Pulse Beat July 2012 by City of Paramount

PULSE BEAT PULSE

Paramount Chamber of Commerce Installs New Ofﬁcers and Directors

The Paramount Chamber recently held its annual Installation & Awards luncheon which was sponsored by Weber Metals and attended by more than a hundred businesses.

According to Chamber President Leonard Crespo, “The luncheon gives the Chamber an opportunity to recognize all the people who make it possible for Paramount to have a Chamber of Commerce.” The awards ceremony included presentations to businesses who sponsor Chamber events and too individuals in various categories.

Kevin Lindsay who received the President’s Award was recognized for the number of years Lindsay Lumber has been in business, and for the commitment his company has shown to serving the community.

Chris Stamm received the Mayor’s Award for his innovation in changing the nutritional value of lunches served at Paramount Uniﬁed Schools.

Kimberly Gonzalez was given the Award of Excellence for her strong entrepreneurial skills and commitment to excellence in the operation of her business, Kimberly’s Dance Studio.

Emmanuel Reformed Church was given a Special Recognition Award

for helping the Chamber with their Welcome to Paramount program. The Chamber assembles welcome packets for new residents and businesses which the church hand delivers each month.

Annina Tomjack an employee of Paramount Petroleum received the Ambassador of the Year Award for her dedicated service to the Chamber.

The event also recognized Chamber Directors, Board Liaisons, and Ambassadors for their year long service to the Chamber, and included the installation of new ofﬁcers and directors for the coming year; President- Leonard Crespo (Total-Western, Inc.) Senior Vice President- Brenda Olmos (AppleCare Medical Group), Vice President- Jon Tanklage (Marukan Vinegar), Treasurer- Paul Dennis (Weber Metals), Past President- Dr. Max Martinez (Dentist), DirectorsBill Winters (Paramount Petroleum) Ben Berg (Transcom Telecommunications) Leigh Clausen (Gateway Business Bank) Dr. Tom Hansen (Chiropractor) Garo Kazarian (Alondra Hot Wings & Taco Luv) Darren Kurkowski (Bianchi Theatres & Paramount Swap Meet) Kevin Lindsay (Lindsay Lumber) Manuel Granillo (Bodycote) and Gary Johnson (Ace Clearwater Enterprises).

Manager Linda

Ambassador

Paramount Chamber of Commerce Directors receive team jerseys at the Chamber Installation & Awards Luncheon. From left; Bill Winters, Leonard Crespo, Paul Dennis, Dr. Max Martinez, Brenda Olmos, Ben Berg, Leigh Clausen, Dr. Tom Hansen, Garo Kazarian, Darren Kurkowski, Kevin Lindsay, and Jon Tanklage.

Paramount Chamber Board Liaisons show their team jerseys. From left City

Benedetti-Leal,

Chair Laura Warth, and Paramount Uniﬁed Superintendent Dr. David Verdugo. Chamber Ambassadors receive recognition at Installation. From left Incoming Ambassador Chair Tim Hickok, Outgoing Chair Laura Warth, Secretary Karen Sonnenberg, Annina Tomjack, and Christopher Hicks.

Summer Program Offers Paramount Kids Free Meals and Activities

The Paramount Unified School District and the City of Paramount’s Parks and Recreation Department are providing a food service and recreation program called Summer Fun Café. The program is for children 18 and younger and is being held at all elementary and middle schools in the District (except for Jackson). The fun began June 18 and concludes August 17. No registration is necessary.

Stop by Monday through Friday any time from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Summer Fun Café includes free breakfast from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., free recreation from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and free lunch from 12:00 p.m.1:00 p.m. for all participating children. Spend the long summer break at the Café and enjoy the outdoor sports and games along with arts and crafts, all, again, at no cost to the children or their families.

For more information, please call (562) 220-2121 or (562) 602-6031.

Second Chance For Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations

The City will have its second “Vaccine-A-Thon” for dogs and cats this summer at Paramount Park, 14410 Paramount Blvd., on Wednesday, July 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Rabies vaccinations (required for all dogs under California law) will be priced at $5 each (plus a $2 medical waste disposal fee). This is a $10-$15 savings over traditional prices. A complete selection of other pet vaccinations will be available at discounted prices, with special combination “packs” to allow pet owners even greater savings when they purchase multiple vaccinations. You can also get general health exams and services for discounted prices.

Popular ﬂea control products Comfortis, Advantage and Frontline may be purchased at special prices. You can also have a microchip registration done for identiﬁcation purposes (if your pet is ever lost) for only $45. Plus, there will be nail trimming available for $12-$14.

Pet licensing can be done on site, and free educational materials and general health care tips for dogs and cats will be distributed. Checks and cash only will be accepted for licensing. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted for the veterinarian services.

Please remember – dogs must be on

Kimberly’s Dance Studio Grand Opening

Kimberly Gonzalez celebrated the grand opening of her new and improved dance studio with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by her family as well as ofﬁcials from the City and Paramount Chamber. This is Kimberlyʼs third ribbon cutting ceremony each one held at a bigger and better location to accommodate her growing business. Kimberlyʼs new dance studio can be found at 15950 Paramount Blvd. in Paramount. For more information contact the dance studio at (562) 630-0570.

leashes and cats must be in carriers.

All services are provided by licensed veterinarians from Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. in conjunction with South East Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA). For more information, please call (562) 220-2018.

SEAACA Chihuahua Adoption Special

Speaking of pets, the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), which provides animal care and control services for Paramount, will be hosting its “Ay, Chihuahua: Beat the Heat” adoption event on Saturday, July 28. Chihuahuas of all ages can be adopted for $50. A companion Chihuahua can go home with no additional adoption fees. It will be held at the SEAACA Animal Care Center, 9777 Seaaca Street in Downey.

As with all dog and cat adoptions at SEAACA, the Chihuahuas will be spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, receive initial vaccines and have 30 days of follow-up vet care from SEAACA’s vet department for any preexisting health concerns.

Temperatures are expected to hit triple digits this summer in Southern California. SEAACA is emphasizing that pet owners take extra cautions in the heat. Pets will need extra water and adequate shelter. Ensure that your pet has a safe cool place to retreat to during the warm summer months. No animal should ever be left in an unattended motor vehicle. If the animal cannot be tended to while in a vehicle it should

be left in its comfortable environment at home.

For more information, please call SEAACA at (562) 803-3301.

Recycling Used Motor Oil

Summertime is peak season for people to change their own oil in their vehicles. If you change the motor oil in your vehicle yourself, you can’t throw it in the trash or down the drain. It must be recycled. But there are two easy ways to do that in Paramount.

You can take used oil and used ﬁlters to O’Reilly Auto Parts at 15725 Downey Ave., phone (562) 272-1433. It is recommended that you call before bringing the stuff in. Anyone who brings in their used motor oil for recycling here will receive a do-it-yourself package that includes a used oil collection container, a funnel and a shop towel, courtesy of the City.

You can also arrange for them to be picked up free at home by calling Curbside Inc. at 1-800-449-7587 or going online at www.curbsideinc.com.

A few details to keep in mind: do not mix oil with bleach, paint, solvents or automotive ﬂuids; contaminated oil will not be accepted; carry oil in clean, non-breakable, non-metal containers; maximum container size accepted is ﬁve gallons; maximum drop-off amount per day is 20 gallons. You can get a CALRECYCLE container for the oil from O’Reilly.

For more information on recycling used oil or for other drop off locations, please call 1-888-CLEAN-LA.

Chamber President Leonard Crespo congratulates Kimberly on her success and presents a certiﬁcate of recognition from the Chamber.

Mayor, Peggy Lemons

Chamber Happenings

CPR Training Reminder

The Greater Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross will be offering CPR training this summer in Paramount at Progress Park Plaza. Space is limited, so participants need to register as soon as possible.

Adult/CPR/AED + Child and Infant CPR; Standard First Aid is a 5-1/2-hour program that will help participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and ﬁrst aid emergencies. The courses in this program teach skills that participants need to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. Participants who successfully complete each training component will be issued a certiﬁcate valid for two years.

This program will be offered on Saturday, August 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Progress Park Plaza. Registration is open at Paramount Sheriff’s Station through August 3. A $115 fee must be made at the time of registration. For more information, please call (562) 220-2002.

Stay Alert While Walking

There has been a jump in chain-snatching street robberies in the region. Robbers, on foot or bicycles, approach people from behind and grab their jewelry chains, as well as cell phones, music players or purses.

It’s important for any pedestrian to stay alert to their surroundings to guard against this crime.

Everyone is encouraged to practice the following safety tips:

• If you wear necklaces during everyday activities, keep them concealed under clothing, especially those with medallions, charms or nameplates.

2012 I NSTALLATION & A WARDS L UNCHEON

Elite Restoration Grand Opening

City and Chamber.

Chamber President Leonard Crespo presents owner Danny Frechette with a certiﬁcate of congratulations from the Paramount Chamber. For more information about Elite Restoration services call (310) 890-9056.

PROTECT YOU, YOUR HOME, AND YOUR

BUSINESS

If someone is injured while working on your home, business, or property, you can be liable for the injury/death, medical bills, disability, and loss of wages. Every contractor, painter, plumber, landscaper, gardener, etc. must have workers’ compensation insurance if he/she has an employee(s). The insurance covers any employee’s work-related injury. If an employee is injured, the workers’ compensation insurance company is liable, not you.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO EVERY TIME BEFORE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WORK ON YOUR PROPERTY/HOME

Before you agree to any work you should:

1. Make sure the contractor is licensed.

• Obtain the contractor’s license number; and

• Check with the Contractors State License Board [“CSLB”] to verify the license is valid and current. The website listed below contains license status information.

2. Check for workers’ compensation insurance if the contractor, painter, plumber, landscaper, gardener, etc. has an employee(s) or subcontractor who will do any of the work.

• Ask for the workers’ compensation insurance company’s name and the policy number.

• If the contractor claims he is “exempt” from having workers’ compensation insurance because he/she is using a subcontractor, obtain the subcontractor’s workers’ compensation insurance company’s name and the policy number.

3. Verify the insurance information is accurate:

• The website listed below also contains insurance information for contractors. After locating the correct contractor on the website, click on his/her license number. Workers’ compensation insurance information will appear at the bottom of the page. Click on “Workers’ Compensation History,” and it will provide the status of the contractor’s workers’ compensation policy.

• Non-contractors are not listed on the CSLB website. For non-contractors, obtain a copy of the business’ workers’ compensation insurance certiﬁcate. Contact the insurer and verify that the business has valid insurance.

CSLB LICENSE AND INSURANCE CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (800) 321-CSLB

Website Address: https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/checklicense.aspx

Special Thanks to Scholarship Selection Committee

The Paramount Education Partnership, Inc. (PEP) will announce the recipients of its 9th annual college scholarships later this month.

A dedicated committee of local volunteers has been diligently going through the 97 applications submitted to PEP this year. Applicants are graded in a number of categories, including academic achievement, an essay, academic recommendations, extracurricular activities and, most importantly, ﬁnancial need. Due to the generosity of the local business community at the an-

Pizza For PEP

nual fundraiser in April, scholarships will be given to 24 Paramount students this year.

Given the number of worthy applicants, the PEP Scholarship Committee has a difficult time selecting the final honorees. Profound thanks go out to the members of that Committee and all their hard work:

• Paula Coony of Paramount Iceland/ Zamboni Merchandising Co.

• Paramount resident Mandy Stevens.

• Flo Haynes of Weber Metals.

• Lourdes Talamantes, School Counselor with Paramount Uniﬁed.

The top classrooms in the PUSD that donated the most money in this yearʼs Pennies for PEP scholarship fundraiser were honored by City and District ofﬁcials with a pizza party for the generosity. At left, Ms. Garciaʼs 1st grade class at Roosevelt ($219.62) and, at right, Mr. Van de Veldeʼs middle school class at Hollydale ($290.34). Special thanks to all the thoughtful kids who gave their spare change to a good cause.

C ITY C OUNCIL

Gates Scholarships

At its June 5 meeting, the Paramount City Council was joined by representatives from the Paramount Uniﬁed School District to congratulate three Paramount High students who were awarded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Millennium Scholarships this year. The recipients will have their tuition, books and living expenses paid for completely at any school of their choice, all the way through graduate school. From left: Board of Education President Linda Garcia, Board Vice President Vivian Hansen, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Gates Scholar Jesus Villegas, Gates Scholar Paola Ruiz, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Gates Scholar Maria Jimenez-Aguilar and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.

Paramount Pride Winners

A number of the winners of the annual Paramount Pride beautiful home program were in attendance at the June 5 meeting. From left, back row: Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Tom Hansen and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer. From left, front row: Ivonne Rivera, Jennie Hutchinson, Lizeth Serrano and Jose Salgado.

Council Recognizes Gomez

The Council recognized Community Service Ofﬁcer Angelica Gomez for her role in the arrest of the suspects in a “chain snatching” incident in town. From left: Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, CSO Gomez, Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer and Councilmember Tom Hansen.

Pathway’s Teen Volunteer Program

Pathways Volunteer Hospice is coordinating a ‘Teen Volunteer’ program at Lakewood Regional Medical Center. If you are 16 years old or older and enjoy being around people, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. If you are interested, please call our ofﬁce at 562-531-3031. All applicants must be interviewed prior to being accepted into program.

Since 1970 when the first Casa Gamiño was opened, founder Cipriano Gamiño strived to

and

President of Paramount Tepic Sister Cities Association Honored

Ana Flores from the City of Paramount has been chosen as an honoree for the City of Paramount, not only for her volunteer work but also for being a model citizen who goes above and beyond. A retiree from Los Angeles County, Ana continues to volunteer as President in Paramount Tepic Sister Cities Association and as a member of Paramount Women’s Club. She contributes many hours of time to visit the poor in town of Tepic, Mexico. She donates clothing to an orphanage shelter in Tepic and raises funds to purchase equipment for the blind in Tepic, which is the only center in the region. Lo-

cally, she raises funds to offer scholarships to Paramount High School graduation seniors annually and collects food baskets for two needy families at Christmas time. Ana has been President of Paramount Tepic Sister Cities for over 12 years. She has represented the City of Paramount well in people to people relationships. Her heart of gold extends beyond the City limits and borders. She lives by the motto, “we are all one people bridging true friendships and peace.” The City of Paramount nominates Ana Flores as a model citizen in making Paramount shine in the world.

HELP WANTED

INSURANCE SALES – Growing company seeking dynamic self-starters, 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.

SECRETARY- BILINGUAL (Spanish/English) Microsoft Ofﬁce knowledge a plus. Contact Magaly Hernandez, Wild West Boots 562-630-4613.

Dennis Bentivengo, An Flores, Supervisor Don Knabe & Olivia Bentivengo

Ask The Expert

Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program

Tom Shea Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program californiacitrusthreat.org tshea@ucdavis.edu 951-683-6491, ext. 224

As you’ve heard in various press reports, one Huanglongbing (HLB) disease infected citrus tree and one HLB disease infected Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) were found on March 30, 2012 in Hacienda Heights, CA, in Los Angeles County. Both the HLB infected tree and HLB infected psyllid have been destroyed and properly disposed of. If there was ever a time to be even more vigilant in looking for the ACP bug it is now!

Remember that the Paramount Chamber ofﬁce has bookmarks and ﬂyers with color photographs of the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the Huanglongbing disease that are available for free. Take some extras to share with friends, relatives and neighbors as. You can also go to the website californiacitrusthreat. org to get updated information on ACP and

HLB in California, or visit cdfa.ca.gov California Department of Food and Agriculture for the latest updates.

How you can help protect your citrus trees from HLB and the Asian Citrus Psyllid?

• Inspect your trees – Inspect your citrus trees monthly, and whenever watering, spraying, pruning or tending trees, look for signs of the HLB disease and the psyllid.

• Don’t move citrus – Do not move citrus plants, plant material or fruit in or out of the quarantine areas or across state or international borders.

• New trees – Plant trees from reputable, licensed California nurseries.

• Grafting – Use only registered budwood that comes with source documentation.

• Prunings – Dry or double bag plant clippings prior to disposal.

• Cooperate – Cooperate with agriculture ofﬁcials who are trapping and treating for the pest and HLB.

If you think you have found the psyllid or HLB, don’t wait call the California Department of Food & Agriculture hotline: 1-800-491-1899.

Are You Prepared for An Emergency?

By Maria F. Galli

State Farm Insurance

562-817-5620

Every year we face possible disasters

- wildﬁres, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms. If a disaster strikes your home, are you and your family prepared? Do you know where important documents, medications, and essential supplies are in case you have to evacuate? Do you and your family know how you would get out of your house, what you would do with your pets, where you meet each other if you get separated? Do you have a single point of contact you can call to let others know you’re safe?

If not, now is the time to prepare. Don’t wait until faced with a disaster to begin thinking about emergency preparations. No matter what potential disaster you might face, there are basic items everyone should have in their emergency kit:

• Flashlight

• Battery-powered radio (don’t forget extra batteries)

• Non-perishable food items and a manual can opener

• Bottled water

• Medications

• First-aid supplies

• Important family documents in a waterproof container

• One complete change of clothing and sturdy footwear

These items should be in a backpack or other easily portable bag that is stored in a safe place for quick retrieval. Each family member should have their own kit. At least once a year rethink your kit and replace batteries, food and clothes.

In addition to an emergency kit, be sure your family has an evacuation plan and communications plan. Every member of your household should be fully aware of what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. Additional information on being prepared for a disaster is available from emergency assistance organizations. Contact your local Police or Fire departments for more information.

A CAMP MOMENT

This picture is of Oscar, a Counselor in Training (CIT). His photo embodies the camp experience. This picture could be any individual at camp because it speaks to the same principles of camp that are observed by all campers and staff at YMCA Camp Oakes. The mask hides his face but also demonstrates that camp can release the personality inside. Camp allows kids to be kids, it does not matter which neighborhood you are from or who you hang with at school; all that goes away while at camp. He is a ragger, making personal goals to improve his spirit, mind, and body. The rag program is an exceptional program that encourages all campers and staff to improve through self-motivation. He is outdoors, a fundamental change for many of the campers we bring to camp each year. Many of the urban and suburban based campers that attend camp do not always have the opportunity to learn about nature and what it means to be part of it. Camp Oakes gives these campers the unique experience of exploring the natural surroundings and being part of the environment instead of learning about it as outsiders. Camp is a place where campers can be themselves, forget about any troubles at home, and release their inner personalities while building interpersonal skills.

Each year the YMCA of Greater Long Beach works with families from all ﬁnancial backgrounds in order to give kids a chance to be themselves, enjoy the outdoors, and grow in spirit, mind, and body. Oscar is going through the leadership ranks in hopes of becoming a Leadership Director. He is learning how to become an effective leader as well as making lifelong goals and building his self-esteem. Camp makes for conﬁdent and connected kids and teens today and engaged adults tomorrow, perhaps even YMCA of Greater Long Beach advocates, volunteers, and staff.

YMCA CAMP OAKES

Camp Oakes is on 232 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains at 7200 feet elevation. Children are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones and try something completely new to them. We offer activities such as archery, riﬂes, climbing wall, high and low ropes challenge courses, canoeing, horseback riding, nature hikes, among others. At meal times each dorm sits together as a family to discuss their day while enjoying hot, fulﬁlling meals. We make sure campers have a warm place to sleep and 3 hot meals each day.

We currently provide Outdoor Education for students in grades 5-7. The focus of the program is science studies. Students gain knowledge in plants and animals, pond and lake studies, animal husbandry, wilderness survival and a variety of other topics. We want the children from the city to be able to experience other aspects of life, like living in the mountains or working with farm animals, among other things. We want them to learn how to be healthy by getting outside and participating. Camp Oakes owns and operates a fully functional observatory. This allows all of our campers to experience and appreciate astronomy. The ropes course area is used to challenge campers to confront their fears, and to understand the importance of working as a team. The camp also operates a paint ball program that is fully operational for up to 20 participants. This activity provides adventure opportunities, and also the teaching respect for others and their equipment. The New Indian program teaches children and adults about the Serrano Indians who were on this land prior to our arrival. They learn how to build a wikiup, which is their domed single-room dwelling, they search for and ﬁnd artifacts and learn the history of the Serrano people and this land.

We are the only national organization based nonproﬁt delivering a unique combination of services to support our community from cradle to grave as well as supporting the entire Southern California Region with environmental and outdoor education through Camp Oakes. With the elimination of ﬁfth grade camp through the School District, Camp Oakes is now one of few opportunities for young people from Long Beach to experience the outdoors in an overnight setting. Every summer, YMCA Camp Oakes provides the experience of a lifetime for 200 summer campers from Long Beach Y Branches and, year-in-total, will serve about 11,000 people. But such services and programs don’t just happen. They depend heavily on support and contributions from the community. Without camper assistance, most campers could not afford to attend.

KIDS TO CAMP - Give the gift of Camp

Helping to send a kid to YMCA Camp Oakes can make a difference for a child that will last a lifetime.

You can send a child to resident camp through our Kids-to-Camp program for a gift of:

$850 2 kids for 1 week $425 for 1 week

$240 for 4 days $180 for 3 days

$120 for 2 days $60 for a day

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN!

YMCA Camp Oakes Visit

In keeping with the traditions of the YMCA, Oakes campers enjoy the spiritual uplift that spending time up in the mountains can bring. We will be delighted to provide you with a personal tour of camp and introduce you to a number of camp activities. For $15 we will provide each participant with transportation to and from Camp Oakes and lunch in our dinning hall.

Join us July 26, 2012 from 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM. For bus pick up meet at Seal Beach Leisure World - Clubhouse 4. Please register by contacting Melissa Wheeler at 562.279.1664 or melissa.wheeler@lbymca.org. For more information contact Margaret at Seal Beach Leisure World at 562.296.5834. For more information about Camp Oakes visit www.lbymca.org.

Y NEWS - For the latest information and news about your Y, visit lbymca.org or join us on Twitter and Facebook

10 Steps to Computer Security for Your Small Business

BY RIEVA LESONSKY

As small businesses become more reliant on technology, they also become more vulnerable to cybercrime. A Gartner study found that 90 percent of companies that suffer major data loss close within two years—but that 80 percent of business owners have no plan to protect their data. Here are 10 tips to secure your business’s computers.

1. Identify security needs and risks. Inventory your computer equipment, data and potential risks. Who is using desktops, laptops, tablets or smartphones? Where and how are they being used? What data do you collect, store or share, and who can access it? If your computers or network security were breached, how would extended downtime, fines or lawsuits affect your company? A Symantec study found cyber-attacks cost small and midsized businesses an average of $188,242, with downtime costing $12,500 a day.

2. Begin with the basics. Set up company computers and devices with strong passwords, and change them regularly. Ensure computers and devices are protected by antivirus, antispam and antispyware software; intrusion prevention systems; encryption technology to protect email trafﬁc and wireless networks; and ﬁrewalls. AVG, BitDefender, McAfee, Norton, Symantec and Trend Micro offer popular security products.

3. Keep your systems updated. Software updates often ﬁx security problems, so download updates as soon as they become available. To make this easier, more software programs--including Windows, Ofﬁce, Flash, Java and Adobe Acrobat—now offer options to download and install updates automatically; these can generally be accessed through “Settings” or “Preferences.”

4. Back up. There’s no excuse not to back up data when today’s online backup solutions run unobtrusively in the background and store information safely offsite. BackBlaze, Carbonite, Mozy and SpiderOak are popular online backup services for small businesses. Ask about file sharing and sync across multiple devices and users, how much storage you get, how easy it is to restore data, and what backup and disaster plans the backup company itself has in place. Double your protection by backing up to external hard drives in your ofﬁce.

5. Educate employees. Even with the right systems in place,

your business is still vulnerable to human error. Educate employees about the importance of using strong passwords and protecting them. Explain the risks of opening texts or attachments from unknown senders, clicking on suspicious links in emails, or sharing too much company information on social networks.

6. Think mobile. If your employees use mobile devices for business, install updated security technology, encrypt data and use virtual private networks (VPNs) to enable secure remote access. Remind employees to be cautious about who may be watching when they enter passwords or view conﬁdential data outside the ofﬁce.

7. Keep devices safe. While viruses and hackers capture headlines, the loss or theft of a physical device is still the most common cause of data breaches, according to Symantec. Remind mobile employees to be aware of their surroundings and never leave company laptops, tablets or cellphones exposed in a vehicle or unattended. Have them immediately report lost or stolen devices.

8. Don’t mix business and family. Working on the same computer your children use for games or email puts business data at risk. Employees who work at home might have valuable work data on family computers. Create rules for how data can be shared or, if employees use company computers to work at home, consider restricting access to certain websites or prohibiting use of those computers for personal business.

9. Secure your site. Sy -

mantec reports 90 percent of consumers will leave your site if they get the warning “This site is not secure.” Privacy and security seals show customers your website is a safe place to browse or shop. Privacy seals verify your privacy protection policy; security seals verify that you use technology such as encryption and regular scans for malware. McAfee, Norton, Symantec and TRUSTe are among providers offering these seals.

10. Get expert help. If you don’t have an IT person on staff, enlist an IT consultant or SBDC Business Advisor to help you create a computer security policy. The SBA offers a series of free computer security workshops for small business owners, and the FCC has a customizable Small Business Cyber Planner.

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) 938-5100, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.

Pika Grand Opening

Chamber and City ofﬁcials attend grand opening of Pika Tortas Ahogadas which serves authentic Jalisco style food. Pika can be found at 8111 Rosecrans unit KL in Paramount. For more information call (562) 529-5787, or log on to their website www.tainla.com

Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons presents Pika Tortas owners Cindy Estrada and her father Adrian Estrada with a certiﬁcate of congratulations from the City of Paramount.