April 2008
“Solutions 2008”
Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber Business Conference and Expo The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber Annual Business Conference and Expo will be held at the Visalia Convention Center on Friday, May 2, 2008. The theme of this year’s Business Conference is “Solutions 2008.” Speakers will address county-wide issues and concerns. Presentations by local experts in the field will speak on “Housing Solutions,” “Environment Solutions,” and “Business Solutions.” Included will be booths giving valuable information on Home Foreclosure Counseling (in English and in Spanish), Identity Theft, Immigration and Citizenship Assistance, Access to Business Capital, Voter Registration, and much more. Vendor booth registration and set up will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Conference registration will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The lunch and keynote speakers are scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the viewing of the booths from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Conference tickets are $50 per person. Admittance to the Expo is free to the public after 2:00 p.m. For additional information, including vendor registration, please call (559) 734-6020 or email tkhcc@aol.com
John Zapalac Selected as TKHCC Legislative Committee Chair
City of Woodlake Police Chief and Hispanic Chamber Board member, John Zapalac, has been selected by the TKHCC Board of Directors to serve as the 2008 Legislative Committee Chair. Zapalac served in that capacity on a very active Legislative Committee in 2007. The committee is comprised of Board members including one representative from each Chapter in Hanford, Northern Tulare County, and the Corridor-65 (Porterville, Lindsay, Strathmore, etc). The Legislative Committee advocates on behalf of the 3,600 plus Hispanic-owned businesses in Tulare County, which ranked as the 49th largest Hispanic market in the U.S. in 2001 by Hispanic Business Magazine. The Legislative Committee keeps members informed of local, state and federal legislative issues; analyzes issues relating to the constituency of the organization; formulates educational efforts in the area of business concerns; reviews bonds and political issues for recommendation of support to the Board; and authorizes letters of support to be written on behalf of organizations and community groups. The Chamber does not recommend or support individuals seeking office but does make recommendations for bonds and propositions. Local, County, and State elected officials, and their representatives, often attend the meetings to provide legislative updates, share information, and listen to concerns from our business community. “The recent “primaries” showed one of the strongest showings ever by the Hispanic voters,” said Zapalac. “We believe the Hispanic voters will be very influential on future local, state, and national elections. We will try to keep our members informed of the issues on the ballots.” The League of Women’s Voters will have a booth at the Hispanic Chamber’s Business Conference and Expo on May 2 for those wishing to register to vote in the upcoming elections. Martha A. Flores, Corridor-65 Chapter Steering Committee Chair and TKHCC Board Member will co-chair the Legislative Committee.
Mark Your Calendar for These Important Community Events
April 9, 2008 Increase Your General Business Knowledge by Attending a Score Workshop. On April 9 a SBA Lending and Government Loans for Small Businesses workshop is scheduled. Workshops are designed to help current and future Valley entrepreneurs start their business. The workshop will be held at National University, 20 River Park West, Fresno. Designed and planned to help current small business and entrepreneurs thrive while also giving tools new entrepreneurs need in order to start their own small business. Register on line $49 or at the door $59. Register online at www.centralcalscore.org or call SCORE at 559-487-5605 April 10, 2008. The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber Corridor-65 Networking Mixer is being hosted by Family HealthCare Network Corporate Office, 314 N. Main St., Porterville. The event will take place from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. Refreshments will be served. No admission charge. Public is invited to attend. For additional information and details please call Martha A. Flores at (559) 788-8106. April 10, 2008 The Tulare County Democratic Central Committee cordially invites you to attend the Fourth Annual Rose Ann Vuich Awards Dinner to be held at the Holiday Inn in Visalia on Thursday, April 10th. 6pm Social Hour. 7pm Dinner. Keynote Speaker: Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chair of the California Democratic Party. Awards to be presented to local and state Democrats. Live Entertainment. Rose Ann Vuich served as a member of the California State Senate from 1977 until 1991. She was the first female member of the California State Senate. She was a farmer and tax accountant from Dinuba. Tickets are $75.00 per person; $700 for a table of 10.For tickets and more information, please call: Minerva Zapalac 799-2586 or Barbara Waldron 594-1112. April 12, 2008 The Tulare County League of Mexican American Women invite you to attend the Mother & Daughter Luncheon. The event will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at the Cambridge Room –Lamp Liter Inn, 3300 Mineral King, Visalia, CA. Spring Boutique. Lunch. Drawing prizes. Entertainment provided by the Trio San Juan. The price is $17.00 per person or 2 for $30.00. For additional information call 635-2464 or 562-4411 April 12, 2008 YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day promotes health across America and helps families support healthy habits and behaviors. The building of health in spirit, mind and body is behind everything we do at the YMCA. We invite you to celebrate promoting healthy lifestyles and choices for children with us at the Visalia Farmers Market on Saturday, April 12th from 9AM – 1PM. Many local companies will be there encouraging healthy choices including HealthNet, Blue Cross, In Shape and Lifestyles Centers, SPCA, Rollertowne, Professor Toy, CVRC and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Please join us and learn how to assess and modify your home environment to promote the health of your entire family. For questions about Healthy Kids Day 2008, please contact the Visalia YMCA at 559-627-0700. The Visalia YMCA is a branch of the Golden State YMCA. April 16, 2008 On Wednesday, April 16, the 2008 Tulare County Job Fair will be held from 9:00AM to 1:00PM at the Visalia Convention Center. Employers are invited to come and “recruit your future employees.” Over 3,000 attendees are expected. For additional information, please contact Staci Chastain at 741-2085 April 19, 2008 Tulare Kings Right to Life will host its 13th Annual Walk For Life on Saturday, April 19 at 9:00AM at Plaza Park in Visalia. There will be live music, games, food, entertainment and more. The Grand Prize is a 7 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise for two! Walkers collecting $150 in pledges will receive a FREE Walk for Life T-Shirt. Proceeds from this 2 mile walk will be used to support the organization's educational programs about fetal development, abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, post abortion syndrome and related issues. For more info and to raid funds online, go to www.tkrl.org or call 732-500. May 2, 2008 The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber Annual Business Conference and Expo will be held at the Visalia Convention Center. Vendor booth registration and set up will take place from 9:00a.m. to 11:30 A.m. Conference registration will be from 11:30a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The lunch and key note speakers from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the viewing of the booths from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00p.m. Conference tickets are $50 per person. Admittance to the Expo is free to the public after 2:00 p.m. For additional information, including vendor registration, please call (559) 734-6020 or email tkhcc@aol.com May 3, 2008 The Tulare Hospital Foundation will hold its 14th Annual Watte Memorial Golf Tournament on May 3, 2008, 132:00PM at the Tulare Golf Course. Entry fee is $130. For additional tournament and sponsorship opportunities call the Foundation Office at 685-3438. Proceeds will benefit Tulare District Hospital for specialized patient care equipment. May 7, 2008 With E-Business and the Internet becoming increasingly popular, having a strategy to get your name out on the internet is not as easy as it sounds. Everyday, a new business is created online. But SCORE is going high-tech and will show you how to create a face for your organization through online marketing strategies. On May 7, 2008, SCORE presents How to Jump-start Your Business on the Internet Through Marketing Strategies. The workshop will take place from 7:30 a.m. to Noon at the National University-Fresno Academic Center, 20 River Park Place West, Fresno, CA 93720. Register on line $35 or at the door $40. Register online at www.centralcalscore.org or call SCORE at 559-487-5605 May 10, 2008 HEART is pleased to present the Third Annual HEART Heritage Series event, "Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt: Debate of the Presidents," featuring award-winning humanities scholar and HEART friend, Clay S. Jenkinson. Join us on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fox Theater when Clay Jenkinson will adopt the persona of two of our greatest presidents of the United States: Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. Tickets are $55, $40 and $30 available at the Fox Theater by calling 625-1369 and on line at foxvisalia.org. VIP tickets, $125,include premier seating and pre-Event reception with Mr. Jenkinson. Call 624-5933. May 31, 2008 On Saturday, May 31, the Mariachi Heritage Foundation is presenting its 7th Annual “Hot Salsa Nite.” The event will take place from 4:00PM to 10:00PM. Dance to the music of “Sol” on the corner of Church Street and Main Street in Visalia. $20 tickets in advance, $25 the night of the event. For information: 741-9195. For additional information please call (559) 734-6020, email tkhcc@aol.com, or refer to www.tkhcc.com .
Organizational Meeting Set for Hispanic Guild of Children's Hospital Central California
Children’s Hospital provides excellent care and state-of-the-art technology to sick and injured children of our Valley. Members of the Hispanic Community are being invited to attend a new Guild organizational meeting on May 1, 2008 from 11:30AM to 1:30PM (location to be determined) to discuss the creation of a Hispanic Guild to benefit Children's Hospital The Guilds of Children's Hospital Central California has a rich history here in the Valley. In 1949 the five founding mothers who founded Children’s Hospital believed the community the Hospital served should financially support the new hospital. So they implemented a volunteer guild system with two objectives: Help raise financial support for the Hospital and Develop ongoing community support among the communities it serves. There are currently 12 Guilds throughout the Valley, with three more being formed. Since their formation, the Guilds of Children's Hospital Central California have raised $22 million – making the Guilds the largest financial contributor to the Hospital. The Guilds of Children’s Hospital know that service to the Hospital and to the children of the Valley will always be the number one priority. The Hospital stands today as a tangible testimony to what a community can do for itself when many work together to fill a worthwhile need. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Teresa Fierro, Guild Manager, at (559) 353-7145 or TFierro@ChildrensCentralCal.org.
F & T Scholarships Offered
Finance & Thrift (F&T) is proud to announce that 21 scholarships will be given to high school seniors this June. There will be one scholarship awarded in each city that has an F&T branch. The winner will be selected based on the criteria stated in the application. If you are a high school senior and would like to apply, call the Finance & Thrift Marketing Department at (559) 781-3961 or contact your local branch for an application. Finance & Thrift Company, a subsidiary of F & T Financial Services, Inc., was established in 1925 and is headquartered in Porterville with 21 branch locations in the Central San Joaquin Valley. The company offers numerous consumer loan services and savings plans - serving in excess of 33,000 customers in the Valley. Finance & Thrift Company is an Equal Opportunity Lender and a member of FDIC.
Self-Help Enterprises to Offer Free Foreclosure Counseling
For homeowners facing foreclosure, time is a precious resource. Finding accurate, reliable information can be overwhelming. With all the foreclosure scams out there, it’s hard to know who to trust. Help is just a phone call away. For over 43 years, Self Help Enterprises (SHE) www.SelfHelpEnterprises.org , a non-profit housing and community development organization, has helped people improve their living situations throughout the Central Valley. Today, SHE is honored to introduce its newest line of service, free foreclosure counseling, to all homeowners facing foreclosure. Free Foreclosure Counseling in Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties Call our toll free hotline today 1-888-412-0828. Spanish-speaking counselors will also be available. If you are a homeowner who is struggling with the possibility of losing your home and you have questions, give us a call. Our HUD certified foreclosure counselors will talk with you, look at your financial situation, and explain all of your options. Whether you want to keep your home or walk away, knowledge is power and the more you know the better choices you can make.
Ted Smalley Named New TCAG Director
George Finney, retiring executive director of the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), will be replaced by his deputy. Ted Smalley, deputy director of TCAG for two years, takes over as executive director March 17. TCAG works with federal and states entities to get funding for a variety of projects, including road work, bicycle trails and public transit. TCAG is composed of representatives from every city in the county, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and three independent representatives from the county. Smalley has worked for TCAG for nine years in various positions. While Smalley has served as deputy director, TCAG has found funding for highways 99 and 198 in Tulare County. Funding from Measure R – a sales tax approved by voters in November 2006 has been used by the agency to improve several roads throughout the county. TCAG is responsible for administering Measure R and to plan for projects. “Ted and his staff have done an excellent job in proving us with information and updates regarding Measure R projects,” says Gil Jaramillo, Measure R Citizens Oversight Committee Chair.
Thank you to members of TKHCC
The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce would like to thank its members who make the chamber’s programs and projects possible. Thank you for renewing your membership: Nicky Rodriguez Cement Contractor 17421 Road 208 Porterville, CA.93257 City of Lindsay P.O. Box 369 Lindsay, CA. 93247 United Staffing Association LLC 300 James Way, Suite 230 Pismo Beach, CA. 93449 Peña Disposal, Inc. 12843 Avenue 416 Orosi, CA. 93647 Serrano’s Furniture 205 E. Tulare Dinuba, CA.93618 Whitlatch Realty 525 W. Center Street, Suite D Visalia, CA. 93291 National Farm Workers Service Center 3106 South Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277 AARP Senior Employment Program 2222 Sunnyside Ave. Suite 4 Visalia, CA 93277 Hispanic Alliance for Culture, Education & Recognition P.O Box 2104 Tulare, CA 93275 ABLE Industries 8127 Avenue 304 Visalia, CA. 93291 Eagle Mountain Casino P.O. Box 1659 Porterville, CA. 93258 Comcast Communication Inc. 2441 N. Grove Industrial Drive Fresno, CA 93727 Visalia Senior Housing Inc./Oak Meadows 111 W. School Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 Visalia Senior Housing Inc./The Town Meadows 115 W. Murray Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 South Court Pharmacy 1620 S. Court Visalia, CA 93277
Central California Small Business Development Center Labor Relations Seminar
Central California Small Business Development Center and Pacific Employers co-sponsor a free monthly seminar based on the following issues: Employee safety matters, Labor relations, Human resources and Personnel matters. On April 17, 2008, the seminar Safety Programs – Understanding Cal OSHA’s Written Safety Program, reviewing the Illness and Injury Prevention Plan (IIPP) or SB-198 requirements for your business will take place from 10:00 am – 11:30 am. Are you in compliance? Be sure to attend this important workshop. The workshop will take place at the Tulare-Kings Counties Builders Exchange at the Corner of Lovers Lane and Tulare Ave. in Visalia Please RSVP in advance as workshops fill up quickly and space is limited. CALL (559) 625-3051, EXT. 100 to register or visit WWW.CCSBDC.ORG This series is free.
TUCOEMAS Scholarship Awarded to Visalia High School Student
A high school senior with dreams to attend college and lead the search for a more dependable energy source was awarded the TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union Student Entrepreneur Scholarship. Stephan Leal, a senior at Redwood High School, who has demonstrated an overwhelming entrepreneurial spirit, was awarded the $1,000 scholarship during the third annual Recognizing Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards Breakfast at the Marriott Hotel in Visalia. Leal holds a 3.85 grade point average and has taken AP physics, statistics and calculus courses. In his spare time, he has participated in Future Business Leaders of America, Redwood’s science club, Link Crew, water polo, track and a host of other extracurricular activities. As a junior, Stephan placed third in the California State Science Olympiad in “Robot Ramble.” With plans to attend U.C. Santa Barbara, Leal looks forward to pursuing his goal of developing alternative energy sources and vehicles. For the past three years, TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation and the Tulare County Office of Education to increase awareness among students concerning the critical role science, technology, engineering and mathematics play in building entrepreneurship in America. For more information, please contact Dawn Bills, marketing manager of TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union, at (559) 737-5929 or by e-mail at dawn.bills@tucoemas.org or visit www.tucoemas.org.
CASA Welcomes New Volunteers
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Tulare County welcomed the newest community volunteers who took an oath on March 11th with the Honorable Judge Saucedo to protect and speak on behalf of abused and neglected children of Tulare County. These volunteers underwent extensive screening and 54 hours of classroom and courtroom training to become CASA advocates. Congratulations to Carrie Carino, Beverly Keith, Stephanie Bixler, Terry Tucker, Jana Riportella, Melesa Noguera and Sara Gaspar. CASA advocates visit weekly with children who are now in the foster care system because of parent or caretaker abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers are the "eyes and ears" of the judge and the "child's voice" in court, providing mentoring to those who need help the most. New advocates are always needed; right now CASA of Tulare County has over 250 children on its waiting list who are in need of an advocate. New training starts in May. Make a difference in a child's life, call today for more information 625-4007. JoAnn Bol, Fund Development/Outreach Coordinator, CASA of Tulare County, 1146 N Chinowth, Visalia, CA 93291.
Countdown to construction begins for 2008 Home Builders Association service project
Shortly, the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Tulare/Kings Counties Inc. will begin construction on its 2008 service project. From May 31-June 7, HBA members will join Habitat for Humanity of Tulare County in the Home Builders Blitz 2008, a national effort to build 500 affordable homes across the United States and Canada. The project is just one of many ways the HBA gives back every year as part of the annual Builders Care Program. The HBA identifies a building project need and provides labor, materials and construction supervision. Other HBA annual service projects have included: -Construction of a new building in 2006 to house a therapy room, an office and a permanent restrooms in 2006 at Happy Trails Riding Academy in Tulare. Happy Trails provides equine therapy for disabled children and adults. -In 2005, HBA provided all the materials/supplies for construction of a caretakers’ residence and a utility building at the College of the Sequoias Farm in Tulare. The money saved by the donated materials went into the COS Trades Training Scholarship Fund. -HBA built an entire handicapped accessible/equipped home for former Exeter Police Officer Rick Grimsley, after the loss of his legs on duty. The home was fully constructed in 2004 by the HBA. -They constructed a Health Center and nurses’ quarters in 1992 at SCICON. SCICON is the outdoor school of science and conservation operated by the Tulare County Office of Education. -The 1990 construction of the Willow Glen YMCA Day Care Center. Already, 35 companies in Tulare and Kings counties have offered to supply items and labor to complete the 1,295-square-foot Visalia home in just one week. They include: -Centex Homes -R&B Construction Cleanup -Quad Knopf -City of Visalia -Frank’s Appliance -Sacramento Building Products -CEMEX -Kings River Door -A-L Drywall -Pavletich Electric -Fence Works -Nicky Rodriguez -Simas Floor -CVC -Kingdom Builders -Central Valley Overhead Inc. -Donco -Alan McIntosh, HVAC Consulting -HCD Construction -P&G Communication -Broken Drum Insulation -Landscape Development -CTX Building -McDonald Engineering -Windows Plus -M&M Painting -Dodd’s Plumbing -Dave’s Tub Repair -ResCom -M&B Carpentry -Southern California Edison -The Gas Company -California Water Service -Comcast -County of Tulare Once completed, the Home Builders Blitz 2008 house will become the home of Ailor and Nakor See, a hard-working, very low-income family selected by Habitat for Humanity. The family will invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” helping build Habitat houses or working on other Habitat projects. Families selected to become Habitat homeowners help build and then purchase their homes using a no-profit, no-interest Habitat mortgage. Mortgage payments are no more than 30 percent of the household income. These payments are used to build more Habitat for Humanity houses in Tulare County. The home will be built at 1631 Summers St. in Visalia. Companies wishing to participate in the HBA Blitz Build should send an e-mail stating company name, contact person, contact information and what they wish to contribute to build@biatk.com or by mail to 315 W. Oak Ave., Visalia, CA 93291. For more information or to join the HBA Blitz Build, please contact Bob Keenan, President/CEO of the Home Builders Association of Tulare/Kings Counties Inc. at 559-625-5447 or build@biatk.com.
SCORE Looking for Business Executives to Counsel Small Business Entrepreneurs
SCORE (the Service Corps of Retired Executives), is an opportunity for business executives to be involved in the business community and to share some of their hard-earned business expertise with other small business owners. SCORE is a group of men and women who donate their time to provide advice and guidance to both start-up and existing small business entrepreneurs. Sponsored by the U. S. Small Business Administration, SCORE is a non-profit organization that has numerous chapters located throughout the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coastal areas. In Visalia, SCORE counsels entrepreneurs at the Visalia Chamber of Commerce and in Tulare, counseling sessions are held at the Business Finance Center. SCORE services range from business counseling to a wide variety of educational workshops. SCORE is currently recruiting for members to assist in the Visalia and Tulare offices. Executives join by simply showing an interest and making themselves available at various times to offer counseling to small business owners. If you would like to find out more about joining the SCORE Chapter please contact SCORE Counselor Carl Switzer at (559) 287-6291. SCORE Counselors meet with business owners on a personal appointment basis and as frequently as necessary. The period of counseling may take as little as one day or as much as a year, depending upon the nature of the counseling request. The SCORE Counselor determines how much time he or she wishes to donate to the program. Some Counselors donate as little as two hours a week and many Counselors donate much more. If you have had a successful business career or have owned a small business - perhaps SCORE is for you!
TUCOEMAS Takes Steps to Improve ADA Standards for Members
Banking at TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union has gotten a little easier for members with disabilities. This month, TUCOEMAS wrapped up construction on a voluntary four-month project to improve access for the disabled at its Cypress branch in Visalia. Although the branch was already in compliance with accessibility standards as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, TUCOEMAS added two more parking spaces for the disabled closer to its lobby entrance, an additional wheelchair ramp and automatic doors for its entrance. “This project was something our members asked for and we went through with it voluntarily because we knew it would help make their lives easier,” said Dawn Bills, marketing manager of TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union. In its 60th year, TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union has four branches — two in Visalia, one in Tulare and one in Porterville — serving more than 36,000 members in Tulare County. For more information, please contact Dawn Bills, marketing manager of TUCOEMAS Federal Credit Union, at (559) 737-5929 or by e-mail at dawn.bills@tucoemas.org.
Hispanic Times is published by the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with The Fresno Bee.
Editor: Gil Jaramillo Layout/design: The Fresno Bee The Hispanic Times is the official publication of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. All views expressed in articles or columns are the views of the author and not necessarily of TKHCC or its members. For information, please call the chamber office at (559) 734-6020 or fax (559) 734-6021. Send correspondence to Hispanic Times, 711 N. Court St. Suite C., Visalia CA 93291 or email tkhcc@aol.com