Pulse Beat June 2009 by City of Paramount

BEAT PULSE

The Paramount Chamber of Commerce recently held its 9th annual Job Fair sponsored by Paramount Petroleum. More than 400 people attended the event which was held at the Paramount Park Community Center.

This year’s event included resources from Federal, State and County governments. Honorary co-chairs Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Senator Alan Lowenthal, Assemblyman Isadore Hall and Supervisor Don Knabe helped bring these resources to the fair. “We know the job market is tight right now and we wanted people to be aware of services that might help them get through these tough times,” said Chamber President Kevin Lindsay.

Also included in the event were resume critique and on sight resume preparation, as well as some informative workshops. According to Paramount SASSFA program manager Jennifer Capp, the Job Fair workshops which included: How to Fill Out an Application, How to Interview and How to Reenter the Job Market for the Mature Adult were all well attended.

Even though it’s a tough job market and there were probably a hundred applications for a single job opening, event visitors displayed

a positive attitude and praised the Chamber for its efforts. “I really want to thank the Job Fair committee members, the City, SASSFA, the elected officials and of course

our sponsor Paramount Petroleum, who all helped with this event. We debated whether or not we should have the Job Fair this year because of the economy, which is why we

added community resources to the venue. The positive feedback we received makes me feel confident we made the right decision,” said Lindsay.

59th National Day of Prayer

Paramount Pastors recently gathered at City Hall Memorial Plaza for the 59th consecutive National Day of Prayer. More than 50 people attended the event spearheaded by Pastor Larry Jameson of Lifegate Foursquare Church. Paramount Chamber Senior VP Martin Johnson delighted guests by playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. Following Johnson were Pastors for the local churches who each led the group in prayer for various segments of the community.

More than 400 job seekers attended the Paramount Chamber Job Fair.

DUI Checkpoint – Keeping Paramount Streets Safe

The City and the Sheriff’s Department have been holding a consistent series of DUI/Drivers License checkpoints in town over the last few years. Funding for these operations has provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our next checkpoint will be later this month, on Friday, June 26, from 6 p.m. till 2 a.m. at 7210 Rosecrans Ave. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers. They are also a way to insure that drivers have a valid driver’s license

By publicizing these enforcement

and education efforts, the Paramount Public Safety Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

Trafﬁc volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the inﬂuence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested.

In addition, the public is always encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.

For more information, call the Paramount Public Safety Department at (562) 220-2002.

Fireworks Reminder

The Fourth of July falls on the first Saturday of next month. According to a City ordinance, “safe and sane” fireworks sold in Paramount can only be used on July 3 and July 4, and you must be 16 years or older to buy them. Please remember, too, that all other types of fireworks are illegal, and anyone caught selling them or setting them off could be charged with a serious crime.

The City will increase its efforts in the weeks leading up to the Fourth to minimize the use of banned ﬁreworks with more personnel and resources dedicated to the issue. All of this activity is aimed at a zerotolerance policy that will include arrests and ﬁnes for those breaking the law.

During the celebration of our

Isn’t it a wonderful thing that we are all different? Each of us has strengths and skills to share. And when we link our individual strengths together, we’re invincible.

nation’s Independence Day, we can have a good time while keeping safety in mind and showing respect for those around us. And afterward all the fun, don’t forget to clean up the residue from our streets and driveways.

Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations

The City will provide low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats in the community at two special “Vaccine-A-Thons” this summer at Paramount Park, 14410 Paramount Blvd. The first will be Wednesday, June 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the second will be held Wednesday, July 22, also 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 Advantage, 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. Check and credit card payment will be accepted. Please remember – dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers.

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.

City/School District Cooperation

The City of Paramount and the Paramount Uniﬁed School District have had a close relationship for many years. We both know that collaboration between government and education improves the lives of children and families and full cooperation strengthens the overall community.

Here’s just a small snapshot of how that partnership can work. The City offers Little Learners Preschool Programs at both Spane and Progress parks. Last month, school nurses from Paramount Uniﬁed paid a call on the classes. They were there to provide the kids with free hearing, eye, and dental exams, something they’ve been doing for the past three years. This is just another testament to the great bond between the City and School District.

Mayor, Diane Martinez

Rules for Business Banners in Paramount

As a tool to help businesses with advertising, the City of Paramount enacted a special ordinance in 1993 that allows the use of hanging banners.

Each business is permitted one banner, except for businesses located in corner suites (which can have two banners) and businesses occupying single-unit buildings (which can use four banners). One banner is permitted per building side.

All banners must be professionally manufactured, and they need to be installed ﬂat against the wall or facade and anchored at all four corners – they can’t hang in midair, be suspended only by the top edge, or be strung between buildings or trees. Businesses utilizing banners need to get a no-fee permit from the City, and renew it on a yearly basis. (It’s a simple, one-page form.)

This type of marketing can be of great beneﬁt. There can, though, be a downside – if not maintained, banners can wear out and create a bad visual image. Paramount and its businesses have focused on creating an attractive cityscape, something a tattered, untended banner can compromise.

The banner ordinance in Paramount is meant to provide an effective advertising tool for local merchants. If these signs become damaged, or if they hang badly, it’s in everyone’s best interests to set them straight and make repairs.

Warm Weather Safety Tips

With the onset of warmer summer weather, many residents like to open windows and garage doors for home ventilation. Leaving windows and garage doors open and unattended provides a would-be thief with the opportunity to inventory belongings for

future reference, as well as gain access to a home. Generally speaking, burglars will use the easiest point of entry to get inside a home.

Many thieves are capable of stealing property in a very short amount of time. Passersby or vehicle occupants can quickly obtain bicycles, lawn care products, tools and other items in a matter of seconds.

Even worse, a burglar could enter a garage, close the door and have more than enough time to pry open the inner door to a residence while concealed from the street.

Sheriff’s deputies stress the need for a constant presence when your garage door is open. If your garage is open, remain inside of the garage or in the front yard where activities can be monitored. Keep in mind that a burglar is someone who likes to be present when you are not.

Don’t hesitate to make eye contact with anyone you suspect may be “casing” your property. This makes burglars extremely uncomfortable. Note a description of the suspicious individual, take down a license plate number of his or her vehicle and then immediately call the Paramount Sheriff’s Station at (562) 220-2002.

In addition, protect your home with deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. Side garage doors that are not visible from the street should be constructed of a solid core and should not contain any glass. Locking pins should be installed and used on all sliding windows and doors.

Remember that it is easier to cool your home by opening windows upon your return, rather than leaving them open and increasing your risk of becoming a victim.

Hollywood Park

June 25, 2009

$22 per person

(Registration, May 25, 2009 @ 10 am)

Depart 10:00 am

Return: 6:00 pm

Santa Ysabel Casino

June 10, 2009

$5 per person

(Registration, May 10, 2009)

Depart: 9:00 am

Return: 4:00 pm

Catalina Island

If interested in taking an excursion to Catalina Island, please visit the front desk or call (562) 220-2090 to begin an interest list.

Building or Remodeling a Home, The Safer, Smarter Way?

By Maria F. Galli State Farm Galli Agency

562.817.5620

If you’re building a new home, planning to build one, or planning work on your existing home, you’ve probably already thought about some of the construction features you want to include. Did you know there are products available now that may help you avoid the mess and expense of damage to your home in the future?

Here are a few ideas:

• Impact-resistant roofing is a relatively new product that offers more protection against impact damage (and in some cases against wind damage) than the ordinary roof. Some insurance companies even offer premium discounts for qualifying impact-resistant roofs. You’ll want to check with your agent before you buy to be sure the roof you’re considering qualiﬁes for a discount with your insurer.

• Whole-house surge protection is installed either at the electrical service meter or at the service panel. It helps protect your home and con-

tents against power surges that arise outside your home. While you’d still need plug-in surge protectors, wholehouse protection may help to reduce your risk of lightning damage. Many electricians can install this protection for you, and if necessary, some power companies will install it at the service meter for a nominal charge on your monthly bill.

• Whole-house water leak detection systems may save you the hassle of water damage to your home and contents. These systems shut off the water supply to your home if they detect a leak inside.

New research and products to make your home safer or more resistant to damage are always entering the market. It’s easier to add safety items when a home is being built or remodeled, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for the items that will help to provide years of safe and comfortable shelter.

And as always, make sure to ask your local insurance agent/broker for any great remodeling/rebuilding safety tips; your insurance company might offer great discounts for having those upgrades to your home.

ENVIO DINERO A MEXICO Y OTROS PAISES

MESA Kids Score Big In Math/Engineering Competition

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) is a statewide program that focuses on those three stated subjects. Nearly 400 Paramount middle school students take part in the program, giving up ten Saturday mornings during the school year to attend hands-on workshops and classes at the College of Engineering at California State University, Long Beach.

MESA is a major component of the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP). The program seeks to have all its participants attain degrees in math-based fields from four-year institutions. Since math and science educational requirements are now more stringent and college admissions standards are also on the rise, the MESA program strives to make students competitively eligible for the most rigorous colleges and universities.

The kids who attend MESA also compete in a yearly academic “Olympics” that started locally at CSU, Long Beach. During these preliminaries, the numerous schools in Long Beach area go up against each other. Many Paramount students ﬁnished strong in their categories. Congratulations go to the following:

Civil Structures

1st Place in Design – Priscilla Figueroa, 11th Grade

2nd Place in Strength – Priscilla Figueroa, 11th Grade

Manila Mechanics

2nd Place – Lizbeth Figueroa, 10th Grade

Team Math Quest

Math Analysis, Pre- Calculus or Trigonometry

3rd Place – Krisha Fredeluces, 11th Grade; Abram Ly, 11th Grade; Miguel Gonzalez, 12th Grade

Calculus

1st Place – Jose Rodriguez, 12th Grade; Jor-El Thompson, 12th Grade; Gabriel Ramirez, 12th Grade

Solo Algebra/Trigonometry

1st Place – Andrew Juhasz 10th Grade

Then, those winners went on to the ﬁnals against all the schools in the Los Angeles region, which took place at CSU, Los Angeles.

We’re very proud that Andrew Juhasz took 2nd Place in Solo Algebra/Trigonometry for the region. Congratulations, Andrew, and, again, all the Paramount kids who participated and did so well.

Pennies For PEP

Speaking of great Paramount students, this year they were again very generous in donating their spare change to the Pennies for PEP campaign. Each classroom in the School District had a container, and by the end of the time period a record $11,500 was raised by the kids!

A great big thank you is due to everyone who was so giving. The money will go into the PEP scholarship program.

Wednesday Jun 24 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Fee: $40.00 SMART MARKETING & PROMOTIONAL TACTICS

In this session we explore marketing ideas for the small business. Topics to be discussed include:

- Analyze who customer is - How to reach the customer - Develop a marketing budget - Marketing effectiveness analysis

Sharing

BY ETHEL HILLYARD

Sharing is part of the life experience. There are also many types of sharing that take place at different phases in our lives:

PHASE 1: This is the pre-kindergarten group. “I want it. It’s mine,” and a screaming tug of ownership develops. This is an opportunity to teach sharing at an early age.

PHASE 2: The kindergarten set. The teacher asks students to share an experience. This can lead to hot topics such as “Mommy burned the toast this morning,” “Daddy came home late last night and Mommy locked the door and wouldn’t let him in.” “We have a new baby at our house. It cries all the time. I hope they give it away.”

PHASE 3: Young girls share their innermost secrets with their diary “John walked me home. John held my hand. John kissed me.” By the way does anyone write in diaries anymore? Since most boys don’t like to write they probably don’t keep a diary. Instead their sharing tends to come under the heading of bragging rights (real or imagined.)

PHASE 4: Young adults share friends and new experiences.

PHASE 5: We share an “I do” and gain an extended family.

PHASE 6: We share the custody of children.

PHASE 7: We share the aches and pains of getting older with our friends and tell and retell the same old stories.

HELP WANTED

BODY & PAINT TECHNICIAN WITH TOOL EXPERIENCE. Trouble-shooting. Apply at Herald’s Garage, 8124 E. Alondra Blvd, Paramount. 562-633-2136, Ask for Joe.

Seeking hard working, energetic, bilingual (Spanish/English), and sales oriented individuals with a strong interest in educating the community about INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL PRODUCTS that help individuals protect their families and their ﬁnancial well being. A positive attitude and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to the community are required. Please Contact Maria Galli, 562-817-5620. Email resume to maria@galliagency.com or fax resume to 562-817-5621

WE’RE HIRING! – Contact Ventana Home Fashions – sales@ventanadms.com - Fax: 562-633-0022 For exciting employment opportunities Email or fax your resume today! Positions include, training, beneﬁts, job advancement for qualiﬁed candidates. Experience in In-Home sales helpful but not necessary. We will train the right person!

CARLTON FORGE WORKS, a manufacturer of high technology seamless rolled rings and closed die forging for the gas turbine engine industry. We currently have these positions available: INSPECTOR.

Qualiﬁcations: Candidate must have a 2 year minimum inspection experienced with strong technical and people skills. Excellent verbal, written and organizational skills are required. Candidate must be able to Inspect In-process parts and fully machined parts with standard tools. The candidate must know GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 Must be able to read blue prints, Engineering diagrams and sketches. Experience using a variety of measuring tools: micrometer, Dial Indicators Height Gage, Calipers, etc. JOB DUTIES: Inspect Forgings visually and dimensionally, ﬁll out proper inspection reports, drive a fork lift, able to work night shift, able to work in a Forge Shop environment.

Fax resume Or E-mail resume to: cfwjobs@cfworks.com or Apply in person at: Carlton Forge Works, 7743 E. Adams St., Paramount, Ca. 90723 (562)633-1131 (562)633-3590 Fax. EOE/M/F/V/H – NO RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT JOB TITLE.

Stater Bros. Raises $339,537 For American Heart Association

Companywide campaign has raised nearly $2.4 million over the last eight years

Stater Bros. is proud to announce that the Company, its customers, employees and supplier partners recently raised $339,537 to beneﬁt the American Heart Association.

Since 2002, Stater Bros. has raised nearly $2.4 million for the American Heart Association.

During the month of February 2009, Stater Bros.’ customers and employees at all 166 Stater Bros. Supermarkets

were given an opportunity to donate by purchasing “Have A Heart, Save A Heart” red paper hearts for $1 and gold paper hearts for $5. In addition, Stater Bros. and its supplier partners Campbell’s Soup and ConAgra Foods made direct contributions to this American Heart Association Campaign.

All of the funds collected go directly back to the local communities served by Stater Bros. and will be used for research and educational programs that prevent heart disease and stroke.

• A check presentation took place on Thursday, May 14, at the Stater Bros. Supermarket located at 571 East Foothill Boulevard in Rialto, California. The Rialto Stater Bros. Supermarket collected $11,024, making it the top fund-raising store in the

chain.

• At this check presentation, Melissa Mitchell told a remarkable story about herself and her two young children who all wear pacemakers and their constant ﬁght against heart disease.

• The Arrowhead Regional Medical Center mobile health screen van was also available in the parking lot on that day to provide complimentary health screenings for customers.

• The $339,537 check was presented to Ginnie Gatlin, the American

Heart Association’s Chief Operating Ofﬁcer.

Jack H. Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros., stated, “The Stater Bros. ‘Family’ of Employees is extremely proud of the outstanding success of this year’s American Heart Association fund raising campaign. This campaign is an important tradition at our company and not only raises much needed funds but helps to raise awareness of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke.”

✁ Reportes sencillos (1040EZ) desde $40.00 con descuento

From left: Susan Atkinson, Vice President Corporate Affairs for Stater Bros. Markets, George Frahm, Executive Vice President Retail Operations and Administration for Stater Bros. Markets, Ginnie Gatlin, Chief Operating Ofﬁcer for Field Operations at the American Heart Association, Jim Lee, President and Chief Operating Ofﬁcer for Stater Bros. Markets, Ramon Miranda, Store Manager for Stater Bros. Markets, Melissa and Cadence Mitchell, Heart Sur vivors.

Fobi Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting

Fobi Pharmacy owner William Fobi receives congratulation certiﬁcates from Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Chamber President Kevin Lindsay of Lindsay Lumber at his recent grand opening.

Chamber and City ofﬁcials join

Chamber President Kevin Lindsay present Subway Sandwich owner Paresh Vaidya with a certiﬁcate of congratulation at the opening of his new business.

Ofﬁcials from the City and the Chamber join owner Paresh Vaidya and his family

recently held grand opening. Subway

Facebook: Not just for fun anymore

Remember when Facebook was simply a great way to stay connected with friends and family? Perhaps you don’t. Perhaps you were never caught up in the “What are you doing right now?” age and could care less which comic hero your friends are most like or how many virtual drinks you have accumulated on your Facebook proﬁle page. Nonetheless, Facebook can be a great way to stay connected, and not just with friends, but with current and potential customers and employees. In fact, companies large and small are taking advantage of Facebook’s instant grass-roots communication to promote their brands, market events, hire talent and, at times, provide real impact on their bottom line.

To get your creative juices flowing, let’s take a look at a few examples of how various organizations have approached this relatively new medium:

A small local publisher of children’s books, Megan Hearts, has been using Facebook since 2008. By using the Facebook “events” feature to announce book tour events with compelling pictures and dialogue, they have grown their fan base from just a few friends to more than 3,500. Recently, one particular event, promoted solely through Facebook, yielded sales of almost 200 books.

JetBlue uses “The JetBlue Experience” group on Facebook to create a conversation among ﬂyers about the unique combination of value, service and style the airline offers. It uses this platform to announce plans for

new areas of service and to receive candid feedback on its service. A forum for backand-forth discussion such as this takes the suggestion box concept to another level, where each user can build on each other’s comments and hopefully get to the heart of the issue or idea.

MobWars, a maﬁa-style Facebook “application” (in this case, a game), allows players to build a mob, stockpile guns and vehicles, and “ﬁght” other mobsters. If you have a hard time recruiting friends to your mob, you can earn “favor points” to buy mercenaries – you will just need to buy realworld products from MobWars sponsors (That’s advertising revenue to MobWars, with rumors suggesting upwards of $1 million per month.).

Accounting giant Ernst & Young has found, through its “Ernst & Young Careers” page, a unique way to connect with college graduates searching for employment. Through Facebook, Ernst & Young is able to engage these potential employees in a comfortable environment, discuss the values of the company, and provide direct interaction with hiring managers. The use of videos in particular offers a great inside look into a day in the life of an Ernst & Young employee.

There are a few keys to success with Facebook and other social media. First, it takes time and effort. Think of social media not so much as marketing, but as building relationships through conversation. Relationships take time – nurturing, building

trust, and answering questions – and you get out of it what you put in. Because this relationship is online, you need to lighten up and show some personality to engage your audience in a dialogue that is important to them. Second, be a helper, not a salesperson. Generation Y and other social media users can smell a rat a mile away. Leave the salesperson mentality at home. Provide value ﬁrst, then you and your brand will be valued and supported virally. Third, do what you say you are going to do. In social media, the single voice can boom loudly either in support or in rejection of your claims or actions. So, always follow through in order to build trust. Lastly, remember that Facebook and other social media outlets are great tools, but should be just one component of an integrated marketing plan.

For more information on using Face-

book for your business, visit www.facebook. com or call the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at (562) 5704574. The SBDC has knowledgeable social media 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 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) 570-4574, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.