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PULSE BEAT

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

Skull image above by Sofia Valladares (Pixabay)

Xantolo

To create your own altar, please register at latinasartfoundation.org. You may also submit your loved one’s photograph online to be placed on the Community Altar. Event sponsors are the City of Paramount, Assemblymember Anthony Rendon and State Senator Lena Gonzalez.

PRESENTED BY

Latinas Art Foundation Paramount-Tepic Sister Cities

Xantolo: Día de los Muertos Festival November 1 and 2 at Progress Plaza

atinas Art Foundation and Paramount-Tepic Sister Cities are collaborating this year to create Xantolo, a very special, two-day Día de los Muertos Festival that will be held at Progress Plaza, 15500 Downey Avenue in Paramount on November 1 and 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will feature live music and dancing, community altars, free art workshops, vendors of artisan products, great food and plenty of colorful costumes and displays.

On November 1, the festival will feature Mariachi Las Catrinas and the Ballet Folklorica de Latinas Art Academy beginning at 6:30 p.m. Various talented community performers will be showcased on November 2, along with a 6 p.m. screening of the popular Walt Disney movie “Coco.” Bring your whole family for two evenings of wholesome fun and cultural celebration in remembrance of departed loved ones.

PULSE BEAT

Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, California 90723 Telephone: 562-634-3980 paramountchamber.com

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From the Mayor’s Desk..........................................................................................................................................................................................3 Public Safety: Tough actions taken on street racing....................................................................................................................................4 PEP Talk: Enlish as a second language (ESL)................................................................................................................................................4 Paramount City Council report..........................................................................................................................................................................5 Cultural event: Dancing under Paramount’s iconic Hay Tree.................................................................................................................7 Networking mixer....................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Business Corner: How to prioritize ‘buckets’ in your business...............................................................................................................11 CityScape..................................................................................................................................................................................................................13

Photo: Ernesto Rodríguez (Pixabay)

atinas Art Foundation y Paramount-Tepic Sister Cities están colaborando este año para crear Xantolo, un festival del Día de los Muertos muy especial de dos días que se llevará a cabo en Progress Plaza, 15500 Downey Avenue en Paramount el 1 y 2 de noviembre a partir del 4: 30 p.m. a las 8 p.m. El festival contará con música en vivo y bailes, altares comunitarios, talleres de arte gratuitos, vendedores de productos artesanales, excelente comida y muchos disfraces y exhibiciones coloridos. El 1 de noviembre, el festival contará con Mariachi Las Catrinas y la Academia de Arte Ballet Folkorica de Latinas a partir de las 6:30 p.m. Varios artistas talentosos de la comunidad se exhibirán el 2 de noviembre, junto con un evento a las 6 p.m. proyección de la popular película de Walt Disney “Coco.” Para crear su propio altar, regístrese en latinasartfoundation.org. También puede enviar la fotografía de su ser querido en línea para colocarla en el Altar de la comunidad. Los patrocinadores del evento son la ciudad de Paramount, el asambleísta Anthony Rendon y la senadora estatal Lena González.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

Vicky Uisprapassorn

October 2021

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

From the

Mayor’s Desk Desk

Calling all veterans! The City of Paramount will recognize our Paramount military personnel next month with a special Veterans Celebration. It will be on Saturday, November 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Paramount Park Gym. If you are a current resident who is a veteran or know someone who is, please call (562) 220-2121.

Mayor Brenda Olmos

Be sure to thank all our veterans for their invaluable service to our nation and our community.

City & School District partnership celebrated

Join Relay for Life Relay for Life is dedicated to helping communities attack cancer. Through funds donated, time given, or awareness raised, communities are teaming up – virtually or in person – to make a difference. When we rally together in the fight against cancer, we can accomplish anything. A tri-cities team of Paramount, Bellflower, and Norwalk will participate on October 23 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Norwalk City Hall Lawn, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. To join or to donate, google “Relay for Life Paramount, Bellflower, Norwalk 2021” to find the website or go to a story on the City’s homepage at paramountcity.com.

Eco-friendly companies in Paramount The Industrial Waste Section of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County presents “Good Corporate Citizen” certificates each year to businesses that are in full compliance with industrial wastewater discharge requirements. While nearly 1,000 companies in the County are eligible as “significant” industrial users of the wastewater management system, only 449 earned this award in 2020 by meeting the very strict standards. Six of them are from Paramount. All have shown a sense of social responsibility and protection of the environment by properly discharging their industrial wastewater, which keeps it off our beaches and out of the ocean. They deserve a big “green” thank you. The Paramount companies are: Ace Clearwater Enterprises, Braun Linen Service, Inc., Carlton Forge Works, Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc., and Paramount Dairy, Inc. The City was also recognized.

West Nile virus detected in Paramount

Fight the bite!

Follow GLACVCD on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) has confirmed the first mosquito sample to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in Paramount this year. For updated numbers about WNV, please visit glacvcd.org/west-nile-virus-activity-2021. WNV is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito and has no cure. One in five persons infected with the virus will exhibit symptoms, which can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. There is no human vaccine for WNV, and severe cases can lead to paralysis or even death. Mosquito control is a shared responsibility, and Paramount residents must take an active role in reducing the threat of WNV in their neighborhoods by taking the following steps: • Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for more than a week. • Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained. • Change the water in pet dishes, bird baths and other small containers weekly. Don’t give mosquitoes a place to breed! • Request mosquitofish from your local vector control district for placement in ornamental ponds. • Wear insect repellent when outdoors where mosquitoes may be present. • Report neglected (green) swimming pools in your neighborhood to your vector control district.

Images: Adobe Stock.

he California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) represents and advocates for 73 cities across the State like Paramount that have contracted services such as law enforcement and fire. Last year the organization began the tradition of honoring one City with the John Todd Award for projects or programs that exemplify the model of creating successful partnerships. I’m happy to report that this year’s award went to Paramount for our longtime, productive collaboration with the Paramount Unified School District. Oftentimes, school districts and their local cities tend to be at odds, rarely getting along despite serving the same residents. Back in the 1990s, the City and Paramount Unified were dealing with some serious economic and societal matters. Rather than ignore each other or clash over turf, the two joined as partners to confront these issues, and we’ve worked closely together ever since. Here are just a few of the achievements with PUSD over the years: • Forming an ad hoc committee of two City Councilmembers, two School Board members, the City Manager, and the Superintendent to stay in regular contact and provide updates. • An agreement for the shared use of athletic facilities and City parks. With the latter, allowing PE and recess at Paramount and Progress parks saved the District over $10 million when building Paramount Park Middle School and Jefferson Elementary. • City programs like Gang Resistance is Paramount (GRIP) and Success Through Academics and Recreation (STAR) have been taught and operated by City staff on District campuses. • The Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) has held classes for thousands of children and adults and given out over $1 million in college scholarships to Paramount students. • The Contract Cities Association stated that Paramount received the honor for the City’s “perpetual dedication to collaborative efforts which improve the lives of all residents. The City of Paramount is a shining example of what possibilities collaboration can bring to our communities.” This enduring relationship allows for creative solutions and quick action on issues as they arise. We have possibly the closest working relationship of its kind in California, and it has made a tremendous difference for residents. We’re pleased that the CCCA has chosen to acknowledge it.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

Public Safety

City of Paramount • Paramount USD • Paramount Chamber of Commerce

Paramount Education Partnership

P E P TA L K

English as a second language (ESL) Sheriff’s Department announces being offered at Spane Park n partnership with the Paramount Adult School, the Adult tough actions on street racing

ESL program of the Paramount Education Partnership is designed to help students sharpen communications skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and numeracy in a competency-based format. Different levels are available, and these classes can help in preparation of citizenship tests. Classes are free. The curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of students, ranging from the English of daily living to the language required for entry into vocational and academic programs. The content and instructional strategies of all courses reflect the California ESL Model Standards for Adult Education Programs. Registration must be done through the Paramount Adult School at 14507 Paramount Blvd. or by calling (562) 602-8080. ESL classes are held at the Spane Park Community Learning Center, 14400 Gundry Ave., and take place Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ESL classes at the Learning Center begin Wednesday, September 8, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

If you see street racing or an intersection takeover, please call (562) 623-3500 and report it quickly!

ate last year, the Paramount City Council approved tough new penalties to combat the regional increase in dangerous street racing, reckless driving and intersection takeovers. Due to the City’s close access to many freeways, Paramount has seen its share of these illegal incidents. Street racers and the spectators urging them on who are apprehended in Paramount face severe consequences such as large fines, felony vandalism charges, and vehicle impound costs, all of which can reach thousands of dollars. They can even lose their cars for good. At the September 7 City Council meeting, Sheriff ’s Lieutenant Omar Camacho announced that this has produced the following results since the beginning of this year: • Deputies have impounded 34 vehicles in Paramount for exhibition of speed and/or reckless driving. Each vehicle was held for 30 days, resulting in approximately $1,400 in storage fees per case. • Six felony vandalism cases were filed with the courts. • Five misdemeanors for exhibition of speed or street racing were filed with the courts; one defendant paid $3,152 in damages and spent 80 hours in community service. The other four cases are pending. n asociación con Paramount Adult School, el programa These figures do not include arrests made or citations issued de ESL para adultos de Paramount Education Partnership for this illegal activity in Paramount that, for whatever reason, está diseñado para ayudar a los estudiantes a agudizar las were not upheld by the courts. habilidades de comunicación en escuchar, hablar, leer, escribir y The takeover of an intersection is swift and usually brief. aritmética en un formato basado en competencias. While a two-to-three minute law enforcement response time Hay diferentes niveles disponibles y las clases pueden ayudar en is very good, the whole enterprise can be gone by then. In la preparación de las pruebas de ciudadanía. Las clases son gratis. addition, groups of spectators have been known to surround El plan de estudios está diseñado para satisfacer las diversas and impede patrol cars while the racers escape. In many cases, necesidades de los estudiantes, desde el inglés de la vida though, these criminals are apprehended a distance away from diaria hasta el idioma requerido para ingresar a los programas the takeover scene. académicos y vocacionales. El contenido y las estrategias de Residents are encouraged to call when they see an intersection instrucción de todos los cursos reflejan los estándares modelo de takeover starting to form or hear one in progress. Call the ESL de California para programas de educación para adultos. Paramount Station at (562) 220-2002, Monday through Sunday La inscripción debe hacerse a través de la Paramount Adult from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and holidays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After School en 14507 Paramount Blvd. o llamando al (562) 602-8080. hours, call the Lakewood Station at (562) 623-3500. When a call Las clases de ESL se llevan a cabo en el Spane Park Community for service is made to the Lakewood Station, deputies do not Learning Center, 14400 Gundry Ave., y se llevan a cabo de lunes a come from there. The information goes to patrol cars already in jueves de 9 a.m. a 12 noon, 12 noon to 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Paramount. Please report all crimes!

Inglés como segundo idioma (ESL, por sus siglas en inglés) ofrecido en Spane Park

Images: Adobe Stock.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

PHS Senior, LAF dancer leads Pledge

City Council Dr. Max Martinez receives Mayor’s Award

T D

r. Max Martinez received the Mayor’s Award of Excellence at the September 7 City Council meeting. Dr. Max, as he is affectionately known, grew up in Paramount, went to school in the City, and when it came time to open his dental practice made sure that it was located in his hometown. He has built a remarkable career, having earned three dentistry fellowships and received the highest honor given to graduates of Cal State Long Beach, the Distinguished Alumni Award. He has been on the Paramount Chamber of Commerce Executive Board for more than 25 years and served as president for an unprecedented three separate terms. Dr. Max is an original boardmember of the Paramount Education Program (PEP) and a longtime member of the Paramount Elks Club, being named Elk of the Year in 2019. The doctor has volunteered at many free dental clinics throughout the area, including those held in Paramount. “He has been remarkably involved in the life of our City and has helped so many people for so many years,” Mayor Brenda Olmos said during the presentation. “He is truly larger than life.” From left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Dr. Martinez, Mayor Brenda Olmos, and Councilmember Peggy Lemons.

he Pledge of Allegiance at the September 7 Paramount City Council meeting was led by Veronica Martinez, a dancer with the Latinas Art Foundation and a senior at Paramount High School. The Foundation provides entertainment at many City events and is a great source of cultural education for the community. From left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Mayor Brenda Olmos, Martinez, Councilmember Peggy Lemons.

Summer Concert sponsors

National Hispanic Heritage Month

he City hosted a series of free concerts in Progress Park over the summer, made possible in part by the generous financial support of three sponsors who were thanked and recognized at the September 7 City Council meeting. From left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Adrian Landa representing sponsor Assemblymember Anthony Rendon, Mayor Brenda Olmos, Linda Johnson representing sponsor L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, and Councilmember Peggy Lemons. (Not able to attend was Jazlyn Acebal from sponsor Downey Federal Credit Union.)

Back-to-school sponsors

t its September 7 meeting, the Paramount City Council declared September 15 through October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to appreciate the history, heritage, and contributions made by the ancestors of Americans who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South and Central America, and for Paramount to honor the cultural legacy of many in the community. Accepting the proclamation were Danaly Perez of the Latinas Art Foundation and Frank Barraza of the Paramount-Tepic Sister City organization. From left: Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Perez, Barraza, Mayor Brenda Olmos, and Councilmember Peggy Lemons.

Boys soccer champs recognized

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he Paramount Youth Soccer Organization’s boys team from the Youngers Division recently became champs of the 2021 Cal South State Cup. The tournament opened with 32 teams and the boys battled all the way through to victory. The Paramount City Council celebrated their achievement at its September 7 meeting. From left (with the three team captains): Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Andres Alvarez, Lucas Bautista, Jonathan Monge, Mayor Brenda Olmos, and Councilmember Peggy Lemons.

n conjunction with the Los Cerritos YMCA and Senior Executive Director Jeremy Echnoz, the City held a back-to-school event where nearly 400 students ages 5-14 were given backpacks, school supplies, sweaters, and shoes, and 60 kids received free haircuts. The following donors made it all possible: (financial donations) Supervisor Hahn, Smoke & Fire Social Eatery and Isaias Hernandez, Cindy’s Jumpers and Jasmine Martines; (supplying sweaters) Ink Head Prints and Jeanette and Danny Perez, The Sauce Creative Services and Sergio Balandran; (providing food and water for the event) Domino’s Pizza represented by Tony Manos, Alfredo Velasquez, and Richard Xiong, Northgate Markets represented by Eduardo Castrejon, Frito Lay represented by Georgie Zavala; (hairstylists) Alicia Anderson, Tina Lefebvre-Salay, and Deynce

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

All proceeds go to support the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) Scholarship Program. COVID safety protocols will be observed.

Image: Arek Socha from Pixabay.

Severe U.S. blood shortage! Donations needed now! Hospitals are now responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits. In addition, there is great hospital demand for blood as patients who previously deferred care during the COVID-19 pandemic present with more advanced disease progression, therefore requiring increased blood transfusions. Because of blood shortages throughout the nation, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care. These patients really need the help of the American people—so please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling toll-free 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross will be very grateful for your help. All blood types are needed!

Long Beach Blood Donation Center 3150 E 29th St., Long Beach, CA 90806 800-733-2767 • redcrossblood.org

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

Paramount Chamber of Commerce invites you to

Dancing under Paramount’s iconic Hay Tree

estooned with lights, Paramount’s famous Hay Tree was the backdrop for a lovely evening of dancing and dining on August 27 in “A Night Under the Hay Tree,” a special, multifaceted celebration of West African culture. Suitably seated on hay bales, the audience was entertained by a stilt-walker (below, right) and an energetic solo dance performance by Marcus Bradford (left). Next the Dembrebrah Drum and Dance Ensemble took the floor and offered not only lively drumming and dancing, but also traditional West African storytelling (right). Attendees also enjoyed West African cuisine prepared by The Peppered Goat African Restaurant. The festive event was an ideal way to end the summer and welcome autumn. about the performers “Dembrebrah,” which means “unity of the drum,” refers to the djembe, a sacred drum of the Bambara people in the Mali Empire of West Africa. The relationship among the various elements of the drum ensemble signifies “the great creative force that orders the universe through vibration, rhythm and harmony.” Dembrebrah Drum and Dance Ensemble is a group of professional and semi-professional artists and educators dedicated to studying, preserving and promoting authentic, traditional West African art, culture and history. The unique emsemble, which includes musicians, storytellers, poets, dancers, singers and crafts artisans, has been performing in its current form since 1996. Dembrebrah has performed at schools, colleges, universities, entertainment centers, fundraisers, conferences, festivals, graduations, community and corporate events and family occasions, as well as in parades and on television and radio.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

Paramount Chamber of Commerce

member-to-member discounts As a Paramount Chamber of Commerce member, these discounts are extended to you by your fellow members. Visit the following businesses to receive the discounts listed below. But remember, these offers are available only to Paramount Chamber members! Attorney & Legal Services

Hotels & Motels

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

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

Automotive

Insurance

Herald’s Garage (562-633-2136): 15% discount on labor and a free engine light reset.

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

Beauty

Clínica Médica Hispana (562-630-1991): 25% discount.

Marali Beauty Salon (562-964-1126): Free haircut & treatment with purchase of any chemicals. Communications Transcom Telecommunications (562-630-1200, ext. 221): 10% off equipment (business phone services). Contractors H1 Floor Covering (424/785-5551): 15% off first visit. Jones Scaffold Co. (800-266-3864): 10% off net rental of scaffold equipment. Financial Services SG Tax Services (562-630-4004): $25 off tax preparation for Chamber members and their employees. Vicky Professional Services (562-634-1178): 20% off bookkeeping and accounting service. Flowers Diana’s Flowers (562-529-5045): Free local delivery and free balloons.

Medical

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

Delfin Seafood & Market (562-630-1928): 10% off any order. El Compa Restaurant (562-630-1068): 10% discount on all food purchases. Gus’s Deli, BBQ & Grill (562-630-2802): 10% off all food purchases. Mariscos Alas (562-633-1348): 10% Chamber member discount. 15% discount for law enforcement & City employees. Mariscos El Perihuete (562-408-1661): 10% off on food purchases over $10.

Production (Events)

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

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

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

Printers

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

Source Graphics, Inc. (562-408-2734): 10% discount on all printing. Real Estate GM Properties (562-696-0200): 5% of gross commissions on closed deals will be sent to the charity of our choice in your name. Ask for Matt. Penta Pacific Properties (562-699-1922): Free market value opinions on commercial and industrial properties. Restaurants Café Corleone (562-408-6100): 10% discount on all food purchases.

Funeral Services

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

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

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

Pulse Beat available only online until further notice In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors of the Paramount Chamber of Commerce has decided to suspend hard-copy printing and distribution of the Paramount Pulse Beat until further notice. However, the full text of each new Pulse Beat will be available online each month on the Paramount Chamber of Commerce website at paramountchamber.com. If you would like to have a printed copy of the Pulse Beat, contact us and we can mail it to you, or you can pick it up at the Chamber office. If you have questions, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 562-634-3980. We at the Chamber thank you for your continued support and understanding during these difficult times for our community, and we will keep you informed about our future plans for the publication.

Roofing One Coat Roof Seal LLC (833-232-8121): 20% off each can. Wellness & Health Enagic (562-833-3823): Free ionized alkaline water. Wholesalers & Distributors Rayvern Lighting Supply, Inc. (562-634-7020): 5% off fixtures and ballast orders (commercial distributor of lighting and fixtures).

To add your business to this section, please call the Paramount Chamber of Commerce for information:

562-634-3980

PULSE BEAT A monthly publication of the

Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, CA 90273 562-634-3980 • Fax: 562-634-0891 paramountchamber.com Executive Director: Barbara Crowson Executive Assistant: Dora Sanchez

Distributed to and read by more than 20,000 residents and business owners in Paramount. Layout & design: Danmark Associates Copyright 2021 by Paramount Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Pulse Beat and Paramount Chamber of Commerce are not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings made herein or responsible for product availability that may be advertised.

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

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

October 2021

B U S I N E S S

C A R D

DIRECTORY

General Dentistry General Dentistry Hablamos Español Hablamos Español

Max B. Martinez, DDS, FAGD, FACD Max B.un Martinez Chia-l tsao, DDS

ERALD’S GARAGE

Complete Automotive Repair FormCollision Center & Body Shop 95

City directory - Proof Paramount Chamber of Commerce DDS, FAGD, FACD For the maximum touchdirectory of care City -29 ProofSmog Form Check Paramount Chamber of Commerce Chia-Lun Tsao General Contactor (License # 506020) Total-Western, Inc.

Dedicated people focused on customer expectations

8049 Somerset Blvd. Paramount, CA 90723

Call: 562-220-1450 total-western.com

Sammy T Kotob Insurance Agency 147 S Beach Blvd La Habra, CA 90631 CA License 0L68077

Plus Certificate & ETF

16299 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723Foreign & Domestic • Autos & Trucks • Complete Engine DDS Check Engine Light • A/C • Electronic • Transmission Rebuilding Phone: 562-531-4740 • drmaxmartinez.com

16299 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

562-531-4740 • drmaxmartinez.com

cmh

Suspension • Brake Service • Specializing in Fleet Service

Fernando Kim: likeautobody@gmail.com 8124 E. Alondra Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

562-633-2136 Joseph Keays Vice President

CA Lic. #731172

Clínica Médica Hispana

Cell: 714-932-9656 Fax: 562-691-9113

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

skotob@farmersagent.com • 562-691-9100

Income Tax, Real Estate & Immigration Services

Peticiones Familiares • Residencia Cuidadania • Permisos de Trabajo Veronica Sanchez

7300 Alondra Blvd., Suite 201A Paramount, California 90723 562-372-1382 • 562-633-6588

FENICO

PRECISION CASTINGS

562-634-5000 • 800-634-5000

Madame 57 Years In57Business Years In Business

Pompador

13516 13516Paramount ParamountBlvd. Blvd.

We Llve Animals We Llve Animals

Dog CatCatGrooming • Dog&and Grooming •

WARD PROPERTIES

(CornerofofParamount ParamountBlvd. Blvd.&& 105 105 Freeway) (Corner Freeway) 13516 Paramount Blvd. Local Pick-Up and Delivery • Dog and Cat Grooming 16311•Garfield Ave., Paramount, CA 90723 www.madamepompador.com Local Pick-up & Delivery madamepompador.com (Corner of Paramount Blvd. & 105 Freeway)

All Breeds and SizesPick-Up and Delivery Local (562) 408-6145 Rose C. Towe All Breeds and Sizes (562) 408-6145 (562) 408-6145 All Breeds & Sizes 562.633.2300 • Fax: 562.633.2345 www.madamepompador.com

wardprop.com • Rose@wardprop.com

PARAMOUNT

Chamber of Commerce Barbara Crowson, Executive Director

fenicocastings.com • stran@fenicoinc.com

Please check off15357 the below listedBlvd. items• carefully, and fax to 562-634-0891 Paramount Paramount,sign CA 90723 ❏ Company Name ❏ Phone ❏ Approved ❏ Company Name ❏ Phone ❏ Approved ❏ Approved with Changes ❏ Logo ❏ Fax ❏ Approved with Changes ❏ Logo ❏ Fax ❏ Second Proof Required with Changes ❏ Second Proof Required with Changes ❏ Address ❏ Spelling Signature Required __________________________ ❏ Address ❏ Spelling Signature Required __________________________

7805 Madison St., Paramount, CAPlease 90723-4220 check off the below listed items carefully, sign and fax to 562-634-0891 paramountchamber.com • 562-634-0891

Happy Día de los Muertos & Halloween

By CheCkiNg the ABove LiSted itemS, heLPS uS to eNSuRe No eRRoRS ARe mAde. By CheCkiNg the ABove LiSted itemS, heLPS uS to eNSuRe No eRRoRS ARe mAde.

Trusted janitorial services for nearly 60 years

Contact: Brad Pollak

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

from the

CLEANTIME

Small Business Development Center

562-421-2010

4900 E. Conant St., Bldg. O-2, Suite 108 Long Beach, California 90808

Building Maintenance Co.

3450 E. Spring St., Ste.101 • Long Beach, CA 90806

cleantimejanitorialservices.com

562-938-5100 longbeachsbdc.org

Paramount Chamber of Commerce!

Image by Sofia Valladares (Pixabay)

Sanchez Professional Services

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

EMPLOYMENT

Adobe Stock image

OPPORTUNITIES

Membership RENEWALS We’re very grateful that the businesses below have renewed their Paramount Chamber of Commerce memberships, making our valuable services possible. Landmark Insurance Agency......................................48 years 5406 Lincoln Ave., Cypress CA 90630

Domino’s Pizza...........................................................26 years 15500 Paramount Blvd., Paramount CA 90723

WaveFront Technology Inc...........................................25 years 15149 Garfield Ave., Paramount CA 90723

Hoffman Plastic Compounds.....................................18 years 16616 Garfield Ave., Paramount CA 90723

Healthcare Career College ........................................13 years 8527 Alondra Blvd., Suite 174, Paramount CA 90723

Alert Cleaners...........................................................13 years 15547 Paramount Blvd., Paramount CA 90723

Paramount Senior Village...........................................8 years 8421 Adams Street, Suite 35, Paramount CA 90723

CNP Performance......................................................4 years 16376 Downey Ave., Paramount CA 90723

CFR Rinkens LLC........................................................4 years 15501 Texaco Ave., Paramount CA 90723

Powertec Inc................................................................3 years 6301 Alondra Blvd., Paramount CA 90723

Lagos & Lagos................................................................1 year 11415 Maza Street., Norwalk CA 90650

EPOXY COATING LABORER—Long-term, full-time (40+ hours per week). Will train. Install various flooring systems for commercial and industrial projects. Perform tasks involving physical labor; must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods. Operate equipment (as instructed). Techcoat Contractors, 15720 Garfield Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723. Contact: Brenda or Jessica at 562-529-5700. Apply Monday– Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. WAREHOUSE MAINTENANCE WORKER—Longterm, part-time (20 to 25 hours per week). Will train. Staging equipment and materials for daily projects. Receive and process warehouse stock products. Maintain inventory. Operate and maintain warehouse vehicles and equipment. Run errands (as needed). Techcoat Contractors, 15720 Garfield Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723. Contact: Brenda or Jessica at 562-529-5700. Apply Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN—Full-time. Experience helpful, but willing to consider an excellent new graduate who can learn quickly. Call Martha at Fobi Pharmacy: 562-630-5700. BARTENDER—Part-time, including evenings and weekends. Call Leroy: 562-634-9001. SKILLED LABOR OPPORTUNITIES—SkillsetGroup currently has these positions available for first, second and third shifts: Machine operator, sanitation, loading & unloading, forklift drivers, production line, and order pulling. Come in and apply today! SkillsetGroup actualmente tiene aperturas para puestos disponibles para Primer, Segundo y Tercer turno. ¡Ven y aplica hoy! Call us at 866-375-3094 or use Instagram (@ skillsetgroup) or Facebook for weekly updates. 7300 Alondra Blvd., Suite 202, Paramount, California 90723. STATE FARM AGENT—State Farm Agents help their customers protect what’s important to them, all the while making time to give back to their neighborhoods. Improve your career! Call David Maciel: 562-305-2111. FULL-TIME SEAMSTRESS—5-Star Interior Services, Inc., needs a full-time seamstress with drapery-making experience. Contact Leroy at 818-845-4518. CREW WORKER—Specialty construction. Will train. Installation of epoxy coatings, including preparation of concrete floors and other structures using various equipment. Long-term, 30+ hours, including some weekends. Report in person to TECHCOAT, 15720 Garfield Ave., Paramount, California 90723; M-Th 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

206 Stonewood Street., Downey CA 90241

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

Mariscos Alas................................................................1 year

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

Sylvan Learning Center.................................................1 year

15516 Paramount Blvd., Paramount CA 90723

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

BUSINESS CORNER

How to prioritize ‘buckets’ in your business

By Brad Pollak, Director of the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (please see the author biography below)

f you own or manage a small business, I am fully aware that you have too much to do and never enough time to do it. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and pulled in a million different directions, it is important that you prioritize your time based on recognizing which areas are most critical to the successful operation of your business. You can think of these areas as “buckets,” and if you force yourself to empty and re-fill each bucket consistently, you’ll feel much more in control as you super-serve your customers.

The first bucket contains “all things financial.” Are you good at managing your cash flow? Do you keep close tabs on your income statements and balance sheets? Do you know if you are actually profitable, even in the midst of growing sales?

You are a business owner and a star. Do yourself the greatest favor of all and allow yourself to prioritize and seek help where you need it. Brad Pollak is the Director of the Long Beach Small Business Development Center. He specializes in business start-ups, leadership, management, marketing strategies, and business planning. He holds a BA from Cornell University and lives in Long Beach. You can reach Brad at (562) 938-5100 or, even better, at bpollak@lbcc.edu. For more information about the SBDC, please go to longbeachsbdc.org. (See the related ad on page 9.)

Together, we can knock out the dangerous Delta variant!

The second bucket is all about your people. Do you have successful processes in place to find, hire and retain the right kind of talent that you need, and do you excel at providing a desirable, nurturing and growth-focused work environment for such talent?

If you have employees, they should know the “Vision” and “Mission” of your company so they feel a part of the team. The Vision represents the principles and bedrock of your organization. It represents your beliefs and expectations. Why are you in business? What problem(s) are you solving as a result of having this business? And your Mission specifically identifies your products and services and the types of customers you serve.

The third bucket is all about retaining your existing customers and consistently attracting new ones to cross your threshold. You can call it a “marketing bucket” that requires you to be aware of strategies and tactics to put in place in order to create demand and grow your business.

You might not think of yourself as a marketer, but you are. It’s the nature of being in business. And what is marketing? It’s storytelling. How good are you and your team at telling the story of your company, your services, and your products? As a marketer, you need to come up with a strategy that identifies what you are trying to say: Who are you and what are you selling? You must also come up with tactics to determine how best to deliver your messaging.

Other

Image: Surprising Shots (Pixabay); bucket art also from Pixabay.

Even if you are a retired CFO with 30 years of experience in finance, you should still have a bookkeeper and a CPA to help you keep on top of your financials. And while you might think this will cost you a lot of money, that’s not true. There are very affordable, qualified bookkeepers and CPA’s—and I would argue no price is too high to pay to make sure your financials are in order.

Obviously, there are plenty of other buckets, be they e-Commerce, or embracing new pointof-sale platforms and other technologies, or considering expanding to international markets, and much, much more. But at the core of your day-to-day operations, you must be laser-focused on your cash flow, on your people, and on your ability to retain and attract your customers.

Asking for help As a business owner, you might feel pressure when faced with understanding the content of each bucket. What if you aren’t a “numbers person” and you gravitate more towards being able to manage people? Or, conversely, what if you are good with financials but are uncomfortable managing your team? If this is the case, it means you are 100% normal. It is rare to find someone who can single-handedly handle all of the buckets herself, without asking for help. This means you need to be completely honest about where you need assistance, and you should run your business accordingly. In addition to possibly needing to hire professional bookkeepers, CPA’s, HR consultants, and marketers, there are many no-cost services to help you glean information and guidance. Such services include Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, California Women’s Business Centers, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and more.

Get vaccinated at any of these nearby locations

umbers of new COVID-19 infections in Los Angeles County have been going up dramatically, mostly due to the Delta variant, which spreads much more easily than earlier virus types.

So it is vital that those of you who have not been vaccinated get your free shots as soon as possible. Paramount’s number of eligible residents who have received COVID-19 vaccines is now over 60% and climbing. Listed below are locations where you can get your shots locally. Call for times and other details. • LA County Office of Education 9300 Imperial Highway, Downey; call 562-922-6111. • Rite Aid, 8447 Alondra Blvd., Paramount; call 562-634-9074. • Medical Group of Paramount 14906 Paramount Blvd., Paramount; call 562-630-6271. • Paramount Family Pharmacy, 8010 2nd St., Paramount; call 562-531-1313. • Clínica Médica Hispana Medical, 14906 Paramount Blvd., Paramount; call 562-630-1991.

Remember, any resident between the ages of 12 and 29 who has become fully vaccinated after May 4 can receive a free $20 gift card. Just show proof of vaccination and proof of Paramount residency or attendance at a Paramount Unified School District campus at City Hall (16400 Colorado Ave.) or the City Yard (15300 Downey Ave.).

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed in keeping with current Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidelines.

PRR

PUBLIC DISPOSAL SITE IN PARAMOUNT

OPEN

Monday-Friday........6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday....................6 a.m.-4 p.m. (Call for holiday hours.) Sunday........................8 a.m.-3 p.m.

All types of non-hazardous waste materials accepted

•

CLEAN FLAT QUICK EXITS Paramount Resource Recycling 7230 Petterson Lane Paramount, California

562-602-6505

Music & Lights Every Friday & Saturday night: 7- 9 pm $11 admission * $4 skate rental Every Tuesday night: 7- 8:30 pm $10 admission * Free skate rental * Live music

Iceland

8041 Jackson Street Paramount, CA 90723 www.paramounticeland.com

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

Paramount Pulse Beat • paramountchamber.com

October 2021

Families grow healthy with WIC! Familias crecen sanas con WIC! WIC is a nutrition program for women, infants and children. WIC es un programa de nutricion para mujeres, bebes y niños. South Los Angeles Health Projects WIC Program

You may qualify if you:

WIC provides:

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby • Have a child under age 5 • Have a low to medium income* • Receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) or CalFresh (Food Stamps) benefits • Live in California

• Nutrition education and health information • Breastfeeding support • Food benefits • Referrals to medical providers and community services

Usted puede calificar si:

• Educación sobre nutrición e información de salud • Apoyo con la lactancia • Beneficios de comida • Referencias a proveedores de servicios medicos y servicios

• Está embarazada, está dando pecho o acaba de tener un bebe • Tiene un niño menor de 5 años • Tiene un ingreso bajo a mediano • Recibe beneficios de Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF) o CalFresh (Estampillas de Comida) • Vive en California

WIC proporciona:

*Income levels change annually. Niveles de ingreso cambian anualmente. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Está institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

310-661-3080

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

@WICSouthLosAngeles • wicforyou.org