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PULSE BEAT PULSE BEAT

A Perfect Day for Golf

The “First Place Team Scramble” winners for the Paramount Chamber of Commerce 2012 Golf Classic are, from left: John Andikian, Larry Sherman, Kris Kazarian, and Greg Shamlian. The winners were given trophies sponsored by Supervisor Don Knabe and presented by Paramount Chamber President Leonard Crespo.

N o matter who you spoke with at the Paramount Chamber Golf Classic you heard the same thing, “It’s a perfect day for golf.” The event sponsored by Carlton Forge took place at Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier and it was indeed a beautiful day.

More than 100 golfers enjoyed a great day ﬁlled with lots of food and lots of fun. The afternoon began with registration and a box lunch provided by Transcom Telecommunications and Eastern Meats &

Families and Friends of Paramount Use Hearts and Feet to Fight Cancer

In its 4th year, walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Paramount.

Teams of Paramount residents will gather at Paramount High School West Campus Fields on May 19, 2012 9:00 am until May 20, 2012 9:00am for an overnight relay against cancer. Relay For Life is a family-oriented team event where participants walk relay-style around the track and take part in fun activities off the track. Teams can include coworkers, club members, family and friends that have gathered donations prior to the event.

The event will begin with a touching Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Lap. The committee invites all cancer survivors and caregivers to join in and participate in the opening ceremonies and starting lap.

“Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to cerebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and ﬁght back against the disease,” said Laura Peralta, event chair. “ Many of the participants are cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), which serves as reminder that our community

is not immune to this disease and we can actually help friends, families and neighbors that have been touched by cancer,” Peralta added.

The public is also invited to attend the Luminaria Ceremony, which will take place after sundown. To honor the community’s cancer survivors and to remember those lost to the disease, survivors will circle the track rimmed with glowing luminaria while the names of survivors and those lost to the disease are read aloud. Luminaria can be purchased for $10 by calling 213.368.8529 or online at www. RelayForLife.org/ParamountCA.

Funds raised at Relay For Life will enable the American Cancer Society to support local services and resources for cancer patients and their families. Funds also support critical cancer research and community education programs designed to teach people how to reduce their risk of developing cancer.

Relay For Life events will be held in more than 300 communities throughout California raising $36 million for the ﬁght against cancer. To locate a Relay For Life event and ﬁnd out how you can get involved, please call 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Deli. After collecting lunch golfers headed to their golf carts sponsored by Bodycote and lined up for a shotgun start. Once golfers reached their assigned starting tees they found more food and beverages waiting for them at “Tasting Tees” scat -

tered throughout the course. Samplings included offerings from Brioche Bakery, Café Corleone, Eastern Meats & Deli, Marukan Vinegar USA, McDonald’s, Taco Luv and Triangle Distributing. In addition to tasting tees vendors including Hunter Security, CareMore Health Plan, and Ofﬁce Depot, handed out promotional giveaways and shared information about their services.

The day ended with a buffet dinner and rafﬂe prize drawings; big winners included Al Martinez who took home a full set of TaylorMade clubs donated by Fenico Precision Castings, and Paul Conrad whose name was drawn for the Mystery Prize that turned out to be the New IPAD donated by Paramount Petroleum. Paramount Chamber President Leonard Crespo said, “The golf classic is one of the Chamber’s biggest fund raisers and we couldn’t do it without the support of sponsors like Carlton Forge and all of the other businesses that purchased tee signs. I’m conﬁdent we met our budget for this event and the chamber is very grateful for all the support we received.”

Student Artists Celebrated In Annual TAG Contest

The Paramount Traditional Artists Guild held its 14th annual contest for Paramount’s kindergarten through high school students this year and the winners were celebrated at a recent City Council meeting, where they received their cash prizes from the Guild.

There were an amazing 1,300 entries from 11 Paramount K-8 schools, four middle schools, Paramount High, Paramount High West Campus and Our Lady of the Rosary.

Congratulations are due to all of the following:

First-Place Winners:

Kindergarten – Juliana Torres (Mokler)

1st Grade – Karla Resendiz (Roosevelt)

2nd Grade – Chail Monge (Wirtz)

3rd Grade – Naomi Chaidez (Roosevelt)

4th Grade – Shirlysa Tieng (Lincoln)

5th Grade – Angelina Molinar (Our Lady of the Rosary)

6th Grade – Trinity Ortega (Paramount Park)

7th Grade – Guadalupe Yanez (Hollydale)

8th Grade – Molan Thomas (Paramount Park)

9th Grade – Genesis Ortega (Paramount High West Campus)

10th Grade – Stacy PoyPoy (Paramount High)

11th Grade – Clarissa Olive (Paramount High)

12th Grade – Oscar Guerrero (Community Day School)

Special Award Winners:

Best Use of Color – Jacqueline Martinez (12th grade – Paramount High)

Best Composition – Ourapun Thong (8th grade – Zamboni)

Superintendent’s Award – Samuel Rodriguez (12th grade – Paramount High)

Chairman’s Award – Natalie Medina (4th grade – Lincoln)

Commissioner’s Award – Kalany Resendiz (4th grade – Roosevelt)

Mayor’s Award – Justin Mayer (7th grade – Hollydale)

Summer Swimming News

With summer just around the corner, swim season is near at the City pools. This year, in order to receive resident rates for recreational swimming at the Paramount pool, you will need an identiﬁcation band. The bands – available to Paramount residents as well as PUSD families – can be purchased for $1 and are good for the entire summer. Then be sure and bring them with you every time you visit the pool this year.

You can buy the ID bands beginning on May 21 at the Community Services and Recreation Ofﬁce at 15300 Downey Ave. They can also be purchased at Paramount Pool beginning June 18. Proof of residency (photo ID and current utility bill) or proof of PUSD enrollment (current year school ID) are required to obtain an ID band.

Also available to residents and PUSD families this summer are passes for use at

The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how you use them.

BUSINESS WORKSHOP

WordPress for Beginners

Thursday, MAY 10, 2012 * 10:00 am-12:00 pm

For those want to update their business website, write a blog, or create online content should know WordPress. WordPress is a simple to use program that controls how content looks on the web. This workshop will cover learning the basic WordPress structure, what it is, how it works and how to use it

Fee: $25

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

both Paramount and Orange pools. These passes ($20 Youth/$30 Adult) will provide you with admission to the pools all summer without having to pay the entrance fee each time you go. In addition, they will give you priority entry during recreational swim hours.

Registration for summer swim lessons begins on May 21, as well. You can register online (www.paramountcity.com on the Parks & Recreation page) or in person. If you don’t have an online account already, you will need to create one ﬁrst at the Recreation Department ofﬁce at 15300 Downey Ave. Just bring proof of residency or PUSD enrollment and proof of age with you.

In-person registration will be at Progress Plaza East (15500 Downey Ave.) only on May 21 from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., and thereafter at the Community Services and Recreation Ofﬁce (15300 Downey Ave., Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and Paramount Park Community Center (14400 Paramount Blvd., Monday - Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.).

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

Summer Day Camp Registration

Also on May 21, residents can register either online or at the Recreation Ofﬁce (15300 Downey Ave.) for the City’s Summer Day Camp.

Children ages 5 to 12 are eligible to

participate in the camp, which runs from June 18 through August 17. The cost is $75 per week, per child, and the program operates from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except for July 4.

In addition to being a safe and fun place to spend the summer, the camp also provides a healthy breakfast and lunch, as well as swim lessons.

Recycle Tires For Free

If you have any old tires cluttering your yard or garage, take advantage of an opportunity to unload them. Bring your used tires to a free Waste Tire Collection Event for recycling on Saturday, May 19, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at South Gate Park on the corner of Tweedy Blvd. and Hildreth Ave. in South Gate.

The event is open only to Los Angeles County residents. No tires from businesses, no oversized or tractor tires and no rims will be accepted. If you will be transporting more than nine tires per trip, please obtain a tire transport form a week ahead by calling (626) 430-5540.

Recycling tires is easy, free and good for L.A. County. This collection is brought to you by the County Board of Supervisors and funded by a grant from California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. For more information, please call 1 (888) CLEAN-LA or visit www.CleanLA.com.

Mayor, Peggy Lemons

CPR Training Opportunities Coming Up

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 will take place at the Paramount Sheriff’s Station, 15001 Paramount Blvd., starting May 7 thru 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 will take place at Paramount Sheriff’s Station starting May 7 thru August 3. A $115 fee must be made at the time of registration.

For more information on these classes, please call (562) 220-2002.

Guard Against Break-Ins During Fumigation

There has been a recent trend in cities across our region of burglaries taking place in homes that are tented for fumigation.

The burglars are entering by cutting through or lifting up the fumigation tents and breaking into the houses while using the tents to conceal the illegal activity. Or, they are also gaining entry once the fumigation process is completed, the tent is removed and doors and windows are opened for fans to remove any gas left behind, making the homes accessible.

It appears that the thieves strike at random and there is no pattern between pest control companies or areas.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Paramount Public Safety Department have the following suggestions for residents who live in a property that is being tented and fumigated to help avoid a burglary.

• Consider staying in a motor home or RV on the property while tenting takes place.

• Alert your neighbors that your home is being tented and ask them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

• Contact the Paramount Sheriff’s Station to request patrol checks during the tenting.

• Seek alternatives to tenting if available.

• Ask the fumigation company to provide security during tenting.

Vacation Home Checks

Speaking of checking on homes when nobody is there, with summer vacation right around the corner, remember that Paramount residents can contact the Sheriff’s Station about having Volunteers on Patrol keep an eye on your home or property if you are planning to be out of town.

Call (562) 220-2002 to ask about vacation checks.

AMERICAN TROOPS HONORED WITH PET ADOPTION PROGRAM

SEAACA’s Unique “Pets for Troops” Initiative Provides Pet Adoption Discounts to Active Duty and Retired Military Personnel

SEAACA (Southeast Area Animal Control Authority; www.seaaca.org) has announced a new initiative, made possible through the Annenberg Foundation, to support military personnel. The initiative, called “Pets for Troops”, gives active duty men and women 50% off of pet adoption fees. Retired military personnel will receive 30% off pet adoptions fees. All animals adopted through “Pets for Troops” will be spayed or neutered and micro-chipped. Pets will receive all vaccinations and 30 days of post-adoption general veterinary care. The initiative will be valid in all 14 cities served by SEAACA.

Pets provide emotional, psychological, and physical connection for millions of

people worldwide. The unconditional love and companionship that a pet offers can make a signiﬁcant difference to our troops as they come home from deployment, continue their active duty or retire.

“SEAACA is proud and honored to give back to the military men and women who are giving so much to our country,” noted SEAACA Executive Director, Dan Morrison.

“Through the generosity of the Annenberg Foundation, our ‘Pets for Troops’ initiative provides the ﬁnancial incentive that some active duty personnel and veterans may need to adopt a pet. The love that a pet provides can make a huge difference in civilian life,” he added.

Compton Community College District Welcomes New Chief Business Ofﬁcer

The Compton Community College District welcomes Felipe Lopez as the new Chief Business Officer (CBO) for the District. The CBO serves as the chief financial advisor to the CEO and has oversight responsibilities for all financial aspects of the District including administration of fiscal and business affairs, long-range financial and operational planning, and budget development.

Lopez previously served for nine years as audit supervisor at Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP, a Certiﬁed Public Accounting

firm that provides audit and accounting services to institutions of higher education in California. He has served as a presenter on state program accountability and audit issues for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from California Baptist University, and a certificate in accounting for governmental and nonprofit organizations from the University of California, Riverside.

Stater Bros. Supermarkets Rated #1 Full Service Supermarket Chain in Southern California

According to Leading National Consumer Magazine

Stater Bros. Supermarkets has been rated as the best place to shop for groceries among Full Service Supermarket Chains in Southern California in the May 2012 issue of a Leading National Consumer Magazine.

Stater Bros. was ranked No. 10 in America and was the highest rated Full Service Supermarket Chain in Southern California.

The ratings were based on responses from more than 24,000 readers about

their experiences at 52 of America’s leading Supermarket Chains, Warehouse Stores, and Limited Assortment Stores. Each Supermarket Chain was rated for prices, service, cleanliness and perishables.

Jack H. Brown, the Chairman and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of Stater Bros. Supermarkets, stated, “I am so proud of the over 18,000 members of the Stater Bros. ‘Family’ of Employees for bringing this high honor to Stater Bros. Supermarkets. We will all work very hard every day to continue to earn the privilege of serving you, your family, friends and neighbors.”

P ARAMOUNT C ITY C OUNCIL

A WARDS N IGHT

At the Paramount City Councilʼs April 3rd meeting, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe presented $25,000 to the Paramount Education Partnership to be used for college scholarships. From left: Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Supervisor Knabe, Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer and Councilmember Tom Hansen.

The Paramount Lions Club also made a donation to the Paramount Education Partnership scholarship fund in the amount of $5,000. The money will help students enrolled in vocational training programs. Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, Lions Club president, was joined by other club members Bob Weist, Bill Kalpikoff and Dick Hall in making the presentation.

The winners of the Cityʼs Earth Day poster contest were also acknowledged. Bill Kalpikoff of CalMet Services, which contributed to the prize money, joined the Council, along with third-place winner Hailey Villalta (2nd-grade, Mokler) and second-place winner Alexa Medina (6th grade, Alondra Middle School).

The

proclaimed April 8th - 14th as National Library

Acting Community Library Manager for the

Assistant

The City Council congratulated this yearʼs winners of the Paramount Traditional Artists Guild student art competition.

The Paramount High School boys soccer team and coaches were honored for their championship season. The team won its third consecutive Division III CIF, Southern Section crown, as well as its second Division I Regional title for all of Southern California in the last three years. They were rated by ESPN as the 7th best soccer team in the country, the highest ranking for a California high school.

City

Week. Lauren Talbott,

Paramount branch, and Librarian

Nancy Taylor accepted the proclamation. From left: Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Talbott, Taylor, Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer and Councilmember Tom Hansen.

The Council also marked April as Fair Housing Month, which highlights antidiscrimination laws. Maria Benitez from the Fair Housing Foundation of Long Beach was on hand to accept the proclamation. From left: Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Benitez, Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer and Councilmember Tom Hansen.

PUSD Students and Staff Support PEP with their Pennies

Paramount students, along with school and District ofﬁce administrative personnel, were in a giving mood again this year during the annual Pennies for PEP campaign. Each classroom in the PUSD had a container for kids to drop off donations during April. A very generous $8,132.04 was raised for PEP scholarships. (The amount will cover nearly three full scholarships.)

Leading campuses were Hollydale (with elementary and middle schools) at $1,763.00 and Roosevelt Elementary with $1,319.27. The classrooms at each school that raised the most will be given special pizza parties in thanks.

But everyone who thoughtfully donated is to be commended for their giving impulses that will help local students attend college.

Donors Support Scholarships

Even in these tough economic times, a variety of local donors were very generous toward education in Paramount during the PEP Scholarship Fundraiser that was held on April 27.

At press time just before the event, they included:

• The Ofﬁce of Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, $25,000

• Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc., $10,000.

• Paramount Petroleum Corporation, Inc., $10,000.

• Weber Metals, Inc., $10,000.

• FENICO Precision Castings, $5,000.

• Paramount Lions Club, $5,000.

• Willdan Group of Companies Foundation, $3,000.

• Carlton Forge Works, $2,500.

• California Financial Services, $1,000.

• CalMet Services, Inc., $1,000.

• The TJX Companies, Inc., $1,000.

• Zamboni Company, $1,000.

Watch next month’s Pulse Beat for a complete wrap-up of the fundraiser and a list of everyone who gave funds and prizes.

Still Time To Apply For Scholarships

Applications for the PEP scholarships are still available, with a May 30th submission deadline. The application may be found on the City of Paramount website at www. paramountcity.com and on the Paramount Uniﬁed School District website at www. paramount.k12.ca.us/. Hard copies can be picked up at Paramount City Hall, the Paramount City Yard and at locations throughout the School District.

Scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to students attending a community college and $3,000 to students attending an accredited four-year institution within the U.S, including vocational/ trade/ technical schools. Scholarship monies may only be used to pay tuition, fees, books and supplies for the 2012-2013 school year.

The scholarships are administered through the non-proﬁt Paramount Education Partnership Foundation, Inc.

The application must be submitted in person or by mail by May 30, 2012, to: Attention: Scholarship Committee Paramount Education Partnership, Inc., 16400 Colorado Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723

For information, please call (562) 220-2132.

Representatives from Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc. presented their $10,000 PEP Scholarship donation to Paramount City Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal at City Hall last month. At left, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jon Tanklage, Benedetti-Leal, President Taijiro Sasada and CFO Yoshi Tsumura. Marukan also supplied all the fresh sushi to the PEP fundraiser event, free of charge.

Happy Mother’s Day

Mexican Restaurant

Since 1970 when the first Casa Gamiño was opened, founder Cipriano Gamiño strived to give his customers good Mexican food and excellent service at a good price at all Casa Gamino locations. No gimmicks, just delicious food.

P ARAMOUNT C HAMBER G OLF C LASSIC

NHL’s Montreal Canadiens Will Receive Milestone Zamboni Machine

Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. will deliver its 10,000th production machine. The National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens will be the recipients of the machine which will be an electric Zamboni Model 552.

Since its founding more than 60 years ago, the Zamboni Company has built its famous ice resurfacing machines by hand, one at a time in Paramount, California and for the past three decades in its plant in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. To commemorate the production of machine No. 10,000,

time-lapse cameras were used to record its assembly and the footage will be posted on the Zamboni Company’s web site once completed.

One of the NHL’s Original SixTM teams, the Montreal Canadiens was the ﬁrst of the NHL’s Canadian teams to receive a Zamboni ice resurfacing machine. That machine, No. E29, was delivered in November of 1954 and resurfaced at the Montreal Forum for years. Since that time, the Canadiens have had Zamboni machines on their ice, making the switch to electric powered machines in September of 2000.

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.

Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program

Tom Shea

Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

californiacitrusthreat.org

tshea@ucdavis.edu

951-683-6491, ext. 224

These articles have been sharing information about the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and the deadly to citrus trees disease that the psyllid can carry called Huanglongbing (HLB). The psyllid has been here in California since September of 2008, and until recently the deadly disease had not been found in California. That all changed on March 30, 2012, when the first HLB infected ACP and the first HLB infected citrus tree were found in Hacienda Heights, California, in the Los Angeles area! This citrus tree was a lemon tree that was grafted with pummelo (a grapefruit-like citrus), so that the tree could produce pummelo fruit. The grafting material came from a budwood exchange conducted at the homeowner’s church. USDA is now doing a traceback/traceforward investigation to find the original source of that pummelo budwood and to determine if other citrus trees might have had this budwood grafted on to them. Because of this occurrence, we are discouraging any and all citrus budwood exchanges plus any and all citrus grafting projects until further notice. The California Department of Food & Agriculture crew found only that one HLB positive ACP insect and one positive HLB tree in a 2400 feet (800 yards) radius survey from the original HLB disease find.

Chamber Happenings

The CDFA has removed and disposed of this LA county citrus tree, the only citrus tree found with HLB so far, plus the infected ACP insect has been killed. All citrus trees within a one-half mile radius of the infected tree have been treated for psyllids. As of March 31, 2012, all sales and shipments of citrus trees within a 5-mile radius of the infection site are suspended. It is more important now than ever that you look over your citrus trees on a weekly basis with the recent HLB disease finding in the ACP insect and on that citrus tree. Remember the Paramount Chamber office has bookmarks and flyers with color photographs of the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the Huanglongbing disease. Also, you can go to the website californiacitrusthreat.org to get updated information. If you think you have seen the ACP insect in your yard, please call the CDFA at 1-800-491-1899. They will come out and inspect your citrus trees and treat them for free, if they find the Asian Citrus Psyllid.

The best thing you can do to protect your trees is to keep them as healthy as possible. This means that they should have dark green leaves and be full of foliage, so much so, that you cannot easily see through the tree. Citrus trees need nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) - best if the numbers are balanced like 15-15-15. Plus citrus trees like zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) – look at the label on the bag to make sure the fertilizer has at least these six elements.

“Save our citrus; Don’t move citrus!”

April Networking Breakfast

PARAMOUNT!

The Paramount Chamber of Commerce urges you to spend your money locally to support the business community and protect jobs.

Supervisor Knabeʼs representative Erin Stibal wins the $25 cash door prize donated by event sponsor AppleCare Medical Group at the April Networking Breakfast. The check is presented by Leonard Crespo, Paramount Chamber President.

Richard Tunchez from Popular Community Bank receives a $25 cash prize courtesy of breakfast sponsor AppleCare Medical Group for Best Top Table Display. From left Ambassador Chair Laura Warth and Chamber President Leonard Crespo.

10 Tips for Becoming Known as an Industry Expert

BY RIEVA LESONSKY

Developing a reputation as an expert in your industry can raise your business’s proﬁle; help you attract customers, partners and employees; and even enable you to charge more for your products and services. You’re already an expert in what you do—and spreading the word about that expertise is easier than you might think. Here are 10 tips to get you started.

1. Give a speech. Find organizations that your target customers belong to--whether the local marathon runners’ training group, PTA or Rotary club--and offer to speak at their meetings. Create a relevant handout to leave behind, and bring business cards and brochures, too.

2. Start a blog. Adding a blog to your business website is a smart tactic for companies that provide information and expertise, such as accounting or consulting ﬁrms. Blog about industry news, timely advice for your customers, or new developments in your business.

3. Comment on other blogs. If you don’t have the time or skill to blog, build your reputation by commenting on your industry’s leading blogs. Make sure your comments are thoughtful and add to the conversation. Don’t be overly promotional, but do include your name and business name.

4. Use Twitter. Use Twitter not just to promote your business, but also to share interesting links and retweet useful information. Focus on quality, not quantity. By consistently sharing good information,

you’ll build a reputation as a knowledgeable source.

5. Get LinkedIn. If you own a businessto-business company, LinkedIn Groups and Answers are great ways to share your expertise. Join Groups related to your industry and participate in discussions. Look for LinkedIn Questions related to your business and answer them.

6. Write articles. Blogs and online publications are inﬂuential, but print media still carries more weight with most people. Contact trade publications and local newspapers and ask if you can contribute articles related to your industry, or even write a regular column.

7. Become a trusted source. Being quoted in print or online cements your reputation as an expert. Seek out journalists who cover your industry, then make yourself a resource by commenting on their articles and sending them information related to their “beat”... and your business.

8. Lead the way. To become an industry expert, you’ve got to be active in your industry. But don’t just attend industry events and conferences—take a leadership role by offering to head committees, speak at events or develop programs.

9. Network. Be an active networker, both online and ofﬂine. Focus not on what you can gain, but on how you can help others by connecting them and sharing valuable information. People will come to view you as a reliable and trustworthy resource.

10. Get involved in your community. Keep a high proﬁle in your community by

participating in local events. For instance, if you own a health club, you could sponsor a ﬁtness fair or get a booth. The more active you are in your community, the more business will come your way.

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

Mother’s Day Celebration

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Doors open at 9:30 am

Dancing from 10 pm - 12 pm

lunch served at 12:00

Sign ups: Waiting list

The Reagan Library Excursion Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Departing at 9 pm

Returning at 6 pm

Sign-up: Currently taking registration Fee: 62 or older $12 per person 61 or younger $15 per person

(562) 938-5100, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.