APRIL MIXER

Last month’s mixer held at Solheim Lutheran Home and hosted by Norma Heaton and staff was held in one of their lovely gardens. The ambience and warm evening made for a great mixer and had most of us thinking of summer. As always, the staff at Solheim do a great job of hosting any event, we were very fortunate to hold our April mixer there. Solheim is a tiered level service facility for seniors or for anyone needing the type of service they provide. Seniors can have small apartments, independent living with all the amenities of a fine hotel, or their own room in assisted living. Also on the property is a convalescent hospital and a locked Alzheimer unit both with skilled nursing. We are fortunate to have such a fine reputable establishment in our community.

A special thank you to Norma Heaton and her staff, those of you who brought door prizes and those of you that purchased raffle tickets. Your continued support is valued and appreciated.

More importantly, right now, we need to recognize the fact that monthly mixers are held for your benefit - local businesses and chamber members - so that you can network and support each other. Unfortunately, we are not getting out there and supporting each other. Hosting a mixer takes time, money and effort. We need to attend these once a month mixers and show our support, not only to the business hosting but to the chamber membership at large. So having said that, let us start with this month. [written in April ]

MAY MIXER

The May Mixer held at E.T.Y. Parts Imports, Inc. and hosted by ERCC Director Allen Yap was Fun - Fun - Fun. Upon arrival guests received a $500.00 chip from the house to try their luck at the blackjack table. The fun continued into the evening with wonderful Filipino food and lots of new faces. Alan’s father, Mr. Yap, the founder of E.T.Y. was in attendance along with Alan’s lovely wife Aimee. Thanks Alan for hosting such a fun mixer and thanks to those that brought a door prize and purchased raffle tickets.

SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL

The Annual Dahlia Days Spring Arts Festival held May 8^th was a great success. People really enjoy getting out in their community and being entertained. Local businesses provided colorful art work for children, a variety of crafts, food and entertainment were in abundance. Teresa Acosta, Field Representative for Senator Jack Scott, and her Co- Chairs, Elda Ulner, Jenny Krusoe, Roe Muzingo, Lucy Spurgeon, Lani Stapp and Valerie Cuevas, Field Representative for Assemblywomen Carol Liu, and last but not least ERCC President Michael Nogueira and the many other volunteers who all did a fantastic job working together to put this wonderful, fun event together. We also want to thank Michael Cathay, Field Representative for Councilman Antionio Villiarigosa for his assistance in procuring city permits, etc.

A very special thank you to our sponsors; Colombo’s Restaurant, Caldwell Banker/D. Steven, Paul Pagnone, Solheim Lutheran Home, Bob Taylor Realty, Walgreens, Westfield Shoppyingtown, Women’s 20^th Century Club. And let us not forget our many volunteers see, it takes a lot of people and hard work to put together an event of this size. The Chamber Board of Directors thanks each of you for your support to the Chamber and to your community for making Dahlia Days Spring Arts Festival a great success.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

ArtRock Lofts, Paul Pagnone, 323 – 663-3188 - Primerica Financial Services, Bertle D. Hansen III, District Leader, 626 - 975-2762 - Haven’s Reef, Scott Haven, 323 - 25-SCUBA - Jane Demian, L.AC.,M.A., R.N., 323 - 254- 2282 - Ultimate Site Promotion, Inc., Meridith Berk. 323 - 254-9976 - Ron Bragg Realty, Tim Bragg, 323 - 258-3151. We are looking forward to giving you more information on our new members.

A very warm welcome to each new member, we encourage you to enjoy the Eagle Rock Community and participate in chamber and community events. We encourage our membership to give our new members a welcome call and to do business with each other when ever possible. Lets keep the business revenue local.

SUMMER CONCERT

Our first of the Summer Concerts in the Park series starts Sunday, July 11^th. So bring your family, blankets and picnic or purchase food items at the park from the Farmers Market venue. This opening concert will feature the Eagle Rock Rockin’ Rodder Classic Car Show starting at 4:00 p.m. The Concert will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. with some great 50's - 60's rock & roll. Thanks to our new business member and sponsor Washington Mutual Bank on Eagle Rock boulevard. See you on the grass.

Total crime against person 117, compared to 99 last reporting period which is a noted increase for us. Property crimes total 377 from last reporting period of 407 wich shows a decrease of 30 from the last reporting period stated above. Please remember to take extra precautions when securing your automobile, business and your home. Also remember that these crime stats are for all of the Northeast area, however, Eagle Rock has had a crime wave of graffiti most recently along Eagle Rock Boulevard. With school out expect more graffiti and vandalism, be ever vigilant in your observations while walking or driving through the community and do not hesitate to call anything out of the ordinary or suspicious in. Let us all continue to work together to abate crime in our community.

Remember to call the front desk at Northeast 213 485- 2563 if you are not sure of a situation and 911 in a true emergency. General questions try the City access number for all non-emergencies, 311, you can have your questions answered 24/7 by a “City Ambassador.”

Information obtained from NELAPD - reported by Kaye Beckham, Community Police Advisery Board {C-PAB}

By Jim Beckham, Editor

WHY OUTSOURCE YOUR PAYROLL? Do you struggle with calculating payroll? Do you spend hours trying to ensure that your payroll tax filing is correct, only to find out later that you have incurred a penalty from the IRS? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you’re not alone. Small businesses can be hard hit by a lack of payroll expertise. According to the SBA, small business owners spend about 35 to 45 percent of their time handling payroll administrative tasks, which takes attention away from core business activities. Many small businesses may not be aware of the time or the cost savings involved with outsourcing. By outsourcing your payroll small business owners can save time by using a a payroll service bureau and in so doing they can focus on growing their business rather than spending hours on processing payroll.

As small business owners who process their own payroll realize, tax compliance and filing can be complicated and costly: About 40% of small business owners who do not outsource are fined an average $845 each year by the IRS for inaccurate tax filing. Plus, those companies that outsource

their payroll often experience a reduction in operating costs and a conservation of capital. In fact, the Small Business Administration estimates that small companies who outsource payroll functions experience a cost savings of at least 9 percent, plus avoid the complicated and costly tax filing rush that hits each quarter. Just remember to shop carefully to ensure the payroll service you choose meets your company’s needs and budget.

TWO FOR ONE

Instead of dreading your next business trip, consider turning work into play by piggybacking a family getaway with travel for work. Tacking on a short vacation at the end of your business trip is an efficient way to get more done with your time—getting on a plane once, and park the car once. If you’re looking for good deals on lodging for a family vacation, plan it around a meeting. Hotels where conferences are held usually offer special rates three days before and after the actual event. LEARN THE LATEST IN YOUR INDUSTRY WHILE THE KIDS PLAY BY THE POOL.

JIM BECKHAM

SOME MEMORIES OF

March 10, 1938 - May 6, 2004

There has been a lot said and written about Jim’s achievements and recognitions, for which I and my entire family are very appreciative of the acknowledgments. So on a more personal note ..... Jim had a driving force to improve the community he loved, lived, worshiped and worked in for over forty years. A community where he felt comfortable purchasing a home, raising a family and starting a business. As most know, he throughly enjoyed eating Ernie’s Mexican food and would have done so everyday if I had let him. An unpretentious man, Jim felt Eagle Rock had made great strides in the last few years and trust me it would have been more than perfect if his community had a golf course! Jim enjoyed people and working together whether behind the scenes or cleaning up, he never said no and was the first to arrive and the last to leave. He loved children and enjoyed riding in the Northeast Christmas Parade so he could wave and talk to them along the way, wishing each of them a Merry Christmas. He loved his grand children and relished frolicking on the floor and telling them scary stories. He was his children’s advisor and sounding board. Jim was my rock, we worked side by side not only in the community but at work and in our personal family life. He was truly committed to every aspect of his life. In fact, the business notes in this newsletter, meant for the May issue, were written the day he left us. I remember that late morning so clearly, he stood up from his seat at the computer stretched and said “well that’s done, I’ve finally finished”.

Did he struggle with his health the last several months, yes, did he persevere, absolutely!

He was a man with a great inner strength and courage, some of which I hope he will give to me. For it is hard to go on each day without him.

Thank you for all the kind expressions of sympathy which arrived in many forms - cards, notes, flowers, food items, phone calls, news paper articles and contributions to the Jim Beckham Memorial Education Scholarship Fund.

The Beckham Memorial Scholarship Fund, as of date, is well over $5,000.00 thanks to the generosity of friends like yourself. Starting next year scholarship money will go to an ERHS senior who falls under the guide lines [to be written] who wants to pursue a career in teaching. I really believe Jim is smiling down on this one for education meant so much to him. This will hopefully help a young person fullfill a dream and reach their educational goal. Those wishing to make a tax deductible contribution can make checks payable to the ERCC and mail to LTC at 1063 Colorado Boulevard. Any amount will be appreciated. We will keep you appraised of the Scholarship Fund activities.

Thank you, Kaye Beckham