Pulse Beat May 2015 by City of Paramount

pulse Beat

Paramount Chamber 2015 Golf Classic

The

Sponsors:

Major Raffle Prize: Fenico Precision Castings

Cart Sponsor: CalMet Services

Mystery Prize: Paramount Petroleum Lunch: Transcom Telecommunications & Gus’s Del, BBQ, & Grill Beverages: Triangle Distributing Long Drives & Closest to the Pins: City National Bank Awards: Supervisor Don Knabe, 4th District

Platinum Sponsors:

Ace Clearwater • California Screw Products • Carlton Forge • Marukan Vinegar

The Jankovich Company • Weber Metals An Otto Fuchs Company

Gold

Sponsors:

Bianchi Theatres • SC Fuels

Silver

Sponsors:

CalMet Services • Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care • Hunter Security

Max Martinez DDS, FAGD • Paramount Resource Recycling

Paramount Unified School District • Ross Creations • Supervisor Don Knabe

Total-Western, Inc. • Transcom Telecommunications • Triangle Distributing Valley Crest Landscape Maintenance

Super Tee Signs:

Alondra Hot Wings • Lindsay Lumber Co. Paramount Petroleum • Press Forge Company

Regular Tee Signs:

Alondra Brake & Wheel • Alondra Tire Center • AppleCare Medical Group Brico Electric • Casa Gamino Restaurant Cleantime Building Maintenance Co. • Clinica Medica Hispana Colors Printing • Demaria Electric Motor Services • Domino’s Pizza FENICO Precision Castings • Golden Outlook Insurance

Heavy Industrial Tool Services • Huntington Beach Oral & Maxillofacial Surgey

Lions Club of Paramount • Office Depot • Our Lady of the Rosary School

P.T.M., Inc • Para Latino Medical Center

Paramelt Casting Waxes • Paramount Elks Lodge BPOE #1804 • Romberg Milling Royal Paper Corp. • S. T. & I. Inc. • TeleWORKS

The Bread Nut • The Gas Company • Thomas Hansen, D.C. Total Equipment Rental, Inc • Valley Abrasives Ward Industrial Properties, Inc. • Westech Wax Products

Silent Auction Prizes:

1998 Robert Sinskey Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Donated by: Café Camellia Angels vs Rangers - Donated by: Transcom Telecommunications Dodgers vs Cardinals - Donated by: California Screw Products Dodgers vs Colorado Rockies - Donated by: Ace Clearwater

Friendly Hills Country Club Foursome - Donated by: Friendly Hills Country Club

Knotts Berry Farm Tickets w/plush toy - Donated by: Knotts Berry Farm LA Galaxy vs Sporting Kansas City - Donated by: Ace Clearwater

Walt Disney Concert Hall Tickets - Donated by: Supervisor Don Knabe, 4th District

Place Team Scramble – from left; Paul Dennis, Bob Pearson, and Gordon Fraser, not pictured team member Noah Perch-Ahern.

Winners First Place Team Scramble – from left; Captain Roy Ancira and Chris Sauritch, not pictured team members Bill Kalpakoff and Chris Frisco.

Winners Second Place Team Scramble – from left; Kris Kazarian, Larry Sherman, Greg Shamlian, and John Andikian.

Paramount Woman of Distinction

Marcie Bridges has been named a Woman of Distinction in the 33rd Senate District from the City of Paramount by State Senator Ricardo Lara.

Marcie has embarked on numerous areas of philanthropy in our community. The longtime Paramount resident is employed by Starbucks and performs community volunteer work for them locally while also coordinating the company’s regional donations that, among other things, provide school supplies to campuses in Paramount Unified.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is something she has dedicated herself to with great fervor, and with dramatic results. She has served on the Paramount Relay’s Planning Committee and, for the last two years, as the Event Chair.

During her time as Event Chair, the Relay has doubled in size, welcoming more cancer survivors, bringing in more teams to walk, and raising more money – over $50,000 for cancer research.

As an offshoot, Marcie created a “Lucky Ladies Dinner” in Paramount that raised another $2,000 for the ACS last year. This dinner is also growing under her watch, and its success has already necessitated a move to a larger venue.

Marcie is also a member of the Paramount Women’s Club, which has a record of doing great things in our community since

1926. Her involvement is part of a younger generation that will keep the Club going vibrantly into the future. She is joining the Paramount Sister Cities Club, as well, another strong local presence for over 50 years.

Marcie Bridges is an example of a new generation in Paramount committing itself to volunteerism and community involvement, connecting to the past by helping the City move into the future. She has a compelling relationship with her hometown, has a passion for helping those who live here, is energetic, and gives freely of her time. She is, truly, a Woman of Distinction, and we appreciate Sen. Lara’s acknowledgement.

Resident Rates and Season Passes for Summer Swimming

With summer just around the corner, swim season is near for our City pool. Paramount residents and PUSD families can receive special rates for recreational swimming at the Paramount Park pool – $1 per entry for youth (ages 17 and under) and $2 per entry for adults. In order to qualify for these resident rates you will need an identification band, which can be purchased for $1 and is good for the entire summer. Be sure and bring it with you every time you visit the pool this year. (Per-visit rates for non-residents or those without an ID band are $3 for youth and $4 for adults.)

You can buy the ID bands beginning on May 19 at the Community Services and Recreation Office at 15300 Downey Ave., Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. They can also be purchased at the pool beginning June 13. 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 season passes for use at the Paramount Park pool.

These passes ($20 Youth/$30 Adult) will provide you with admission to the pool 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. If you buy a pass, you do not need to purchase or wear the previously mentioned ID bands. But you do need to show the same proof of residency or PUSD enrollment at the time of purchase, as mentioned above.

Please call (562) 220-2121 with any questions.

Swim Lesson Registration

Registration for summer swim lessons begins on May 19, as well, for residents and PUSD families. Prior to that, a special registration event will be held at Progress Plaza East (15500 Downey Ave.) on May 18 only from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register, bring proof of residency (photo ID and current utility bill) or proof of PUSD enrollment (current-year school ID) along with proof of age.

Starting on May 19, you can register in person 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.).

You can register online (www.paramountcity.com on the Parks & Recreation page) from May 4th to May 15th. If you don’t have an online account already, you will need to create one at the Recreation Department office at 15300 Downey Ave.

Again, bring proof of residency or PUSD enrollment and proof of age.

All registration for non-residents begins May 26th.

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

Sign Up for Summer Day Camp

Also on May 19, 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 15th through August 7th. The program operates from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for July 4th. 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. (If opting out of the free meal program, please send a sack lunch and daily snack with your child.)

The cost for Paramount residents is $75 per week, per child. For an extra $5 per week you can include the swim lessons. Non-residents pay $85 per child per week, with an additional $15 per week for swim lessons. (Additional fees apply when using an alternate form of payment such as Cal Works.)

Positions for junior volunteers are available.

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

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

– Maya Angelou

Mayor, Tom Hansen

There has been a

There are plenty of facts, figures, and details about distracted driving, but the California Office of Traffic Safety wants you to know the plain and simple ones:

increase in thefts from vehicles throughout the region. These thefts are often due to valuables being left in plain sight or doors and windows being left unlocked. Commonly stolen items include money, wallets, credit cards, tools and power tools, computers, mobile phones, cameras, GPS and other electronic devices, handbags, jewelry, and sunglasses.

• 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.

• If something falls to the ﬂoor, pull over before trying to reach it.

Project LEAD Sending Positive Message to Paramount Fifth Graders

Thefts can occur at any time, so it is important not to present an easy opportunity to thieves. In order to steal, thieves will smash a car window or break locks and the cost of repairs may exceed the value of the stolen items.

• Up to 6,000 people nationwide are killed in crashes where driver distractions are involved.

Follow these simple steps to help reduce the risk of thefts

• Talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.

Remove All Valuables

• Do not leave any valuables in your vehicles. Take them with you if possible.

• If you must leave valuables in your car – place them in your boot without being seen.

Paramount has its own dedicated District Attorney – Kelly Tatman – who works out of the Sheriff’s Station. Her duties include making sure that criminal investigations and prosecutions in town receive full attention and don’t fall through the cracks at the larger County D.A.’s Ofﬁce.

• Remove GPS units and wipe the suction mark off the window.

• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of ﬁve seconds, long enough to travel the length of a football ﬁeld at 55 mph. Most crashes happen with less than three seconds reaction time.

• Do not leave personal documents such as your registration or drivers license in your car. These items contain your home address.

Lock Up

Tatman has been visiting a class of 36 students at Jefferson School as part of Project LEAD. The program, which goes into the classroom once a week for 20 weeks during the school year, uses volunteers like Tatman from the D.A.’s Ofﬁce to teach ﬁfth-graders about the law and help them recognize the social and legal consequences of criminal behavior.

• Do not leave house keys or garage door openers in your car – they may be stolen and used in home burglaries.

• Lock your car – always physically check it is locked, even when parking at home or just leaving your car for a moment.

• Close all windows – including sunroof.

• The act of talking on a cell phone, even hands free, can give you “inattention blindness,” where your brain isn’t seeing what’s right in front of you. You aren’t even aware that you are driving impaired. If you think you can handle both driving and talking on a cell phone or texting, you are kidding yourself and putting us all at risk.

• Tradespeople – lock external tool boxes and equipment if they can’t be removed.

Secure Your Car

• Park in a locked garage if possible.

Sadly, too many young people ﬁrst become acquainted with the justice system as delinquents. Project LEAD is designed to avoid that scenario.

• Park off the street in your driveway if you don’t have a garage.

Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road or your hands off the steering wheel – especially texting and cell phone use, whether hands-free or handheld. Who’s doing it? Most of us. It has been estimated that, at any one time, more than 10 percent of drivers are using a mobile device.

• Install a car alarm.

A ticket for $159 for texting or talking on a cell phone is a major distraction to your wallet.

• Park in a well-lit area – thieves do not want to be caught breaking into cars, so increase the risk that others will detect them.

And remember that if your valuables have been stolen from your car, report the theft to the Sheriff’s Department.

What can you do? Most important, obey the law. It’s there for a reason. Also, do your best to eliminate distractions:

The class from Jefferson recently went on a ﬁeld trip to the Museum of Tolerance. (They will also go to a local courthouse). In addition, Project LEAD’s curriculum includes speakers connected to the criminal justice system and a mock trial involving either drug selling or gun possession on campus. Students are assigned roles and argue a criminal case to a jury consisting of other students. Teachers and parents attend, too.

Personal Paperwork in Your Car Can Mean ID Theft

• Never text and drive.

• Turn off your phone when you get behind the wheel.

Never leave Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, vehicle pink slips, income tax records, checkbooks, or payroll stubs in your unattended car, even in the glove compartment.

• Don’t text or call someone when you know they are likely to be driving.

At the end of the program, the kids will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a certiﬁcate of completion from the D.A.’s Ofﬁce at a meeting of the Paramount Public Safety Commission.

Thieves breaking into vehicles are often looking for these types of documents to steal your identity. Keep them at home in a safe location.

• Make a pact with your family, spouse, and caregivers never to use the phone with kids in the car.

Summer Vacation Home Checks

• No eating or drinking while driving.

With summertime approaching, remember that if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time, you can schedule a home check.

• Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player, or other devices while driving.

With summertime approaching, remember that if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time, you can schedule a home check.

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.

• Pull over and stop to read maps.

• No grooming.

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

• No reading.

No Street Racing

• No watching videos.

• Try not to get too involved with passengers.

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.

The Paramount Public Safety Department wants to remind everyone that street racing is illegal and dangerous.

An automobile is a lethal weapon.

If you have the urge to speed or to race other vehicles on our public streets, think twice about it. If you know people who like to speed or take part in street racing, tell them to stop. People can die. Including the driver.

Don’t take part in street racing, in Paramount or elsewhere.

Simple Strategies for Better Event Marketing

Prohibidas las Carreras de Calle

Friday, May 16, 2014 - 10am to 12pm

Attend this presentation and learn how to use the power of event marketing to get potential and existing customers to take four key actions:

El Departamento de Seguridad Pública de la ciudad de Paramount quiere recordar a todos que las carreras de calle son ilegales y peligrosas.

Un automóvil es un arma letal.

Si siente la urgencia de correr a alta velocidad ó de correr contra otros vehículos en nuestras calles públicas, piénselo dos veces. Si conoce personas a las que les gusta correr a alta velocidad ó participar en las carreras de calle, díganles que dejen de hacerlo. Puede causar la muerte de personas. Incluso la del chofer del auto.

No participe en las carreras de calle, ni en Paramount ni en ningún otro lugar.

• Sign up • Speak up • Show up • Follow up Good marketing is about eliciting a physical and measurable response. In this practical and engaging seminar, you will learn how to ﬁnd, convert, and keep new and existing customers through effective event marketing. You will also learn best practices related to the who, when, where, and what that makes an event a memorable experience. Learn how events can engage customers. Take your events to the next level using e-mail, social, traditional, and internet marketing tools.

Fee: $20

(Make checks payable to LBCC SBDC)

SponSored by: AppleCAre MediCAl Group (For more photos – visit the Paramount Chamber Facebook page)

Table Top Display winner Carly Gomez (Oils for the Nest). From left; Chamber President Jon Tanklage (Marukan Vinegar) Carly Gomez, and Grace Padilla (Marukan Vinegar).

Ashton i rwin (Total-Western, i nc.) was named the Paramount Chamber Ambassador of the Quarter. From left; Chamber President Jon Tanklage (Marukan Vinegar) Ashton irwin, and Grace Padilla (Marukan Vinegar).

Jean Robinson (Rose Hills) won the “Networking Bingo” game.

Big Macs for Big Scholarships!

Go to the McDonald’s at Garfield and Alondra on May 11th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to take part in a special fundraiser for the Paramount Education Partnership, Inc.

During that time, McDonald’s will donate 20% of your purchase to PEP’s scholarship fund that provides college scholarships to Paramount residents and Paramount Unified School District students.

PEP thanks McDonald’s for contributing to education in Paramount and giving back to our community.

McDonald’s is located at 7357 Alondra Blvd. in Paramount.

Pennies for PEP Breaks $10,000

Mark!

The annual Pennies for PEP fundraising drive was held during March with containers in all Paramount Unified elementary and middle schools, the high school campuses and adult school, at the District office, and at City facilities. The accumulation of coinage goes into the pot for the PEP college scholarship fund.

It was a record-breaking year, as the effort raised a total of $10,275 (more than

$1,500 over last year’s figure).

Congratulations are due especially to Paramount Park for being the biggest middle school contributor (and most generous overall) and Wirtz for giving the most among elementary schools. Both will be recognized at the June 2nd City Council meeting.

The Paramount Adult School’s donations support $125 scholarships for its students to help offset the costs associated with taking their GED tests. This year they increased their total to $538.32. The PEP Foundation Board of Directors matches this amount, so nearly $1,100 will be available for the GED scholarships.

The top donors in the school district, by classroom, were the following:

• Lincoln Elementary, Ms. Orozco, 3rd grade

• Paramount Park Middle School, Ms. Mireles, 8th grade

• PHS West Campus, Room #7

• Paramount High, JROTC

• Buena Vista, Mr. Lepper

Each will be recognized by the City Council and the Board of Education with a special breakfast or lunch. Sincere thanks to all who contributed to this year’s Pennies for PEP.

Congresswoman Visits Spane Park

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (seated, center) visited the Paramount Petroleum Community Learning Center at Spane Park on April 1st to meet with the “PEP Moms” group who do volunteer work in the City. She spoke about the importance of voting, explained her role as a member of Congress, and answered one-on-one questions with those in attendance. Also attending were City Councilmember Gene Daniels and Paramount unified School District Co-Superintendents Dr. David Verdugo and Dee Stephens.

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP

Creating An Effective Business Plan

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

Most businesses that don’t succeed lack a written plan. Creating a business plan is a key component for business owners to help determine the feasibility of the business idea and guide the business’s growth. A business plan conveys business goals, strategies, potential problems, solutions, organizational structure, and the capital required to finance the venture. This seminar is recommended for individuals interested in learning how to assess the feasibility of their business idea, who recently started a small business, who are seeking a business loan, or who want to learn more about business planning.

Course Level: Beginner --- Fee: $20

*Please note new registration system. In order to register you will need to: For more information: Contact Janice Grass at 562-938-5100 or sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu

City Council Celebrates Library Week

The Paramount City Council recognized National Library Week at its April 7th meeting. National Library Week was held during April 12th - 18th and this year’s theme was “unlimited Possibilities @ your Library.” Paramount Branch Community Library Manager Josh Murray was at the meeting to receive a proclamation. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Murray, Mayor Tom Hansen, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, and Vice Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer.

City Council Proclaims April as Fair Housing Month

April was Fair Housing Month across the country, which brings attention to anti-discrimination laws. The Paramount City Council issued a proclamation recognizing the month at its April 7th meeting. Representing the Fair Housing Foundation – which serves Paramount residents with workshops, training, community events, and mediation and counseling services, as well as by investigating discrimination in housing – was April Overlie. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Mayor Tom Hansen, Overlie, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, and Vice Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer.

City Council Notes April as National Donate Life Month

April was National Donate Life Month, which highlights the importance of organ, tissue, and blood donations for saving lives. Ambassador Dave Hollon from the organization One Legacy, an organ transplant recipient, joined the Paramount City Council at the April 7th meeting to highlight the month. According to One Legacy, more than 21,000 people in California are currently on the waiting list for organ transplants and more than 600,000 units of blood per year are required to meet the need in California. The California DMV is spreading the word about its Donate Life Registry, which allows people to identify themselves as organ donors on their driver’s license. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Mayor Tom Hansen, Hollon, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, and Vice Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer.

Dr. Lacy Honored for Her Lifelong Dedication to Education

Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Linda L. Lacy was recently honored for her dedication to education at the California Community College League’s Southern CEO Conference.

President Lacy, who will retire in June after 41 years in education, began her career as a high school coach and teacher more than 40 years ago. She has maintained her coaching mentality throughout her career and encourages others to give their best. In 2009, Dr. Lacy was appointed President/Superintendent of Cerritos College and has dedicated herself to student success.

Under her leadership, the College has expanded its community partnerships, and experienced record growth in new program development, student success initiatives, and more. She also

successfully managed the College’s Measure CC and G bond construction projects passed in 2008 and 2012 to modernize the 60-year-old campus with state-of-the-art facilities and new resources for students. New campus facilities include a Child Development Center, Liberal Arts/DSPS Building, Physical Science and Technology Building, a fine arts complex, several campus-wide infrastructure upgrades, among other projects.

Aside from her work at the College, Dr. Lacy serves on the California Community College Athletics Association Board of Directors, the Coast Plaza Hospital Governing Board of Directors and the Community College League of California Advisory Committee on Legislation.

Help WAnted

CALIFORNIA OUTREACH ORGANIzATION

ALExANDER HAST (310) 926-7699, 15929 GARFIELD AVE, PARAMOUNT

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US WITH HANDLING AND GIVING OUT THE FOOD & FOR DONORS WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP US WITH FOOD OR MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE TAx DEDUCTIBLE. PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION (310) 909-9019.

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.

BILINGUAL SALES in English & Spanish with basic computer skills. Also looking for WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEE with inventory, order-picking, and/or UPS experience. Please call 562-408-1984 and ask for Ivette or send an email to mimi.kim@ptminconline.com for Mimi.

Now hiring Class A or B TRUCK DRIVER for roll off truck. Local Trips, Clean Record, Experienced. Contact Gamberg Metals at (562) 634-9340

Position: MEMBERSHIP SERVICES DIRECTOR for the Paramount Chamber of Commerce.

Bilingual preferred Spanish/English. Must have good written and verbal communication skills, basic computer knowledge, self-motivated, past sales experience a plus, must have vehicle.

The Membership Services Director’s primary function is sales including but not limited to; membership and advertising. Salary is minimum wage plus commissions; income varies with sales efforts – average 40,000 - $45,000. submit resume to: plemons@paramountchamber.com

Clubs & Organizations Paramount Rotary

Susan Angel, with Veterans Affairs recently paid a visit to the Paramount Rotary Club to speak about Veteran homelessness. In 2009, former Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric Shinseki said, “No one who has served their country should find themselves without hope and a home” At this time 1% of Americans served in the military, yet over 30% of the homeless population were veterans. The VA had served homeless but the number kept rising. Shinseki changed the paradigm: to end homelessness, the VA could not do this alone.

In an unprecedented push and a directive from the President, the VA aggressively involved 19 federal agencies to do work across agencies to address this social issue. Initially VA and HUD were the strongest partners. With leadership support inter-agency was shared and goals were set that were completely dependent upon both agencies succeeding. The results of the joint efforts were on track and put on the public domain.

In 2010, the very first decline in Veteran homelessness occurred through joint efforts of VA, HUD and the community. In 2014 the decrease of homeless Veterans with 49,933, a 33% decrease. As a result, VA & HUD received the Service to America Award. This was the first time the award went to collaborating agencies. What made the difference after so many years of trying to provide expanding services? First there is the Housing First National Call Center 877.424.3838. There are also community goals to iden-

tify and house every VET in a community and the ability to serve the families of Vets before they are homeless through HUDVASH vouchers. These vouchers came as part of Congressional bipartisan support to fund HUDVASH vouchers.

According to Susan, “When we began this effort, no one thought it was possible to end homelessness. But the significant progress, achieved through Federal coordination efforts, partnerships with the community, and congressional support ending homelessness is very possible.”

In June 2014, Michelle Obama challenged mayors, governors, and other local officials to join this effort and end Veteran homelessness in their communities. New Orleans was the first to achieve this goal with Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Houston close to achieving this goal.

C ommer C e 2015 g olf C lassi C

MAjor SponSor: CArlton ForGe

(For more photos – visit the Paramount Chamber Facebook page)

Tasting Tees:

Antojitos Mexicanos

Prize Donations:

Golf Committee/Volunteers:

Tee Sign Manufacturing Donated By:

Sign-A-Rama, Covina

Transcom Telecommunications and Gus’s Deli BBQ & Grill donated lunch for the tournament. Pictured are Transcom employees Nelson Guzman and Joe Ramirez.

The tournament included food samplings on the course donated by; Antojitos Mexicanos Restaurant, Café Corleone, Gus’s Deli, BBQ & Grill, La Terra Mia Ristorante, Mariscos Mi Lindo Sinaloa, Marukan Vinegar uSA, and Rosewood Restaurant. Pictured is Marukan Vinegar and vendor participant So Cal immediate Medical Center.

Tournament prizes included a full set of clubs, bag, and covers ($1,500 value) donated by Fenico Precision Castings, and a 55” television donated by Paramount Petroleum.

Mystery Prize winner Albert Martinez, a 55” television donated by Paramount Petroleum.

Erin Stibal took home the $1,500 set of clubs donated by Fenico Precision Castings.

Winner of the Long Drive – James Rocco who received $50 courtesy of City National Bank. City National also sponsored the Closest to the Pins for $50 each, the winners hole #2 Al McCormack, hole #8 Gio Piamonte, hole #13 David Telles, and hole # 16 John Andikian.

Tournament volunteers; Ambassadors Pamela Rice (Office Depot) and Ashton irwin (Total-Western, inc.).

From left; Erin Stibal (Field Rep for Supervisor Don Knabe), Lt. Dave Auner (LA County Sheriff’s), Linda Benedetti-Leal (Paramount City Manager).

Tips for Reimagining your Customer Service

Good customer service today is not only meeting the needs and expectations of your customer, but also meeting those needs in a more personal way. Providing flexibility and friendly service goes a long way, but are you meeting your customers where they are? Do your customer policies benefit you or the customer? What are your customer service objectives? Check out these ten tips to begin reimagining your business’ customer service experience.

1. Create a Customer Service Plan and Objectives. Before you begin, ask your customers, vendors, and your employees for their feedback on customer service. Allow the players to provide feedback and take it with open arms. Once you know customer expectations and perceptions, create customer standards for your business, document it, train your employees on that standard, and make a commitment to operating

the business with exceptional service as its standard. To execute the standard flawlessly, assure your customer service standards are always implemented with each customer, not just the best clients or the biggest accounts. More on creating a customer service plan from the Edward Lowe Foundation.

2. Review Your Customer Policies. Collect all of your policies and cross check them with complaints as well as compliments. Assess the role of the “problem policies” and either institute a better approach or remove the policy from your standards. For your most complimented policies, find ways to promote them through your employees or on your marketing materials. For returns, is your policy clear and easily found? Is your return policy on your website or on the receipt? Do your employees remind customers of your policies for sale items? More customer

HOW tO Kill a Business in ten easy steps

policy tips from QuickBooks.

3. Ask, Listen, Be, And Follow Up. Repeat. When it comes to interacting with your customers, ask the right questions. Ask open ended questions that provide you with information that will help you better assist the customer, ask what the customer is shopping for - is it a special occasion? Could you suggest other complimentary products/ services? Listen and provide solutions or alternatives if you cannot assist the customer. Be respectful and mindful of the first impression your business conveys across all areas (phone, in-store, employees, online etc.). Be the expert – your team should be able to provide the client with the most information about your product/service, uses, and alternatives. Last, follow up with your customers, personalize the experience and repeat the process.

4. Hire a Good Mix. First, assess what is important to you and your business? Then, refer back to your newly created/reviewed standards and determine the right mix of employee strengths, personality, skills, and experience appropriate for your business. Don’t forget to include your customer service standards in your job descriptions and performance reviews, then enforce and measure those standards. Great hiring tips from BusinessBeware.

5. Train. Offer your employees training on providing your customers and vendors great service, and consider making it part of your company culture. Train your employees to keep an eye out for experiences that help customers, encourage a culture of sharing that information with you and with other employees. Once trained, confide in your employees to make customer service decisions to provide a positive experience for your customers. Reward your employees for providing brilliant service with incentives like: other training opportunities, side projects, flexible hours or just say “thank you.” More tips from American Express.

6. Evaluate Your Reach. Are you making it difficult for your customers to find you? Does your website have your operating hours, phone numbers, store location(s), and links to social? Is your site mobile friendly? If you Google your business and related products/services, does your search return results for your business? Can someone click to call? If not, correct it. Are you meeting your customers “where they are?” Go to your customers and meet them where they’re searching, looking, reading and the like. Remember sales are made one interaction at a time; pair your goals with your channels. Last, assure someone is not

only always answering the phone, but providing quality service. Consider giving your best customers a dedicated customer service hotline. Check now on Google My Business.

7. Publish your Expertise. As often as you can, try publishing your team’s expertise in your industry and products/services via newsletters, blogs, or videos. This could include self help guides, weekly or monthly tips and tricks, dialogues or interviews with other customers using your offerings, or even publishing information on your site when new offerings are available. This could help boost positive content related to your business; focus on creating quality content.

8. Manage your Reputation. The reputation of your business relies heavily on the service your team provides. Provide the best possible experience for all of your customers both in store and online. Although it may be tough to put your business on review sites, consider the opportunity to create awareness for your business, understand the customer experience with your business, respond to appropriate feedback positive and negative, and address customer related areas in your business. Try using tools like Google Alert to monitor when your business name is used or resources like Help a Reporter Out to help create positive publicity for your business.

9. Celebrate your Customers. Why not feature your happy customers on your site with a short testimonial? Consider promoting special in store events before or after hours to make your customers feel special and/or celebrate their life occasions. Thank your customers in person, send a note, or make a shout out via social. Reward future customers by creating introductory promotions or free downloadable content. Here’s a 100 more tips.

10. Check Out the Resources.

a. Training: Service Essentials, Service Skills, Universal Class.

b. Applications: z enDesk, Desk. Com, more.

c. Local SBDC – Don’t forget your local SBDC can help you create your own customer service plan and review your operations to help you provide your customers with the best experience.

The SBDC is a group of successful small business owners helping fellow entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow their business through low-cost workshops and free one-on-one consulting in business planning, finance, marketing, and various other specialty areas (Spanish speaking consultants available). To make an appointment call: (562) 9385100, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu