Every Penny Counts
The old saying “Every Penny Counts” was never truer than in the case of Mr. Van de Velde’s Hollydale School class who raised $290.34 for the Paramount Education Partnership Program better known as PEP.
PEP is a partnership between the City, School District, and Paramount Chamber of Commerce. Their mission is to raise the education level in the City of Paramount in order to create a stable and sustainable economy for the future. To achieve this goal the PEP program provides neighborhood learning centers where students get homework help and have access to computers. Classes are also available for parents who want to learn English or basic computer skills.
In addition to learning centers the PEP program provides scholarship money to Para -
mount students who attend a University, Community College, or Trade School. This is where Mr. Van de Velde’s class comes in. Some of the money used to provide scholarships comes from “Pennies for PEP” a program that places containers in Paramount classrooms to collect loose change for scholarchips; Mr. Van de Velde’s class collected more money than any other elementary or middle school class in the district. As a reward the class was given a pizza party, and Mayor Peggy Lemons paid a personal visit to congratulate them.
Ms. Garcia’s Roosevelt Elementary class raised the second highest amount $219.62, and were also rewarded with a pizza party and visit from the Mayor. The Pennies for PEP program raised a total of $8,142 and helped provide scholarships for 24 students in 2012.
300 Attend Annual Job Fair
Three hundred applicants recently attended the Paramount Chamber of Commerce annual Job Fair sponsored by Paramount Petroleum. The event was held at Paramount Park and featured more than 30 job vendors and employment services including workshops, resume preparation, and resume critique. Paramount Chamber President, Leonard Crespo said, “Helping people find jobs helps the economy and that’s what the Chamber is all about. We’re grateful to sponsors like Paramount Petroleum whose support allows us to put on events like the Job Fair, and to partners like Paramount SASSFA who help make it a success.”
Winners of the 2012 Pennies for PEP contest, from left: Hollydale Principal Kevin Longworth, Mayor Peggy Lemons, winning class, and Mr. Van de Velde.
Annina Tomjack and Ernesto Flores employees of Job Fair sponsor Paramount Petroleum at the 2012 Paramount Chamber Job Fair.
Jefferson Afterschool Program Gains “Healthy” Certification
The Healthy Behaviors Initiative was begun to address serious health problems facing students in low-income communities throughout California who are most at risk for obesity. The Initiative was launched in 2004 by the Center for Collaborative Solutions in partnership with the California Department of Public Health’s Network for a Healthy California.
It is designed to take advantage of the opportunity to reach children through afterschool programs.
In Paramount, the Success Through Academics and Recreation (STAR) afterschool program is a collaboration between the City (which provides staff) and the Paramount Unified School District (which provides the space).
STAR provides students in kindergarten through 8th grade with academic assistance and recreational activities. It operates every day of the week in each PUSD K-8 school, and is funded with a state grant.
Now, the STAR program at Jefferson School has been certified as a Healthy Behavior site by the Center for Collaborative Services through the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Under the Initiative, Jefferson’s STAR program will support and encourage healthy behaviors. It will also become a resource for other afterschool programs to visit and see how to increase healthy eating and physical activity for their students, staff and families.
As part of the demanding process to become a Healthy Behaviors site, our STAR staff incorporated many new activities and lesson plans at Jefferson:
• Jog-a-thons.
• PowerPlay, which motivates children to eat three to five cups of fruits and vegetables and get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, and employs instructional materials and programming like touring a supermarket.
• Harvest of the Month that brings together the classroom, cafeteria, home
and community to promote a common goal and healthier habits. Lessons focus on the importance of fruits/vegetables, how to grow your own garden and keeping active.
• Fruit/vegetable baskets that are given to students twice a month to help fulfill their daily requirements.
• Expanding a small garden in adjacent Progress Park to 6,000 square feet, with the food grown there eaten for snacks.
• Daily curriculum to teach students about all aspects of health and nutrition.
• Holiday celebrations using only healthy snacks – yogurt, for instance, instead of ice cream.
• Cooking Club, which offers a variety of healthy recipes for students to make in class and also share with their parents.
• An information board for parents with news about upcoming events, recreation activities, programs, recipes and more.
We’re very proud of this achievement, and congratulate everyone at Jefferson’s STAR program on their great work.
Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations
The City is providing its annual low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats in the community at two special “Vaccine-A-Thons” this summer. The first will be Wednesday, June 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the second will be held Wednesday, July 18, also from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. They will take place at Paramount Park, 14410 Paramount Blvd.
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 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.
Buying Property? Be Savvy About Permits
Before you buy a property in Paramount (either residential, commercial or industrial), it’s a good idea to run a check of building permits on the location at the City’s Building and Safety Department. This will ensure that any improvements done at the property in the past have been properly permitted.
Also, make sure to inquire if there are any “substandard liens” on the property. These should show up on the title report. They indicate that there is un-permitted use or construction on the property that has not been properly addressed. As the new owner, you would become responsible to fix any such problems at the site.
If you check with Building and Safety before making a purchase, the Department can determine if additions, new roofs, windows, plumbing, electrical, etc. have all been properly permitted and inspected. If not, you can then address these issues with the seller. Inspectors can tell you how to go about obtaining permits and inspections to take care of the un-permitted work.
For more information about this subject, please call the Paramount Building and Safety Department at (562) 220-2036.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mayor, Peggy Lemons
Fireworks Alert
The City of Paramount would like to remind you that we have a “zero tolerance” illegal-fireworks ordinance with the following restrictions:
• Only Safe and Sane fireworks can be set off anywhere in the City on July 3rd and July 4th only. Setting them off on any other date can result in a $250 fine.
• You must be 16 years or older to buy Safe and Sane fireworks.
Only Safe and Sane fireworks are allowed in Paramount. All others – like bottle rockets, firecrackers and M80s – are illegal.
Violation of the above restrictions, and use of illegal fireworks, can result in a fine up to $1,000.
For more information please call (562) 220-2002.
Alerta Fuegos Artificiales
A la Ciudad de Paramount le gustaria recordarles que tenemos un reglamento de “Cero Tolerancia” sobre el uso de fuegos artificiales ilegales con las siguientes restricciones:
• Los fuegos artficiales “Safe and Sane” solo pueden ser encendidos los dias 3 y 4 Julio. El encenderlos cualquier otro dia puede resultar en una multa de $250.
• Debera ser del 16 años de edad o mayor para poder comparar fuegos artificiales “Safe and Sane.”
Solo los fuegos artificiales “Safe and Sane” son permitidos en Paramount. Todos los otros – como cohetes que vuelan al aire, o cohetes tronadores y M80s – son ilegales.
La violacion de cualquier restriccion, o el uso de los cohetes ilegales, puede resultar en una multa de $1,000.
Para mas informacion, favor de llamar al (562) 220-2002.
Keeping It Clean on the Fourth
With July 4th on the horizon, let’s also not forget to remove the residue from our streets and driveways after the fireworks fun.
During the celebration of our nation’s independence, we can have a good time while staying safe and showing respect for those around us.
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.
Citizen CPR is a 30-minute course that will teach untrained bystanders how to perform hands-only CPR. There is no certificate for this course and no minimum age to participate.
Citizen CPR will be offered on Saturday, June 23 at 9:00 a.m. at Progress Park Plaza, 15500 Downey Ave. Registration is open at the Paramount Sheriff’s Station, 15001 Paramount Blvd., throught June 15. A $15 fee must be made at the time of registration.
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 on these classes, please call (562) 220-2002.
Summer Vacation Home Checks
Now that summer is upon us, if you are planning to take a vacation this year, remember that Paramount residents can contact the Sheriff’s Station about having Volunteers on Patrol keep an eye on your home or property while you’re gone.
Call (562) 220-2002 to ask about vacation checks.
SEAACA’s SUPER SATURDAYS
There is no better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with loved ones. Consider adding an additional loved one this Independence Day by adopting a cat from SEAACA. July also reminds all of us to grab some shades and keep cool. SEAACA will be hosting “Ay, Chihuahua: Beat the Heat” event. There is no better time to adopt.
The “Fire-Cat-ker” event will be held on Saturday June 30, 2012. Adult cats will have a fee of $9 and kittens will have a reduced adoption fee of $30.00. The “Ay, Chihuahua: Beat the Heat” adoption event will be held on Saturday July 28, 2012. Chihuahuas of all ages can be adopted at $50.00. A companion Chihuahua can go home with no additional adoption fees. Both events will be held at the SEAACA Animal Care Center.
Temperatures are expected to hit triple digits this summer in Southern California. SEAACA is emphasizing that on top of jumping on board of the Responsible Pet Ownership Initiative they take extra cautions with their pets 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 warms 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.
As with all adoptions here at SEAACA the dogs and cats will be spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, receive initial vaccines and have 30 of follow up vet care from SEAACA’s vet department for any preexisting health concerns.
Responsible pet owners that have adequate room for one or two new furry family members will receive extra incentives on top of the reduced adoption rates at the Super Saturday event. The incentives include:
• 10 pounds of dog or cat food
• Dog or cat toys
• Dog or cat collars
• Information on how to keep your pet comfortable in the heat
Spring and summer are very busy times for all shelters in our area. It is a great time to take advantage of the diversity of pets at SEAACA. We also encourage pet owners to continue to practice their responsible pet ownership skills by keeping their animals safe from the heat this summer.
We Will Be Open Father’s Day May 17, 2012 from 11am – 9pm
Estaremos Abiertos El Día Del Padre Todos Los Padres Recibirán un Vaso de Champaña Italiano Gratis con La Orden de Almuerzo o Comida. Tendremos Platillos Especiales como Pasta Estilo “Pescadora”, o Sea Pasta con Toda Clase de Mariscos y Pescado, Simplemente Delicioso! O Pruebe Nuestro Famoso Fettucini Alfredo con Pollo O Fabulosos Filetes de Pescado como Corvina Chilena, o Lenguado, Etc. Ofrecemos Vino y Cerveza, Nuestro Menú Regular También Estará Disponible
No Espere Mas, Hagas sus Reservaciones Al (562) 408-6100, Hablamos Español
No Se Olvide De Sus Fiestas De Graduación Empezando A Solo $3 Por Persona Aceptamos Tarjetas De Credito
Ticket purchase only. See: Paramount High School Combined Reunion 1980-85 on Facebook, Or call: 562-788-0723 for more information
Clubs & Organizations
A STRONGER, HEALTHIER Y YMCA of Greater Long Beach
After careful consideration and extensive analysis, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Board of Directors recently approved a plan that includes the closure of the Downtown Y facility, the repurposing of the Los Cerritos YMCA into a dedicated childcare center, and the consolidation of the staff teams at the Los Altos and Fairfield YMCA operations. The YMCA’s history in Downtown Long Beach dates back to 1884. The decision to close the Downtown 6th Street Y is made with sadness, but with gratitude for the members, volunteers, donors and staff who are deeply committed to the mission of the YMCA.
For more than 128 years, the YMCA movement in the greater Long Beach area has been focused on the mission of “putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
“Our plan is to operate as one Y, providing powerful, impactful and cause-driven programs to the community”, said Jason Hagensick, YMCA President & CEO. “Our goal is to give the communities we serve a stronger, healthier YMCA. Restructuring our organization gives us the opportunity to do just that.”
The youth, teens and families in the downtown Long Beach community will continue to be served by the Community Development Branch of the YMCA, which
operates nine after school enrichment locations involving over 1,000 children per day, the nationally recognized YMCA Youth Institute program, Y Change Agent Productions, Afterschool University, and the Community Leadership Institute program.
In light of the reorganization, the Downtown facility will close effective June 15, 2012. Current members of the Downtown and Los Cerritos facilities are being encouraged to utilize the YMCA’s remaining three health and wellness centers located in Bixby Knolls/North Long Beach, Los Altos, and the City of Lakewood. The Los Cerritos YMCA will focus on offering high-quality before and after-school care, summer day camp, aquatics and resident camp programming to the communities of Bellflower, Paramount, Cerritos and Artesia.
Established more than 128 years ago, the YMCA of Greater Long Beach engages nearly 35,000 people annually in Paramount, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Los Alamitos, Cerritos, Bellflower, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens, Norwalk, Signal Hill, Rossmoor and Big Bear though programs focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. In addition to three health and wellness facilities, the Y operates a wide range of programs for all ages in 40 locations throughout the greater Long Beach area. For information about the Y’s programs visit www.lbymca.org.
BUSINESS WORKSHOP
Thursday, JUNE 7, 2012 * 10:00 am-12:00 pm
If you always wanted to build a website but thought it was too hard, then this is the class for you. We will teach you how to build a basic website no matter your level of proficiency. We will show you the tools that it will take to make a functional website that will attract customers.
Fee: $20
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 * 2pm- 4:00 pm
This is an important resource for small businesses seeking business-development assistance. Named for Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, this program was created to help small and disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. It also helps these companies gain access to federal and private procurement markets.
The focus of the 8 (a) Business Development program is to provide business development support including:
Fee: $30
New Facebook App For Financial Aid Opps
The College Board, MTV and Get Schooled have launched “My College Dollars,” a Facebook application that utilizes information from a user’s Facebook profile – including age, gender and state – to connect students with targeted financial aid opportunities.
The My College Dollars Facebook app integrates the media and messengers that students turn to most for information. It takes advantage of the world’s largest social media platform to meet students where they already spend a lot of time. The app helps them connect with information, guidance and tools that will enable them to make smart decisions about paying for college. The tool is integrated into a larger campaign to encourage college preparation and FAFSA completion taking place within hundreds of high schools across the country.
My College Dollars:
• Connects students with the nearly $6 billion in available scholarship aid and $45 billion in federal and state grants.
• Uses information from a user’s Facebook profile to connect him or her to relevant financial aid opportunities.
• Features video tutorials on how to get the financial aid students need.
• Connects to existing social networks for support, guidance and sharing and tracking each other’s progress.
• Integrates a calendar to help students track important dates and milestones.
• Features an “Ask the Experts” FAQ, in which selected user questions will be answered by a panel of experts on a regular basis.
Visit http://apps.facebook.com/mycollegedollars/ to find out more.
Did You Know ...?
Here a few questions and answers about college and financial aid from CaliforniaColleges.edu, the state’s official website that provides information about higher education in California for students, counselors, and parents.
Is college worth the price?
Yes. Over the course of a lifetime, someone with a bachelor’s degree is likely to earn $1.9 million more than a student with only a high school diploma. All indicators point to a growing difference between the earning power of a high school diploma and a
college degree.
It costs a lot to go to college, but it’s worth every penny. In fact, you can’t afford not to go to college. You should think about paying for your education as an investment. It is an investment that will pay off significantly in the long run.
Paying for college may require some sacrifice on your family’s part. It may also require some borrowing through student loan programs and work during school.
Do I need to be admitted before I apply for financial aid?
No. Don’t wait until you receive your letter of admission before applying for financial aid. You may miss important deadlines. However, you will need to be enrolled in courses before you receive your financial aid funds.
Do I have to have good grades to receive financial aid?
No. Need-based financial aid is usually not based on academic performance; it is based on financial need. Even if you have not had good grades in the past, you may receive financial aid if you are able to get admitted to a college. However, you must make satisfactory grades in order to keep your financial aid.
Good grades will give you more opportunity for scholarships. Merit scholarships, which are awarded based on academic achievement, may require that you achieve or maintain a certain academic standard in order to retain scholarship eligibility. These academic standards may be higher than those required for general financial aid purposes and are typically outlined in your scholarship notification.
I’ve been out of school a long time. I’m not ready to be a full-time student but I still need help with college costs. Is there any aid for me?
You don’t have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid. For example, at California community colleges, there is no unit requirement for enrollment-fee waivers through the Board of Governor Fee Waiver Program. At all colleges, in order to receive assistance from other state and federal programs, you can take as few as six units (half time) and still qualify for financial aid. In some cases you can still be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant for as little as one unit.
Mexican Restaurant
Lions Club Celebrates Championship Soccer Season
The Paramount Lions Club recently held its third congratulatory steak barbecue for the boys soccer team from Paramount High School. The players and coaches finished another remarkable championship season, clinching their third consecutive Division III CIF, Southern Section crown, and also winning the Southern California Division I Regional title for the second time in the last three years.
The Lions Club has celebrated each fantastic year with a dinner, which also included raffle prizes for the team members. City and School District officials also came out to Progress Park Plaza last month to honor the students and the staff (which is make up of head coaches Juan Navarro and Rafa Villasenor and assistant coaches Luis Silva, Beto Ochoa, Nacho Villasenor and Edward Garcia).
“This is just our way of showing these great kids how much the community supports them and is immensely proud of their achievements,” said Club President and Paramount Vice Mayor Gene Daniels. “This example of truly successful teamwork is an outstanding way to represent Paramount, since that’s what our city is about in so many ways.
“And we have already put another barbecue in the budget for next year, looking forward to a really remarkable four-peat,” Daniels said with a smile.
The Paramount Lions Club has a long history of dedication to the youth of the City. For more information on the Club and membership, please call Gene Daniels at (562) 822-0847.
Ricardo Enrique Barahona will receive his degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science Specialization and Propulsion and Flow Dynamics at the Commencement Exercises at nine o’ clock in the morning Bren Events Center Irvine, California. This is truly one of the happiest moments of our lives, to be able to tell our son that mom and dad are so proud for your accomplishment. After four years of hard work and many sacrifices, Ricardo you made it, you graduated from the University of California Irvine. From the bottom of our hearts we love you and we congratulate you on your graduation. From the proudest parents, Enrique and Leticia Barahona.
PARAMOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Invites you to attend a Open House / Ribbon Cutting
Paramount Vice Mayor and Lions Club President Gene Daniels shares a laugh with members of the PHS soccer team during the clubʼs barbecue dinner.
The Lions Club provided a steak dinner with all the trimmings to commemorate the championships season for the Paramount High boys soccer team.
Paramount’s Martinez To Lead Contract Cities Group
Paramount City Councilmember Diane J. Martinez has been elected President of the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA).
CCCA is a collection of 67 member cities with more than 10 million residents. It was founded in 1957 and represents the interests of cities that depend on contracts and collaboration between governments to deliver services to residents. Through municipal seminars, education, exchange of ideas and information, the association combines resources to influence policy decisions affecting member cities.
Martinez is a lifelong resident of Paramount who has been a member of the City Council since 1994 and has served as Mayor four times. She will lead CCCA for 2012-2013.
“I am looking forward to a productive and exciting year,” she said during the CCCA’s recent conference. “I will focus on areas that will move our organization forward. Everybody knows these are difficult times for our cities. But we will meet all these challenges with resilience and creativity.
“As Sacramento keeps pushing to di-
minish our authority and control, we will do everything we can to protect local home rule,” she added. “We will stress that local revenues cannot be taken away from us, since they are vital to providing the level of services our residents count on.”
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.
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
With the recent Huanglongbing (HLB) disease infected citrus tree discovery in Hacienda Heights, CA, along with the infected Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) find at the same site, this is a time to even be more vigilant in looking for this psyllid, as well as, any sign of the HLB disease on your backyard citrus trees. By the way, both the disease infected tree and psyllid have been destroyed to protect all our citrus trees. If you don’t recall what to look for remember that the Paramount Chamber of Commerce 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 and neighbors as we must all work to together to save our citrus. Furthermore, you can go to the website californiacitrusthreat. org to get updated information on ACP and HLB in California.
Follow these pointers to help STOP the
spread of the HLB disease
• Don’t take or move cuttings from backyard citrus plants from one property to another. Keep homegrown citrus at home.
• Buy citrus trees only from reputable local nurseries (with CDFA tags).
• Cooperate if county or state inspectors ask to place insect traps on your property to find Asian Citrus Psyllids.
• Report citrus trees and plants that seem to be sick or dying, even though they also appear to be well-watered and wellmaintained, by calling the CDFA hotline at 800-491-1899.
One of the best ways to keep your citrus trees healthy and better able to fight any and all diseases is to keep them well fed. It is best to fertilize your citrus trees lightly and regularly throughout the year. If you are in a frost/freeze zone then fertilize from March to October. Wet the soil first, then sprinkle fertilizer like pepper on eggs and then water the fertilizer into the soil – best with a hose to really drive the fertilizer down into the soil. Don’t forget that citrus trees need nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) plus zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn).
“Save our citrus - Don’t move citrus!”
Teen Drivers
By Maria F. Galli
State Farm Insurance
562-817-5620
So, your teenage son or daughter wants to drive! Suddenly, driving has become one of the most important things in your child’s life. Scary, isn’t it?
Naturally, you may dread the increase in your auto insurance premiums. However, there is a lot more at stake than higher premiums. As parents, we all share the fear of our children becoming involved in an automobile accident. These concerns are all too often confirmed by the reality of teen crash statistics.
Although premiums are derived from the monetary cost of auto accidents, lives are priceless. No amount of premium can ever bring back a life or reverse disabilities.
Let’s look at how to reduce accidents:
* Drive defensively. Watch out for the other person.
* Obey the speed limit. Speed increases the likelihood of an accident. And adjust your speed according to the road conditions. Drive more slowly on wet or icy pavement.
* As important as your driving skill, or aptitude, is your attitude. Always act responsibly behind the wheel.
There’s no doubt your age has a lot to do with your chance of being in an accident. A study by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for example, found that although teen-agers drive only half as many miles as adults, their accident rate per mile is four times the adult rate.
We’d all like to pay less for auto insurance. Here are a couple ways that your child can help:
1. Many insurance companies offer lower rates to young, single drivers who are better-than-average students in high school or college. They do that because statistics show good students have considerably fewer accidents than students whose grades are average or below average.
2. Obey all traffic laws. You can’t always avoid an accident, but you can avoid traffic tickets, which can cause your insurance premiums to go up.
Contact your local insurance agent for more information on how to protect your teen driver and save at the time with great personalized coverage.
10 Tips for Crowd Funding Your Business
B Y R IEVA L ESONSKY
Crowd funding—raising funds from “crowds” of individuals online via websites like Kick starter and IndieGoGo—has been used to finance thousands of projects, inventions and businesses in the past few years. Now, a provision of the recently enacted JOBS Act, called the CROWDFUND Act, will greatly expand entrepreneurs’ ability to raise money by crowd funding. Here are 10 steps to successful crowd funding.
1. Consult a professional. The CROWDFUND Act seeks to lower the cost of raising capital by exempting companies raising $1 million or less from registering their offering with the SEC. But although you are exempt from registration, you’re not exempt from regulation. Always consult with a professional investment consultant or attorney versed in securities law before embarking on any crowd funding venture.
2. Understand the two types of crowd funding. Previously, crowd funding sites could be used only to get donations (or pledges). The CROWDFUND Act expands the options by allowing entrepreneurs to solicit investments of up to $1 million annually via crowd funding websites. Unlike donors, these investors actually own a piece of the company and can realize a return on their investment if the company succeeds.
3. Don’t jump the gun. The process for crowd funding donations hasn’t changed, but the SEC regulations regarding crowd funding investments and nonaccredited investors won’t be set until January 2013. You will be able to crowd fund from accredited investors (those whose net worth, excluding the value of their primary residence, is over $1 million) beginning July 4, 2012, but you will have to wait until after January 2013 to solicit nonaccredited investors.
4. Research your options. Make sure the crowd funding site you choose meets the requirements of the CROWDFUND Act. Crowd funding investments must be solicited through sites that are registered with the SEC, conduct background checks on companies seeking investments, and screen investors to confirm that they understand the risks involved.
5. Beware of scams. Interest in crowd funding is high, and the CROWDFUND Act is not yet implemented, which means the market is ripe for scam artists. Be very cautious about anyone claiming they can help you raise capital online for a fee.
6. Create a compelling pitch. If you’re crowd funding donations, your fund-raising pitch should focus on emotions and get donors excited about your business, your product or service and your entrepreneurial passion. If you’re crowd funding investments, your approach should focus on the bottom line and the potential for investors to make money.
7. Offer rewards. For investors, the reward is the profit they make from your company, but for donors, you’ll need to offer rewards such as product samples, T-shirts or promotional items, or discounts. Develop different rewards for donors depending on how much they contribute.
8. Spread the word using social media, marketing and PR. Don’t limit your search for funds to the people who frequent the crowd funding site you choose. Create an integrated marketing campaign that tells everyone you are looking for financing—and makes it simple for them to tell others.
9. Create a video. Make your company stand out from the pack by creating compelling pitch videos—one for donors and one for investors. Post them on your website, the crowd funding site and YouTube—and increase your chances of going viral.
10. Share information. If you crowd fund investments, the SEC regulates how you communicate with investors. Even if you crowd fund donations, you’ll want to regularly update donors on how your company is doing, the progress of your product or service, and any other news that makes them feel part of your success.
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-onone 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.
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