereotyping for Dummies 1.0.”
5.
Face Challenges with a Positive Outlook
It’s easy to get down and overpragmatic about everyday hurdles as well as long term goals. I find it imperative to my own success to maintain a heightened level of optimism about my personal potential and keep my expectations high personally and professionally; within reason. We are our best cheerleaders as well as our worst critics, thereby making the balance between the two a major factor in our self-perception and self-esteem, consequently influencing our degree of success. So taking my own advice will be a challenge I will confront with a healthy dose of optimism in 2013.
6.
Remind Myself that every day is a New Opportunity
There was a long period of time when my New Year’s Resolution was not to make any resolutions; the main reason was I didn’t want to fail. In retrospect, if any of my three kids had this attitude when learning to ride their bikes they’d still be riding tricycles.
The lesson here is that for the coming year I need to keep in mind that we are all faced with personal and professional hurdles and that I need to face them with my head high, nose to the grindstone, and my feet firmly set on the right path. Happy New Year, Paramount!
10 Tips for Creating and Managing Employee Morale
BY RIEVA LESONSKY
In today’s challenging economy, your employees have been doing more with less for quite a while. As a result, they may be starting to feel a bit burned out. How can you create and maintain good employee morale so your team will be happier, more loyal and more productive in their jobs? Try these 10 tips.
1. Be a positive person. As the business owner, you set the tone for the whole company. Even when you’re feeling stressed-out and grumpy, you need to project a smiling, positive attitude. Optimism is contagious; spread it around!
2. Communicate your company’s goals. Employees feel more motivated to work hard when they know the goal they’re working toward. If everyone is working long hours to land a big client or fulfill a rush order, make sure your team knows how accomplishing this goal will benefit the company and their jobs.
3. Listen. Many employees today are overloaded with work, but reluctant
to say anything about it. Ask employees what problems they’re facing and what they need to do their jobs better. You may not be able to fulfill every request, but there’s sure to be something you can do to help lighten the load.
4. Make work fun. Take a lesson from successful companies like Google and Facebook, where employees gladly work long hours because the office is a fun place to be. Think about what your employees would enjoy, whether potluck lunches, yoga breaks or bringing their pets to the office, and implement it.
5. Come together. Feeling part of a group builds employee morale and loyalty. Hold quick morning meetings where everyone shares challenges or successes; plan team events like happy hours or bowling after work; and walk around to talk to your employees regularly, no matter how busy you are.
6. Celebrate. Whether its employee birthdays, reaching a sales quota, the anniversary of your business or your
Members in the News
El Camino College Compton Center Student Uses Programs and Services as Springboard for Transfer Success
Shelby White is an English major at El Camino College Compton Center who plans to transfer to the University of Southern California this spring. During her time at ECC Compton Center, White has taken advantage of every opportunity to become involved in extracurricular activities and make herself a strong transfer candidate.
“Since high school, my dream has been to go to USC. In order to make my dream a reality, I participated in the Trojan Transfer Plan in order to keep me on track with my course of study,” said White.
White followed her mother’s recommendation and enrolled at ECC Compton Center in the summer of 2011 after not getting accepted to USC right out of high school. “As a former employee of the Compton Unified School District, my mom had worked alongside ECC Compton Center faculty and staff and knew that I would be in good hands,” said White.
Determined to transfer to USC, White decided to take a different approach to school at ECC Compton Center than she had as a student at Calvary Chapel Downey Christian School. White was reluctant to get involved in student activities in high school, but immersed herself in them at
1,000th customer, celebrate the good stuff in your business. Public recognition of both individual and team successes builds momentum to achieve even more.
7. Pay fair. Money is a big moralebooster. Make sure your pay scale is competitive with similar businesses in your industry and region. If you can’t afford to give employees raises, consider implementing pay-for-performance with bonuses or profit-sharing plans that are tied to the company’s financial performance.
8. Empower employees. Employees want to feel autonomous and be treated like adults. Set policies and limits, but within those limits, give your workers leeway to figure out how to handle problems or accomplish tasks in their own way.
9. Offer work perks. Working from home or working flexible hours are perks that employees value enormously. If their duties permit it, give employees this kind of flexibility at least one day a
week—and watch their mood improve. 10. Nip negativity in the bud. One bad apple can spoil the whole team’s morale. Be aware of what employees are talking about, and deal with rumor-mongers, gossips and complainers quickly so they don’t infect the rest of your staff.
Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Rieva Lesonsky also works with the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network. The SBDC is a group of successful small business owners helping fellow entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow their business through low-cost workshops and free one-on-one consulting in business planning, finance, marketing, and various other specialty areas (Spanish speaking consultants available). To make an appointment call: (562) 9385100, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.
ECC Compton Center. She has served as a student ambassador helping with ECC Compton Center’s Outreach Program; currently holds the office of Associated Student Body Commissioner of Financial Aid; and has also participated in the Northern California College Tour and First Year Experience program.
“ECC Compton Center’s First Year Experience program really enhanced my ability to transfer to USC in a year and a half by helping me to get the classes and tutoring I needed,” said White.
Passionate about reading and writing, White is a student who is as equally visible online as she is at school. She blogs about college life for www.blackisonline.com and plans to continue writing for the site while at USC.
White encourages other students to explore the many programs, services and workshops that ECC Compton Center provides. “All of the resources really work and are in place to help students succeed,” she said.
Once at USC, White plans to maximize her university experience by pursuing a double major in creative writing and film. “Looking ahead, I would like to work in film, but write on the side,” said White. “My ultimate dream is to write a novel and have it turned into a movie.”
Make A Difference ✩ Join A Service Club
Serving the community since 1946, the Paramount Lions have been actively participating in and providing donations to support local programs such as PEP (Paramount Education Partnership), Relay for Life, City of Hope, youth sports, food banks, and eye care for families in need.
Come join our dedicated members as we build friendships and partnerships with a common goal of giving back to the community.
Join us for lunch: Thursdays --12:30-1:30 Casa Gamino Restaurant
8330 Alondra Blvd.
Google us: Paramount Lions Club Call us: 562.716.5859
ELKS LODGE 1804
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
Meetings every Monday night 730pm
HALL FOR RENT
Weddings * Quinceaneras * Birthdays Max 250 people
8108 E. Alondra Blvd • 562 633-1804 www.paramountelks.org
Paramount Rotary Club has served the Community since 1954
The Rotary Club is an organization of local business and professional people who supply humanitarian assistance to primarily local residents. Among its many services, the Club’s members personally provide:
• college/technical school scholarships to graduating Paramount students, • clothing to qualified Paramount children, • holiday season food and gift support to qualified Paramount families and, • books and educational materials to Guatemalan students, reconstructive cleft palate and clubfoot surgery to Mexican children.
The Club raises 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 Berg at 562-630-1200 ext. 219 or Secretary Duane Mahan at 562-634-0234. Please visit our website at ClubRunner.ca/Paramount . We hope to see you soon!
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VILLA DENTAL
Hung Dang D.D.S. Ramona Sabbaghian D.D.S.
Our doctors are top graduates of Loma Linda University and USC with over 16 years of experience. We are a family oriented practice with doctors and staff who are passionate about dentistry. We look forward to providing you with great services from your very first visit.
