September Commerce Connection Magazine

Is a monthly magazine published by the KEEPING YOU C NNECTED
City of Commerce and mailed to
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I geles Sheriff’s Station at (323) 264-4151.
Commerce residents. The Connection is introduce you to our new Commerce publi- One way to become a part of Commerce’s
also available at all City facilities. cation: Commerce Connection. This public safety team is by joining the Neighbor-
change in format and de-
Staff Writers and Photographers sign of the Report to the hood Watch. For more
Daniel Larios People will present infor- information, call the
Marie Hovik mation on City programs, Public Safety Division at
services and news in an (323) 887-4460.
Graphic Design Layout & Illustrator efficient and eye-catching
Anthony Aguilar medium. Expect to see I would like to congrat-
the same high quality Re- ulate the 52 Commerce
To submit a story idea or a high port to the People-style residents who received
definition digital photo for coverage every month in 2017 Commerce Schol-
publishing consideration, the Commerce Connec- arships totaling $80,000.
please call the tion along with a new and These students have
Public Information Office improved look. We hope worked hard to earn
at (323) 887-4453 or you enjoy this and all fu- scholarships which will
ture issues. help them achieve their
email [email protected] college degrees. Of
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. On behalf of the Com- course, the success of
or visit us online at ci.commerce.ca.us merce City Council, I’d the Commerce Scholar-
like to thank everyone ship Program would not
who participated in last month’s National be possible without the
Night Out. Council, city staff and representa- generosity of our City stakeholders. At the top
tives from the LA County Sheriff’s and Fire of that list is the Commerce Hotel and Casino
Departments visited block parties throughout which has once again donated $50,000 to
the City to meet and speak with residents to this year’s program.
discuss ways to improve safety and security As a reminder, City Hall will be closed on
in Commerce. Monday, September 4 in observance of
Labor Day. I hope you all have a wonderful
It is vitally important for all of us to stay en- holiday weekend and enjoy the rest of the
gaged in our neighborhoods and the easiest summer.
way to do that is by being vigilant and obser-
vant. If you see criminal behavior or anything Matthew Rodriguez
else out of the ordinary, call the East Los An- Interim City Administrator

Where is the City’s Employment Referral Office?
The City’s Employment Referral Office has been condensed, renamed and placed under
the Social Services Division as the Employment Referral Services Program. Senior Office
Specialist Liz Chavez is available to help you with your résumé, job preparation, job search,
recruitment and job fair coordination. The division can be reached at 323-887-4461.

How do I fill out a job application for a job with the City?
Please visit www.ci.commerce.ca.us to view available City jobs and to create an account in
order to submit a job application. If you do not have access to a computer, please visit your
local library for assistance.

KIDS ASK: Questions for Miss Commerce Wiley Canjura or
Young Man of the Year Marcos Mendoza

Dear Marcos, Are you in any sports? What are they?
Tomas Arias, 13
Yes, I am in sports! I run cross country and I do track and field. In the past, I did tackle foot-
ball from seventh grade up until sophomore year.

REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 2 •Honored Desiree Muñoz for her years of service as a Preschool
Instructor for the City of Commerce.
•Received a 2016 Commerce Scholarship donation from the •Honored Dr. Juan Casillas and Daniel Sandoval for their service at
Commerce Hotel and Casino. the City’s Rabies Clinic and for providing quality veterinary care for
•Honored retired L.A. County Deputy Sheriff Arturo Barrera for his the community.
dedicated service to the City of Commerce. •Declared August 1, 2017 as National Night Out 2017.
•Approved an agreement with the County of Los Angeles Probation •Declared the Month of July as Parks & Recreation Month.
Department to provide a Prevention and Intervention Program to help •Approved $125,391.28 for semi-custom Streetlight Pole
deter delinquent activity and undermine gang activity in the Replacement Project.
community. •Received and filed an update on I-710 project Environmental
•Approved an amendment to the agreement with Bob Murray & Impact Report and impacts to the City of Commerce.
Associates to conduct recruitment for a new City Administrator. •Received and filed a report on the comprehensive assessment of
•Discussed potential implementation of a Rent-Control Ordinance. city-wide facilities
•Received and filed an update on the City's Senior Rent Subsidy •IDS Group to Prepare a Report to Conduct Investigation and to
Program. Provide Options for Veterans Park Building Rehabilitation and/or
Replacement.
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 18 •Appointments - Traffic Commission: Richard Hernandez, Carlos
Runningwolf; Youth Advisory Commission: Daisy Rivera, Mark
•Recognized the Commerce Crush Teams for their 2017 Season. Arroyo, Tony Trandafir; Planning Commission: Robert Argumedo;
•Recognized the Commerce Traveling Baseball Team “Aces” for their Parks and Recreation Commission: Rod Gallegos; Senior Citizens
recent success in the Big League Dreams Cathedral City Memorial Commission: Jose Zambrano; Measure AA Committee: Daniel
Day Tournament. Cortez, Sonia Rodriguez
•Recognized the Commerce Dance Team for their successful 2017
season.
•Recognized Sharon Rowe for receiving the 2017 Older American
Recognition Award.

BUSINESS PROFILE:

L.B. JOHNSON HARDWARE
Since 1983, the L.B. Johnson Hardware store in Commerce has been selling tools, paint, plumb-
ing supplies and other do-it-yourself merchandise to local businesses and residents. L.B. Johnson
Hardware, which is affiliated with Ace Hardware, has been around since the 1970s. The Com-
merce store is the largest of the Johnson family’s five stores. If you don’t know where the store
is located, don’t feel bad. Store Manager Manny Garcia says first-time customers still tell him
they did not know the store was there. To be fair, the store’s exterior does not resemble a
“typical” store; its brick and lack of ground-level windows make it look a bit nondescript. The
signs have been repainted and the business is more noticeable.
Garcia, who has worked for L.B. Johnson Hardware for 34 years, began working at the
Commerce store about nine years ago. Counting Garcia, the store has six employees who
provide attentive, helpful customer service not usually found in typical retail stores. The store
also sells quality items, preferring to see its customers buy new products rather than return
or exchange defective merchandise.

“We are here to support the Commerce community with all
of their hardware needs.” -Manny Garcia

5845 E. Washington Blvd DOING BUSINESS
Commerce CA, 90040
323-728-1399 •More than 75,000 items are stocked at the store.
•Popular merchandise includes bolts, plumbing supplies and paint.
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. •Recently, the Craftsman brand was added to their inventory.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. •The 16,000-square-foot building is undergoing renovations including exterior paint, interior paint,
Closed Sunday LED lighting on the sales floor and repaving of the parking lot.
•Philanthropic endeavors include working with ACE Hardware to contribute to local children's hospitals.

THE DRIVING FORCE
PROVIDING SAFE, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION

The Commerce Transportation Department’s ees. It’s a family environment, which creates Commerce buses undergo a series of daily
garage - where five mechanics service the a work environment that is pleasant and pro- inspections before they even leave the
City’s fleet of buses, cars, trucks, tractors, trail- motes productivity.” garage. First, the Transportation Service
ers, lawn mowers and more - is too clean, too Workers, also known as “wash rack” staff, con-
uncluttered to be an actual garage where en- The City’s fleet mechanics are also consci- duct basic inspections and document their
gines, motor oil and grime are the norm. entious about safety and readily embrace the findings in writing. Final inspections are per-
requirements and policies established to en- formed by the bus operators who will be driv-
True, the mechanics know that if the garage sure that the work they perform results in a ing the buses that day.
or buses do not meet a certain standard, they safe product for everyone. One-on-one train-
could get cited by the CHP, Fire Marshal, L.A. ing on bus repair and maintenance is provided It is not only buses that get inspected. The
County Fire Department Health Hazardous to all fleet mechanics, despite their previous fleet mechanics and bus operators must re-
Materials Division or even by the City during job experience. Staff receives specialized ceive a physical exam every two years as re-
an internal audit. However, fear does not seem training via the Southern California Trans- quired by the Department of Transportation.
to be the driving force for staff’s attentiveness. portation Training Consortium which consists
of community colleges, universities, transit Regulations, training and conscientious em-
“We do our best to clean up after every job. agencies and organizations dedicated to the ployees result in a very safe transportation
The mechanics are also courteous to one an- training and employment of the transit indus- system in Commerce. “We take pride in our
other as the shop is shared by all,” said Fleet try. Then there are the City’s daily tailgate work. The safety of our coworkers and cus-
Maintenance Supervisor Greg Guzman. meetings and quarterly safety meetings to at- tomers is our priority. It’s an honor and a priv-
tend. ilege to work for the City of Commerce family,”
Fleet Mechanic Arthur Rodriguez concurs. “I Rodriguez explains.
like the atmosphere and attitude of employ-



COMMERCE TEENS EXPERIENCE WASHINGTON D.C. AND NEW YORK

Thanks to the City’s Cultural Excursion, eight Matthew Gomez, who will be attending Con- Even though visiting the 9/11 Memorial was
high school graduates, selected by lottery, vis- cordia University Chicago in the fall, was the a somber occasion, it still touched the teens.
ited Washington D.C. and New York this sum- view from the Empire State building. “That “It was sad, but people were paying their re-
mer. Due to budget cuts, the all-expense-paid view was just beautiful and something you spects; it was beautiful,” Guzman recalled.
trip which covered air fare, ground travel, lodg- don't want to take your eyes off of. I was so
ing, meals, admission fees, etc., was not bud- happy we went up there and experienced Benny Segura thought the trip ran smoothly
geted from 2009-2016. that.” and thinks the Cultural Excursion fills a void.
“These programs are so important because it
Funding the excursion meant some teens Nick Sanchez enjoyed the history and cui- gives an opportunity to people like me to go
would be able to take a trip they would not sine. “The most memorable moment of the trip experience something they thought they'd
have been able to otherwise. Maribel Guz- for me was seeing all the monuments of D.C. never do. It really changed my perspective of
man, who has lived in Commerce her entire and eating at the many good restaurants,” he the East Coast,” he said.
life, said she could not believe that she was said.
selected. “A lot of us aren’t financially able to Ramos believes the trip helps motivate
afford it,” she said of the opportunity. The trip For some, being so far away from Com- teens. “Programs like this are key for prepar-
also marked her first time flying. merce was challenging. “The trip was a real ing Commerce residents to aim above and be-
big eye-opener for me and really changed my yond for their future. It allows them to see and
The seven-day excursion began in Washing- perspective about the East Coast. I realized experience what the other side of the country
ton D.C. Parks and Recreation Director Adolfo that literally everything was so different. The has to offer. It might even give them ideas
Marquez and Teen Center Supervisor Lucinda pace of things, the way people talked. And, I about continuing their education over there.”
Blancarte chaperoned the group and were re- was not ready for the gross weather at all!
sponsible for getting them to the various des- There was also a really big culture shock that Sanchez shares those sentiments. “Because
tinations such as George Washington’s hit me really hard, but I'm super glad that I got of this trip, I am now more motivated to want
“Mount Vernon” home, Arlington National to experience it before I leave to college, said to get out and see new places in the world…I
Cemetery, U.S. Capitol, Georgetown Univer- Ari Ramos. always thought to myself, ‘Why do I need to
sity and the nighttime tour of monuments. get out? Why do I need to see the world? I'm
During the last few days of the trip, the group fine here.’ Now I think differently.”
One of the most memorable moments for visited New York where they enjoyed a Mets
game, Aladdin the Musical, the Brooklyn
Bridge, the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade
Center, Empire State Building, Greenwich Vil-
lage, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Homework Centers

are available at all four libraries and provide homework help for
students from kindergarten through college. The centers’ hours
of operation are Monday-Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The
Bristow and Bandini Park branches are open on Saturdays from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To access the online resources, go to www.cocpl.org and click on The Commerce Public Library and Education Commission is
the Electronic Resources tab. A Commerce Library card number is hosting the 12th Annual Commerce to College Fair on Saturday,
required to log into most of the online resources. September 9 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Rosewood Park.

• Live Homework Help–Free online homework tutors are available in All intermediate, high school and adult school students are in-
all subjects for elementary to college students, from 1 p.m. to 10 vited to meet with college representatives and attend informative
p.m. daily. Students can also register and download the free workshops. More than 30 colleges and universities have con-
Tutor.com app to use on their mobile device. firmed their attendance as well as other organizations.

• World Book Web–Students can use The World Book Online There will be great prizes raffled off to participants including lap-
encyclopedia to read or print articles from any Internet computer; tops, an iPad mini, graphing calculators, gift cards and much
great for reports and other school projects! more. Students must attend one workshop to enter the raffle for
laptops. Free lunch will be provided. A shuttle bus will run from
• Popular Magazines Database–Thousands of online articles from all the parks and the Teen Center to the event.
popular magazines and journals are available. The database is a
great research tool for students, especially for reports and re For more information about the Commerce to College Fair, visit
search papers. www.cocpl.org or call (323) 722-6660

• BookFlix– For children ages 3 to 8 years old, the library offers an
online e-reading program for children to read along with their
favorite picture books and easy information books to practice their
reading.

The Library also has ABCMouse educational digital games available on li-
brary computers for free and a new resource to help parents select books for
young children called “Beanstack.”

The Commerce Crush Volleyball Team Program, which includes seven ation staff, when they began to notice the talent and competitive-
teams divided by age, competed in the 9th annual Summer Soiree Tour- ness among the girls playing recreational volleyball.
nament, hosted by the Southern California Volleyball Association at the
Anaheim Convention Center and the American Sports Centers in late Jorge Ortiz has been with the program since its inception in
June-early July. 1993, starting out as an assistant coach for the 14 & under team
and took over the 12 & under team. Since then, he has coached
Leading the pack was the 14 & under team, which ranked second of teams of various age groups ranging from 7-18 years old for over
their division. The 12 & under team placed 8th overall and the 16 and two decades and currently serves as coach for the 14 & under
under team took 9th place and won the Silver Division. The 10’s, 13’s, team.
15’s and 18’s & under teams finished strong, played hard and were com-
petitive in a talented field of teams. “As a coach I don’t worry about winning or losing; all I ask of my
players is to play hard compete and earn respect,” Ortiz said.
The Commerce Crush Volleyball program was established in 1993 by “This season, the girls in the Crush program continued that phi-
Commerce Sports Coordinator Frank Garcia and other Parks and Recre- losophy and succeeded. I take so much pride as numerous par-
ents, coaches and players from other programs approach me and
congratulate us on the effort and heart these girls display. I know
parents have the same pride when they hear it also about their
daughter’s team. I know it was a difficult year for our program fa-
cility-wise, but all the teams overcame this obstacle and continued
to grow and develop.”

“Si Se Puede” is the teamʼs motto, which is appropriate because
the teams are predominantly Latina. The iconic saying, “Yes we
can,” has helped build confidence and enthusiasm among the
players.

CRUSH VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS

for 14’s, 13’s, 12’s & 11’s teams will be held on October 14 at
Schurr High School. For more information about Crush Volleyball,
contact the Sports Office at 323-887-4432.

More Trees at Parks

Little Broadcasters

The Commerce Cable TV division provides production classes for Commerce kids, who produce their
own show to be aired on the City’s Cable TV channel.

Wonder Woman Day

As part of a grant, all parks are receiving pine trees, like this one being Wonder Woman dropped by the Bandini Neighborhood Library to read and make crafts with young
planted at Rosewood Park. Commerce residents.

Play Ball Senior Luau

Bandini Day Camp

The Commerce senior Eagles Softball team played and Commerce seniors filled the dance floor during their annual Kids enjoy playing soccer at Bandini Park.
beat the Royals in July. Senior Luau event.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1 2

SMT W T FS SMT W T FS SMT W T FS Teen Video Games
123 4 5 67 1 234 12 Rosewood Library
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 345 6 7 8 9 3:30 p.m.
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
29 30 31 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

345 6 7 89

CITY HALL & City Council Meeting Senior Citizens Hecho a Mano Commerce to
Commission Veterans Library College Fair
LIBRARIES CLOSED 6:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Rosewood Park
5:30 p.m.
LABOR Video Games 10 a.m.
DAY Bandini Library Parks and Recreation
Commission
3:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
Bristow Library

4 p.m.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Education Coffee with Veterans Task Force Community Services Teen Video Games
Rosewood Library 3 p.m.
Commission 5:30 p.m. Commission Rosewood Library
Video Games
6 p.m. Measure AA Meeting Veterans Library 6:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
4 p.m.

Traffic Commission
6:30 p.m.

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

City Council Meeting Video Games Hecho a Mano Teen Video Games
6:30 p.m. Bandini Library Bandini Library Rosewood Library

3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

Hecho a Mano
Bristow Library

6 p.m.

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Library Commission Video Games Planning Commission Spanish Reading Club Teen Video Games
6 p.m. Veterans Library Meeting Rosewood Library Rosewood Library
6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
4 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

City Hall & I-710 Advisory
Libraries Closed Committee
6 p.m.

City of Commerce 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce, CA 90040
(323) 722-4805 Fax (323) 888-6841 ci.commerce.ca.us

CITY OF COMMERCE PRSRT STD
ECRWSS
2535 Commerce Way
Commerce, CA 90040 U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
******ECRWSSEDDM******
PERMIT NO 1806
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOS ANGELES, CA

COMMERCE, CA 90040

Important Phone Numbers

Aquatic Center 323-887-4404

Public Safety 323-887-4460

Animal Control 323-887-4460

Weekend/Evenings 562-940-6898

Calmet 562-259-1239

SCE St. Lights Out* 800-611-1911

Mayor Oralia Y. Rebollo *Provide Light Pole # for Report
Mayor Pro Tem Ivan Altamirano
Councilmember Hugo A. Argumedo E.L.A. Sheriff’s Dept. 323-264-4151
Councilmember Leonard Mendoza
Graffiti Hotline 323-887-4444
Councilmember John Soria
Vector Control 562-944-9656

Union Pacific 888-877-7267

BNSF 800-832-5452

EMERGENCY 911

City of Commerce 2535 Commerce Way Commerce, CA 90040 • (323) 722-4805 Fax (323) 888-6841 • ci.commerce.ca.us

SEPTEMBER FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS

channel 3 city CABLE guide

Award winning cablecasts of the City Council Meeting
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. (Live every 1st and 3rd Tues.)
Mondays 8 a.m., Wednesdays at 10 a.m., Thursdays at 5 p.m.,
Saturdays at 9 a.m.

“In A Council Minute” recap of the City Council Meeting
Mondays at 4 p.m., Tuesdays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 1 p.m.,
Thursdays at 4 p.m., Fridays at 3 p.m., Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.,
Sundays at 5:00 p.m.

Commerce City News
Mondays at 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 a.m., Wednesday
at 3 p.m., Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., Friday at 5:30 p.m.,
Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

“Adopt a pet”
Mondays at 12 p.m., Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays
at 4 p.m., Thursdays at 3 p.m., Fridays at 9 a.m., Saturdays
at 6 p.m., Sundays at 8 p.m.

Concert in the Park: Wooden Nickle
Mondays at 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 12 p.m., Wednesdays at 8 a.m.,
Thursdays at 6 p.m. or after City Council Meeting, Fridays
at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m.