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COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • NOVEMBER 20, 2009
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 PH: 562.864.7785 FX: 562.864.8539
NOVEMBER 2009
October Luncheon Features Speaker from California Crime Fight
A
t our October Business Luncheon, the Chamber welcomed Byron Walls of California CRIME FIGHT as our guest speaker. Make yourself HIGH RISK was the message of the day. Byron offered many suggestions to attendees on how to keep you safer in today’s tough economic
{l-r} New Member Christina Gutierrez of Norwalk Collision & Glass with President Teri Bazen. times. On home invasion robberies, suggestions included having a dog and if you don’t have a dog, make it look like you do! An old dog dish outside of your back
Assemblymember Mendoza Kicks Off Holiday Giving With 2009 Operation Gobble To Help Families In Need Assemblymember to distribute 100 turkeys to local nonprofits .
Bryan Walls of California Crime Fight.
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door and beware of dog signs are just two ways to make it look like a dog lives at your house. For personal safety for women, he suggests that you never get in a car with a would-be attacker and run away if you are confronted. If unable to run, you may want to try to get your attacker talking by “smoozing” him. This can create a rapport with the attacker and make it harder for him to hurt you. If all else fails, you
should be armed with pepper spray for safety purposes. Byron presented a difficult topic in a funny and humorous fashion that had us all on our toes and waiting for his next piece of advice. For more information about personal safety, you can visit reach Byron at www. californiacrimefight.com.
The start of the holiday giving season will include Operation Gobble Annual event hosted by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk). This year the Assemblymember will distribute over 100 turkeys to four (4) local area nonprofits on Monday, November 16th beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Norwalk and ending at 2:00 p.m. in Long Beach. Each year charitable organizations that help serve family needs are pre-selected to participate in the holiday event. The organizations receive the turkeys along with other Thanksgiving food items and distribute to needy familes. This year’s participants include the Rio Hondo Temporary Shelter in Norwalk, The Hawaiian Gardens Food Bank in Hawaiian Gardens, the Los Nietos Food Pantry in Whittier, and Su Casa Battered Women’s Shelter in Long Beach. “The holidays are a time to reflect and remember families who are less for-
See LUNCHEON on Page 10
See TURKEY on Page 10
Norwalk Chamber 1st Annual “Great Pumpkin Bowl”
t’s the great “Pumpkin Bowl” that visited Keystone Lanes in Norwalk this last October 29th, as the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce hosted our very first pumpkin bowling tournament. A great time was had by all who attended, with prizes and trophies going to winners in many categories. Our “Best T-Shirt” contest was won by Norwalk Florist 1st Place Team Winners – Chamber Members Rodeway with their glowing Inn green spider web shirts. First place winner in the bowling tournament was the Rodeway Inn team, followed closely by second place team AFLAC and third place Team Jesse. The highlight of the evening was the actual bowling of pumpkins. Our top single game winners and bottom single game winners were in a “bowl off” to see who would take home “Pumpkin Bowl” Winners. the highly cov-
eted bowling pin trophies! Winning that event were 1st Place Rodeway Inn, 2nd Place, Wells Fargo and 3rd Place AFLAC. We would like to thank all of our sponsors for this event. Our “Freaky Frankenstein” sponsors, Supervisor Don Knabe and the City of Norwalk; “Wicked Witch” sponsors, AFLAC, Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing, WalGary Murphy of Norwalk Florist and team members – winners Mart and Rodeway of the Best Decorated Shirt Contest. Inn; and our lane sponsors Community Family Guidance Center, Vice Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen, Mary Jane McIntosh, Paddison Square, and Camino Federal Credit Union. Thank you to all of our bowling teams, Thompson Bookkeeping, Wells Fargo Bank, Outback Steakhouse, Norwalk Marriott, Team Jesse, Golf N Stuff, Norwalk Florist, Coast Plaza Hospital, and the Prumatico FamPresident Teri Bazen with Rob Hartley of Keystone Lanes. ily.
8 COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • NOVEMBER 20, 2009
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 PH: 562.864.7785 FX: 562.864.8539
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee PRESIDENT Teri Bazen Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing and Heating 11661 Firestone Blvd. Norwalk, Ca 90650 562.868.777 VP COMMUNICATIONS/SECRETARY Karla Butler Thompson Bookkeeping 12211 Front Street Norwalk, Ca 90650 562.868.231 VP FINANCE Jesse Urquidi Norwalk Lions Club PO Box 1712 Norwalk, Ca 90650 562.864.501 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Susan Arthur 562.864.785 PRESIDENT ELECT Betty Chacon Wells Fargo Bank 11732 Firestone Blvd. Norwalk, Ca 90650 562.406.254
Board Members
Reggie Berry Coast Plaza Hospital Retired NFL Players Goals For Life 13100 Studebaker Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 562.864.040 Lynda Fisher Wal-Mart 11729 Imperial Hwy. Norwalk, Ca. 90650 562.929.766 Joe Derthick AFLAC 110 Pine Avenue, Suite 320 Long Beach, CA 90802 562.951.670 x322 Rita De Benedicitis Café N’ Stuff 9306 Firestone Blvd. Downey, Ca. 90241 562.940.4494 Toni Grijalva Cerritos College 11110 Alondra Blvd. Norwalk, Ca. 90650 562.860.451 x2798 Maria Grimaldo Farmers Insurance 562.650.7097 Jennifer Kocaoglu Costco Wholesale 12324 Hoxie Ave. Norwalk, Ca 90650 562.929.055 Richard LeGaspi TNT Fireworks 555 N. Gilbert Fullerton, Ca 92833 800.585.487 Lesley Watkins Community Family Guidance Center 10929 South St. Cerritos, Ca 90703 562.924.5526
Committee Chairpersons
SPECIAL EVENTS Lynda Fisher & Toni Grijalva CHAMBER DEVELOPMENT Maria Grimaldo LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Julia Emerson Southern Calif. Gas Co. 562.803-7575 AMBASSADORS Joe Derthick EDUCATION COMMITTEE Susan Arthur CHAMBER LIAISON Mike Mendez – City Councilmember 562.929.307 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Vivian Hansen 562.864.7785 ceo@norwalkchamber.com MEMBERSHIP SERVICES DIRECTOR Caren Spilsbury 562.864.7785 info@norwalkchamber.com
New Members
The following members 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” Altamed Health Services Lidia Venegas 12130 Paramount Blvd. Downey, 90242 562-254-0773 M.A.D.D. Studios Mirza Bueno 12727 Fairford Street Norwalk, 90650 562-879-5817 Norwalk Village Dental Center Peggy Avila 11274 Firestone Blvd Norwalk, 90650 562-863-8600 AAMCO Transmissions & Complete Car Center Carlos Barron 517 W. Imperial Hwy. La Habra, 90631 714-992-9150 California Ink, Printing & Graphics Bill Sanders 14730 Firestone Blvd.
NOVEMBER 2009
La Mirada, 90638 714-523-9033 Knott’s Berry Farm Lydia Diaz 8039 Beach Blvd. Buena Park, 90620 714-220-5200 Medieval Times David Manuel 7662 Beach Blvd. Buena Park, 90620 714-523-1100 Pirates Dinner Adventure Julio Duran 7600 Beach Blvd. Buena Park, 90620 714-690-1497 Pre-Paid Legal Services Marea O’Brien 1379 S. Country Way La Habra, 90631 714-738-5949 7-11 – Civic Center Plaza 12361 Imperial Hwy. Norwalk, 90650 Primerica Max Yamaguchi 12440 Firestone Blvd. #2004 Norwalk CA 90650 562-218-0128 Edward Jones Parvez Howlader 9090 Moody Street Cypress CA 90630 562-402-2067 Norwalk Collision Center Christina Gutierrez 11404 Imperial Hwy Unit C Norwalk CA 90650 562-207-0870 Courtyard by Marriott Lisa Simpson 7621 Beach Blvd. Buena Park CA 90650 714-670-6600 Capistrano Gardens Cher Hermschulte 13811 Shoemaker Ave. Norwalk CA 90650 562-921-4704 Children Uniting Nations Charles Lee 6380 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1006 Los Angeles CA 90048 323-944-0500 Dunn-Edwards Ray Aguilar 12125 Imperial Hwy Norwalk CA 90650 562-864-7162 New Beginnings Praise Center Pastor Debbie Wescott 16000 S. Norwalk Blvd Norwalk, CA 90650 562-404-8086 Western Sizzlin’s Wood Grill Buffet Ray Hakim 12241 Imperial Hwy. Norwalk, CA 90650 562-406-2600 Renewals
Anniversaries
2 Years Mary Kay Cosmetics – Eliana Reece Rodeway Inn Scoreboard Sports Bar Norwalk Community Coordinating Council American Legion 3 Years Lorraine Neal H & R Block State Farm Insurance JWCH Institute, Inc. 4 Years El Clasificado 5 Years Bernabe Community Center Pioneer Medical Group 8 Years F.O.C.I.S. St. Francis Episcopal Church L.A. CADA 10 Years Dr. John Larcabal 12 Years Norwalk Unocal Norwalk Dental Association 14 Years American Red Cross Metropolitan State Hospital 15 Years Keystone Auto Leasing 16 Years Wheelabrator Norwalk 17 Years Helpline Youth Counseling 19 Years Norwalk Dialysis Center 21 Years Comfort Inn Norwalk Marriott 22 Years Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District Norwalk Lions Club Norwalk La Mirada USD 23 Years Leed Electrical, Inc. Burger Basket Frantone’s Pizza Employment Development 24 Years Costco Wholesale 29 Years Norwalk Auto Auction 32 Years Stater Brothers – Alondra ny Chorus Lorraine Neal
New Member Spotlight Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
Norwalk, La Mirada. La Habra and Buena Park Chamber Members joined in a multichamber event with a backstage look at the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Arrrgh!! Located at 7600 Beach Blvd in Buena Park, Pirate’s Dinner Adventure is a great way to spend an evening, whether celebrating an event or just going out to dinner. Your adventure begins when you arrive to The King’s Festival. As Princess Anita’s royal guests, you will experience delightful entertainment, family photos, and complimentary appetizers! A band of renegade pirates abruptly invade the
King’s Festival and shanghai Princess Anita and her guests. You are taken to Captain Sebastian’s Cove where you will witness swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels as you feast on a meat fit for a Pirate King. Beware, the captain is looking for new crewmembers and you may be one of 150 landlubbers called upon to participate in the show!
Primerica-Norwalk Primerica, located at 13440 Firestone Blvd., #2004 in Norwalk is owned by Max Yamaguchi and has been in Norwalk for approximately five years. Max tells us that due to the lack of opportunities to learn the basics of “Money” many people suffer financially. And the stress from financial challenges is causing a lot of problems in our society, especially now. Primerica has tools to help everyone avoid financial pitfalls. Their “How Money Works” Program is used to share
Turkey
Continued from page 7 tunate,” said Assemblymember Mendoza. “I want to make sure families who have been struggling know their community cares and wants to help. This program is just one way, if you are able to give back, I encourage you to seek out nonprofits that provide food, clothing and shelter during the holidays.” Assemblymember Mendoza will meet with staff at each of the nonprofits as he delivers turkeys and food items. Turkeys were generously donated by the Golden State Water Company. Assemblymember Tony Mendoza, a former teacher and current vice chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, serves the communities of Norwalk, Buena Park, Cerritos, Santa Fe Springs, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens and portions of Whittier and Lakewood.
knowledge everyone should have about money and is used to make an individual Financial Needs Analysis (FNA). Both tools are provided on a complimentary basis and Max hopes that you will use this to begin a long term relationship with Primerica. His products include Retirement Planning, Educational Funding, Debt Elimination and Financial Protection. Max can be reached at 562-281-0128 or visit his website @ www.primerica. com/Max.Yamaguchi.
Luncheon
Continued from page 7 The Chamber thank all who attended the Business Luncheon and especially our new members Norwalk Collision and Glass, Edward Jones Investments, and Altamed. Congratulations to the following door prize winners: Ken Garcia of Golf N Stuff, Sue Arthur, Gordon Stefenhagen, Gracie Gallegos, Karla Butler of Thompson Accounting, Joni Shepphard of Paddison Square, Mary Jane McIntosh, Lidia Venegas of Altamed, Christina Gutierrez of Norwalk Collision and Glass, Parvez Howlader of Edward Jones Investments and Teresa Louis of B & L Caterers.
www.norwalkchamber.com
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COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • NOVEMBER 20, 2009
Reminder. You’ve been thinking about switching to a new medical group. Now’s the perfect opportunity to choose a medical group that allows you access to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH). Bright Health Physicians is a medical group with over 150 primary care physicians, more than 180 specialists, and a number of convenient medical office locations throughout Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, La Mirada, Norwalk and Hacienda Heights. In many cases, you can switch to Bright Health Physicians and keep your current doctor. Not only are the doctors of Bright Health Physicians trusted experts, but they take the time to know you and your family, and provide you with the personalized health care you deserve. On top of that, they’re your best link to PIH, the community’s preferred hospital.
Call the Bright Health Physicians Information and Referral Service at
1.877.285.DOCS (3627) for more information or to find your own Bright Health Physicians doctor.
www.BrightHealth.com
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10 COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • NOVEMBER 20, 2009 Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 PH: 562.864.7785 FX: 562.864.8539
NOVEMBER 2009
New Retail Center Celebrates Grand Opening
{l-r} Rob Cazares, Susan Arthur, Teri Bazen, Mayor Cheri Kelley, Richard LeGaspi, Mr. Fierro, Gary Murphy and Joe Derthick Rosecrans Towne Centre in Norwalk located at 13041 Rosecrans Avenue held their Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday November 18th, 2009. Guests were welcomed by Mr. Anthony Ferrero, President of InSite Realty Advisors. Mr. Ferrero provided the audience with his own “insight” into the history of the Towne Centre property, which included his own memories of growing up on the land that is now the Rosecrans Towne Centre. The Ferrero family has been on that location for over 60 years, and has continued to be a vital part of the Norwalk business community during all those years.
Mayor Cheri Kelley, presented Mr. Ferrero with the City of Norwalk Business Spotlight Award. Also present were Vice Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen and Councilmember Mike Mendoza. Norwalk Chamber of Commerce President, Teri Bazen, and her Board of Directors presented a Certificate of Congratulations to Mr. Ferrero. Many Chamber members were present for the ceremony, including Dr. Kim of Chamber Member Rose Dental Implant Center who is located in the Rosecrans Towne Center. Door prizes and refreshments were served to the guests and tours of the businesses were offered.
Member – To – Member Discount Program These businesses are offering discounts to Norwalk Chamber Members. Your current Chamber Membership Card must be presented when requesting the discount. AUTO REPAIR NORWALK UNOCAL 76 Maria Gonzalez or Jacques Labejian 10951 E. Imperial HWY. Norwalk, (562) 868-8659 20% off on ALL Repair & Service CAR SALES BUDGET RENT-A-CAR Phil Arey 12541 Rosecrans Ave. Norwalk (562)407-2800 $500 Gas Voucher with purchase of car. While supplies last. DENTAL SERVICES ROSE DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER Sunny Kim 13041 Rosecrans Avenue #207 Norwalk (562) 404-1614 Summer Special! Complete Digital X-rays, and Examination Free! Mention this ad when making your appointment. ENTERTAINMENT ABUNDANT ENTERTAINMENT Charles LaMantia 13212 LeFloss Ave Norwalk (562) 929-3100 Free Lighting package OR Free Speaker upgrade Call for more details MARY KAY COSMETICS ELIANA REECE 17828 ½ Gridley Rd. Artesia (562)964-4887 20% off all product purchases OFFICE MACHINES FIRST CLASS COPIERS Issac or Tammie
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
Downey (562) 928-5091 10% off First Service Call 10% off 1st Supply Order OPTOMETRIST DR. PAUL S. CRISMAN, O.D. Jackie Garcia 13800 San Antonio Dr. Norwalk (562)864-6535 15% off Eye Exam & Glasses PAINT & PAINT PRODUCTS DUNN-EDWARDS PAINT Mgr. Ray Aguilar or any Sales Associate 12125 Imperial Hwy. (in Paddison Square) Norwalk (562) 864-7172 40% off all paint & pant products Norwalk Chamber Account-Cash or Credit Card PLUMBING HVAC NORWALK/LA MIRADA PLUMBING Teri Bazen 11949 Firestone Blvd Norwalk (562) 868-7777 5% off all work SEWING & VACUUM NORWALK VACUUM & SEWING Bill Sanning 14529 S. Pioneer Blvd. Norwalk (562) 864-7781 15% on service for vacuum & sewing machines. TAX PREPARATION H & R BLOCK Scott Davis 5000 E. Spring Long Beach (562) 429-2384 15% off tax preparation services TIRE SERVICES PRO TIRE & PREMIER TIRE Rudy 16102 Pioneer Blvd Norwalk (562) 404-8558 No Sales Tax on Purchases
Cerritos College Opens Aquatic Center
President Teri Bazen [r] and Cerritos College Trustee Bob Arthur. Cerritos College Celebrated the opening of their new Aquatic Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 21. The new $7 million facility consists of a 115-by-75 foot competition pool, a 45-by75-foot adaptive pool and a 3,400 square fee pool house facility. College President
Dr. Linda Lacey welcomed invited guests, faculty, students and community members and introduced the folks who brought the long term project to fruition. College Trustees and other local officials joined in the celebration of a G.O Bond project funded by the community.
Members In The News
Stater Bros. Annual Holiday Giving Campaign To Feed Over One Million People In Need In Southern California Stater Bros. Charities, is launching an urgently needed campaign to help local families who are faced with hunger this Holiday Season. “Harvesting Hope in our Community” will provide cash and food donations to local food banks and emergency food providers that are currently experiencing an increase of at least 30% in requests for assistance this year. Some organizations have been forced to close while others are facing long lines of families in need. Because of this, the coordinated campaign will run through December 27th, for an entire two months, to assist with hunger relief efforts in the communities where Stater Bros. customers and employees live and work. “I always tell my employees to do the right thing for the right reason,” said Jack H. Brown, Chairman and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets. “Helping families in need
this Holiday Season is definitely the right thing to do.” Throughout the months of November and December, Stater Bros. Charities will be presenting over $350,000 in total donations to various Southern California food banks and self-help organizations. In addition to cash donations, all 167 Stater Bros. Supermarkets will have food barrels in the front of the store to collect non-perishable food items for families in need in the local communities. Some of the products in greatest demand include canned fruits and vegetables, whole grains (such as oatmeal, crackers, cereal and pasta), canned meats, canned or dry beans, and shelf-stable dairy products. This food will be shared with regional food banks and charities to assist those families who are struggling to make ends meet.
You’re invited – Be our Guest to the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer Thursday, December 17, 2009 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Sponsored and Hosted by Wells Fargo Bank 11732 Firestone Blvd., Norwalk * Complementary Food And Drinks * Chance To Visit With Friends & Community Leaders * Silent Auction | 50/50 Drawing * Santa Sleigh Visit: 6:30 Pm In the current economic climate, the Norwalk Food Pantry is assisting many families this Holiday Season and would appreciate your assistance. Collection boxes will be available at the event for donations of non perishable food items. Please RSVP to Chamber office Today (562)864-7785 Or email: info@norwalkchamber.com