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Vol. LXVII No. 2 | February 2013

U.S. Requires Poster Change for Employers of 50 or More Employers with 50 or more employees are required to display an updated fed-eral family leave poster starting March 8.

The final rule outlining the requirement was issued just last week by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to imple-ment federal laws expanding Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections.

The FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees. The FMLA changes were legislated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 and the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act (signed in 2009).

The regulations were issued for public comment February 15, 2012, and the comment period closed on April 30, 2012.

Family Leave Notice Change

The final regulation requires a change to the federal FMLA notice/poster entitled “Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical Leave Act,” prepared by DOL.

This is “Notice C” on the California Chamber of Commerce California and Federal Employment Notices Poster.

All covered employers (50+ employees) must display the poster summarizing the major provisions of the FMLA and telling employees how to file a complaint.

The poster must be displayed in a con

spicuous place where employees and applicants for employment can see it. A poster must be displayed at all locations even if there are no eligible employees.

The FMLA includes a special leave en-titlement that permits eligible employees to take up to 26 weeks of leave to care for a covered servicemember during a single 12-month period.

Definition Clarified

The revised federal FMLA poster clari-fies that in addition to those currently serving, a “covered servicemember” also includes veterans discharged in the last five years.

Among the mandatory revisions on the federal poster is a note that the FMLA definitions of “serious injury or illness” for current servicemembers and veter-ans “are distinct from the FMLA defini-tion of ‘serious health condition.’”

A second mandatory note states that special hours of service eligibility re-quirements apply to airline flight crew employees.

Although the new poster has a revision date of February 2013, the DOL specifi-cally noted that employers may either start using the new poster immediately or may use the old FMLA poster through March 7, 2013.

Changed requirements taking effect on March 8, according to the DOL, include “military caregiver leave for a veteran, qualifying exigency leave for parental care, and the special leave calculation method for flight crew employees.”

Revised Poster

The California and Federal Employment Notices Poster with the revised federal FMLA Notice C is available for purchase at the El Centro Chamber of Commerce.

The mandatory changes to the FMLA Notice C affect: private-sector employ-ers, with 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year, including a joint employer or successor in interest to a covered employer; public agen-cies, including a local, state, or federal government agency, regardless of the number of employees; or public or pri-vate elementary or secondary schools, regardless of the number of employees.

Customers who purchased the Poster Protect® option will receive a replace-ment poster, paying no shipping, han-dling or tax for the FMLA notice update.

As implementation of workers’ compen-sation reform measures continues, there is the potential for additional mandatory changes later this year. ■

Inside This IssueDOL Poster Change..........................................1

7th Annual Air Show Gala................................2

President’s Message........................................3

New to the Chamber.........................................4

News& Events...................................................5

SoCal Gas Advance Meter...............................6

Welcome New Members...................................7

Good Morning Breakfast..................................8

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Eusebio Arballo • Kathleen Ball • Susan Castro • Doug Dahm Bob Ham • Veronica Henderson • Glenn Montgomery

Jean M. Oswalt • Kathleen Pipkin • Jeff Sturdevant Alicia Swaim • Sid Swarthout • Jose Vizcarra

Shelly Wilkinson • Drew Williams

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.’’

Randy TaylorPresident

Jaime HonoldPresident Elect

Les SmithVice President

Gary GludChief Financial Officer

Cherisse AlfordPast President

David TylerDirector at Large

Harold WalkDirector at Large

2012-2013 DIRECTORS

STAFFDarletta D. WillisChief Executive O�cer

Joann FloresMembership/Program Director

Vicki ZamoraO�ce Manager

Anthony MorenoAdministrative Assistant

2012 - 2013 Executive Committee

Anthony Moreno, Executive Assistant

Air Show Gala 2013 The El Centro Chamber of Commerce held its 7th Annual Air Show Gala on Friday, February 8, 2013 at Naval Air Facility El Centro’s Hangar 8. The success of this year’s event was obvious by the number of enthusiastic guests who called months in advance to secure their seat at this prestigious black tie event. The night started off with guests entering the Hangar, which was decorated pristinely in black and shimmering gold’s and enjoying Champagne and Stella Artois while deciding on which one of our many amazing silent auction items to bid on.

Valley Jazz serenaded diners during their rib eye dinner and immediately after guests couldn’t wait to get down on the dance floor to dance to the beats of the DJ’s of Desert Pro Sound. A few highlights of the night included Outstanding Service Awards by Chamber President Randy Taylor, as well as an award for Civilian of the Year presented by Captain Devon Jones, USN. A big congratulations goes out to the grand prize winner of the night Carla Kuhns, who won an all-expense paid trip to China in our “Hidden Treasures of the Orient” Jewelry Box Drawing (for information on joining Carla on this once in a lifetime trip to China contact vicki@elcentrochamber.com )

On behalf of the Staff, Air Show Gala Committee and Board of Directors of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce we would like to thank everyone who attended, donated to, or sponsored the 7th Annual Air Show Gala. Because of your continued sup-port to this event, the El Centro Chamber of Commerce is proudly able to sponsor NAF El Centro’s Annual Air Show.

If you would like more information on attending the Air Show Gala, or if you’re interested in sponsoring this one of a kind event next year (2014), contact the Chamber at (760) 352-3681. ■

Outstanding Service Award recipient Lt. Jared Smith and wife Tammy Smith

Outstanding Service Award recipient AD2 William Ewing and wife Heather Ewing

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A COMMUNITY FOR ALL SEASONS

There is a period of approximately five months where anything and everything happens in the Imperial Valley. Once we get our kids off to school it’s as if the starting gun sounded and it actually does because the Dove Hunting season begins. By October we’re out of the starting blocks and into youth and high school football and soccer, Harvest Fest, Halloween and the start of the return of the Snowbirds. Now these Snowbirds are not really birds at all, but winter residents of our community. Many locals refer to Snowbirds as winter guest or visitors but they are truly members of our community who own a local residence, buy and prepare their food and participate in the community. Many have been staying locally for a number of winters. Not only do they bring their money for local purchases but also volunteer their services as well as donate their money to worthy local causes. Snowbirds are truly members of our community; contributing members.

As we move into November, there’s the Cattle Call which includes a parade, pancake breakfast, Chile Cook-off, poetry, pageants and a rodeo. Our stores almost ignore Thanksgiving and begin to promote Christmas, golf courses are hosting weekly tournaments, the sand dunes are filled every weekend with buggies, rails,

ATV’s and motorcycles and of course there is Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

December starts with the Vigilantes’ Christmas parade, shopping, mailing holiday cards, decorating the tree, the house, the pets, lots of food, out of town guest, shopping and too much eating. Then there’s Christmas day, followed by more shopping for those discounted items as well as returning items and again eating; especially tamales and turkey tacos.

January brings the new year and our coldest month of the year. Once we survive New Year’s Eve, our guest return home, kids are back in school; then every local club and organization in the county has a fund raiser for your enjoyment and support every weekend. There’s another pancake breakfast, this time for the Snowbirds and there are races on foot, bike and truck to watch or participate occurring somewhere in the county and of course, it’s time to lose weight. Many of our local businesses seize the opportunity to promote their business at the very popular Business Showcase in Imperial.

As February arrives our winter crops are being harvested, those noisy black birds return, our local Naval Air Facility is in full operation with the Royal Air Force as well as our beloved Blue Angles performing spectacular aerial maneuvers with their aircraft while traveling at supersonic speeds. Cities throughout the county take advantage of the cool weather hosting Tomato, Carrot and Mardi Gras parades with carnivals. You’ll find rib cooking contest, carrot dishes prepared in every manner imaginable and even a civilian Black Tie event honoring our military at the NAF El Centro.

We start to slow down as our cool weather season draws to a close but first there is the annual Mid-Winter Fair. This is an opportunity for our Ag community to showcase their horticulture skills by displaying the fruits and vegetables; their efforts not just at the fair but in grocery stores

throughout the nation. Our local youth demonstrate their agriculture skills in raising farm animals; chickens, rabbits, lambs, pigs and steers and are rewarded through an auction sale that brings prices far exceeding other livestock auctions throughout the western states.

As we move into March, we find the weather changing with the winds seeming to blow away the cool weather followed by warmer temperatures. We’re still able to squeeze in a few more golf tournaments and perhaps another infusion of dune visitors but we do find our Snowbirds are fleeing to their other home. We take pleasure in beautiful spring days with great hunting and fishing, there are local softball and baseball games to enjoy, picturesque skies, exploring our deserts and mountains and great weekend barbeques in parks and back yards throughout the county; life is good in the Imperial Valley.

I find it unfortunate that activities decrease during our warmer months as there is beauty in this desert community throughout the year. I challenge everyone reading this article to think about why you’re here all year around and how we can educate others about the year round beauty of the Imperial Valley. We need to uncover our warm/hot weather assets to allow the outside world to discover our Valley. We all need to become ambassadors for our community.

What can you do to help? Your Chamber welcomes your suggestions. Help us promote our community; talk to us.

Thank you,

Randy Taylor

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2012-2013

PLATINUMSan Diego Gas & Electric

GOLDFirst Imperial Credit UnionQuechan/Paradise Casino

RabobankTime Warner Cable

SILVERAlford Distrubiting

City of El CentroNational Beef

Walmart Supercenter

BRONZEBurgers & Beers

CR&R IncorporatedCommunity Valley Bank (CVB)

Hutchinson & BloodgoodImperial Irrigation District

Imperial PrintersImperial Valley Family Care Medical Group

Sun Community Federal Credit UnionSwain & Kennerson an Accountancy Corp.

Tyler Insurance Agency

New to the Chamber

As the New Year comes so comes efforts to improve the value of membership to the El Centro Chamber of Com-merce. Starting January 1st, the Chamber has implemented new membership software to allow members more access to their information and how it is presented. The software pro-vides members the opportunity for more customization.

Members will now have the ability to make changes and updates to their business’ data displayed on the website. You will also have access to hot deals, marketspace listings and member job openings. The changes will enable members to promote their business and provide information to online visitors.

The goal of the Chamber’s change to the new software is to give our members an internet boost by providing an en-hanced, searchable business directory, which provides each member a webpage. Members can use their webpage as a brochure to promote their business and provide useful infor-mation such as a map showing the location of their business, contact information including email access, and it offers a link to the business’s website.

The Chamber’s staff will send member login information by March 15, 2013. Once logins have been distributed training will be available to all members interested. ■

Doug and Hilarie Dahm

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News & EventsFebruary 21El Centro Chamber Monthly Mixer - The El Centro Chamber’s February Mixer will be held THURSDAY, February 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This month’s mixer is being sponsored by the A T & T located at 500 E. Danenberg, Ste. 100, El Centro. All El Centro Chamber members and invited guests are encouraged to attend. Festivities to include: Drinks, appetizers, business card & prize drawings, tours of facility and networking.

February 23 City of imperial day of Festivities – Imperial Valley Fair Parade, 10:00am on 1st and Imperial Ave., 2nd Annual Tri-Tip Cook-O� and Market Days, 11:00am – 3:00pm at Eager Park. For more information contact the City of Imperial at (760) 355-3316. February 23Le Tour de Manure Bike Ride - Dust o� your Bicycle and pull on your riding britches - it's time for the City of El Centro's Le Tour de Manure Bike Ride. Bring your family; bring your friends of all ages and come on down to Town Square at 7th and Main in El Centro on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. The City of El Centro's Le Tour de Manure Bike Ride to bene�t the Imperial Valley Special Olympics! It's an organically good time! For more information and to register, call 760)337-4555.

February 233rd Annual Gospel Jubilee – Second Baptist Church located at 187 West Brighton, El Centro from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. For more information call (760) 352-9530.

February 28El Centro Chamber Morning Mixer- The Chamber's Morning Mixer will be Thursday, February 28 at Desert Trails RV Park's Ryerson Hall located at 22525 Main St., El Centro from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The sponsor is Southern California Gas Company. The cost is only $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Come and hear the latest on the SoCalGas "Advanced Meter Project."

March 1-10California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta – “Experience the Magic”- Presale tickets are now on sale throughout the Valley. Last day to purchase is February 28. Tickets are available at Sonic Burger in El Centro, Goyal's Shell, Brawley, the fair box o�ce, all Rabobank locations in the Valley.

March 9Blue Angels 10K Fun Run/Walk - Celebrate the 3rd Annual Blue Angels 10K Fun Run... it’s a family event for all ages! You can run, walk or bike the course, strollers are allowed. All participants receive an event t-shirt. Race begins at 7:30 am at Sunbeam Lake, on Sunbeam Lake Rd and ends at the Naval Air Facility El Centro’s Blue Angel Park. Refreshments, LIVE music and food will be available. For registration and information call (760) 339-2627.

March 13-156th Annual Renewable Energy Summit – Barbara Worth Resort, Holtville, CA - For more information, please contact Cynthia Mancha at cynthia@ivedc.com or (760) 353-8332.

March 152013 NAF El Centro Food Festival – Hangar 6 – Free Admission – 5:30pm – Sample food from local Imperial Valley restaurants, dance to the sounds of “Opus 3” plus enjoy �reworks and Kids Zone. Meet and Greet the Blue Angels Demo Team. For more information call (760) 339-2380.

March 162013 NAF El Centro Annual Air Show - Gates open at 8:00am - As the winter home of the Blue Angels, the Navy Air Facility El Centro annual air show is the �rst show of their season, every year. Drawing a crowd of approximately 35,000, it is the largest single-day event in the Imperial Valley.

March 16DOVES Monte Carlo Night – 7:00pm at the Stockman’s Club in Brawley. The theme this year is “Disco Nights” and Cocktail Attire is recommended. Proceeds to bene�t Women and Children of the Imperial Valley. For more information contact Mary Emanuelli at (760) 455-7215 or Debbie Cameron at (760) 344-8648.

March 20-21Imperial Valley Farm Show - For more information, please contact Cynthia Mancha at cynthia@ivedc.com or (760) 353-8332.

March 21El Centro Chamber Monthly Mixer - The El Centro Chamber’s March Mixer will be held THURSDAY, March 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This month’s mixer is being sponsored by Imperial Valley Cycle Center located at 1334 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro. All El Centro Chamber members and invited guests are encouraged to attend. Festivities to include: Drinks, appetizers, business card & prize drawings, tours of facility and networking.

March 22 Boys and Girls Club of Imperial Valley Produce Gala – The Boys and Girls Club of Imperial Valley are proud to celebrate the agriculture industry in our Imperial Valley by hosting a Produce Gala on Friday, March 22 at Cheval Farms located at 346 Larsen Rd., Imperial. Event to include a blast from the past…“The Saladero Contest”. Tickets are $35 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information contact the Boys and Girls Club at (760) 344-2040.

March 23Imperial Market Days - 11:00am – 3:00pm at Eager Park. For more information contact the City of Imperial at (760) 355-3316.

March 2318th Annual Imperial Valley Jr. Trout Fishing Derby – The Kiwanis of El Centro, County of Imperial and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife proudly announce the 18th Annual Imperial Valley Jr. Trout Fishing Derby. Free Admission! For more information contact Lieutenant Lee King at (760) 265-0182 or Jason Jackson at (760) 791-5576.

March 23Sunrunners Car Club Annual Carne Asada Run – Eager Park, Imperial starting at 10:00am. – For more information contact Mike Taylor at (760) 356-2173 or Jerry Tucker at (760) 604-4104.

March 242nd annual Ever After Bridal and Quinceañera Expo -The expo will take place at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds on Sunday, March 24 from 10am to 4pm; now accepting applications for vendors to host a booth. Any vendors or businesses that can o�er a product or service to brides-to-be or for their parties are invited to host a booth. Interested parties, please contact Anita Martinez-Plancarte (760) 693-3025. The Expo will include fabulous giveaways, musical entertainment fashion shows and much more!

March 282013 Imagine Awards – The of El Centro will celebrate the IMAGINE 2013 Business Recognition Awards Event. The business recognition event will host a distinctive audience of business owners, managers, community development leaders, and members of the El Centro community. For more information or to nominate a business or business owner, contact the City of El Centro Economic Development Department at (760) 337-4543.

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SOCALGAS TO INSTALL ADVANCED METERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

New technology will help customers better understand their energy usage

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) will be upgrading its natural gas metering system by installing advanced meters throughout its service territory, including El Centro in early February. The communications device will transmit hourly gas usage data from a customer’s home or business, and SoCalGas will make the usage informa-tion available online for the customer the next business day.

The advanced meter device enables SoCalGas to more efficiently serve its customers and empower them with more information about their gas usage so they can make more informed decisions and better control their energy bills. With the additional information advanced meters provide, customers can better understand and manage gas use and costs, identify sudden usage spikes, obtain information on energy usage online, and have more privacy and security.

The installations will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be performed by SoCalGas employees during normal business hours. In most cases, customers will not need to be present, and should not have an inter-ruption to their natural gas service.

With an advanced meter, gas usage will be measured just as it is today by a current meter and bills will continue to be based on a monthly read of natural gas usage. However, the utility will no longer need to come by a customer’s property each month to manually read a gas meter. Instead, the advanced meter communication device will turn on for a fraction of a second each day to automatically read and transmit gas usage information and send it directly to SoCalGas’ communication network. No personally-identifiable information will be transmitted, and gas usage information will be encrypted for added security for the customer.

“We’re always looking for ways to serve our customers and keep up with the latest technology to fit our customer’s evolving lifestyles,” said Patrick Petersilia, director of the advanced meter project at SoCalGas. “Knowing how much energy they are using is a fundamental tool to help our customers use less of it and lower their utility bills. And we want to help them do both.”

....continued on page 7

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SoCal Gas, continued

Overall, SoCalGas is planning to upgrade approximately six million natural gas meters with the com-munication device. Installations will take place throughout the SoCalGas service territory through 2017. SoCalGas will notify cus-tomers a few weeks prior to their advanced meter installation.

As part of the utility’s customer outreach efforts, SoCalGas will be working closely with local com-munity based organizations to help educate customers in the area about the advanced meter project.

For more information, custom-ers can visit SoCalGas’ advanced meter website, socalgas.com/advanced or by calling toll-free at (800) 427-2200 or (800) 342-4545 in Spanish.■

Air Show Gala’s Silent auction table

Welcome New MembersCoffee HousesStarbucksRaul Silva202 S Imperial Ave.El Centro, CA 92243(760) 352-3502www.starbucks.com

Electric Equipment & SuppliesRexelJesse Garcia150 E. Ross Ave.El Centro, CA 92243(760) 352-4941www.rexelusa.com

Government AgencySuperior CourtKristine Kussman939 Main St.El Centro, CA 92243(760) 337-7742

Non-Profit OrganizationsCalifornia Crime Victims CoalitionCory Torres321 E. Main St.El Centro, CA 92243(866) 357-9388www.californiavictims.com

RestaurantsJohnny’s Burritos of El CentroLety Mendez301 Wake St.El Centro, CA 92243(760) 353-0963

Business ConsultantsDale Carnegie TrainingJim Perdomo5958 Caminito CardelinaLa Jolla, CA 92037(858) 699-0965www.sandiego.dalecarnegie.com

7th Annual Air Show Gala, Hangar 8

China Trip winner Carla Kuhns and Les Smith

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El Centro El Centro Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce

invites you to their GMEC invites you to their GMEC Breakfast’, hosted by Breakfast’, hosted by Southern California Southern California

Gas Company. Come and hear Gas Company. Come and hear the latest on SoCalGas’ the latest on SoCalGas’

“Advanced Meter Project.” “Advanced Meter Project.”

“Advanced Meter Project”

For more information or to RSVP contact the Chamber (760) 352-3681.

Desert Trails RV Park & Golf CourseDesert Trails RV Park & Golf CourseDesert Trails RV Park & Golf CourseRyerson Hall Ryerson Hall Ryerson Hall

225 Wake Ave. 225 Wake Ave. 225 Wake Ave. El Centro, CAEl Centro, CAEl Centro, CA

February 28, 2013 February 28, 2013 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.