Crown Trophy shows off at Cypress Chamber mixer

Members of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce came together after regular working hours to mix and mingle at Crown Trophy.

Al Umbarila, owner of Crown Trophy and a member of the Chamber, welcomed everyone with a smile, a handshake and a buffet spread that included shrimp, salami, cheese and wine.

He also took special care to point out a new acrylic wall fixture at the front of his shop: a community display that allows Chamber members and others to place flyers and business cards in a prominent position that walk-in customers will notice.

Orange County Breeze took advantage immediately.

Crown Trophy takes up two adjacent locations at 4698 and 4694 Lincoln Avenue in Cypress, between Moody and Denni Streets, in a light industrial center that fronts ExtraSpace Storage.

Crown started in the storefront at 4698, then expanded into the next door space as business grew.

Al Umbarila, owner of Crown Trophy; Lily Rodriguez of Re/Max Tiffany Real Estate; Tim Keenan of Creative Media Recording.

In addition to trophies for sports competitions and business awards, Crown can also provide pins, medallions, plaques and ribbons.

Their seasonal gifts include tree ornaments, stemware, a wine gift box (wine not included!) and a wooden pen case.

Specialty items cover 4H, Boy Scouts, military, fire and police, recognition medals styled like dog tags, and championship sport rings.

A laser engraving machine at work at Crown Trophy in Cypress.

Tim Mills, manager of Crown Trophy, provided a demonstration of the capabilities of the company’s laser engraving machines.

Members of the Cypress Chamber squeezed into a back workroom that contained two engraving machines — one a laser engraver, the other an “old-fashioned” diamond drag engraver.

The laser engraver is fast, and works by directing laser lights with mirrors. The engraving pattern is loaded into computer software that controls the engraver. The surface to be engraved is loaded onto the bed of the engraver, carefully positioned and secured in place. Once the operator pushes “Go!” everything is computer-controlled and automatic.

What’s not automatic is maintaining the laser engraver. The mirrors used to direct the lasers must be kept scrupulously clean in order for engraving to be sharp and clear. Keeping those mirrors clean is an everyday task that calls for meticulous care.

Nobody wants a blurred enscription.

Tim Mills, manager of Crown Trophy, holds a laser mirror from an engraving machine.

With a laser machine, engraving is done with heat generated by laser light. Nothing touches the engraving surface during the process.

The diamond drag engraver, in contrast, actually drags a diamond tip across the surface being engraved. Consequently, the surface must not only be carefully position but also much more securely fixed in place — or it will simply move along with the diamond tip!

The diamond drag engraver is also slower than the laser.

The specialized software that controls both types of engraving machines allow Crown customers to submit their own graphics for engraving. (Four-color graphics are converted by Crown to prevent colors similar in contrast from blending together when engraved.)

The software also makes available an array of character fonts to choose from, plus curlicues and dingbats for spacing and embellishment.

Guy Cariglio of Orange County Breeze and Bobbi Bloch, member of Cypress Chamber of Commerce.

George O’Hara, an insurance agent with Colony West and the current Chairman of the Board of Cypress Chamber of Commerce, announced a new Chamber benefit to members made available by Orange County Breeze. Businesses that join the Cypress Chamber after April 1 will receive a certificate that they may redeem for a free eighth-page ad in our new print edition, launching in June. For more information about the new-member benefit, or about advertising in either our online or new print edition, send email to ads@oc-breeze.com or call our Ad Director, Guy Cariglio, at 562-493-1500.

Jonathan Taylor of ExtraSpace Storage, immediately behind Crown Trophy, popped in on his way to an auction.

Also welcomed to the mixer was Lia Aceves, a representative of Mary Kay. Lia may be reached by calling 714-865-5188 or emailing lia2a2002@yahoo.com.

Dave Wassenaar, Dean Admissions and Records at Cypress College, thanked Al Umbarila for Crown’s longstanding community involvement and support of the Chamber. He also thanked Orange County Breeze for its article on a recent Congressional candidate’s forum held at the College in cooperation with the Chamber.

Linda Keenan of Creative Media Recording and Ed Munson, President and CEO of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce.

Tim and Linda Keenan of Creative Media Recording won the mixer’s door prize.

Crown Trophy is located at 4694 Lincoln Avenue in Cypress. For more information, call 714-827-1658 or email crown@fea.net. A browseable catalog is available at crowntrophy.com.

Featured photo

An example of engraving on a clear medium is displayed by Crown Trophy engraver Shelly Woolwine.

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About the Author

shelley

Shelley Henderson is a reformed computer and networking geek turned freelance writer. Now she only fixes her own networks and computers. That leaves time for writing, and writing and more writing. And editing the Orange County Breeze. Shelley most enjoys visiting and finding out about local businesses to write business profiles that allow our communities to learn more about their local businesses and the people who own and run them. If you own or manage a business in our coverage area and would like to invite Shelley to write a business profile, let us know.