The Paramount Chamber of Commerce recently held its 2009 Installation & Awards luncheon sponsored by Weber Metals. More than 120 business and community leaders attended the event.
Outgoing Chamber President Kevin Lindsay began the afternoon by introducing elected officials and members of the Chamber board. Following the introductions lunch was served by Chamber member Café Camellia at tables adorned with flowers from Chamber member Doris Flowers. Once lunch was served Lindsay began the award presentations starting with the Chamber Executive Committee which included; Incoming President Martin Johnson, Vice President Dr. Max Martinez, Treasurer Paul Dennis and Past President Leonard Crespo.
Next were presentations to the Board, Ambassadors and Liaisons. In addition to recognizing the individuals who contributed to the Chamber, Kevin presented sponsor awards to companies who supported the Chamber in 2008/2009 they are: Platinum; Carlton Forge, Clinica Medica Hispana. Gold; Vernon Security and Weber Metals. Silver; Fenico Precision Castings, State Farm Galli Agency and Supervisor Don Knabe. Bronze; Cal Met Services, Eastern Meats, Lindsay Lumber and Transcom Services.
Following the sponsor awards Lindsay recognized Emmanuel Reformed Church for their participation in the Welcome to Paramount Program, John Teeples as district wide Teacher of the Year, Deborah Jameson as Ambassador of the Year and Karen Sonnenberg received the Award of Excellence. The last award Kevin presented was the
Paramount City Council
President’s Award, it went to Weber Metals for their long history of philanthropic contributions to the community.
The Mayor’s award was presented by Mayor Diane Martinez to Paramount Petroleum. Accepting the award was Jimmy Crosby who said, “Supporting programs that help the children in the community is important to us and we are honored to receive this award for doing something we love.”
Martin Johnson who will serve as Chamber President in 2009/2010 concluded the afternoon by thanking Kevin for his dedicated service to the Chamber and presenting him with awards and certificates of recognition from the Chamber and elected officials. Mr. Johnson, long time employee for Carlton Forge said, “I am honored to serve as the Chamber President and I’m looking forward to working with the board to increase membership in the Chamber and provide even more benefits for our members.”
Charles Huerta has joined Paramount’s long tradition of great athletes. Known as the Pride of Paramount, he is a featherweight boxer who is undefeated in the ring, with an 11-0 record, including six knockouts. Recently, he signed with Golden Boy Promotions, which is Oscar De La Hoya’s organization. The City Council recognized his achievements at the June meeting. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Vice Mayor Tom Hansen, Huerta, Mayor Diane J. Martinez and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Deputy Kasey Woodruff and Deputy Humberto Barragan – vital, proactive and inventive members of the Paramount public safety team – were honored for their roles in helping the drop in crime statistics in the City over the last year. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Vice Mayor Tom Hansen, Deputy Barragan, Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Deputy Woodruff and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Paramount resident Vernia Wooten was honored by the Council for receiving an Older Americans Recognition Day Award from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The award highlights senior citizens who are important to their communities. Mrs. Wooten is active in Neighborhood Watch. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Vice Mayor Tom Hansen, Wooten, her husband Norval, Mayor Diane J. Martinez and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Helen Melton, a longtime Paramount resident who has been an active member of the community for many years (she served on the City’s first Parks and Recreation Commission), was given a surprise nod of appreciation by the Council to celebrate her 94th birthday. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Vice Mayor Tom Hansen, Melton, Mayor Diane J. Martinez and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Each year, the City produces its Paramount Pride program. This rewards attractive and well maintained homes in town. A team of design professionals reviews all the nominees. This year, nine winners were chosen, and they were honored at the June 2 Paramount City Council meeting. For a list of the winners, please visit this month’s CityScape on the inside back page of this issue.
Summer Program Offers
Paramount Kids Free Meals and Activities
The Paramount Unified School District and the City of Paramount’s Parks and Recreation Department will be providing a Summer Nutrition and Activity Program (SNAP) called Summer Fun Café for students at all kindergarten through 8th grade schools in the District. The session runs until August 14. No registration is necessary.
Taking place Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Café will include free breakfast and lunch for all participating students. In addition, there will be outdoor sports and games along with arts and crafts, all, again, at no cost.
The program is being funded by a grant from the State of California. It also allows Recreation Department staff members from the STAR afterschool program – mostly young Paramount residents – to stay employed over the summer.
In addition, more staff members are being supplied by the Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority (SASSFA).
For more information about the program, please call (562) 602-6031.
SASSFA Job Programs
Benefit Paramount Youth and Businesses
Speaking of SASSFA, this is a resource that provides free employment, training, and business services to the residents of Paramount. It is located in the Paramount Firehouse Activity Center at 15538 Colorado Ave.
SASSFA has some exciting news for local businesses that are looking to stretch their budgets and are willing to hire area youth. SASS-
FA is looking to place youth in local businesses immediately and over the summer, either as a direct hire or with partially subsidized On the Job Training (OJT) or fully subsidized summer youth programs. These government-funded youth employment programs are designed to benefit the local economy.
With the fully subsidized summer program – which runs through mid-August – SASSFA recruits local youth between the ages of 14 to 24, hires them as employees, pays them $8.00 per hour and carries their Workers’ Comp. But they work for employers in the community. The program is designed to give the youth valuable work experience and a little extra cash in their pocket, which in turn will likely be spent here in the community. The employer gets valuable help at a critical time, and has a chance to “try-out” potential employees. If the employer finds a potentially great employee, they can then offer the youth a permanent job. For more information on this program please call (562) 801-5108.
For the other programs, which are ongoing, SASSFA has completed the first phase of the youth recruitment and is actively searching for businesses that are looking to offer them direct-hire jobs or the partially subsidized OJT. It also has a pool of qualified candidates that have completed one of SASSFA’s work experience programs. These individuals have shown that they are dependable and skilled employees, and have both the talent and integrity required to be successful and valuable members of any organization.
For more information on these other programs, please contact Paramount Youth Center at (562) 633-9511.
Fair Housing Foundation Provides Help For Tenants and Landlords
If you feel you have been discriminated against while living in or looking for an apartment or home because of your race, national origin, sex, religion, familial status, sexual orientation, source of income, disability, marital status, age or other arbitrary reasons, the Fair Housing Foundation can help.
The Fair Housing Foundation is a private nonprofit organization educating tenants, property owners, landlords, realtors, lenders, and managers on their rights and responsibilities.
The Long Beach office serves the Paramount community. For more information, please call 800 446-FAIR (3247), stop by 3605 Long Beach Blvd., Ste. 302, Long Beach, CA 90807, or visit
Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body - the producers and consumers themselves.
Second Chance For Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations
The City will have its second “Vaccine-AThon” this summer at Paramount Park, 14410 Paramount Blvd. on Wednesday, July 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Rabies vaccinations (required for all dogs under California law) will be priced at $5 each – a $10-$15 savings over traditional prices. A complete selection of other pet vaccinations will be available at special prices. Plus, popular flea control products Advan-
tage, Frontline Plus and K9Advantix may be purchased at a discount, with treatments starting under $39. You can also have a microchip registration done for identification purposes (if your pet is ever lost) for only $35. Pet licensing will be available on site, along with free educational materials and general health care tips for dogs and cats. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Check and credit card payment will be accepted. All services are provided by licensed veterinarians from Vet Care Pet Clinic in conjunction with South East Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA). For more information, please call (562) 220-2018.
Mayor, Diane Martinez
Herbert Hoover
On Patrol
Hi-Yo, Silver, Away!
You might think you’re in the Old West this summer if you happen to witness the mounted patrols that will be riding through Paramount.
Sheriff’s deputies on horseback will be making periodic tours of our parks in the coming months to connect with residents and to maintain the rules and regulations for park use in town. Give them a wave hello if the steeds happen to cross your path!
National Night Out in August
National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” was introduced in 1984. It has been held annually since then, on the first Tuesday in August, which this year will be August 4.
The 24th National Night Out last August involved more than 35 million people in 11,310 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. Similar numbers are expected to take part this year.
In Paramount, a dinner is hosted for residents involved in Neighborhood Watch
to thank them for their participation in the program and helping to improve and maintain safe neighborhoods. This is also an opportunity for residents to meet other Neighborhood Watch members throughout the city and touch base with the Public Safety staff and Sheriff’s deputies that patrol the city.
Everybody in town can take part in the National Night Out in the traditional way by leaving their front porch lights on overnight.
For information about getting involved in Neighborhood Watch, please call (562) 220-2002.
Summer Vacationer Home Checks
With summer here, and vacation time with it, remember that Paramount residents can contact the Sheriff’s Station about having Volunteers on Patrol keep an eye on your home or property while you’re gone. Call (562) 220-2002 to ask about vacation checks.
P ARAMOUNT C HAMBER 2009
Outgoing President Kevin Lindsay selected Weber Metals
Outgoing President Kevin Lindsay receives recognition for his service as Chamber President in 2008/2009 from elected officials. From left: Incoming President Martin Johnson, Mayor Diane Martinez, Kevin Lindsay, Rachel Finlayson representing Assemblyman Isadore Hall, Erin Stibal representing Supervisor Don Knabe, Luis Marquez representing Senator Alan Lowenthal and Jesse Cheng representing Congresswoman Linda Sanchez.
Chamber Ambassadors receive recognition for their work in 2008/2009 pictured from left: Ambassador Chair Laura Warth and Ambassadors; Ella Marie Bailey (Paramount Women’s Club), Karen Sonnenberg (Total-Western), Deborah Jameson (Lifegate Foursquare Church), Anna Tomjack (Paramount Petroleum), John Colville (Cal-Tex) and Maria Galli (State Farm Galli Agency.)
Outgoing President Kevin Lindsay with Platinum sponsors Craig Culaciati (Carlton Forge), Manual Alberty (Clinica Medica Hispana), Darren Kurkowski (Modern Development) and Bill Winters (Paramount Petroleum.)
Outgoing President Kevin Lindsay with Board Member Liaisons City Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal, Ambassador Chair Laura Warth and PUSD Superintendent Dr. David Verdugo.
Mayor Diane Martinez with Jimmy Crosby from Paramount Petroleum winners of the 2009 Mayor’s award. Mayor Martinez commended Paramount Petroleum for their outstanding contributions to the City, School District and Chamber of Commerce.
Ambassador Deborah Jameson was honored as Ambassador of the Year for her outstanding contributions to the Chamber during the year.
Karen Sonnenberg from Total-Western, Inc., was given the Award of Excellence for her many contributions to her company and the community at large.
Chamber President Kevin Lindsay with district wide Teacher of the Year John Teeples.
President Lindsay with Pastor Ken Korver from Emmanuel Reformed Church. Emmanuel was recognized for their participation in the Chamber’s Welcome to Paramount program.
Yearly Fundraiser Produces Huge Windfall For Paramount Students
The Paramount Education Partnership would like to extend our gratitude to all who supported and attended PEP’s 6th Annual Benefit Auction on Friday, June 26. There was a big turnout of attendees who enjoyed an evening of fantastic food and lots of fun playing casino-style games for a good cause.
The generosity of this year’s donors and sponsors was remarkable in light of the current state of the economy. Money donated came close to $100,000, while nearly $12,000 worth of prizes was given for the event. It illustrates how important the Paramount business community views the advancement of education.
All of the money raised will fund scholarships for Paramount students attending a university, community college or trade school.
Special thanks are due to the following:
$10,000
Carlton Forge Works, Inc.
Paramount Petroleum Corporation
Soroptomist International of Paramount
Weber Metals, Inc.
$5,000
Fenico Precision Casting, Inc.
Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc.
$3,000
Heath Machinery, Inc.
Paramount Lions Club
Willdan Group
$1,000
Bithell, Inc.
California Financial Services
Certified Inspections & Code Consultants
Fiesta Taxi
JMDNet
LPA, Inc.
Paramount Iceland/Zamboni Merchandising Co.
Royal Truck Body, Inc.
Vernon Security, Inc.
Wal-Mart, Paramount
$500
APEX Promotions
California Financial Services
David VOLZ Design
Gateway Business Bank
Human Services Association (HSA)
Kohrs & Fiske
Laidlaw
Logos Two
Max B. Martinez, D.D.S.
Overland, Pacific & Cutler, Inc.
Southern California Edison
Source Graphics, Inc.
West Coast Arborist, Inc.
$100-$499
Final Print Shop
Kids Dental Kare
Wells Fargo Bank
Event Food
Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc.
Paramount Unified School District
Event Décor
RWB Party Prop, Inc.
Event Banner
ASAP Banners & Sign, Inc.
The following donated prizes for the fundraiser: American Red Cross– Greater Long Beach Chapter; Aquarium of the Pacific; Arthur Murray Studios; Avi Resort & Casino; Bradford Renaissance Portrait; Café 50’s; California Florist; Calistoga Inn; Casa Gamino; Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts; Children’s Book World; Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities; Dave & Buster’s.
Other prize donors included: Eastern Meats & Deli; Elio’s Fitness for Success; Festival of Arts; Flightdeck Air Combat Center; HK Management, Inc.; International City Theatre; In-N-Out Burgers; Jody Maroni’s Italian Sausage; Johnny Rebs’ BBQ; Kidkraft; Lakewood Rentals; L.A.G. Complete Car Care; Lasting Images; Legoland California; Los Alamitos Race Course; Los Angeles Dodgers; Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club; Los Angeles Lakers, Inc.; Los Angeles Philharmonic Association; Matt Knabe.
Further prize donors include: Mayor Diane J. Martinez;; Miracle Springs Resort & Spa; N9NE Group; Outback Steakhouse– Lakewood; Pacific Park; Pacific Symphony; Pacific Theatres Entertainment Corporation; Paramount Chamber of Commerce; Paramount Lions Club; Pirate’s Dinner Adventure; Rosarito Beach Hotel; Rowley Portraits; Santa Anita Park; SeaWorld San Diego; Skydive Taft; Southwest Airlines; Spirit Cruises; STAPLES Center; The Irvine Improv; The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; United Parcel Services of America, Inc. (UPS); Universal Studios Hollywood; Wal-Mart, Paramount; West Coast Arborists, Inc.; Willdan Group; Zoological Society of San Diego.
Each and every year the support PEP receives from the community allows the opportunity to give these scholarships.
“Thank You” does not begin to cover the appreciation.
We are proud to be part of an All-American City and want to thank the local businesses, residences, schools and friends for your support over the years and are grateful to be involved in community support activities such as:
Paramount Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award, 2004
Paramount Education Partnership Platinum Sponsor
A part of the City of Paramount for over 70 years, did you know that:
Paramount Petroleum is one of the largest suppliers of asphalt in the United States; Paramount Petroleum is in the top 15% of all U.S. refineries for Pollution Prevention performance according to the Environmental Defense Fund
Paramount Petroleum, YOUR good neighbor!
14700 Downey Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
Phone: (562) 531 – 2060 Fax: (562) 633 – 8211
Selected from among 3.7 million small companies in California
A crowd of 500 business leaders, legislators, corporate partners, and small business dignitaries applauded as Alondra Hot Wings was honored as “California Small Business of the Year” for District #30. Garo, Danny, and Harout Kazarian received this special recognition from local legislator Senator Ron Calderon to applaud a single district-based small business for exemplifying the contributions of the California’s 3.7 million small business owners to the California economy.
The award was announced on May 26th at the annual California Small Business Day in Sacramento, and Alondra Hot Wings
joined small businesses of the year identified in over 75 state legislative districts. Scores of legislators joined in chorus to salute the spirit of entrepreneurship among California’s small business owners and operators throughout the day-long event.
“We were humbled to have been selected for this award and it is a tribute to our employees, customers, and community,” said the Kazarian brothers.
Small businesses serve as the primary economic engine that drives the state’s economy. Over one-half of Californians employed in the private sector work for a small business. The State’s small firms produce more new jobs, more inventions, and more patents than any other size company in California or any other state in the nation.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Pictured from left: Garo, Joey and Danny Kazarian.
New SBA ARC Loan: 0% interest, no payments for 12 months
On June 15, 2009, the Small Business Administration (SBA) officially launched its newest loan program designed to help small businesses weather the current economic crisis. The much anticipated America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan program provides “viable” small businesses with deferred-payment loans interest free.
The Basics
ARC loans are no-interest, deferred-payment loans up to $35,000 that are solely used to cover your existing debt obligations, such as conventional loans, capital leases, notes payable to vendors/suppliers, or credit card payments, for up to six months. After this six-month period of disbursement, you have 12 months without a payment, then amortized payments for up to five years to pay back the principal. These loans are 100% backed by the SBA and have no borrower fees.
The basic idea is that with an ARC loan you can satisfy your debt obligations during hard times, save jobs, and position your business for future success. The SBA anticipates using its $255 million in appropriated funding for the program to make about 10,000 ARC loans through September, 30, 2010, or whenever the funds run out.
Are you eligible?
While each commercial bank will have its own requirements for lending, here are a few core ARC eligibility rules from the SBA that must be adhered to:
1) You must be an established, for-profit business with evidence of profitability or positive cash flow in at least one of the last two years,
2) You must be able to show financial statements going back three years,
3) You must be able to show the ability to meet current and future debt obligations, including future repayment of the ARC loan,
4) You must be able to demonstrate “immediate financial hardship” with evidence of a change in the financial condition such as declining sales, frozen credit lines, difficulty meeting payroll, or difficulty making loan payments,
5) You must be no more than 60 days past due on any loan, and
6) You must have an “acceptable credit score.” Of note, the SBA uses a hybrid scoring system for credit scoring which combines both personal and business credit scores and is subject to adjustment.
See http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/ for additional eligibility terms.
What’s in it for the banks?
If small businesses pay no interest and no fees, why will banks make these loans? The answer is the SBA will pay them to. The SBA will be making interest payments on your loan on your behalf, up to Prime plus 2%. Additionally, the 100% guarantee by the SBA ensures that banks will not be stuck with the bill should you default on your loan.
What’s in it for the community?
SBA loans, such as ARC, help grow and retain local small businesses, which in turn creates jobs
and stimulates our local economy.
For more information on ARC loans or other SBA loan programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/ recovery/arcloanprogram/ or call the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at
(562) 570-4574. The SBDC has knowledgeable financial advisors and has helped numerous clients in the greater Long Beach area sustain and grow.
Bret O’Connor is the Director of the Long Beach Small Business
Development Center (SBDC). Hosted by Long Beach City College, the SBDC is a group of successful small business owners helping fellow entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow their business through low-cost workshops and no-cost one-on-one consulting in business planning, finance, marketing, and various other specialty areas (Spanish speaking consultants available). To make an appointment call: (562) 570-4574, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.
