BEAT PULSE BEAT Paramount Chamber Golf Classic Something for Everyone
Lakers tickets, Callaway clubs and a Shelby Cobra replica were just some of the items up for grabs at the Paramount
April 2010
Chamber Golf Classic. The event began at 11:30 am with a shotgun start and ended with an awards dinner that had something for everyone. More than 130 golfers joined in the fun and spent a great afternoon on the Westridge Golf Course. The annual event which was sponsored by Carlton Forge Works helps raise money which supports the Chamber’s mission of promoting the local economy and helping businesses grow.
The event included lunch sponsored by Transcom Telecommunications and Eastern Meats and beverages sponsored by Triangle Distrib -
uting. There were several opportunities to win cash prizes for being closest to the pin or making the longest drive thanks to Lindsay Lumber. Hole-in-one sponsor Cal-Met Services offered a Shelby Cobra replica which garnered a lot of interest on the greens.
As afternoon turned into evening; golfers filed into the banquet room for dinner and a chance to win some great prizes. The major raffle prize was a full set of Callaway clubs including a bag and covers which was donated by Fenico Precision Castings. There was also a silent auction featur-
ing beautiful baskets that contained tickets for sporting events, theme parks, concerts and more. The Mystery Prize sponsored by Paramount Petroleum turned out to be a Sony Play Station with all the extras.
Some golfers lucked out in the drawings and some lucked out on the greens; like John Rodgerson, Larry Jameson, Don Lemons and Tim Hickok who took home first place team scramble awards. Coming in second was Kris Kazarian, Larry Sherman, John Andikian, and Greg Shamlian. Followed by Chris Caudana, Mike Allen, Dan VanMeeteren, and Larry Mackey in third. Each team took home impressive awards sponsored by Supervisor Don Knabe.
Chamber President Martin Johnson checks out the hole-in-one prize, a Shelby Cobra replica sponsored by Cal Met Services.
Weber Metals employee Andrea Bloom lucky winner of the grand raffle prize, a full set of Callaway Clubs, bag and covers sponsored by Fenico Precision Castings.
Thank You For Making My Term A Memorable One
My year-long term as Mayor of Paramount has come to a close. These months spent representing our City and leading the Council have been a wonderful, exciting and humbling time. I want to thank our residents and my fellow councilmembers for giving me the opportunity to serve.
It was an active period of continuing progress in our community. In Paramount, that’s the norm. I’ve lived here all my life and have always loved and been devoted to our City. It’s a truly committed community of wonderful folks, and I’m profoundly grateful to be a part of it.
Paramount Kids on Earth Day
The City’s STAR After-School Program will celebrate Earth Day (April 22) with a week of activities that begin with all 1,600 students signing an Earth Day Pledge. The fun continues with the kids participating in handson exercises like campus clean-ups, making crafts from recycled materials and reading stories relating to environmentalism.
Each STAR student will also receive a commemorative Earth Day t-shirt to increase recognition on their school campus.
In addition, the City held its 2nd Annual “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” poster contest. Out of a remarkable 1,500 submissions, the winning entries were produced by Alberto Torres (1st place, Mokler, 5th grade, $100), Christopher Garcia (2nd place, Paramount Park, 7th grade, $60) and Michelle Sosa (3rd place, Paramount Park, 7th grade, $40). The money awarded to the winners was funded by Cal-Met Services and the City of Paramount.
The Influence of GRIP
The City of Taos, New Mexico, after studying anti-gang programs across the country, has chosen to replicate our own Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP). Taos has been training its city and school district staff under the tutelage of our own GRIP coordinator, Tony Ostos.
Also on the GRIP front, a recent Los Angeles County Office of Education Gang Symposium gave recognition to Gang Resistance Is Paramount as one of the truly successful programs of its kind, noting the importance of its message of prevention – rather than intervention and suppression – when it comes to breaking the gang stranglehold.
Infrastructure Improvements
The City’s annual sidewalk project for the most recent fiscal year was completed last month. Here are the total numbers for sidewalks removed and replaced throughout the City: 23,000 square feet of sidewalk; 3,900 linear feet of curb and gutter; 1,850 square feet of driveway approaches; and nine new wheelchair ramps where there previously were none.
Our street crews also recently removed and replaced sidewalks on Vermont Avenue in front of the Town Center complex.
Our asphalt paving project for Somerset Boulevard – the most heavily traveled thoroughfare in the City – has been completed. This covered the street all the way from Garfield Avenue to the Los Angeles River, and was paid for with Federal funds from the Stimulus Recovery Act. Two years ago we paved the rest of Somerset, so this completes the entire stretch, east to west, through town.
Another major public project underway in the City is the remodeling of the Sheriff’s Station. The first phase has been completed, which increases the facility’s size to a total
of 14,000 square feet. Among the many improvements will be a much larger public lobby with public restrooms for the convenience of residents visiting the Station. Also added will be a multi-purpose room, space for the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a communications room, interview space for Sheriff’s personnel (so that such sessions won’t have to occur over at the Lakewood Station) and offices for other law enforcement agencies that perform services in Paramount.
All in all, it will create a roomy, state-ofthe-art Sheriff’s Station for our public safety needs extending well into the future.
The anticipated completion date is in September.
Mayor, Diane Martinez
Community Emergency Response Team
In the wake of the minor earthquake that rattled the region in March, Paramount residents may want to take advantage of training workshops the City is holding for emergency response training.
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a free, 20-hour training program. It is open to all community members and promotes hazard identification and mitigation in an effort to minimize the effects of a disaster on a community and facilitate its recovery. CERT was developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) now uses the program as the national model for other communities.
Within the first five minutes of a disaster, all available resources will have been committed, leaving you and your neighbors or co-workers to help yourselves. CERT can minimize the effects of a disaster and facilitate recovery.
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
• Describe the types of hazards that are most likely to affect your home and community.
• Take steps to prepare yourself for a disaster.
• Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in your home or workplace.
• Conduct triage under simulated disaster conditions.
• Perform head-to-toe patient assessments.
• Employ basic treatments for various wounds, and apply splints to suspected fractures and sprains.
• Describe ways to protect rescuers during light search and rescue operations.
The tentative dates for CERT training in Paramount are Saturday, June 5, 12, and 19 in Progress Park. You must attend all three days to complete the program and earn your certification. For more information, to reserve a seat or to confirm the dates, please call the Paramount Sheriff’s Station at (562) 220-2002.
Free Rental Property Workshop Coming Up
Here’s a reminder that another free training program the City produces, the Good Neighbor Program, is holding it second spring session this month. The GNP program invites rental property owners and managers to participate in the upcoming seminar on April 24th at 10 a.m. at Progress Park located at 15500 Downey Avenue.
The seminar provides techniques for effective property management. Topics for the upcoming seminar includes tenant screening, making a profit in a tough market, legal forms, nuisance abatement and low-cost maintenance.
To RSVP, please call (562) 220-2002.
Woman of the Year
Brenda Olmos a life long Paramount resident was recently honored in Sacramento by Assemblyman Isadore Hall III as the 52nd Assembly District “Woman of the Year.” Olmos was recognized for her volunteer contributions to youth sports, public safety, and the Paramount business community.
National Women’s History Month
Safe Communities Month
Paramount Chamber Golf Classic
Councilmember Gene Daniels, Vice Mayor Tom Hansen,
chairperson Evelin Landeros, Mayor
J. Martinez, Silvia Constanza of the American Cancer Society, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
To honor
great contributions that women have made to America, March was National Women’s History Month across the country. To proclaim the special month in Paramount, the Council was joined by members of the Paramount Women’s Club, which was founded in 1926.
March was also recognized as Safe Communities Month, which promotes the idea that everyone has a stake in keeping the City crime-free and safe. The Council was joined by members of the Sheriff’s Department who serve in Paramount.
Chamber Ambassadors sold raffle tickets, worked prize holes and delivered drinks to thirsty golfers. From left: Annina Tomjack (Paramount Petroleum), Danny Trejo (Farmers Insurance), Darlene Harris (Luis Acosta State Farm Insurance) and Karen Sonnenberg (Total Western).
Ashton Stander from Superformance gives golfers a peek under the hood of a Shelby Cobra replica.
Chamber President Martin Johnson congratulates first place team scramble winners, from left: Larry Jameson, Martin Johnson, Don Lemons, Tim Hickok, and John Rodgerson.
Scholarship Fundraiser
Coming on June 18
The City of Paramount, the Paramount Unified School District and the Paramount Chamber of Commerce are presenting the 7th Annual Fundraiser for the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) on June 18 from 6:00 pm. to 9:00 p.m. at Progress Park Plaza.
“Tropical Pleasures,” a Hawaiian luau-themed casino night, will raise money to support college scholarships for Paramount students. It will be a night of great food and lots of fun for a good cause.
Admission to “Tropical Pleasures” is $50 per person. There are sponsorship opportunities available in the following categories: High Roller - $25,000; Jackpot - $10,000; Royal Flush - $5,000; Four-of-a-Kind - $3,000; Full House - $1,000; Three-of-a-Kind - $500. (All donations will be made to the PEP 501c3 non-profit entity, so they will be tax deductible.)
Over the years, the fundraiser has produced nearly $200,000 for local students with financial need who are attending community college, a trade school or university. Your donation will be an important investment in the community, as it helps students and families reach better education opportunities and a brighter future.
Progress Park Plaza is located at 15500 Downey Avenue. For more information, please contact Suleyma Rosales at (562) 220-2145 or srosales@paramountcity.com.
Scholarship Applications Available
Applications for those college scholarships are available at Paramount High School, the Chamber of Commerce, the Library, City Hall, the City Yard, the Adult School or PEP’s Community Learning Resource Centers. Applications can also be downloaded at the City website, www.paramountcity.com. Go to Parks and Recreation and then find the Paramount Education Partnership page.
The scholarship awards are $1,000 for students attending a community college and $3,000 for students attending an accredited four-year institution within the United States, including vocational/trade/technical schools. Scholarship monies awarded this year may only be used to pay tuition, fees, books and supplies for the 2010-2011 school year.
To apply, you must be a City of Paramount resident or Paramount Unified School District student and/or graduate. Winners are chosen based on academic record, a written essay, financial need, extracurricular activities, work or volunteer experience and future goals.
Finished forms and all documents must be postmarked no later than Monday, May 17, 2010, and mailed to the PEP Scholarship Committee, 16400 Colorado Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723. They can also be hand delivered by 5:30 p.m. on that date to Paramount City Hall at the same address. For more information, please contact Suleyma Rosales at (562) 220-2145.
Arboretum
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Price: (FREE)
Registration: March 16, 2010 @ 9 am
Harrah’s Casino
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
$2 per person
Registration
Begins March 17, 2010 @ 9 am
Chicago Musical
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Price: $54 per person
Registration: Begins March 23, 2010 @ 9 am
Strawberry Festival
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Price: $7 per person
Registration:
Begins April 6, 2010 @ 9 am
Alaska Cruise
Friday, September 10, 2010
Price:
$1,674.26 per person
(Double Occupancy)
Deposit: $250 per person
Registration: April 1, 2010
Catalina Island
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Price:
$60 per person (round trip)
Registration: Begins April 1, 2010 @ 9 am
Tax Assistance for Seniors
Wednesdays at Senior Center By Appt only
Storage Solutions Becomes a Greenspot
Stores are now free e-waste drop-off and recycling collection locations
Storage Solutions has joined the GREENspot DROPoff network of free and convenient e-waste recycling DROPoff locations. Now there are more convenient places where people can drop off e-waste for proper recycling in California.
“We are so excited to be part of the GREENspot DROPoff network. Going GREEN has been a strong initiative for Storage Solutions and we are proud to be able to offer the public our self storage facilities as free places to recycle their e-waste,” said Jae
Ho, Operations Manager. For e-waste drop offs contact Storage Solutions located at 15125 Lakewood Blvd., Paramount, 562.531.2210.
HELP WANTED
OUTSIDE SALES AND BODY & PAINT TECHNICIAN WITH TOOL EXPERIENCE. Trouble-shooting. Apply at Herald’s Garage, 8124 E. Alondra Blvd, Paramount. 562-633-2136, Ask for Joe.
AMFED SALES, a toner and office product company in Paramount CA, is currently seeking an inside sales representative. Applicants must have at least two years sales experience, strong phone skills, and computer skills. This position is commission based and work hours are from 9am to 5 pm Mon-Fri. Please send resume to frank@amfedsales. com or fax to 562/272-0186 Attn: Frank Vasquez”
GREENspot Program CEO, Barry Keyes
Paramount Resident’s Carreer Blooms On and Off the Field
Paramount resident Sonia Espitia began playing soccer as part of the Paramount Parks and Recreation Program. At the age of five Sonia joined Paramount’s indoor soccer teams while attending Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School. While at Saint Joseph High School, Sonia played all four years on the varsity squad and earned several awards including Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Now a third year collegiate athlete at California State University Northridge on scholarship, Sonia’s career continues to bloom both on and off the field. Off the field, she earns a 3.0 GPA majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences. While on the field, Sonia starts for the CSUN Matadors as an outside midfielder and recently received Most Valuable Player for
the 2009 season. Sonia will graduate in spring 2011 with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences; she then plans a career as a family and marriage counselor.
GRATIS* Clasesdelamaze
Quality Claims Service Makes a Difference!
By Maria F. Galli State Farm Galli Agency 562.817.5620
Headaches, hassles, and unnecessary strain in life can be reduced by researching the quality of claims service a company offers before purchasing an auto insurance policy. There are a few key areas to research when grading the quality of claim service provided by an auto insurer: customer satisfaction ratings, customer choices and professionalism of claim representatives.
Quality claim service means prompt response and payment for what is owed for damage and quality repair work. But after an auto crash, some other intangibles can make the claims process much less stressful. Some questions to ask when shopping for auto insurance include:
• Is the person who sells me the policy, the same person I can trust to report a claim?
• Will there be someone who can answer my questions if I have one?
• Will I have my choice of body shops to repair my vehicle?
Another measure of quality claim service is customer choice. Not only choosing the auto body repair shop, but even the choices you have in communicating with the company.
With today’s hectic lifestyles, some companies offer options to report claims in person, on the phone or even online, 24 hours a day. Once the claim has been reported, you want to be kept informed and updated on the claim process. These multiple choice options for communicating can go a long way to making sure the claims process is as quick and easy as possible.
Finally, professional claim handling can eliminate the unnecessary stresses related to an auto crash.
Professional claim handling requires special skills. Claim adjusters need to empathize with the client’s situation to establish good communication and assist them in making a claim—the professional needs to turn the anxiety of a customer not knowing what to expect into confidence that the claim will be handled fairly and quickly.
A car crash is already a stressful time in anyone’s life. But the quality of claim service can differentiate insurance company A from company B. Knowing that you’ve researched this before buying an auto insurance policy will give you an added confidence when the unexpected happens. Start by asking your local insurance agent about quality claim service.
Keeping Employees Happy is Crucial in Any Economy
BY RIEVA LESONSKY
Recent surveys show that when hiring picks up again, the majority of employees plan to seek new positions. How can you make sure your staff isn’t among them? Try these 10 tips.
1. Help them grow as employees. Whether by cross-training them on new duties, asking what skills they’d like to develop, or taking advantage of industry seminars and training, help your staff learn new skills and your business will benefit.
2. Don’t micromanage. When you assign a task, make sure the employee has the tools and information needed to complete it, but let him or her determine how to handle the job.
3. Ask for input. Next time there’s a problem in your business, get your employees’ ideas on how to deal with it. Workers on the front lines will often have better solutions than you do.
4. Tell the truth. Are profits down? Do you need to cut costs? Being honest (in other words, treating people like grownups) builds trust. Don’t scare your staff, but don’t sugarcoat reality, either.
5. Let them goof up. Employees who are afraid to make mistakes won’t take risks — and that means your business won’t grow. When errors occur, don’t come down so hard on employees that they’re scared to think for themselves.
6. Be flexible. As a small-business owner, you make the rules. Offering flexibility (working at home, or flex-time) is a great reward, as long as they’re getting their jobs done.
7. Give them the proper tools. Dealing with inadequate equipment or inefficient systems drains employees’ energy. Often, small, simple upgrades or workflow adjustments make a huge difference in your staff’s quality of life.
8. Offer perks that matter. Not every employee wants the same thing. Some are motivated by a bonus or health insurance, others by a day off or free pizza lunches on Fridays. When implementing perks, survey your staff first to make sure you’re offering rewards they value.
9. Show respect. Feeling that they are not respected is a major reason people leave their jobs — even when the money is good. Give respect, and you’ll get it in return.
10. Be real. In a small office, you can’t fake who you are — so
don’t try to be the “zany” boss if you’re naturally serious. Let your employees see your real personality (while still being professional, of course). You’ll build stronger bonds and a better team.
Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of
Gr owBiz Media, a content and consulting company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Rieva Lesonsky also works with
the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network. The SBDC is a group of successful small business owners helping fellow entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow their business through low-cost workshops and
free one-on-one consulting in business planning, finance, marketing, and various other specialty areas (Spanish speaking consultants available). To make an appointment call: (562) 938-5100, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.
