Business Focus For information on Keller Williams’ 3rd Birthday, turn to ad on pages 12-13. See Around Town section on page 21 for information on Red Shirt Day
AUGUST 2016
Connecting the business and residential communities.
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE WHITTIER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2016 Midyear Employment Law Update By: Gail Cecchettini Whaley, J.D.;
It’s only August, but it’s already been a busy year for employers with lots of action from the California Legislature, federal and state agencies, local governments and our courts. All we can say is, “Whew!” The following recaps some of the more significant developments to date.
Wage and Hour
Not surprisingly, this area of employment law received a lot of attention from policymakers, enforcement agencies and the courts. State Minimum Wage Increase on the Horizon Governor Brown signed SB 3, a bill that will increase the minimum wage in California to $15 per hour by 2022. Employers should start preparing for the minimum wage increase by examining all pay practices that may be affected. SB 3 calls for an increase of $.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2017, and an increase of $.50 per hour in January 2018. The rate would then increase $1 per year thereafter until 2022. Small businesses (25 or fewer employees) won’t be required to begin the scheduled increases until 2018. Once the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour for all businesses, wages could then be increased each year up to 3.5 percent (rounded to the nearest 10 cents) for inflation as measured by the national Consumer Price Index.
PAID
Permit #288 Anaheim, CA
Federal Overtime Rule Published The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the highly anticipated federal overtime rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule is effective December 1, 2016. Continued on page 6
Hathaway Golf Classic set for September 19 Golf tournaments can bring people throughout the community together like no other sporting event can and the Whittier Chamber’s Hathaway Golf Classic is no exception. As one of Whittier’s only business-focused tournaments, this event will feature great gifts, a full day of business networking on and off the course, delicious food, and fun contests and games. Whether you golf, volunteer, or purchase a ticket to the 19th Hole Mixer, you don’t want to miss the 38th Annual Hathaway Golf Tournament being held on Monday, September 19 at beautiful Friendly Hills Country Club. Well over 150 business owners and community members will participate in the Chamber’s Hathaway Golf Classic. “This event gives my business the opportunity for recognition not only through the Chamber marketing but on the course when I’m golfing with clients,” stated Doug Rowan, past Chamber President from Quantum Econometrics. “The tournament’s recurring theme is NETWORKING! We want our guests to enjoy their day and leave feeling like they had the opportunity to meet new people and create leads while enjoying a day on the greens,” added Hathaway Golf Classic co-chair Shannon Gimbel Hammer from Shannon G’s Flowers. Golfers will play a team scramble format with awards being given in several flights including Callaway. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of whether you are new to golf or the next Danny Willett! Even if you don’t golf at all, there are a variety of ways to participate:
GOLF:
8158 Painter Avenue Whittier, CA 90602
VOL. 22 NO. 08
Business Connections, Unique Marketing Opportunities Found on the Greens
CalChamber Employment Law Counsel/Content
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
Mayor Joe Vinatieri thanks Shop Local Expo co-chairs Bonnie Watje from ACRO Printing, Inc. and Brenda Rodriguez from The Skin Room for putting together a terrific community event. For more SHOP LOCAL photos, please see pages 10-11
The cost to participate is only $225 per golfer ($285 with a tournament package) and includes green fees, cart, tournament gifts, lunch, awards banquet and mixer, and several new and exciting on-course games with great opportunities to win. Foursomes are $900, Corporate foursomes (which include 4 tournament packages) are $1350, and if you want some extra marketing for your business, become an Eagle Sponsor for $1500 (includes a foursome, 4 tournament packages,
a tee sign, and additional marketing). Golfers can start their day by warming up for their round in the challenging Putting Contest. Attending the 19th Hole Mixer and awards banquet is a great way to end the day and will feature the suspenseful and exciting helicopter golf ball drop, a delicious Friendly Hills Country Club buffet, exciting raffle prizes, unique silent auction items and more opportunities to win.
NOT A GOLFER? ATTEND THE 19TH HOLE MIXER: Sponsored by
to both golfers and non-golfers and features the chance to win up to $2,000! Here’s how it works: 1) purchase a numbered Hathaway golf ball from the Whittier Chamber for $25 (or 5 balls for $100); 2) at the 19th Hole Mixer, a helicopter will hover over the golf course and drop all the purchased golf balls over the green; 3) whoever owns the ball(s) that fall into the designated hole wins the cash prize. Multiple winners will split the prize. There will be chances to win additional cash prizes if your ball lands in one of six pre-set circles near the hole. Purchase your Hathaway golf ball today – you could win $2,000! Balls can be purchased online at www. whittierchamber.com. Winners need not be present.
BE A TEE SPONSOR:
Can’t get away from the office? Is your golf swing off? Come network at the 19th Hole Mixer instead! Everyone is invited and encouraged to join our golfers at the 19th Hole Mixer for only $40 per person. “The mixer begins at 4 p.m. on the patio overlooking the picturesque golf course and will feature cocktails, business networking, a delicious Friendly Hills buffet dinner, and a seat at the tournament awards banquet,” explained Hathaway Mixer chair Laurie Perschbacher from MAP Property Management & Servcies. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the popular $2,000 Golf Ball Drop, enjoy the excitement of the Wine Pull, as well as the opportunity to bid on unique and exciting Silent Auction items. More importantly, attending the 19th Hole Mixer grants you access to networking with the 150 golfers, City officials, and corporate representatives who attend the Hathaway Golf Classic. Information on tickets to the 19th Hole Mixer can be found online at www.whittierchamber.com.
WIN $2,000 IN THE GOLF BALL DROP: Don’t miss the always thrilling $2000 Golf Ball Drop sponsored this year by Aaron’s Towing, Friendly Hills Bank, The Quad at Whittier, Orbit Event Rentals, Whittier Community Foundation, and State Farm- Cheryl Estep. This cash prize game is open
Tee sponsorships are a great way to participate and market your business to the 200 golfers and volunteers that day. Tee sponsorship includes a sign on the course, recognition in the dinner program, and a listing in the Business Focus newspaper prior to the tournament. There are many NEW ways to make sure your business is seen with a tee sign this year: • Classic Tee Sign ($100 chamber members; $150 non-members) features your business name on a sign • Feature your LOGO instead of your name ($125) • Include a space to hold your business cards or brochure ($150) The 38th Annual Hathaway Golf Classic is once again expected to sell out. To secure your space in the tournament or at the 19th Hole Mixer, visit www.whittierchamber.com or call (562) 698-9554. There are special incentive packages for chamber members who have joined in the last year! Call the Chamber for more details or email courtney@whittierchamber.com.
For a list of Hathaway sponsors please turn to page 18
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WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUS
WWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM
AUGUST 2016
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 2016-2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HOME CARE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
20 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y
President Chris Hardeman, DialMed Home Care
President Chris Hardeman
Immediate Past President Rudy Hernandez, RMH Dance & Productions President-elect & VP Membership Laurie Perschbacher, MAP Property Management & Property Services VP Administration Elizabeth Martinez, Republic Services VP Business Information Debra Legan, PIH Health VP Community Affairs La Donna Munier, Friendly Hills Bank VP Finance Greg Nicodemus, Credit Union of Southern California
I have a great love for the Whittier Community, and I care for the people who live here. I am honored to lead a group of businesses who give so much to this community. We have for-profit companies who give us great places to eat, shop and be active; we have nonprofit companies who support those in need. It is community builders in our city who keep Whittier strong and cohesive. Things are not as cohesive on the state and national levels. The America of my youth cannot be experienced
by my son. The world is an uncertain place and proper precautions must be maintained. Only when each of our nation’s communities understands and cares for its own will America be whole again. If we can understand the needs of others, and if we can accept that there will be differences while maintaining our goal of keeping Whittier great, then we will ensure a bright future for our families. One thing Whittier businesses and residents can agree on is that increased crime negatively impacts our community. Crime is up in our city by 15%. In 2012, Proposition 47 went into law. The unfortunate side effect of this law is that anyone involved in a crime with a monetary amount of less than $950 will not be imprisoned, but instead receive a citation similar to a traffic violation. Now more than ever we need to watch out for each other. California, in its infinite wisdom, has put the good people of
VP Networking and Marketing Gary Lee Martinez, The Traveling Traveler
our community at risk. As I told you last month, the Whittier Chamber is putting together a program that will help businesses watch out for each other and the community as a whole. The program is called Business Watch and it works very much like Neighborhood Watch. You will hear more about this program in the months to come. By the way, if you live in Whittier and are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program you can contact the police department at (562) 567-9210 to begin the process. I am dedicated to helping keep Whittier safe and enjoyable for all people. Please continue to do your part by shopping local, eating local and having local fun. If everyone participates our community thrives. I also hope you are having a wonderful summer. Enjoy the next few weeks with your children and grandchildren before they return to school.
$ TAX TIPS
VP Special Events Carolyn Reggio, CAPC, Inc.
DIRECTORS Leighton Anderson, Bewley, Lassleben & Miller Cheryl Estep, State Farm Insurance Dr. Ramsey Ezaki, Ezaki Dentistry Oscar Hernandez, Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Whittier John Hsu, STC Management Greg Gunter, Greg’s Auto Body Nick Kiouftis, California Grill Krista Lesa, The Quad at Whittier Tom Rios, Brookdale Uptown Whittier Kim Praster, Ladybugs Environmental Termite & Pest Bryan Tabizon, Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary
STAFF Executive Directors Carol Crosby & Lyn Carty Director of Membership Luis Regalado Member Relations Coordinator Jessica Reyes Bookkeeper Amber Lawrence Hathaway Project Manager Courtney French Whittier Chamber Business Focus Official monthly publication of the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce This publication is mailed monthly to all licensed businesses in the city of Whittier, all Whittier Chamber members and 4,500 Whittier residents in selected areas. Papers are also distributed via various community locations such as Whittier Library, Community Center, Senior Center, City Hall, etc. Total monthly readership is 20,000. We welcome comments, press releases and community interest stories. All submissions are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. The Whittier Chamber reserves the right to approve and edit submitted material. The Business Focus is also an excellent vehicle within which to advertise! For current advertising rates or to submit an article, email info@whittierchamber.com or call (562) 698-9554.
Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce 8158 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602 (562) 698-9554 • (562) 693-2700 FAX www.whittierchamber.com info@whittierchamber.com
Allowing “Catch-up Contributions” to SEPs, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) Plans by Individuals Who Have Reached Age 50
Richard Scrivanich If your business’s 401(k) plan, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA plan contains the necessary language, employees who will have reached age 50 by the end of a year to are allowed to make “catch-up contributions” in that year. The opportunity for an employee to make “elective deferrals,” that is, to contribute a portion of his compensation, on a tax-deferred basis, to a 401(k) plan, SIMPLE IRA plan, simplified employee pension (SEP), 403(b) plan, and/or governmental section 457 eligible deferred compensation plan, is one of the most attractive means of saving for retirement. But the Code specifically provides annual limits on the amount of elective deferrals, and indirectly limits elective deferrals through nondiscrimination rules and overall limits on contributions. In addition, many plans provide a cap, usually as a percentage of compensation, on the
amount that an employee can contribute to the plan on a tax-deferred basis. Plans providing for elective deferrals may allow employees who will be age 50 by the end of a year to make additional “catch-up contributions” in that year, regardless of otherwise applicable limits. The maximum annual catch-up contribution for plans other than SIMPLE 401(k) plans or SIMPLE IRA plans is $6,000 for 2016. This amount will be adjusted for inflation in later years. The maximum annual catch-up contribution for SIMPLE 401(k) plans and SIMPLE IRA plans is $3,000 for 2016. This amount also will be adjusted for inflation in later years. Catch-up contributions provide a significant tax deferral opportunity to employees over age 50—even if the over-age-50 employees are mostly highly compensated. That is, catch-up contributions are not taken into account in applying most of the nondiscrimination rules that otherwise apply to 401(k) plans, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRAs. Thus, an eligible employee would be able to defer compensation up to the catchup contribution maximum amount, in addition to the amount that the employee
would otherwise have been able to defer without the catch-up provision. The right to make the same catchup contribution election does have to be available to all eligible employees, if the employer provides for catch-up contributions under any of its plans. But again, there are no adverse tax consequences if the employees that actually elect to make catchup contributions are mostly highly compensated employees. Unlike catch-up contributions, any contributions that an employer makes to match catch-up contributions must still meet all the nondiscrimination rules that otherwise would apply. Also, catchup contributions for prior years are taken into account in applying the top heavy rules and minimum coverage rules, for plans subject to these rules, e.g., 401(k) plans. If you business’s retirement does not allow for “catch-up” contributions, it can be amended to allow for such contributions. If you have any questions concerning this topic, please do not hesitate to call me at (562) 698-9891.
INDEX
President’s Massage............... 2 Tax Tips .................................. 2 Mayor’s Message .................... 4 10-4 Tips from the WPD .......... 5 State of the City ....................... 6 Tasty Tuesday .......................... 7 Community Celebrations.......... 9 Shop Local .......................10-11 What’s Cool In Your School..... 14 Wake Up Whittier ................... 17 Restaurant Row ..................... 18 Calendar................................ 18 Member Marketplace ............ 19 Around Town ....................20-21 Uptown Update ...................... 22 New Members ....................... 23 Renewing Members............... 23 Networking Quote.................. 23 Milestone Members ............... 23
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Have you been approached with unrealistic rates of return? Don’t believe the unbelievable! With today’s diverse marketplace serving up scores of investment opportunities, you may be tempted to set aside long-term goals in favor of short-term profits. But having a successful financial future takes more than speculation - it takes careful planning and long-term perspective. Call Douglas M. Rowan, CFP®, CMFC, AIF® for help in investigating your many investing options. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC is one of the largest full service brokerage firms in the nation. We offer array of investments and services. We can provide the assistance you need, no matter where you are in life’s journey.
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AUGUST 2016
City Of Whittier
UPDATE vv
MAYOR'S MESSAGE Joe Vinatieri
Congratulations to the Whittier Chamber of Commerce for another successful Shop Local Showcase last month at Parnell Park. The dedication and hard work of the Chamber staff, board of directors and the many businesses that participated is greatly appreciated. The Shop Local Showcase is a fun and valuable event that serves as a reminder to the entire community to shop in Whittier. Keep in mind that sales tax generated in Whittier stays in Whittier, with 1% of all sales tax going directly to help fund public safety, community services, street maintenance and other important services. Think of it this way—if you take your children shopping this month for school clothes and spend $100, $1 of that sales tax helps fund summer programs for youth at our local parks and community centers. Please consider Whittier first and aim to support your fellow business owners as you gear up for the busy back-to-school shopping season. In light of recent events taking place across our nation and legislative changes in California, I want to take
a moment to remind residents that the City Council’s first responsibility is to make sure our people are safe. Lately we’ve seen an uptick in crimes of opportunity like thefts and burglaries, and we must all focus proactively on crime in our community. If you See Something, Say Something! The City Council will be working on several different initiatives over the coming months to help combat these crimes, but all of us need to be a part of the effort. Get to know the people around you and look out for each other. If your area does not have a Neighborhood Watch program, consider starting one by calling our Police Department at (562) 567-9210. The Mayor is committed to attending as many neighborhood watch meetings as possible. Our excellent police department works tirelessly to fight crime in our community but your eyes and ears are necessary to help keep Whittier safe for the sake of each other and our families. And speaking of law enforcement, please take the time to say “thanks” to an officer for his/her service protecting us. We a r e c o n t i n u i n g t o s e e a n unprecedented time of growth and opportunity with development happening on nearly every corner in town. We look forward to the completion of new shopping centers like the Friendly Hills Marketplace (near La Serna Drive and Whittier Boulevard) and Whittier Commons
(off College Avenue and Whittier Boulevard) as well as a number of luxury residential communities that will soon begin to open their doors to local families. We are excited to have big names coming to town from Orchard Supply Hardware and Home Goods to BevMo! and Aldi. The City is working hard to bring new businesses to Whittier and will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers Western Conference at the end of the month to connect with retailers and brokers in our region. We have also hired a consultant to assist in the formation of a Community Benefit Assessment District in Uptown. We must continue the redevelopment of Uptown into a vibrant and thriving destination location which will only happen through a committed partnership between the property owners, business owners and the City. Whittier is going green and making big changes! The City received free help from The Energy Network, an organization administered by Los Angeles County with funding from grants by the state Public Utilities Commission, which identifies energy-saving measures and works with local governments to provide energy consulting, project design, financing assistance and construction management at no cost to public agencies. The City Council allocated about $2.1 million to make street lights and public buildings more energy
efficient, a move that will pay for itself in about four years and save hundreds of thousands of dollars once completed. And have you seen the new street lights? An initiative to replace nearly 1,600 city streetlights with LED fixtures and create brighter and whiter lighting in town will save an estimated $158,000 annually in energy costs. There’s still plenty to do in this last month of summer here in Whittier. Enjoy three final performances at our Concerts in the Park series which runs through August 8. Enjoy live music at Central Park in Uptown Whittier on Mondays and at Parnell Park on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Carpool with friends and don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs or a blanket. For a complete concert schedule, visit www. cityofwhittier.org or call (562) 567-9400. Family fun continues with a free “Moonlight Movie Night” on Saturday, August 6, sponsored by the City and the Whittier Community Foundation. Enjoy a warm evening under the stars and a kid-friendly movie on an inflatable 28-foot movie screen at Parnell Park. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for festivalstyle seating and a picnic while enjoying the movie. Please remember that pets, barbeques and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Call us at (562) 567-9400 for more information and a list of scheduled screenings. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!
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The City of Whittier Presents
Vin M u s c l e • C l as s i c •
ta g e • P e r f o r m a n c e
SHOWCASE YOUR CLASSIC CAR! PARTICIPANTS WANTED SATUR SAT U R DAY, SEP S E P TTEMBE E M B E R 24, 2 0016 16 CHECK-IN 8 A.M. ✪ EVENT 10 A.M.-3 P.M. PARNELL PARK WHITTIER 15390 Lambert Road, Whittier, CA 90604 For more information email us at wcfcarshow@cityofwhittier.org
Friends of the Movies:
August 6
September 3
Star Wars
Maleficent
The Force Awakens For more information call (562) 567-9450
AUGUST 2016
WWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM
WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUS
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City Of Whittier
UPDATE 1 Captain Michael Davis
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Back to School Safety
It’s that time again where our kids • Teach children - whether walking, are getting excited and prepared to go biking, or riding the bus to school back to school; from kindergarteners to - to obey all traffic signals, signs, college students, as well as parents and traffic officers. Remind them to school staff. Back to school time is also be extra careful in rainy weather. an exciting time for criminals who like to take advantage of unsuspecting victims • M a k e s u r e t h e y w a l k t o a n d as streets fill up with students carrying from school with others - a valuables, and school parking lots fill up friend, neighbor, brother, sister. with vehicles. The following list contains various tips and reminders on making • When car pooling, drop off and pick your kid(s) school year a safe one: up children as close to school as possible. Don’t leave until they have • Be sure your child knows his or her entered the school yard or building. home phone number (including area Parents please follow all school code) address, your work number, valet drop off and pick up plans. the number of another trusted adult, and how to use 911 for emergencies. • Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from • Plan a walking route to school or the strangers. Remember, a stranger bus stop. Choose the most direct way is anyone you or your children with the fewest street crossings. Test doesn’t know well or doesn’t trust. the route with your child. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant • I f y o u r c h i l d i s h o m e a l o n e lots, fields, and other places where for a few hours after school: there aren’t many people around.
• Set up rules for locking doors and • If you choose to send your kids to windows, answering the door or school with valuables such as Ipods, telephone. Ipads, laptops, smartphones, or • Talk about what activities your child expensive jewelry, ask them to keep can and cannot do while home alone. the items hidden in a backpack as • Make sure he or she checks in with they travel to and from school. They you or a neighbor immediately after should also keep a close eye on school. their property throughout the day. • Agree on rules for inviting friends over and for going to a friend’s • If you park your vehicle at school, house when no adult is home. make sure the alarm is on, all doors are locked, and all valuables are • Take time to listen carefully to children’s removed from plain view. fears and feelings about people or places that scare them or make them feel uneasy. Tell them to trust their instincts. Take complaints about bullies and other concerns seriously. • Teach you kids to stay alert when they walk to and from school. This means refraining from listening to music in both ears and always watching for suspicious persons or vehicles.
Michael Davis is a Captain with the Whittier Police Department and oversees the Department’s Patrol Division. He can be reached at (562) 567-9253 or via email at mdavis@cityofwhittier.org.
National Night Out National Night Out is a nationwide annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. Locally, National Night Out is designed to build strong relationships between the Whittier Police Department and Whittier residents and to promote crime awareness programs, such as drug prevention, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts.
Parnell Park 15390 Lambert Road August 4, 2016 • 5-8 p.m.
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WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUS
Continued from front page 2016 Midyear Employment Law Update The final rule changes the salary level that must be met before an employee can be exempt from overtime under one of the so-called white-collar exemptions (executive, administrative and professional). The minimum salary threshold will increase to $913 per week, $47,476 annually for a full-time worker. An employee paid less than this threshold amount will be guaranteed overtime pay. This threshold is higher than California’s minimum annual salary threshold for the whitecollar exemptions, which is currently $41,600. Effective December 1, an employee will need to meet the higher federal salary threshold of $913 per week to be classified as exempt under both California and federal law. California employees must continue to meet California’s strict duties test, in addition to the salary test. Employers have options to respond to the federal overtime rule, including: (1) raising employees’ salaries to meet the new threshold; or (2) reclassifying positions to nonexempt and paying overtime and complying with other rules, such as meal- and rest-break requirements, that govern nonexempt employees. Employers who reclassify employees should make sure that the newly nonexempt employees understand California-specific rules, such as rules on meal and rest breaks and timekeeping. Employers concerned about limiting overtime will also need to plan ahead. Navigating the terrain between California and federal rules can be complicated. Employers must comply with the law that gives the most protection to the employee. Rounding Practices OK if Neutral California law requires employers to keep accurate records reflecting the hours their employees work. Sometimes, the legality of an employer’s “rounding” of timecard entries comes into question. In a recent decision, a federal court confirmed that a company can round nonexempt employee time up to the nearest quarter-hour as long as the practice is neutral both on its face and in practice — meaning that, over time, the practice doesn’t favor either the employer or the employee. No Combined Rest Breaks A California court affirmed that, in general, rest breaks cannot be combined (Rodriguez v. E.M.E., Inc., 2016 WL 1613803 (2016)). The case involved employees at a metalfinishing company who worked eight-hour shifts and were provided one 30-minute meal break and one combined 20-minute rest break, which occurred either before or after the meal break. Relying on the California Supreme Court’s guidance in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court, the appellate court ruled that “rest breaks in an eight hour shift should fall on either side of the meal break, absent factors rendering such scheduling impracticable.” A company has no right to combine rest breaks as a matter of law. However, unusual or exceptional circumstances may permit a combined rest break. A departure from the general rule is allowed only if the departure: (1) will not unduly affect employee welfare; and (2) is tailored to alleviate a material burden that would be imposed on the employer by implementing the preferred schedule. Poor Recordkeeping Increases Overtime Liability A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision highlights one of the many dangers of not keeping proper records of time worked and wages paid: you might not be able to defend yourself if you’re sued by employees who claim you didn’t pay them the right amount (Tyson Foods Inc. v. Bouaphakeo, 136 S.Ct. 1036 (2016)). The Supreme Court upheld a $5.8 million verdict for unpaid overtime against Tyson Foods. The underlying case involved workers in a porkprocessing plant in Iowa who claimed that time spent “donning and doffing” (changing into required protective clothes/gear), washing up and walking to and from their work stations lengthened their workweek and entitled them to overtime pay. The company didn’t keep complete and adequate time and pay records, so the Court allowed Tyson workers to use an expert’s averaging and statistics to show they weren’t paid the right amount. Remember, California employers are required by law to keep accurate time and payroll records, and there are penalties for failing to do so. Department of Labor Sets Broad Definition of Joint Employer The U.S. DOL issued new joint employer guidance in an attempt to hold more companies responsible for workers they may hire indirectly,
WWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM such as when a company uses a temp or staffing agency. The DOL also created a webpage devoted to joint employment issues, which includes answers to frequently asked questions and additional fact sheets. The DOL clearly intends that joint employment be defined broadly, focusing on the “economic realities” of the working relationship between the employee and the potential joint employer. According to the DOL, the core question in determining joint employer status where there is an intermediary employer, such as a staffing agency, is whether the worker is “economically dependent” on the company that hired the staffing agency and whether the company is ultimately benefitting from the work. Several factors may be applied, but none of them should be applied in a manner that loses sight of the core question.
Discrimination and Harassment
Employers will have to be aware of key changes relating to discrimination and harassment laws. New Regulations Emphasize Prevention Amendments to the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) regulations took effect on April 1. The FEHA covers California’s civil rights laws, protecting workers in California from unlawful discrimination and harassment in employment and providing other rights, such as leaves of absence. The recent amendments cover a wide range of topics under the FEHA, but perhaps the most important thing for employers to know is that the amendments reinforce state law that it’s an employer’s affirmative duty to take reasonable steps to prevent and promptly correct discriminatory and harassing conduct. Most significantly, the FEHA amendments: • Mandate that California employers have a written discrimination, harassment and retaliation prevention policy and distribute the policy to all employees with an acknowledgment of receipt. • Require employers to establish a complaint process that includes information on how to bring a complaint, the company’s investigatory process and supervisor reporting obligations. Employers must include the complaint process in the written policy. • Create new obligations for mandatory supervisor training for employers with 50 or more employees.
AUGUST 2016
industries to perform a case-by-case analysis of tasks performed at various locations, such as check-out aisles, to determine if a seat is required Protections for the disabled continue to be an at that location. The burden is on the employer to show that compliance is not feasible. important area of focus.
Disability Related Protections
Duty to Accommodate Non-Disabled Employees In a controversial ruling, a California appellate court ruled that an employer’s duty to provide reasonable accommodation applies not only to disabled employees but also to non-disabled employees who are associated with a disabled person (Castro-Ramirez v. Dependable Highway Express, 246 Cal.App.4th 180 (2016)). The case involved a truck driver who needed accommodations to care for a disabled son who underwent dialysis daily. No other published California ruling has mandated that associates of the disabled are entitled to reasonable accommodation under the state’s FEHA. Non-disabled employees have long been protected from adverse employment decisions based on their association with a disabled person. However, no court has previously imposed an affirmative duty to accommodate the non-disabled employee. This decision could end up before the California Supreme Court. In the interim, employers who receive accommodation requests that relate to caring for a person with a disability, rather than to the employee’s own disability, should consult legal counsel.
Wellness Programs and Discrimination Issues The federal EEOC issued final rules on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply to employer wellness programs that are part of a group health plan. The new rules set limits on wellness programs that require employees to answer disability-related questions or undergo medical exams, such as health risk assessments or blood pressure checks, to either earn a reward or avoid a penalty. Under the final ADA rule, companies may offer incentives of up to 30 percent of the total cost of self-only coverage in connection with wellness programs. If the incentives stay under the 30-percent threshold, the wellness program still will be considered voluntary and will not violate ADA prohibitions against disability-related inquiries or medical exams. The rules will apply only prospectively to workplace wellness programs beginning on or Updated PDL Posting Requirement after January 1, 2017. The new rules also contain California’s notice obligations relating to provisions intended to ensure confidentiality pregnancy disability leave (PDL) also changed and privacy of collected information and antion April 1. Employers with five or more employees discrimination protections. must post the updated PDL notice — Your Rights and Obligations as a Pregnant Employee The biggest development in this area of (revision date 4/1/2016). This notice replaces the former “Notice A” and satisfies your PDL posting employment law deals with “suitable seating” and requirements. Contact the Whittier Chamber if you when employers have to provide such seating to employees. need to update your poster.
Workplace Safety
Safety in the workplace also received attention from policymakers and the courts. Smoking Ban Extended Governor Brown signed a package of bills that changed the rules relating to smoking in the workplace and expanded already-existing, smokefree workplace protections. These rules became effective on June 9, 2016. In part, the new legislation: • Treats the use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery devices, such as vaporizers, as “smoking” — thus extending existing smoking bans to cover such products. • Expands smoke-free workplace protections by getting rid of most of the existing exemptions that permitted smoking in certain work environments, such as bars, hotel lobbies and warehouse facilities. • Eliminates the ability to have employerdesignated smoking break rooms. • Expands the workplace smoking ban to include owner-operated businesses and to eliminate any small business exception for employers with five or fewer employees. • Raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, except for active military personnel. Employers will want to review existing workplace smoking policies to ensure compliance with the new law. Consult legal counsel if you think an exemption might apply to your place of work.
Court Sides With Employer in Workers’ Comp Case A state appeals court ruled that a worker’s claim of a psychiatric injury did not meet the tests to qualify for workers’ compensation coverage because the worker had been on the job for less than six months and the injury did not result from a “sudden and extraordinary” employment condition (Travelers Casualty & Surety Company v. Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, 246 Cal.App.4th 1101 (2016)). State law provides an exception to allow a workers’ compensation claim for psychiatric injury to be covered within the first six months an employee is on the job if the injury is the result of a sudden and extraordinary employment condition. Although the employee’s injury was “more serious than might be expected,” the court said, “it did not constitute, nor was it caused by, a sudden and extraordinary employment event” within the meaning of the law. The employee, a live-in maintenance supervisor for an apartment complex, slipped and fell on a concrete walkway while walking in the rain to another building in the complex. The employee routinely walked between apartment buildings on concrete walkways, and the slip and fall was “the kind of incident that could Suitable Seating Addressed by Supreme Court reasonably be expected to occur.” The California Supreme Court issued a longawaited decision on the issue of when an employer must provide “suitable seats” to an employee (Kilby v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., 63 Cal.4th 1 (2016)). Several laws that passed last year also are The majority of California’s Wage Orders effective on July 1, 2016. require “suitable seats when the nature of the work Wage Garnishment reasonably permits the use of seats.” Beginning July 1, 2016, a withholding order But questions lingered about how to apply this requirement, and workers, such as bank tellers cannot exceed the lesser of: and cashiers, filed class-action lawsuits over when • 25 percent of an individual’s weekly disposable earnings; or seating was required. The state Supreme Court ruled: If the tasks • 50 percent of the amount by which the disposable earnings for the week exceed 40 times the state performed at a given location reasonably permit minimum hourly wage in effect. If the debtor sitting and providing a seat would not interfere works in a location where the local minimum with the performance of any other tasks that may hourly wage is greater than the state minimum require standing, a seat is called for. hourly wage, the local minimum hourly wage in To determine whether the nature of the work effect at the time the earnings are payable must “reasonably permits” use of a seat at a particular be used for the calculation. location, courts will also look at the totality of circumstances, including: • The relationship between standing and sitting Piece-Rate Employees Employers with piece-rate workers who have tasks; • The frequency and duration of those tasks with concerns regarding whether they properly paid workers in the past for rest and recovery periods respect to each other; • Whether providing a seat would unduly interfere or other non-productive time must file notice with DIR by July 1 of intent to make back payments to with other standing tasks; • Whether the frequency of transition from sitting take advantage of the affirmative defense that is created by statute. to standing may interfere with the work; and • Whether seated work would affect the quality State Disability Insurance and effectiveness of overall job performance. The Unemployment Insurance Code is amended An employer’s business judgment, customer effective July 1 to reflect that a second disability service considerations and the physical layout of the claim filed within 60 days of the initial claim will be workspace are all relevant to the issue of whether a considered one disability benefit period. Also, the seat must be provided, but the weight given to any seven-day waiting period before disability benefits factor by a court will depend on the circumstances. An begins is waived for someone who has already served employer’s “mere preference” that tasks be performed the waiting period for an initial disability and then files a while standing is not enough. second disability benefits claim for the same or related This ruling will require employers in many condition within 60 days after the first claim.
Working Conditions
Transgender Guidance The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) issued new guidance for employers to specifically address protections, including restroom-related protections, for transgender persons. Although the guidance is not binding legal authority, it does provide information about how the DFEH will interpret the law and where the agency may focus enforcement efforts. State law already specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of both gender identity and gender expression — regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth — and protects an employee’s right to appear or dress consistently with his/her gender identity or gender expression. At the federal level, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a fact sheet regarding bathroom-access rights for transgender employees under federal antidiscrimination laws. The EEOC also has been involved in several recent cases that involve transgender-related discrimination issues. Constructive Discharge Claims: When Does the Clock Start Ticking? An employee who resigns in the face of intolerable discriminatory or harassing working conditions can bring a claim for wrongful termination, known as “constructive discharge.” In May, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the time period for filing a constructive discharge claim begins when the employee gives definite notice of his/her resignation (Green v. Brennan, 136 S.Ct. 1769 (2016)). This case resolved a split between federal circuit courts: some ruled that the clock started at the time of resignation, and others ruled that it started at the time of the last allegedly discriminatory act giving rise to the resignation.
Don’t Forget Laws From Last Year
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Chief Executive Officer Charlene Dimas-Peinado bids farewell to The Whole Child after 26 years of service After 26 years of service, Charlene DimasPeinado bids farewell to The Whole Child to pursue a new challenge in the City of Los Angeles. She has served in various capacities, from clinical to administrative positions and as its Chief Executive Officer for the past 11 years. Under her leadership, The Whole Child became a premiere regional mental health and housing organization. Their innovative and expanded best practices raised awareness and aligned systems to benefit children and families in southeast Los Angeles County through its five satellite offices. As a result, The Whole Child’s operating budget increased by 173%. Additionally, they launched Charlene Dimas-Peinado an organizational rebranding and changed their name from Intercommunity Child Guidance Center to The Whole Child to better convey their philosophy that every child matters. They developed signature programs such as the Birth to Five Center, Permanent Supportive Housing Services and expanded school based services in nine school districts, including an Integrated School Health Center at Whittier High School; hosted multiple Professional Development Symposiums with renowned experts; expanded internship opportunities for graduate-level students; established eleven evidenced-based practice models focused on helping children with severe mental health issues and trauma; raised millions of dollars from generous foundations and supporters, including the recent Everychild Foundation grant in the amount of $1 million; and, celebrated the completion of a $1 million Capital Improvement Project at their headquarters office. “It has been an honor to lead The Whole Child side-by-side with an exceptionally dedicated and skilled board of directors, leadership team and staff these past 11 years. I am so very proud of what we have accomplished” said Charlene. The board of directors has begun the process of devoting their time and expertise to establishing a successful plan to select a new chief executive officer to lead The Whole Child through its next chapter of growth, innovation, and service. Charlene will be the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic – a $20 million agency with over 200 employees. It is a trauma informed organization serving the mental health needs of children and families.
Chamber members networked and shared information at the Brickhouse Pizza Tasty Tuesday in July
Thank you to Brickhouse Pizza for hosting a great networking event!
Brickhouse Pizza staff served up delicious pizza, wings and salad in the terrific meeting or party space at the restaurant that is available for rent
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COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
Lovely ladies in Whittier network at Brookdale Uptown Whittier – Olivia Rios, Whittier Uptown Association, Maria Segovia, Pacific Western Bank, Debbie Wade, El Tepeyac Café & Tequila Sports Bar, Charlene Dimas-Peinado, The Whole Child, Elizabeth Martinez, Republic Services, Andrea Salazar, The Whole Child and Carol Crosby, Whittier Chamber
Community and Chamber members supported the new Grocery Outlet, owned by local residents Angie and Edgar Fagen
Brookdale Uptown Whittier Executive Director Suzie Magpayo and Marketing Director Tom Rios premiered their newly redecorated senior living community
Chanelle Perez, aka Frenchie, celebrated the opening of Frenchie's Barber Shop on Painter Avenue with a Chamber ribbon cutting
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Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Council member Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Henderson, and Council members Josue Alvarado and Fernando Dutra honor Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe for over 20 years of partnership and support of the City of Whitter
Salon owner Marisa Sotomayor celebrated the opening of Cielo Beauty Bar with her family, staff and Chamber members
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Shop Local Sounds of Summer SHOP • EAT • BUY • LOCAL
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS OF WHITTIER
&
ACRO Printing, Inc.
Aloha Air Conditioning
Angel & Patty
Athens Services
Blaze Pizza
Boys' & Girls' Club of Whittier
Bright Plaza Pharmacy
Brookdale Uptown Whittier
CAPC, Inc.
Children's Happy Teeth
Coby Madison Jewelers
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
Costco
Credit Union of Southern California
Dance It Out
Daniels Tire Service
DialMED Home Care
Dunkin’ Donuts
El Aviso
El Tepeyac Cafe & Tequila Sports Bar
Family Church Whittier
First Day
Grocery Outlet
Harrison Electric
Keller Williams - The Domis Team
Kwick Productions
Lady Bugs Termite & Pest Control
Lascari's Italian Restaurant
Los Angeles Times
Oakmont Senior Living
Republic Services
Rio Hondo College
Orbit Event Rentals
Promo Guy - Jerry Warner
Relay For Life
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Rockies Frozen Yogurt
State Farm - Cheryl Estep
State Farm - Paul Hernandez
State Farm Insurance - Don Rood
The Whole Child
Toyota of Whittier
Tri-Cities ROP
Trinity Lutheran Church & School
Washington Blvd. Animal Hospital
We Rock The Spectrum
Whittier Community Foundation
Whittier Host Lions Club
Whittier Public Library
Whittier Republican Women Federated
Whittier Uptown Association
Women's & Children's Crisis Shelter
Whittier Police Department
YMCA of Greater Whittier
Ross Gile from DigiCal films an interview of Republic Services conducted by John Peel
Community members have fun at the Whittier Police Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s booth
The beauties from Greg's Auto Body are Greg Gunter's daughters
Chamber staff and event co-chairs Bonnie Watje and Brenda Rodriguez stand out at the Shop Local event
Thank you to Rudy Hernandez from RMH Dance & Productions for providing the sound and the tunes to make the event festive and fun
Mayor Joe Vinatieri shows his appreciation to Shop Local co-chairs Bonnie Watje from ACRO Printing, Inc. and Brenda Rodriguez from The Skin Room
City Manager Jeff Collier shows his support of the Chamber at the Shop Local Community Expo
Chief Jeff Piper and Chamber Executive Director Carol Crosby promote shopping locally at the expo event
Caricature artist Raoul Pascual from WYNK Marketing drew a huge crowd at the Shop Local Community Expo
Councilmembers Cathy Warner and Fernando Dutra show their Chamber support
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Happy 3rd Birthday Keller Williams Whittier We want to thank our incredible associates, who in 3 short years have created a business where people come first. Our company is built on trust, excellence and giving back. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients, and thank them for their loyalty and trust in our associates. We are honored to be the number one choice for real estate in the greater Whittier area.
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WHAT’S COOL IN YOUR SCHOOL Superintendents, Kevin First and foremost, Jamero and Monica Oviedo I would like to express in Personnel and Business what an honor and a Services, respectively. privilege it is to have All four of our cabinet been appointed by the members have served as Board of Trustees to serve principals in the Whittier as the Superintendent Union High School District, of the Whittier Union and together, we represent High School District. Martin Plourde, almost 50 years of principal Former Superintendent WUHSD Superintendent leadership. This experience Sandy Thorstenson left and knowledge of Whittier a lasting legacy of a District that believes “Demographics Union is invaluable to helping us to stay Do Not Determine Destiny” – and we the course that we have been on for the are dedicated to continuing that pledge. past 15 years. We also welcome new principals at Whittier Union has been my home for the last 11 years and the students, Pioneer, Santa Fe and Whittier High teachers, staff and community of this Schools, although none of them are District have become my second family. strangers to their campuses. Lillia Whittier Union is truly a unique and special Bozigian, Craig Campbell and Tim place where adults come together every Liggett, have each served as assistant day to serve the needs of our students principals on their campuses prior to and community. The commitment to being appointed principals. Through a our students is evident this summer as rigorous selection process that produced I witness our teachers working side by 88 applicants, these three rose above side, across campuses, to improve the the rest and already have the confidence of their school communities. Again, it curriculum and instruction we provide. Our Board of Trustees is also an will serve our schools greatly that we integral part of the fabric of Whittier are staying the course with leaders who Union as they set the vision for our know their schools well. As we approach a new school year, teachers, staff and administrators and push us in our continuous improvement we are all eager and excited to guide efforts. These five gentlemen unselfishly what’s next for Whittier Union. Although serve our community through their it is a summer of transition, it is also a foresight and dedication to always time of renewed energy as new leaders consider what is best for our students. take on the task of doing “Whatever It We are in a time of transition as Takes” to ensure that our students are we welcome veteran Whittier Union fully prepared for the world that awaits educators into new roles. Beyond being them upon their graduation. We look excited to be your new Superintendent, forward to serving our community in I am thrilled to be working alongside the year to come and into the future as our new Deputy Superintendent, Loring we take on the next chapter of Whittier Davies, and our two new Assistant Union’s success.
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza serves up delicious, fresh ingredients Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, a modern day “pizza joint” serving up artisanal pizzas that are both fast and affordable, opened at The Quad at Whittier retail center just a few months ago. “Whittier was our top choice to open a new restaurant,” stated Tom Cook, Operations Partner. “When selecting new Blaze locations, we review all sorts of business intelligence which allow us to see data like auto and foot traffic, consumer demographics, safety information, commercial mix, and other factors such as future economic and residential development plans,” explained Jennifer Mascari, Business Development and Public Relations for LA Metro Pizza, a Blaze Franchise group. “Whittier is already a thriving community, and we have been so fortunate and impressed by working with the City and Chamber, seeing their commitment to the continuous community development, and getting involved with other businesses where we can support each other. There’s nothing quite like it,” she continued. The new Whittier location seats 72 and is located close to Whittier Blvd. and Laurel Street, next to Yogurtland and opposite the Burlington Coat Factory, in The Quad. Blaze Pizza is an innovative fastcasual concept that has quickly become one of the hottest restaurant businesses in the country, with fans lining up each day for their custom-built pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade and s’more pies. They are known for their chef-driven recipes and casually hip restaurants featuring craft beer and wine. Much like Chipotle or Subway, Blaze Pizza emphasizes fresh ingredients and customization. The company makes its dough by hand and lets it rise for 24 hours before serving. Guests have the option of selecting from one of the Signature Pizzas or they can customize their own, choosing
California High School
Pioneer High School
The Whittier Union High School District will unveil its new 7,000-seat football stadium at California High School at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, dedicating the athletic complex as the “Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson Stadium” in honor of its former superintendent, who retired in June after 39 years with the District. The $20 million project features a 22-acre sports complex that includes baseball and softball fields, an all-weather track,
Close to 500 local middle and high school students who completed a challenging six-week summer math academy inspired by famous educator Jaime Escalante celebrated the milestone during a ceremony with friends and family on July 14 at Pioneer High School. Each student was recognized with a certificate for successfully completing the 26th annual Escalante Summer Math Academy. Individual classes also posed in front of bleachers filled with
soccer practice areas and refurbished outdoor basketball and volleyball courts. Community members are invited to tour the new facility – which will be shared with La Serna and Whittier high schools – following the conclusion of the program.
Frontier High School Frontier High School students are regularly connecting with Rio Hondo College by meeting with outreach representative Lupe Pasillas, who provides assistance with college planning and enrollment. Rio Hondo provides financial aid workshops and assessment testing at Frontier High School, resulting in greater student enrollment to Rio Hondo prior to graduation. Students in foster care are also connected to the college’s new Guardian Scholars program, a comprehensive program dedicated
AUGUST 2016
from eight cheeses, eight proteins, 20 vegetables, and four sauces. The pies are then placed in a stone-hearth oven and are ready in about three minutes. Blaze Pizza offers gluten-free dough and vegan cheese. As part of their commitment to giving back to the community, Blaze Pizza hosts in-store fundraisers which provides organizations a fun, cool atmosphere, that allows people to connect (and the pizzas pretty much sell themselves), all while raising some dough. For every event purchase, Blaze Pizza will donate 20% back to the charitable organization. Blaze Pizza recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art mobile app, enabling guests to fire it up while on the go. Available for iOS and Android users and valid at all Blaze Pizza locations throughout the U.S., the app lets guests order and pay straight from their smartphones, allowing them to get their Blaze Pizza fix even faster while earning their way to free pizzas and other Blaze benefits. Blaze Pizza was founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel (co-founder of Wetzel’s Pretzels); the concept is backed by investors including LeBron James, Maria Shriver, Boston Red Sox coowner Tom Werner and movie producer John Davis. For more information, please visit blazepizza.com and facebook.com/blazepizza. Please save the date for a special ribbon cutting with the Whittier Chamber and City of Whittier at the Blaze Pizza location at The Quad at Whittier (13582B Whittier Blvd.) on Thursday, September 29 at noon.
smartphone-toting family members. The seventh- through 12th-grade students who received As or Bs have earned 10 credits that will be transferred to their transcripts, enabling them to advance one course level. The program compresses a math class that is normally taught over an entire school year into 150 hours.
Santa Fe High School
to providing services and support to meet the personal and academic needs of students who are or were in foster care and helping them to successfully transition into adulthood, obtain a degree/ certificate and/or transfer to a four-year university. These connections provide a smooth transition for Frontier students.
This summer, incoming Santa Fe High School freshmen received an introduction to the world of academic rigor and college prep with two boot camps offered by the school. About 120 ninth-graders attended a one-week Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) boot camp, learning about the requirements and skills needed to be a successful AVID student. This year, Santa Fe – a National AVID Demonstration School and Schoolwide Site of Distinction – is adding a 12th AVID section, with 415 students
La Serna High School
Whittier High School
La Serna High School will offer two new STEM classes this fall thanks to the lobbying efforts of Markie Wagner, a rising senior who is well on her way to launching her second smartphone app. This summer, two La Serna High teachers are receiving training to teach Intro to Engineering and Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science at Cal Poly Pomona through the Project Lead The Way program. Wagner is one of many girls and young women entering the computer coding field, in
Whittier High School art students will unveil 17 murals that depict the history of the City of Whittier and their school inside an 80-foot campus tunnel during a festive ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, uniting the community for a project that will beautify the landmark. The school hosted the friendly competition this summer for students to research, sketch and paint the mural based on the history of the school, the city and world events. Using historical archives
part, because of encouragement from the nationally renowned organization Girls Who Code, which is dedicated to closing the gender gap in the technology industry. School officials hope Wagner’s peers will immerse themselves in the engineering and computer science fields because of the newly offered STEM classes.
slated to be involved in the program. A second one-week boot camp was offered to 41 incoming ninth-graders who learned skills to help them successfully tackle Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses. Students were given opportunities to start assignments while receiving support from a teacher.
from the school’s library and the Whittier Historical Museum, students are helping create a vivid representation of what it has meant to be a Cardinal over the decades. The summer project was funded by the Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation and organized by TEENS INSPIRE KIDS.
AUGUST 2016
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10 Things businesses might not know about California’s Paid Sick Leave Law One year ago, California employers had to begin providing the paid sick leave (PSL) benefit to their employees. Paid sick leave questions continue to trouble many employers who want to comply, but are unsure about certain parts of the law.
The Law Covers Most Employers And Employees
Even though the paid sick leave law received a lot of press, some businesses still seem surprised about the new law, perhaps thinking it does not apply to them. Unlike other leave laws, such as the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), there is no size requirement before the PSL law applies to a company. The law applies to all employers, big and small. Moreover, PSL must be provided to all types of employees: part-time, hourly, temporary, seasonal, exempt and nonexempt. Any employee who has worked in California for the same employer for 30 or more days within one year from the beginning of his/her employment will be entitled to PSL.
Even If You Had A Generous Policy In The Past, It May Need Revising
Some employers may be under the impression that if they already had a generous paid sick leave or paid time off (PTO) policy in place, they don’t need to do anything to comply with the new PSL law. But this is probably not true. For example: • Many policies that voluntarily provided paid sick leave or PTO in the past did not allow employees to use the time to care for all of the family members who are currently covered by the new law (see discussion below). Policies may need to be updated to eliminate illegal limits on how PSL can be used.
• Many paid sick policies in effect before the new law didn’t cover part-time employees, who are now covered. • Pre-PSL policies also may contain insufficient accrual rates; specific rules apply regarding grandfathering in previously used accrual methods.
separate from the cap on accrual. An employer can both cap the amount that is carried over to the next year and limit the amount of PSL that an employee can use in any one given year. Inform your employees of any cap on accrual or limitation on annual use that your company has enacted, preferably through a written policy.
Employers will need to carefully compare any pre-existing policy with the requirements of the new PSL law to make sure the policy complies.
Paid Sick Leave Can Be Used For Many Different Family Members
You Can Use Different Methods For Different Groups of Employees
Employers have various options for providing the sick leave benefit. Generally speaking, these divide themselves into accrual options (such as the option to provide one hour for every 30 hours worked) and a lump-sum option where the employer places the full amount of leave (three days/24 hours) in the employee’s leave bank at the beginning of each year of employment, calendar year or 12-month period.
You Can Cap Accrual And Limit The Amount Of Time An Employee Can Take
If your company chooses to use an accrual method, you should consider whether you want to impose a cap on how much PSL an employee can accrue. Under the statutory accrual method of one hour per every 30 hours worked, full-time employees will accrue nearly nine days of paid sick leave each year. Those days will carry over to the next year and continue to accrue unless you impose a cap. The PSL law allows employers to impose an accrual cap of 48 hours or six days. Once the employee reaches this cap, he/she will not continue to accrue PSL until he/she has used up some banked time. The law also allows an employer to limit the amount of PSL an employee can use/take in any one year to three days or 24 hours. This is
the following three methods to calculate how to pay employees who take paid sick time:
Paid sick leave isn’t just for your employee to use when he or she is sick. Your employee also can use PSL to care for a child, parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild or sibling. Paid sick leave may also be used by an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
• Calculate paid sick time for a nonexempt employee in the same manner as the “regular rate of pay” for the workweek in which the employee uses paid sick time, regardless of whether the employee actually works overtime in that workweek. • Calculate paid sick time for a nonexempt employee by “dividing the employee’s total wages, not including overtime premium pay, by the employee’s total hours worked in the full pay periods of the prior 90 days of employment.” • Calculate paid sick time for an exempt employee in the same manner as wages are calculated for other forms of paid leave time.
Paid Sick Leave Is Protected: Check Your Attendance Policies
You Have Recordkeeping Obligations
PSL is protected time off. Employers can’t retaliate or discriminate against employees who use or try to use PSL. Employers will want to look at any absence control policies they have in place.
No Doctor’s Note Required
The law states that PSL must be provided when an employee makes a verbal or written request for the time off. If the need for time off is foreseeable, the employee must provide reasonable advance notice. If not, notice must be provided “as soon as practicable.” Unless certification is required pursuant to another leave law, no provision in the PSL law specifically allows an employer to require medical certification for paid sick time.
You Can Choose Between Various Options For Paying Employees For The Time Off
PSL must be paid no later than the payday for the next regular payroll period after the sick leave was taken. Employers can use one of
The PSL law requires you to keep records documenting the hours the employee worked, the paid sick days accrued by the employee and the paid sick days used by the employee for at least three years. Amendments to the mandatory paid sick leave law specifically state that, for recordkeeping purposes, an employer is not obligated to inquire into or record the purposes for which an employee uses paid time off.
Watch Out For Local Ordinances
Several cities, including San Diego, San Francisco, Emeryville, Oakland, and Los Angeles enacted local ordinances providing for paid sick leave. Employers with businesses in a city with a local PSL ordinance need to comply with both the state and the local law. For each provision, protection or benefit, employers will need to provide employees whichever is more generous to the employee.
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AUGUST 2016
How do you brand your business? By Scott Radcliffe, RAD Custom Signs Branding, marketing, social media, networking events, social clubs and Chamber membership…..a lot of words, or today’s business strategy? You decide! Many of us instantly recognize a company by their brand. Wouldn’t we all like our customers to recognize us by even the smallest of symbols or phrases? Or, better yet, how about instant recognition of your name? How much additional business would we, or could we, get if our customers instantly recognized our name? Is it possible? Is that deep enough? Is branding really an important catalyst for driving business? Does a name carry the confidence necessary to produce the results we’re looking for on a day to day, week to week, month to month basis? A lot can be said for marketing in the 21st century. The tools that are available are as plentiful as sand on a beach. Most, if not all, of which are intended to drive business or spur customer responsiveness. Whether you’re advertising on television or the local free community paper, one thing is for sure; you’re trying to attract customer’s attention. But which method is the right choice for you? Where do you gather the data by which to make the best choice? Why not start with your local Chamber of Commerce? They know the local businesses. They have the data and tools by which you can either market directly with them or one of their other members. They have the contacts. They’ll even provide introductions. Social media is everything from a fun forum to an informational directory
to another opportunity to further your marketing campaign. Once again, there are many decisions on which social media channel to choose. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are perhaps some of the more popular or recognized names, but certainly not all of them. Each one has a main demographic appeal and we want to know how our business fits into that spectrum. We want to know which one will benefit our business the most. Here again, your local Chamber of Commerce can help. Not only do they use social media themselves, but their marketing department can assist you with the data and tools to make the choice that is right for you and your business. For sure, one thing that a business wants or needs to know is; What’s going on in your neck of the woods? Networking events, business educational opportunities and business expos are all useful opportunities to your business. Staying abreast of what is happening in your area has never been easier. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a hotbed of information for special events, local business information, civic activities and numerous other opportunities. The internet, of course, is flooded with information. Staying in tune with the local business environment is key to growing your own business. There are some really great clubs doing fantastic work in the community. They work with local schools, they work with local non-profits, they raise much needed funding for numerous
charities and organizations and they donate hundreds of hours of their time to worthy causes. But did you know they also generate business for the local community? They provide excellent opportunities for networking and meeting key decision makers from other companies. Or, how about the tremendous sense of accomplishment that comes from volunteering, donating and making an impact on other ’s lives. All of these are great reasons to consider how joining a local club could be beneficial to your business and especially to you personally. The decision to join the local Chamber of Commerce is another important decision to consider. A Chamber membership has many tremendous benefits; many of which I have already described, but there are more. One of the great benefits is the opportunity to be involved and having a positive impact in your community. The positive impression that Chamber membership leaves upon your customers can instill that confidence the consumer is looking for when making a purchasing decision. Most Chambers have strong ties to their city and the civic leadership which can also be beneficial to your business. The decision is yours. The level at which you participate is yours. The amount of time and money you invest is your decision. The method of choice is yours. So I offer to you that branding, marketing, social media, networking events, club membership and Chamber membership are not just words; they are the wise choice of a business leader who wants to be successful.
Tickets Now On Sale!
RealNewMusic
A special performance by composer/performer
Harold Budd
Sun., Aug. 21 - 7:30 pm
Inside Latin Jazz - Guest Artist TBA Tues., Sept. 13 - 8:00 pm NOTE: This is a free event!
Singer/Songwriter
David Wilcox
Sat., Sept. 17 - 7:30 pm
Aloha Series
Keauhou
with special guest
Robert Cazimero Saturday, Sept. 24 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Presented En Español
“El Hombre de La Mancha” Sat., Oct. 1 - 7:30 pm
(562) 907-4203 Go to our website to join our e-mail list. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for early announcements and special offers.
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Serving Whittier since 1958 • Drains & Sewers Cleaned • Copper Repiping • Air Conditioning • Water Softeners
• Furnaces • Water Piping
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• Disposals • Water Heaters
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State Contractor License #271767
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OVER 1,000 LOANS CLOSED IN WHITTIER SINCE 2003 VA Loan Specialists - First Time Home Buyer Programs FHA-Conv-Jumbo-Units Contact Anne E. James & Christian Herrera
Whittier-Penn Partners, Ltd.
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O 562-320-0510 • C 562-619-2058 www.RelianceMortgageServiceinc.com
“It’s Time for Whittier Square”
14831 E Whittier Blvd. Ste 204 • Whittier, CA 90605
Call now for prime office space with great lease rates. The Whittier Square Building, conveniently located to all of Whittier.
Se Habla Español
13215 East Penn Street - Penthouse Suite - Whittier, California 90602 Phone (562) 945-5959 - Fax (562) 945-9319
BRE License # 00919139
NMLS # 1150921
AUGUST 2016
WWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM
WAKE UP WHITTIER
Our friends at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 28 showed up at Wake Up Whittier to assist the Chamber with our ping pong ball drop
Bonnie and Glenn Watje, owners of ACRO Printing, Inc. are congratulated by Chamber Board President Chris Hardeman on their milestone 25th anniversary of being a Whittier Chamber member
WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUS
BUILDING BETTER LIVES
Credit Union of Southern California staff worked hard to create an amazing Wake Up Whittier for Chamber members, including a ping pong ball drop courtesy of our local fire department!
Chamber Board President Chris Hardeman from DialMED Home Care thanks Credit Union of Southern California CEO Dave Gunderson for hosting a patriotic themed Wake Up Whittier in July
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Board President Chris Hardeman presents a certificate of congratulations to Cheryl Estep and Jenny Macias from State Farm InsuranceCheryl Estepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office for being a Whittier Chamber milestone member for 15 years
City of Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri takes a moment to thank Blaze Pizza representatives Jennifer, Joaquin and Tom for selecting Whittier as a location for their restaurant, located at The Quad
Reliance Mortgage Service owner Anne James shares her best customer retention tips with 150 people at Wake Up Whittier
MAP Management
MAPMGMT
At his Installation as Board President of encouraged all of us to keep our tax dinner an extra night a month. As our came up with the idea of having our share our experiences on social media.
the Whittier Chamber, Chris Hardeman dollars in Whittier and to go out to staff was talking about it the next day, I staff visit different restaurants and This led to the creation of MAPsPicks.
Since our office is in Uptown Whittier we have started here. The restaurants PROPERTY we choose to visit are all Whittier Chamber members. We all try to order MANAGEMENT different entrees, take pictures of the & PROPERTY food and enjoy team building as a SERVICES staff. So far we have eaten at The Rusty Monk, Original Road House Grill, Bailey Street Kitchen and Seta Dine:Lounge. We have met some of the owners and we include them on our posts on Instagram.
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RESTAURANT ROW PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1996
RESTAURANT ROW FOR MORE INFO. CONTACT CAROL AT (562) 698-9554
(562) 907-7017
RESERVE A SPACE FOR ONLY $100!
08/31/16
FIX AUTO WHITTIER 12130 Washington Blvd. Whittier, CA 90606 (562) 698-8227 fixautowhittier.com
AUG 1
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Concerts in the Park @ Central Park (6532 Friends Ave.) 7 to 8:30 p.m. “The Skinny Little Twits” Free. For more information contact Virginia Santana at (562) 567-9450
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Movies under the Stars @ Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) Movies begin at dusk. Enjoy “Star Wars – the Force Awakens” on the big screen and bring your picnic basket, chair and blanket. FREE admission! Call (562) 567-9450 for more information
Concerts in the Park @ Parnell Park AUG 8 (15390 Lambert Rd.) 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Stone Concerts in the Park @ Central Park Soul” Free. For more information contact (6532 Friends Ave.) 7 to 8:30 p.m. “DSB” a Journey Tribute band. Free. For more Virginia Santana at (562) 567-9450 information contact Virginia Santana at AUG 5 (562) 567-9450 Star Gazing @ Rio Hondo College (3600 Workman Mill Rd.) 8 p.m. Enjoy AUG 10 star and planet gazing. Free. For more New Member Orientation & Open information call (562) 692-0921 ext 374 House @ the Whittier Chamber office (8158 Painter Ave.) 9:30 to 11 a.m. AUG 6 FREE and open to all current and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer @ prospective members. RSVP to (562) Palm Park & the Greenway Trail (5703 698-9554 Palm Ave.) 8 a.m. A 3 to 5 mile walk to help raise awareness and funds to end breast Luau Party/Open House @ SoCal Post cancer. Free. For more information call Acute Care (7931 Sorensen Ave.) 2-7 (949) 567-0627 p.m. Celebrate SoCal Post Acute Care’s Plein Air Painting Days @ Pio Pico Park 10th Anniversary. Free. RSVP to Jill at (6003 Pioneer Blvd.) 9:30 a.m. Set up your jill.gillette@att.net easel in the gardens and paint the historic adobe and grounds. Bring your own art supplies. Free. For more information call (562) 695-1217
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AUG 12 Club Parnell @ Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) 6 to 10 p.m. “Disco Night” Dance to the hits of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Join Rudy and Maria Hernandez for an evening of dance lessons and fun. $10. For more information call (562) 567-9450 Star Gazing @ Rio Hondo College (3600 Workman Mill Rd.) 8 p.m. Enjoy star and planet gazing. Free. For more information call (562) 692-0921 ext 374
AUG 17 Wake Up Whittier @ Harmony Center for Spiritual Living (12907 E. Bailey St.) 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Enjoy your first meal of the day and network with other business professionals. FREE for Whittier Chamber members; $20 for non-members. Call (562) 698-9554 for more information
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W h i t t i e r G r e e n w a y Tr a i l E a s t Groundbreaking @ Mills Trailhead site (Mills Ave./Lambert Rd.) 5 p.m. Celebrate the development of Whittier Greenway Trail East. Free. For more information call (562) 567-9301
AUG 19 Club Parnell @ Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) 6 to 10 p.m. “Ballroom Night” Learn the Waltz, Rumba and Tango. Join Rudy and Maria Hernandez for an evening of dance lessons and fun. $10. For more information call (562) 567-9450
AUG 26 Club Parnell @ Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) 6 to 10 p.m. “End of Summer Party” Join Rudy and Maria Hernandez for an evening of dance lessons and fun. $10. For more information call (562) 567-9450
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Farewell Celebration @ The Whole Child (10155 Colima Rd.) 4 to 6 p.m. Honoring Charlene Dimas-Peinado. Free. For more information call (562) 692-0383
Tasty Tuesday @ The Rusty Monk (6749 Greenleaf Ave.) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy business networking and great food! $10 pre-registration; $15 at the door; $20 for non-members. Call (562) 698-9554 for more information or visit www.whittierchamber.com
AUGUST 2016
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MEMBER MARKETPLACE Se Habla Español
Cheryl Estep, LUTC,
To advertise in the MEMBER MARKETPLACE contact the Whittier Chamber at (562) 698-9554
Agent Lic. #0D29004 State Farm® Providing Insurance and Financial Services cheryl@cherylestep.com www. cherylestep.com
8022 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602-2507
Bus 562.693.7788 Fax 562.394.0304
Showcase your business in the Member Marketplace! Affordable rates available.
Hathaway sponsors at press time include: Tournament Gift Sponsor Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary
Grand Prize Sponsor Cal Domestic Water
Photography Sponsor Say Cheese Photography
Golf Ball Sponsor Ad infin Item
19th Hole Mixer Sponsor The Quad at Whittier
Auction Board Sponsors The Traveling Traveler Republic Services Friendly Hills Country Club
Hole in One Sponsor Toyota of Whittier
Snack Sponsors RK Knight Plumbing Associated Cabinets
Birdie Game Sponsor PIH Health Printing Sponsor ACRO Printing, Inc. Lunch Sponsor Credit Union of Southern California Wine Pull Sponsor Republic Services Putting Contest Sponsor Rood Insurance & Financial Services Cart Sponsor Whittier Police Officers’ Association
Awards Sponsor Whittier Hospital Scoring Sponsor Harvey & Parmelee Breakfast Hole Hosts California Grill Bailey’s Neighborhood Juicery Golf Ball Drop Sponsors: Aarons Towing • Friendly Hills Bank The Quad at Whittier State Farm- Cheryl Estep Orbit Event Rentals Whittier Community Foundation
Eagle Sponsors Brookfield Residential FF Gomez
Water Sponsors Norwalk/ La Mirada Plumbing Central Basin Municipal Water District
Hole Hosts DigiCal • El Tepeyac Café & Tequila Bar Havana House • Republic Services Whittier Brokers
TEE SPONSORS Bailey’s Neighborhood Juicery Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Whittier Carden School • Concept 7 Harrison Electric • Kenkou Acupuncture Lunch Host Merrill Lynch - David Krake Catering by Herach & Ara Michael Seril Fitness (MSF) PDQ Rentals • Promo Guy – Jerry Warner Raffle Gift Sponsor Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts CAPC, Inc. Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary Valley Vista Services • Velocity Group Whittier Uptown Association Woodruff Properties
Register online at www.whittierchamber.com
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AUGUST 2016
AROUND TOWN Whittier community members bring dental service to those in need The Whittier Consortium on Homelessness (WCH) announced that a collaborative arrangement has been finalized which will bring full dental care to 30 members of the Whittier community who are experiencing homelessness. A pilot program scheduled to run for one fiscal year starting July 2016, will be the first of its kind for Whittier, and Whittier Consortium member Judy Stockman, a registered nurse/nurse practitioner, is to thank. For about six months, Stockman collaborated with Dr. John Sudick, a Whittier dentist, and Marilyn Neece, a Whittier consultant to nonprofit organizations, to bring to fruition a program designed to bring full dental services to members of the Whittier community experiencing homelessness. This effort is one initiative that supports the Whittier Consortium’s holistic and collaborative vision to “...meet the needs of people on the street and the community so no one needs to be homeless in Whittier.” Dental services will be provided free of charge. When contacted by Stockman, Dr. Sudick contacted the Dental Lifeline Network, a nonprofit that provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to those most vulnerable including people with disabilities, the elderly and those who are medically fragile. According to Stockman, “what makes this pilot unique not only as a first for the Whittier community but for
Dental Lifeline Network who has been doing this good work across the country for so long is that this is the first time Dental Lifeline has worked with a group of community members to bring full dental services to the homeless.” The other unique component to this service is that it is “full dental” and not a “just pull the tooth” service. Services will be provided by local dentists and through partner dental labs that will support dental diagnoses and care. “If a person needs a root canal, a quality root canal is what they get, not an extraction to solve the problem, leaving a hole” according to Stockman. Stockman and T.K. Monzun, a registered nurse who serves at Whittier First Day, will oversee the pre-screening and administration process to ensure that priority is given to those who have serious medical issues/necessity. “Sometimes, a person can get medical health problems paid for through county programs, but if there’s a dental issue that must be taken care of before the medical doctors can do their work due to a required progression of care, it doesn’t matter that the medical costs are covered because those programs don’t cover dental costs, and so the medical issue goes untreated.” For more information contact David Gonzales Consortium Communications at information.wch@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at WhittierConsortium.
Robert Thome returns to Whittier Art Gallery in August
Whittier Community Theatre to open 95th Season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Whittier Community Theatre will be opening their 95th season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton. The “tale as old as time” of the lovely heroine who saves herself and her prince, comes to Whittier Community Theatre with an age-appropriate cast and all the songs, high spirits and energy of the original. With a clever book and heart firmly displayed on its sleeve, WCT encourages you to “”be our guest” for an evening guaranteed to lift the spirits and delight the child in all of us. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opens on Friday, September 9 at 8 p.m., and continues Friday and Saturday nights through September 24 at 8 p.m., with one matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. All performances will be at the Center Theatre located in the Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Avenue, 90602. The season will continue in November with A. R. Gurney’s, The Dining Room. In this slice-of-life play, a single dining room is the center of 18 vignettes revealing facets of the lives of the owners. Opening in late February will be Robert Harling’s drama, Steel Magnolias. “Everyone needs a place where they can just let their hair down,” and for six ladies in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana, that place is Truvy’s Beauty Spot, a small salon with two chairs and lots of waiting, which means lots of time for gossip and reflection. Share the love, laughter and tears of these six remarkable women. The season will close in June with the French farce, A Flea in Her Ear, by George Feydeau. Misdirection, mistaken identity, sex and infidelity are topics of conversation in this play that is still popular over a century after its introduction. Season tickets are now on sale. Tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast are $20, with discounted tickets available at $15 for seniors, students, military and groups. They may be purchased online at the theatre website, or in person 30 minutes prior to each performance. To make reservations, call the theatre’s message phone line (562) 696-0600. For more information about the opening show or the entire season, visit the theatre’s website at www.whittiercommunitytheatre.org.
Boys & Girls Club of Whittier to hold 42nd Annual Gala
The work of Robert Thome will return to the Gallery from Wednesday, August 3 trhough Saturday, August 28. This will be Robert Thome’s tenth year of one man On September 17th, The Boys & Girls Club of Whittier will be hosting the 42nd shows at the Gallery. Robert is an internationally acclaimed artist and a lifetime Annual Gala and Auction at Friendly Hills Country Club. Dinner tickets are $175. member of the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists. A real crowd pleaser, his There will be both a silent and a live auction and all of the proceeds will go to work is bold and exciting. Thome’s imagination and skill are boundless. Here is funding the afterschool programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whittier and Pico an excerpt of a poem he wrote about his art Rivera. This year the theme is sports and it will be casual dress, sports themed Answer the whisper, dress optional. There are lots of ways to get involved including sponsoring the Of thunder and lightning, event, purchasing an ad in the program, donating an item for the live or silent Touch the truth, auction, and attending as a guest. Savor the wine, The Boys & Girls Club of Whittier has been serving youth in the Whittier Together forever, You are there. Community for 49 years. There are over 2,100 members across three cities and The Whittier Art Association is a non profit organization and memberships 6 locations. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to enable all young people, and donations to the Gallery are tax deductible. For further information, stop by especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, the Whittier Art Association and Gallery located at 8035 Painter Avenue or call responsible citizens. For more information contact Sarah Salazar at (562) 945(562) 698-8710. The Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. 3787 ext. 114.
Whittier Senior Services offers “drop in” exercise classes Two ongoing, “drop-in” exercise classes are offered by the City of Whittier Senior Services including Tai Chi and Strength & Flexibility. Tai Chi is a user-friendly class that is easy to follow. Tai Chi is an ancient, natural healing system focusing on smooth, slow movements for inner
calm, focus, energy, balance, stress release, stamina, mental clarity, and relaxation. Registration is not required and the fee is $3 for each class attended. The class is held Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Uptown
Senior Center, 13225 Walnut Street. An additional class is held Friday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Parnell Park, 15300 Lambert Road. Also offered at the Uptown Center is Strength and Flexibility, a well-balanced and complete workout with a lower level of intensity in a comfortable, motivating, and
self-paced environment. Registration is not required and the fee is $3 for each class attended. Strength and Flexibility is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, call the Senior Center at (562) 567-9470.
For Lease We are celebrating our
10 year anniversary with a
Luau party / Open House August 10th • 2-7 p.m. RSVP to Jill Gillette at jill.gillette@att.net
7931 Sorensen Ave. Whittier, CA 90606 For more info, Contact Jill Gillette at (562) 698-0451
Ben Greer
562.762.3104 13305 Penn St., Suite 200 Whiƫer, CA 90602 ben@gmproperƟesinc.com Space for lease in a beautiful, historical building with high-ceilings, domedwindows and hardwood floors. Perfect for personal services (massage therapy, skin care) and professional office use.
7257 Bright Ave • 2,750 SF Commercial/Retail Space Call Ben Greer 562.762.3104 • Cherry Lu 562-762-3108
AUGUST 2016
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AROUND TOWN Stater Bros. Markets to Reduce Lighting Energy by Credit Union of Southern California donates $3,500 50% in all 168 Stater Bros. Supermarket Locations and “pitches” in to help OC Miracle League For over 80 years, Stater Bros. Markets has remained committed to giving back to the communities it serves and is furthering its commitment to those valued communities by voluntarily reducing lighting energy use by 50% in all 168 Stater Bros. supermarket locations during summer months. This reduction will decrease electricity use by 425,000 kWh per month, which is the equivalent of powering 470 homes per month and also reduces the possibility of rotating outages during the summer. “Every day during summer months, all 168 Stater Bros. supermarket locations will voluntarily reduce lighting energy use by 50%, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.” stated Pete Van Helden, President and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets. “Energy use peaks during this time and our energy reduction efforts underscore Stater Bros.’ ongoing commitment to the environment, community and our employees,” Van Helden concluded. Other environmentally friendly efforts at Stater Bros. include:
help produce biofuel, animal feed and compost for agriculture • Recycling Centers inside each supermarket for customers to recycle paper and plastic grocery bags • Printing the company’s weekly ad on recycled paper • Donations to local food banks (over 3 million pounds per year)
In addition, Stater Bros. Markets has received the “Best Emissions Rate” Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) GreenChill Partnership for having the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate of all the GreenChill partners. “Stater Bros. has always believed in doing the right thing for the right reason and expanding our environmentally friendly business practices is simply the right thing to do,” stated Jack H. Brown, Executive Chairman of Stater Bros. Markets. “As we celebrate 80 years of serving Southern California Families, we want to ensure that we are doing our part so that the values and legacy of our founders, Leo and Cleo Stater will be • “Green Waste” program removed enjoyed for many generations to come,” over 34 million pounds of waste to Brown continued.
For more information, visit staterbros.com.
Register now for American Made Car & Truck Show The Whittier Community Foundation will be holding their American Made Car and Truck Show on Saturday, September 24. The show will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parnell Park located at 15390 Lambert Rd. Whittier. Pre 1976 cars will be on display including muscle, classic, vintage and performance models. The event will include judging and awards as well as raffles, a 50/50 drawing, food & vendor trucks and entertainment.
Pre-registration, before 9/2, is $30 and includes an event t-shirt, dash plaques, and raffle ticket. Registration after 9/2 and day of is $35. For more information, visit www.whittiercf.org or email wcfcarshow@cityofwhittier.org.
It was a perfect day for baseball, and on Sunday June 26, 2016, 50 athletes with disabilities took to the fields at Pioneer Park in Anaheim for the final day of the OC Miracle League season. While friends and family members cheered from the stands, more than 60 Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) employees hosted family-fun activities, barbequed, and raffled gift baskets on the sidelines. After one hour of playing ball, the day’s events culminated with a closing ceremony where each athlete received a participation trophy and the OC Miracle League was presented with a check for $3,500 from CU SoCal Helping Hands, CU SoCal’s employee-inspired charity. The OC Miracle League also received more than $500 from the funds raised from the donated raffle prizes. The athletes who played in the Miracle League were present to help accept the money that will help their dreams of playing baseball come true again next season. “The OC Miracle League is a dynamic and inspiring organization that helps to
build better lives for so many. It’s an honor to support them while putting the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People’ into action,” stated Dave Gunderson, CU SoCal President/CEO. “It’s a privilege to participate in the 2016 OC Miracle League closing ceremonies and to be among so many others who share a passion for the game,” stated Aaron Burnham, CU SoCal Helping Hands Board Member. “While all of the athletes have some type of mental or physical challenge, through the OC Miracle League their challenge is turned into an opportunity to be a part of a team, make new friends, and experience the joy of baseball.” “We are deeply touched by the generous donation and support of CU SoCal,” stated Steel Morris, OC Miracle League Chair Person. “It is the support of local sponsors who make this league possible for us each season.” Thanks to donations, all athletes play for free. The athletes will take the field again in September for the fall season. Learn more about CU SoCal by visiting www.cusocal.org
Sponsorship opportunities available for Harmony Center’s Fine Art & Craft Fair Harmony Center is offering sponsorship opportunities for the 7th Annual Fine Art & Craft Fair being held October 15 and 16. Sponsors benefit from brand exposure at this 2 day event that welcomes over 1500 visitors, artists, and students. Harmony Center shares proceeds with charitypartner, Interfaith Food Center. Those interested in sponsorships may contact Cynthia McCarty at (562) 665-6186 or Pat Sanchez at (562) 533-3439 for more information. The deadline to apply as an artist or crafter at the annual fair is approaching and applications are due August
5. Applications may be downloaded from www.harmonyartfair.org. The High School Student Art Contest will be held during the Fine Art & Craft Fair. The contest is free to enter and open to all high school students. This year’s artist judge is Gwen McCants of the Whittier Art Association and Gallery. Ribbon awards, cash and gift prizes will be presented to the winners at the awards ceremony on Saturday, October 15. Art “take-in” is Thursday, October 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Harmony Center located at 12907 Bailey Street, Whittier 90601.
Keller Williams gives back to the community Once a year each of Keller Williams 200+ offices and it’s 110,000+ agents worldwide don RED shirts and go out into their communities and touch someone’s life. Every market center contributes in their community with their own unique projects. This year, Keller Williams Whittier was privileged to visit and spend the day with the lovely residents of two Senior Living Homes, Brookdale Senior Living Home in Whittier, as well as Park
Regency Care Center in La Habra. We spent the day passing out cupcakes and sitting down having lovely conversations, playing card games, air tennis, raffle giveaways and much more. BINGO was a huge hit at both locations; everyone had their games faces on ready to compete. We raised enough money to give each person at every facility a goody bag packed with a scratcher, fuzzy comfy socks, coffee treats, etc. In previous years we have physically
worked building, painting, and gardening, etc. This year we gave the gift of our time, and truly impacted all of us more than we could have imagined. At the end of the day, we came away with having received much much more than what we gave to these wonderful people. We are truly blessed to be a part of a company that helps us to become the very best version of ourselves. “It’s not what you get at Keller Williams, it’s what you become.”
TOYOTA & SCION OF WHITTIER
PULL-UP BANNERS
BUY LOCAL SUPPORT WHITTIER
BIG SAVINGS
VINYL BANNERS with Grommets
ALL TO O R D E R C
(562) 945-96
*NO HAGGLE • NO HASSLE*
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CALL ME
RICHARD MARROQUIN Fleet Manager
ACRO Printing, Inc. 13301 Philadelphia St.• Whittier, CA 90601
14577 E. Whittier Blvd. • Whittier, California, 90605
BUS
(562) 698-2591 Ext. 229 • CELL (562) 882-3076
rmarroquin@toyotaofwhittier.com
toyotaofwhittier.com
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AUGUST 2016
UPTOWN UPDATE Uptown’s Family Street Festival is back Summer is in full swing and the Whittier Uptown Association (WUA) is ecstatic about our community events happening this year. There has been excitement building for some time and the WUA is pleased to bring back the Family Street Festival on Thursday evenings beginning August 11th through November 2016. The Festival will take place from 3:00pm to 8:00pm at the intersection of Comstock Ave. and Bailey St. in Historic Uptown. As in the past, there will be live entertainment, 100+ vendor booths, a kids’ zone, a farmers’ market, and more. “It’s been a long journey to relaunch this event, and the community is looking forward to it,” explained Olivia Rios, WUA Operations Manager. “During the last few years, our office has received hundreds of calls from residents and local merchants asking when the Festival will be returning,” she said. Families will now be able to visit Historic Uptown Whittier during the remainder of the summer and the rest of the year to enjoy free, family-oriented community events. To learn more or to become a vendor, visit www.whittieruptown.org/uptownfestival. Future Uptown events include Taps 18), Health & Wellness Uptown p & Tapas p ((September p Health Movement Saturdays (September 17 through October 8), Halloween Capers (October 29), Holiday Sonata (December 3), and the Uptown Christmas Parade (December 10). All businesses and merchants will be open during regular business hours during these events. For more information, contact the Whittier Uptown Association office at (562) 696-2662.
Breakthrough Treatment Now Available In Whittier
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VOTED BEST CHIROPRACTOR BY BEST OF LA TV VIEWERS IN 2011
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WINNER OF THE 2014-2016 BEST OF THE BEST - CHIROPRACTOR
Now is the best time to make a Move, take advantage of the Market. Thinking on Selling or Buying, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you, tell us a little bit about your property and we will tell you how much you can expect to Gain and provide you with a FREE property evaluation.
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Call Irene or Gil Today for a FREE consultation, our services are 100% guaranteed.
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Friends Chiropractic 6736 Friends Avenue Whittier, CA 90601 Tel (562) 698-1275
The Market is moving and the Interest Rate is almost FREE!
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For more information, please contact Dr. Yani Feliciano at:
"Thank you Yani! Without your help as my doctor rehabilitating my spinal and nerve issues, I probably still wouldn't have use of my hand & arm, let alone be able to be lifting weights already after only a month of treatments! You truly are the biggest blessing in my life and I am thankful to you every moment of every day!" ~ Tawni Camargo
With Us it is all about You!
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Whittier, CA - Imagine forty years ago if you were told that lasers would replace scalpels in surgery or that robotic instruments would build cars; you may not have believed it. By the same token, would you believe that chiropractic treatments could be performed using a special hand-held instrument developed by NASA scientists; all while you were sitting in an upright position without any turning or twisting movements? According to Dr. Yani Feliciano, “This new form of computerized treatment is so gentle and effective, that it truly amazes even the most skeptical patients. It’s called the Ultralign and it’s the newest version of the Proadjuster which is the latest, stateof-the-art technology in existence today, and the only one in Whittier.” The ProAdjuster can safely and gently analyze and treat the spine and other joints to remove the nerve impingement that is often the cause of pains in the low back, neck, shoulders and elsewhere in the body. It also works on a variety of muscular conditions to loosen tight muscles with ease and comfort. Many patients say that it’s like getting a mini-massage. Even patients with knee, hip and foot problems such as plantar fascitis are being helped. It is also covered by most insurance companies including Medicare. Dr. Yani says that “The secret to the ProAdjuster lies in its ability to deliver an extremely precise and gentle adjustment.” She says that, “Even though traditional forms of adjusting also work, Dr. Yani uses the ProAdjuster to people are drawn to this new technique because of how gentle it is analyze a patient’s spine and pin-point and does not involve any twisting, especially in the neck. areas of nerve impingement syndrome causing malfunction and pain. Many people like getting adjusted with traditional manual techniques, all of which are safe and effective. But there are a large number of people who never get to experience the amazing benefits of chiropractic because they are scared to have their spines adjusted in that way,” says Dr. Yani. Now, there is no longer a reason to be wary. The ProAdjuster is perfect for anyone who has been thinking about going to a chiropractor, but hasn’t yet made that decision. Dr. Yani wants everyone to be able to experience these same benefits and if you have nerve interference causing any of the following conditions, the ProAdjuster may be the answer you’ve been looking for... • Neck & Shoulder pain • Poor Circulation • Low back pain • Sciatic pain • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Arthritis • Headaches • High Cholesterol • TMJ Problems • Fibromyalgia • Scoliosis • High Blood Pressure • Sports Injuries • Planter Fascitis • Knee or hip pain • Diabetes Treatment with the ProAdjuster is consistent, measurable and extremely gentle. Call Isabel at our office today and mention this article to receive a FREE ProAdjuster analysis to pin-point your problem areas and to see how the ProAdjuster can help. Be one of the first five callers and you will also receive an examination that can show the areas of your stress and how it’s affecting your body for only $89 (reg. $250). If you are not completely delighted with the services, you pay nothing! This technological marvel can help you return to a healthier lifestyle. You may no longer have to live with a persistent, painful condition. Call (562) 698-1275 today!
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Gil Rodriguez (562) 217-7646
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Irene Rodriguez (562) 631-6753
Gil Rodriguez Broker/Owner CA-BRE 01500176 14826 Whittier Blvd • Whittier, CA 90605 Direct 562-217-7646 Info@SharpStoneRealty.com • www.SharpStoneRealty.com
AUGUST 2016
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NEW MEMBERS ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES
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JOIN ME IN BECOMING A CHAMBER MEMBER TESTIMONIAL
Guerra Law, APLC Jason Guerra 100 Oceangate 12th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: (562) 983-8054 Email: jguerra@guerra-law.com Website: www.guerra-law.com Guerra Law, APLC is a civil litigation law firm that represents businesses and individuals in the areas of civil, business, and employment litigation. The firm’s principal, Jason E. Guerra, is a fierce, highly-skilled litigator and trial attorney. Mr. Guerra is a native of South East Los Angeles. His early childhood and primary school years were mostly spent in Huntington Park until his family moved to La Mirada. He is a graduate of La Mirada High School, UCLA, and Chapman University School of Law. Mr. Guerra presently resides locally in La Mirada. His law firm is based in Long Beach and he maintains local satellite offices through Southern California.
ENTERTAINMENT KWICK Productions Carmen Wick 185 S. Ardmore Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004 Phone: (213) 999-5646 Email: Carmen@kwickproductions.com Website: www.kwickproductions.com KWICK Productions started its business as a small music recording studio in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, CA. Working with any genre from Hip-Hop to Metal to Singer-Songwriter. For many years, KWICK Productions focused mainly on helping independent artists pursue their dreams and reach their goals, helping them with productions, demos and artist development. After years in the recording industry, KWICK Productions has decided to branch out into concert productions and promotions, making it a full pledge entertainment company. The journey of producing concerts has taken KWICK Productions into the Whittier area. Their last show, Donny Edwards Live! - An Authentic Tribute to Elvis Presley, sold out at the Whittier Center Theatre in February 2016. Visit their website for upcoming shows.
RENEWING MEMBERS
Why would a business join the Chamber of Commerce? After just a few minutes interacting with the Whittier Chamber staff, or attending a Chamber sponsored event and surfing their website, you see how much exposure and support your business will receive. And, how much opportunity you will create for yourself by getting involved. Frankly, I don’t even know what the dues are, and it doesn’t matter. The value and return on investment is incredible. I joined in 2015 after coming to Whittier as a new business owner. After attending a Wake Up Whittier, meeting several Chamber Ambassadors and the Chamber staff, I immediately joined and knew this was a key strategy for getting to know Whittier, other business owners, and gaining exposure to the city and political leaders as well. Chamber events and committees are a must for any business that wants to become known in Whittier and plans to have long term success here. My employees also attend Chamber events and we leverage their calendar for networking and sponsorship opportunities all year long. In addition, it’s simply a lot of fun. Like minded professionals working hard to improve their businesses and the community are the kind of people I like to be around! Next up: come to a Wake Up Whittier event, and then get your business promoted aggressively by investing in the Hathaway Golf Classic on September 19th as a sponsor and participant! Don Rood, Rood Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. – State Farm Agency
Thanks to the following members for renewing their Chamber membership and for supporting our efforts to build a strong local economy 1st Jon (877) 566-8646
Miller & Angevine (562) 464-1150
ACRO Printing, Inc. (562) 945-9638
Price, Joseph Civic member
Whittier Chamber membership averages less than $1 a day?
Blake P. Sanborn Insurance Agency, Inc. (562) 943-7174
Promo Guy (562) 708-9922
Call (562) 698-9554 to find out how the Whittier Chamber can help you build a better business!
Buffalo Wild Wings (562) 943-2813 Daniels Tire Service (562) 693-7721 DigiCal (562) 696-2222 Dr. Caren’s Support with Style (562) 400-6955 Fix Auto Whittier (562) 698-8227 Gabriel Plumbing (562) 942-9999 Golden West Coach (562) 696-5466
Salon Cheval (562) 696-7979 San Gabriel Valley Water Company (626) 448-6183 Secure Transportation Company (800) 997-1952 SoCal Post-Acute Care (562) 698-0451 Spiritt Family Services (562) 903-7000 x121 Swiss Park Banquet Center (562) 699-1525 Whittier Marketplace, The (949) 851-1244
DID YOU KNOW...
Congratulations to our Milestone Members this month! Thanks to the following businesses that have been partners with the Whittier Chamber in helping to create a thriving economy.
25 years: Morgan Stanley - Vince Daigneault • (800) 356-1333
20 years: Havana House Cigars & Lounge (562) 698-2245
15 years: Greg’s Auto Body • (562) 789-1300
10 years:
Henry’s Auto Repair (562) 693-1036
Women’s & Children’s Crisis Shelter (562) 945-3937
Jasmine’s Home Care • (562) 693-9608
Lowell Joint School District (562) 902-4203
YMCA of Greater Whittier (562) 907-6530
Brookfield Residential • (714) 200-1533 Bailey Street Kitchen • (562) 464-0171
5 years:
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AUGUST 2016
LET’S BUY A HOUSE TOGETHER.
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1 The interest rates, and APR listed above are effective 3/1/2016, are based on a FICO above 720 and an LTV below 60% for a No-Cash Out Refinance or Purchase, and are examples of loan pricing offered for a specific product. Loan pricing that you may qualify for can be different based on your credit history, loan-to-value (LTV), occupancy, property type, loan amount, loan purpose, and income/financial obligations. Estimated payment is $3.89 per $1,000 borrowed for 60 months for a 30-year term. Payment example does not include cost of property taxes or insurance, so the actual payment obligation may be greater. Membership is subject to eligibility. All new accounts will be verified through ChexSystems®. Rates and programs are subject to change without notice. Rate is subject to increase. Current CU SoCal First Trust Deed mortgages are ineligible for the 2.375% rate. Start rate for an internal refinance is 2.625%.
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