Whimsical “Box Art” Enlivens City Streets
Placing art pieces in the public square for the enjoyment of people has long been a societal staple. Paramount has been displaying its own ever-growing outdoor art collection for a number of years. Sculptures, fountains, murals, even an assortment fanciful farm animals along our major boulevards serve to soften the urban landscape and brighten the day of those passing by. In all, Paramount boasts more than eight exhibits per square mile in town.
Some of these efforts spruce up vacant lots while others simply add luster to parks and street corners. The City has recently taken a rather unique approach to adding “pieces” to its environmental “gallery” by painting traffic utility boxes with decorative scenes. There have been nine boxes transformed so far with displays of flowers and other foliage, stone and brick work, a coffee cart, a flower cart, and pirate themes in front of the high school.
Keep an eye out for all of the art populating Paramount. It’s meant to amuse, enchant, calm and maybe even inspire.
February 2008
SW corner of Paramount Blvd., and AllAmerican Way
Rosecrans Avenue west of Downey Ave.
SE corner of Downey Avenue & Jefferson Street
Jackson Street, west of Paramount Blvd. Paramount Blvd., north of Civic Center Drive
SW corner of Orange Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue
Recycling In Paramount Surges with New Collection System
As you know, Paramount began a citywide automated trash collection and recycling program last November. The figures on how much trash was diverted from landfills from that first month have been compiled, and they are very positive.
Prior to the curbside program, residents were recycling about two tons of waste per month. In November, residents recycled 128 tons of waste. That’s right, 128 tons. The yard waste recycling figures have improved drastically, as well. Under the old manual collection program, residents recycled 150 tons of yard waste per month. During this past November (with the larger automated green barrels), residents recycled 237 tons of yard waste.
These numbers are very encouraging in regards to the City meeting its state-mandated waste diversion rate. I know it was a big change for all our residents to get used to the new barrels and collection system. I want
to thank all of you for your patience and help, and congratulate you on the fantastic, environmentally-sound results.
Senator Lowenthal Announces Fellowship Programs
Senator Alan Lowenthal’s office is taking applications for four state government fellowship programs, with a deadline date of February 27. They are the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, the Executive Fellowship Program, the California Senate Fellows Program, and the JudicialAdministration Fellowship Program.
These programs, sponsored jointly with the Center for California Studies, are excellent opportunities for students or others to gain firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of all branches of our state government.
Fellows serve for 11 months, receiving a monthly stipend of $1,972 plus full medical, vision and dental benefits. The only prerequisite for the program is a four-year college degree by fall of the program year. Fellows are typically recent college graduates or mid-career or re-entry individuals.All have a demonstrated interest in public policy and government, exceptional written and verbal communications skills, well-developed analytical and organizational abilities, and a superior academic background. No previous legislative, judicial or political experience is required.
Fellows earn 12 graduate units from California State University, Sacramento for courses taught by faculty from the Department of Government or Public Policy and Administration.
For more information, contact Sen. Lowenthal’s Paramount office at 16401 Paramount Blvd., (562) 529-6659 or find an application online at http://www.csus.edu/ calst/programs.
Remember . . . February 27 is the last day that applications for the fellowship programs can be accepted.
Congresswoman Sanchez’s Forum on Careers A Big Success
Our U.S. Congresswoman, Linda Sanchez, sponsored a free public forum last month at Paramount High School entitled “Great Careers … That Don’t Require A Four-Year Degree.”
As she pointed out, more than 50% of our population will not get a four-year college degree. But technical and vocational careers can provide a lucrative living. For instance, auto mechanics with one- or two-year certificates from a community college can make over $70,000 a year. Chefs at hotels can make over $60,000 a year. Carpenters and electricians graduating from apprenticeship programs can make $70,000 or $80,000 a year. And registered nurses can earn nearly $100,000.
There are already many openings in these career fields, and even more opportunities will be available in the coming years as 75 million “baby boomers” begin to retire.
The forum featured presentations by local training agencies, community colleges, trade
unions, and businesses with concrete examples of how you can get on track for a successful and well-paying job in a variety of careers. It was designed for young people ages 14-29, but was open to anyone who wanted to learn about these career paths.
The turnout was excellent, the information was invaluable, and we appreciated very much that Congresswoman Sanchez put it all together for residents of our City.
Walking for Your Health
When it comes to exercising, the benefits of a brisk walk are hard to beat. Paramount’s parks offer walking paths in a relaxing, refreshing environment that can make setting up a regular schedule for getting out in the open easy and enticing. Here are the mileage numbers for each park’s path: All American, ¼-mile; Dills, ¾-mile; Paramount, ½-mile; Progress, ½-mile; Spane, ¼-mile.
Sometimes making plans with a group can help you stick to an exercise routine. If you’d be interested in finding like-minded individuals, call our Recreation Department at (562) 220-2121 to see if they can match you with an existing group of power walkers.
And for the serious hiker, the City’s last winter excursion will be with the SoCal Explorers Hiking Club on a nature outing to Eaton Canyon Park. The trip will be Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. The cost is $2 per person and you need to sign up by Feb. 19. It’s an event for the whole family. Call (562) 220-2121 if you’re interested.
Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire.
Mayor, Peggy Lemons
Tips For Businesses On Avoiding Robbery
The Paramount Public Safety Team and Sheriff’s Department are undertaking a proactive informational campaign to help businesses in town guard against robberies. This is not prompted by any particular spike in robbery statistics, but, rather, is simply a preventive effort to educate owners and workers on the topic.
In the coming months, City and Sheriff’s personnel will be visiting businesses in the community to discuss measures that can be taken to be prepared. In the meantime, here are some tips and ideas provided by the California Attorney General’s office.
The Crime
Robbery is a crime “against the person” and a frightening experience. In protecting your business, it is important to take preventive measures – and make it obvious that those measures are being taken.
How to Discourage Robbery
Avoid working alone. If you must work alone, turn on a hidden radio or TV so robbers will think there is someone with you.
Vary the schedule and route for your bank deposits each day. Keep only necessary cash in the drawer.
Make sure your cash register is clearly visible to passers-by. Arrange the counter so that the customer or robber is visible from the street.
Avoid placing signs or displays near windows that block visibility from the street.
If your business runs an exceptionally high risk of robbery, you may want to invest in a bulletproof cashier screen. A screen “diffuses” the robber’s threat, but other prevention measures may be equally effective at a lower cost.
Place signs at entrances and exits indicating that safes require secondary keys not in the possession of employees.
Advertise your security alarm system with signs in visible locations. Make sure your employees know how to operate a panic button if one is included in your alarm system.
Develop a mutual aid system among stores on your block. Agree to keep an eye on each other’s buildings and watch for any suspicious activities. Install “buddy buzzer” alarms so you can signal your neighbor to call law enforcement if you are being robbed.
More Tips
Record the serial number of the bottom bill in each bin of the cash drawer, and instruct employees not to use these bills in making change.
Place colored tape markers at exits, at heights of five feet, six inches and
six feet. If you are robbed, you can then get an accurate estimate of the suspect’s height as he leaves.
If a Robbery Happens
Someone points a gun at you and demands your money. What do you do?
• Give it to him.
• Never refuse a robber!
If you have a silent alarm and can reach it unnoticed, use it. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves. (Use your alarm with care. Excessive false alarms can cause problems for law enforcement and for you.)
If possible, signal other employees – have a pre-arranged signal for such emergencies. Again, if the robber will see you giving a sign, wait. Try to avoid sudden moves. Many robbers are just as nervous as you are.
The most important thing to do if you’re robbed is to observe. The description of the suspect you give to law
enforcement may be the only information they have to go on.
After a Robbery
• Call 911.
Write down everything you can remember about the robber and the crime itself: the robber’s appearance (height, weight, color of hair and eyes, scars, tattoos, accent, anything unusual) and as much as possible about his clothing, weapon and mannerisms. Try to remember the robber’s exact words and try to observe any vehicle the robber uses to get away and the direction of travel.
Keep everyone away from the surfaces or objects the robber may have touched.
Cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors. Your help is crucial.
For more information on this topic, please call the Paramount Sheriff’s Station at (562) 220-2002.
Paramount Youth Land Great Jobs Through SASSFA
The Paramount branch of the Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority (SASSFA) provides free employment, training, and business services to low-income and out of work residents of Paramount, as well as the
City’s youth. The following stories illustrate how these services can produce great results.
Michelle is a 19-year-old high school graduate who participated in the SASSFA Summer Employment Program, where
Spanish Theme For Upcoming PEP Benefit Auction
Join fellow supporters of education in Paramount for PEP’s 5th Annual Benefit Auction, “A Night in Spain,” hosted by Gateway Cities Partnership at Progress Park Plaza. The date of the auction is set for June 6 at 6:00 p.m. The night will feature music, Tapas hors d’oerves, fine wine and fabulous items to bid on in both a silent and live auction. Funds raised will be used to support the Paramount Education Partnership’s programming and college scholarships for local students. More than 2,000 children will receive education, guidance and support from PEP this year alone in addition to the scholarships that will be awarded from the money raised at this event.
Last year’s event was attended by more than 200 friends of education in town and raised $87,634, which represented a 46% increase from the previous year. This year our goal is to reach $100,000 to provide scholarships, maintain programs, and ultimately assist more students in the community.
If you are interested in supporting the children and education in the community by donating a good, service, or money please contact the GCPI office using the information below. If you would like to be added to our mailing list so that you may receive an invitation, or if you would like more information about this event, please contact Aoife Hollingsworth or Heather Gates at (562) 817-0820.
she gained an office job at the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP). Her supervisor at PEP was so impressed with her work performance, she asked Michelle to apply for a permanent position in the clerical department. The young woman was hired immediately as an office assistant making $10.00 an hour.
Diana, another summer youth participant, was placed at the Paramount Adult School. She did such as excellent job that she was hired full time there in the clerical department. Diana is making $9.00 and is now a permanent employee of the Paramount Unified School District.
Both young ladies are great examples of the benefits that can be gained from the Paramount SASSFA Youth Program. We are very proud of their success and keep in touch with them as they continue in their
• REMODELING
• FRAMING
• ROOFING
• PLUMBING
• BLOCK WALLS
• STUCCO
• PLASTER
• TILE
• ELECTRICAL
• KITCHEN CABINETS
HUGO ESTRADA
endeavors.
SASSFA offers job seekers a full computer lab, internet access, resume building skills, tutorials, community resources, faxes, phones, copiers, workshops, posted job leads and much more. Free services to Paramount youth, ages 16-21, include tutoring, college preparation, paid work experience, internet and computer lab, and job readiness and leadership workshops.
Businesses can also benefit by using SASSFA for recruiting, screening and hiring of employees.
Anyone looking for a job or needing to upgrade their employment skills through training can do so at SASSFA, at no cost.
SASSFA is located at the Paramount Firehouse Activity Center at 15538 Colorado Avenue. For more information, call (562) 633-9511 or visit www.sassfa.org.
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION & ROOM ADDITIONS
• REMODELACIONES
• CARPINTERIA
• TECHOS
• PLOMERIA
• BARDAS DE BLOCK
• ESTACO
• EMPLASTE
• PISOS
• ELECTRICIDAD
• CABINETES DE COSINA AND MORE
A Runaway Success
Paramount Rotary Club’s 28th Annual 10K Race took place on Saturday, January 12th. The certified Race is run on the streets of Paramount and is one of the Club’s largest fund raiser. According to Rotary President Jay Wilbur, “The race would not be such a success without the unstinting help from the City of Paramount and sponsorship from Paramount Unified School District. Volunteers managed the event for the 600 runners, race walkers, health
walkers and milers. The warm January sun made it a great day for everyone. Prizes were awarded in all age categories, teens - 80+. The event raised more than $20,000 which will be used by the Club to provide humanitarian services to the residents of Paramount.
The Rotary Club is a service organization made up of local business and professional people. For more information, call Club Secretary Duane Mahan at 562-634-0234.
Café Corleone
-Valentines Day SpecialThursday, February 14, 2008 • 6pm or 8pm 15337 Paramount Blvd., Paramount MENU
Osso Bucco • Chilean Sea Bass • Rack of Lamb & more SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT &
Complimentary Red Rose for that Special Someone For Reservations: 562-408-6100
FREE
Your choice of one: Spaghetti W/Meat Sauce, Small Antipasto Salad (serves 2) or Small 10” Cheese Pizza W/Your Purchase of $15 or More Expires March 30, 2008
(Not valid w/any other offer or Valentines Day, February 14, 2008)
Good for delivery, dining room, or take out orders All major credit cards accepted
Now Offering Free Delivery Home or Business 11am to 2 pm $15 Minimum order (3 mile radius)
Domestic & Italian Beer & Wine
Award Presentations
Kirk Kain, the executive director of the Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority (SASSFA), which is an organization that helps Paramount residents with job searches and skills training, presented the Paramount City Council with a special plaque at the Council’s Jan. 8 meeting. The City has provided the nonprofit group operating space at its Firehouse facility. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Kain, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Public Support Officer Margaret Arbini Madonna from the Greater Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross made a presentation the City’s Assistant Public Safety Director Adriana Lopez for being the Red Cross Volunteer of the
Doug Simmons has been the Deputy Probation Officer in Paramount for almost eight years. His work coordinating probation searches, providing support and counseling for community members, and sharing his wealth of knowledge with Sheriff’s investigators have all helped to dramatically lower crime in Paramount. The Council also commended him on Jan. 8. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Simmons, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Blossie Johnson has been Paramount’s Fingerprint Specialist for three years. Her expertise at lifting prints has resulted in more arrests, more recovered stolen property, and an overall reduction of crime in the City. She also comes in after hours and on her days off when early preservation of evidence at a crime scene is critical. The Paramount City Council honored her for her exemplary work at its Jan. 8 meeting. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Johnson, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
We offer Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Creative Movement, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, and Salsa for ages 3 to Adult Cheer Clinics and Pageant Training Available
Recital Time is Right Around the Corner, So Come and Join Our Dance Family Also, Visit our website @ www.onstagedance.com
Bring this flyer and receive $10.00 off your registration fee
HELP WANTED
AUTO MECHANIC WITH TOOL EXPERIENCE. Trouble-shooting. TOP DOLLAR for TOP MECHANIC. Apply at Herald’s Garage, 8124 E. Alondra Blvd, Paramount. 562-633-2136, Ask for Joe.
SECURITY OFFICERS - Immediate Full Time & Part Time Positions. Must have valid guard and or gun permits. Call Central Patrol Service (562) 621-1500
Charles G. Hardy, Inc., Distributor of Building Material DRIVERS AND WAREHOUSEMEN wanted.15723 Vermont Ave., Paramount, Ask for Mark (562) 634-6560
SECURITY and PATROL OFFICERS NEEDED - Vernon Security currently has openings for Unarmed Guards and Patrol Officers to work all shifts in Paramount and surrounding cities. Must have a current guard card and a clean DMV for Patrol. Call Charles at 562-790-8993 Ext.102 or apply in person at 15317 Paramount Blvd Suite 201, Paramount, CA. Must bring your guard card when applying.
International Freight Forwarding Co. Hiring OPERATIONS, ACCOUNTING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES REPS for its Paramount Ca. Houston Tx., & NYC offices. Experience not required. Proficiency in Chinese a plus. H/Ins. 401K provided. EM to laofc@zencon.com or fax 562-663-6899
SALES PEOPLE: We encourage all experienced sales people to apply for the best schedule you’ve ever seen! Great pay-pay & benefits. Relaxed work environment. Must have valid Sales License. Must speak Spanish & English. Apply at the office or online at: http://www.soppchevrolet.com/Employment
Month. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Madonna, Lopez, Vice Mayor Gene Daniels and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Lakewood Regional Medical Center
Investing in the Health of the Community
Chief executive officer of Lakewood Regional Medical Center Mark Korth said that 2007 was a “pivotal year for Lakewood Regional Medical Center, closing with upward trends in inpatient volume, millions in capital improvements and a 6 percent increase in overall employee satisfaction.”
“Lakewood Regional Medical Center just keeps on improving,” said Korth. “Over the past year, we’ve invested over 11 million dollars in facility upgrades to ensure that our 172-bed Medical Center stands more prepared than ever to provide for the health care needs of our community.”
Key improvements completed include: Renovating the lobby, main
corridors, patient waiting areas and the cafeteria, installing a new 64-slice CT Scanner and opening new state-of-theart radiology rooms. In keeping with its forward-thinking attitude, LRMC also implemented technology that allows physicians immediate access, via the Internet, to patient x-ray images and medical records.
In 2008 LRMC will continue expansion as they invest another $10 million dollars improving the Heart Institute and cardiology services. Korth also pointed to a number of initiatives focused on quality and safety objectives, updating operating rooms, and pharmacy and laboratory operations.
Knowing Competitors Will Make Your Business Grow
By Ian Lamont -Director Small Business Development Center
There are people out there who are plotting right this minute to eat your business lunch! They are plotting to do business faster, better and smarter than your business. They are plotting to take your customers and steal your revenue. They are plotting to put you out of business.
So what do you do? If you make sure you know who they are, you may actually find out they have a lot to teach you. Plus you will avoid uttering a failing entrepreneur’s lament “where did they come from?”
It is absurdly obvious, isn’t it? Stay abreast of your market and all that is happening. Of course, you may be one of those rare business owners who is saying “no one else is operating in our niche, our business is unique.” If this describes you, read the statement in quotes at the end of the paragraph above because you will be saying it very soon.
No matter what your business is, you should be intensely monitoring all of your competitors, both to stay ahead of them and “to borrow” their good ideas.
So why, don’t most leaders in business make this a standard practice? Ego and pride are two of the answers as most leaders believe, unfortunately, that they are the smartest and best in their business market.
Even if you do study your competitors, I would bet almost all of your time is spent concentrating on their weaknesses, not spending any time on their strengths or what makes their business successful. Why? -- because you think they’re stupid (which is the other side of thinking you are smarter and better).
Think about this, your competitors think the same way you do. They think their business is stronger, better positioned, will grow faster and in the long term be more successful. So why wouldn’t you want to learn all about them.
So step back and assess your competitors. If you do, it will help focus your efforts in a meaningful and productive fashion, and provide some valuable insight that will make your own business stronger.
Here’s how to do it! First, take a look back at the last 12 months. What are the smartest things your best competitors did? And don’t just ask yourself, ask your managers, your shared customers and other business leaders.
I would suggest you develop a questionnaire or survey (the internet site www. surveymonkey.com will do most of the
work and compile the results for you for a small fee). Don’t have the time? Make the time because done right, it will have an enormous ROI.
Then examine the results. Have your competitors launched new initiatives? What impact are your competitors having on your business- lost customers, loss of revenue? What is it about your competitors that allow them to compete against you? Which leads us to the next step on the ladder of self-examination -- What is it about your competitors’ organizations that enable them to have any advantage over you in the marketplace?
For example, take the HR side. Are they attracting better people, stealing good people from you? Do they pay better, have better benefits? Do they have better mentoring or leadership development programs? Is their operating culture better, more productive, healthier for their employees?
Or look at Marketing. Are they faster at bringing new products to market? What kind of promotional support do they give their products? What vendors do they use and where and why are their products better?
Go through this exercise -- and then put together a detailed strategic plan to improve your competitive abilities and your competitive performance against them.
So take some time away from doing what you have always done. Stop studying the lessons of business books and or so-called legendary leaders as the way for you to become a better leader or make your business grow.
Instead, spend some time studying who wants to eat your lunch. You might just learn something.
Ian Lamont is the Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located in North Long Beach. The SBDC provides “no-cost” 1-on-1 business counseling and mentoring. Your Paramount Chamber has partnered with the SBDC to provide this free business counseling at the Chamber office for any business in the area. The SBDC has nine experienced business counselors, including, an Accountant, Attorney, Banker, Webmaster/Technologist, along with experience counselors in sales & marketing, running a business and even starting your own business. There is never a charge (free service) to meet with any of these counselors 1-on-1. The SBDC is hosted by Long Beach City College. To set up your appointment call the Chamber office or e-mail Ian Lamont at ilamont@lbcc.edu For more information about the SBDC, go to www.lbsbdc.org.
You are cordially invited to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event of National Polytechnic College
Date: Wednesday, February 13
Time: 12:noon
Place: 6630 Telegraph Rd. Commerce, CA 90040 Light Refreshmants will be served Please RSVP by January 30th (323) 728-9636
Auto Club Says – Don’t Get Stuck at the Border
TheAutomobile Club of Southern California’s Downey office is alerting land and sea travelers to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean that beginning Jan. 31, they will be required to carry a government-issued photo ID and proof of U.S. citizenship in order to either enter or leave the U.S.
Sea and land travelers to these regions do not yet need to carry a passport. But if they don’t have a passport with them, they need to have another form of proof of citizenship such as an original birth certificate or naturalization certificate. And all travelers aged 19 and over are also required to carry a government-issued photo ID.
“Identification requirements for travelers have been changing frequently in the last couple of years, and travelers need to stay aware of these changes so they bring the correct documents on their trips,” said Rosa Salazar, the Auto Club’s Downey district manager.
The U.S. government was planning to require all sea and land travelers to these adjacent international destinations to carry passports as of this summer. But that requirement has been pushed
back to 2009, when a smaller, less expensive version of a passport – known as a “passport card” – should be available for U.S. citizens to use in lieu of a passport when they travel to countries adjacent to the U.S.
However, in the meantime, travelers must carry some proof of citizenship with them if they travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean, Salazar said.
For travelers who do want to obtain or renew passports for upcoming international travel, the Auto Club has passport applications available at the Downey office, 8223 Firestone Boulevard, and can also take passport photos for a fee of $8 for members and $15 for non-members. After filling out an application, new passport
applicants must complete their passport processing at an authorized processing location such as a U.S. post office.
The Auto Club also reminds travelers to Mexico that if they plan to drive their vehicles there, they need to purchase Mexico auto insurance for their trip. U.S. auto insurance is not accepted in Mexico, and drivers without auto insurance in that country are subject to immediate arrest. Mexico auto insurance is available for purchase at the Downey Auto Club office or online at www. AAA.com.
For more information about the new travel requirements, visit an Auto Club office, www. AAA.com, or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at www.dhs.gov.
