Presorted STD U.S. Postage Paid Norwalk, CA Permit NO. 55
Chamber of Commerce
Serving and Supporting the Business Community Since 1923
March 2011 • Vol 1, No. 4 • www.norwalkchamber.com • info@norwalkchamber.org
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Norwalk Chamber Hosts Annual Business Expo
Betty Chacon President Wells Fargo Bank
T
hey say time flies when you are having fun, so we must be having fun with the Norwalk Chamber as it is already March and the first two months of this year have flown by! With the busy schedules we all have, it is so easy to miss out on the opportunities
Norwalk Soroptimist International at the Annual Business Expo. If you were in the vicinity of the Norwalk Doubletree Hotel on February 17th, then you would have noticed the many vendors setting up their tables and getting geared up for the Norwalk Chamber Annual Business Expo. Each year, local businesses and restaurants set up display tables to showcase their products to the public. Citizens are able to walk through the Expo, sample local restaurant dishes and meet businesses face to face. If you were in need
Health Physicians for the best use of theme and best decorated table. Also recognized for renewing their Norwalk Chamber membership were Mid Cities Financial Credit Union, Bessie Griffin, Sanchez Restaurant, Art Sanchez and LA County Orators Toastmaster, Nand Khidkikar. The Norwalk Chamber thanks the many vendors and
Betty Chacon
provided by the Norwalk Chamber to support your business. Be sure and put on your calendar March 10th from 10am to 12 noon, at the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex, a FREE seminar. Come join us and learn about tax savings ideas for your business. Another upcoming event is our Annual State of the County Breakfast, with Supervisor Don Knabe. This is a great time to meet many business and city leaders and learn what the year ahead has in store for Los Angles County. With all of the changes set to take place this year in California, it’s going to be more important than ever to stay informed. Additional information about the breakfast can be found at www. norwalkchamber.com. Your Norwalk Chamber of Commerce had a busy February. We held [See MESSAGE Page 3]
Bright Health Physicians recognized for Best Decorated Table. of insurance services, banking, ongoing education, health services, plumbing or windshield repairs, this was the place to be. Or if you wanted to find out more about local community service organizations or non profits, many of them were present at the Expo. This year’s theme was “Business Round Up” and many came dressed in their western outfits. Recognition was given to Café n’ Stuff and Bright
[l]Maria Gonzalez, Norwalk Union 76 Service Center [r] Norwalk Chamber President Betty Chacon, Wells Fargo Bank and Board of Directors member present renewal plaque to Art Sanchez of Sanchez Restaurant & Catering.
Café n’ Stuff’s Michael Smith receives award for Best use of Theme.
community organizations that participated in this year’s Expo. Special thanks go out to Tracy Bunn of TST Entertainment for providing the music and entertainment for the evening. We also thank the Norwalk Chamber restaurants that provided free food samples to the attendees at the event. Outback Restaurant, Café n’ Stuff, Sanchez Restaurant & Catering and the Norwalk Doubletree
Hotel all provided delicious treats for all to sample. Lastly we thank our sponsors for this event: The City of Norwalk, Southern California Gas Company and Supervisor Don Knabe as “Giddy Up” sponsors, and Wells Fargo Bank as a Buckaroo Sponsor. This event would not have been possible without your support.
go to: www.yourcitycoupons.net
2 NORWALK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • MARCH 2011
Norwalk
Chamber Of Commerce
12040 Foster Road, Norwalk, CA., 90650 Phone: 562.864.7785 FAX: 562.864.8539
info@norwalkchamber.com
Executive Committee PRESIDENT
Betty Chacon
Wells Fargo Bank VP FINANCE
Jesse Urquidi
Norwalk Lions Club PRESIDENT ELECT
Joseph Derthick
AFLAC VP COMMUNICATIONS/ SECRETARY
Karla Butler
Thompson & Associates IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Teri Bazen
Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing
Board of Directors Reggie Berry
Goals For Life Coast Plaza Hospital
Rob Cazares
Outback Restaurant
Rita DeBenedictis Café n’ Stuff
Lynda Fisher WalMart
Maria Gonzalez
Norwalk Unocal 76
Toni Grijalva
Cerritos College
Jennifer Kocaoglu
Costco Wholesale - Norwalk
Richard LeGaspi TNT Fireworks
Gary Murphy
Norwalk Florist/Flowers by Alan
Tracy Polley Kelco Sales
Lesley Watkins
Community Family Guidance Center AMBASSADOR CHAIR
Joseph Derthick AFLAC EVENTS CHAIR
Lynda Fisher
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS
NEW MEMBERS
China Bowl Express/Young Hawaiian BBQ Anthony Sou 11031 Firestone Blvd. #102 Norwalk CA 90650 562-462-1661 Anthony0473@gmail.com Los Angeles Heat Football, Inc. Jose Rodriguez, President P.O. Box 59523 Norwalk CA 90650 626-890-0181 www.losangelesheat.org President@losangelesheat.org
The following companies and individuals renewed their membership with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the services we provide are made possible by of their support. “Support the Businesses that Support Economic Growth in Norwalk”
20 Years Personnel Plus Pawnmart Jewelry & Loan 15 Years Espana Motel 11 Years Norwalk Printing & Graphics Lowe’s Home Improvement Center Pawnmart 8 Years Mary Jane McIntosh L.A. CADA 5 Years Bright Now Dental 3 Years Sam’s Club
CALENDAR OF EVENTS •March 10, 2011 Workshop – “Tax Saving Ideas For Businesses” 10 am to Noon •March 31, 2011 Breakfast – “State of the County” Guest Speaker – Supervisor Don Knabe 8 am to 9:30 am •April 7, 2011 Evening Mixer – Budget Rent-A-Car 5 pm – 7 pm •April 26, 2011 Cerritos College Mega Mixer
2 Years Brennan Signs Boneyard Drums
•April 28, 2011 Networking Luncheon – Doubletree Hotel 11:30am– 1 pm
1 Year Los Angeles County Orators Toastmasters Club
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.NORWALKCHAMBER FOR RESERVATION INFORMATION
Small Business Counseling
Marketing and Sales. Contact the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce at 562-864-7785 to make your appointment.
The Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center are continuing to offer business counseling sessions at the Norwalk Chamber twice a month. These sessions are one-on-one, hour and a half sessions with a professional bilingual counselor. Appointments can be made with the Chamber office. The sessions are free and the counselor will work with you on your business plan, marketing and financial strategies. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a nationwide SBDC program that partners with federal and private entities to provide small business owners access to management consulting, entrepreneurial education, and other valuable business resources. If you own a business or are planning to start one in Los Angeles County, here are just a few areas that SBDC Business Advisors address: Business plans, Capital sourcing, Cash, Contracting and procurement, Financing, Human Resources, Legal issues, Start-up help,
Norwalk Chamber Benefits Did you know…. That the Norwalk Chamber offers a Group Health Insurance Plan? If you are like most small businesses today, the high cost of health insurance is a major concern and can be a threat to your profitability. Ben-E-Lect offers opportunities to Chamber Members to find the best insurance provider at the lowest cost for you. Contact them today at 888-8867973 or on the web at www.chamber. benelect.com for more information. Did you know… That advertising on the Norwalk Chamber website is cost effective and easy? The Norwalk Chamber website has hundreds of hits every month. We offer affordable prices to place your business ad on our home page. Contact the Norwalk Chamber at 562-864-7785 or by email at info@
norwalkchamber.com for additional details. Visit our website at www. norwalkchamber.com Did you know… That you can mail flyers to all the Norwalk Chamber members with our monthly mailings at a low cost? If you’re interested in getting the word out about your business or want to promote a special, this is a cost effective way to do it. Did you know… That as a Norwalk Chamber member, we will do quarterly email blasts for you for FREE! Submit your .PDF file to the Norwalk Chamber at ceo@norwalkchamber.com Did you know… There is a free workshop on March 10th, hosted by the Norwalk Chamber and presented by Art Husami of Husami & Associates? Come discover all the tax tips you need to save your business money in 2011! The Norwalk Chamber always strives to provide relevant workshops for its members at little or no cost. Did you know… if you have career opportunities at your company – we will run a Help Wanted Ad for you for FREE.
Wal-Mart
Toni Grijalva
Cerritos College CHAMBER DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
Teri Bazen
Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing LEGISLATIVE CHAIR
Julia Emerson
So. Cal. Gas Company
Cheri Kelley
City Council Liaison
Chamber Staff Executive Director
Vivian Hansen
Membership Services Director
Caren Spilsbury
The Ambassador Committee Needs Your Help We are soliciting new members to serve as Ambassadors for the Norwalk Chamber. Ambassadors serve as agents of the Chamber to support and represent the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and be proactive in advancing membership retention and growth. Duties include:
•Welcoming and mentoring New Chamber Members by inviting them to events and introducing them to others. •Serve as a greeter at Chamber breakfasts/luncheons/mixers •Attend ribbon cutting ceremonies, grand openings and mixers. •Support Chamber activities through attendance at events •The Ambassadors serve as official “hosts” at Chamber functions •HAVE SOME FUN!!!
INTERESTED? Call Vivian Hansen at the Chamber. We will send you an application.
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
NORWALK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • MARCH 2011
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Los Angeles Heat of the National Public Safety Football League Our newest member, the Los Angeles Heat, is a non profit organization and a member of the National Public Safety Football League (NPSFL). Each year the dedicated firefighters and police officers who play in this league contribute their time and efforts to raise funds for their charities. The LA Heat raises funds for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. The Burn Foundation supports burn survivors by teaching them how to cope with their personal tragedies and struggles in adapting back into society. Other organizations that they
collaborate with include the Rescue Youth program, teaming up with the Los Angeles District Attorneys office and the Los Angeles County Fire Department to mentor at risk youth. Join the LA Heat on Saturday, March 12, at 600pm as they play the Orange County Lawmen in a fierce match up at the Cerritos College Stadium. Admission for this event is $10.00 (children under 12 are free). For additional information about the Los Angeles Heat, check out their website at www.losangelesheat.org.
Reggie Berry of “Goals for Life” presented with Leadership in Community Service Award Family of the Year and a Legacy LifeSuper Bowl XLV is over, and the time Achievement. Green Bay Packers are the ChamThis event pions. But was a monuwhile many mental show of you were highlighting glued to the the accomtelevision plishments watching the of these game, there exceptional was another professional event being athletes who held a few have made days before in outstanding Dallas Texas philanthropic that recogachievenized one of ments, and Norwalk’s who stand as own. The inspirational Inaugural and positive event of the “Unsung Ath- Board Member Reggie Berry, Coast Plaza Hos- role models in their comlete Awards,” pital and Goals for Life pictured with Michael Vick at the Inaugural Event of the “Unsung munities. hosted by Athlete Awards” in Dallas TX. Reggie Berry NFL Super of “Goals for Bowl Champ Life” here in Norwalk, CA, was preLional Dalton and NFL Veteran and sented with a Leadership in CommuPhilanthropist, Michael Kiselak, nity Service Award. Reggie is a memrecognized active and retired NFL Players that are currently involved in a ber of the Norwalk Chamber Board charitable, not-for-profit organization. of Directors, representing Coast Plaza Hospital and “Goals for Life.” To This event celebrated 15 remarkable innovators and change makers that are learn more about the “Unsung Athmaking a difference every day in their lete Awards” program check out their communities. Honors were presented website at http://unsungathleteawards. com/. Please join the Norwalk Chamin Excellence in Youth Development, ber as we congratulate Reggie Berry Leadership in Community Service, on this wonderful recognition of his Inspirational Community Ambasvaluable contributions to our comsadors, Organizations on the Rise, munity! Humanitarian of the Year, Unsung
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BUSINESS AND LABOR LAW CORNER All employers must have written injury/illness prevention program Question: I employ fewer than 10 employees. Am I required to have a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program? All employers in California, including those with only one employee, are required to have a written injury and illness prevention program. Title 8, Section 3203 of the General Industry Safety Orders has required the development and use of an accident prevention program by all California employers since April 1, 1977. The regulation, as initially adopted, contained two short subsections. It was a performance regulation in which the employer was to develop a program to address the hazards anticipated to be at the work site, and to make periodic inspections to ensure any potential hazards could be detected, eliminated or mitigated. During the 1989-1990 legislative session, SB 198 was passed, revising the Labor code and requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to develop and adopt an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) with the specific requirements as contained in newly adopted Labor Code Section 6401.7. The revision to Section 3203 went into effect on July 1, 1991. The legislative mandate was specific that the employer’s IIPP was to be written.
Exceptions
practices with specific instructions” to the hazards unique to the employees’ job assignment. •The second exception, located in (b)(1), permits the employer to maintain inspection records only until the observed/known hazard is corrected in lieu of maintaining records for one year. In 1994, subsection (b) was revised as noted above to clarify its intent, and a new exception No. 3 was added
Fewer than 20 Employees
Exception 3 addresses employers who have fewer than 20 employees during the calendar year that are in an industry that is not on the designated high hazard list. In addition, the company cannot have a Workers’ Compensation Experience Modification Rate greater than 1.1 percent. Also included in the exception are companies with fewer than 20 employees during the calendar year that are on a designated List of Low Hazard Industries. If the companies described meet the listed criterion, they may limit the written documentation to the following three items: •The identity of the person(s) with authority and responsibility for program implementation as required by Title 8 California Code of Regulations Section 3203(a)(1). •Scheduled periodic “inspections” to identify unsafe conditions and work practices as required by Section 3203(a)(7). •Training and instruction provided to employees as required by Section 3203(a)(7).
Low Hazard Industries
Personnel Plus celebrates twenty year membership
At the time of the initial adoption, the regulation had three exceptions addressing employers who had fewer than 10 employees. •The first was an exception to the communication requirement contained n Section 3203(a)(3). This exception permits the employer to “communicate to and instruct employees orally in general safe work
Personnel Plus presented with 20 Year Renewal Plaque.
MESSAGE from page 1 a Candidates Forum for Norwalk City Council candidates, participated in City Business Visits and Chamber Business Visits, and hosted the Annual Business Expo. I would like to thank those who participated in and supported all of these great events. Special thanks go out to our Events Committee, chaired by Lynda Fisher of Walmart and Toni Grijalva of Cerritos College. Check out the Norwalk Chamber website at www.norwalkchamber. com for future Chamber events and networking opportunities! Looking forward to meeting you there! and the community. Thank you to Pawnmart, Norwalk Florist, Outback Restaurant, WalMart, Costco Wholesale, Lakers Basketball,
Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing, Mary Jane McIntosh, Ana Valencia, Teri Bazen, Lynda Fisher, Touch of Class DJ, Sanchez Catering, AFLAC, Golden Specialty Foods, Norwalk Doubletree Hotel and last but not least, Wells Fargo Bank for hosting this wonderful event. The Norwalk Chamber is off to a busy start to the 2011 year. Workshops, networking opportunities, and of course, our Annual Business Expo are all on the horizon. To add to our busy schedule the Chamber is hosting the Norwalk City Council Candidates Forum on February 8th. Be sure and check out the Chamber website for more information on all of our upcoming events; www. norwalkchamber.com.
A listing of the low hazard industries may by found I Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section 14300.2 or by contacting the Cal/ OSHA Consultation Service. Additional information regarding the requirements and exceptions to Section 3203 can be found by going to www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools.
ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211 4 NORWALK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • MARCH TO 2011
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
We'll giveto10% of our sales to % of our sales ool, club,your or school, club, or non-profit organization. organization.
www.yourcitycoupons.net ourcitycoupons.net
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Norwalk Chamber Of Commerce & The City Of Norwalk
Member to Member Discount Program
Invite You To Attend
“The State Of the County”
es
Presented by...Los Angeles County Supervisor
DON KNABE
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
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Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex Sproul Room 13200 Clarkdale Avenue, Norwalk 90650 Table Sponsorships Available: Reserved Tables of (8) $170.00 Breakfast Per Person: $20 RESERVATIONS ONLY!!!! ~ NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR ~
The Member–to–Member Discount Program is a special Chamber program that encourages members to do business with fellow Chamber members. The program helps our members to save money and to increase their exposure. Take advantage of the discounts offered and shop in Norwalk today! Please note that the following discounts are available to Chamber members only who present a membership card at time of purchase. As a Chamber member, if you would like to offer a discount as part of the program or make a change to your current discount, please fill out the form below. You may also call the Norwalk Chamber office at 562.864.7785.
MAJOR SPONSOR…….
Southern California Edison
Your current Chamber Membership Card must be presented when requesting the discount.
Questions and Reservations will be handled by the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Rd. Norwalk-CA 90650|Off: 562-864-7785|Fax: 562-864-8539|Info@norwalkchamber.com
Save money, increase your exposure!