Appreciating Perspective with Mayor Furey |
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If you asked him at the beginning of his career: “Do you see yourself running for elected office?” Mayor Patrick Furey would have answered: no. He expressed it was not a goal from when he started as a police officer. In describing his career path, Mayor Furey termed it as winding, from a police officer, to newspaper reporter, to paralegal, to prosecutor, to commissioner, to city counsel, and eventually elected official. “It is interesting,” Mayor Furey began when asked about his inspiration for this career. “I was encouraged by other city council members [to run for office] and, of course, had the support of my wife [Terry].”
Mayor Furey cites his best accomplishment as the creation of the Social Services Commission, launched in 2017. This Commission addresses issues concerning the City's veterans, homeless population, adults with developmental disabilities and children with special needs. As with many other meetings, the Commission was put on hold due to the pandemic but reconvened hearings virtually last month and looks forward to more progress, especially with the recent grant from LA County. Read article online here.
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Maximizing Your Membership with the Chamber |
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Chamber membership is affordable, valuable, and essential to your business but are you getting enough return on investment? With all the numerous benefits of membership it's likely you aren't aware of everything the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce can offer you and your business/ organization. We invite you to attend Chamber 101: Maximizing Your Membership.
The chamber has become a hub of information and resources for local business owners. Sharing business relevant news and lending support are just some of the member benefits we want to share with you. Hear a warm welcome from Chairwoman elect Serena Josel; Assistant Director, Public Affairs & Integrated Brand Communication, Kaiser Permanente. Serena will share some of the experiences she has had with the chamber. Learn from Donna Duperron, CEO/President of TACC how the Chamber functions and what its goals are. Donna will speak about networking and promotional opportunities and find out how you can get involved in the community. Discover cost savings programs that can impact your bottom line, as Daily Breeze and Office Depot explain exclusive offers for chamber members. Read more online here.
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Virtual Community Coffee with Assemblymember Muratsuchi |
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Please join Assemblymember Muratsuchi on Wednesday, October 21st at 6:00PM for a Virtual Community Coffee for the Torrance community. Assemblymember Muratsuchi will provide a legislative update on what he’s working on in Sacramento and how it impacts the Torrance community. Assemblymember Muratsuchi also wants to hear from you and will dedicate the majority of the event to a question and answer session with attendees. Please take advantage of this opportunity to speak directly with your elected representative. RSVP here
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New California Employment Laws Effective Now and Coming January 1, 2021 |
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It’s mid-October, which means the leaves are turning red and orange, pumpkin spice treats are plentiful, everyone's looking longingly at their sweaters — and new employment laws are here!
September 30, 2020, was the last day of this year’s legislative session, which ended with California Governor Gavin Newsom signing a flurry of bills — and vetoing a few as well.
This issue of HRCalifornia Extra summarizes new laws in the following areas:
- COVID-19: Workers’ Compensation, Paid Sick Leave and Workplace Safety.
- Leaves of Absence.
- Worker Classification.
- Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Protections.
- Privacy.
- Wage and Hour.
Unless otherwise stated, the new laws take effect January 1, 2021. Read more here.
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Chamber’s ‘Women in Business’ program announces Canned Food Drive
by Charlene Nishimura
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In the midst of a pandemic which has exacerbated food insecurity among so many families and their children, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce's ‘Women in Business’ program wanted to help in a tangible way. Therefore, they are partnering with the Volunteer Center's Food For Kids program for what is hoped will be an annual food drive to kick off the holidays! Here is what you can do -- shop for a few extra non-perishable items (list below) and do a quick and safe drop-off to help restock the shelves of the Volunteer Center which serves families in the South Bay, Harbor, and Long Beach areas. The drive-by drop-off will be on Thursday, October 29, 2020, from 3:30pm until 6:00pm, at the Volunteer Center's parking area, located at 1230 Cravens in Downtown Torrance.
Sara Myers is President/CEO of the Volunteer Center South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach and said, "The harsh realities of the COVID pandemic caused so many more families to need our Volunteer Center's Food For Kids program. While we would normally have taken a break during the summer to restock our pantry, over the past six months, we worked creatively with incredible volunteers, our partner schools and community peers like Harbor Interfaith Shelter and Pediatric Therapy Network to quickly pivot and delivered more than 50,000 meals to children and families." Read article online here.
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Small Businesses Say Economy is Their Top Election Issue |
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Small businesses remain concerned about the strength of the economy and it is clearly their top election issue according to the latest MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Coronavirus Impact Poll.
The current Small Business Index score is 50.3 (an increase from 39.5 in Q2). However, this is still substantially below findings before the pandemic: the Index score was 71.7 in Q1 of 2020, based on data collected before the full economic impact of the coronavirus became apparent.
The survey found that small business owners still view the economy as largely negative, but their views have improved somewhat from midsummer. Most (78%) small business owners categorized the economy as “average”, “somewhat poor” or “very poor” in August (up 8 points from July). This most recent report marks a significant (40 point) shift from January 2020, when 38% said the same. At the same time, views of their local economic outlook have been relatively consistent since April. Read more here
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CCPA Enforcement – Did you get a CCPA Notice of Violation from the Attorney General? |
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Did you receive a California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Violation notice from the Attorney General? If so, you are among the first recipients of enforcement notices about California’s new privacy law. And because this law has never been enforced before, notices like the one you received are the first of their kind. As a business owner at the forefront of this, you’re in a unique position to help other businesses predict and comply with CCPA. If you are willing to answer just five questions in this one minute survey, you can help California business owners just like you understand, predict, and prepare for these new enforcement actions. We will not ask you for any identifying information, and your answers to just five basic questions about the CCPA notice of violation will go a long way to helping California businesses predict what’s coming around the next corner. Read more here.
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California Vote by Mail in Safe Hands; Remember to Exercise Your Right to Vote |
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Democracy’s most sacred right, voting, is already underway in California with all 21 million registered voters having received a mail-in ballot. While voting by mail may have stirred controversy on a national level, here in California, we have grown comfortable with making our decisions around the kitchen table, marking our choices on candidates at the local, state and federal levels, as well dozens of ballot measures. In 2018, 65% of California ballots were cast early or by mail and more than 70% of Californians are registered as permanent absentee voters. Read more here.
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Grant Deadline Extended: Apply Today Before Midnight! |
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The LACDA has launched the Small Business Revitalization Grant Program targeted to the following businesses listed below that must be located in LA County but outside of City of Los Angeles. Businesses in the City of Los Angeles are not eligible. Grants are $30,000. This program has been extended to today Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:59 PM Learn more here.
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Visit California Offers Travel Code for Responsible/Respectful Travelers |
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As some Californians choose to venture cautiously outside amid closures and restrictions due to COVID-19, travel patterns have shifted and highlight the need for visitors to show respect toward local communities.
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Click On The Event To Register
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25 Years
5 Years
...Thank You!
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Office Depot Rewards Program
As a member of Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, you are entitled to savings at Office Depot store. Discounts vary on items and services, but they do add up and you can save a significant amount annually on 175 most frequently needed items. Just another benefit of the membership! To enjoy this, Contact Us Here.
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