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OUT & ABOUT WITH DONNA
Pictured above: 'Team Torrance' volunteers at Miramar Park in Torrance for 2018 Coastal Cleanup Day
Donna Visits Coastal Cleanup Day Where Life's at Ease with an Ocean Breeze
This past Saturday, the weather could have not been more perfect for the annual Coastal Cleanup Day. The sun was up early and the wind blew just enough to keep temperatures comfortable as 773 volunteers combed Torrance Beach picking up trash and recyclables. Coastal Cleanup Day is an event that provides an opportunity for individuals, friends and co-workers to get involved in the community and environment.

In coordination with a statewide and global movement, volunteers made a big dent in removing trash and debris from the environment at 70 sites, including Torrance Beach. While the statewide totals are still being tallied for 2018, last year's Coastal Cleanup Day removed 800,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s coast and inland waterways in only three hours.

“The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth, it is the planet's life support system. By participating in the International Coastal Cleanup and hosting an event at Torrance Beach, it brings the added awareness needed to call attention to how ocean trash compromises the health of humans, wildlife and the people and communities that depend on a healthy ocean. It also brings our community members together for the largest volunteer event on the planet. It’s important for the City of Torrance to partner with the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and American Honda to host this event every year because it’s an opportunity for us to demonstrate our desire for clean water and healthy marine life,” exclaimed Lesley Cortez, City of Torrance.

Cortez added, “Coastal Cleanup Day is about much more than picking up trash. It’s a chance for communities to join people around the world in expressing their respect for our oceans and waterways. Cleaning our beach inspires our volunteers to continue the practice of picking up trash and doing their part in preventing pollution year-round. Education is a big part of this cleanup and every year our youth participation increases as we “grow” our future leaders with a strong environmental conscience.”
NEWS
New Prop 65 Impacts on Small Business
If your product or workplace currently displays Proposition 65 warnings, you must update those warnings by identifying at least one specific chemical prompting the warning. In some cases, it may be relatively easy to identify a chemical prompting the warning. For example, you might identify a listed chemical on the packaging of cleaning agents, or you might learn through a Google search that a product contains chemicals known to the State of California to present cancer or birth defects risks.

But in other cases a business might not be able to identify what chemical is prompting its warning. In the past, many small businesses posted generic Prop 65 warnings to avoid the threat of trolling lawyers, without really giving thought to what chemicals they are actually using.

What does this mean for small business? The new regulations clarify that the primary burden of Prop 65 compliance is on manufacturers and those companies packaging products sold in California. This means that liability for retailers should be limited. Meanwhile, manufacturers may need to work with a chemist to identify specific chemicals within their products to create Prop 65 compliant labels. Likewise, companies packaging and distributing products for use and consumption in California should proactively work with manufacturers to identify chemicals that may prompt a Prop 65 warning, and to update existing product labels.

To learn more about Prop 65's new requirements, please visit https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65
TACC Participates in Small Business Advisory Meetings
Housing, tariffs, net neutrality, CEQA, immigration and Proposition 13 were a few of the issues discussed at two separate meetings hosted by Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi.

President and CEO, Donna Duperron and TACC member Julie Randall, Torrance Antique Street Faire, participated in a Small Business Advisory Council meeting hosted by Senator Ben Allen, District 26.

About her experience, Randall shared “I am usually so insulated in my little neighborhood of downtown Torrance and the problems we have here. It was interesting to meet business owners from neighboring cities that have the same challenges. Whether in a coastal town with bustling tourist traffic like Manhattan Beach, or tucked into the heart of Old Torrance; we are all facing common threats to our livelihoods – rising rents, parking and lack of shoppers. I’m glad I attended because I didn't think any of the topics would apply to me and my very small business, but I was wrong. The chair person was talking about upcoming tax legislation facing small businesses that definitely would impact me.”   

The meeting was moderated by Betty Jo Toccoli, President, California Small Business Association (SBA). Discussion items included minimum wage, workers compensation, DMV, affordable housing, workforce skills and education and access to credit and capital.

“Participating in small business advisory meetings with Senator Allen and the President of the SBA provides a way to communicate on issues important to members of the Chamber. The relationship that the TACC has with Senator Allen and his staff is exceptional, but small group discussions with Senator Allen are so valuable to our small business owners,” stated Duperron.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, 66 th District, also hosted a Small Business Advisory Council meeting which Duperron attended. Muratsuchi updated the council on the Wildfire Forest Management bill that is currently on Governor Brown’s desk, and requested small business’ feedback on net neutrality and its effects on their business. Assemblymember Muratsuchi also addressed SB1 and affordable housing.
To Export or Not to Export, That is the Question
Have you thought about exporting, but you're just not sure where to start? Need to shorten that learning curve, and meet others who have been through it? Take a few minutes to respond to this survey , so that the Chamber's International Business Committee can fine-tune the programs, seminars and tours it is planning, to best suit the needs of our members.

We need your input before the end of the month, as results will be analyzed the first week in October.  Respondents will be entered in a drawing to win a $50 Gaetano's gift card.
Chamber's Directory Advertising Deadline Extended!
Each year, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce publishes a highly-sought-after Directory; also known as the Torrance Magazine & Resource Guide. This publication lists all Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members by industry as well as alphabetically and contains pertinent information for anyone doing business in the Torrance area.

Members are invited to advertise in the Directory; which has an estimated annual readership of more than 15,000 and is utilized by many individuals for several years following the publication date. For information about advertising, please contact Jeanne Garrison by phone at 310-351-5585 or by email at jeanne20325@gmail.com.

NEW MEMBERS
Congratulations on Joining the Torrance Area Chamber Community!
RENEWING MEMBERS
  The Torrance Area Business Community Wouldn't Be the Same Without You.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(a.k.a. Networking Opportunities!)
Click On Event Name for Complete Info/Tickets/RSVP
Lunch & Learn : HR HOT TOPICS: Friday, Sept. 21 @ 12noon
• 'Bro Culture' vs. #MeToo movement: Revising your Harassment & Discrimination Training
• Is your Independent Contractor now an Employee? The State Supreme Court has ruled.
State of the City : Thursday, Sept. 27 @ 11:30am-2:00pm
Featuring the Annual Address of City of Torrance Mayor Patrick J. Furey and Celebrating the TACC's Distinguished Citizen of the Year, Steve Morikawa, VP of Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility for American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Tech Talks : Sage Millimeter: Friday, Sept. 28 @ 12pm-1:30pm
Business @ Noon: The Depot : Thursday, Oct. 11 @ 11:45am-1:15pm
GAP (Gov't Affairs Policy) : Thursday, Oct. 11 @ 12noon-1:30pm
CA State Assembly Candidates Forum : Friday, Oct. 12 @ 7:30am-9am
Women in Business : Friday, Oct. 12 @ 8am-9am
Business Expo & Showcase : Tuesday, Oct. 23 @ 4:30pm-7:30pm
There's Always Something Happening at the
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce!
The Chamber Helps Torrance Area Businesses Reach Their Full Potential
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce | (310) 540-5858 | www.TorranceChamber.com