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

Happy New Year from the Paramount Chamber of Commerce!

Paramount Women’s Club Toy Drive brings joy to kids

earing festive “We Are Paramount” T-shirts (and, of course, protective face masks) members of the Paramount Women’s Club held their first—and very successful—Holiday Toy Drive at the Paramount Chamber of Commerce building in December. More than 200 children received free toys. Club spokesperson Elisa Trasoras offered special thanks to the City of Paramount and the Chamber of Commerce staff for supporting the event and sent “shout outs to Mayor Peggy Lemons, David Johnson of Parks and Recreation and retired City Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.” She especially thanked all those who made so many children happy by donating toys.

Founded in 1928, Paramount Women’s Club has organized many charitable events for the community. For more information about this nonprofit organization, please call 562-861-0408.

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 Local restaurants serving you during the pandemic............................................................................................................................4 Public Safety: Money transfer app fraud...................................................................................................................................................5 PEP Talk: College scholarship applications.............................................................................................................................................5 Chamber Member-to-Member Discounts................................................................................................................................................6 Business Card Directory...................................................................................................................................................................................7 State of the City: Save the Date....................................................................................................................................................................8 Business Corner: Revise your vision and mission for 2021...............................................................................................................9 CityScape: Clutter-free Paramount event..............................................................................................................................................11

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

Vicky Professional Services, Inc. Accounting & Taxes | Fully Licensed & Bonded Tax Professionals

31 YEARS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1990 Cecilia J. Tascon Certified Public Accountant

Vicky Uisprapassorn EP, ATP, ATA, Enrolled Agent

• Dependable • Accurate • Courteous

Leave all the paperwork to us. We provide personalized services you can count on. Se Habla Español.

ACCOUNTING & INCOME TAX

VickyProfessionalServices.com

• Full accounting and tax services. • Tax returns prepared for individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations. • Comprehensive financial statements prepared. • Full payroll services. • W2 and 1099 forms prepared. • Full preparation and assistance with tax audits. • Notary Public services.

562-634-1178

15975 Paramount Blvd., Suite A, Paramount

Dr. Rumi Lakha, D.O.

8534 Rosecrans Ave., Paramount, CA 90723 Free, if qualified

(562) 602-8877

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com From the

Mayor’s Desk

M AY O R P E G G Y L E M O N S

HAPPY NEW YEAR, PARAMOUNT!

n behalf of my fellow City Council members and our City staff, I want to wish everyone a happy 2021. Simply put, I know everyone is looking forward to a better year than this past one. Paramount is a special place. As we enter the new year, I know we will continue to support each other and focus on the positive side of things. Always remember, WeAreParamount!

Free money for residential renters & small businesses

The City has thousands of dollars available for Paramount residential renters and small business owners who need financial help due to COVID-19. Emergency Rental Assistance Grants are for renters who have lost income because of COVID-19. One-time grants of up to $1,000 per month for two consecutive months can help with rent or utility payments. They do not need to be paid back. To qualify, you must meet certain income limits. Emergency Small Business Assistance Relief Grants are for eligible Paramount microenterprises or small businesses that have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Grants are available for up to $10,000 and do not need to be paid back. Visit paramountcity.com/community/cdbg or call (562) 220-2036 for more details and to get an application. These grants are funded by the Federal government’s CARES Act.

January 2021

Clean out at annual Clutter-free Paramount event This month the City will hold its next free community-wide cleanup event. Clutter-Free, Paramount will be on Saturday, January 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Paramount Park. Clear out your post-holiday clutter and other items. Bring the following things for free disposal: large bulky items, e-waste, green waste, documents for shredding, and old tires. (Maximum three medium-size, 15” x 12” boxes of documents per residence and no tires from businesses or oversized tires such as tractor tires.) Please do not bring paint, hazardous waste, light bulbs, liquids or auto parts. No tree stumps, logs, lumber, palm fronds, cactus, yucca plants, ice plants, ivy or anything in plastic bags. Also, no construction and demolition materials. This event is for Paramount residents only. You must present a valid ID with a Paramount address. Due to its popularity, be prepared for wait times. Because of COVID-19, you must unload your vehicle and wear masks at all times. We appreciate your cooperation. Special thanks to CalMet Services, the City’s refuse hauler, for providing containers, drop-off/pickup, and disposal at no cost. Paramount Park is located at 14400 Paramount Blvd. For more information, please call 562-220-2002 and see CityScape on page 14.

Recycle your Christmas tree A reminder that Paramount residents can place their Christmas trees at curbside for pickup so the trees can be recycled into mulch. CalMet will pick up trees at no charge through January 15 for single-family residential accounts. 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 a.m. Flocked trees will also be picked up. After January 15, your tree can still be taken away by scheduling a bulky item pickup by calling 562-259-1239, extension 244, on the day before your normal trash pickup. For apartments or condominiums, trees on the curb by 6 a.m. will be taken away for free on regular pickup days. If it’s necessary to drive onto the property, there will be a $5 charge per tree and it must be ordered 24 hours before the regular pickup day by the manager or owner who must have the account number for verification.

World Energy Paramount PIONEERING THE TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE FUELS

Generating green jobs in the heart of Paramount Investing in our community

Take down your holiday lights

Providing California & the world simple clean energy solutions

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 defined 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 in response to concerns voiced by residents about keeping our neighborhoods attractive. The City appreciates everyone’s cooperation.

A proud member of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce

Keep up to date with the City’s e-newsletter

First sustainable aviation fuel facility in the U.S.

14700 Downey Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723 (562) 531-2060 | worldenergy.net

Get the latest Paramount news delivered directly to your email inbox by joining the subscriber’s list for our e-newsletter. Receive important updates on events, programs, and services, in addition to regional and statewide stories that affect Paramount residents and businesses. Go to paramountcity.com and find a story in the news list that has a link where you can sign up.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

LOCAL RE STAUR ANTS Still serving you during the pandemic. . .

Aji Verde Peruvian Restaurant • 310-554-4493 • Takeout, DoorDash, Postmates Alondra’s Restaurant • 562-531-4200 • Takeout, local delivery Antojitos Mexican Restaurant • 562-712-5992 • Takeout, DoorDash, Postmates Café Arte (Cerritos) • 562-866-2824 • DoorDash, GrubHub, Seamless Café Corleone Italian • 562-408-6100 • Takeout, local delivery, DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats Casa Adelita Mexican Restaurant • 562-408-2360 • Drive-thru, takeout, DoorDash, UberEats Casa Gamino Mexican Restaurant • 562-634-6225 • Takeout, DoorDash, Postmates Delfin Seafood Market & Restaurant • 562-630-1928 • Takeout Domino’s Pizza • 562-408-1531 • Takeout, local delivery Doublz • 562-531-0222 • Drive-thru, takeout, DoorDash, Postmates El Compa Mexican Restaurant • 562-630-1068 • Takeout El Peri Sushi • 562-408-0459 • Takeout, DoorDash El Sinaloense Restaurant • 562-297-4461 • Takeout, DoorDash, UberEats Fu Plus Chinese Kitchen • 562-297-4461 • Takeout, Local delivery, GrubHub, Postmates Gus’s Deli, BBQ, Grill & Meat Market • 562-630-2802 • Takeout Horchateria Rio Luna • 562-663-9043 • Takeout, DoorDash IHOP • 310-933-8513 • Takeout, DoorDash, Postmates, UberEats La Espiga • 562-349-4521 • Takeout, Local delivery Mariscos Alas Restaurant • 562-633-1348 • Takeout, GrubHub Mariscos El Perihuete • 562-408-1661 • Takeout, DoorDash Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa • 562-5531-4282 • Takeout McDonald’s • 562-630-1444 • Drive-thru, takeout, DoorDash, Postmates, UberEats Rosewood Family Restaurant • 562-925-6120 • Takeout Parrain’s Soul Food • 562-634-6050 • Takeout, GrubHub, Postmates, UberEats Shakey’s Pizza Parlor • 562-630-6090 • Takeout, local delivery Stinkin Crawfish • 562-297-4018 • Takeout Subway • 562-531-4947 • Takeout, DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates, UberEats Tam’s Burgers #22 • 562-630-8267 • Drive-thru The Hummus Factory (Downey) • 562-322-2300 • Takeout, DoorDash, GrubHub, Seamless Tropical Paradise • 562-531-1846 • Takeout

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

Public Safety

City of Paramount • Paramount USD • Paramount Chamber of Commerce

Paramount Education Partnership

P E P TA L K

Beware of fraud with money transfer apps

obile money transfer apps like Venmo or Zelle are growing in usage as a contact-free alternative. But when a scammer is involved, those apps can leave you vulnerable to fraud. Here are some tips to protect you and your money: • Do not buy from or sell anything to strangers with mobile payment apps. They are intended for use between known and trusted individuals. • If you receive money from someone you don’t know, don’t accept it. Contact the app’s customer service team since it may be an attempt to scam you. • Do not use mobile apps to join a pyramid, cash wheel, money circle, or other “get-rich-quick” swindle. • Remember to check your bank statements frequently and report any suspicious activity to your bank.

Here are ways to prevent identity theft

College scholarship applications available for Paramount students

hanks to the generosity of local businesses, nearly $1.3 million have been awarded to Paramount students through the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) college scholarships. A total of 420 scholarships have been given out since the program began. Applications for 2021 are now available. Finished applications need to be turned into Paramount City Hall (16400 Colorado Ave., Paramount, CA 90723) by 5 p.m. on February 12. PEP scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to students attending a community college and $3,000 to students attending an accredited four-year state university within the United States, including vocational, trade and technical schools. This jumps to $4,000 if the student is attending a University of California campus or a private, four-year university in the U.S. These scholarship funds may only be used to pay tuition, fees, books, and supplies for the 2020-2021 school year. Here are requirements for applying for scholarships: • Applicant must be a City of Paramount resident or Paramount Unified School District student. • Applicant must have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate at the time awarded. • Applicant must possess a total weighted GPA of at least 2.0 (students who have a lower GPA are encouraged to apply for the Community College Scholarship if they can demonstrate academic improvement for two consecutive years). • If selected, the applicant must will be required to submit proof of college enrollment. • Include a full copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR). • Scholarships are intended for students working on an initial Associate of Arts degree or an initial Bachelor’s degree. Copies of the application can be downloaded on the City of Paramount’s website at paramountcity.com/community/pep. For more information, or questions, please call 562-220-2121.

• Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, expired credit cards and anything else with your personal or financial information. (See below about the free, upcoming shredding event.) • Secure your Social Security number (SSN). Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks. Only give out your SSN when absolutely necessary. • Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birthdate, SSN or bank account number) by phone, mail or online. • Collect mail promptly. Place a hold on your mail when you are away from home for several days. • Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender. • Enable security features on mobile devices, especially if you have contacts, banking websites and applications saved. • Update sharing and firewall settings when you’re on a public wi-fi network. Consider using a virtual private network, which can give you the privacy of a secured private network. • Promptly review your credit card and bank account statements and compare your receipts with transactions shown to spot any unauthorized transactions. • Store personal information in a safe place at home and at work. • Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer. • Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess easily. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases. • Review your credit report once a year to be certain that it doesn’t include accounts that you have not opened. You can order it for free from annualcreditreport.com. • 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. Thieves breaking into vehicles are often looking for these types of documents. Keep them at home in a safe location.

City’s annual document-shredding event

The City of Paramount will hold its annual free Clutter-free Paramount community-wide cleanup event on Saturday, January 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paramount Park, 14400 Paramount Blvd.

Among the things you can dispose of will be sensitive documents for shredding like the ones mentioned above. You can bring a maximum of three medium-size boxes (15” x 12”) per residence. For more details, see this month’s “From the Mayor’s Desk” on page 3 and CityScape on page 14. You may also call 562-220-2002.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 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! The R.M. Cool Company (562-630-6000): Ask about preferred pricing for Chamber members.

Attorney & Legal Services

Funeral Services

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

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

Automotive

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

Herald’s Garage (562-633-2136): 15% discount on labor and a free engine light reset. Beauty Family Cutz (562-408-2733): $3 off regular haircut, 10% off color service. 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.

Restaurants

Hotels & Motels

Café Corleone (562-408-6100): 10% discount on all food purchases.

Insurance

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

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

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

Medical

Delfin Seafood & Market (562-630-1928): 10% off any order.

Clínica Médica Hispana (562-630-1991): 25% discount. Lakha Medical Clinic (562-602-8877): Alena Skin Care–Free consultation. Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center (562-865-9600)–10% off any laser or cosmetic surgery procedure. Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center (562-865-9600): 10% off any laser or cosmetic surgery procedure. Plumbing & Heating

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

Jones Scaffold Co. (800-266-3864): 10% off net rental of scaffold equipment.

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

Data Base Services

Production (Events)

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

YSL Production (323-490-6315): 20% any event services: Sound, lighting, stage, LED video, wall & truss equipment.

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

Printers

The Hummus Factory, Downey (562-622-2300): 20% off any order.

NEXTSTEP (877-305-6932): Free needs analysis and special Chamber member discount rate. Dental Paramount Dental Care (800-266-3864): Free whitening. Free exam. Free cancer screening. 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. Case de las Flores (562-469-8776): 25% off any arrangement.

Source Graphics, Inc. (562-408-2734): 10% discount on all printing. Real Estate

El Sinaloense Restaurant (562-363-3011): 10% off on food purchases.

Century 21 Allstars–Mark Sourial (562-745-8171): Free market evaluation of your property.

Wellness & Health

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.

Spiritual Quest (877/535-2267): 50% off salt lamps only. Wholesalers & Distributors

Penta Pacific Properties (562-699-1922): Free market value opinions on commercial and industrial properties.

Rayvern Lighting Supply, Inc. (562-634-7020): 5% off fixtures and ballast orders (commercial distributor of lighting and fixtures).

Real Estate Homes & Investments (562-200-1164): 20% discount. Ask about preferred pricing for Chamber members.

If you’d like to add your business to this list, please call the Chamber for information: 562-634-3980.

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.

PULSE BEAT A monthly publication of the

Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, CA 90273 562-634-3980 • paramountchamber.com

Executive Director: Barbara Crowson Executive Assistant: Dora Sanchez Distributed and read by more than 20,000 residents and business owners in Paramount. Layout & design: Danmark Associates Printing: Reed Printing Delivery: Great Western Distributors Copyright2020 2021by byParamount ParamountChamber ChamberofofCommerce. Commerce.All Allrights rightsreserved. reserved.Reproduction Reproductionininwhole wholeororininpart partwithout withoutpermission permissionisisprohibited. prohibited.Pulse Pulse Beat Paramount Copyright Beat andand Paramount Chamber that may bebe advertised. ChamberofofCommerce Commerceare arenot notresponsible responsibleororliable liableforforany anyclaims claimsororofferings offeringsmade madeherein hereinororresponsible responsibleforforproduct productavailability availability that may advertised.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

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

January 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

CA Lic. #731172

City directory - Proof Form Paramount Chamber of Commerce City directory - Proof Form Paramount Chamber of Commerce

Joseph Keays Vice President

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

FENICO

WARD PROPERTIES

Cell: 714-932-9656

562-634-5000 • 800-634-5000

Fax: 562-691-9113

fenicocastings.com • stran@fenicoinc.com

Rose C. Towe

skotob@farmersagent.com • 562-691-9100

7805 Madison St., Paramount, CA 90723-4220

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

PRECISION CASTINGS

CA License 0L68077

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

16311 Garfield Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

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

Madame 57 Years In57Business Years In Business

Pompador

13516 13516Paramount ParamountBlvd. Blvd.

We Llve Animals We Llve Animals

Dog CatCatGrooming • Dog&and Grooming •

(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)

All Breeds and SizesPick-Up and Trusted Local Delivery janitorial services (562) 408-6145 All Breeds and Sizes All Breeds & Sizes (562) 408-6145 (562) 408-6145 for nearly 60 years www.madamepompador.com

• Complete janitorial services • Post-construction cleanup • Safe, effective disinfecting services

Join a service organization!

CLEANTIME

Building Maintenance Co.

Paramount American Legion

Serving the community since 1946, the Paramount Lions have been actively participating in and providing donations to sup3450 E. Spring St., Ste.101 • Long Beach, CA 90806 port local programs such as PEP (Paramount Education Partnership), Relay for Life, City of cleantimejanitorialservices.com Post #134 Hope, youthcarefully, sports, food banks, eye fax care to 562-634-0891 Please check off the below listed items signandand for families in need. O Serving our veterans since 1923 O

562-421-2010

Please check off the below listed items carefully, sign and fax to 562-634-0891 ❏ Company Name ❏ Phone ❏ Approved Business meeting every ❏ second Tuesday our dedicated A special note about service Company Name Come ❏ join Phone ❏ members Approved of the month at 6 p.m. ❏ Approved with Changes and ❏ Logo ❏as Faxwe build friendships organization lunch programs ❏ Approved with Changes Logo ❏ Fax ❏ aSecond Proof Required partnerships with common goal with Changes H A P P Y N❏ EW YEAR! ❏ Second Proof Required with Changes and other public activities of❏giving the community. ❏ Address Spelling back toSignature Required __________________________ ❏ Address ❏ Spelling Signature Required __________________________ egularly scheduled service club JoinLiSted us for lunch: & 4th Thursdays By CheCkiNg the ABove itemS, 2nd heLPS uS to eNSuRe No eRRoRS ARe mAde. By CheCkiNg the ABove LiSted heLPS uS to eNSuRe No eRRoRSand AReother mAde. luncheons organizational 12:30itemS, -1:30 p.m. 7550 Somerset Blvd., Paramount, CA “Canteena” open daily at 1 p.m. Hall for rent—call for a quote at:

562 -788 -7352

Clearwater Building 16401 Paramount Blvd. Paramount Lions Club LionsParamount@gmail.com

activities (especially those conducted indoors) are contingent upon current Los Angeles County restrictions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please consult organizations for updates.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

Please save the date: February 10, 2021

State

o f the

City

Our annual State of the City address will take place on February 10, 2021. The event will feature speakers from the City of Paramount, the Paramount Chamber of Commerce and the Paramount Unified School District. Details will be posted at paramountchamber.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Membership RENEWALS We’re very grateful that the businesses below have renewed their Paramount Chamber of Commerce memberships, making our valuable services possible.

Water Replenishment District....................................13 years 4040 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712

State Farm - David Maciel...........................................12 years Entrepreneur Recruiter and Agency Field Leader

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.

United Steel Workers IUPIW-USW Local 1945.................8 years

FULL-TIME SEAMSTRESS—5-Star Interior Services, Inc., needs a full-time seamstress with drapery-making experience. Contact Leroy at 818-845-4518.

Farmers & Merchants Bank.........................................6 years

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.

8131 E. Rosecrans Ave., Paramount, CA 90723 9001 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA 90241

Tax Solution Center.....................................................3 years 8402 Florence Ave., Suite A, Paramount, CA 90723

California Testing & Inspections.................................3 years 15957 Vermont Ave., Paramount, CA 90723

5-Star Interior Services...............................................2 years 6840 Walthall Way., Paramount, CA 90723

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

ARIS Insurance Services...............................................1 year

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

1212 Pacific Coast Highway, Harbor City, CA 90710

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

BUSINESS CORNER

Refining your vision and mission for 2021

By Brad Pollak, Director, Long Beach Small Business Development Center (www.longbeachsbdc.org; bpollak@lbcc.edu)

s we begin the new year and continue our journey through this pandemic, there are some important business fundamentals that should remain at the forefront of our thinking. In particular, we should be clear about our Vision and Mission, and we should be equally clear about the overall financial health of our business. If you are uncomfortable with numbers or the concept of profit & loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements, you are not alone. Your strengths might rest more on the creative side, or as a manager, or in operations – rather than in finance, but if you want your business to survive and grow, you need to allow yourself to be taught by others how to understand your financials. The good news is you can find help – AT NO COST -- by seeking advice from your local SBDC (Small Business Development Center), Women’s Business Centers, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), and more. Or, of course, you can (and should) seek the counsel of your very own bookkeeper and CPA. And then there is the critical importance of your Vision and your Mission. While so many of us have been pounded by the pandemic, it’s entirely possible we’ve lost sight of the direction we are taking, and as we start this new year, we need to re-group and be as clear as possible about where we are headed. This will make it easier for customers to find us and benefit from what we offer. YOUR VISION FOR YOUR BUSINESS—As a business owner, think of your vision as being the reflection of your beliefs and expectations. It represents the fundamental building blocks of your business and allows you to have a better understanding of how to move forward. To define your vision, ask yourself these four questions: • Who are we? [A restaurant, or a manufacturer, or a consultant, etc.] • Why are we doing what we do? [Why did we start the business?] • What problems are we solving for our customers? • What kind of place do we want this to be? [What do we want it to be like to work here, and how do we want our customers to view us?] YOUR MISSION—And while your Vision essentially represents your principles and is the foundation of your business, your Mission dives more deeply into the weeds. It provides specifics about the products or services you offer, and about the customers you serve. To define your Mission, ask yourself these three questions: • Who do we serve? [Can we articulate clearly who we are targeting—and why?] • What products or services do we offer? [Can we adequately describe our products/services to customers truly understand what we offer?] • How do people benefit from our products or services? [Do we make it clear to our customers and potential customers how their lives are improved by using our products/services?] SAMPLE VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT—Using the example of a music school in Long Beach (On Stage Music Academy), the following is a sample vision and mission statement that describes what the music school does, who they teach, why they do what they do and how their clients (students) benefit from attending the school: We are a pop and rock music school offering individual and group lessons to

children and adults. Our principle focus is to teach our students how to love playing their instruments, and to be able to perform live, on stage, in front of an audience. With this Vision and Mission in hand, the music school can use the statement in all aspects of their marketing efforts, including on their website, with any type of marketing collateral, when they’re networking in person and are asked, “What do you do?” – and more. BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT PRODUCTS & SERVICES YOU OFFER— Please don’t ever take it for granted that your existing and prospective customers know what you do. And if you have pivoted during COVID-19 and are offering different types of products or services, it’s more important than ever that you make it clear what you do. Your customers need to fully understand the new direction(s) you are taking with your business. By taking the time to articulate your Vision and Mission, you will be successful in marketing the great products and services that you offer. I wish you all the best in 2021. Be well and be safe.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

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Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 2021

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

January 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.

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

@WICSouthLosAngeles • wicforyou.org