// AN AWARD-WINNING WEEKLY PUBLICATION //
In This Issue:
On behalf of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) staff, Brandon Matson (center) accepts the 1st Place Award for Outstanding Achievement in the E-Newsletter Category from the Western Association of Chamber Executives. This award was granted for the publication you're reading now, Chamber Weekly, which is a weekly cooperative staff effort. The TACC won additional awards (see article below the Out & About).
TACC
MEMBERS
Each week we recognize the new and renewing members of our growing Chamber. Here are the businesses who have joined or renewed their membership in the past week.
NEW

One On One Care South Bay

Ameriprise Financial

Caliber Home Loans

RENEWED

30-39 YEARS



10-19 YEARS


UNDER 5 YEARS





FEBRUARY
Empowered Marketing Exchange
Thurs, February 11th | 4:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

Ribbon Cutting // Brookdale South Bay
Thurs, February 11th | 4:00p
5481 W. Torrance Blvd, Torrance


PROFS
Thurs, February 18th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
Torrance

19th Annual Black History Celebration
Wed, February 24th | 12:00p
Torrance Marriott
3635 Fashion Way,
 Torrance
MARCH
TACC & JBA Business Exchange
Wed, March 2nd | 4:30p
Western Museum of Flight
3315 Airport Drive, Torrance

Torrance Police Department Awards & Appreciation Luncheon
Thurs, March 10th | 12:00p
Torrance Marriott
3635 Fashion Way, Torrance
These events are open to everyone. Non-members of the Chamber may attend up to two events prior to joining as a Member.* Contact the Chamber for information on how to reserve your seat for these events: (310) 540-5858.

* Excluding Business at Noon. Business at Noon is a members-only event.
Out & About
with TACC President & CEO Donna Duperron
Rich Marcello, Strand Brewery and Tap Room
Donna visits Strand Brewery and Tap Room
As I drove to Strand Brewery and Tap Room, I contemplated the angle in which I would write this article. Rich Marcello and Joel Elliott, owners, started Strand Brewing Company in 2009 with the intention of building a world-class brewery in Torrance and are to be congratulated on their success. Yet, at the same time, Strand Brewery and Tap Room has also become a destination, as customers receive outstanding customer service in their new 36,000 square foot location at 2201 Dominguez Street in Torrance.
     As I entered Strand Brewery and Tap Room, my sense of smell immediately took over. As I was greeted by Rich Marcello, I asked, what do I smell? "You smell the boiling of malt and hops," he exclaimed. It was a very pleasant smell and with that I was engaged in learning more about Strand.


Recognition Bestowed upon TACC by the Western Association of Chamber Executives
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce was recognized this past week at the annual Western Association of Chambers of Commerce conference in San Francisco.
     The weekly column, "Out and About with Donna Duperron" captured the 2015 Core Competency Program of the Year award. Chamber Weekly and The Advocate, both e-newsletters, were honored for outstanding achievement and took home first place honors.
     The Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) is the premier organization for education and professional development for chamber executives and staff. W.A.C.E represents over 850 chamber professionals in 17 Western states and Canada.
Meet the Honorees of the 2016 Black History Celebration
The theme for this year's event is "Breaking Barriers...Paving the Way to a Brighter Future." Honorees will include:

  • Sam "Bam" Cunningham, NFL football player & USC Hall of Famer
  • Cheryl Cooley, lead guitarist for the all girls band "Klymaxx"
  • Synthia Saint James, visual artist and author
  • Tori Correia, business student at Cal State Dominguez Hills
  • Rose Royce, an American Soul/R&B group best known for their song "Carwash" and "Wishing On a Star"
  • Kim Turner, transit director for the City of Torrance
  • The Don Cornelius Foundation, an organization formed by the family of Don C. Cornelius, creator of Soul Train. 

Tracy Underwood, Chair of the Black History Celebration Committee.
Tickets are now on sale for the Torrance Chamber's 19th Annual Black History Celebration. Register today at torrancechamber.com or by calling (310) 540-5858.
 
Wednesday, February 24th, 2016
Torrance Marriott
3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, 90503
$50 TACC members; $60 non-members
 
10:30am: Walk of History
12:00pm: Event and Luncheon
Thank you Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, Sunrider International and Torrance Bakery for hosting 'Educators in the Workplace'
Kirk Rossberg (right), owner of Torrance Bakery, shares details about bakery operations with Torrance educators.
This past week, 30 educators visited Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, Sunrider International and Torrance Bakery as part of the Educators in the Workplace program hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC). The Educators in the Workplace program provides an opportunity for educators to see the 21st century world of work first-hand. 
     At each location, educators listen to different employees talk about their responsibilities, their skill sets and the road they took to obtaining the position they currently hold. 
Bob and Laurie Brandt, owners of Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, make their presentation to educators
Additionally, educators were provided a tour of the business.
    Educators, this past week, were able to gain information specific to characteristics that employers are looking for when hiring an employee. A variety of characteristics were discussed including integrity, motivation, leadership, work ethic, problem solving, good eye contact, firm hand shake, communication and teamwork skills. Linda Flores, International Finance Manager at Sunrider International also encouraged educators to correspond the words in a text book into real life experiences for their students.
Own a small business or work for one? Watch out for this con that's targeting businesses by posing as the "American Chamber of Commerce"
HOW THE SCAM WORKS

Your business gets a call from someone claiming to represent the American Chamber of Commerce. The caller asks for an employee (current or former) by name and claims to be updating your company's listing in its directory. They ask to verify basic business information, such as address, business name, main contacts, and phone numbers.
     This may seem harmless, but it's a phishing con. There is no American Chamber of Commerce. Con artists hope that business owners confuse the "American Chamber" with the real "U.S. Chamber of Commerce" and share information. Scammers can use this information to commit ID theft or target the business with other scams, such as phony invoices.

For tips on how to avoid this scam, click here.

A Hearty Tip for Heart Health Awareness Month
"It is estimated that 17.6 million Americans have Coronary Artery Disease. Coronary Artery Disease, or blockages in the blood supply to the heart can lead to chest pain and sometimes heart attacks. The first symptom of Coronary Artery Disease may be a heart attack, thus early detection and treatment of risk factors can save lives. Those who are at highest risk for Coronary Artery Disease includes diabetics, smokers, those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and those with a family history of heart attacks. It is best to speak with your physician about your individual risk factors and steps that you can take to reduce your risk of Coronary Artery Disease."
 
Minisha Kochar, MD - UCLA Cardiologist (UCLA Health Palos Verdes, 501 Deep Valley Drive)
2015 Job Killer Holdovers Stopped
A number of California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killer bills first identified in 2015, several of which TACC also opposed, appear to be dead for this year after missing legislative deadlines or being amended. See the full report here. 
City of Torrance Bid Listing
Check out what opportunities are available to gain business from government by reading through the current City of Torrance Bid/RFP listing.
Access Washington, D.C.
The L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with local government officials, leading business groups and chambers of commerce, leads an annual delegation of more than 200 business leaders and public officials to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Southern California.  Participants meet with members of Congress and the president's administration on key issues. The trip includes a welcome reception, two breakfasts with high ranking Congressional leaders and a marquee evening reception. If you are interested in going on this trip with other TACC members on April 26th-28th, contact Brandon Matson at [email protected]. For more information about the trip, visit this website.
2016 Required Employment Notices Poster on Sale Now!
In 2016, every California employer must post a new 2016 employment notices poster -  even if you only employ one person in California. Buying the  convenient 28" x 44" all-in-one poster that contains the 17 state and federal employment notices from TACC will save you money over buying it elsewhere.
 
Non-laminated English           $25.00
Non-laminated Spanish          $25.00
Laminated English                  $35.00
Laminated Spanish                 $35.00
*Poster Protect can be added for an additional fee on all posters
 
Purchase your poster online today or call (310) 540-5858.

ContactContact us today for membership information!

Email Kelly, Membership Coordinator, at [email protected]
or call the Chamber at (310) 540-5858 .

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