Business Outlook 1700 Adams Avenue, Suite 101, Costa Mesa CA 92626 (714) 885-9090 Fax (714) 885-9094 www.costamesachamber.com January 2013 Volume 65 Number 1 PITFIRE PIZZA RIBBON CUTTING SURFAS RIBBON CUTTING Ambassadors Jane Jensen, Move Masters, Melanie Dewald, Paychex, & Janie Harris Harbor Mesa Lions; Pitfire Pizza Founder Paul Hibler (holding scissors) and Store Manager Elizabeth Flaherty, Mayor Jim Righiemer, Ambassadors Balkar Bisla, Subway &Terri Glenn, Breer Law. Back row, Scott Peotter, Field Rep. Assemblyman Mansoor s office, Devin Lucas, Real Estate Attorney & Broker, Ted Mortensen, Rely Local Costa Mesa. 353 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (949) 313-6333 - www.pitfirepizza.com Front left: Janie Harris, Harbor Mesa Lions, Surfas owner & family, Les Surfas, Steve Surfas, Diana Surfas, Bryan Ward, Burnham USA, Adele Niemes, OC Register, Link Mathewson, Coast Magazine, Terri Glenn, Breer Law. Back left: Tom Brennan, Chamber Director of Marketing, Scott Peotter, Field Rep. Assemblyman. Allan Mansoor, Mayor Jim Righiemer, Scott Burnham, Burnham USA (SoCo Center developers), Balkar Bisla, Subway Fairview & Wilson, Devin Lucas, Real Estate Attorney & Broker. 3309 Hyland Avenue, #F, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714/453-2665 - www.surfasonline.com HOLIDAY GIVING: Theodore Robins Ford Steps Up Again Share Our Selves (SOS) was thrilled to partner with Theodore Robins Ford for their Go Further With Ford Night on November 15th. For every guest that attended and registered, Ford donated $10 to Share Our Selves and it was generously matched by Theodore Robins. Guests enjoyed sandwiches from Jersey Mikes. The event raised $1428 for Share Our Selves, a local agency providing comprehensive medical and dental care, case management, food, financial assistance, legal aid, and special holiday programs. Thanks, Theodore Robins Ford! Photo Caption: Kathleen Bruski, SOS Senior Program Officer, was the lucky winner of the raffle for an ipad. Proceeds from the raffle benefited local Costa Mesa nonprofit, Share Our Selves.
The Costa Mesa Chamber is proud to recognize the following Founding Members of the Presidents Circle whose investment and steadfast support has been an integral part in the success of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Standing Ovation Level Orange County Market Place South Coast Plaza Encore Level AT&T Applause Level Wigmore Insurance Rutan & Tucker, LLP Weichman Associates Act One Level South Coast Metro Alliance Southern California Gas Company So. Cal Edison The Lab Holdings Linscott, Law & Greenspan Friend Level Mesa Consolidated Water District (Mesa Water) Care Ambulance George Coté For additional information on the Presidents Circle of Investors please contact Ed Fawcett at the Chamber at (714) 885-9090. 2013 Board of Directors CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD Jennifer Farrell, Rutan & Tucker PAST CHAIRMAN Larry Weichman, Weichman Associates-Realtors DIRECTORS Diane Pritchett, South Coast Metro Alliance Rebecca Gogel, Newport-Mesa Unified School District Adam Schuster, Union Bank George Cote, Law Office of George Cote Kathy Du Vernet, Youth Employment Services Lana Johnson, Johnson Media Group Patty Mason, Mason Insurance Jeff Morin, AT&T California Gail Ossipoff, SCP Management Office Martha Parham, Coast Community College District Shaheen Sadeghi, The Lab Holdings Tom Sutro, Evergreen Realty Jeff Teller, CC MarketPlace Tim Wigmore, Wigmore Insurance Paul Wilkinson, Linscott, Law & Greenspan-Engineers Sally Zajac, Mesa Verde Country Club STAFF Tom Brennan, Membership Director Ed Fawcett, President/CEO Rose Quinn, Director of Operations Sandy Roy, Information Specialist BUSINESSOUTLOOK AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE 2013 Arthur Alderete, Alderete & Associates RE/MAX Balkar Bisla, Subway Terri Lee Glenn, Breer Law Offices Melanie Dewald, Paychex Michele Green, Merrill Lynch Janie Harris, Harbor Mesa Lions Jane Jensen, Move Masters Ryan O Donnell, Universal Waste PAGE 2 www.costamesachamber.com BUSINESS OUTLOOK - JANUARY 2013
Welcome New Members! Thank you for your support and confidence! Burrissimo Fresh Italian Restaurant Pamela Hurley 1534 Adams Avenue, Suite D Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714/206-1682 www.burrissimo.ocom phurley@burrissimo.com Comfort Inn Sam Patel 2430 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949/631-7840 www.costamesacomfortinn.com costamesacomfortinn@gmail.com Richard M. Kapko and Associates Rick Kapko 1700 Adams Avenue, #200 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714/825-0194 www.bkguru.com rick@bkguru.com Surfas Culinary District Susan Potrella 3309 Hyland Avenue, #F Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714/453-2665 (cook) www.surfasonline.com susanp@surfasonline.com Renewing Members Thank you for your continued support and confidence! 50 years!!! Orange Coast Association of Realtors 45+ years!!! Automobile Club of Southern CA 35+ years!!! Plaza Cutlery 25+years!!! Youth Employment Services (YES) Kidman Law Coast Community College District 15+ years!!! Emulex Corporation George J.B. Cote, Attorney 10+ years!! Connell Nissan 17th Street Promenade 5+ years!! Magellan Storage Old Vine Café 2+years!! Costa Mesa Courtyards Liberty Tax Service Nothing Bundt Cakes McDonald s on Gisler JANUARY 2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wednesday January 2 Networking Lunch - DARK Legislative Committee - DARK Tuesday January 8 Ambassadors Committee 12:00 1:00 pm Chamber office Thursday January 10 Board of Directors Lunch 11:45 1:00 pm Chamber office Thursday January 17 90-Minute Breakfast Boost 7:00 8:30 pm Costa Mesa Country Club Friday January 18 Grand Opening New Location 4:00-6:00pm Weichman Realty 1503 South Coast Drive, #130 Costa Mesa Thursday January 24 After Hours Business Mixer 5:30-7:30pm Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Chambers partner at Anqi by Crustecean Restaurant @ Bloomingdales SCP For workshop details visit www.score114.org or phone (714) 550-7369 FACE-TO-FACE COUNSELING SCORE Orange County offers entrepreneurs, who are either launching a start-up or growing an existing business, no-charge face-to-face counseling by men and women who have had successful careers as executives or business owners. Your counselors meet with you personally, confidentially and as frequently as necessary to define and analyze your opportunities; then help you find the solutions. These sessions will typically be scheduled for an hour at one of our sixteen locations in the Orange County area. Please call our main office at (714) 550-7369 to arrange your counseling session or visit our local chapter website at www.score114.org to learn more about how we can assist you. BUSINESS OUTLOOK - JANUARY 2013 www.costamesachamber.com PAGE 3
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THE COSTA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPLORER PROGRAM Second Place D.U.I. (A. Marquez, E. Molina, C. Rendon, and J. Chavez); Fourth Place Officer down (S. Ortiz, F. Arriaza, J. Aguilar, and K. Velasquez); and Fourth Place Hostage negotiations (A. Marquez, E. Molina, C. Rendon, and J. Chavez) The Costa Mesa Police Department Explorer Program is a volunteer organization that helps instill the qualities of integrity, discipline, and self-esteem into young men and women interested in law enforcement or other related fields. Costa Mesa s program, identified as explorer post #198, is part of the Boy Scouts of America and Learning for Life. Explorer post #198 has an extensive tradition of preparing young men and women for any goal they choose to pursue in life. A special thank you goes out to the Costa Mesa Explorer Post Advisors. The success of the Explorers would not have been possible without the wonderful mentoring and guidance of Advisors Officer Kha Bao, Officer Kris Cover, Officer Chrystal Rodriguez, Officer Oscar Reyes, Cadet Vanessa Cruz and Police Aide Amanda Seers. Chamber Ambassadors Came Bearing Gifts For Seniors.. The members of the explorer post develop leadership skills and participate in a number of activities that aid the Costa Mesa Police Department and serve the community. Explorers receive training in physical fitness, drill, report writing, patrol procedures, crime scene investigation, traffic control, DUI investigation, building searches, domestic violence, felony car stops, and criminal law. During the week of September 15th and 16th, the Costa Mesa Police Department Explorer Post #198 sent 20 of its Police Explorers to compete in the 2012 OCLEEAA (Orange County Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Association) Competition. The competition included explorer posts from throughout Orange County who competed against one another in various scenarios that simulated real-life police situations. All of the Costa Mesa Explorers performed remarkably and represented the department and city well. The Costa Mesa Explorers brought home the following five awards: First Place Officer down (B. Jehoich, C. Pimentel, A. Guillen and K. Romero); First Place Suspicious vehicle (B. Jehoich, C. Pimentel, A. Guillen and K. Romero); Ambassador, Melanie DeWald, Paychex and Membership Director Tom Brennan presented Aviva Goelman, Costa Mesa Senior Center Executive Director (center) with the Chamber Ambassadors Christmas donation. Seniors are often overlooked in the rush to bring Christmas to children and their families. When the truth is many seniors often are just a few dollars away from homelessness and can t afford even the basics like food, toiletries, prescriptions, or blankets. Aviva and her volunteers do a very good job of helping but they could use your help. Even though Christmas is over the Senior Center can use donations and volunteers year around. www.costamesaseniorcenter.org Flexible, Modern, Office Space 1st month FREE for any Office Space rental for Costa Mesa Chamber Members costamesa@techspace.com (949) 330-7000 Valid only for 1 month free of office space with a signed agreement for 6 months or more. Any additional services are not included. PAGE 6 www.costamesachamber.com BUSINESS OUTLOOK - JANUARY 2013
THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTITY PROTECTION AND THE DMV S ROLE Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Identity thieves can gain access to a wide variety of personal information by hacking computers, stealing mail and wallets, and resorting to other scams to trick people. Once these thieves get hold of your personal information, accessing your banking and credit card information will be a breeze. Some thieves may go as far as applying for a driver license (DL) and identification card (ID) under your name. Be sure to follow the steps below to keep your information private and to prevent thieves from being issued a fraudulent DL or ID: -Store your personal information in a secure place -Shred mail that may contain personal information before throwing it away -Make sure passwords are strong passwords that cannot be easily guessed and keep them in a secure location -Do not carry your social security card in your wallet -Only carry one credit card at a time in case your wallet is stolen -Limit the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive by calling 888-567-8688 toll free to opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers Notifying the DMV To help keep your identity secure, the DMV is doing its part to ensure your personal information remains private. In field offices throughout California, DMV employees are continuously being trained to detect the possible use of any fraudulent documents to ensure the safe keeping of people s identities. If you are a victim of identity theft, notify the DMV immediately by calling 1-866- 658-5758, or emailing dlfraud@dmv.ca.gov, so the DMV is aware that your DL or ID has been stolen. If your ID or DL is stolen, you must schedule an appointment at your local DMV field office to initiate the replacement process. Be sure to schedule your appointment online for faster service. The process will be different from renewing your DL or ID and will involve additional steps to confirm your identity. At the appointment, you may be asked to provide a statement describing the details of the identity theft. If you filed a police report, make sure to bring a copy with you. If a report was not filed, you may be asked to explain why. You should also bring copies of canceled checks and bills, to confirm your identity, as well as letters from companies or banks indicating the fraud. Confirming your identity is necessary to prove that you have in fact been a victim of identity theft and these documents will help you do so. To prevent thieves for applying for a DL or ID under your name the DMV needs to take extensive steps to confirm your identity to ensure that a DL or ID is being issued to the correct person. In addition, you will need to prove and validate your identity with additional, official documentation. With the exception of an expired California DL or ID card, only valid, unexpired documents are accepted. Here is a partial list of acceptable original documents that can be used to prove your identity: California DL or ID card -U.S. Birth Certificate -U.S. Passport -U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Report of Birth Abroad -Certification of Citizenship -Certification of Naturalization -Permanent Resident Card -U.S. Military Identification Cards -Unexpired foreign passport with a valid I-94 form Other forms of identification may be acceptable, but is determined on a case by case basis. Contact your local DMV for other acceptable documents. Additional Steps Along with notifying the DMV of the fraud, you should also file a police report and contact all creditors and the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Keep a copy of the police report and a log of all conversations related to your identity fraud case so that you have a record to refer to. The more details you have, the better; dates, names of people you talked to, telephone numbers of the agencies you called, the time you spent on each conversation, and expenses incurred, are all things that should be noted. Follow-up on important conversations in writing and send them by certified mail and request a return receipt. You want to document everything so that you can prove that you are a victim of fraud. Identity theft is a scary thing and can happen to anyone at any time, so protect yourself against fraud by following these tips. For more information regarding identity theft, visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl25. htm. CHAMBER MEMBER STATER BROS. IS A GOOD NEIGHBOR! Stater Bros. Super RX Pharmacy is offering affordable and FREE (w/prescription) antibiotics.this winter. Stater Bros. believes in doing the right thing. In 2010 they introduced their Free Diabetic Medication Program which offers some of the most popular Type II Diabetes medications to customers with a valid prescription. In addition, Stater Bros. Super RX Pharmacy is pleased to continue its $4. Generic Prescription Program. Over 300 commonly prescribed medications cost only $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. BUSINESS OUTLOOK - JANUARY 2013 www.costamesachamber.com PAGE 7
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