// AN AWARD-WINNING WEEKLY PUBLICATION //
In This Issue:

Last week, TACC hosted its second annual California Labor Law Update, an event started in 2014 to help Chamber members effectively comply with new employment laws impacting business. TACC would like to thank the panelists for making the event a must-attend program. The panelists included: Rob Van Lingen (Vice Chair of Government Relations, TACC), Karl Schmidt (General Counsel, Parker, Miliken, Clark, O'Hara, and Samuelian), Loretta Raftery (Attorney and Human Resources Consultant, HR/Labor Solutions, Inc./Raftery Law Group), Dana Brooks (Director of Human Resources - Pelican Products).
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

Express SmogChek & Repair

Keller Williams South Bay - Shawn Kang

E&K Energy Resources Inc.

Keegan's Sports Lounge & Grill

LA South Real Estate Investors Association

Discover Conflict Solutions
 

RENEWED

40-49 YEARS



20-29 YEARS



10-19 YEARS


UNDER 5 YEARS




FEBRUARY
Get the Programs overview for February and see which are dark this month right here.


Grand Opening // Servatius, O'Brien & Fong, LLP
Thurs, February 4th | 4:30p
2980 Columbia Street 
Torrance

Business at Noon // TGI Friday's
Tues, February 9th | 11:45a
23420 Hawthorne Blvd 
Torrance

Lunch with Our Leader
Wed, February 10th | 12:00p
DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance
21333 Hawthorne Blvd
 
Torrance

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

Ignite Torrance
Tues, February 16th | 12:00p
Torrance Chamber Office
3400 Torrance Blvd, Suite 100
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
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

Julie Randall, owner of Torrance Street Faire Antiques, stands beside an 1800s American Victorian burl walnut cabinet.
Donna visits Torrance Street Faire Antiques
Torrance Antique Street Faire is a treasure in Old Torrance. As I strolled through the store, I noted how clean and organized this location is. Julie Randall, owner of Torrance Antique Street Faire, has had a storefront in Old Torrance for 17 years. "The number one item that customers are looking for is vintage furniture," stated Randall.
     Although the store does have vintage furniture, it offers so much more. Catching my eye were quilts, typewriters, books, records, jewelry, a saddle, clothes, meat grinders, and a variety of dishes, to name a few. Hoping not to date myself too much, I purchased a vinyl Quick Draw McGraw original TV soundtrack of voices, as this was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. I especially loved the album cover which had large, colorful drawings of Quick Draw McGraw and Baba Looey.


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:

  • 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. 

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
A Note of Awareness to Members
It has been brought to the attention of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) staff that businesses are receiving telephone solicitations from individuals stating they're representing the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members are being asked if they are moving to Texas by one individual, and members are being asked a series of questions by another solicitor. These questions include size of company, number of full time and part time employees, and if the business is looking to expand and if the expansion would require a larger location.
     Please note, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce staff has not been making these types of phone calls. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Duperron at (310) 540-6688.
A Fond Farewell to Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe
LA County Supervisor Don Knabe (4th District)
On February 10th, long-time County of Los Angeles Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe will give his farewell address to the Torrance business community during the Torrance Chamber's annual Lunch with Our Leader event. Throughout his tenure on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (LACBOS), which began in the late 1990's, Supervisor Knabe has worked to champion the issue of child sex trafficking, lead critical transportation efforts, support countless youth art programs and other charities, advocate for environmental issues, invest in libraries throughout the County, address important business issues in his district, and protect the innocent and vulnerable children in Los Angeles County through the establishment of the Safe Surrender program. The Torrance Chamber will truly miss Supervisor Knabe once his LACBOS term expires later this year.
 
Join TACC at Lunch with Our Leader to bid farewell to Supervisor Knabe. Register today by calling the Chamber at (310) 540-5858.
 
Wednesday, February 10th, 2016
11:30am - 1:30pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance - South Bay
21333 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, 90503
$40 TACC members; $50 non-members
Double Pay on the Holiday
A TACC-opposed bill (AB 67) that unfairly targets two classifications of employers (retail store and grocery store establishments) by forcing them to recognize Thanksgiving as a "family holiday" and compensate all employees with double the regular rate of pay for work performed on that day has passed out of the State Assembly and is headed to the State Senate. TACC feels strongly that this bill is the start of a trend that will eventually require smaller employers to pay double overtime on certain holidays. Help TACC stop AB 67 in the Senate by taking action here.
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.
Take the Monthly Poll
The California minimum wage increased to $10/hr on January 1, 2016. How has this increase impacted your business or organization?


Poll results help the Torrance Chamber's advocacy efforts. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!
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.
Keeping Up with Leadership Torrance

This week, Leadership Torrance kicked off Old Torrance / History Day by visiting Kirk Rossberg and Torrance Bakery!

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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