Serving the Community Since 1990
New Arrival- 2008 Chamber Directory
Ten thousand copies of the 2008 Chamber directory will soon be delivered throughout the City of Paramount. The cover of this year’s directory features Paramount’s Civic Plaza and Botanical Gardens located in down town Paramount adjacent to City Hall.
The directories are chalked full of useful contact information for City Hall, Paramount schools, utilities, animal control and much, much, more. The directories also contain a complete listing of businesses that belong to the Paramount Chamber of Commerce as well as a list of residential phone numbers. Copies of the directory are available free of charge to Paramount residents and members of the Paramount Chamber.
The Chamber would like to thank all of the member businesses and organizations that support the Paramount Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to promote economic growth in the City of Paramount. The directory was made possible through the advertising support of the following Chamber members:
AFLAC Insurance
Allstate Insurance
January 2008
American Construction
ASAP Banner & Sign
Banco Popular
Bentley Manufacturing
Café Corleone
Cal Met Services
Cal Tex
Carlton Forge Works
Casa Adelita
Casa Gamino
Cerritos College
Classroom Works
Clinica Medica Hispana
Cuin’s Construction
Direct Way Personnel
Domino’s Pizza
Don Eduardo Cobo
Duke & Associates
Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care
Emmanuel Reform Church
E-Recycling Waste (PRR)
Expert Plant Care
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Fenico Precision Castings
Fu-Lyons Associates
Fusion Electric
Garden of Eva
Gateway Business Bank
Gazebo Flowers
Greg’s Collision Center
Heath Machine
Herald’s Garage
Hunt Industrial Properties
John Barber Construction
Kids Dental Kare
Kimberly’s Dance Studio
Lerma’s Attorney
Lifegate Foursquare Church
Lindsay Lumber
Los Cerritos YMCA
Mariscos El Perihuete
Max Martinez, DDS
Mission Stucco
Paramount Petroleum
Paramount Rotary Club
Penta Pacific Properties
Power Electronics
PUSD Adult Education
R & S Processing
RMI International
Roberts Chiropractic
National Home & Investments
Northgate Markets
Paramount Resource Recycling
Paramount Swap Meet
Paramount Furniture
Paramount Iceland
Rosewood Restaurant (Norwalk)
Royal Truck Body
SASSFA
SCE
So. Cal. Immediate Medical Ctr.
Soroptimist Intl’l of Paramount
Storage Solutions
The Jankovich Co.
Tile & More
Tip Top Towing
Total Western
Transcom Services
Valerio’s Fashion
Vernon Security
Vicky Professional
W. H. Plumbing Heating
Ward Industrial Properties
Washington Mutual
Weber Metals
Win Win Realtors Inc.
Mayor, Peggy Lemons
New Ordinance Cleans Up News Rack Clutter
You may have noticed that, over time, all sorts of news racks have popped up in Paramount, littering the public rights of way with little attention to aesthetics, and sometimes without being properly permitted. Besides the unsightly clutter it has created at many of our street intersections, this proliferation has also led to pedestrian and auto safety issues.
The City has now passed a new ordinance regulating these racks relating to both their location and appearance. In addition, adult publications will be prohibited for sale in areas not supervised by an adult, such as public sidewalks and private walkways.
The ordinance restricts the number of news racks on each street corner to eight. To eliminate hazardous sidewalk situations, mid-block news racks are not allowed in the
public right-of-way. The news racks will now have a uniform, decorative design standard, with single or double-stacked dispensers on a decorative pedestal, and all kept to certain height minimums. The standardized color is green. Responsibility for installation of the news racks lies with the publishers of the periodicals.
After the new racks are installed, they must be kept in a clean condition and in working order. Any vandalism or defacement needs to be repaired within seven days or the City will be able to impound the rack. Also, there will be no advertising allowed other than the logo of the publication.
Park Hours
Paramount’s parks have traditionally been closed between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Now, “closing time” has been shifted to dusk. This move enhances community safety by securing our parkland after dark and guarding against any loitering or vandalism.
Any uses or activities authorized by the City are exempt from the new park hours.
Financial Management Praised . . . Again
Paramount has been a very responsible city when it comes to finances and fiscal health for a long time. Now, for the 27th year in a row, the City’s Comprehensive Annual
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Financial Report has won honors for excellence from a national trade group of financial officers. The report is something each city is required to produce by state law. Many cities try to get this recognition, which is awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association. The judging is meticulous. And, once again, our Finance Department has kept this remarkable winning streak of almost three decades going strong.
We’re very pleased to receive this special recognition.
Paramount 10K
The 27th Annual Paramount 10K Run will be held Saturday, January 12, rain or shine. In addition to the run, there will be a 10K Race/Walk, a Two-Mile Health Walk, and a One-Mile Kids Run called “Jessica’s Mile” in honor of Jessica Uriarte who was a victim of leukemia at age 12 and took part in the run for many years.
The event is put on by the Paramount Rotary Club. The Honorary Race Director is, as always, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee D. Baca. The starting line is at Downey and Alondra, and it is a “fast and certified” course.
For more information about the
event, call Jim Monico of the Rotary Club at 562/602-6064 or visit www. nealand.com/finishline.
A Fond 50th
As we move into January 2008, I would like to thank the entire community for making 2007 such a special year in our celebration of Paramount’s 50th anniversary of incorporation. The history of our town – the early years of Hynes and Clearwater, unification in 1948 and on to the vote for cityhood in1957 was documented in these pages and elsewhere. Now that the commemoration is complete, we look forward to the upcoming years of further progress, improvement, community spirit and unity.
From the dairy days to the doldrums, and on through revitalization via pocket parks, picket fences and public art, the Paramount story is one of innovation and hard work, and it continues to thrive.
Happy New Year!
Speaking of the new year, and the one just concluded, I hope 2007 was happy and healthy for everyone, and that 2008 will be another great year for all of you.
I Ever Got
Remember To Bring In Your Holiday Lights
Here’s a friendly reminder that the City has an ordinance relating to the display of exterior winter holiday lights for residential properties. The law states that such lights must be removed by January 15.
“Holiday lights” are defined as a string of lights commonly associated with the holiday season that contains multiple- or single-colored or clear light bulbs that are attached to a structure. Only residential properties are affected.
The ordinance was passed a few years ago in response to concerns voiced by residents about keeping
our neighborhoods attractive. The City appreciates everyone’s cooperation.
Take Precautions When Using an ATM
Criminals frequently target ATMs, so it is very important to be cautious when using a cash machine. When visiting an ATM, keep the following tips in mind:
• Prepare deposit slips before approaching the ATM.
• Shield the ATM’s keypad with your hand or body when entering your personal identification number
Property Rehab Programs Get a Makeover to Attract More Participation
The City of Paramount has offered two programs since the early 1980s for refreshing neighborhoods and commercial corridors by performing exterior remodels on houses and businesses.
The Residential and Commercial Rehabilitation Programs have been well-utilized revitalization tools, improving hundreds of properties in town. The money for the projects comes from federal sources and Paramount’s Redevelopment Agency.
In order to encourage more participation in these programs, the City has revamped them, adding funding and other enhancements.
Help With Homes
With Residential Rehabs, the program is designed to assist lowto-moderate-income families in owner-occupied, single-family homes. The City has paid 75% of the costs while the owners pitch in 25%. Now, the City’s financial contribution has gone up to 90% for seniors and very-low-income families (with the owner’s contribution at 10%). For low- and moderate-income families, the program now pays 80%, with a decrease in participants’ contribution to 20%.
The Residential Rehab Program also provides zero-interest loans, as well as help with legalizing non-permitted structures on a property and correcting code violations.
Commercial Costs
With the Commercial Rehabilitation Program, the City also paid 75% of the construction costs, up to $22,500, and business owners provided the rest. For larger, high-profile properties located on corners or with over 150 feet of street frontage, the program gave up to $250 per lineal foot of street frontage.
With the changes, the City increases its financial contribution to 80%, with a decrease in participants’ contribution to 20%. In addition, the program’s maximum financial contribution bumps from $22,500 to $40,000. For corner lots or 150-foot street frontage properties, the City will now contribute $400 per lineal foot of street frontage, not to exceed 80% of the total project cost. A minimum 20% contribution would be required from the property owner.
Commercial buildings with multiple suites are usually more costly to retrofit. To address these projects, the program provides $25,000 per suite, with a maximum contribution of $100,000 per project. A 20% minimum contribution would be required from the property owner.
There is also a zero-interest, five-year loan available for up to $50,000 to cover half of the participant’s financial contribution (depending on the size of the project). All loans are on a five-year payment schedule, are due upon sale, refinancing or transfer of the property and secured by a deed of trust.
Lastly, the program now pays for the cost of construction drawings. These two programs have played a vital role in the revitalization of Paramount over the last two decades. With these revisions, they will continue to improve the City’s neighborhoods for years to come.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2036.
(PIN).
• Take your receipt with you.
• When using a drive-up ATM, make sure all passenger windows are rolled up and all doors are locked.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything suspicious, use another ATM or return later.
• If you absolutely must use an ATM at night, consider taking someone with you. Your chances of becoming a victim are much greater if you are by yourself.
Truancy Enforcement And Consequences
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department periodically conducts both daytime and nighttime curfew enforcement in Paramount. It is very important for parents and guardians to know about the potential legal consequences for any minor who is found to be truant from school or out
past curfew.
Daytime curfew enforcement focuses on curtailing the activities of minors who are not in school during regular school hours. According to Paramount’s Municipal Code, regular school hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Nighttime curfew enforcement focuses on those minors who are out without adult supervision from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Minors who are cited for truancy or curfew violation may face the following consequences:
• A fine of up to $495.
• Community service hours.
• Suspension from school.
In addition to the these penalties, the parents/guardians of the truant minor may be required to accompany the minor to court and may be required to successfully complete parenting classes.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2002.
CITY SERVICES
New Program Aims To Place Students With Employers
The Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) has launched the Paramount Youth Opportunity Program in the new year. The program is intended primarily for 12th graders from Paramount High School who exhibit a potential to excel in vocational fields and have chosen to enter the workforce immediately after high school rather than attend college.
Students taking part in the Paramount Youth Opportunity Program will undergo a career assessment and then build a portfolio that will guide them in their employment choices. A 14-day class schedule will consist of a curriculum based on the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, or SCANS, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. The classes will be held either at Paramount High
School or the Paramount Petroleum Community Learning Resource Center at Spane Park.
Once the classes have been completed, and the student has shown a proficiency in each of the SCANS categories, each individual could be given an internship with a company in or near Paramount. The internship would take place from February until June of this year. During the internship, the student would be periodically counseled by the Youth Opportunity Program instructor.
The goal of the program is to train students in the most essential skills needed to acquire and maintain a rewarding career.
For more information about the Paramount Youth Opportunity Program, please contact Alex Garcia at (562) 817-0822.
P ARAMOUNT C HAMBER OF
C OMMERCE H OLIDAY M IXER
Special thanks to the following members who donated refreshments for the Chamber Holiday Mixer.
From Left: Assistant Public Safety Directors Fred Bertsche and Adriana Lopez with Public Safety Diretor Maria Meraz.
Maria Angel (National Homes and Investment), Araceli Lerma (Lerma Law Offices), Alicia Costa (Cafe Corleone), Lorraine Rincon (Pink Pearl), Judy Winters (Paramount Soroptimist) and Bill Winters (Paramount Petroleum).
Chamber President Leonard Crespo and Membership Services Director Maria MacLean call out lucky raffle prize winners.
Erin Stibal (Field Rep for Supervisor Don Knabe), Darren Kurkowski (Bianchi Theatres), Dr. Max Martinez and Leonard Crespo (Total Western).
Dr. David Verdugo (PUSD School Superintendent), Mrs. Johnson, Martin Johnson (Carlton Forge) and Jennifer Capp (Paramount SASSFA).
Christmas Concert
Ribbon Cutting Juices & Fruits Oasis
Rotary Club Sponsors
Program
Christmas is a time for giving and the Paramount Rotary did just that by sponsoring a Clothe-A-Child program. The club worked closely with Keppel, Los Cerritos and Wirtz Schools to select nineteen deserving
children for a shopping spree at the Penney’s store in Lakewood Mall. Students accompanied by a family member were personally escorted through the store by a Rotarian to select the clothing of their choice. Penney’s did their part by opening early and providing a 25% discount to the early morning shoppers. At the end of the day more than $5,300 was spent to meet the children’s needs.
The Rotary Club is an organization of local business and professional people who provide humanitarian assistance to Paramount residents. Visitors are always welcome at the Rotary’s weekly meetings, for more information please contact Club Secretary Duane Mahan at 562-634-0234.
Workshops
Bookkeeping Basics
This is a hands-on, practical overview of double-entry bookkeeping. After this seminar, the participant should have an understanding of how to maximize computer accounting software to help in your everyday business needs. Topics to be covered include:
• Chart of accounts
• Journal entries
• Posting to the general ledger
• Preparing a trial balance
• Simple financial statements
Fee: $30 Tuesday January15, 2008 10:00 am – 1:00 p.m.
Technology for Small Businesses
Learn how to take advantage of the latest technology, to improve your business performance & save money. Topics to be discussed include:
• How to select the best software & hardware for your business
• Create technology plan to be more efficient in your business
Fee: $30 Tuesday January 29, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Reservations are required. Workshops are from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
For more information call 562-634-3980 x10 or email mvillasenor@paramountchamber.com
Workshops Presented by the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) All fees payable to SBDC
12912 Paramount Blvd.
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
Chamber President Leonard Crespo presents Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez with
certificate for the grand opening of their
Juices & Fruits Oasis.
Casa Adelita, a family restaurant located at 8063 Alondra between Paramount and Downey, celebrated its first annual Mexican Cultural Week from October 28th - November 4th. The event featured seven different altars dedicated to Mexican revolutionary leaders and artists. According to ancient Mexican tradition during this time spirits of the deceased
return to be near those they loved.
The event included the appearance of “La Catrina”, an old Mexican legend. She is elegant, mysterious and captures souls to take them to the great beyond.
Casa Adelita restaurant is dedicated to good service, good food, and a desire to spread awareness of the Mexican culture and its traditions.
Paramount Elks Club
Members of Paramount Elks Lodge 1804 donated more than $1000.00 and made 214 Christmas bags for veterans at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. The bags contained sundries and other necessities.
Paramount Soroptimist Club
Noel Aguayo and Soroptimist Treasurer Peggy Lemons. Noel donated $100 for the Soroptimist of Paramount Christmas project. The program provides food, toys and other wish list items to families who are living in the SuCasa housing program for abused and battered women and children. Additional contributions were received from: Supervisor Don Knabe, Paramount Petroleum, Fenico Precision Castings, George Franzen (Hunt Industrial Properties), Tim Hickock (Penta Pacifica) and Dr. Tom Hansen.
Continental Medical Center of Paramount
The Center for Industrial Injuries and Personal Injuries Let our Doctors, Heal Your Injuries, Get you back to work and in the best of health!! Our job is to get you back to your job! We are a multi-specialty medical clinic
• Internal Medicine • Acupuncture
• Work Conditioning • Chiropractor
• Occupational Therapy • Nerve Condition Velocity
• Orthopedic Surgery • Cold Laser
• Electro Myogram • X-rays • Physical Theraphy 16444 Paramount Blvd., Suite #203, Paramount, Ca. 90723 (562) 602-6558
Members of the Paramount Women’s Club recently participated in the Los Cerritos District Festival Trees event at the Downey Women’s Club. There are 12 clubs in the district and each donated a decorated tree, which was raffled off. In the awards category the Paramount tree won most humorous. Pictured are some of the members who attended the event Ella Marie Bailey, Helen Melton, Patricia Lamphear, Frances Mies and Ethel Hillyard.
The first concern of any business is to get and keep customers. Marketing is the total of all business activities directed towards that goal and resulting in the flow of goods or services to the customer. Marketing includes having the right merchandise, having it in the right location, using the appropriate selling and promotion techniques and setting the proper pricing levels.
It’s easy for the small business owner to find excuses for neglecting marketing. Most small businesses operate on a no-frills budget and many owners consider marketing something they can’t afford. However, even an excellent line of products won’t sell if customers don’t know the products exist and where to find them. Promotion is crucial.
A retail shop can’t sell undesirable or outmoded merchandise very long. The right products are essential.
A store with overpriced merchandise can’t survive. The price must be right.
A retailer with good products that are promoted well and priced for the market cannot keep going if no one can find the business because it is in an inconvenient or remote location.
Few products are really so electrifying that they can successfully defy the need to have marketing support and sell themselves. To discuss your marketing concerns with a local business counselor call the Paramount Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Center at (562) 634-3980 to schedule an appointment.
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