Archive for the ‘Orange County’ Category

Metrolink Holiday Toy Express Hits Orange County

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Click here to find the date and time that the Toy Express will be at your local station.

This weekend Santa’s sparkling train will spread holiday cheer throughout South Orange County. The 450-ton train is brilliantly decorated with 50,000 shimmering lights that illuminate the awe on children’s faces as it pulls into their local station. There is a live musical performance, an opportunity to meet Santa, and tons of family fun. This is the 13th annual tour; the train travels through six counties, stopping in 47 Southern California cities. Santa’s dazzling train travel’s from city to city, entertaining families and collecting toys for those in need this holiday season.

This is a free holiday event, but please bring a new unwrapped toy. All toys will be donated to the Southland Firefighters’ “Spark of Love” holiday toy drive, supported by Metrolink and KABC Channel 7. The toy drive collects approximately 100,000 toys during this tour; all toys are then distributed by firefighters to families in their local communities.

The magical train will travel down the San Clemente coastline on December 6, beginning at the North station at 5:45 and ending at the pier by 8:45. You will surely see my family and me there to support the Spark of Love toy drive and participate in all the holiday fun.

The Metrolink Holiday Toy Express departed from the North Pole, on Saturday November 21, from Rancho Cucamonga Station and will end in Via Princessa on December 20. 

Cut Costs and Increase Efficiency!

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

cut-costAs the nation fights to pull out of this economic crisis businesses must be prepared to take an objective look at their bottom line. By eliminating unnecessary overhead, companies can concentrate on building and expanding their foundation, placing the emphasis on their core product or service.

With the advancement of technology there are many cost effective strategies entrepreneurs and small business owners can implement to leverage their enterprise and increase efficiency.

Most small business owners wish they had more time to focus on growing their business, but are too often bogged down with tedious tasks that are so time consuming they prevent and/or slow down their growth. The solution is outsourcing; whatever your companies requirements, you can literally outsource almost anything.

Human Resources (HR) - Depending on the size of your business and how much control you want to maintain over HR functions, you can either outsource all your HR needs or contract for individual services.

The basic services offered by HR outsourcing firms:

  • Overseeing organizational structure and staffing requirements
  • Recruiting, training, and employee development
  • Personnel File Maintenance
  • Tracking Department objectives, goals, and strategies
  • Benefits administration
  • Employee orientation programs
  • Ensure compliance with all State & Federal labor laws & informational posting requirements

Payroll- Many employers outsource some of their payroll and related tax duties to third-party payroll service providers. They can help ensure filing deadlines and deposit requirements are met. If your business does not keep accurate records you could be fined. California passed a law that imposes a $750 payroll fine on small businesses that aren’t able to quickly produce accurate payroll records upon an employee’s request; it is rumored that other states will follow with similar legislation. Outsourcing payroll will greatly streamline business operations.

The basic services offered by Payroll outsourcing firms:

  • Processing payroll and record maintenance on behalf of the employer
  • Reporting, collecting, and depositing employment taxes with State and Federal agencies.
  • Timely filing of Quarterly State and Federal Employer Tax Returns
  • Provide Calendar Year-end services such as issuing W2s, reconciling 941s & DE7

Information Technology (IT) Services – Remaining adaptable to the market is crucial to any small businesses success. In the majority of industry, 100% of business functions are run on computers. Your business relies strongly on your network which requires a strong IT infrastructure.  StoneHill, an Industry leader, recognizes the importance a business’s health and offers a free Technology Review. By outsourcing these services you can convert fixed IT costs to variable, significantly decreasing overhead and creating an increase in service availability and overall efficiency.

The basic services offered by StoneHill and other IT firms:

  • Maintenance Plan
  • Managed Services
  • 24/7 Emergency Support
  • Online Disaster Recovery
  • SPAM & Virus Filtering
  • Special Projects
  • Communication Network Set-up & Maintenance

Small Business Team-Building on the Sands of Newport

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

newport-sea-baseArguably one of Orange County’s best kept secrets is the $6.8 million Newport Sea Base, where children learn how to navigate mini marine vessels and executives can steer their company to the Newport Beach Harbor for a day of rejuvenation away from the office. The Sea Base boasts a history dating back to 1937 and recently completed the multi-million dollar construction project. The new architecture is beautiful, modern and sits along 400 feet of water’s edge in the Newport Beach Harbor. Not an exclusive yacht club, this is a facility for everyone.  The folks at the Sea Base, also called the Sea Scouts base (the Sea Scouts are a division of Boy Scouts of America), have extended an invitation to small businesses to utilize the facility for team-building functions, parties and other social and professional events.

 The Newport Sea Base was originally host  to the youth of and Sea Scouts of Orange County, with the intention of developing character and instilling a love for maritime in the hearts of youth, according to the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America. Part of the plan in building the new sea base was to reach out to the small business community of Orange County. The Newport Sea Base offers a uniquely coveted venue where orange county small businesses have the opportunity to revitalize company morale and engage with their employees in fun team-building sessions.

Small businesses are known for being efficient and streamlined. The few employees they do have are highly valued and keep their organization running. Small businesses do not have layoffs, usually; their doors are either open or closed. They typically leverage the skill sets of their few but strong employees, and small business owners understand the value in rewarding their people. Savvy entrepreneurs periodically invest in the vibrancy of their people. What a difference a half a day can make: When small business owners reward their employees by breaking free from the office and heading to the beach, everyone will see each other a little differently, noticing employees and owners both shine brighter in the sun.

Click here to contact the Newport Sea Base today and schedule your company’s team-building event.

Author: David Meacham

San Clemente Ocean Festival 2009

Friday, July 17th, 2009

san-clemente-ocean-festivalSan Clemente will host the annual festival July 18th & 19th at the San Clemente Pier.  Many event will be available during the weekend.  For details see the event guide http://www.danapointtimes.com/uploads/pdfs/20090716_OceanFestival.pdf

Rainbow Sandals gets out to support our troops

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Here at StoneHill we love to highlight the local when local business goes out of their way to take care of those who take care of us. That is exactly what Rainbow Sandals www.rainbowsandals.com maker of the “The Original” leather sandal did last week for 1200 marines of the 1st Battalion 4th Marines.  Here are some great photos to enjoy.  Thanks Rainbow.

Cell Phone Collection Drive in San Clemente

Monday, May 4th, 2009

San Clemente, California-May 4, 2009– Today StoneHill Technical Solutions has partnered Cell Phones for Soldiers and is calling on San Clemente to support U.S. soldiers by donating unused cell phones. More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. StoneHill Technical Solutions is making an effort to help the Cell Phones for Soldiers Organization collect over 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.

“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops.” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”

Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their used cell phones to StoneHill Technical Solutions, located at:

940 Calle Amanecer, Suite H
San Clemente Ca, 92673
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm

“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers,” says Mark McManus, President of StoneHill Technical Solutions. Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.

To donate a cell phone, delete all personal information, then take all cell phones to StoneHill Technical Solutions, located at the address above. The donated phones are then sent to ReCellular, which provides each phone with an hour of talk time for soldiers serving abroad. Please note that some phones and components cannot be refurbished and are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:

• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards

• Copper wiring from phone chargers

• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs

• Plastic from phone cases and accessories

“We are continuously overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones,” stated Bob Bergquist, father of the founders. “However, the need for support is continually growing.” We are calling on San Clemente and the rest of Orange County to support our troops, as well as our environment, by recycling your used and unwanted cell phones today! For more information, please contact Sarah French 949-218-1258 x131.

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About StoneHill Technical Solutions- StoneHill Technical Solutions, Inc. is a Computer Services and Support company geared toward customer service in Orange County, CA. This growing company specializes in many computer services such as 24×7 Emergency Support, monthly Maintenance Plan and Online Disaster Recovery, to mention a few. StoneHill Technical Solutions, Inc. is headquartered in San Clemente, California and houses over 50 years of combined experience. To learn more about StoneHill Technical Solutions, Inc. and our services, please visit www.StoneHillTech.com or call 1-949-218-1258