Overheard at the March 15th Networking Mixer

It’s amazing what you will learn at Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Networking Events. On Tuesday, March 15th at the Normandie Casino, the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce held a Business Networking Mixer hosted by Golden State Water. Shad Rezai of Golden State Water explained that tap water costs each of us “pennies per glass” which is better than bottled. And, most people don’t like the taste of tap water because of the chlorine that is found in it. But, did you know that sitting tap water in a pitcher out on the counter will eradicate the chlorine and better the taste. That’s all most of us needed to know to give up bottled water for good.

Also, overheard at the Mixer was Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Members explaining that California State University, Dominguez Hills and El Camino College wouldn’t exist in the Gardena Valley area if it wasn’t for the Chamber advocating for local higher education for its community. Another snippet mentioned was that neither the 405 nor 110 freeways would cross into the South Bay area the way they do without the persistent lobbying of the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Each attendee was able to have their moment in the sun. Glenn Mitchell, Chamber Board of Director and Gardena General Insurance staff member, was the master of ceremonies. He invited each attendee forward to give information about their business. Laura Berger, Miss Los Angeles County (Miss America Pageant), played several songs on the piano. She is very talented. UEI College, Arceli DeAnda and Nancy Soloranzo, announced that they have students who are looking for free internships to complete their degrees. The students need 160 hours each. And, Maria Sanchez and Yesenia Dominguez of Gardena One Stop, mentioned that they have free employees waiting for Gardena area business to offer them jobs. Yes, free employees.

There were several banks competing in the house for Dennis Lord, the Gas Company, and Andrew Bornstein’s, Apple Spice Junction, attention including Jim Marley of California Bank and Trust and Tomonari “Tom’ Kawamoto. There were several financial and insurance firms represented including World Financial’s Sandra Pryer and Truman Dyke’s Chad Davenport. And of course, Green Hills Memorial Park had Steve Kubota and Rebecca Gramstrup.

Wanda Love, President, and Sara Colamonica, Secretary, both of the Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce made sure attendees met each other and found out more about their businesses, My Place Hair and Assured Coin and Loan, respectively. We even were able to meet the new Gardena Valley Chamber Administrator, Sharnell Blevins. It was truly an event not to miss.

Make sure you don’t miss the next Business Networking event in April which will be hosted by Gardena Boys and Girls Club. Contact the Gardena Valley Chamber by phone, (310) 532-9905; email, info@gardenachamber.org; or by their website, gardenachamber.org; to ensure that your space is reserved, today.