www.sfschamber.com Vol.27,No.7•March2014

BUSINESSSanta Fe SpringsOfficial Publication of the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce

CalENdarMARCH 5 / Wednesday

7:30–9:30 AM / BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE / DoubleTree by HiltonLos Angeles Commerce, 5757 Telegraph Rd, Commerce

MARCH 6 / Thursday

8:30–9:30 AM / FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS, SFS Chamber Office, 12016 Telegraph Rd, #100, SFS

MARCH 12 / Wednesday

12 NOON–1 PM / CHAMBER EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE, Santa Fe Springs Library, 11700 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs

1–2 PM / YOUTH EDUCATION FUND BOARD, Santa Fe Springs Library, 11700 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs

5–7 PM / ST PATRICK’S DAY MIXER Maggie’s Pub, 11900 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 13 / Thursday

8:30–9:30 AM / YOUTH EDUCATION COMMITTEE, SFS Chamber Office, 12016 Telegraph Rd, #100, SFS

12 NOON-5 PM / CHAMBER BOARDMID-YEAR REVIEW

6 PM / SANTA FE SPRINGS CITY COUNCILSanta Fe Springs City Council Chambers,11710 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 14 / Friday

8:15–9:15 AM / RCA LEGISLATIVE FORUMGus Velasco Neighborhood Center,9255 Pioneer Blvd, Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 18 / Tuesday

8:30–10:30 AM / MENTOR BUSINESSBREAKFAST, hosted by PIH Health, 12401 Washington Blvd, Whittier (mentors and students only)

MARCH 19 / Wednesday

12 NOON / DESTINY DINNER COMMITTEESFS Chamber, 12016 Telegraph Rd, #100,Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 20 / Thursday

11:30 AM–1 PM / NETWORKING @ NOONBruce’s Prime Rib & Spirits12623 Imperial Hwy, Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 21 / Friday

4:30 PM / DESTINY SCHOLARSHIP / POWELL GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINESanta Fe Springs Chamber Office, 12016 Telegraph Rd, #100, SFS

MARCH 25 / Tuesday

11:45 AM–1PM / HR FORUM Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center,9255 Pioneer Blvd, Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 26 / Wednesday

8:30–9:30 AM / AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE, Police Services Center, 11576 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs

MARCH 27 / Thursday

6 PM / SANTA FE SPRINGS CITY COUNCILSanta Fe Springs City Council Chambers,11710 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs

APRIL 2 / Wednesday

7:30–9:30 AM / BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE / Residence Inn by Marriott, 14419 Firestone Blvd, La Mirada

Santa Fe Springs Business12016 East Telegraph Road, Suite 100Santa Fe Springs, California 90670

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No. 3

Santa Fe Springs, CA

Chamber Hosts State of the County, City PresentationsI-5 Project Impacts on Florence Avenue City’s Main Topic

On February 12, the Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual State of the County and City presentations.

During the State of the City presen-tation, Mayor Juanita Trujillo provided an overview of the city council’s stra-tegic plan to keep Santa Fe Springs a successful city into the future. Mayor Trujillo shared the city’s mission and vision:

Vision: Santa Fe Springs is a great place to live, work, and play.

Mission: The City of Santa Fe Springs is committed to enhancing the quality of life of its residents and businesses by providing:•A Safe Environment•A Thriving Business Community•Quality Family, Youth, and Senior

Services•Sound Financial Management of the

Community’s ResourcesShe also reinforced the city’s com-

mitment to maintain Santa Fe Springs as a business-friendly community and plans to explore ways to partner with local businesses to stimulate eco-nomic development and job creation.

She shared her priorities for 2014 as mayor, which included rebuilding the city’s Business Emergency Prepared-ness Network (BEPN), providing

training to city employees to provide top customer service, continuing to work on improving the permitting process in the planning department, and continuing to support projects that improve the city’s infrastructure.

Highlights by City Manager Thadde-us McCormack included an update on the city’s fiscal status; declaring 2014 as a return to normalcy and stability. McCormack also discussed the city’s

commitment to increase public out-reach, maintain the level and quality of essential public services, including public safety, as well as strengthening the relationship with the chamber of commerce and business community.

The city’s main topic of discussion was an update by the director of public works on the impacts of the I-5 freeway to Florence Avenue seg-ment, scheduled to begin construc-tion in May 2014. The construction will greatly impact the traffic circula-tion and movements along Florence Avenue from approximately Roseton Avenue to Studebaker Road for the next two years.

The director reported the city is developing a website that will provide information on alternative routes through the duration of the project. He also reported the bridge will remain open during construction; however the on and off ramps will be closed at intermittent times to accom-modate the construction.

Most significantly, traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on Florence Avenue for up to nine months, with possible restrictions on left turns onto Orr & Day Road and Fairford Avenue.

At the end of the project there will be three through lanes on the Flor-ence Avenue bridge and a signalized intersection on the bridge for both the on/off ramps to the Interstate 5.

Attendees were referred to the dedicated website for the I-5 Proj-ect—www.I-5info.com or the toll free hotline: (855) 454-6335—where updates, including information on upcoming closures and construction notices are available.

See page 8 for additional informa-tion and the Whittier Daily News article.

Save the Date! 2014 Destiny Dinner‘The Sky’s the Limit’

Lyon Air Museum, Saturday, June 28All proceeds benefit the SFS Chamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund

which provides programs for the youth of Santa Fe Springs.

Santa Fe Springs Chamber CEO Kathie Fink, Santa Fe Springs Councilmember Richard Moore, Supervisor Don Knabe, Chamber President Lisa Boyajian, Ansa Insurance Services, Mayor Juanita Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem Laurie Rios, and Councilmember Jay Sarno present Supervisor Don Knabe with a thank you gift.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 2

SAnTA Fe SPRIngSCHAMbeR oF CoMMeRCe12016 E. Telegraph Rd., Suite 100

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670(562) 944-1616 • www.sfschamber.com

— eXeCUTIVe CoMMITTee —PresidentLISA boYAJIAnAnsa Insurance ServicesPresident-electCURTIS MeLLoHERAEUSVice President, Member ServicesCARoLYn ReggIoCAPC, Inc.Vice President, Youth enrichment FundJoAnne KLeMMComet Employment AgencyVice President, Public AffairsLARRY L. CLAnTonCosby Oil Company, Inc.TreasurerLIZ bUCKIngHAMFriendly Hills BankImmediate Past PresidentMIKe FoLeYCushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.

— DIReCToRS —MICHAeL b. beCHeRMiller Giangrande, LLPRAnDALL CoURTneYDDWERKS, INC./RedShirtPrinting.comSUSAn CRoWeLLHealthFirst Medical GroupJIM CUSICKShaw Diversified Services, Inc.PATRICIA KoTZeDiversified Risk Management, Inc.RICK LAnDISSanta Fe Springs Swap MeetDAnIeL J. McMILLAnStifelDAn STePAnIAnCR&R Waste & Recycling ServicesMICKeY SHUbInServ-Wel Disposal & RecyclingToM SUMMeRFIeLDCascade Pump CompanyJAMeS WILCoXRaymond Handling Solutions, Inc.JeFF WInKLeRBreitBurn EnergySHARon WURoquemore, Pringle & Moore, Inc.

— STAFF —KATHIe FInKChief Executive OfficerbRUCe beRTRAMDirector of MarketingMARICeLA CASTeLLAnoSAccountingSUe gRAnAYouth Services/Special Events CoordinatorLAURA gUIDeRAAdministrative CoordinatorCHRISTY LInDSAYMember Services/Special Events Coordinator

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

‘Building the Framework to

Business Success’

SFS Chamber Website Statistics January 2014Visits:1,568Pagesviewed:4,178Directorysearches:2,382Top five categories searched:Logistics distributionThird-party logisticsWarehousingImport and exportHotels and motelsTop five members searched:A-1 Domestic Professional Service, Inc.Oil Well Service CompanyJon Donaire DessertsMcMaster Carr Supply CompanyCareMore Health PlanHot Deal searches (member-to-memberdiscounts):151Jobsearches:82

We are living in a day and age when many companies are being acquired through mergers and acqui-sitions. Oftentimes these companies become solely numbers driven and carry little regard to building relation-ships with their employees or clients. However, this is not always the case.

It has been my honor to attend

many Santa Fe Springs business milestone anniversaries these past few years ranging from 25 to 65 years in business! As I attended each of these special, yet very diverse indus-try events, touring the facilities, and hearing the presidents and owners of these companies speak, I began to see threads of commonality.

These leaders shared their visions of their company’s successes from the top down. They created a sense of family and well being for their

employees giving them opportunity for growth and longevity within the company. Each of them found creative ways to help employees realize the importance of each and every one of their clients.

They took time to acknowledge their employees contribution to the team whether it be a financial reward or a special tribute to an employee for going the extra mile. When meeting many of the employees of these com-panies you could feel a natural pride and ownership for their personal con-tributions to their company’s success.

Fortunately, each of these compa-nies and their owners shared a com-mitment not only to their employees and their clients but to the Santa Fe Springs community at large. They have not only brought a physical footprint with them, but an ever last-ing legacy to our community as well.

The chamber is an advocate for businesses and also shares the fore-sight of the entrepreneur by offering business seminars and a diverse num-ber of events for businesses trying to market their business through net-working opportunities. The chamber welcomes prospective members to participate, witness how profession-ally events are executed and learn about the multitude of benefits that are included with membership. It is the best way to make an informed decision!

It has been a privilege to work side-by-side with many of these wonderful leaders in our business community via the chamber board and the Youth Enrichment Fund. I’d like to ap-plaud and thank all of them for their commitment and involvement with the City of Santa Fe Springs and the chamber of commerce. It is through this vision that we have such a thriving and unique community.

By

Lisa Boyajian

Ansa Insurance Services

March is Red Cross Month

Each year the president of the United States proclaims March as Red Cross Month. For over 130 years, the American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier humanitarian orga-nization dedicated to helping people in need. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides support to victims of disasters, supplies the nation’s blood, teaches lifesaving skills, provides humanitarian aid and supports military members and their families. We could not accomplish all that we do without the support of our community, volunteers and donors, our “heroes” in delivering on the Red Cross mission.

With heartfelt gratitude and appre-ciate we thank you and invite you to join us during the month of March to:•ThanktheRedCrossvolunteersinyour community that brought hope and comfort to families experiencing a fire.•Donate blood and host a blooddrive at your workplace.•TakeafirstaidandCPRclass.•Workon apreparednessplan foryour home or workplace.•BecomeaRedCrossvolunteer.•Make a financial contribution inhonor of Red Cross Month.

The American Red Cross is working in our community 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day answering the call for help. If you would like to learn more about the Red Cross and our programs, please call (562) 945-3944 or email Lupita.garza@redcross.org.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 3MEMBER PRofIlE

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www.friendlyhillsbank.com

AS YOU KNOW – THE ROAD TO SUCCESS IS ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Friendly Hills Bank – Helping Businesses Grow and Thrive…

Not Just Survive!

Tailoring solutions that truly fit your businessTimely responsiveness to help your business keep moving forwardAccessibility to decision makers of the bank

Forge a True Partnership – We’re about creating results and building relationships. Partnering with the right bank can mean a world of difference to your ultimate success. Put us to work for your business and we will do what we can to help you

achieve your business goals.

When “Too Big To Fail” becomes “Too Big To Serve You” consider Friendly Hills Bank

“At Raymond Handling Solutions, we es-tablish and maintain lifetime relationships by listening to our customers and satisfying their needs better than anyone else.”

That is the Raymond Handling Solutions mission statement and it is those tenets that have driven the dealer to success and pros-perity in the industry. Raymond Handling is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2014, a milestone that company president James Wilcox attributes in large part to the work of his associates.

“We continue to grow as a company, which is justified through our market share, but that growth would not be possible without the employees who dedicate their time and their skills to Raymond Handling Solutions,” Wilcox says.

“We continue to train and educate to develop employees to advance their skills and enhance the overall value to our cus-tomers.”

Everything that Raymond Handling does is designed to enhance the company’s value to its customers. According to Wilcox, the company’s core values are:•CustomerFocus:Thesuccessoftheor-ganization is dependent on how quickly and thoroughly we respond to our customers’ needs. Integrity and honesty are demonstrated in our dealings with customers, suppliers, and employees.•Reliabilityanddependability:Wecanbetrustedtodowhatwesaywewilldo.Competence and consistency in everything we decide to do through training and development.•Achievement/Growth:Individualandorganizationalgrowthandachievementare encouraged and recognized for their contributions to the long term success of the company.

That relentless pursuit of excellence has led the dealer to receive the Raymond Corporation’s “Dealer of Distinction” Award in 2011, 2012 and 2013, as well as its “Dealer of Merit” Award five times.

But they are not resting on their laurels. They continue to improve to ensure that the next 65 years are more successful than the first.

“Our company operates under the approach of adding value and putting the customer first; customer focus. We’ve spent significant investment and time training our employees with the customer focus approach,” says Wilcox.

“Whether it’s your internal customer or your external customer we strive to add value and optimize customer focus. Our competitive advantage is customer focus, not customer service. Also, our partner, The Raymond Corporation, continues to innovate with leading products and services creating a sustainable competitive advantage.”

Raymond Handling Solutions is headquartered at 9939 Norwalk Boulevard, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. For more information about what they can do to assist your company please contact them at (562) 944-8067 or visit their website at www.raymondhs.net.

Raymond Handling Solutions: Celebrating 65 Years of Excellence

James Wilcox, president, Raymond Handling Solutions

PhD Program: What Is It?The PhD (Prestigious Honorary

Degree) Program is a major source of funding for the youth programs which are sponsored by the Santa Fe Chamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund. The PhD program funds our Mentor Program, CHOICES program, Future Business Leaders program, and Scholarship programs.

How can you become a PhD? A PhD is a five-year commitment where an individual or business pledges $1,000 per year for five years. These generous donations from PhD’s have allowed us to offer youth programs which have had a major impact on the local students.

Congratulations and thank you to the following members of the PhD program:City of Santa Fe SpringsJohn Randall Davis, M.D.

GoldenSprings Development CompanyHealthFirstMedicalGroupHEREAUSLinda and Fred LathamMcKessonPIH HealthSanta Fe Springs Swap MeetSolaris Paper, Inc.Tangram InteriorsVotaw Precision Technologies, Inc.Dr. Raafat and Mrs. Mary Ann Mattar, in memory of their daughter Megan, honoring the possibilities of a life left too soon

The SFS Chamber/League Youth En-richment Fund invites you to become a full-fledged PhD. For more informa-tion on how to become a PhD or learn about the youth programs, please contact SueGrana at the chamberoffice at (562) 944-1616.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 4BuSINESS cARD ExchANGE

Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS Card ExCHaNgE

Hosted by

14419 Firestone boulevard, La Mirada(close to Valley View and 5 Freeway)

Wednesday, April 2 • 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.$15 members / $25 prospective members

(price includes breakfast)Featuring Serious networking,

Fun and Prizes, Too!

We Are Dedicated to networking, Are You? At Every Business Card Exchange,

You Can 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 • SFS Chamber Member Can Win a Chance to Win their Logo on the SFS WebsiteWe recommend registering with your credit card

online by visiting our website: www.sfschamber.com

All prepaid attendees are guaranteed a spot at the event and will also receive express check-in

and a personalized name badge

Café n’ Stuff, Santa Fe Springs Library Offer Nourishment for Body and Mind

The Santa Fe Springs City Library was delighted to host the Santa Fe Springs Chamber business card exchange on April 4. The event was co-hosted by Café n’ Stuff of Downey.

As always, Café n’ Stuff presented a beautiful and delicious breakfast buffet. The chamber regularly uses Café n’ Stuff and is never disappointed. Café n’ Stuff Restaurant & Catering is co-owned by 30-year food service veteran Ebie GhaneianandMattNasserian,andisrunbythefamiliarRitaDeBenedictis.

They have a café in Downey across the street from Stonewood Mall. The café is a perfect spot to host private parties, rehearsal dinners, meetings, etc. They also do full service catering and can assist you with planning your entire event, from beginning to end. Café n’ Stuff specializes in weddings, quinceaneras, themed parties, and corporate events.

The event was well attended with many first-timers. The Library is the perfect venue for a Business Card Exchange. It is in a central location, large enough to fit a crowd, and it has such a welcoming atmosphere.

But more importantly the Santa Fe Springs Library was able to spread the word about all the valuable resources they have that benefit our business community. The library is very excited to offer e-books for library card holders to download onto their Nooks or iPads. Perhaps you would like to try out an e-reader before you buy one. If so, you’re in luck; the library has preloaded Nooks for you to check out!

One of the most useful tools available is 24/7 access to many full text databases, including Reference USA, which is a business directory that includes emails! The Library provides books on CD (for that commute), DVD’s, magazines, cultural programs, and of course lots of great books are all available for free with your library card.

The Library happily dispelled the myth that you have to live in Santa Fe Springs to use the library by signing up many of the Business Card Exchange attendees to be new library users on the spot. They welcome our business community and offer them the same access to materials as they do the residents. So please visit them online at www.sfslibrary.org or in person.

They are located in the Santa Fe Springs City Hall Plaza or you can call (562) 868-7738 for more information. They urge businesspeople and residents to take advantage of all they have to offer!

It was another full house at the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce February Business Card Exchange breakfast at the Santa Fe Springs Library.

Santa Fe Springs Library and Café N’ Stuff Host February Business Card Exchange

Ambassador Co-chairperson Carolyn Reggio (right) presented certificates of appreciation to Santa Fe Springs Librarian Hillary Keith, Santa Fe Springs Councilman Jay Sarno, and Matt Nasserian, co-owner of Café n’ Stuff, for co-hosting the February Business Card Exchange at the Santa Fe Springs Library. Café n’ Stuff provided the delicious breakfast.

New Santa Fe Springs Chamber member John Casillas, Farmers & Merchants Bank, thoroughly enjoyed networking with Nick Choi of Pure Water Technology/Pure Brew.

Gail Stier, Easter Seals Southern California, and Cody Farzad, Diversified Risk Management, Inc., paused a moment from networking at the February Business Card Exchange.

New chamber members Leslie Rowe, Executive Fire Protection, Inc., and Amit Baranwal, Noble House, Inc., meet for the first time at February’s BCX breakfast.

2013-14 Santa Fe Springs Princess Alicia Estrada attended February’s Business Card Exchange breakfast.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 5NETWoRKING @ NooN

Bruce’sPrime Rib& Spirits

12623 Imperial Highway Santa Fe Springs

(corner of Bloomfield and Imperial)

Thursday, March 20 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Pre-registration / members: $12Pre-registration / guests: $17

Day of the event: $17IncludesLunchBuffet,Beverage,Tax and Tip

Introductions,Business-to-BusinessNetworking,andaDeliciousLunch!

Prospectivemembersarewelcometo attend a maximumoftwoNetworking@Noonlunches.

Registeronlineanytimebyvisitingourwebsite:www.sfschamber.com

SantaFeSpringsChamberofCommerce(562)944-1616/Fax(562)946-3976Email:grana@sfschamber.com

Restaurant manager Arnak Punlertpathanakon of Shakey’s Pizza Parlor and his staff did their usual wonderful job hosting the Santa Fe Springs Cham-ber of Commerce Networking @ Noon event in February.

Attendees networked and enjoyed a delicious buf-fet lunch at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, located at 11530

Washington Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90606.Networking @ Noon is an informal event that

encourages networking and new connections while enjoying lunch at a different chamber member’s restaurant each month.

Networking @ Noon is held on the third Thursday of the each month, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Shakey’s Pizza Parlor Hosts February Networking @ Noon

Networking @ Noon participants enjoy “Bunch O’ Lunch” at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor.

Shakey’s manager Arnak

Punlertpathanakon provided a great lunch

for Networking @ Noon attendees.

The Santa Fe Springs Chamber O’ Commerce Invites You to Attend the

St. Patrick’s Day Evening Mixerat Maggie’s Pub

11900 Telegraph Road, Santa Fe SpringsWednesday, March 12

Join us anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.Festivities include Complimentary Irish Buffet,

Special Drink Pricing for Irish Beer, Irish Whiskey, and, of course… Green Beer!For more information or to register, go online at sfschamber.com

or contact Christy Lindsay at (562) 944-1616

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 6MEMBER NEWS

Local Visibility Consultants and SFS Chamber Reach AgreementLocal Visibility Consultants and the Santa Fe

Springs Chamber of Commerce have reached agree-menttomanagethechamber’sGoogle+account,maximize the integration of the chamber and its membersonGoogleCircles,developwiththecham-berasystemforcrosspollinatingGooglereviewsbetween all of the chamber members and between the members and the chamber, make available to qualifying chamber members free webinar trainings onhowtomaximizetheirGoogle+pages,andpro-videforinteractiveQ&AwithinGoogle+postings.

The goal is to help the chamber and its active members achieve a “five-star reputation” and effec-tive visibility online at no cost.

The problem: Most businesses trying to get more customers primarily worry about getting listed on

pageoneofGooglesotheycouldbefoundbytheirprospective customers. In 2014 they also have to be worried about having a good online reputation by showing up online with enough good reviews to earn a “five-star reputation”.

Cause of the problem: There used to be a time when if you didn’t know the best place to buy some-thing you could call a relative, friend or neighbor to get great shopping advice. These days with so many online options where to buy what you want, how do you know whom you can trust?

The popular alternative to getting advice from people you know is to find online reviews, even if they are written by people you most probably don’t know at all. Surveys by Nielsen Ratings have shown that over 70 percent trust consumer opinions and

reviews posted online by strangers. The solutions: Local Visibility Consultants will:

• provide chamber members with a no-costanalysis summary of their online reputations de-scribing what people online think of them and their products. This summary is now available for qualifying chamber members at no charge ($297 value) at www.LocalVisibilityConsultants.com. •teachchambermembershowtousethecham-ber’sGoogle+ account to get rankedhigher ontheGoogle+searchengineresultspagesmakingiteasier for potential customers to find them online.•makeavailabletothechamberanexclusiveonlinetraining course and exam for qualified chamber members focused on how to get more good reviews from their customers and clients.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 7YouTh ENRIchMENT fuND

Pioneer High SchoolPioneer’s “Food Truck Tuesdays”

are back! The food trucks are on the corner of Pioneer and Washington Blvds from 5:00 to 9:00pm. My De-light Cupcakery, Main Lobster Truck and the White Rabbit Truck are just some of the many trucks which will be participating. Visit www.wuhsd.org/phs or call (562) 698-8121, ext. 5010 for a schedule of trucks.

Santa Fe High SchoolSanta Fe High School has been se-

lected as an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) National Demonstration School, a kindergar-ten through postsecondary system that has turned thousands of under-performing students into confident, college-going scholars and graduates.

The school, which joins approxi-mately 140 other AVID National Demonstration Schools, was selected through an application process, screening and review that included a site visit.

Kevin Jamero, Santa Fe’s principal, is pleased that the school was chosen as an AVID National Demonstration School, noting the impact of the pro-gram on staff and students.

“It is a tremendous honor to be se-lected as a Demo, and we are proud of our AVID program and our school as a whole,” said Kevin Jamero.

“The use of AVID strategies school-wide has positively impacted students and staff, and we continue to see a more engaged and college-ready stu-dent body.”

What’s happening in our schools...

Future Business Leaders showing off their knots—presidents Brandon Kreig (left) and Adrian Vazquez (right) award Alex Chuoy first place with a tie of his choice!

‘Ties to Success’Have you tried to knot a tie, only to

end up with a mess? To prevent this from happening to students in the Business Academy at Santa Fe High School, the Future Business Leaders decided to present a “How to Tie a Tie” assembly and contest.

Thanks to the Santa Fe Springs Chamber’s board of directors, who donated their gently worn ties. Over 60 ties were collected for the event.

Students who attended were taught the half windsor and full windsor knots. Boys and girls had fun prac-ticing the different knots. The event ended with a contest for the best knot.

Santa Fe High Future Business Leaders show off their ties.

We want to change the “Destiny” of a high school senior. Could that student be your child?

Every year the SFS Chamber/League Youth Enrichment Fund offers two college scholarships to residents of Santa Fe Springs. This year we will celebrate our 19th year of contribut-ing to the success of a local students

educational dreams.The Destiny Scholarship is for a

high school student who will be attending a four-year university in the fall. The scholarship committee, which is made up of local business people, selects the recipient based on the students goals, school activities, civic involvment, grades and chari-

table participation.The PowellGrant, is offered to a

high school, college or trade school student attending a two- or four-year program in the fall and is pursuing a future in the arts. Candidates for this scholarship must submit a portfolio of their work.

Along with financial assistance, these scholarships provide mentoring and accountability during the college

years. The students meet with the committee several times a year where they receive guidance and encourage-ment which leads to friendships and mentoring into their careers.

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 21. Applications can be obtained at the Santa Fe Springs Chamber office, local high schools andcityoffices.PleasecallSueGranaat (562) 944-1616 with any questions.

Does Your Child Need Help for College?

Donate Your Truck, RV or boat to the

Santa Fe Springs Chamber/League

Youth Enrichment FundYou can donate your car, running or not, to Cars4Causes. Tell them you

want the proceeds to go to the Santa Fe Springs Chamber/League Youth

Enrichment Fund. We benefit from the donation and you get a tax deduction.

1-800-766-CARE(1-800-766-2273)

www.cars4causes.net

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 8chAMBER NEWS

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By Mike Sprague,Whittier Daily News

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe Wednesday announced plans to spend $45 million on renovating or building new libraries in his dis-trict, including the Los Nietos Library, 11644 Slauson Avenue, Whittier.

Knabe, who will be termed out of office in December 2016, said he’s trying to accomplish his “own little bucket list.”

His comments were made to about 131 people during his State of the County address at Town Center Hall, which was hosted by the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce.

“One of the things I want to do over the next three years is spend $45 mil-lion upgrading libraries throughout the Fourth District,” Knabe said.

Knabe said although more and more people are reading books on Kindles and other devices, libraries are still important.

“In the last three years, the library has seen more than eight million

people pass through their doors and more than nine million books and vid-eos have been checked out,” he said.

Margaret Donnellan Todd, the county librarian in a telephone in-terview after the speech, said it’s uncertain what will be done at the Los Nietos Library. It shares space in the same building with the county Community and Senior services de-partment.

“I’ve been talking with their de-partment heads and we’re discussing whether we do a major renovation,” Todd said.

The Los Nietos Library is 4,331 square feet and one of the smaller county libraries, Todd said. It opened in 1979, and not much has been done to update it since then, she said.

The library is well used, Todd said.“A lot of people who use that library

walk from the residential area or they come from the schools,” she said. A decision which other libraries will be chosen have yet to be made, she added.

“He’s either going to, in some instances, build a new library or go in and do major renovations,” Todd said. “He wants to make a significant improvement. He doesn’t just want to put in new carpeting or paint the wall.”

The goal will be to spend the money by the end of Knabe’s term, she said.Knabe’s Fourth district has 20 libraries in it. Cheryl Burnett, spokeswoman for Knabe, said six to eight libraries are likely to be chosen for renovation or new facilities. Todd said she has given Knabe an assessment on all of the libraries and he will decide which ones need improvement.

—Whittier Daily News, February 13, 2014

State of the County: Supervisor Don Knabe to Spend $45 Million on Libraries

County Supervisor Don Knabe at the recent State of the County address in Santa Fe Springs.

Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce

Human Resources ForumTopic: Hiring

Presented by Paul FleckAtkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & RomoTuesday, March 25 • 11:45 am to 1:00 pm

Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center9255 Pioneer Blvd., Santa Fe Springs

Special thanks to Advantage Staffing for sponsoring lunch at this free, monthly, members-only roundtable meeting.

Register online at sfschamber.com or call (562) 944-1616.

remember, Buy from Chamber Members!

The following companies recently renewed their memberships. We salute these busi-nesses and thank them for their continued support. Members listed in boldface type donated to the Youth Enrichment Fund.

Member YearsLKQ of Southern California 57International Paper 53Cascade Pump Company 49Southern California Edison Company 47TeCT - Santa Fe Springs 46Candlewood Country Club 45Master Cutting & engineering, Inc. 45McMaster Carr Supply Co. 45The Whittier Daily News 45Atlas Radiator, Inc. 42Daniels Tire Service 42orbit event Rentals 41Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet 41Serv-Wel Disposal & Recycling 41Unified Western grocers, Inc. 41Rosemead oil Products, Inc. 38Santa Fe Springs Women’s Club 35Cosby oil Company, Inc. 32Rev-Co Spring Manufacturing, Inc. 31Phibro-Tech, Inc. 30Crainco, Inc. 21Tri-Cities ROP at Pioneer High School 21Cerritos College 19Turnkey Industrial Pipe & Supply, Inc. 19bewley Lassleben & Miller, LLP 16Super Dyeing, LLC 15Rio Hondo Symphony 14St. Pius X School 14Integrated office Technology dba IoTeC 13Ansa Insurance Services 12Sonic Plating Co., Inc. 12South Coast Computers 12Wells Fargo Bank - Santa Fe Springs 11b3W Inc. 10T A Industries, Inc. 10AAg Metal Industries 8Advantage Staffing 8Westmont Industries 8bergsen, Inc. 7Dewey Pest Control 7Friendly Hills bank - Santa Fe Springs 7galleher Corporation 6KidZone Christian Preschool 6NTMA Training Centers of Southern California 6THInK Together 6Hilton garden Inn Montebello 5Ross organic Specialty Sales 5Lincoln Training Center 4Ink Systems, Inc. 3Pacific Palms Resort 3The Promo Guy 3CTRA Industrial Machine, Inc. 2everybusiness HR essentials 2Spectrum Lighting 2Aerotek 1Interfaith Food Center 1

Let the Chamber Office Depot Program Help You Pay for Your Chamber Membership!

As a benefit of membership, cham-ber members can receive significant savings of up to 60 percent off a list of 400 commonly purchased items by businesses and up to 70 percent off your copy and print needs. Most other items are discounted at least five per-cent over everyday low price. In ad-dition to your special pricing you can receive fast and free delivery orders of $50 or more on qualifying orders when placed by 5:00 p.m. Join the chamber Office Depot Program today and remember the savings may cover the cost of your membership dues. Two ways to sign up visit our website www.sfschamber.com and click on the Office Depot link or at www.saveatof-ficedepot.com/sfschamber.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 9NEW MEMBERS

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FASONE CONSTRUCTIONJeanette Fasone, president9820 Jersey AvenueSanta Fe Springs 90670(562) 948-3349www.fasonegbc.comDesign-build and tenant improvement construction services. Fasone Construc-tion is a self-performing general contractor, specializing in large renovation projects for government agencies and the food and beverage industry. In-house services include drafting and design, framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, structural and architectural concrete, and architectural millwork.

GEORGE’s TREE TRIMMINGThomas Cox, owner10919 Downey AvenueDowney 90241(562) 923-8911www.georgestreetrimming.com“EVERYTHING INTREES”—trimming, top-ping, removals, lacing, pruning, stump and root removal, tree planting, palm trees trimmed, arborist service, general cleanup and hauling debris. JOHN M. MORA, D.C.John M. Mora, chiropractor13140 Telegraph Road, Suite #A5Santa Fe Springs 90670(562) 360-5466www.JohnMoraDC.comChiropractic care, DOT physical exams, sports physicals, auto and sports injury care, and weight-loss program consultation.

WEALTH STREET JOURNEYSherry Zhao, luxury consultant2601 E. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 307Long Beach 90803(818) 312-8622www.ferisherry.comLuxury designer goods, including FERI designer hand-bags, sunglasses, 21k diamond jewelry and POSH by FERI custom fashion jewelry.

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 10SEcuRITY AND SAfETY

SantaFeSpringsCrimeStatisticsPartICrimesMonthlyComparison

January 2014 2013Crimes reported 2014 totals totals difference

Total 109 109 117 –7%Homicide 0 0 0 — %Rape 0 0 0 —%Robbery 7 7 1 +100%AggravatedAssault 1 1 3 –67%Burglary 12 12 15 –20% Commercial/Retail 10 10 13 –23% Residential 2 2 2 —% Vehicle 13 13 18 –28%AllThefts 74 74 80 –8% Vehicle 20 20 23 –13% Shoplifting 18 18 8 +100%AutoTheft 15 15 18 –17%Arson 0 0 0 — %

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Getting Pulled OverBy Captain Aviv Bar

Red lights, flashing strobes, and a siren are directly behind you. You are getting pulled over by a police officer. Your anxiety level increases, your heart is beating fast, your breathing is elevating, you are breaking a sweat. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that even veteran police officers get when they observe the same while off duty.Gettingpulledoverbyapolice

officer can be a stressful experience, which is why I wanted to dedicate this month’s article to help you feel more comfortable and prepared should you have contact with a Whittier police officer on the road.

Safety is our concern. Don’t be offended. Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Scores of police of-ficers are killed each year, and hundreds more are injured and assaulted. For these reasons, police officers tend to be extremely cautious.

Although training and procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may at times seem standoffish to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with them. Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he or she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury.

As soon as you notice emergency lights behind you, you should safely pull your vehicle over to a safe area and stop. Although you might not know the reason for the stop, you should pull over right away. You should remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches. The officer does not know if you are a business owner, a mom taking kids to school, or an armed and wanted criminal. Staying in your vehicle keeps you and the officer safe.

Many officers who were killed or injured, were assaulted during the approach toward a stopped vehicle. Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel where the approaching officer can see them. Officers are trained to observe hands for their safety. An empty hand that can be seen is one that is not holding a weapon.

When a police officer contacts you, you should expect a courteous and polite officer that will give you the reason for the traffic stop. When asked, provide your license, registration and proof of insurance to the officer. The law requires a driver to turn over this information upon request by a uniformed officer or an officer in plain clothes who displays proper identification.

You may be asked additional questions by the officer if the traffic stop relates to a possible crime or a call for service. Answering all questions honestly will develop a good rapport with the officer and will expedite the traffic stop, al-lowing you to continue with your day.

If you are issued a traffic citation, you will be asked to provide a signature. The signature is not an admission of guilt, but merely your promise to appear in court. If a driver refuses to sign the citation, the law requires that they be ar-rested and brought before a judge by the police. You should save any arguments about the violation for court, where a judge will hear both sides of the story.

Police officers are trained to keep our community safe and enhance the qual-ity of life for us all. In effecting a traffic stop, the officer is doing his or her part to make our roads and our community a safer place.

Aviv Bar is a captain with the Whittier Police Department and oversees the department’s investigations division and Santa Fe Springs Policing Team. He can be reached at (562) 567-9265 or via email at abar@cityofwhittier.org.

Does your company need CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN for products manufactured in the United States?

Contact Laura Guidera at the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce, (562) 944-1616, ext. 103,

or email guidera@sfschamber.com

Santa Fe Springs BUSINESS • March 2014 • Page 11huMAN RESouRcES foRuM

New California Law Expands the Definition of Sexual HarassmentBy Amber Solano, Esq. and Paul M. Huston, Esq., Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Under a new California law, employees are no longer required to show sexual harassment was motivated by “sexual desire” in order to establish a claim of sexual harassment in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”). The bill, sponsored by Ellen Corbett (D), comes in response to a recent California appellate decision, finding sexual harassment did not occur where the conduct was not motivated by sexual desire. S.B. 292, effective Janu-ary 1, 2014, amends the FEHA to specifically provide that sexual desire need not be shown to establish a claim of sexual harassment.Background

The bill is the California legislature’s response to the holding in Kelley v. Conco Companies (2011) 196 Cal. App. 4th 191. In Kelley, a male union apprentice ironworker worked for Conco on a jobsite in Emeryville, California. Kelley had trouble with his jobsite supervisor, David Seaman, from the outset. Seaman did not approve of how Kelley was doing his job and made numerous graphic and obscene statements regarding the sexual acts he was going to perform on Kelley. Kelley complained to Seaman’s supervisor, and was relocated to other jobsites. At the other jobsites, Kelley was subjected to further insults and taunting from coworkers for being a “snitch” and a “narc.” Conco eventually suspended Kel-ley for not attending mandatory apprentice classes and later terminated Kelley’s employment.

Kelley filed a lawsuit against Seaman and Conco for (1) sex discrimination and sexual harassment in violation of the FEHA; (2) retaliation; (3) termination in violation of public policy; (4) failure to prevent discrimination; (5) intentional infliction of emotional distress; and (6) negligent infliction of emotional distress. Conco moved to dismiss Kelley’s sexual harassment claim based on the argument that Seaman’s comments were Seaman’s way of insulting someone, and were not based on Kelley’s sex.

Kelley argued that regardless of Seaman’s intent or sexual desire, he had been subjected to harassment that was unde-niably sexual in nature. The court relied on California case law and concluded that, “courts have routinely insisted on evidence that an alleged harasser was acting from genuine sexual interest before holding that the fact of a sexual propo-sition supported an inference of discrimination because of sex.” The court found that Kelley could not make such a showing, and that his case for sexual harassment therefore failed. Kelley’s claims were dismissed, and Conco triumphed on summary judgment.The New Law

In response to Kelley, the California Legislature proposed

and passed S.B. 292 amending the FEHA to read as follows: For purposes of this subdivision, “harassment” because of sex includes sexual

harassment, gender harassment, and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Sexually harassing conduct need not be motivated by sexual desire.Gov’tCode§12940(j)(4)(C)(emphasisadded).What This Means

S.B. 292 expands the definition of sexual harassment and the type of behavior that will subject an employer to liability. Instead of sexual harassment being limited to cases where there is evidence of an actual desire to engage in sexual conduct with the victim, supervisors and employers will now be at risk of li-ability when the conduct is simply sexual in nature. Joking or taunting someone in a way that is related to gender or sexual acts is now even more dangerous territory. This will especially have an impact in same-sex harassment cases, like Kelley, where sexual desire may not be easily presumed. The bottom line is that “sexual harassment” will now expand employee conduct that is prohibited by the FEHA.

For more information on this and other issues, please visit our website at www.aalrr.com.

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After various legal challenges regarding housing conditions in California state prisons, the Supreme Court mandated that the State reduce prison population from144,000to110,000inmates.GovernorBrownapprovedthePublicSafetyRealignment Act (also known as AB109) and it became effective October 1, 2011.

The realignment created post-release community supervision for those released from state prison and allowed the end of such supervision after 12 consecutive months with no violations resulting in jail time. It also mandated a three-year discharge from probation. In addition, hundreds of felonies that would have landed offenders in state prison were redefined to allow incarcera-tion in county jail.

Realignment also created the concept of split sentencing, allowing judges to reduce jail stays by splitting sentences between incarceration and county super-vision by the Probation Department. The realignment shifted custody responsi-bilities from the State of California to county jails, for most felonies and parole violations. It also shifted parole revocation process to the local court system.

Between 2011 and 2013, the movement of inmates from state prisons to already crowded county jails, resulted in the early release of 18,392 inmates labeled “Post-Supervised Persons” back into the community. Currently, there are 30 post-supervised persons in Santa Fe Springs.

An examination of the first two years of the realignment showed varying rates of re-offending and probation revocations of post-supervised persons. Accord-ing to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, during the first two years of realignment 7,600 new criminal cases were filed on post-supervised persons.

In December 2013, the Public Policy Institute of California concluded in a study that the rise in property crimes in California can be tied to the implemen-tation of realignment, specifically motor vehicle thefts, larceny and burglary. Although Santa Fe Springs did not exhibit an increase in property crimes in 2013, the community is still susceptible to the realignment impacts mentioned above.

Another impact of realignment has been a 25% increase in the county jail inmate population. As a result of county jail overcrowding, misdemeanor of-fenders only serve approximately 15 percent of their actual jail sentence.

The State of California provided $27.5 million in funding to law enforcement for the purpose of supervising thousands of early released post-supervised persons. With the county receiving the bulk of the funding, cities like Whittier, which polices Whittier and Santa Fe Springs, received only $80,000 for this significant task.

By pooling funds, the Los Angeles County chiefs of police created regional police taskforces, whose primary responsibility is to assist the Los Angeles County Probation Department with compliance checks, home visits, and war-rant service. These task forces work closely with local officers and detectives to enhance safety in the community.

Realignment has presented a number of challenges for law enforcement and the community. The release of thousands of convicted felons, the early release from county jail due to overcrowding, limited supervision of post-supervised persons, and the additional strain on an already busy court system that recently closed a number of courthouses, means that it is harder now than ever before to place criminal offenders in jail or prison, and remove them on a long-term basis from a problem neighborhood or location.

Law enforcement is only one part of the criminal justice system and a criminal arrest only marks an initial step in solving problems in the community. Often times residents cheer when police arrest a crime suspect, only to see the person return to the community a short time later, serving little to no time in jail. This phenomena frustrates police officers as it does the community.

Nevertheless, the Whittier Police Department remains committed and contin-ues to be vigilant in working with the realignment taskforce, District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, and other partner law enforcement agencies to make the most significant impact on crime in the community.

Impacts of Parolee Realignment on Our Community

Free Tax Preparation Offered at Rio Hondo College

Rio Hondo College students certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax preparers will provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals and families. The service is made possible through a partnership between Rio Hondo, the IRS, and its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The service will be available through April 11, Fridays only, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Business building B118. VITA will be closed on March 28. Appointments are recommended and can be made through the Rio Hondo College Business Division office (562) 463-7359.

“Many families opt to do their own tax preparation because professional pre-parers simply may charge too much,” said Rio Hondo College Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss. “They could be missing out on their full refunds because they are not acquainted with ever-changing tax laws. With VITA, these families will be working with someone who knows the laws and will get them the best refund possible.”

Individuals and families qualify when their annual earned income is $51,000 or less. Volunteers will prepare: Form 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ; standard and itemized deductions; earned income tax credit; Schedule A, B, C-EZ. They will not prepare: Form 1040NR, Schedule C, D, E, F, and SE, Married filing separately, rental property, or farm income.

The eight- to 10-student volunteers became IRS certified through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance class offered at the College last fall. The tax preparation service serves as the class lab.