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Vol. LXIX No. 1 |August 2014

Inside This IssueJob Killer Bills...............................…..….......1

Score Desert Challenge..............…................2

President's Message........…………………....3

Membership Renewals...…………………....4

Young Entrepreneurs Academy...……..…….5

President’s Circle.........................….………..5

Teacher's Breakfast Thank You………..........6

Score Desert Challenge, cont.........................7

Event photos...............................................…8

News & Events….………….......……...........9

Welcome New Members...……......….……10

Contact the Chamber for video sponsorship opportunities

Job Killer’ Bills Still Alive in Legislature

In the final days of the legislative session, a handful of “job killer” proposals remain alive despite strong opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce and other groups.

Legislation that increases the cost burden on employers is unacceptable, par-ticularly in light of a recent study by the California Foundation for Commerce and Education showing that operating costs for California businesses are, on aver-age, 19% higher than competitors in the rest of the nation.

Ongoing discussions mean the substance and status of some bills may change, but as Alert went to print, the following “job killer” bills remained in play.

Economic Development Barriers

• AB 2617 (Weber; D-San Diego) Interference with Arbitration Agreements and Settlement Agreements. Unfairly prohibits the enforcement of arbitration agreements or pre-litigation settlement agreements that require the individual to waive their right to pursue a civil action for the alleged violation of civil rights.

• AB 2416 (Stone; D-Scotts Valley) Unproven Wage Liens. Creates a danger-ous and unfair precedent in the wage and hour arena by allowing employees to file liens on an employer’s real or personal property, or property where work was performed, based upon alleged yet unproven wage claims.

• AB 1897 (R. Hernández; D-West Covina) Contractor Liability. Unfairly im-poses liability on a contracting entity for the contractor’s wage and hour violations and lack of workers’ compensation coverage despite the lack of any evidence that the contracting entity controlled the working conditions or wages of the con-tractor’s employees.

• AB 52 (Gatto; D-Los Angeles) Substantial Expansion of California Envi-ronmental Quality Act (CEQA). Creates more opportunities for litigation and substantially increases project cost and delay by creating mandatory consulta-tion requirements with Native American Tribes and by requiring lead agencies to analyze a project’s impacts to an entirely new resource area called Tribal Cultural Resources.

• AB 1522 (Gonzalez; D-San Diego) Paid Sick Leave. Increases employer mandates by requiring all employers, large and small, to provide all employees in California with paid sick leave, and threatens employers with statutory penalties and litigation under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) for alleged viola-tions.

The CalChamber is urging members to ask their legislators to oppose these “job killer” bills.

Easy-to-edit sample letters are available at www.calchambervotes.com

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Rigid Industries Presents the 19th Annual SCORE Desert ChallengeHosted in Imperial Valley, California.

Round 4 of five-race 2014 SCORE World Desert Championship split into two days of racing; Classes to runin groups as multi-lap race over an 8-mile course at Coyne Powersports Motorplex in Imperial Valley, Calif.; SCORE also add-

ing one special Pro UTV and one special Sportsman UTV class exclusively for this event

RENO, Nev.—Round 4 of the 2014 five-race SCORE World Desert Championship will have the event split into multiple days with classes split into groups as is typical with a SCORE Desert Challenge. Each class will run multi-lap races each day over an eight-mile course at the Coyne Powersports Motorplex near Plaster City, Calif. in Imperial Valley.

The Motorplex is owned by El Centro, Calif., businessman Marty Coyne, a former SCORE Trophy Truck racer who won the SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup. The one-square mile land area is inside of the massive 41,000-acre Superstition Mountain/Plaster City OHV area.

Coyne’s private land has an eight-mile course already developed that was part of the 82-mile loop used by SCORE on April 26, for which racers were required to cover three laps, for the Inaugural SCORE Imperial Valley 250 desert race.

Held from 1995 through 2012 in Laughlin, Nev., the Rigid Industries SCORE Desert Challenge will be held for the first time in the Imperial Valley with the same format as the original SCORE Desert Challenge events from past years. The SCORE World Desert Championship will include competition in 26 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and ATVs.

SCORE CEO Roger Norman is elated to be returning to the Imperial Valley for the second time this year. Roger Norman (a celebrated racer with multiple U.S. and Mexican race victories including being an overall winner of the prestigious Baja 1000) commented, “After our highly successful debut race in the Imperial Valley in April, I knew we would be back because it is conveniently located for so many racers and the Imperial Valley community is so supportive of SCORE International. To-gether with Marty we have developed a great working relationship with the various entities in the El Centro area and we know this will be tremendous weekend of short-course desert racing in Imperial Valley.”

“Currently the plan is to have racing on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night and Sunday morning with the awards ceremony at the finish of the final heat for each class onsite at Monster Energy hospitality. This race is unique in that everybody has a choice to stay at a hotel or camp near the race site. Fans and racers can bring their off-road toys and enjoy the Superstition Mountain/Plaster City OHV area in between races. We are very excited about expanding the legacy of the SCORE Desert Challenge which was a very popular event in Laughlin for 18 years. Our goal is to create a new, improved version of the same great race in a different venue.”

BIG AIR CHALLENGE & MONSTER ENERGY SCORE PARTY’

Plans are also being finalized for the Big Air Challenge to be held on Thursday (Sept. 25) prior to the race for SCORE

...continued on page 2►

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Kathleen Ball • Robert Brown • Sara Douglas • Lizandro Escobosa • Richard Gutierrez • Veronica Henderson • Anne

Irigoyen • Carla Kuhns • Renato Montaño• Glenn Montgomery • Richard Morales • Terri Rogers •

Drew Williams • Veronica Wright • Fernando Zavala

CHAMBER MISSION STATEMENT“The mission of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is to be an advocate for business, provide economic leadership and foster

community pride to ensure growth, prosperity and quality of life in El Centro and the surrounding region.’’

Les SmithPresident

David TylerPresident Elect

Jeff SturdevantDirector at Large

Gary GludTreasurer

Jaime HonoldPast President

Eusebio ArballoVice President

Harold WalkDirector at Large

2014-2015 DIRECTORS

STAFFDarletta D. WillisChief Executive O�cer

Shawnee De AndaReceptionist/Administrative Asst.

Vicki ZamoraO�ce Manager

Anthony MorenoMembership/Program Director

2014 - 2015 Executive Committee

Les Smith, President

I am looking forward to the upcoming year at the Chamber. Jaime Honold will be a tough act to follow, however; with his continued support as well as the full board and our great staff, it will be a great year. I look forward to continuing to help

build and strengthen a stronger local economy.

It is great that we will be moving forward with the Score International races. We are fortunate to have a second race this year along with the possibility of entering into a multi-year agreement with Score. The revenue these events will bring is very positive for the Imperial Valley. The El Centro Chamber would like to express sincere thanks to Imperial County, City of El Centro, and Imperial Irrigation District for their support of the events.

Over the last two years the Chamber’s Board has worked hard to build a stronger more meaningful relationship with the agriculture community in Imperial Valley. Agriculture is a vital part of our local economy and we need to continue to support the ag industry.

The Governmental Affairs committee this year will continue to act on local, state and federal issues impacting our regional business community.

The Young Professionals Organization will continue to grow and reach out to all Imperial Valley Chambers to build membership. We hope to strengthen relationships through professional development.

Under Darletta’s leadership the Young Entrepreneurs Academy was a great success during its first year. I encourage everyone to support this program personally and professionally as it provides a means to build and retain future business leaders here in the Valley.

The Chamber looks forward to supporting and working with NAF El Centro this year as they are also a big contributor to our local economy.

I look forward to working with and building a stronger relationship with the Mexicali Chamber of Commerce and the Mexicali Tourism Bureau in an effort to improve and expand commerce on both sides of the border.

The Chamber is happy to work with and have the continued support from the City of El Centro, Imperial County, IID and Farm Bureau at our board level as well as their support of many of our events.

Not being a native of the Valley and having only been here for 15 years, it is an honor and a privilege to be your Chamber President. Let have a great year together and build a bigger and better Chamber here in El Centro. Thank you for your support and may God bless us all.

Les Smith

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Thank you to all that have renewed their membership in June, July and August!

A M/P M Mini Storage Adolescents, Babies & Children, A Medical Corp. Alford Distributing All American Cleaning Aten Express Beach & Son Towing Best Western Plus Burrtec Waste Industries C R & R Incorporated Central Home Medical Chicago Title Co. City of El Centro Community Valley Bank (CVB) D B Pump & Supply D Walk Appraisals Desert Air Conditioning Desert Auto Plaza Digital The Fruth Group E W Corporation El Centro Elementary School District El Centro Rotary Club El Toro Export LLC El Zarape Restaurant Ewing, Johnson & Graves APLC Exit Imperial Realty Farm Credit Services Southwest First Foundation Bank First Imperial Credit Union Garcia, Edgard, Law Office of Gio's Mobile Home Estates Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Horton, Knox, Carter & Foote, LLP. Hutchinson & Bloodgood LLP Image Source - Xerox Imperial County Imperial County Area Agency on Aging Imperial County Office of Education

Imperial Irrigation District Imperial Valley Desert Museum Imperial Valley Family Care Medical Group APC Imperial Valley Mall Imperial Valley Real Estate Services Inc. Impresora y Editorial SA CV - La Cronica K & M Press, Inc. K-C Welding & Rentals Inc.

Kentucky Fried Chicken KVYE/KAJB/KSEH/KMXX KXO Radio - AM/FM Lai, Christopher C., MD Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine - El Centro Office Los Vigilantes McDonald's of El Centro Menvielle, Robert Merli Concrete Pumping Middleton, William F., Jr., OD Inc. Mike Nicholas Photography Molina Healthcare Montecito Land National Property Inspections Pro Record Storage & Shredding R & K Air Conditioning Reach Air Medical Rocket Copy Rio Bend RV & Golf Resort Sanbon Inc. San Diego County Water Authority San Diego Gas & Electric Seeds West Inc. Servpro of El Centro/Salton Sea Shamrock Foods Co. Snakebite LS DBA Sellers Petroleum Sizzler Restaurant Small Business Development Center Styles & Smiles Beauty Salon Sun Community Federal Credit Union Swain & Kennerson an Accountancy Corp. The Learning Place - Cheryl Von Flue, M.A. Ed. The Plaza @ Imperial Valley Tyler Insurance Agency United States Gypsum Company Wallick & Volk Walmart Supercenter Watson, Tom Electrical Inc. Xavier Outdoor Advertising

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2014-2015Platinum

San Diego Gas & Electric

GOLDQuechan/Paradise Casino

RabobankTime Warner Cable

SILVERAlford Distrubiting

California Health & WellnessCity of El Centro

Imperial Irrigation DistrictWalmart Supercenter

BRONZEBurgers & Beers

CR&R IncorporatedCommunity Valley Bank (CVB)

First Imperial Credit UnionHutchinson & Bloodgood

Imperial PrintersImperial Valley Family Care Medical Group

Molina HealthcareOcotillo Express LLC

Spectrum AdvertisingSun Community Federal Credit Union

Swain & Kennerson an Accountancy Corp.Tien Vo, M.D. Inc

Tyler Insurance AgencyUnited Families Inc.

Do You Know a Student with a BIG Idea?

We hope that local business is alive and booming in our city! At the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) we are gearing up to teach middle and high school stu-dents the ropes when it comes to starting and running their very own legal and real businesses.

We are in the thick of student recruitment for YEA! classes starting this fall! Do you know of any middle or high school students who have a BIG idea? Who have always wanted to learn how to make a job rather than just take a job? We would love to meet them!

The YEA! program has been a success for students all across the country, and we couldn’t be happier to be introducing this program to our young students this fall. YEA! will be teaching these students how to pursue their passions, and give them the tools when it comes to starting their own business ventures and social movements!

For more information on how to nominate a student, please contact Darletta at 760-352-3681. For inter-ested students, our local YEA! application can be down-loaded and filled out here: http://elcentrochamber.com/pages/YoungEntrepreneursAcademy/.

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61st Annual Welcome Back Teachers’ Breakfast

Through the generous contributions of our members, The El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau was once again able to distribute “goodie bags” to over 400 teachers prior to the start of the school year and breakfast at the El Centro Elementary School District Welcome Back Teachers and Staff Presentation. A Big Thank You goes out to Lucky Supermarket

for providing all the Breakfast items and Starbucks for providing the coffee.

The Chamber continues this program to show the business community’s collective gratitude for the invaluable service teach-ers give in educating our youth, our future workforce.

The following members helped in making this program a success:Broken Yolk Cafe

Community Valley BankCostco Wholesale

Hart Insurance Center, Inc. Imperial Valley PressLucky Super MarketMolina HealthcareRobert Menvielle

Rogers & Rogers Auto GroupSea World

Sun Community Federal Credit UnionStarbucks CoffeeStyles & Smiles

United Desert Gateway Walmart Supercenter-El Centro

Special Thanks to our Business/Education Partner Sponsor:

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Score Desert Challenge, continued►

Trophy Trucks and other participating classes similar to the old Laughlin Leap competition held in conjunction with the first 18 Desert Challenge events. With sponsors and the purse to be announced in the near future, the Big Air Challenge will start at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 25) during the Monster Energy SCORE Party at the Coyne Powersports Motorplex.

VERY FAN-FRIENDLY

SCORE is developing plans with the staff of Coyne Powersports Motorplex to create fan-friendly spectator areas around the entire perimeter of the racecourse as well as the start/finish line area off of Wheeler Road north of Plaster City.

Surrounding the entire Coyne Powersports Motorplex is Southern California’s massive Superstition Mountain/Plaster City OHV use area. This OHV recreational area will provide event spectators the opportunity to enjoy the entire race weekend with overnight camping and off-road vehicle use (allowed under normal BLM restrictions in the OHV recreation use area.)

2 SPECIAL UTV CLASSES

Responding to the growing interest in these unique, entry-level vehicles, SCORE has also announced that it has added two special UTV classes exclusively for the Rigid Industries SCORE Desert Challenge. The two special classes for this race are the Pro UTV Single-Seat and Sportsman UTV Stock.

The Pro UTV Single-Seat class is for modified UTVs up to 1000cc engine displacement with stock chassis and stock appearance. The Sportsman UTV Stock class is a stock UTV class for production UTVs, manufactured by registered compa-nies with vehicle VIN numbers.

Detailed information regarding these classes will be available under Tech Notes on the SCORE website at http://score-international.com/tech-notes/ or by calling the SCORE Tech Office in El Cajon, Calif., at 619.938.2135.

2014 SCORE WORLD DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES EVENTS

28th Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 was held on March 1.

1st SCORE Imperial Valley 250 was held on April 26.

46th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 was held June 6-7.

19th Rigid Industries SCORE Desert Challenge Sept. 25-28.

1st SEMA Takeover and Las Vegas Motor Speedway Qualifying Nov. 4-7

47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Nov. 12-16.

1) Leave your toys at home

2) Don't leave your children unattended

3) Stay off the course – use ONLY spectator areas

4) Don't be a drunk!

5) Use a designated driver

6) Pack out what you pack in

7) Follow all directions from law enforcement

8) Report any illegal activities

9) No glass bottles

10) Know the rules

11) Use common sense

12) Obey all SCORE officials

13) Please report any suspicious activity to a SCORE official

14) Please remember a safe race is the best race. Help ensure Score that the Imperial Valley is ready to host more races

Race Fan Rules

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News & EventsAugust 27Understanding Your Credit Score FREE Seminar- Come learn what your credit score really means, how derogatory information can a�ect you, the best mix of credit to have, and about restoration options. Event takes place at the FICU El Centro Branch located at 11602 W. Main St, El Centro, 5:30PM-7PM. For more information please contact Anita at (760) 352-1540 ext 109.

August 30Adopt-athon - The Humane Society of Imperial County is inviting the community to come out and adopt a new family pet today!! Event takes place at the Imperial County Humane Society located at 1575 W Pico Ave, El Centro, from 9am to 10am. For more information please contact the Humane Society at (760) 352-1911.

September 12IVYPO Pool Party -The Young Professionals Organiza-tion invites you to come out and have some fun under the sun at a Pool Party! Where one can enjoy music, food, water games, and more!! Event Takes place at Desert Trails RV Park & Golf Course (Pool) from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information contact the El Centro Chamber of Commerce at (760) 352-3681. The cost is $5 for members 7 for non-members.

September 17United Way of Imperial County Fifth Annual Kick-o� Breakfast – You are invited to join United Way as they start the new campaign year and to thank donors for their past support. Cost is $11.00 Early Bird or $14 at the door per person. Event will take place at the El Centro Police Athletic League located at 1100 North 4th Street from 7:30am to 8:30am. For more information call (760) 355-4900.

September 18El Centro Chamber Monthly Mixer - The El Centro Chamber's September Mixer will be held THURSDAY, September 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This month's mixer is being sponsored by Imperial Valley Food Bank, located at 329 Applestill Rd., El Centro. All El Centro Chamber members are encouraged to attend.

September 12Mastering Business Growth – The Mastering Business Growth program includes ten modules that been designed as components of a “toolkit” for business planning and implementation. Additionally, the workshops o�er opportunities for one-on-one coaching, networking, and matchmaking. These courses will take place each Friday, starting September 12 for ten sessions at San Diego Gas & Electric – EIC located at 4760 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego from 8:30am to 1pm. For more information call 714-670-8941.

September 20Boys & Girls Club Imperial Valley Auction & Gala - Come to show your support and win big at the Boys and Girls Club Imperial Valley Auction and Great Future Gala! For more information please call the Boys and Girls Club at (760) 344-2040

September 26IVYPO MBTI - IVYPO has once again teamed up with New Gold to hold a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which will help participants learn more about themselves and how best they communicate with others. Whether participants are in management or students the MBTI will help them better understand themselves leading to self- improvement. The cost is only $25 for members and $35 for Non-members and will take place Friday, September 26. Space is limited; please RSVP to (760) 352-3681 by September 12, 2014.

September 20City of El Centro Grito de Independencia and Taco Cook-o� - The City of El Centro and the Consulate of Mexico are celebrating Mexican Independence Day with an exciting event at Stark Field in El Centro. Event patrons will enjoy the excitement of cultural music, authentic cuisine, and artesian merchandise at this Celebration of Mexican Independence. The historical ceremony of “El Grito” will be showcased amidst the best tacos that the community has to o�er. Artists and artisans will proudly display their handiwork with many items available for sale. Event Takes place from 6pm to 10pm

September 25SCORE Desert Challenge- The El Centro Chamber of Commerce’s O� Road Race Committee has brought a second race to the Valley. Join us in Downtown Imperial at Contingency Row where drivers showcase their vehicles. There will be live music, beer garden, interacticve games, food and vendors 12PM- 7PM. For more information call Alexis Brown at 760-355-4371. Admission is FREE.

September 25SCORE Desert Challenge- Imperial Big Air Shootout at the IV Expo Grandstand 8 PM. For more information call 760-352-3681. Admission is FREE.

September 26SCORE Desert Challenge- Join us in Downtown Imperial for Tech & Contingency Row 10AM- 6PM. For more information call Alexis Brown at 760-355-4371. Admission is FREE.

September 26SCORE Desert Challenge Races- Friday @ 6:30PM; Saturday @ 6:30 AM; Sunday @ 6:30AM. Contact the El Centro Chamber of Commerce for tickets 760-352-3681.

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Welcome New MembersInsurance & Financial ServicesArmorcrest Insurance Services, Inc.Enrique Enriquez/Fausto Lizarde1122 State Street, Ste. AEl Centro, CA 92243(760) 693-5201

Motels & HotelsBest Western John Jay Inn Calexi-coSalvador Ramos2421 Scaroni Ave.Calexico, CA 92231(760) 768-0442www.bestwesterncalifornia.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites CalexicoSalvador Ramos2501 Scaroni Rd.Calexico, CA 92231(760) 768-6048

PhysiciansTien Vo, M.D., Inc.Tien Vo1420 Ocotillo Dr., Ste. BEl Centro, CA 92243(760) 352-2551www.ttvomd.com

Schools United Families Inc.Magda Franco1561 S. 4th StreetEl Centro, CA 92243(760) 336-8922

Refreshments/Shaved IceHawaiian Breeze RefreshmentsAlberto & Alicia Vargas1109B South 4th StreetEl Centro, CA 92243(760) 970-4155

Tobacco ProductsDeluxe VapesRob Rodriguez2393 Hwy 86Imperial, CA 92251(760) 592-4715

Travel Agencies & ServicesTravel by CherylNicole Olquin525 W. Man St., Ste. 5El Centro, CA 92243(760) 336-0384www.travelbycheryl.com

Advertising & MarketingLamar Advetising CompanySharon Casas1277 E. 21st StreetYuma, AZ 85365(928) 783-4436

Automotive – Sales Services & RepairsEl Toro Smog StationHugo Toro101 N. 8th StreetEl Centro, CA 92243(760) 353-5069

Industrial/Renewable EnergyOcotillo ExpressMitzie Leimgruber1377 West Imperial HwyOcotillo, CA 92259(760) 358-7099www.patternenergy.com