Harbor Regional Center Vaccinates Individuals with Development Disabilities |
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Today’s Out and About column is special as it highlights a long-time member of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as a vital nonprofit in our community, Harbor Regional Center. Harbor Regional Center is one of 21 such centers in California under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. They began providing services in 1973. Today they serve nearly 15,000 people with disabilities, and their families, who reside in the South Bay, Harbor, Long Beach, and southeast areas of Los Angeles County.
Patricia Del Monico, executive director, Harbor Regional Center recently invited me to attend the Center as they were providing Coronavirus vaccinations. In all, 200 individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers, and direct health care providers received the vaccine on March 25th in partnership with Anchor/Oxford Health Clinic.
While at the Center, I had the opportunity to speak to individuals who received the vaccination. All of whom I spoke to expressed their happiness and how thankful they were to have received it. Read online.
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Torrance Chamber Opposed SB95 Returns Supplemental Paid Covid-19 Sick Leave |
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On March 19, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 95, bringing back California’s COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave. CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, CalChamber Policy Advocate Ashley Hoffman, and Benjamin Ebbink, partner at Fisher Phillips law firm, discuss California’s new COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave requirement (SB 95) in The Workplace Podcast.. Listen to podcast.
Most employers already are familiar with complying with some of the requirements of SB 95, whether it is because of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), AB 1867 (California’s previous COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law) or local ordinances that imposed supplemental paid sick leave requirements, Ebbink tells podcast listeners. Still, SB 95 is a new mandate with its own specific provisions. Read more.
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The California Chamber of Commerce has released its annual job killer list, which includes 18 bills that would place California employers and the state’s economy in harm’s way should they become law. Of particular concern, according to CalChamber, are proposed labor and employment mandates which would hit small business employers especially hard as they attempt to recover from losses experienced due to pandemic-related shutdowns. Read more.
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Return to Work Safety, Health and Personnel Issues
by Karl A. Schmidt
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As the pandemic appears to be subsiding many employers anticipate return to more normal operations and staffing. However, the occupational health and safety landscape is not returning to normal any time soon, if ever. It continues to challenge employers with an ever evolving kaleidoscope of overlapping guidance, regulations and statutes issuing from federal, state and local levels of executive, legislative, regulatory and health agency authorities. If not a “perfect storm” for employers, this legal circumstance is certainly one of heavy winds and high seas, adding the burdens of new compliance hazards to the other challenges of business regeneration. Read more.
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Leadership Torrance is a program, founded in 1983, that focuses on developing effective leaders from across the South Bay. Sponsored by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Torrance provides opportunities for emerging leaders to take an active role towards building a stronger community. The mission of the Leadership Torrance program is to develop effective leaders by encouraging community connections through partnerships with City officials and local businesses.
For the next several months, this column will feature graduates of the program and highlight the positive growth of these individuals.
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Dan Vogelzang, LUTCF®, CEPA®
President and Owner
M Advisory Group
LT Class of 2003
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Where were you in your career right before joining Leadership Torrance? I had joined Cal-Surance Benefit Plans (dba M Advisory Group) in 1995, who has been a TACC member since 1967. When I went through Leadership Torrance in 2003 I had just become a Vice President of the Company in 2002. I had been fairly integrated into the Torrance and South Bay community through my then mentor and soon to be partner, Don Mehlig, and as well, I was a TACC Board Member from 2000-2003. Then, in 2003, I become an Executive Board member through 2006. My career was on a successful track but not where I wanted it at that stage in my life, with 2 children aged 5 and 3. As a result I embraced LT and was exposed to a completely different and new world of corporate and community leaders, that spring boarded my career. Read More.
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Keep our Shops on the Block: Personal Care & Retail Recovery $10,000 Grant |
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The LA Regional COVID Fund will be disseminating $4.7 million in financial relief through the new Keep Our Shops on the Block Grant, a $10,000 grant for small brick-and-mortar businesses in the personal care and retail sectors.
Eligible businesses include: hair and beauty salons, nail salons, esthetic, skin care, electrology, barbershops, shoe repair shops, dry cleaners, automotive or appliance repair, flower shops, party supply stores, bookstores, apparel stores, bakeries, donut shops, community grocery stores/markets and variety discount stores.
Eligible businesses can apply for the $10,000 grant from Monday, April 5th through Sunday, April 11th. To learn more about eligibility requirements and to apply, visit lacovidfund.org
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LAST 2021 Deadline Approaching for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program |
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The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is a FREE program for qualified small business owners who are interested in growing their businesses and adding jobs to their communities. This practical 3-month long ONLINE program examines business fundamentals through the lens of actual business experiences, provides one-on-one business advisory services, and helps business owners develop and implement a business growth plan tailored to the individual business owner's OWN business. An added bonus is that 85% of our graduates do business with each other!
The deadline to apply for the online Fall 2021 program is May 15, 2021. But don't wait until the last minute! The first part of the application only takes a few minutes to fill out, so APPLY NOW at: www.10KSBapply.com
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New Health Officer Order for the Orange Tier |
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The Los Angeles County Health Officer Order was updated today to reflect newly permitted activities allowed in the State of California’s Orange Tier, beginning Monday, April 5. Additional safety modifications are required or recommended for many sectors.
Also, effective April 1, 2021, amusement parks, outdoor seated live events and outdoor professional sporting events are permitted with the safety measures in place, including occupancy limits, distancing, masking and eating and drinking requirements.
Please visit the LA County Public Health website to see the new Health Officer Order and all updated Los Angeles County protocols and guidance documents related to COVID-19, including information on the vaccine.
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Here We Go Again...Drought. It’s back.
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Drought. It’s back. California’s water supply levels are slipping very close to those that existed at the beginning of 2014, which was the start of the last drought cycle. Hopes diminish for a Miracle March deluge to fill sinking reservoir and dam levels as April approaches. The state is particularly dry since 2020 was a very hot climatic year combined with a very dry water year. Though the state is carrying over about 300,000 acre-feet at Lake Oroville, the dam is at 53% of historic average while Lake Shasta is at 66% of historic average. Drought is becoming inevitable. Read more
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“It’s difficult to choose a favorite program because, without exaggeration, there are so many to choose from.
I think lately it’s been the Government Affairs Policy meetings (GAP) because I’ve gotten to see first hand how incredibly hard the Chamber works to advocate for small (and all) business. Business at Noon networking (even in Zoom format!) offers a great way of promoting your business and meeting other local business owners.
And being part of the Ambassadors group for the last 2 years has given me the opportunity to give back by sharing with new members all of what the Chamber has to offer. Membership in the Torrance Chamber has truly been one of the best investments I’ve made for my business!”
Karen Pryor
Broker/Owner
Pryority Lending Group, Inc
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Click On The Event To Register:
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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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