January 2010 Archives

Long Beach-based Laserfiche announced recently that it has opened an office in Hong Kong to provide localized support and to capitalize on the enormous potential for business in the booming Asia Pacific region.

Under the guidance of Managing Director Phyllis Chen, the Hong Kong office will make Laserfiche enterprise content management more accessible to customers in the Pacific Rim by providing localized account management services and marketing support to its Hong Kong resellers and a product best suited to local language and compliance requirements.

"Establishing an office in Hong Kong, with its dynamic, high-growth economy, was a natural next step for Laserfiche," said Nien-Ling Wacker, Laserfiche president and CEO. "We've experienced significant international expansion over the past several years, and our new Hong Kong office will enable us to better support our Pacific Rim customers and drive increased business growth."

Lakewood, Los Cerritos and Stonewood Centers are partnering with the American Red Cross to collect for the relief effort following the earthquake in Haiti.

Starting today, there will be a collection site at each shopping center's Guest Services, where envelopes will be available for shoppers to give.

Monetary donations can be made in the form of cash, check and credit card.
The mall cannot accept other types of Haiti relief donations, such as clothing, food or medical supplies.

Go to www.shoplakewoodcenter.com, www.shoploscerritos.com and www.shopstonewoodcenter.com for more.

A music benefit at Portfolio Coffeehouse in Long Beach over the weekend raised more than $1,700 for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake and Doctors Without Borders, it was released today.

More than 100 people attended Sunday's event featuring The Naples Chamber Ensembles, which donated their time for the cause. Art Du Vin Wine Bar at The Art Theatre, Jeff Guido Design, and Portfolio Coffeehouse also donated refreshments.

"Thank you to all our neighbors for making Sunday's Haiti Benefit a success," said Portfolio Coffeehouse owner, Kerstin Kansteiner. "The response was amazingly positive. So far, we've raised $1733.60, and the money is still flowing in. The music was fabulous and the wine and champagne were delicious. A great turnout for a very worthy cause."

When FreeSpirit Yoga owner Andrea Testa saw the devastation and human suffering in Haiti, she wanted to help.

"I felt compelled to organize the businesses in our area and invite the local community to come and help make a contribution to the cause. We want as many people as possible to come to the studio!"

The result is the "Help Haiti Recover" fundraising event on Saturday, Jan. 30. 

Proceeds from the event - which includes a silent auction, opportunity drawing and music by Temple Bhajan Band - benefit Doctors Without Borders.

"Businesses from outside the area are also donating to the event," she said. "The response has been fantastic and we are grateful for everyone who can provide something to help raise money," said Testa.

Silent Auction items include:
- FreeSpirit Yoga: Quarterly Unlimited & a 20 class series ($250 & $190)
- Everyday Zen Relaxation Spa: Massages by Keicher, Stacey Morrison & others
- Chrysalis Stage: 2 Tickets to Twelfth Night & bottle of Champagne
- Averyboo Arts Creative Center: 3 mos. art/play
- Roy Robbins Gifts and Stationery: painted gift box
- Doug Orr art work
- Private in home or machine Pilates with Pat ($80)
- Ayurveda Consult with Dharma ($125)
- 3 one-hour private tutoring sessions with a credentialed Special Ed. Teacher
- Theatre West Productions for 2 ($280)
- Home Design Consultation by Elizabeth Keegan Phillips ($200)
- Cooking Class with Ranmalee, Recipe booklet & lunch pakages ($170)

Raffle items include: ($5 per ticket or 5 for $20)
- Nino's Italian Restaurant: Dinner for 2
- Elise's Tea Room: Luncheon Delight for 2
- jewelry by Melannie, Ranmalee, Melissa
- No Resistant & FSY t-shirts
- Henna Tattoos by Jenny
- thick yoga mat, neti pot, cd's,
- gift certificates from Salon Pop & Barber Salon,
- Chewsy Dog teeth cleaning,
- Michelle Mangione (Cal Heights resident), What is a Saint CD (2)

Winners of the auction will be announced promptly at 3:45 pm. Parking available in back of building and along Atlantic Avenue.

The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at 3910 Atlantic Ave. Visit www.freespirityoga.com or call 562-989-9959 for more.

Recent storms have prompted the cancellation or rescheduling of several community and business meetings and events.

The latest cancellation is Jan. 23's snow day at Whaley Park, where the rain has left park grounds too wet to have the event safely.

The event has been rescheduled for Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's presented by the office of Long Beach 4th District City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell in partnership with the Long Beach Police Officers Association, Long Beach Firefighters Local 372, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Signal Hill Petroleum, the Port of Long Beach and local Realtor Joe Sopo. For more, call 562-570-6918.


Also postponed are:

* Today's regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.  The next meeting will be on Feb. 4 at 5:00 pm in Council Chambers at Long Beach City Hall.

* The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association's Community Happy Hour today (Jan. 21) featuring Hazel Quimpo, Community Manager for Yelp.com;

* The Long Beach Airport Advisory Commission meeting, scheduled today (Jan. 21). The next meeting will be on Feb. 18.

* The East Village Association's meeting earlier this week has been rescheduled for Feb. 17. For more information about the East Village visit our website at www.eastvillagelongbeach.com.

Firestone brand return for its 15th year as the Official Tire of the 36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, set for April 16-18, it was announced today.

Every car in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights races will be equipped with Firestone Firehawk racing radial tires.

"It feels great to return to this track each year and see the red Firestone name on the bridge between turns 9 and 10, and all alongside the track," said Al Speyer, Executive Director of Firestone Racing.

"The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach always goes above and beyond in making sure we receive maximum exposure and value for our sponsorship dollars at this great race, which takes place in a key market -- the Los Angeles area."

Long Beach is also the site of Firestone's official return to the American open wheel racing scene in 1991 as sponsor of the Firestone Indy Lights that year.

"We are delighted to continue this key relationship with the Firestone brand and its dealers in the Southern California area," said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

"We look forward to showcasing their products on the streets of Long Beach for many years to come."

Visit www.gplb.com for race and ticket info.

Downtown residents may have one fewer coffee shop along Pine Avenue.

Months of lost revenue may prompt Creama Cafe owner Susana Prego to close her 440 Pine Ave. shop.

Costs have been the same, but revenue has been less than half from when she first opened nearly five years ago, she said.

"It's just not adding up, and we just can't afford to do it anymore," she said.

The poor economy, she said, has greatly affected business.

"Customers don't come in as often," she said, "I've asked, 'What's going on?' And they say, 'Oh, I've been laid off."

And customers who do come have drastically changed their buying habits, downgrading from one or two large drinks a day to a small drip coffee twice a week, Prego said.

Stalled projects along the street also haven't helped matters, she said. Prego -- who chose Pine for its beach proximity and Mom-and-Pop vibe -- moved into her space as lofts downtown were being built or planned.

But businesses around her have closed and some projects have not come to fruition.

"I don't think we can afford to wait for the upswing of everything," she said. "Because when it was fine, we were still breaking even pretty much. I don't know how long everything's going to take to roll back, and we're probably talking about a couple of years and to struggle like we're struggling now -- it doesn't make any sense business-wise."

She has tried to drum up business, from in-store movie and open mic nights and discount offerings via Twitter or Facebook to partnering with other downtown businesses.
But nothing seemed to really bring the traffic here, she said.

"And it's very frustrating to hear people walking by, coming in and saying, 'Oh my gosh, I didn't know you were here.'"

Prego said it would be too expensive to move, so relocation is not a viable option. If business doesn't improve, Creama will likely close in the coming months.

Prego is resigned to the fate.

"Even if it does come to an end, it has been a great run and I take so many great experiences from it," she said. "Great friends and amazing customers. It's been great but it's part of the risk of owning a business."

Keller Williams Realty Los Alamitos is Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year.

The business will honored at the 63rd Annual Inaugural, Board Installation and Awards celebration on Friday, Jan. 22, at the Eagles Nest Clubhouse, Navy Golf Course, in Cypress.

Business of the Year honorees are selected on the basis of a mission statement that incorporates company values, a code of professional conduct that clearly presents honesty, integrity and compliance with the law in all businesses dealings, demonstrates excellence in their business and industry, provides valuable, products or services, exhibits initiative and creativity, contributes economic growth & vitality to the community, and has philanthropic involvement in the community.

"Our entire office was honored that the chamber acknowledged us with this honor," said owner Tammy Newland. "We enjoy working in Los Alamitos and are blessed by the support we have received from the local community."

After being laid off from her job more than a year ago, Long Beach resident Sylvia Gorohoff decided to pursue a longtime dream of starting her own business.

The result has been Belmont Kidz, a children's upscale resale boutique along the Broadway business corridor.

On Jan. 30, Belmont Kidz will celebrate one year in business with a 15 percent discount on anything in the store from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day.

Belmont Kidz, which is stocked with gently worn and like-new premium brand clothing and shoes ranging in size from infants to children's 12, is at 2734 E. Broadway in Long Beach.

Visit www.BelmontKidz.com for more.

Hazel Quimpo, community manager for Yelp.com, will discuss "Yelp and Your Business: Join the Conversation" at the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association's Community Happy Hour on Thursday, Jan. 21, at The Tile Zone.

There will be food, treats, music and door prizes. The monthly opportunity for BKBIA members and the local community encourages meeting, mingling and networking.

The event is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Tile Zone, 3677 Atlantic Ave. Call 562-595-0081 or visit info@bixbyknollsinfo.com for more.

SA Recycling will be a first-time official sponsor of the 36th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, set for April 16-18.

The full-service metal recycler and processor -- which has more than 40 recycling locations throughout the southwestern United States, including the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles -- will have a booth at the Lifestyle Expo. The company will will place recycling containers throughout the 1.97-mile racing circuit.

"SA Recycling is a welcome addition and a natural fit for us," Jim Michaelian, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and CEO, said in a released statement. "Their efforts will complement our Lifestyle Expo's ground-breaking 'Green Power Prix-View,' which highlights a wide variety of eco-friendly activities for home, office and on the road."

Tickets for the three-day event range from $25 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $125 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday/Sunday reserved seating in grandstand upper levels.

Pre-paid parking packages are also available, along with seating for the disabled, IndyCar Paddock passes, Super Photo tickets and a wide variety of Hospitality Club packages including the all-new Vista Club located high atop the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.

Call 888-82-SPEED visit www.gplb.com to order tickets.

Curt Harrington, partner at Harrington & Harrington, will discuss intellectual property taxation on Wednesday night, Jan. 13, at Cardinal Pacific Escrow Education Center in Long Beach.

The free event will begin at 6 p.m. with a business networking mixer, followed by a 7 p.m. CLE/CPE presentation by Harrington.

The event will take place in Ste. 105 at the center, 6621 E. Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

Call Curt Harrington at 562-594-9784 or visit www.patentax.com/CLE for more.

Got a fax machine or laptop that has outgrown its usefulness in your office? Then consider the E-Waste Collection on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Dispose of old televisions, computers, monitors, printers, VCRs, cell phones, DVD players and microwave ovens in an environmentally safe manner.

The collection will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St. (Just east of Temple Ave.).

Please no hazardous waste For more information, visit www.longbeach-recycles.org or call 562-570-4694.

The public will get a first look at what could be the new vision for downtown.

Residents and business owners on Wednesday, Jan. 6, will get a chance to weigh in on a draft vision statement for the area, which will be unveiled at a community meeting at First Congregational Church.

The meeting is the second of three community workshops co-sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates and the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency to help create the "ideal downtown retail environment of 2015," said DLBA Vice President Kristopher Larson.

The purpose of the Retail Visioning Project is also to educate the community on the retail recruitment process and help position downtown for recruitment.

The draft vision was formed from feedback from the first Retail Visioning workshop last month, which drew more than 70 residents and business owners, according to downtown resident Loara Cadavona, was in on the retail visioning project's steering committee.

Wednesday's meeting will also include breakout discussions on topics such as public safety, parking, marketing and recruitment.

Information from these discussions will help to develop a five-year strategic plan that includes long-term and short-term goals and a "matrix of accountability" to ensure that the community's vision becomes a reality, Larson said.

"We're all accountable to each to achieve that vision," he said, adding that at the next meeting, on March 4, the DLBA will present the vision and strategies.

Wednesday's meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at 241 Cedar Ave. Call Vanessa McCollum at 562-436-4259 or e-mail her at VanessaM@DLBA.org to register for the workshops. Visit http://www.downtownlbbusiness.com/learn/news for more.

Ongoing staff cuts and private sector downsizing due to the ailing economy were prevalent in 2009. Unemployment numbers rose in cities all over the state and some area cities reached double-digit jobless rates.

The latest numbers, however, show some promise of job recovery. According to preliminary State Employment Development Department estimates, the jobless rate for November has dipped slightly in many area cities.

In Long Beach, the rate is at 13.4 percent, down from 13.9 percent in October. That amounts to about 32,000 of the city's 238,000-person labor force out of work.

Rates -- when comparing November to October -- also fell in Bellflower, from 12.8 to 12.4 percent; Cerritos, from 6.9 to 6.7 percent; Compton, from 21.2 to 20.5 percent; Downey, from 10.2 to 9.8 percent; Lakewood, from 8.2 to 7.9 percent; Norwalk, from 13.3 to 12.9 percent; Paramount, from 18.2 to 17.6 percent, and Signal Hill, from 9.5 to 9. 2 percent.

Will the trend continue? Let's see if the rates continue to fall when the December estimates are released later this month...