Chamber Weekly | News & Events

August 31, 2023

Out & About with Donna

Visiting Angles provides care for people with Alzheimer's, dementia, palliative care and other professional personal support. From left to right: Lynn Ingram, Julie Covey, Joyce Barney, Marian Karons, Duane, Karons are all individuals who genuinely care about their community.

Visiting Angels Provides Compassionate Support

For the past seven years, I have visited chamber members to learn about their business and in turn share their products and/or services with the readers of this newsletter. I am continually impressed with the types of businesses I visit, but I am even more fascinated with the people who make up that business.

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet Marian and Duane Karons, owners of Visiting Angels in Torrance. The Karons are passionate about their business and what they do, as are Joyce Barney, Lynne Ingram and Julie Covey who complete their office staff. Read More...

News

Dan Ashcraft to Receive Distinguished Citizen of the Year at State of the City

Congratulations to Dan Ashcraft, founder of Ashcraft Designs who will be awarded the Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the State of the City on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Since 1953, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce has selected the Distinguished Citizen of the Year whose achievements have been significant to the community and to the general welfare of the people of Torrance. Read More...

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Torrance Chamber Joins Coalition to Oppose SB799, Unemployment during Labor Strikes

The Torrance Chamber has joined a California Chamber coalition to oppose SB799; a bill that will provide unemployment benefits to striking workers even through they are not looking for work and have a job waiting for them once the labor dispute is resolved. This is a sharp departure from more than 70 years of precedent in California (federal law), which traditionally require workers be looking for work, available to work, and unemployed through no fault of their own.

California employers are already paying increased UI taxes because of Covid-19. California employers are already paying increased taxes due to the massive unemployment wave caused by the state-mandated Covid-19 shutdowns and the resulting $18 billion UI Fund debt.

Torrance Chamber Joins Coalition to Oppose Aggressive and Unsustainable Wage Ordinance

The Torrance Chamber has joined a coalition to oppose an aggressive and unsustainable wage ordinance being considered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. If approved this ordinance would raise the minimum hourly pay for theme park and hotel workers to $25 immediately, and $30 by 2028. That’s nearly an 80% increase in five years for some workers.

This motion introduced on August 8th unfairly targets and adds significant cost burdens to the tourism and hospitality industry - both of which are still recovering from a crippling pandemic. Sensible minimum wage increases that improve livability for all Angelenos are important. But last-minute wage hikes that increase costs by nearly 50% for small businesses will only threaten jobs, cost millions in business sales and tax revenue, and uplift only select workers.

LA County should complete a proper impact study before any wage hike is approved. The County needs to understand fully the impacts of this increase so a sensible solution is found – one that helps support the lives of Angelenos without hurting the economy in the process.

Coastal Cleanup Day at Torrance Beach

Coastal cleanup day 2022 at Torrance Beach.

Coastal Clean Up Day is the largest volunteer day on the planet, which is coordinated with the Ocean Conservancy, California Coastal Commission, L.A. Department of Beaches and Harbors and Heal the Bay. Torrance recognizes that by cleaning up the beaches, the community is participating in the global effort to keep our oceans healthy, to keep our water source healthy, and to keep our community healthy.

Leslie Cortez, Torrance Beach Captain states "I have proudly served the past two decades as Beach Captain for the annual beach cleanup event at Torrance Beach, this event is especially important to me. I have been a life-long advocate for clean oceans and waterways because I enjoy swimming, kayaking, water skiing, and SCUBA diving and I want to enjoy these activities in safe, clean, pollutant free water. As captain, my goal is to raise awareness and provide education and outreach to protect marine life, human life, and our beaches by being part of the solution and taking action." This year's Coastal Clean Up Day will be held on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at Miramar Park in Torrance. Online registration is open now.

Hadrian Automation, Inc. hosted the City of Torrance and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce yesterday at their new headquarter location. Hadrian Automation is a privately-held manufacturer of precision components for cutting-edge technology firms, founded in 2020 by Chris Power.

Pictured are: City of Torrance Mayor George Chen; City Council member Asam Sheikh; Assistant City Manager, Danny Santana; Fran Fulton, Economic Development Manager; Carlos Huizar; Lesley Robins; Lesley Robins; Donna Duperron, Torrance Chamber President and CEO and Lars and Chris from Hadrian Automation, Inc.

2023 Business at Noon at The Depot

A monthly networking event, Business at Noon will be held on Tuesday, September 12th at Depot from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. Admission of $27 includes lunch, a beverage, tax, and gratuity.

For maximized networking, please arrive and check-in at 11:45 AM. During lunch, each attendee will take 30-seconds to introduce themselves and their business to all guests. Don’t forget your business cards, and feel free to bring a raffle item to promote your business.