CSA 2020 Vision Statement
A Focus on the Future While Building on the Past
"As President of the California Sign Association, I declare that this year’s theme is '2020 Vision.'”
---Message from Rob Riley, CSA President
Yes, I am playing off the year 2020 as we will never see that year again.
When I think of Theme, I think of a theme for the whole year that I am your President, not just for the Convention or part of the year or for special CSA functions. That is also what I would like to see moving forward for one of the largest and most powerful State associations in the nation.
Growing up and getting your eyes checked, 2020 vision was always the best vision a person could have. It represents superior vision. That is what I see moving forward in our association: A Great Vision, a vision that will move the whole Industry forward, not just in California, but every state in the Nation. That takes a Big Vision and it is what I have been seeing moving up the ranks and becoming your president. Continue Reading
CSA’s Dinner with Randall Ann Homan of Neon Speaks
Neon Speaks
The husband-and-wife duo that is Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan share deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area arts and culture world, as well as a red-hot love for neon.
So much of the latter could be implied in the 2015 “San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons,” the couple’s first published book spanning over four decades’ worth of images of vintage sign works, whether still glowing today or purely preserved in picture form.
Professional artists, photographers and graphic designers, Barna’s and Homan’s involvement with documenting and understanding these unique San Franciscan landmarks have developed into a greater effort in recent years.
In 2018, they published “Saving Neon: A Best Practice Guide” – a one-of-its-kind, 40-page answer on how to preserve neon signs. CSA member company Arrow Sign Company is listed as one part of the multi-member review team.
CSA’s Educational Seminar on Legal Protections for Today’s Sign Companies
What would you do if another company’s sign drawings came across your desk attached with a request for your bid? Have you marked up your work with copyright agreements to also now include dispute policies in case things are better decided in court?
Certain ethical and legal topics were discussed on Thursday, October 10, in Dublin, Calif., where the California Sign Association (CSA) hosted its first educational seminar of the 2019-2020 year.
CSA’s Legal Counsel and Director of Government Affairs Jeff Aran presented the seminar, examining various legal protections afforded to professional businesses by state and federal laws that help in situations where creative ideas and services are presented, and what these protections look like in a world that extends to the Internet.
Aran started by giving seminar attendees an in-depth look at everyday terms, like copyright, trademark, service mark and trade dress. Certain parallels would be noticed between our customers’ company names, slogans, colors and design, to our signmaking of those entities, and how they work together and independently.
SoCal Membership Event in Del Mar 2019!
Join us as Thoroughbred athletes and world class jockeys take to the track for the most exciting 2 minutes in sports! NOTE: This event is now taking place on Friday, November 22nd due to rain, instead of Thurs. Nov 21st. Del Mar Race Tracks, Where CSA Comes to Play! Join sign industry professionals, both members and non-members, for an event to highlight camaraderie and networking! Marvel as the Thoroughbreds dance on “toes” as they are led from the paddock to the track. Watch as the trainers saddle and prepare for the race. Listen as the bugler sounds the call to post. Before you know it, the caller is heard from every corner of the park “racing” and the horses are off dashing for the finish line.
The horses thunder down the stretch towards the finish line – CSA Members can’t help but stand up screaming encouragement. As the horses reach the wire, we erupt into victory hugs and high-fives all around. All part of the amazing fun!
Del Mar racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 mi north of San Diego. Meet us there! 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014
- No Host Cocktails: 11:00am-12:00 Noon
- Lunch Buffet – Opens at 11:30am
- Lunch-Network-Races: Until 4:00pm
Package Includes: Entrance, Program and Lunch
Call CSA to register, OR Download PDF Here
Read up on Sponsorships Available! PDF File
“Great vibe, good races. The amenities are fantastic.” 
“Really nice race track with really good food and really good beer. .”
CSA MEMBER OUTREACH
Voluntary Employee Contributions (VEC) Program is LIVE!
CSA Executive Director Roy Flahive, along with CSA Director of Member Services, Cheryl Flahive, began visiting CSA member companies this past week. They gave a presentation on the State of the Association and re-introduced CSA’s Employee Contribution program, an initiative that began in 1996. The Flahives’ first visit was to Western Sign Company in Diamond Springs, CA. At the conclusion of the presentation, 50% of the employees in attendance provided written commitments to participate in the VEC program!
Continue Reading
Oct 10th Eat and Learn in Northern CA
Education Seminar, Network & Dinner Meeting
On October 10th, Join us for a great education session discussing Social Media and Plagiarism with Jeff Aran, and dinner with a presentation featuring Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna, authors of San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons and Saving Neon: A guidebook of Best Practices!
Seminar: 3:30pm -5:30pm
No Host Cocktails 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Dinner & Networking: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Education Session
Meet our guest speaker and CSA Legal Counsel, Jeff Aran, on Oct. 10th, as he outlines Social Media and Plagiarism, then helps to define protections applicable to the sign industry related to products, technologies, and creative work.
Jeff will share with those in attendance:
- What is Protected
- How it is Protected
- Current Litigation
- Action Steps Sign Companies Can Take
Jeff Aran has over 30 years’ experience in legal and legislative sign matters, including variances, MSP’s, CUP’s, ordinance evaluation, trademark protection, contracting, business and economic analysis, administrative law, constitutional law, and drafting legislation. He is “in the trenches” and understands the topic at hand!
Following the Seminar: Network & Dinner Presentation
While sipping on something cold to drink, you will have an opportunity to network with fellow CSA Members. Then it’s time to enjoy some fabulous food, along with a presentation featuring Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna, authors of San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons and Saving Neon: A guidebook of Best Practices! Al and Randall Ann will present a brief history of neon signs outlining the “boom” decades of neon, and why vintage neon is now a valued cultural asset as a unique intersection of culture, art, history, and local small businesses.
CSA’s 2019 Annual Convention was Special
Thank you to CSA Northern California for hosting the 2019 Annual Convention & Educational Conference! We celebrated our 60th Year with dynamic speakers, TopGolf, and a Vendor Showcase, with a busy schedule of events Wednesday, AUG 14 through Friday, AUG 16. We feel that this year’s event was full of information, inspiration, resources and connections that empower our sign professionals to grow their business.
Wednesday, August 14, was the start of the convention, with the last meeting of the 2018-19 CSA Board of Directors taking place that afternoon at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, CA. Then Wednesday evening, sixty-five convention attendees headed over to TopGolf, 1700 Freedom Way, Rooseville, CA, for the Convention Welcome Reception. For those of you who have not yet had an opportunity to experience TopGolf, it is something you don’t want to miss! Six bays were set aside just for CSA, with a Mexican Fiesta theme for the food served, along with desserts for those with a sweet tooth. Great camaraderie and fun were had by all!
Thursday was action packed!
August 15th began with a seminar conducted by David Goad “The Modern Buyer Requires a Modern Seller”. Those who attended this education session, learned how to optimize their profile and grow their connections in LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network. The seminar was well attended and received great reviews!
The next order of business was our annual membership meeting, where President Tibbs (2018-2019) brought the members up to date information discussing where CSA is now, and where it is going. The election of the board of directors for the year 2019-20 was conducted, along with the election of next year’s officers. The officers for 2019-2020 are: Neal Tibbs, Ad Art (Immediate Past President), Rob Riley, Keystone Technologies (President), Barbara Navarro, San Pedro Electric Sign Company (1st Vice President), Ken Person, YESCO (2nd Vice President), and Bob Shimmin, Montroy Supply (Secretary/Treasurer).
CSA 2019 General Membership Meeting moved quickly to lunch from 11:45am – 1:00pm with Lori Anderson, ISA President/CEO, as our luncheon speaker – The topic at hand “Education.” When lunch was served, we were provided insight into the online education available to CSA members through the International Sign Association (ISA). This content ties into the STEPS program, CSA’s Sign Training & Education Program Series.
Immediately following lunch, from 1:00pm – 5:00pm, the Vendor Showcase opened with 31 exhibitors who were delighted to share their new products, services and spend time with existing as well as potentially new customers.
Thursday’s activities concluded with the Annual Banquet where the 2019-20 CSA Officers and Directors were installed, the silent and live auctions were conducted, and the always exciting $10,000 Drawing was held!
Friday, August 16th opened with the first BOD Meeting for 2019-20. Discussions of the newly-elected Board included commitments, budget, and outline of a busy calendar for the year. Following the board meeting, an Education Session to challenge and test both awareness and vision was presented by Betty Jo Waxman, Productive Learning. Seminar attendees learned to reach beyond their comfort zone, to take personal and professional aspects of their life up a notch. It is amazing what proper Mindset & Mental Awareness has to offer!
Director Pete Michelini with his wife, Cecilia
Then it was off to Old Town Sacramento for attendees, including lunch at Fat City Bar & Café and an Underground Tour that started at the Sacramento History Museum.
Food for thought —
Friendships are built on shared experiences. Without active engagement and interaction with each other our bonds of camaraderie deteriorate. Associations dissolve as surely as neglected buildings do. After participating in events, celebrations and even small rituals, we remark how good it is to gather, and remember.
In Memoriam: CSA Director Emeritus, Mark Gastineau
Remembering Mark Gastineau
November 7, 1956 – August 23, 2019
Mark Dana Gastineau (pictured right) suffered a heart attack on August 23 and passed suddenly, with his wife Loreen by his side. This was only a few days after his hearty laugh and thoughtful contributions were part of the California Sign Association’s Annual Convention and Educational Conference in Lincoln, CA. To say that Mark was an icon of the sign industry is an understatement. There is no question in anyone’s mind that he put 110% into every endeavor, whether it was fighting onerous sign codes, camping and hunting with friends, or presenting a case to any one of a dozen city councils across California.
CSA members are still coming to grips with the loss. Association Executive Director, Roy Flahive, says, “Mark was greatly respected for his tireless work on behalf of the association on so many issues and activities. To say Mark was our go-to guy on our Government Affairs Committee is an understatement. He was the one anyone nationwide would call for California government affairs issues. As the co-chair of that committee for the last 25 years, Mark helped guide the direction of CSA with one of our most important endeavors – managing government and legal affairs in the most populous state in the nation.”
Mark lived life to the fullest. He worked for Young Electric Sign Company from 1975 until 2005, and was with Arrow Sign Company from 2006 until his passing. His energy devoted to the advancement of the sign industry creates a legacy that is hard to match. In his volunteer roles:
He was a two-time past president of the California Sign Association
He served on the CSA Board of Directors for the last 27 years.
He was elevated to the prestigious and important position of CSA Director Emeritus in 2014, by a unanimous vote of the current Board of Directors.
He received numerous Awards from the Sign Associations; for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the industry.
Mark was recognized for his work representing the sign industry with the California Energy Commission (CEC).
Mark also served on the International Sign Association’s very important and influential Affiliated Associations Council Steering Committee, for the years 2013-2014.
His colleagues on the CSA Board of Directors express what Mark meant to them:
“Mark was an incredible man and a leader in our beloved industry.”
“We have lost one of the greats, not only in the industry, but as a friend to all of us. People like Mark come along so rarely. He will truly be missed.”
“I always looked up to Mark…His knowledge and understanding in our industry is unsurpassed. I will miss Mark dearly. His dedication to CSA in unmatched.”
He is survived by his wife Loreen; Sisters Cindy Shelton (John) and Stacy Eddings (Jeff); Sisters-in-Law Diane Newton, Sherril Willis, Brenda Gastineau and Cheri Johnson; Brother-in-law Ed Willis; Rodney and his wife Lois; Father-in-law Maury Simonsen; Father-in-law David Willis (Sally) and Mother-in-law Roselind Silver; Mama Heier and the entire Heier family; many nieces and nephews; Best Dog-Duke; and best friend forever from 2nd grade Eddie Gutzman.
A Celebration of Life event will be held at 1:00 PM, 9/19/19 at the Elks Lodge, 6446 Riverside Blvd. in Sacramento.
July 30th Hearing for Proposed Workers Comp Revisions
Proposed changes to various provisions of workers comp rating classifications, including several affecting the sign industry, are under consideration by the WCIRB, to be effective January 1, 2020. In particular, the changes will clarify and consolidate Classification 9507 (sign manufacturing) into one unified category, reassign “quick sign shops” classification 9507(2) to 9507(1), and amend “sign painting and lettering” to include “quick sign shops.” According to WCIRB Classification Director, Brian Gray, the changes are non-substantive and should present no significant changes for sign business operations.
“…the changes are non-substantive and should present no significant changes for sign business operations.”
Some noteworthy proposed changes:
~ The manufacture of metal or plastic cabinets and signs or sign backings for neon signs shall be separately classified as 4492, Sign Mfg. – metal, plastic or wood.
~ The manufacture of light emitting diodes (LED) shall be separately classified as 3178, Electronic Element Mfg. Continue Reading
Cal/OSHA: Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Illness
Oakland—Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to protect their outdoor workers from heat illness as temperatures rise throughout California. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for triple-digit temperatures today in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties and forecasts high heat throughout inland parts of the state next week.
In addition to responding to workplace accidents and complaints of hazards, Cal/OSHA investigators conduct high heat inspections at outdoor worksites to ensure compliance with California’s heat illness prevention regulation and other workplace safety and health requirements.
Employers with outdoor workers must take the following steps to prevent heat illness:
- Plan – Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.
- Training – Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
- Water – Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.
- Shade – Provide shade when workers request it and when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.