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www.sfschamber.com Vol.26,No.3•November2012
BUSINESSSanta Fe SpringsOfficial Publication of the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce
CalENdarNOVEMBER 1 / Thursday
YOUTH EDUCATION COMMITTEE8:30–9:30 AM / Chamber Office12016 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs
PORT OF LOS ANGELES TOUR12 NOON–4 PM / bus departs chamber office, 12016 Telegraph Rd, at 12 NOON
NOVEMBER 7 / Wednesday
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE 7:30–9:30 AM / Candlewood Country Club14000 Telegraph Rd, Whittier
NOVEMBER 8 / Thursday
FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS COMMITTEE9–10 AM / Chamber Office12016 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE10:30–11:30 AM / Candlewood Country Club, 14000 Telegraph Rd, Whittier
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS11:30 AM–1 PM / Candlewood Country Club, 14000 Telegraph Rd, Whittier
SFS CITY COUNCIL6 PM / SFS City Council Chambers11710 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs NOVEMBER 9 / Friday
RCA LEGISLATIVE FORUM8–9 AM / Southern California Edison 9901 Geary Ave, Santa Fe Springs
NOVEMBER 14 / Wednesday
YOUTH ENRICHMENT FUND BOARD1–2 PM / SFS Library, 11700 Telegraph Rd
NOVEMBER 15 / Thursday
NETWORKING @ NOON11:30 AM–1 PMlocation to be announced
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR RECEPTION2–3:30 PM / Town Center Hall11740 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs
NOVEMBER 20 / Tuesday
SFS CITY COUNCIL6 PM / SFS City Council Chambers11710 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs
NOVEMBER 22-23 / Thursday-Friday
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYChamber Office closed
NOVEMBER 27 / Tuesday
HUMAN RESOURCES FORUM11:45 AM–1 PM / SASSFA WorkSource Center, 10400 Pioneer Blvd, Ste 9, SFS
NOVEMBER 28 / Wednesday
NEW MEMBER WELCOME9–10:30 AM / The Clarke Estate10211 Pioneer Blvd, Santa Fe Springs
DECEMBER 5 / Wednesday
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE 7:30–9:30 AM / Embassy Suites Hotel8425 Firestone Blvd, Downey
DECEMBER 6 / Thursday
MENTOR HOLIDAY LUNCHEON11:30 AM–1 PM / Betty Wilson Center11641 Florence Ave, Santa Fe Springs
DECEMBER 11 / Tuesday
AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE LUNCHEON11 AM–1 PM / Dattilo Italian Restaurant6746 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier
Santa Fe Springs Business12016 East Telegraph Road, Suite 100Santa Fe Springs, California 90670
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPermit No. 3
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Thursday, November 152:00 to 3:30 p.m.Town Center Hall 11740 East Telegraph RoadSanta Fe Springs
Please be our guest at an afternoon reception hosted by the city of Santa
Fe Springs to honor resident Angel Molina and business recipient Don Heimark of Triangle Distributing Co., recipients of the 47th annual Citizen of the Year awards.
Join members of the Santa Fe Springs community and chamber of commerce to thank these generous
individuals for their significant contri-butions of time, treasure and talent, making Santa Fe Springs a better place to live and work.
To reserve a seat, register online at sfschamber.com or contact Christy Lindsay at (562) 944-1616, ext. 101, or at [email protected].
Reserve Your Seat Now for 47th Annual Citizen of the Year Awards
I-5 Improvement Project Update
Information about the I-5 South Corridor Improvement Projects is available from the toll-free I-5 hotline (855) 454-6335 or www.I-5info.com.
Please see page 3 for more information!
CalChamber Vote Record: Major Bills 2012This report for the second year of
the 2011-2012 legislative session fo-cuses on California legislators’ floor votes on California Chamber of Com-merce priority bills.
This is the 38th vote record the CalChamber has compiled. The Cal-Chamber publishes this report in response to numerous requests by member firms and local chambers of commerce that would like a gauge by
which to measure the performance of their legislators.
To help readers assess legislators’ vote records, the charts group bills into six areas: economic develop-ment, environmental regulation, la-bor and employment, legal, taxation and workers’ compensation.Partial Picture
No vote record can tell the entire story of a legislator’s attitude and
actions on issues of importance to business. Each year, legislators cast thousands of votes on thousands of proposed laws.
To fully evaluate your legislative representative, consult the legislative journals and examine your legislator’s votes in committee and on floor is-sues. You can view these via links at www.calchambervotes.com.
continued on page 10
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 2
13th Annual Santa Fe Springs Relay for Life: 500 participants, 27 teams, $135,200 raised for the American Cancer Society
Relay For Life (often shortened to Relay) is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the Ameri-can Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries.
Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace. Although the main objective of Relay is to raise money for cancer research and cancer patients, the event is held to spread cancer awareness, celebrate the lives of survivors, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and unite a community in the fight against cancer. It is estimated that Relay For Life events have raised over $3 billion dollars to date.
I wanted to thank everyone who participated in the recent Relay for Life. This annual event was held on September 28-29 at Lake Center Ath-letic Park.
The Santa Fe Springs Relay for Life committee is made up of residents, local businesses, city employees, and Santa Fe Springs Chamber members.
The 27 teams and 500 participants in this 24-hour relay included families, friends and co-workers of cancer survivors.
A special thank you goes out to our Santa Fe Springs Chamber team leaders Lisa Boyajian, Ansa Insurance Services, and Paul Hesse, Penta Pacific Properties. Together they helped raise over $3,500 for the American Cancer Society.
On a separate issue, let me share with you an excerpt from a recent article in the Daily Breeze newspaper written by a small business owner in El Segundo, who spoke about moving his company out of California.
He said there is no good reason why his manufacturing company cannot pick up and move to another state like Texas or Arizona and start over. There was one quote in this article that sums up his reasoning as to why he believes that we do not leave California.
“We’re not going anywhere, not this year or next year or the decade after that. And the reason is that California is something bigger than the sum of its governmental parts. California is, and always has been, a state of mind, and being located here is in and of itself a value-added proposition that far outweighs all other hassles.
“You see, California is a brand. The very word conveys a meaning and es-sence beyond that of anyplace else in America. I know that is true because I deal with companies across the coun-try and the world.
“For a manufacturer like me, the
best thing to print on the label of any product is ‘Made in California’.”
So in spite of the increasing intru-sion of government in our business life and the increasing costs, we con-tinue to do our best to adapt.
But, it is important to continue to lobby our legislators to reduce the role of government in our business and to encourage small business starts.
The Santa Fe Springs Chamber is involved with CalChamber to provide our membership current positions on pending state legislation with our RCA Legislative Forum, which meets the second Friday of each month.
If you have any interest in getting involved with this group or learning more about how they operate we would encourage your attendance. The chamber is here to support you and we welcome your involvement and appreciate your ongoing support.
“Made in Santa Fe Springs!”
SaNTa FE SpRiNgSChaMBER OF COMMERCE12016 E. Telegraph Rd., Suite 100
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 944-1616 • www.sfschamber.com
— EXECUTiVE COMMiTTEE —
president
MiKE FOLEY
Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.
president-Elect
LiSa BOYaJiaN
Ansa Insurance Services
Vice president, public affairs
DaNiEL J. McMiLLaN
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Vice president, Member Services
CaROLYN REggiO
CAPC, Inc.
Vice president, Youth Enrichment Fund
JOaNNE KLEMM
Comet Employment Agency
Treasurer
LiZ BUCKiNghaM
Friendly Hills Bank–Santa Fe Springs
immediate past president
JiM CUSiCK
Shaw Diversified Services, Inc.
— DiRECTORS —
DEBBiE BaKER
Simpson Advertising, Inc.
MiChaEL B. BEChER
Miller Giangrande, LLP
LaRRY L. CLaNTON
Cosby Oil Company, Inc.
RaNDaLL COURTNEY
DDWERKS, INC./RedShirtPrinting.com
SUSaN CROWELL
HealthFirst Medical Group
paUL FLECK
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
paTRiCia KOTZE
Diversified Risk Management, Inc.
RiCK LaNDiS
Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet
JULia McCONaghY
PIH Health
CURTiS MELLO
HERAEUS
DaN STEpaNiaN
CR&R Waste & Recycling Services
TOM SUMMERFiELD
Cascade Pump Company
JEFF WiNKLER
BreitBurn Energy
ShaRON WU
Roquemore, Pringle & Moore, Inc.
— STaFF —
KaThiE FiNK
Chief Executive Officer
BRUCE BERTRaM
Director of Marketing
MaRiCELa CaSTELLaNOS
Accounting
SUE gRaNa
Youth Services/Special Events Coordinator
LaURa gUiDERa
Administrative Coordinator
ChRiSTY LiNDSaY
Member Services/Special Events Coordinator
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SFS Chamber Website Statistics September 2012Visits: 1,675
pages viewed: 5,223
Directory searches: 3,084
Top five categories searched:Logistics distributionWarehousingClubs and organizationsInsuranceSchools
Top five members searched:Jon Donaire DessertsA-1 Domestic Professional Service, Inc.McMaster Carr Supply CompanyLKQ of Southern CaliforniaMike Thompson’s RV Superstores
hot Deal searches (member-to-member discounts): 124
Job searches: 67
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESSOfficial monthly publication of the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce
Published by Epperhart Communications, Doug Epperhart, Publisher / (310) 833-2980aDVERTiSiNg: Rebecca Medina, (562) 225-0211
SFS Business is mailed every month to Santa Fe Springs businesses and chamber members. Circulation for January, March, May, July, September and November is
4,500. Circulation for February, April, June, August, October and December is 9,500, when this publication is also mailed to Santa Fe Springs residents.
‘Building a Foundation to Foster Business Growth’By
Mike Foley
Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.
SANTA FE SPRINGS BUSINESS is mailed to 4,500 businesses every month and all 5,000 homes in Santa Fe Springs every other month. For rates or to reserve space, call Rebecca Medina, (562) 225-0211 or [email protected](The deadline for submitting advertising copy is the 15th of the month for the following month.)
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS A
WINNER!
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 3NEW MEMBER PROFILE
•DrainsandSewersCleaned •WaterHeaters •CopperRepiping •Furnaces •Hydrojetting •AirConditioning •WaterPiping •LeakDetections •WaterSofteners •Disposals •BathRemodeling
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Since1958COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL
Robert Galindo, Karla Gomez, Gaege Rivera, Diego Hernandez, James Hernandez, and Kim Praster
Lady Bugs Environmental Termite & Pest Control was built around strong beliefs in customer service, honesty and integrity. We pride our-selves in always providing our customers with the best service at a reasonable price.
Lady Bugs Termite & Pest Control is located in La Habra on La Habra Boulevard and Euclid. We believe in helping our community grow. We support Meals on Wheels, The Gary Center, Lions, Elks, and other charity and chamber events.
You’ve probably seen our market-ing representative Kim Praster driving around in her Volkswagen lady bug. If you haven’t seen her, you will. She makes a point to get out and about.
Lady Bugs is family owned and op-erated. Diego Hernandez is the owner and has been in the termite and pest control industry for over 30 years.
Throughout these 30 years he has been able to study with industry spe-cialists learning about environmen-tal alternatives. He was an avid bee keeper for years and helped develop
an environmental bait for rodents that is currently used throughout our industry.
We specialize in all areas of our industry: rodent, in-sect, pigeon, bee, wasp and termite control. We offer al-ternative methods to termite
fumigation, such as local treatments and orange oil.
We offer pet friendly and environ-mental alternatives. Our services are offered on a one-time, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. We service all types of facilities: residen-tial, commercial, property manage-ment, multiple units, city and state.
For any questions, call our office at (562) 691-6677 and ask for Karla Go-mez, our office manager. She will be more than happy to assist you. www.ladybugsinc.net.120 East La Habra BoulevardSuite 103ALa Habra, CA [email protected](800) 423-3396fax: (562) 691-6697
Lady Bugs Environmental Termite & Pest Control
Order Mandatory 2013 California and Federal Employment Poster from Santa Fe Springs Chamber and Avoid Possible Fines and Penalties
The Santa Fe Springs Chamber is making it easy for your business to comply with California’s labor laws. No matter how many employees you have in Cali-fornia, your business is required by law to post a current California and Federal Employment Poster in a central location.
As part of a special partnership with the CalChamber, the Santa Fe Springs Chamber is taking pre-orders for the updated 2013 California and Federal Em-ployment Poster. The CalChamber’s all-in-one poster contains the 16 required state and federal employment notices every California employer must post. CalChamber is a trusted source for California and federal compliance products, with more than 120 years of experience helping California business do business.
The 2013 poster includes the mandatory update to the Discrimination and Harassment notice, effective January 1, 2013. In addition,•TheCal/OSHAnoticehaschanged.•TheEmployeePolygraphProtectionActnoticehaschanged.•There arepending changes to the FamilyMedical LeaveAct (FMLA) andPregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) notices. If approved for 2013, these will be mandatory changes.
Implementation of workers’ compensation reform measures will also begin in 2013. As a result, there are potential mandatory changes to the Workers’ Compensation notice and pamphlet regarding employees’ rights and benefits and employer obligations.
Failure to comply and have a current poster posted in a central location at your workplace could result in significant fines and penalties. Posters must be displayed in a conspicuous place where all employees can easily read it, such as a break room, common hallway, payroll office or other common location. Employers must also display posters in each company location.
The Santa Fe Springs Chamber wants to make sure your business is in compli-ance and urges you to place your 2013 poster order today to ensure delivery by January 1. Posters will be shipped in mid-December. Please call the Santa Fe Springs Chamber at (562) 944-1616 or go on the chamber’s website and order your poster today.
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 4BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce
Business Card ExchangeHosted by
Embassy Suites Downey8425 Firestone Blvd, Downey
Wednesday, December 57:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Members: $15 • Prospective Members: $25Price includes breakfast
Special Toy Donation Raffle: Bring a new unwrapped toy and receive a raffle ticket for a special drawing!
Toys will be donated to local charities for distribution.Featuring Serious Networking, Fun and Prizes, Too!
We are dedicated to networking, are you?At every Business Card Exchange, you will experience:
• Face-to-face business contacts • Network with over 100 local businesses• Enter for a chance to win raffle and door prizes
• SFS Chamber members can enter to win the $100 Pot of Gold• Member Profile, a newspaper article in the SFS Business newspaper
We recommend registering with your credit card online by visiting our website: www.sfschamber.com
Prospective members are welcome to attend a maximum of two Business Card Exchanges
You built it.Now protect it!
New Business • Relocated • Existing Alarm
Contact us for a Free Security Review...
527-907-9002www.futuretech1.com
Make Your Holiday Celebrations Happen at Geezers This Year
Geezers Hosts October Business Card Exchange Breakfast
Ambassador Chair Carolyn Reggio, CAPC, thanks Geezers owner Bob LaRue for hosting the October Business Card Exchange breakfast, presenting him with a gift and certificate of appreciation.
If you want to network and market your business, join the Santa Fe Springs Chamber on the first Wednesday of each month for the Business Card Exchange breakfast, as the great crowd did at Geezers Restaurant in October.
Holly Noble, Mary Kay, and Nancy Felix, Global Family Dentistry, listen intently as a Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange attendee tells them about their business.
Tom Rios, Merrill Gardens at Chateau Whittier, and Debbie Duran-Wade, Manuel’s El Tepeyac Café, enjoyed sharing a table together at Geezers for the BCX breakfast event.
Geezers is located on Telegraph Road at the entrance to the Heritage Business Park and open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner dai-ly, and champagne brunch on Sunday.
Geezers has been a proud member of the Santa Fe Springs community for 20 years and is grateful to the residents and businesses that are the key element to the continued success of the restaurant.
With the holidays approaching quickly, now is the time to book your holiday party. There are three private areas at Geezers to host your party, but time is critical to book the room and date that will work best for your celebration.
If you prefer to host the party at your office, or at another location, Geezers’ catering department can ac-commodate groups from 10 to 2,500.
Full service is available for a mini-mum of 50, but our “drop, set-up and go” service has a minimum
of 10. This service is very popular for business luncheons and “afternoon cel-ebrations” when the budget eliminated the annual holiday
party. The banquet and catering menus are available online at www.thegeezer.com.
Another option to celebrate the holidays is to book a “Happy Hour Party”. Appropriately named “19th hole parties” to complement the golf theme of the restaurant, these pack-ages offer great deals on appetizers and the regular prices on drinks dur-ing happy hour can’t be beat! The brewery and the patio are available for these parties, but time is critical as many dates are already booked.
For all of your holiday or company celebration needs contact owner Bob La Rue, Kim Malavenda, Cindy Heid or any of their helpful staff at (562) 946-3605, or come by and visit with them at 12120 Telegraph Road in Santa Fe Springs.
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 5NETWORKING @ NOON
Watch for an announcement of the
location for this great networking event!
Thursday, November 1511:30 am to 1:00 pm
Pre-registration: Members $12 • Non-members 17Day of the event: $17
Includes Lunch, Beverage, Tax and Tip Introductions, Business-to-Business Networking, and a Delicious Lunch!
Prospective members are welcome to attend a maximum of two Networking @ Noon lunches. Register online anytime by visiting our website: www.sfschamber.com.
Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce(562) 944-1616 • Fax (562) 946-3976 • Email: [email protected]
Mandarin Inn Hosts October Networking @ Noon
The Mandarin Inn in Santa Fe Springs, 13473 Telegraph Road, hosted the October Networking @ Noon event, serving a delicious buffet lunch to almost 50 chamber members and visitors. They have been the Chinese restaurant of choice in this area for over 25 years and now also have a great sushi bar. They do catering and will also host your company function or your weekly or monthly organizational meeting in a room that easily holds 40 people. Visit their website at www.mandardininn.com for more information and details.
Jon Hernandez, Raymond Handling Solutions; Tony Diep, Pacific Western Bank; and Chien Wang, Kiwanis of Santa Fe Springs; all enjoyed their opportunity to network at the Mandarin Inn in their outdoor patio area.
Gary Murphy, Norwalk Florist (Flowers by Allan); Marylou Loya, Melaleuca, Inc.; Cleo Olson, Holiday Inn La Mirada; and Jane Shafer of Shop.com; stopped their networking a moment to pose for this photo at the Mandarin Inn.
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 6YOUTH ENRICHMENT FUND
Give a Gift: Keep Your Charitable Dollars in SFS
As the end of the year approaches—and donors rush to make their contributions before the 2012 tax year ends—please remember that students in Santa Fe Springs can benefit from your end of the year tax deductible donation.
Although taxes are not the primary focus for most of us during the holidays, now is a great time to ensure that you maximize as many tax breaks as possible for the 2012 calendar year.
Putting the Youth Enrichment Fund on your year-end giving list is a great way to show your support for the quality programs which are provided for the youth of Santa Fe Springs.
Programs such as an annual $20,000 Destiny Scholarship for college, mentoring programs, Fu-ture Business Leaders, field trips, programs to encourage students to make positive CHOICES and a $2,500 Powell Grant scholarship to promote the Arts are all made possible through donations to the Youth Enrichment Fund.TheSantaFeSpringsChamber/LeagueYouthEn-
richment Fund is a 501 c(3) charitable organization (Tax ID #93-1217543).
Please mail your donations to the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce at 12016 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, 90670.
Mentors and Students Get Acquainted
Mentors from the business community and students from Santa Fe High School’s Busi-ness Academy met for the first time at the “Get Acquainted Reception” held October 4 at Santa Fe High School. Through activities such as job shadow day, college visits, and business breakfasts, the mentors will meet with the students and help them plan their future and encourage them to be successful.
Youth Enrichment Fund Offers Students CHOICES
Betty Sanchez, Popular Community Bank, meets her student, Vanessa Flores.
Mentor Program Chairperson Carolyn Sagara, Target Specialty Products, gets acquainted with her mentee, Adriana Castro.
Belinda Martinez, Adecco Employment Services, and Michelle Vasquez make plans for the coming year.
Donate your car, truck, RV or boat to the Santa Fe Springs Chamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund. You can donate your car, running or not, to Cars4Causes. Tell them you want the proceeds to go to the Santa FeSpringsChamber/LeagueYouthEnrichmentFund.Webenefitfromthe
donation and you get a tax deduction.
1-800-766-CARE(1-800-766-2273)www.cars4causes.net
Duringthenextfewmonths,theSFSChamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund will present a pro-gram called CHOICES to the freshman students at Santa Fe, Pioneer and St. Paul High Schools. CHOICES is a two-hour seminar dealing primarily with motivation, time management, academic deci-sions and career consequences.
Trained volunteers from the business community lead students through creative classroom exercises and discussions that stress the importance of today’s academic decisions to life after graduation, whether that means entering the competitive world of work
or college.In a very non-directive and non-judgmental man-
ner, the program exposes students to a full range of options or consequences that they will encounter after high school. It’s up to the students to decide where on that spectrum they want to be and to make appropriate decisions today to get there.
CHOICES is a unique example of how education and business can work together to benefit students as they prepare for adult life. What could be more immediate, more long lasting, or more cost effec-tive than changing student attitudes about educa-
tion and encouraging them to do more with that is already available to them?
The chamber is currently looking for volunteers to participate in the CHOICES program. If you are someone who enjoys talking with students and feel that you have a good story to tell, then you are a perfect presenter. Presenters are able to schedule their presentations around their calendar, and it involves just a few hours a year.
Please call Sue Grana at the chamber office, (562) 944-1616, for more information.
Melissa Rencehausen is the 2000 Destiny Scholar-ship recipient. Melissa participated in the chamber’s Business Expo this year, so we asked her to bring us up to date on her life:
“Attending the SFS Chamber Business Expo prompted me to reflect on how my life has changed in the 12 years since being awarded the Destiny Fund scholarship. Looking back, the Destiny Fund shaped the decisions I made from the moment I started college.
“The committee stuck by me throughout my col-lege career, even during some difficult times and continued to listen as I tried to find my voice and place in the world. They truly wanted me to succeed and I was determined to not let them down. When I received my diploma, it was as much a triumph for them as it was for me; we had accomplished it together.
“My professional career began after I graduated from Whittier College in 2004 with my bachelor’s degree in business administration. I found employ-ment as a trust accountant in the entertainment industry.
“From there, I took a position at a tax consulting firm in Pasadena and continued my accounting edu-cation, eventually earning an A.A. degree in 2010. I recently moved to a new position at NBC Universal as a revenue analyst.
“I have also had good fortune in my personal life. I married my college sweetheart in 2005 and we lived in Southern California until 2010. We then moved cross-country to Knoxville, Tennessee where my husband continued his education.
“Our job and school situation changed earlier this year, and we made the decision to move back to California. We currently live in Pasadena with our two-year-old beagle, Ruby
“While living in Knoxville, I came across Thirty-One Gifts, a direct sales company. I was immediately attracted to the product and signed up to be a consultant. I brought Thirty-One with me to Cali-fornia and am looking to grow my business in my hometown of Santa Fe Springs. I love sharing the product with people, and love the experience I am gaining in running my own business.
“The chamber, the city of Santa Fe Springs and the Destiny Fund program all hold a special place in my heart. I felt fortunate to participate at the expo, and ended up in a happy reunion.
“Everyone welcomed me back with open arms. It was so rewarding to know they are every bit as concerned about my personal and professional success and still willing to help me succeed—and I hope to always make them proud.”
—Melissa Rencehausen, www.mythirtyone.com/64245
Past scholarship recipient Melissa Rencehausen reconnects with Joanne Klemm, Comet Employment Agency, vice president, Youth Enrichment Fund, and Susan Crowell, HealthFirst Medical Group, who served as vice president, Youth Enrichment Fund, when Melissa received her scholarship.
Destiny Recipient Back in SFS as Business Expo Exhibitor
adVErtISE IN SaNta FE SprINgS BUSINESSMailed every month to 4,500 area
businesses. Mailed every other month
to 5,000 Santa Fe Springs homes.
For details, call Rebecca Medina,
(562) 225-0211, or email
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 7
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 8MEMBER NEWS
remember, Buy from Chamber Members!The following companies recently renewed their memberships. We salute these businesses and thank them for their continued support. Members listed in boldface type donated to the Youth Enrichment Fund.
allied Business SystemsBeyond 21st Century Beauty academyCalifornia Hi-Lites, Inc.Carmenita Truck CenterCarroll Co.Castlerock Environmental, inc.Credit Union of Southern CaliforniaEpmar Corp.geezersgoldilocks Corporation of CaliforniaHacienda Golf ClubHart & Vandenberg CPA’shong Chang Corp.Jon Donaire DessertsLA Signs & BannersLegal Shield - Raul CorellaMaster Industrial Supply, Inc.Masters of HarmonyMetropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniaMontebello Container Corp.North American Plywood Corp.
Orange County Name plate Co., inc.pacific Mechanical SupplyPan Pacific Fiber, Inc.philatron internationalproCalRamon’s Custom Auto UpholsteryResidence Inn By MarriottRodger’s Food ServiceRomero’s Food products, inc.SaBiC polymershapesSecure TransportationSELaCO Workforce investment BoardSgB-Nia insurance BrokersShaw Diversified Services, inc.SPIRITT Family ServicesSu Casa ~ Ending Domestic ViolenceWapaDh (Whittier area parents’ association for the Developmentally handicapped)Water Well Supply, Inc.White Emerson Mortuary
Get with the Office Depot Program!The savings may cover your cost of chamber membership! As a member of the chamber, your business can participate in a special new
savings benefit—the Chamber Office Depot Program. This compelling program leverages the group buying power of the chamber to save your company money. In addition, the benefits add value to the chamber’s membership proposition and generate revenue for the chamber to help fund chamber initiatives.
We invite you to get a quote and compare. Please let me know if you are interested and who our local Office Depot representative—Kyle Brannon—can contact at your company.
We appreciate all you do for the chamber and the community. We look forward to hearing from you.
H2GO Express Car Wash Grand Opening Features New Concept in Car Washing
On October 9, H2GO Express Car Wash celebrated the grand opening of their new car wash facility at 12616 Imperial Highway (at the corner of Bloomfield) in Norwalk with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which they hope is only the first of many more similar car washes opening up throughout the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Following the event the large group of celebrants attend-ing crossed the street to eat a delicious lunch courtesy of Bruce’s Prime Rib in Santa Fe Springs.
H2GO understands the desire of busy people getting their car cleaned quickly. Their mission is to efficiently deliver the highest quality exterior car wash in Southern California while conserving water and using earth-friendly chemicals, and they will get your car clean in minutes. With wash packages starting at $5 they supply the best possible wash experience on their automatic, easy-to-use conveyor. You never do the dirty work. You just pull up, stay in your car and leave the rest to H2GO. And you can always use the FREE vacuums afterwards.
They also offer various wash packages, including an Unlimited Pass, VIP Discount, Club Card & Gift Cards, and Fleet Accounts. For more information about H2GO Express Car Wash, visit their website at www.h2goexpress.com. Let H2GO Express be your go-to car wash!
Company president Randy Blanchard does the ribbon cutting honors as he proudly poses with family members in this family-run business, along with members of the Santa Fe Springs and Norwalk chambers of commerce and a number of other dignitaries who attended this wonderful event.
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 9NEW MEMBERS
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BACK BODY MIND CHIROPRACTICDr.LisaThomson,owner/chiropractor12101 Slauson AvenueSanta Fe Springs 90670(562) 907-7700A new chiropractic office opening this November in Santa Fe Springs. Your place for quality chiropractic care and affordable pain relief.
PACIFIC DISCOUNT STOREMaribel Pena, owner11509 Carmenita Road, Whittier 90605(562) 941-1718Rentals for events and parties including jumpers, tables, chairs, and canopies. Also discount store for flowers, balloons, gift bags and novelty items, gift wrap-ping, shoes, clothes, and much more. This family owned and operated business has been serving the Whittier and Santa Fe Springs area for 18 years.
WESTERN AND SOUTHERN LIFEFernando Morales, managerMike Salazar, Sales Representative1225 W. 190th Street, Suite #275Gardena 90248(310) 819-1106www.wslife.com/agent/fmoralesFinancial services focusing on individuals and small business planning needs.
Mike Salazar, sales representative, and Fernando Morales, manager
Welcome to ‘SFS Chamber 101’ for New Members and New RepsWednesday, November 28, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.The Clarke Estate, 10211 Pioneer Boulevard
Please join us on Wednesday, November 28, at the Clarke Estate for our New Member Welcome, titled “SFS Chamber 101”. This one-and-a-half-hour session will provide you with the basics on how to best utilize your membership.
Meet the chamber’s leadership team and learn how the chamber can work for you. Make new business contacts with other new chamber members. New members will all be given the opportunity to tell others about their own busi-ness. Learn about marketing vehicles, educational seminars, and committees the chamber has to offer. Continental breakfast will be served.
All new members and new representatives of current members are invited to join us and learn how to maximize their chamber membership. Remember, the chamber is just like your gym membership—the more you put in, the more you get out.
Please R.S.V.P. to the chamber office at (562) 944-1616 or register online at www.sfschamber.com.
Rio Hondo College Named ‘Military Friendly School’ for Fourth Year
For the fourth consecutive year Victory Media and G.I. Jobs magazine has designated Rio Hondo College as a “Military Friendly School.”
The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to em-brace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.
The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list dem-onstrate leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.
Since its establishment in 2008, the Rio Hondo College Veterans Service Center has served more than 4,000 veterans and eligible dependents from five branches of the United States Armed Services annually.
Last May the Vons Foundation presented $10,000 to the Rio Hondo College Foundation to benefit veteran students through the Veterans Emergency Loan Program.
Temporary loans from the Veterans Emergency Loan Program are a critical source of support for students in the process of securing their veteran Financial Educational Benefits.
Emergency funds made possible through the Vons Foundation contribution will enable veteran students to begin classes and purchase books and supplies until benefits arrive.
The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. The survey results were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by G.I. Jobs. Each year schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country
Located in Whittier, California, Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center of lifelong learning which provides innovative, challenging, and quality educa-tional offerings for its diverse students and community. For information on the college or its programs, please call (562) 692-0921 or visit www.riohondo.edu
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 10COMMUNITY NEWS
Budgets Changes, But Values Stay the Same: The New Santa Fe Springs
Take a Recreational or Exercise Class this WinterBusiness Residents Eligible for Resident Discount Fee!
The city offers a wide variety of exercise and recreational classes through its Division of Parks and Recreation Services. For many years, the city has extended the resident discount rate to members of the business community who are employed at a business located in Santa Fe Springs. This courtesy is extended to the individual only and is not available for family members.
The resident fees offer a great opportunity to try out a new class or explore a new hobby. Online class registration is available though the city’s website at www.santafesprings.org An account needs to be activated prior to accessing the online registration. To active an account visit Town Center Hall, located at 11740 East Telegraph Road. More information is available by calling (562) 863-4896.
Like most communities, in the last three years, Santa Fe Springs has expe-rienced the impact of the nation’s worst economic recession since the Great Depression.
In addition, the city has suffered the impacts of the elimination of its rede-velopment agency in a way that few communities across the state have felt.
The city’s redevelopment agency, also known as the Community Develop-ment Commission (CDC), was the 20th largest redevelopment agency in the state (out of 400), and was the primary economic development and public improvement arm of the city.
It was the funding source that allowed the city to convert oil fields and envi-ronmentally-impaired land into top quality, aesthetically pleasing, job creating, revenue producing, business parks, and now is gone.
To those who are familiar with Santa Fe Springs, and certainly to those who read this publication, the above is old news. Just as families and businesses of Santa Fe Springs have done, the city has adjusted and moved on.
Today we are a different city in many ways. However, through all of the changes, we have endeavored to retain the same values that have served us so well over the past 50-plus years as a community, the values that earned the city the prestigious recognition of “Most Business Friendly City” by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, and All-America City, as well as scores of other distinguished designations.
Even though we’ve had to make significant changes, what remains unchanged is the city’s commitment to maintaining Santa Fe Springs the thriving business community it has always been.
The city maintains at the top of its priority its commitment to continuing the city’s legacy of providing progressive leadership and a “no red tape” approach,
recognizing the value of commerce and the importance of creating and sustain-ing economic growth in Santa Fe Springs.
It is evident that the city cannot achieve this in the way it was accustomed to, due to the loss of $13.4 million, which were the resources that the redevelop-ment agency provided, but city staff is looking at developing partnerships with the chamber of commerce, developers, and businesses in the city, to continue to strategically invest in infrastructure, property redevelopment, and continue to provide the services needed to meet the needs of the business community.
Now more than before, the city relies on the success of the businesses and the revenue and jobs that the business community creates.
Now more than ever, the city looks forward to strengthening its relationships and existing partnerships to retain and develop programs and services that facilitate business entry, business retention, and expansion.
The City of Santa Fe Springs is committed to retaining the quality of life that residents and businesses have enjoyed for many years and excited about the prospect of developing new ways to continue to make Santa Fe Springs a place where business can thrive and a place which residents can proudly call home.
SFS Chamber Member Honor rollThechamberappreciatesthesecompanieswhichhavebeenmembersformorethan10years.37 Pacific Mechanical Supply
31 Orange County Name Plate Co., Inc.
30 Secure Transportation
28 Water Well Supply, Inc.
27 Epmar Corp.
26 Jon Donaire Desserts
26 North American Plywood Corp.
25 SPIRITT Family Services
24 Hart & Vandenberg CPA’S
22 WAPADH (Whittier Area Parents’ Association for the Developmentally Handicapped)
20 Geezers
19 California Hi-Lites, Inc.
18 Pan Pacific Fiber, Inc.
17 Credit Union of Southern California
15 Carroll Co.
15 Montebello Container Corp.
13 Ramon’s Custom Auto Upholstery
13 Residence Inn By Marriott
13 Shaw Diversified Services, Inc.
12 SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers
10 Goldilocks Corp of California
Join the SFS Chamber! Call Bruce, (562) 944-1616
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 11
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SECURITY AND SAFETY
SantaFeSpringsCrimeStatisticsPartICrimesMonthlyComparison
September 2012 2011
Crimes Reported 2012 totals totals Difference
Total 107 1,016 913 +12%
Homicide 0 1 0 +100%
Rape 0 3 5 –40%
Robbery 8 33 29 +14%
AggravatedAssault 4 43 38 +13%
Burglary 25 164 95 +73%
Commercial/Retail 21 121 72 +68%
Residential 4 43 23 +87%
Vehicle 9 138 148 –7%
AllThefts 56 612 622 –2%
Vehicle 15 115 150 –23%
Shoplifting 7 119 96 +24%
AutoTheft 14 159 122 +30%
Arson 0 0 2 –100%
Employee Theft on the Rise By Captain Aviv Bar
In the past several years, the Whittier Police Department has seen a sharp increase in the number of internal theft incidents from businesses in Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. Although theft by employees is not a new crime, the current economic condition may have contributed to the increased frequency and magnitude of this crime. Internal theft cases have ranged from shoplift incidents at retail establishments to the embezzlement of tens of thousands of dollars from manufacturing and service businesses in town.
Other incidents included the sale of customers’ personal information for the purpose of identity theft and the unauthorized use of business credit cards and checks. There is no easy way to predict who in your organization may stray towards internal theft, however there are safeguards that can be implemented to prevent, deter, and detect such activity.
First and foremost, effective pre-employment screening should be applied to any hiring process, regardless of the position. A variety of pre-employment screening services are available online. Unfortunately, gone are the days of a simple reference check and a few phone calls to screen new employees. Pre-employment screening may include a background check, criminal history, credit history, and academic and driving history. You should consult with your legal counsel for guidance in this area.
Another safeguard against internal theft is regular and consistent auditing of activities related to inventory, credit cards, company checks, expense accounts, payroll and cash. End of year reviews of credit card bills and checks activity may allow too much time for a dishonest employee to damage an organization.
In some instances, we receive such reports an entire year after the theft oc-curred and the employee has moved on to another business, most likely con-tinuing their crimes. Employees need to know that strict enforcement, auditing and oversight occur on a regular basis by management.
Part of preventing internal theft is knowing your employees. It is not un-common for employees who steal to use the proceeds for dramatic lifestyle improvements such as expensive cars, extravagant vacations, and new homes. Also, regardless of your business size, owners, managers and supervisors should develop a communication channel for employees to report illegal activity in the workplace.
This can range from an open door communication policy to anonymous hotlines. In many cases, other employees know that illegal activity is taking place, but do not have an effective and safe way to inform the company about such damaging activity.
If you suspect internal theft at your business, please contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 567-9240
Aviv Bar is a captain with the Whittier Police Department and oversees the Department’s Investigations Division and the Santa Fe Springs Policing Team. He can be reached at (562) 567-9265 or via email at [email protected].
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 12LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Many anti-business bills were re-jected by legislators in policy or fiscal committees, thus stopping proposals before they reached the floor for a vote. The vote record does not cap-ture these votes.
Most bills in this report cover major business bills that are of concern to both small and large companies.
The CalChamber recognizes that there are many bills supported or op-posed by business that are not includ-ed in this vote record and analysis.Factors Considered
The CalChamber considers the following factors in selecting vote record bills:•Thebillsandvotesreflectlegisla-
tors’ attitudes toward private enter-prise, fiscal responsibility and the business climate.•Each billwas a priority for the
CalChamber in a particular field. Pri-ority bills have appeared in the “Status Report” sections of Alert.• The bills were voted upon by
either the full Senate or Assembly. This year the vote record covers 10 votes in the Senate and 11 votes in the Assembly.• Unless otherwise noted, final
floor votes are shown. Concurrence votes and conference report votes are considered final votes.When ‘Not Voting’ Helps
Sometimes a legislator is unwilling to vote against a colleague, but is willing to support the CalChamber’s opposition to a bill. In such cases, a legislator may abstain from voting, which will hinder passage of a bill, just as a “no” vote does.
To recognize that not voting can aid the CalChamber’s opposition to a bill, the vote record includes the number of times legislators did not vote “aye” on a CalChamber-opposed bill in the total for the column listing actions “in accord with” the CalChamber’s posi-tion, if the legislator was not absent for the day.Priority BillsEconomic Development• SB 1161 (Padilla; D-Pacoima)
Internet-Based Services. Provides cer-tainty and creates a level playing field for California business by assuring that Voice over Internet Protocol- and Internet Protocol-enabled services will not be regulated at the state level but rather at the federal level. Passed Senate, May 30, 30-6. Passed Assembly, August 20, 63-12. Senate concurred in Assembly amendments August 22, 28-7 (vote shown). Signed by Gover-nor—Chapter 733. CalChamber Sup-ported/JobCreator.Environmental Regulation• SB 568 (A. Lowenthal;D-Long
Beach) Polystyrene Food Container Ban. Threatens thousands of manu-facturing jobs within the state by inappropriately banning all food vendors from using polystyrene foam food service containers, ignoring the numerous environmental benefi ts associated with polystyrene products. Passed Senate, June 2, 2011, 21-15. Failed passage in Assembly, August 31, 2012, 26-45.CalChamber-Opposed/Job Killer.•SB1054(Pavley;D-AgouraHills)
Increases Energy Costs. Delays in-vestments in oil and gas projects by placing unnecessary and burdensome requirements on drilling companies before commencement of any hydrau-lic fracking project in the state. Failed passage in Senate, May 31, 18-15.
CalChamber Opposed.•SB1118(Hancock;D-Berkeley)
Excessive and Costly Mandate. Es-tablishes a new bureaucracy with unlimited fee authority and an oner-ous system for the collection and processing of used mattresses. Passed Senate, May 31, 21-17. Passed Assem-bly, August 31, 48-31. Senate refused to concur in Assembly amendments, August 31, 17-19 (vote shown). Cal-Chamber Opposed.Labor and Employment•AB 1450 (Allen;D-Santa Rosa)
Exposure to Costly Discrimination Litigation. Before amendments, would have subjected employers to unjustified charges of discrimina-tion for legitimately inquiring into an applicant’s most recent employ-ment history. Opposition removed due to amendments. Passed Assem-bly, May 30, 51-26 (vote shown). Passed Senate, August 29, 23-13 after amendments removed CalChamber opposition. Assembly concurred in Senate amendments, August 30, 51-29.Vetoed.CalChamber:NoPosition/Former Job Killer.• AB 2346 (Butler; D-Los Ange-
les) Increased Cost of Food. Could increase the price of food and force growers to move their crop produc-tion to other states and countries, thereby hurting California exports, by creating unprecedented and ex-cessive consequences for perceived and actual violations of heat illness prevention regulations. Passed As-sembly, May 31, 41-28. Passed Senate,
August 27, 21-12. Assembly concurred in Senate amendments August 29, 42-33 (vote shown). Vetoed. CalChamber Opposed/JobKiller.Legal•SB1186(Steinberg;D-Sacramen-
to/Dutton; R-Rancho Cucamonga)ADA Reform. Seeks to limit frivolous litigation regarding technical viola-tions concerning disability access by reducing statutory damages, increasing pleading requirements, and banning pre-litigation, monetary demand letters. Passed Senate, May 29, 36-0. Passed Assembly, August 31, 77-0. Senate concurred in Assem-bly amendments, September 1, 34-3 (vote shown). Signed by Governor.Chapter 383 (urgency). CalChamber Supported.•SB1528(Steinberg;D-Sacramen-
to) Infl ates Litigation and Insurance Costs. Artifi cially inflates medical damage awards in personal injury cases by allowing an injured party to recover expenses never actually in-curred, which will ultimately increase legal costs as well as insurance rates. Passed Senate, May 30, 22-13. Failed passage in Assembly, August 31, 13-43.CalChamberOpposed/JobKiller.Taxation•AB 1186 (Skinner;D-Berkeley)
Illegal Tax Increase. Increases energy costs, including fuel prices, on con-sumers and businesses by allocating funds from an illegal tax to various programs that are not necessary to cost-effectively implement the market-based trading mechanism under AB
32. Passed Assembly as a different subject, May 12, 70-0. Passed Senate, August 31, 21-18. Assembly concurred in Senate amendments, August 31, 47-27.Vetoed.CalChamberOpposed/Job Killer.•AB 2408 (Skinner;D-Berkeley)
Creates Inequity in the Tax Structure. Harms struggling small businesses and start-ups by repealing the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryback de-duction, a lifeline that helps employ-ers stay afloat, retain employees, and continue investing in their businesses in an economic downturn. Passed As-sembly, May 29, 50-27. Died awaiting action on Senate Floor at end of ses-sion.CalChamberOpposed/JobKiller.
continued on page 14
Vote Record continued from page 1
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 13
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 14LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Workers’ Compensation• AB 1687 (Fong; D-Cupertino)
Costly Workers’ Compensation At-torney’s Fees Increase. Unnecessarily increases costs and incentivizes litiga-tion by permitting the Workers’ Com-pensation Appeals Board (WCAB) to award attorney’s fees to an applicant who challenges a utilization review decision regarding a future medical treatment award. Passed Assembly, May 17, 47-24. Passed Senate, August 29, 22-12. Assembly concurred in Senate amendments, August 30, 53-26 (vote shown). Vetoed. CalChamber Opposed.• SB 863 (De León;D-Los Ange-
les) Workers’ Compensation System Reform. Offsets necessary increases in permanent disability benefits and potentially lowers system costs for employers by reducing delays and litigation in the system, addressing the lien epidemic, shortening the medical-legal process, implementing an independent medical review sys-tem and streamlining the permanent disability schedule. Passed Assembly, August 31, 72-5. Senate concurred in Assembly amendments, August 31, 34-4. Signed by Governor—Chapter 363. CalChamber Supported.
—CalChamber Alert, October 19, 2012
Vote Record continued from page 12
Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 15
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Special thanks to Adecco for sponsoring lunch at this free, monthly, members-only roundtable meeting.
Register online at sfschamber.com or call (562) 944-1616.
California’s Piece-Rate Payments in PerilBy Paul S. Fleck, Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
Recent decisions addressing piece-rate payments made to California employ-ees heightens concerns that the long-standing piece-rate payment method fol-lowed by California employers may not satisfy California’s Minimum Wage Law.
In Quezada v. Con-Way Freight, Inc., and Munoz v. Giumarra Vineyards Corp., two July 2012 unpublished California cases, the courts refer to and rely on Armenta v. Osmose, Inc. (2005) 135 Cal.App.4th 314, a California Court of Appeals case holding that an employer who fails to pay workers for each hour worked violates California’s Minimum Wage Law.
While Quezada and Munoz are unpublished cases and cannot be relied on as binding law, they do represent a growing trend in California courts where the Armenta decision is being relied on to find California employers who pay employees on a piece-rate basis do not satisfy California’s Minimum Wage Law for duties performed that are not directly part of the piece-rate.
In Armenta, the plaintiffs were employed by a company that maintained utility poles for utility companies. Employees’ time was considered “productive,” if it directly related to maintaining the poles, or “nonproductive,” which included tasks like travel time, engaging in safety meetings, loading vehicles, completing paperwork, and maintaining the vehicles.
Employees were paid only for “productive” time, but the employer argued that this did not violate state minimum wage laws because, under the FLSA formula, the amount compensated for “productive” time averaged to an hourly wage that exceeded the state minimum.
Under the FLSA, there is no minimum wage violation if employees receive at least as much as they would have received if paid at the minimum wage for all hours actually worked; i.e., if the total weekly wage paid is equal to or greater than the number of hours worked in the week multiplied by the statutory minimum hourly rate.
A prior federal decision interpreting California law had expressly approved of this approach. (See Medrano v. D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of Cal. (N.D. Cal. 2004) 336 F. Supp. 2d 1053.) Rejecting Medrano, the Armenta court held that the averaging method utilized by federal courts does not satisfy California’s minimum wage requirements because “while it may be appropriate when considered in light of federal public policy, it does not advance the policies underlying California’s Minimum Wage Law.
In Armenta, the agreed rate was between $9.08 and $20.00 for employees. Employees were not paid, however, for compensable hours that the employer categorized as “nonproductive.”
The court emphasized that permitting an employer to average payment over hours worked, so long as that amount was in excess of minimum wage, would permit the employer to effectively reduce an employee’s contractual hourly rate.”
Accordingly, the Armenta court held that the employer had violated California Minimum Wage Law, which was more generous than comparable federal statutes in setting forth minimum wage standards.
The Armenta decision, now being relied on by other California courts, raises further questions about the instability of long established California compensa-tion practices. Where employees are paid on a piece-rate or per diem or any other method not tied to the hours actually worked, the issue arises whether the payment of a piece-rate satisfies the employer’s obligation to pay minimum wages for all hours worked.
Typically, employees paid by piece-rate are paid a fixed amount for performing a certain task, completing a service, or making a product to certain specifications. Prior to Armenta, an employer could show its minimum wage compliance by crediting the piece-rate dollars across all hours worked, including time spent in work related tasks ancillary to the actual piece work.
Under Armenta, however, the Court of Appeals held that employers must pay a separate hourly wage (at least the state minimum) for time spent by employees on all “non-piece rate” activity directed by the employer.
Not surprisingly, Armenta has led to numerous class action lawsuits as piece-rate employees have proceeded to sue California employers for minimum wage pay not only for time spent at meetings, but for preparatory and clean-up time, and idle time during the work day, even when their regular rate of pay under the traditional piece-rate formula far exceeds California’s minimum wage.
Arementa is the classic example of bad facts making bad law. Armenta, however, remains valid law in California of which employers must take note.
What does this mean for California employers? California employers must understand that where employees are paid on a piece-rate basis for “productive” hours and no pay for “non-productive” hours, even where the employees’ total pay exceed minimum wage for all hours worked, liability may arise for failure to meet California’s Minimum Wage Law.
For more information, please visit our website at aalrr.com or contact us as (562) 653-3200.
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Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • November 2012 • Page 16COMMUNITY NEWS
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New Science Programs for All Ages to be Launched at Pioneer High SchoolNew hands-on science programs
for all ages will soon be launched at Pioneer High School as part of a community-wide effort to provide lo-cal students with the skills they need to pursue careers in science, technol-ogy, engineering and math (STEM).
These fun, dynamic, hands-on workshops will begin with a special Summer Science Camp for grades K through 12 that will take place in July 2013 at Pioneer High and will cover a vast array of age-appropriate math and sciences including botany, biol-ogy, chemistry, astronomy, physics, engineering and more. Many of the
classes are led by real scientists with years of professional experience who volunteer their time.
The programs are the result of a new partnership formed by the Whit-tier Union High School District, Los Nietos, South Whittier and Whittier City school districts with Team Sci-ence, a nonprofit organization dedi-cated to providing programs that will inspire students to become life-long learners in the areas of science, tech-nology, engineering, and math.
“We are coming together to provide our young people with programs that will nurture their love and knowledge
of science, technology, engineering and math to prepare them to com-pete in those fields in both college and careers,” said Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson. “We’re providing the launch pad and can’t wait to watch them take off.”
During the last 21 years, Team Sci-ence has grown to become a premier non-profit organization working to bring children quality enrichment programs and to ensure that students are given opportunities to pursue successful educations and careers in STEM-related fields.
“We are thrilled to have the op-portunity to bring Team Science programs to Pioneer High School and the Whittier community,” said Marie Mungaray, President of Team Science.
“Our goal is to instill the love of math and science in every heart and the power of math and science in every mind.”
Parents of local students can learn more about these new hands-on sci-ence courses at a special grand open-ing event to be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 14 at Pioneer High School, 10800 Benavon Street, in Whittier.
The event will include workshop demonstrations such as the NASA flight deck simulator now located in the school’s library.
“The launch event will be a great op-portunity for parents to visit Pioneer and find out about what our teach-
ers and Team Science leaders will be offering our young people this sum-mer,” said Pioneer High School Prin-cipal Monica Oviedo. “It’s going to be an exciting and informative evening.”
Mungaray says students who com-plete Team Science programs have gone on to pursue math, science, technology, engineering, law, and business degrees at prestigious uni-versities such as M.I.T., Caltech, Stan-ford University, Harvard University, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Pomona, Whittier College, and the United States Air Force Academy.
Many Team Science alumni have also achieved successful positions in organizations such as the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) in the United States Air Force, the Boe-ing Company, Northrop Grumman, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Company, Cisco Systems, and many others, Mungaray said.
For more information about the November 14 launch event, call (562) 698-8121, ext. 5000.
The Whittier Union High School District provides all students with an engaging, quality standards-based instructional program delivered by a well-trained staff resulting in im-proved student achievement.
Whittier Union High School District works to achieve and maintain excel-lence in providing a comprehensive education for all students.
Join the SFS Chamber! Call Bruce, 562.944.1616
