ALERT: Scammers Pose as CSLB Staff
They Demand Money by Phone
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has learned of phone scams targeting CSLB licensees. In the scheme, an individual falsely identifying themselves as an employee of CSLB demands a license “activation” fee of up to $500 be paid immediately over the phone or the license will be cancelled.
Please be advised that CSLB staff will never phone licensees and ask for credit/debit card numbers or other confidential information. NEVER disclose personal information, such as your full social security number, date of birth, or credit/debit card numbers, without first taking steps to verify that the person requesting the information has a legitimate need for it.
- If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be an employee of CSLB attempting to gather personal information or collect payment, please:
Take down the caller’s information (including name, title, phone number and email address), let them know you will follow-up directly with CSLB, and end the call. Do NOT provide any personal information or payments. - You may also consider ending the call without explanation if it appears suspicious or to be a scam.
- Contact CSLB at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).
- Report the scam to the Federal Communications Commission.
Digital Sign Case before US Supreme Court
CSA Signs on to Joint Amicus Brief
Earlier this year, CSA was invited to endorse review of a case which had the effect of eliminating the distinction between on-site and off-site signs, in the City of Austin, TX. Normally CSA would not be concerned about this matter (in Texas), however the ramifications are significant for sign codes everywhere. After review with CSA leadership and based on prior success with an earlier Amicus Brief (Friend of the Court), on a similar issue in California, CSA became part of the Joint Amicus Brief.
CSA joined with 40 others, including Chambers of Commerce and business leagues, scenic and environmental organizations and leading on-premise sign industry trade groups, representing diverse viewpoints on sign regulation – brought together for the first time out of concern that if the October Supreme Court review fails to overturn the 5th Circuit’s decision, we can expect dire consequences for property rights, scenic interests, and regulatory certainty. A ruling overturning Austin v. Reagan would leave intact these distinctions between on- and off-premise signs. However, if the Court upholds the 5th Circuit’s decision, every Department of Transportation regulation and local sign ordinance that differentiates between these two kinds of signs will have to be brought into compliance. READ MORE
The 2021 Women in Signs Award Winners!
“Celebrating one of our own!”
CSA Board Member Patty Soria, V.P. of Production and co-owner, Signtech (San Diego), was recently announced as one of the winners of the Signs of the Times inaugural showcase of women in the sign industry. SIGNS OF THE TIMES is proud to present our inaugural Women in Signs Award winners, a showcase of six women who display their signmaking talents at locations dotted across the US and Canada. The call for entries requested women who excelled in ownership/management, design, fabrication, installation, sales or marketing, while noting that potential honorees should also be affecting positive change within their company, industry association or sign-associated philanthropic organization. And wow, did the sign industry respond!
Over 300 submissions were tallied in the end, with the field reduced to 18 impressive candidates by Signs of the Times Editor-in-Chief Mark Kissling and Managing Editor Grant Freking. Those 18 candidates were then refined to our six winners on a points-based system by our esteemed panel, comprising four women dynamos in the industry: Mars Bravo, owner of Signs from Mars (Los Angeles); Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama Downtown Louisville (Louisville, KY); Teresa Walker, CEO/owner of Image360 Tucker (Tucker, GA) and Teresa M. Young, president/CEO of Sign Biz Inc. (Dana Point, CA).
Join us on June 17 for a virtual event honoring these six distinguished women!
Learn more about “Workflow Whiz” Patty Soria and the other five winners! Read more here.
Great Golfing and Networking in August!
2021 CSA Golf Tournament
Riverwalk Golf Club / San Diego, CA
Thursday, August 5, 2021
8:30 AM SHOTGUN START
You are going to love this Tournament and you are going to love this golf course!
- Memorable Tee Prizes
- Outstanding Sponsorship Opportunities
- Great Ball Drop
- Fun On-Course Games and Competitions
THEN JOIN US FOR OUR CSA CONFERENCE STARTING THIS EVENING WITH BOWLING! REGISTRATION IS OPEN
TO REGISTER FOR GOLF, YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD THIS BROCHURE (PDF)
Would you like to make your golfing customers feel a part of YOUR team?
Are you looking to reward yourself or your golfing employees with a day on the links by giving them the chance to bring home
the bacon for the company?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, the 2021 CSA Golf Tournament in Southern California is for YOU!
CSA Supports the Blood Bank!
“Now More Than Ever”
No one wants to be in the position of needing blood to maintain health, to battle disease, or to recover from injury; however, 1 in 4 of us, at some point in our life, will require a blood transfusion.
CSA’s Executive Director and Director of Membership Services – Roy & Cheryl Flahive – donated blood for the San Diego Blood Bank.
During COVID-19, blood donations were severely reduced due to the Pandemic; all Blood Banks in California need donations of all types of blood.
FACTS & STATS
- All blood types are needed to help patients; the need for type O negative is especially acute. Only 7% of U.S. residents have “universal” blood.
- 1 in 7 people entering the hospital will need a blood transfusion.
- Less than 10% of the population eligible to donate blood actually does so.
- Every 2 seconds someone needs blood.
- 1 in 7 hospital patients needs blood.
Please consider donating – you never know when you or one of your loved ones will need blood – A Life May Depend On It Being Available!
A CSA ACE Event is Coming!
The 2021 CSA Annual Convention & Educational Conference is coming to Wyndham San Diego Bayside, August 5-7, 2021, Thursday through Saturday!
The event will be “On the Water and Out of the Ordinary! See ALL details here.
Ready to become a Sponsor of this incredible event? Download the Sponsor Brochure here now (PDF).
Interested in exhibiting? Download your Exhibitor Prospectus and Registration PDF now.
New Law Allows PPP and EIDL Exclusion from Taxes
Governor Newsom Signs AB 80 – A Win for Small Businesses
L.A. Area Chamber President and CEO Maria S. Salinas joined Governor Newsom and other elected officials as he signed AB 80 (Burke) into law. It was approved by Governor of California, and filed with Secretary of State, on April 29, 2021. AB 80 allows businesses who received relief through a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan to have that funding excluded from their taxable income and to allow deductions for expenses. PPP loans were a salvation to businesses during the height of COVID-19, and this bill ensures that the small business community isn’t overly burdened by taxes they may not even be aware of as they recover from the pandemic.
The L.A. Chamber fiercely advocates for small businesses and this legislation represents a big win for them. The Chamber worked with legislators and the Governor’s office for the passage of AB 80, beginning with our advocacy agenda for our Access Sacramento event. We applaud the legislature and the Governor’s swift action in adopting AB 80, just in time for this tax season.
KEVIN STOTMEISTER SHARES THE KEY TO SUCCESS
This is your chance to hear from one of industry’s most respected leaders. A webinar presented by Kevin Stotmeister!
WEBINAR:
Business Leadership in Good Times & Bad
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE
After 80 U. S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps active duty assignments with Sea Bees, Public Works/Facilities Management and Construction Contract Administration, Kevin spent 40 years with Federal Heath Sign Co., LLC progressively increasing management responsibilities with last 26 years as President and Chief Executive Officer (retired January 1, 2020). As a professional engineer with an MBA and certifications from MIT, what Kevin provides in this webinar is nothing short of inspirational. He will walk you through, step by step, to show you why PEOPLE are the true competitive advantage of any and every company. In fact, he will prove this tenet. Stotmeister’s business successes are legendary, and he was honored in 2020 with the industry’s highest award, the ISA Distinguished Service Award. Federal Heath Sign Co., LLC has over 600 employees, and generates revenues of over $200 Million.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from Kevin Stotmeister and should not be missed!
His transformative session will put you on the right path to true business improvement, what you MUST do to truly succeed, and how to make people your competitive advantage.
You will receive your ZOOM login details as a download upon registration. Buy one, share Zoom login with your whole company!
CDC Relaxing Mask Mandate, CA to Follow
California prepares to relax outdoor mask rules for fully vaccinated people, aligns with CDC
California said Tuesday in a statement it is “moving to align” the state guidance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new mask guidelines that relax the rules for people who have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.
California has been hailed in recent days for having the lowest positivity rate in the country as the number of new cases reported continues to drop. The state has administered more than 28 million COVID shots and 37% of eligible people are fully vaccinated. While California has entered a bright spot in the pandemic, the state continued to urge caution and the mask mandate remains in place until further notice.
The CDC announced Tuesday morning that fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces outdoors unless they are in a big crowd of strangers. The CDC also says that fully vaccinated or not, people do not have to wear masks outdoors when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their household. They can also go maskless in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated people.
Los Angeles County will also update its own guidelines to align with new state and federal rules allowing vaccinated residents to go mask-free in most outdoor settings. The county joined federal health officials in still recommending facial coverings when keeping six feet apart is not possible.
Happy Hour with Master Mixologist
It’s a Prohibition Party!
Welcome all WSSC Affiliates: CSA, Colorado Sign Association, Nevada Sign Association, Arizona Sign Association, Utah Sign Association and Northwest Sign Council!
Join us for a FREE Happy Hour event at the end of the day during the ISA Expo on Wednesday, April 7th! Experience a master class in mixed drinks! Master Mixologist Simeon Priest will show you how to make a splash at your next party! This Roaring 20’s Speakeasy Themed Zoom event will be facilitated by two industry giants — none other than Teresa M. Young and Ken Von Wald. They need no introduction! Join us for this free event on Wednesday, April 7th as ISA closes the day.
Join us and other WSSC affiliated associations for a mover and shaker event! Costumes optional!