west valley news

GSFVCC Announces Nomineesfor Excellence AwardsThe Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of

Commerce announced the nominees for the 2012Excellence Awards. The recipients of the ChamberAward, Community Award, and Volunteer of the YearAward are voted on electronically by secret ballot andwill be announced soon, along with the recipients ofthe Chairman’s Award of Distinction, MendenhallMemorial Award, and Committee Chair of the Year.

Honorees of all the awards will be presented at TakeTwo—the 100th Inaugural Ball on Saturday, June 16at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

“It is an impressive slate of candidates this year,”said Dr. Barry Leonard, Chairman of the Board,“Nominations included both new and long-termmembers.”

This year’s nominees include:

Chamber Award of Excellence

The Chamber Award of Excellence recognizes theone Member company that has been “extra involved”in supporting the Chamber's programs and projectsin areas such as most volunteer hours, best supportfor different activities, etc.

LAW OFFICES OF ASHER A. LEVINKEYES MOTORSPANORAMA MALLVAN NUYS AIRPORTWEST VALLEY NEWS

Persistence pays when you want to getto a destination, even if it takes somestops-and-gos along the way.

Nearly a decade ago, members of the WestHills Neighborhood Council began a discussionabout the idea of installing “Welcome to WestHills” community boundary signs.

As it is, with volunteer NC Board membersonly meeting once a month, things moved ratherslowly for the first few years. The project was putin the hands of the Street and TransportationCommittee for research and design development.Once sources of funding were identified and adirection for the design was defined, assistancefrom acquaintances of Council members wassought for the design phase of the signs, ratherthan hiring professional help. The project movedslowly with long periods of stop-and-go activity.

Barry Seybert, chair of the committee at thattime had envisioned a carved sign similar tothose one finds in midwestern townships of hisnative Ohio. A crude prototype was crafted andbids from sign vendors were secured.

This was around the timeWally Perfect tookover as head of the project. Fast forward to 2011,after Councilman Dennis Zine provided the fund-ing and a list of five DOT-approved locations,Dan Brin asked the WHNC board to retain theservices of Ed Crowe to complete the designwork. The artist who had sketched the original

CONNECTING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2004. CELEBRATING 9 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY. Volume 8 Number 5 2012

www.westvalleynews-sfv.com

Community Gets Custom Medallion Signs After Ten Years

Serving:CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

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Emerging Markets Opportunities with President Fox

Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission attracts nearly 500 guests to business forum

What do you do if you are a relatively new non-profit organization with a vision and a mission ofthe highest levels, to provide hope, hot meals, housing, health services and healing to the hungry,homeless and hurting in the Valley? You call in the big guns and reach out to very successful Latinobusiness executives and contacts with friends in the highest circles of influence.

That is what Ken Craft, President and CEO of Hope of the Valley did in getting Ube and DavidPump to call their friend, former President of Mexico Vicente Fox, and invite him to be the keynotespeaker at a business forum. He was also asked to participate in a panel of distinguished businessexecutives along with Antonio Cue, Owner of Chivas USA, Dr. Mario Molina, Owner of MolinaHealthcare, Jerry Azarkman, Owner of La Curacao, and Terry Fitch, Vice President of Coca-Cola,

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

INSIDENew ER at West Hills Hospital 2

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Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Hope of the Valley business forum “BusinessOpportunities in Emerging Markets Here and Abroad.” The event was held at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills.

See Unveiling of West Hills Signs on Page 8

Paul Costlow and Sergio Lomeli from Maneri Sign Co.installing the first sign at Valley Circle and Victory.

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See Take Two Inagural Ball on Page 6

Corner ofReseda andSherman Way

(L-R) Dan Brin, WHNC,Councilman Dennis P. Zine,Ed Crowe, Crowe Marketing Design

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 5 2012

See Unveiling of West Hills Signs on Page 10

design had passed away. Ed Crowe did anoutstanding job modifying and improving thefinal design. However, because of DOT weightand installation requirements, the proposedthree-dimentional design was converted to atwo-dimentional rendition and printed as adigital image. Besides doing the graphic designwork, Crowe ensured that the final productwould meet the DOT requirements for weightand structural integrity.

Navigating through city regulations andpermits was a task that Stephen Lenske,WHNC President/Co-Chair, took charge of bycalling a meeting at his law office of all peopleinvolved in the project. Representing the DistrictOffice of Councilman Dennis P. Zine were IrmaPomposo, Deputy Chief of Staff and DistrictDirector, and Ron Rubine Field Deputy forReseda & West Hills and Special ProjectsCoordinator. He very efficiently cleared the way,and things moved a lot faster from that point on.According to WHNC board member Dan Brin,“thanks to Ron’s bird-dogging, we received final

Unveiling of West Hills Medallion Signs Continued from Page 1

From the Publisher’s DeskThis issue is dedicated to those individuals, businesses owners,

elected officials and community organizations who have pledged tomake a difference not just with words but with tangible actions.

Finding inspiration and motivation in the words of former Presidentof Mexico Vicente Fox, “Go within yourselves and question “Who am I,what am I in this life for, what is my purpose?” That’s where it all beginsfor everyone one of us. Number one is to have a purpose, tohave an objective, to have a dream. Then we start buildingtowards our objective and that dream. We come with all the energy andpower we have to reach that goal. It is incredible how much we discoverthat we can do more, that we can do better and that we can do greater

things. That’s precisely the capacity that we human begins have. We need heart, soul, compassion,passion and commitment. We find happiness and our own realization by giving. We become strongerwhen we accomplish our dreams. Opportunities are everywhere. Opportunities are for leaders,for those that have hunger to help others.”

“I see that the private sector and business community is sitting in the back seat and the politiciansare driving car. We don’t even know where they are taking us. Let’s not forget that governments don’tcreate wealth, the governments don’t create jobs. That is invested its entrepreneurship. We have thecapacity to create jobs and wealth. We must sit on the front seat.We must drive and set the pathwhere we are going.”

“We must work together to build bridges and we must work together as the partners we are.”

President Fox’s words apply across the board to everyone regardless of condition or gender. Itapplies to every community in the San Fernando Valley and any city or corner of the world. Becausewe live in a global economy with instant communications where the actions of the few, affect theconditions of the many.

But positive change begins with ourselves, our families, our businesses, our communities,our cities, our country, our world—in that order.

So, get involved. Make a difference. Change the things you can change. Accept what you cannotchange. Be happy with what you have. Contribute when you can.

And always be the best that you can be.

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 5 2012 PAGE 3

Crowe Marketing Design PublisherEd Crowe Managing Editor/Creative DirectorJonathan Goldhill Contributing WriterAl Martinez Contributing Writer

The West Valley News is published monthly asan information and educational resource for smallbusinesses and community-based organizations.

WEST VALLEY NEWSCrowe Marketing Design8378 Sale AvenueWest Hills, CA 91304Tel: (818) 883-3374Fax: (818) 883-9678advertising@westvalleynews-sfv.comwww.westvalleynews-sfv.com

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pmAnnual subscription rate is $15.Single copies $1. Multiple copies $50/100 bundleFlyer insertion and distribution is available.Cost is $75/1000. Minimum 1,000.

For advertising call Garth Carlson (818) 419-2513

Editorial Contributors

The deadline for articles, letters and photos isthe third week of the month for consideration inthe upcoming month’s issue. E-mail (preferred)submissions to: [email protected].

The Editor reserves the right to reject or edit allsubmissions. Opinions expressed by contributorsare not necessarily those of the West Valley News.

Advertisers

To advertise, call 818-883-3374. The deadlinefor ads for each issue is the end of the third weekof the month prior to the month of publication.©2011 Crowe Marketing CommunicationsImage copyrights held by the artists.The West Valley News is open to the entirebusiness community of the San Fernando Valley.The West Valley News is distributed by regular mailto active subscribers, via email to an electronicmailing list, and to the general public throughmore than 65 strategic, high-traffic businesslocations throughout the West Valley.

Now online 24/7-365 www.westvalleynews-sfv.com

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LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS ONE BY ONE OR MULTIPLY IT A FEW THOUSAND TIMES.Increase the visibility of your business 24/7 on Ed’s List of Business by Referral.

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PAGE 4 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 5 2012

United Chambers of CommerceA Coalition of 32 Business Organizations, including 22 Chambersof Commerce representing over 21,000 businesses.

5121 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 208Sherman Oaks, CA 91403T 818-981-4491 F 818-981-4256

Build your business while building your community.Join a Chamber of Commerce today.

How does your business benefit by being a memberof your local chamber?

• Opportunities to market your business.• Great networking opportunities and events.• Get involved with local legislative issues.• Meet local business and political activists.• Be involved in a variety of community events.

For a complete list of member chambers,visit www.unitedchambers.org

Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber(818) 889-3150 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Calabasas Chamber(818) 222-5680 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber(818) 884-4222 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber(818) 341-2428 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Encino Chamber(818) 789-4711 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Granada Hills Chamber(818) 368-3235 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber(818) 989-0300 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Regional Black Chamber818.464.3484 | Fax [email protected]

Reseda ChamberContact Nancy at (818) 989-0300 for [email protected]

SFV Filipino-American Chamber(818) 780-9197 | (818) [email protected]

Sherman Oaks Chamber(818) 906-1951 | Fax (818) [email protected]

Winnetka Chamber(818) 340-2282 | Fax (818 [email protected]

Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber(818) 347-4737 | Fax (818) [email protected]

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7640 Tampa Ave., Reseda, CA 91335818-345-6400 Read Our Story on Page 6

WEST VALLEY SENIOR SYMPOSIUMOn Saturday, May 19, the ONEGeneration Senior Center, Councilman Dennis P. Zine, and severalNeighborhood Councils will be holding the 4th Annual Senior Symposium at the ONEGeneration SeniorCenter, 18255 Victory Blvd. from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A great day of information and entertainment isplanned with a delightful beginning with the Keynote Speaker Jackie Goldberg, the Pink Lady.

This event is completely FREE to the Seniors in our communitty. A free lunch will be served as well ascoffee and goodies. Information on nutrition, health, finances and much more will be available, not tomention raffle prizes.

Seating is limited, so advance registration is recommended. Register for FREE by giving your name,address, phone number and email address at 818-705-2345 or by email at [email protected] you may register in person at the ONEGeneration Center, 18255 Victory Blvd. Note: If you areregistering for more than 1 person, please include their contact info if it is different than yours.

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The Growth CoachBecoming a Strategic Business OwnerBy Jonathan Goldhill and Daniel M. Murphy

Winning New Customers and Clients

Bottom line, to be successful at winning new customers and clients, you need to be perceived as beingdifferent, special, better. You cannot afford to be viewed as a commodity. Commodity companies are paidcommodity prices and fees. There is tremendous power and profits in being perceived as unique,different, better.

Spend time researching and establishing your company’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP). What is yourmost powerful, compelling benefit or advantage? What is the big, overt advantage of your product or service?Why do customers continue to do business with you? What major frustrations do you remove from their lives?Once you define your USP, broadcast it like mad in your sales presentations, in your brochures, in your directmail, on your website, in your telephone answering methods, in your advertisements, in your news releases, etc.

Do not let your USP simply be quality, service, and price. This says nothing different and has no emotionalpower. It sounds trite and comes across as “blah, blah, blah” to your prospective customers. Instead, clearlydelineate your differences and performance guarantees. Instead of being a mere marketing consultant, be amarketing partner that guarantees revenue results (pay-forperformance) or the client doesn’t pay. Now that isdifferent and understandable. FedEx’s earlier USP was “when it positively, absolutely needs to be thereovernight”.

Additionally, to achieve substantial increases in profits and customer satisfaction, you must challengeyourself to come up with new products and services or repackage old ones in a way that truly excites anddelights customers and clients. To qualify as killer ideas and killer solutions, they need to include the following:

1) An obvious, compelling benefit to the potential buyer

2) Believable evidence or reasons that support this benefit (credibility)

3) A significant difference from existing products or services (dramatically new and better) and,

4) A simple and effective means to communicate the benefit, evidence, and difference to the target market.

Such killer ideas can revolutionize your business and industry. Dream big.

In addition to being perceived as different, special and better, you need to try new marketing strategies toattract new customers and clients. Here are some other brief ideas for bringing in new clients:

• Leverage your past customer relationships. Revisit with past, worthy customers or inactive customersand express your interest in re-kindling the relationship and solving any of their current problems. Thesefolks did business with you at one time, wrote out checks to you, and may well be receptive to re-activatingtheir relationship with you. However, you must identify and heal any unresolved wounds and share with themthe benefits of doing business with your company once again. Give them an inducement (bonus, discount,additional service level, etc.) for taking action and ordering once again.

• Formalize and optimize your referral systems. Identify (crunch numbers, don’t rely on hunches) yourbestperforming referral sources (some use the term market influencers) over the past 12 months and be surethat you thank and reward them for their efforts. Communicate with these proven providers often to maintaina top-of-mind awareness. Once you identify these top providers, shamelessly clone these folks. For example,if you are a house painting company and determine that your best referral sources have been real estateagents, replicate this formula. Don’t complicate the magic. Educate these and others as to the specific typesof customers and circumstances you serve best. Referral source cultivation is one of the most underutilizedyet low-cost, high-yield marketing weapons that exist.

• Leverage those relationships that your business helps to financially support (your banker, CPA,attorney, suppliers, financial adviser, insurance agent, etc.). To determine which would make for good infor-mal sales agents for your business, ask the following types of questions: “Who will benefit from our successas we continue to grow and expand?” “Who do we write checks to on a regular basis and would have a vestedinterest in supporting our business development efforts?” Identify these relationships and ask these folks toreciprocate and support your growth efforts through leads, referrals, testimonials, etc.

• Leverage indirect competitors to gain new customers. Indirect competitors are companies that youseldom go headto-head with competing for business. For example, you could establish a formal referralrelationship (swap leads, pay finder’s fees, share revenue, co-marketing, etc.) with an indirect competitor thatis much larger or smaller than you are or in a different geographic region. For example, a smaller CPA firmcould establish an alliance with a large CPA firm and swap leads that don’t fit their respective niches. A small,traditional plumbing business could form an alliance with a plumbing company that focuses on doing onlythe tough, complex, big jobs. Leads could flow both ways.

• Gain leverage from current clients and customers. Ask current buyers for introductions andreferrals to other potential buyers or ask current customers to provide endorsements, testimonials, or serveas references. Always ask current clients about other unmet needs they may have.

• Identify and cultivate complementary businesses as strategic alliances. For example, atechnology consulting firm would want to form alliances with those that can help steer business their way(CPAs, software/hardware vendors, other non-competitive consultants, etc.) How do you find potentialreferral or alliance partners? Ask, “Who already has the trust and respect of our prospects?”

• Make doing business easy, convenient, and risk free. Do not ask the other party to assume risk ifthey start a business relationship with you. Instead, communicate an unconditional, money-back guarantee.Don’t keep your guarantee hidden, broadcast it. A credible and specific guarantee will bring in far morebusiness than it costs you. Here is a simple example, “If you don’t find our technology training coursesamong the best you have ever taken, simply ask for a refund before the start of the second day and we willgladly return 100% of your money without any questions or delay.”

• Use direct-response advertising. Don’t waste money on ineffective advertising. Always make sure anyadvertising contains a compelling offer or benefit and motivates the reader, listener, or viewer to take action.Never advertise just an image. Advertise only to sell something. Track theeffectiveness of your ads to generateleads and/or sales. If the ads don’t seem to be working, kill them. Never advertise to merely satisfy your ego.

• Consider using telemarketing. Use it to develop leads for your salespeople or use telemarketers to fol-low-up a direct mail or advertising campaign. Even consider using telemarketing to follow up a sale to see if

Jonathan Goldhill, The Growth Coach, coaches leaders of private companies to grow their business. To learn more abouthis unique group and individual coaching programs visit www.TheGrowthCoachLA.com. Jonathan can be reached at(818) 716-8826 or [email protected]. Daniel M. Murphy is CEO & Founder of The Growth Coach FranchiseSystem, www.TheGrowthCoach.com.

Editor’s note: Beginning with Volume 7 Number 1 of the West Valley News, we started publishing monthlyinstallments of the content of a book by Daniel M. Murphy, CEO & Founder of The Growth Coach. The book istitled “Becoming a Strategic Business Owner. A Proven Process to Enhance Your Strategic Mindset.”

__________

CHAPTER 8. MASTERING THE POWER OF MARKETING

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Early Learning Center Grand Opening!The Grand Opening for CDI Early Learning Center is here! We will be celebrating the

completion of the new CDI Early Learning Center and would love for you to join.

Grand Opening Reception - Tuesday, June 19 5:30-7:30pm This is an opening receptionfor supporters of the development of the ELC and everyone who is interested in learning moreabout CDI's vision for the future of our community's children.

Family Day Grand Opening! Saturday, June 26th, 9am to 4pm

The Grand Opening Family Day will have a full schedule of fun activities, sign-ups for newprograms, and refreshments for everyone!

Please invite your friends and their families to join the fun!

CANOGA PARK MEMORIAL DAY PARADEMONDAY, MAY 28, 2012

Congratulations to Wings over Wendy’son their 10th Anniversary!

And many more...

Editor’s Note: Chapter 8 will continue on the next issue of the West Valley News.


L E T T ERS

Write, Email, Fax, Call

Write Managing Editor, West Valley News8378 Sale Avenue, West Hills, CA 91304

Email [email protected]

Tel / Fax 818-883-3374 / 818-883-9678

Include name, address, and daytime telephone.Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

WHY IS IT?A man wakes up after sleeping

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Shakespeare Was a Teenager Too(This is by way of introducing you to the writing of Dashiell Young-Saver, a 17-year-old high school senior who is amember of my Topanga Writers Workshop. To say he is a prodigy would only begin to describe his writing abilities.A straight-A student recently accepted to Harvard, he is as adept at humor as he is at high drama. Meet tomorrow.)

By Dashiell Young-Saver

Shakespeare would have loved Twitter.

For those my age reading this who aren’t familiar with Shakespeare, he wrote plays on anisland long ago, when people lived in their own feces. For those of you who do not knowwhat a play is: it is like a T.V. show, but harder to understand. For those who do not knowwhat a T.V. show is: it is an internet video that has a plot. And by plot, I mean a story, nota plot of land on Farmville.

Now getting back to the point before I lose your short attention spans, Shakespeare wouldhave loved Twitter because it forces the youth of the world to become more inventive andcreative writers.

Shakespeare wrote poems and plays in structured formats. His sonnets had to have iambicpentameter, rhyme, and be a certain length. The rigid structure seems confining, but it actuallyforced Shakespeare to be even more creative to work within the format and give meaning tohis work. That is why old people like his stuff.

Twitter is even more structured than a Shakespearean sonnet or a play. Limited to 140characters, Twitter would have ended this column at the first mention of feces (coincidentally,that’s also the place where many stopped reading this column). So, each tweet is almost asstructured as Bruce Jenner’s face.

To fit any sort of meaning in the character-limit, twits (pun intended) have to be inventiveand make up words, much like Shakespeare made up some of his. LOL, ROTFL, FTW, IDK.Since Shakespeare’s time, there has never been so much significance in so few letters. Theabbreviations and shortened words convey meanings both literal and figurative. Well,figurative in that they may be talking about someone else’s body figure, as people oftendo on Twitter.

The Chinese were able to put years of significance and wisdom into single characters intheir languages, and now they are taking over our economy, industry, and culture. Americanteenagers are now doing thousands of years of character condensing catch-up on Twitter withabbreviations. And they are succeeding.

Already so many abbreviations come from Shakespeare’s greatest works. His play JuliusCeaser is JC or “just chillin’” or “Jesus Christ” in youth speak. The play King John (KJ) is JK(just kidding) backwards. The Tempest is TT, which also stands for “Big Tease.” And some ofhis most famous tragedies arranged in a certain order: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, andMacbeth can be abbreviated as JHOM or “just helping out my…”

As I see my peers use more of their own words and grammar, I can’t help but boast that weare the most creative and developed writing generation. Maybe one day, we can condense themany ideas and significances of words into a single character. At that point, our generationwill have conquered, I mean mastered, the English language.

As Shakespeare once wrote in the play King Henry IV Pt.2, “Yea, man and birds are fain ofclimbing high.” So shall the Twitter bird and the young man of today climb higher than everbefore in the English language.

Academics (people who live in their own feces or, what they call, theirown ideas) respect Shakespeare for his ability to question and expressthe essence of human nature. He asked the tough questions. But onequestion that would not have been tough for Shakespeare is “To tweet, ornot to tweet.” He easily would have answered with a resounding “TweetFTW (for the win).”

Al Martinez is a Pulitzer Prize winning essayist, author of a dozen books,an Emmy-nominated creator of prime time television shows, a travelwriter, humorist and general hell-raiser. Try him. He’s addictive.almartinez.org/wordpress

AL MARTINEZ

WELLS FARGO BANK HELPS THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WEST VALLEYADVANCE YOUTH EDUCATION WITH A $20,000 GRANT(Canoga Park, CA)—The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley received a $20,000 grant from

Wells Fargo Bank to support the Project Learn program.

Project Learn is an after-school program that helps more than 550 school-aged children achieveacademic excellence each year through homework assistance, tutoring, mentoring, and educationalactivities. It helps youth develop the skills and knowledge they need to grow into responsible,productive adults. Project Learn has been in existence since the Club's inception in 1995.

In a recent assessment of more than 100 youths along with their parents and teachers, kids whoparticipated in Project Learn at the Club improved in all areas, including grade point averages,homework completion, work habits and general behavior. The assessment was a survey conductedby Club staff under the leadership of its Programs Committee to evaluate the impact of ourprograms.

According to Gary Thomas, Chairman of the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley,“Wells Fargo has graciously donated to the Boys & Girls Club for the past four years and we arevery grateful to the members of the Wells Fargo organization for their continuing generosity andspirit of benevolence.“

The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley was founded in 1992 as a response to the local need forsafe, healthy, productive activities for youths during non-school hours. There are more than 3,100members of the Club. Approximately 150 children visit the Main Clubhouse in Canoga Park eachday in addition to more than 550 children engaged in after-school activities at the Club’s five schoolsites: Blythe, Reseda, and Topeka Drive Elementary Schools; Hale Charter Academy; Canoga ParkHigh School; and the affordable housing community of Tierra del Sol.The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley is located at 7245 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303. To learnmore call 818-610-1054 or visit www.wvbgc.org or www.facebook.com/wvbgc.

NC Board Members BewareBy Sean McCarthy

This past Wednesday night the L.A. CityAttorney’s office paid a visit to the WoodlandHills Warner Center Neighborhood Council (NC)to deliver some sobering news to the NC board.They told NC board members who sit on outsideboards, including local nonprofit groups, to becareful they don’t violate the law. NC membersand their decisions must be above reproachwhen it comes to distributing city funds ANDwhen deliberating on development issues.

For example NC board members who sit onthe Valley Cultural Center are prohibited fromvoting to give money for the annual booth atConcerts in The Park. Likewise it would prohibitfor Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber ofCommerce board members to vote for the NCto pay for a sponsorship of chamber events.The city’s conflict of interest rules clearly statethat no one in a management position with anoutside organization other than the NC mayparticipate in a vote where that organizationreceives public funds from the NC, even if theorganization is a nonprofit.

The second and equally important pronounce-ment was that, NC members who are also boardmembers of an outside organization must recusethemselves if an issue their other organizationhas taken a prior position on. This means that ifthe chamber or the Woodland Hills HomeownersOrganization take a vote to support or opposea matter in advance of an NC vote, they mustrecuse themselves, whether or not they partici-pated in the prior vote. The rationale is that theNC, as a deliberative body must be free of bias.

While some attendees may have thought the3 hour-long NC meeting covering conflicts ofinterest was a waste of time, the city attorneygot the message across that all members of theNC are expected to act in a professional mannerand obey all city ethics laws governing electedofficials.

Orange Line Corridor Working Group #4

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Van Nuys Marvin BraudeConstituent Service Center6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401

Conference Room 1A and 1B, 1st floor2:00 – 5:00 pm

Agenda

1) Introduction and Welcome (10 min)

2) Summary of outreach activities (10 min)

3) Overview of report purpose and structure(10 min)

a. Q&A on report (10 min)

5) Corridor overview and discussion (30 min)

a. Overview of corridor recommendations(10 min)

b. Discussion by topic (20 min)

6) Station Area overview and discussion(30 min)

7) Prioritization for corridor (20 min)

8) Closing and next steps

Not a photo of the actual meeting but a NC relatedpublic meeting at Kaiser Permanente.

UNITED CHAMBERSSMALL BUSINESS BREAKFASTFRIDAY JUNE 1, 2012

Guest Speaker:Roberto BarraganPresident of Valley Economic Development Center

Master of Ceremonies:

Richard KatzFormer Assemblyman for 39th District

The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, Ca 91602

$35.00 per person

AWARD RECIPIENTSLAUNA STONE MED—SPACALABASAS CHAMBER

MIKE'S ROOFINGCANOGA PARK / WEST HILLS CHAMBER

BEDS UNLIMITEDCHATSWORTH / PORTER RANCH CHAMBER

BWS FINANCIAL, INC.ENCINO CHAMBER

BOSTON PRIVATE BANK & TRUST COMPANYGRANADA HILLS CHAMBER

STATE FARM INSURANCE – PACOIMAPACOIMA CHAMBER

TEAM EMPOWER & PARTNERSPILIPINO CHAMBER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LOVE’S SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICESSHERMAN OAKS CHAMBER

U - FRAME IT GALLERYSTUDIO CITY CHAMBER

RICHARD STEWART PAINTINGSUNLAND / TUJUNGA CHAMBER

SUN VALLEY EQUIPMENT RENTALSSUN VALLEY CHAMBER

VOLVO OF CALABASASTHE AGOURA/OAK PARK/CONEJO VALLEY/CALABASAS CHAMBER

VICTOR N. VIERECK, CPA / REALTORUNIVERSAL CITY / NO HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER

NATIONAL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONVEDC

RGEB EMPLOYEE BENEFITSWOODLAND HILLS / TARZANA CHAMBER


CALIFORNIA GROWN

Main Street Canoga Park

Farmers’ MarketMAKE IT A HABIT

Every Saturday 9AM-1PMOwensmouth north of Sherman Way

LOOKING FOR A FORKLIFTAND DELIVERY TRUCKA forklift and/or a 16'-22' delivery truck (with lift) is neededas a donation for Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore projectwhich is slated to open this year in the Woodland Hills/Canoga Park area.

Both are needed to take building materials and appliancesthat would otherwise wind up in landfills and make themavailable for sale to the public at about 40% of the normalcost. The proceeds from the ReStore will be used to fundHabitat programs, including new and renovated housingfor veterans and low-income families. An additional featureof a ReStore is that it will be used as a job training site forveterans. Beyond basic job skills, they will learn retailbusiness management, which will allow them to gainfuture employment.

If you someone who can help, please send emailto Laura Levinsky at [email protected].

Save money for your heirs by avoiding probatewhen you establish a Living Trust

As a U.S. Taxpayer and resident, you have alegal right to save money. That is right; you maysave money for your heirs by avoiding probateand in some cases estate taxes by establishinga Living Trust. Even today I am amazed as howfew, educated people have set up living trustsfor their families. Contrary to the popular belief,Living Trusts are not just for the rich. In fact, ifyou own real property, paid for or not, youshould hold title in a Living Trust.

If you own a large estate (real estate, cash,stocks, bonds, negotiable instrument,) thou-sands of dollars of your children’s inheritancewill be wasted on probate fees, estate taxes andattorney fees without a living trust. Most peoplewho own real property should avoid probatewith a Living Trust. The reason that most do notis simple, there is still a lot of confusion aboutwhat a living Trust actually does.

A Living Trust is a legal document that can doeverything a will does, but without the anguish and cost of probate. A Living Trust avoids probateand is the proper way to protect your property for those you love. It can save thousands of dollars inlegal fees, administration fees, court costs and estate taxes without costly delays.

Even if you already have a will, you still need a Living Trust. A Will requires the court processknown as Probate. It is common knowledge that Probate is costly, slow and outmoded.

Probate is very expensive and time consuming. The Probate process may take 1 to 2 years orlonger, during which time all of your assets are tied up and can lose value. Your family must petitionthe court for the use and control of your assets, i.e., a legal nightmare.

With a Living Trust, these problems are avoided. You transfer all of your property into the trust.Since all of your assets are held in your trust, there is nothing to probate upon your passing.

Joint Tenancy may avoid probate. But it can have very expensive tax effects. Property that hasappreciated in value can result in thousands of dollars in taxed gain. A Living Trust receives a“step-up” in basis usually resulting in no taxable gain.

In addition, if your joint owner is sued, you can lose control of your property. If your joint owneris incapacitated, you won’t be able to sell, rent or refinance without first obtaining the court’spermission (i.e., a conservatorship). My legal advice is simple, joint tenancy is a very poorsubstitute for a living trust.

A Living Trust also allows you to still maintain complete control over your property, just as you donow, because your become the trustee of the trust. Also, a Living Trust may be changed, amended orrevoked at any time.

With a Living Trust, complete with Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, your spouse, childor trusted relative (i.e. your “successor Trustee”) takes over for you immediately in the event ofincapacity. Your successor trustee would continue to follow your wished as set forth in the trust.If and when you recover, you will regain control of your trust. If you die, your successor will makethe distribution of your property according to your instructions left in the trust.

Living Trusts may also substantially reduce of completely eliminate estate taxes. If you are married,certain division of your assets can be done upon the first spouse to die, to receive exemptions fromestate taxes. Depending on the exemption amount at the time of first death, this can add up to largesavings from estate taxes for your heir.

Most everything about a Living Trusts is advantageous to you and your beneficiaries. It organizesyour financial affairs, plans for incapacity, avoids the anguish and cost of probate and can savethousands of dollars in estate and capital gains taxes.

The community is too smart to continue to throw money away and prepare for their loved onesin case of their passing. Let’s start today and put our affairs in order.

Be smart and act before it is no longer possible to safeguard your estate.

I am an expert in this area of law and have helped hundreds of clients to economically save theirhomes and other assets. Contact me, Tabi Katouzi at 800-411-0584. See ad on Page 3 for otherimportant information.

ATTENTION ALL WEST VALLEYCOMMUNITY GROUPSNon-profits, youth, church and community organizations,please join Reseda on the weekend of June 9 and 10 forthe Reseda Relay for Life at Cleveland High School.

For more information or contact Event Chair AngelGonzalez at (818) 590-9043, or Nancy Sweeney at(818) 832-2280 or visit www.relayforlife/resedaca.


The West Valley News names Fairwinds West Hills, COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE MONTH,for their continued support of community-building activities and strategic partnership with localbusinesses and neighboring community-based organizations.

Pat and Lisa (above), as well as Kim and Rick(Left), not only have the friendliest smiles westof Topanga Canyon (possibly the west valley)but they make sure, every resident at FairwindsWest Hills, has Five-Star Fun.

In April, the five-star fun was extended tomembers of the Canoga Park/West HillsChamber of Commerce who came together foran evening of fun business networking andcreative bingo during their monthly In The Mix.

Fairwinds West Hills makes one of their largemeeting rooms on the second floor availableto local chambers, for a few hours of five-starbusiness networking and fun.

That’s what community partnership is allabout. Thank you Fairwinds for your supportof community-building activities.

To learn more about Fairwinds West Hills Five-Star Retirement Community, call Lisa or Rick at(818) 713-0900. For a list of local chambers of commerce, see Page 4.

(L-R) Fairwinds West Hills’ Lisa O'Laughlin, Sales Advisor and Pat Luc, General Manager, were great hostessesduring the Canoga Park West Hills Chamber’s In The Mix at Fairwinds, in April.

BE...ON CAMERA...NOW!acting classes for ALL AGES

first class FREE

“Our vision is to create a dynamic career development center,online and offline, which will support the aspirations of actors,

both children and adults. Our work together will result in actorsfinding work in the industry they love. Our actors will also play

roles in short films and web series in house, that we produceand market on the internet. There is tremendous demand for

this content, and it will be growing exponentially in the future.We want our clients to be a part of it.”

Donna Houser / Artistic Director

Life-Changing Workshops and Wisdom for Actors

LOGO DESIGN BY ED CROWE / CROWE MARKETING DESIGN 818.883.3374

Community Partner of the Month


Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award is a new Award thatrecognizes the valuable contributions being made bya Chamber member to the Chamber through activityand involvement.

This award is to show our appreciation for goingabove and beyond in their dedication to the Chamberand truly embodies the Valley tradition of communityservice.

BOB EPSTEIN (The Law Offices of Bob J. Epstein)

IRA and LINDA NEWMAN (Local Search Maven)

MARK LEVINSON (Mark L. Levinson, Attorneyat Law)

MAUREEN BENOIT (Intimate Portraits - The Art ofMaureen Benoit)

Bert Seneca, the Chamber’s retiring past boardchair, will be presented with the MendenhallMemorial Award. The Mendenhall MemorialAward is named after two of the Valley’s PioneerBusinesses and Civic Leaders—Walter andFerdinand Mendenhall and is presented to the retiringboard chair for outstanding leadership qualities indirecting the Chamber and its business and commu-nity activities during the year.

Take Two—the 100th Inaugural Ball willbegin with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m. and theprogram at 7:00 p.m., followed by dinner. Ticketsare $95 per person and can be obtained by calling(818) 989-0300 or online at www.sanfernandovalley-chamber.comAbout the Chamber: Founded in 1911, the Greater San FernandoValley Chamber of Commerce celebrated 100 years as the Valley’spremier business organization promoting economic vitality and com-munity growth in 2011. Its experienced leadership and burgeoningmembership work together to make the Chamber a powerful force inimproving the quality of the community and economic life in thedynamic San Fernando Valley.

Fairwinds West Hills

Take Two Inagural BallContinued from Page 1

SHOP LOCAL. CONTRACT LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.CHECK OUT 24/7 ONLINE BUSINESS BY REFERRAL AT



The sale of this painting owned by Ed Crowe, publisher of the West Valley News,will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. Twenty percent of the selling price will bedonated. Call Ed at (818) 231-4454.

The painting shown above (6 ft W. x 6 ft H) is an oil on canvas rendition of Irises, a painting by the Dutchartist Vincent van Gogh. Irises was painted while Vincent van Gogh was living at the asylum at SaintPaul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in the last year before his death in 1890.

It was painted before his first attack at the asylum. There is a lack of the high tension which is seen in hislater works. He called the painting “the lightning conductor for my illness,” because he felt that he could keephimself from going insane by continuing to paint.

The painting was influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, like many of his works and those byother artists of the time. The similarities occur with strong outlines, unusual angles, including close-up viewsand also flattish local colour (not modelled according to the fall of light).

He considered this painting a study, which is probably why there are no known drawings for it, althoughTheo, Van Gogh’s brother, thought better of it and quickly submitted it to the annual exhibition of the Sociétédes Artistes Indépendants in September 1889, together with Starry Night Over the Rhone. He wrote to Vincentof the exhibition: “strikes the eye from afar. The Irises are a beautiful study full of air and life.”

Ownership history of the Original Painting

Its first owner was the French art critic and anarchist Octave Mirbeau, who was also one of Van Gogh’sfirst supporters: he paid 300 francs for it.

In 1987, it became the most expensive painting ever sold, setting a record which stood for two and a halfyears. Then it was sold for US$53.9 million to Alan Bond, but he did not have enough money to pay for it.Irises was later re-sold in 1990 to the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Irises is currently (as of 2010)tenth on the inflation-adjusted list of most expensive paintings ever sold, and in 25th place if the effects ofinflation are ignored.

ORIGINAL PAINTING. Artist: Vincent van Gogh. Year: 1889 Type: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 71 cm × 93 cm(28 in × 36.625 in) Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California.

PAINTING (Above). Unknown Valley artist. Oil on stretched canvas “Blue Irises.” 72 in x 60 in.

The price for the stretched canvas painting of Vincent van Goh’s Blue Irises was $899 and is now reducedto $699. If you admire van Gogh and have a large wall space in your home or office, this rendition of Irises willbe a great addition to your art collection. Of course if you have a few millions to spend, go to the J. Paul GettyMuseum in Los Angeles, and make them an offer they can’t refuse. Or call Ed Crowe at (818) 883-3374 andfor a reduced price of $699, you can take home a beautiful rendition on canvas of the original painting. You willalso be supporting the programs at the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley as well. I am.

Call Ed if you want to get an up close look at the painting.

Yes, It’s a painting of “Irises” by Vincent van Gogh done bya Valley artist. Twenty percent will be donated to BGCWV

$69960 in H x 72 in WOil on canvas


The West Valley News is a community-based publication connecting business and community throughout thesouthwestern region of the San Fernando Valley. It’s published monthly and distributed electronically, by regularmail to all active subscribers, and through more than 110 strategic, high-traffic, drop off locations in the WestValley. Areas of coverage are the communities of Calabasas, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Reseda, Tarzana, West Hills,Winnetka, and Woodland Hills.

A special print edition of this regular monthly publication will be published to commemorate the 20th Anniversaryof the founding of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. Advertising space will be sold to allow local businessesand friends of the Club to be sponsors, use the space as advertisement for their organizations or simply take theopportunity to congratulate the Club on providing the area’s youth a safe, positive, and enjoyable after-school andsummer camp experience. Twenty percent of the special edition’s advertising proceeds will be donated to theClub. An additional 1,000 copies of the four-page, ad-free insert, will be printed for distribution.

Circulation: 5,000 plus electronic, Web and Facebook. Readership: 20,000. Online 24/7 presence and specialBusiness by Referral section at www.westvalleynews-sfv.com.

Size Full Color 1X Position Premium

Full Page $911 $1,221 (Back Cover)

1/2 Page $546 $606 (Back Cover)*

1/4 Page $273

1/8 Page $1371/16 Page (FC) $179 Included

Mechanical Specifications

SIZE WIDTH HEIGHT

Full Page 10.00 in. 15.25 in.

1/2 Page (H) 10.00 in. 7.25 in

1/4 Page (V) 4.875 in. 7.25 in.

1/8 Page (H) 4.875 in. 3.125 in.

1/16 Page (H) 7.50 in. 1.875 in. (Front Cover)

Digital FilesAcceptable formats:Press-ready PDF, EPS, JPEG.Image Resolution: 200+ ppiGrayscale or CMYKAll fonts (outlined), logos,images must be included.

Special July 2012 Issue Full Color Advertising Rates

TO RESERVE YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE GO TO

www.westvalleynews-safv.comDOWNLOAD THE INSERTION ORDER AND MAIL PAYMENT OR PAY SECURELY ONLINE.

CALL ED CROWE

818.883.3374Thank you for your support of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley.

DeadlinesSpace reservation byJune 25, 2012 or beforeCamera-ready art due:June 29, 2012 or before

*Only available if the Full Page Back Cover is not sold.

$899

The July 2012 Issue of the West Valley NewsWill be Dedicated to the Boys & Girls of the West Valley

Here’s Your Opportunity to Salute and Support the Club


Unveiling of West Hills Medallion Signs Continued from Page 2

approval of the sign design and locations fromDOT Manager Jaime de la Vega, and then wegot the OK from Fabian Cheng of BSL.” TheCinema Heritage project wrote the $350 checkfor the BSL permit as a gesture of appreciationfor the WHNC’s support in the past.

Brin and Crowe supervised the installation offive West Hills signs that were part of Phase I ofthe project. WHNC is formulating plans to installseveral more custom medallion signs around theperimeter of West Hills in the coming year.

This is a great way to celebrate West Hills’ 25thanniversary. WHNC is grateful to Councilman

Dennis P. Zine for funding the project andassigning his field deputy, Ron Rubine, the taskof cutting through the red tape and getting thisepic project concluded during our lifetimes. Ronperformed his task with distinction.

Thanks also go to Walter Perfect, Barry Seybert,Dan Brin, Ed Crowe, Steve Lenske, Etan Lorantand the entire WHNC board for its supportthroughout the long process. And thanks alsogo to the other Dennis, the original sign artist,who must be smiling as he looks down on fiveintersections on the outskirts of West Hills.

Dan Brin contributed to this article.

Councilman Dennis P. Zine is aided by Ed Crowe for the official unveiling of the custom medallion West Hillssigns, while Dan Brin and Ron Rubine look on. A total of five signs were installed as part of Phase I.

Installed custom medallion West Hills sign at Shoupand Sherman Way. Four more signs were installed.

Rich Maier, owner of Numero Uno Pizza on Victoryand Valley Circle holds removed West Hills sign.

(L-R) Elliot Maggin, Fabian Cheng, Ruwan Kotuwelle, Walter Perfect, Christine Rowe, Joanne Littman,Jacqueline Young, Ron Rubine, Bonnie Klea, Cary Iaccino, Ron Sobel, and Ed Young, stand in front of thenewly installed sign. Up on the lift, Councilman Dennis Zine (center) with Dan Brin and Ed Crowe (right).

Chris Rowe


Joined by community members, the CanogaPark and Reseda Neighborhood Councils, andCity representatives, Councilman Zine brokeground on the first public synthetic soccer fieldin the history of the Third Council District onMonday. The new field will be housed on thesouthwest corner of the park among a handfulof mature trees which will provide much desirednatural shade. The 170-foot by 270-foot field isscheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2012 ata cost of $1,250,000 from Quimby Funds. It willboast a slew of amenities such as a soccer fieldwith security lighting, shade structures withmisters, drinking fountains, fencing, concretewalkways, and modified irrigation. CouncilmanZine would like to thank those who participatedand is looking forward to the grand opening ofthe new synthetic soccer field this Fall.

Special thanks to the following individuals fortheir work on this project: City Engineer Gary LeeMoore, Mahmood Karimzadeh, Bill Lee, andGuillermo Barragan from the Bureau ofEngineering; General Manager Jon Mukri,

Groundbreaking for the First Synthetic Field in CD3 at Lanark Park

Michael Shull, and Steve Cline from theDepartment of Recreation and Parks; andNick Pendorff and Richard Telles from theGeneral Services Department.

Also present from the local Canoga ParkNeighborhood Council were: Gerardo Palos,

Corinne Ho, E.P. Finkston-McNight, Jean Jauck,and Mary Paterson. Representing the ResedaNeighborhood Council was Cary Iaccino.

About eight inches of the top soil will be dugup and layers of gravel leveled in preparation forthe top synthetic layer. This type of construction

saves thousands of dollars in irrigation andmaintenance, while providing a durable surfacefor playing soccer.

This local project represents another positiveaddition to Lanark Park and augments the brandnew pool which was completed two years ago.

President Vicente Fox’s Speech – Business Forum 2012 (Continued)

passion and commitment. We find happiness and our own realization by giving. We become stronger whenwe accomplish our dreams. Opportunities are everywhere. Opportunities are for leaders, for those that havehunger to help others.

The opportunities for markets are growing andexpanding everyday. History advises us that thatperiods of crisis are the best times to invest. Whenthings are difficult, you can do better investing. Thisworld went through the best 10 years ever. Never haspoverty decreased so much than from 1994-2004.Never has opportunity expanded to reach the middleclass everywhere around the world. Businesses grewand the government had the capacity to expandeducation and health programs. Unfortunately aftera positive and expanding cycle, we face a crisisand recession.

I see that the private sector and business communityis sitting in the back seat and the politicians are drivingcar. We don’t even know where they are taking us. Let’snot forget that governments don’t create wealth, the

governments don’t create jobs. That is invested its entrepreneurship. We have the capacity to create jobs andwealth. We must sit on the front seat. We must drive and set the path where we are going. Europe has to getout of the crisis and the US has to understand that Latin Americans learned that over-spending, high deficitsand huge debt only takes you to crisis and creates a huge burden for future generations. It’s time to look at thesolutions that Latin America found after we suffered crisis, devaluations and high inflations. We were able toreach stability in our economies.

Today Latin Americans enjoy a strong capacity to grow and generate wealth. There are many things we haveto do in this world, but we must start in our communities. This is the time to have solidarity to commit and tohelp others. We need to understand what is going on in Mexico and the profound crisis we are going throughthat we don’t deserve. We don’t consume drugs in Mexico—not as much as is consumed in this nation. Wedon’t produce drugs in Mexico—not as much as is produced in Venezuela, Columbia, Bolivia and Ecuador. Wejust happen to be in-between. We must understand that the problems we have today are killing our nation. It isreducing tourism, investment and the migration of our best talents. We must work together to build bridges andwe must work together as the partners we are. Thank you for your invitation.

We must work together to build bridges and we must work together as the partners we are.

to discuss the current economic environment and the business opportunities in emerging marketshere and across the border, with Mexico and Latin America. All panelists agreed that demographicshave changed and even in hard economic times, opportunities are abundant in the emerging microethnic and macro markets for business investment. “The best time to invest” according to Mexicanbillionaire Carlos Slim. Said President Fox. Having sound business practices, knowing your marketand what your customers need, remembering that you are conducting a business, and having a driveand a “will,” are essential ingredients for success in business, all panelists agreed.

The Hope of the Valley’s business forum touched upon topics of current politicals relevance,such as immigration, borders, jobs, strategic partnerships for business development, internationaltrade, narco traffic, and the impact on local business of a global economy.

The premier BUSINESS FORUM by Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission was not only inspirational,and motivational but heart warming. More importantly, it made business sense.

Corporate sponsorship of charities is a long-standing tradition. For decades, businesses havedonated money to charitable organizations that serve their community. Giving back to the communitysends a strong message to potential clients that you aree a responsible and trustworthdy business,genuainely concerned about the welfare of others. Many consumers make purchasing decisionsbased upon this quality. Residents of a community will often show favor to local businesses. Inmany cases, they will go out of their way to support companies that support their communities.

“We are focused on giving back to the community that has made us successful since the firstCoca-Cola was served in Atlanta 125 years ago.” Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board and ChiefExecutive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company

The West Valley News wishes to share with its readers the speech of President Vicente Fox at theHope of the Valley Rescue Mission Business Forum on May 9, 2012. Our thanks to Lucia Strojnik,Senior Account Executive, Matador PR, for providing the transcript.

President Vicente Fox’s Speech – Business Forum 2012

I don’t need to be recognized for being here. I want to thank this great institution, Hope of the Valley, and allof its board and associates for this magnificent cause. It is for me to give thanks for the great opportunity we allhave to give a gift and giving is a sure route to happiness. He or she who gives, will get in return much more.As soon as I was called by David Pump and by his beautiful wife Ube, I immediately told Marta ‘Get ready topack because we are going to LA.’ So thank you for this great opportunity and with your permission I would liketo address my heroes: my dear paisanos and paisanas—a very special cast of human beings that are alwayspursuing the very best for their families. We are here to talk about emerging markets and opportunities.

Let me tell you that migrants, and I come from amigrant family, both my mother’s side from Spain andmy fathers side from Cincinnati, Ohio. I have learnedthat migrants smell where the opportunities are. Theyreally know where to go when they are looking forwhat is best for them. My family moved from Irelandto Strasbourg 200 years ago, when they faced prob-lems, disease and war. They came to that cross roadplace which was Ohio. I don’t know if you know, butOhio has given this nation seven presidents. No otherstate has given so many. So migrants do know whento go and where to go, They have courage, they haveethics, they have commitment, they have passion.So to all migrants in this great nation: my love, myrespect and my recognition. At the very end, thisgreat nation has been built by migrants.

Everybody in this room, looking backwards sooner or later, will have a migrant origin. Either coming fromAfrica, from Asia, from Europe, from Latin America and you represent the power of this nation because theseare committed leaders. We all are dedicated to building and construction. Dedicated to having a great home anda great nation. I’m here today because of that reason, but also to speak a little bit about emerging markets. Weare going to speak about the micro-emerging ethnic markets, Hispanic and Latin markets, but also about themacro-emerging markets: the Brits, Brazil, Russia, China and India. Mexico is said to be part of those emergingmarkets. The Mexican economy is larger than Russia’s. Mexico’s per capita income is five fold of India’s orChina’s per capita income. There are many other emerging markets like Columbia, Chile, Peru, the Asian tigers,Eastern Europe, Poland and many other nations are coming to pave the way of development.

The leaders seem to be tired in the US and Europeis growing very slowly. They don’t have the capacityto generate jobs and income that families aredemanding. They are not even capable of financingthe needs of the world. So this emerging markets andeconomies are coming to take the responsibility ofparticipating in building a better world. The world isshifting, today is moving. Financial markets, powerand consumer markets are moving to the east andthis raises a lot of question for all of us. Where isthis leading region of the world, Canada, the US,and Mexico going to be 10 to 20 years from now? Itis forecasted that the Chinese economy will be largerthan the US economy no more than 15 years fromnow. The question is: what are the prevalent valuesas we know today going to be. The values of the Founding Fathers, the values that we have shared all along inbuilding the western civilization? That’s a question we all have. But fortunately, we are full of leaders in this partof the world and we are all leaders in our lives.

We never construct our leadership. We never discover our full capacities and the power we have within.Many of us have not discovered our own leadership, especially Latin Americans with kids in Mexico. Go withinyourselves and question “Who am I, what am I in this life for, what is my purpose?” That’s where it all beginsfor everyone one of us. Number one is to have a purpose, to have an objective, to have a dream. Then we startbuilding towards our objective and that dream. We come with all the energy and power we have to reach thatgoal. It is incredible how much we discover that we can do more, that we can do better and that we can dogreater things. That’s precisely the capacity that we human begins have. We need heart, soul, compassion,


INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISE IN THE WESTVALLEYNEWS

Monday Morning Concert Series at the MadridThe Madrid Theatre and Valley Cultural Center join forces again to bring backthe Monday Morning Concert Series to Canoga ParkFor several years the Valley Cultural Center presented a series of Monday Morning Concerts in the

summertime at the Madrid Theatre. In 2011, the economic downturn forced the hiatus of this cher-ished concert series. Urged by the large public demand for the return of the Monday MorningConcerts, the Madrid Theatre and Valley Cultural Center are now bringing this popular productionseries back to the neighborhood.

In Canoga Park, CA, starting on Monday, June 18th, and going through Monday, August 13th,2012, The Madrid Theatre and Valley Cultural Center will present the Monday Morning ConcertSeries. These shows are free to the public and are geared toward children aged 6 through 10 andtheir families. These concerts usually fill the Madrid Theatre to capacity, so if you have a party of 10or more we do ask that you call (818)347-9938 and leave your organization’s name and the numberof people coming in order to ensure seating.

Each concert event starts at 10am, and the line up is:

June 18th - Chalo

June 25th - Freddy Ravel

July 9th - Gamble Puppets

July 16th - Golden Performing Arts Center

July 23rd - Razzle Bam Boom

July 30th - Kids of Rock Theater

August 6th - Cheatin’ Hearts

August 13th - Poetry in Motion

There will be no show on July 2 due to the Independence Day holiday.

The Monday Morning Concerts would not be possible without the generous support of PapaJohn’s Pizza, Donald Weissman of the Weissman Law Firm, and The Friends of The Madrid Theatre.We thank our supporters for giving us the opportunity to contribute to our community!

Business Opportunities in Emerging MarketsContinued from Page 1

He or she who gives,will get in return much more.

Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox and wife Marta,during the catered reception before the business forum.

Antonio Cue, owner of Chivas USA, and Jerry Azarkman,Owner of La Curacao, after the business forum

At the very end, this great nationhas been built by migrants.

Ed Crowe, publisher of the West Valley News with Dr. J.Mario Molina, CEO and Chairman of MOLINA Healthcare.Dr. Molina was one of the panelists at the Hope of theValley Business Forum on May 9 at the Odyssey.

Number one is to havea purpose, to have an objective,to have a dream.

I see that the private sector and business community is sittingin the back seat and the politicians are driving car.

La Curacao employs 3,000 people with annual revenues of $350 million. The “will” to succeed has drivenowner Jerry Azarkman to take advantage of emerging business opportunities in the Hispanic micro-ethnic market.

Molina Healthcare began 30 years ago in a small medical clinic in Long Beach, California, by Dr. C. DavidMolina. It was there that the Molina family children swept the floors, stocked shelves and filed medical records.

Three decades later, Molina Healthcare is still led by a physician—but not any physician, the founder's son—Dr. J. Mario Molina. He and his siblings have gone from sweeping the floors of the first clinic to running themulti-state healthcare company.

In 2010: Hispanic Business Magazine lists Molina Healthcare as the largest Hispanic Business in America interms of revenue and growth


FROM COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER’S E-NEWS

Working to Improve the City's Collection of Revenue...We introduced a motion recently calling for the Fire Department to

report back on the status of the Field Data Capture System, which is partof the City's Emergency Medical Services Billing System. The systemutilizes handheld electronic devices to replace manual paper based forms,making it faster and more accurate.

The Field Data Capture System was implemented in the previous fiscalyear to reduce billing errors and improve the City's ability to collect onambulance service billing. Emergency ambulance service is a crucial partof the City's ability to protect public safety. At a time when the City facesover $200 million budget deficit and every City service is impacted, wemust watch every dollar. The system is expected to increase ambulance

billing revenue by $5 million.

Test Runs of Canoga Ave. Extension...In preparation for the grand opening of the Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension this summer, Metro

is running tests for approximately three weeks starting on Monday, April 23.

During this period, buses will run intermittently for testing purposes only between 4:00 pm andmidnight on the dedicated busway along Canoga Ave. between Vanowen St. and Chatsworth DepotMetrolink Station. Construction work will continue during this testing period.

Metro issued traffic safety tips for this testing periodObey ALL warning signs and traffic signals when crossing the busway intersections. Be alert at all

times when near the busway. Watch for buses from both directions. Never walk, run, ride bicycles, ordrive on the busway. Remember to press the pedestrian crossing button at the crosswalks to activatethe “Walk” signal so that you can cross safely. Always cross only at the crosswalks.

Traffic Disruptions Possible During Final Period ofConstruction On Canoga Ave. Orange Line ExtensionWith construction nearly complete on the Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension, MTA is now working

seven days a week including some evenings. Paving, utility, traffic signal and other work is beingdone on each street along Canoga Ave. from Vanowen St. to Devonshire St. Some traffic disruptionsand congestion can be expected between now and the end of May.

When the Canoga Orange Line Extension is complete, it will provide a fast, safe connection betweenChatsworth Depot Metrolink Station and the endpoint of the Orange Line Busway at Warner Station inWoodland Hills. It will provide Northwest Valley commuters vastly greater public transit options andalleviate traffic congestion on our streets.

For further questions, please call (818) 701-2827 or email [email protected].

MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON

“Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act”Senator Sanders Introduced Similar Legislation in the SenateOn April 26, Congressman Brad Sherman (D – CA), reintroduced the

“Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act,” (HR 4963) in the 112th Congress.The legislation was cosigned by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY).Senator Bernie Sanders (I –VT) introduced similar legislation in theSenate during the last Congress. Under this legislation, any institution

that is too big to fail will be broken up and reorganized to avoid more Government bailouts and futurerisk to our economy.

“Too big to fail should be too big to exist,” said Congressman Sherman who has advocated thisposition since 2008. “Never again should a financial institution be able to demand a federal bailout.They claim; ‘if we go down, the economy is going down with us.’ By breaking up these institutionslong before they face a crisis, we ensure a healthy financial system where medium sized institutionscan compete in the free market.” Sherman continued, “No longer should giant financial institutionsbe able to get low-cost capital by telling investors that even if the institution is mismanaged andfaces financial default, by virtue of its sheer size it will be able to obtain a bailout from the federalgovernment. Every financial institution should compete for capital based on the soundness of itsbalance sheet, and no financial institution should be able to claim that there is a special federal safetynet available to its investors because of the institutions sheer size.”

“Most of the huge financial institutions still standing have become even bigger—so big that thefour largest banks in America (JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup) nowissue one out of every two mortgages; two out of three credit cards; and hold $4 out of every $10 inbank deposits in the entire country,” said Senator Sanders, when he introduced his version of thelegislation last Congress.

“If any of these financial institutions were to get into major trouble again, taxpayers would be onthe hook for another massive bailout. We cannot let that happen. We need to do exactly what TeddyRoosevelt did back in the trust-busting days and break up these big banks.”

This legislation would require the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to Congress a list of allcommercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies that the Secretarybelieves have become too big to fail. Those entities deemed too large would then be broken up ina managed process of reorganization, so a single failure would no longer cause a catastrophic effecton the United States or global economy without a taxpayer bailout. ‘‘Too Big to Fail’’ refers to anyentity that has grown so large that its failure would have a catastrophic effect on the stability of eitherthe financial system or the United States economy.

During consideration of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in theHouse Financial Services Committee, Congressman Sherman strongly supported an amendmentoffered by Rep. Paul Kanjorski that gave federal regulators the authority, but not the obligation tobreak up the largest banks and other financial institutions that impact every facet of our economy.Thus far federal regulators have not taken that step to protect our economy. By mandating that thesemassive entities be reorganized, the “Too Big to Fail Act” is the next logical step in the process ofeliminating the unwanted risk massive financial firms pose to our economy.

FROM COUNCILMEMBER ZINE’S WEEKLY UPDATE

Topanga & West Valley Area Police Stations RepairsTen years ago, the voters of Los Angeles approved Proposition Q

which provided a $600 million Citywide Public Safety Bond Programto build and renovate public safety facilities. The projects included acomplete replacement of the West Valley Area Police Station in 2005and the construction and opening of a new Topanga Area Police Stationin 2008. These two facilities were completed on time and under budgetat a total cost of $66 million.

It is expected that new facilities are constructed and maintained at astandard of quality suitable for the investment by the public; however,the Los Angeles Police Department has indicated that there are some

major problems at both locations, some of which pose a potential security risk.

Councilman Zine introduced a Motion on May 1st that instructs the General Services Department(GSD), which is responsible for maintaining equipment warranties and providing maintenance toCity facilities, to work with the Los Angeles Police Department to itemize the list of structural andequipment problems at these two Area Police Stations. GSD should also provide a schedule on howand when these repairs can be completed.

This motion has been referred to the Information Technologies and General Services Committee.deposited in the City’s General Fund.

Woodland Hills Relay for LifeLast Saturday, Councilman Zine helped kickoff the 4th Annual Woodland Hills Relay for Life event

at Pierce College. The Councilman has been actively involved with the Relay for Life event sinceits inception. For the hundreds that gather on Saturday morning the event, it was a great way tocelebrate the lives of people who battled cancer, to remember loved ones lost, and to continue tofight back against the disease. If you are interested in learning more or being part of this great event,please visit www.relayforlife.org.

Anthem Blue Cross Volunteer DayOn Saturday, Councilman Zine joined sixty five Anthem Blue Cross employees who volunteered

their time to plant a new garden, paint murals, and clean the West Valley YMCA facility in Reseda.Besides bringing volunteers to the day of service, Anthem Blue Cross also bestowed grants to theYMCA, which helped renovate the outdoor soccer arena and fund healthy lifestyles programs thatfight childhood obesity in the West San Fernando Valley. Councilman Zine presented a Certificate ofAppreciation to Cassie Kam, the CFO of Anthem Blue Cross and a member of the East, Mid, andWest Valley Family YMCA Board of Managers for Anthem’s support to the West Valley YMCA.

A WORD FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

SHOP LOCAL. CONTRACT LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.CHECK OUT 24/7 ONLINE BUSINESS BY REFERRAL AT


INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISE IN THE WESTVALLEYNEWS

Medi-Cal Fraud Bill Clears State AssemblyThe California State Assembly passed legislation authored by

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) thatwill enable California to receive a financial bonus from the federalgovernment when Medicaid contractors are convicted of defraudingthe government.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2492 passed with a partisan vote of 46-26,with only Democrats in support.

“We saw the biggest medical fraud bust announced yesterday,worth $450 million,” said Blumenfield. “We need this bill to fight thosewho defraud the government and taxpayers out of millions of dollars.

This should not be a partisan issue, especially as our state wrestles with unprecedented budgetchallenges.”

Since 2008, the California False Claims Act has empowered California to recover more than $95million in financial bonuses. But our state law requires an update to conform to changes made to thefederal False Claims Act in order to preserve the state’s ability to receive these bonuses, calculated at10% of Medicaid false claims recoveries. AB 2492 makes these necessary changes to the CaliforniaFalse Claims Act.

Like the federal law, the California False Claims Act prescribes mandatory treble damages andcivil penalties for defrauding the government. It also encourages whistleblowers to report instancesof fraud and empowers the state to investigate and bring anti-fraud actions of its own.

“We don’t have money to waste,” added Blumenfield. “As health care reform takes effect, we mustensure that tax dollars are actually spent on providing health care.”

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program, which pays for a variety of medical servicesfor children and adults with limited income and resources. It is funded by a one to one match infunds from the federal government along with state and county funds. The cost of Medicaid fraudaccounts for 3-10% of total Medicaid expenditures, according to the National Conference of StateLegislatures. As federal health care reform takes effect, by 2014, Medicaid coverage will expand tonearly all non-elderly Americans and legal immigrants who have been in the U.S. at least five years,with incomes below 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This change will result in 1.4 millionnew beneficiaries in Medi-Cal.

AB 2492 is supported by the Attorney General and has no known opposition. It now moves to theState Senate for review. Further information is available at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.


Business Education/Workshops

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPSPre-registration is required because space is limited.

For information about more classes or to RSVP, call (661) 362-5900 or email [email protected] to register.To register online visit www.cocsbdc.org.

HELPING ENTREPRENEURS SUCCESSFULLY START, BUILD AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS

Essential Steps for Writing a Business Plan Part I

A business plan is a necessity for the success of your business! This workshop will cover all aspects of creatinga business plan, as well as emphasize the importance of goals and outline methods to achieve these goals.Critical topics such as business development, marketing plans, advertising strategies, financial analysis andbudgeting will be covered in Part I. Attendees may bring a laptop to work on their business plan during thetraining.

Date: Wednesday, May 23 Time: 9 am – 12 pmCost: $35Location: Build WorkSource Center, 9207 Eton Ave., Chatsworth 91311

Effective Marketing

Come prepared to listen, learn and discuss how Marketing is like washing dishes! This energetic workshop willhelp you review what you have been doing; analyze what is working and what has not, and what to do about it.Learn proven ways to grow your business with low cost, targeted advertising and marketing that works from amarketing and sales expert with more than 35 years of successful business experience. We begin with a presen-tation of how to create and execute a marketing and selling program, and then it is your turn – you ask the ques-tions about your business situation and get answers that are customized to your business situation. Ideal forboth existing business owners, and for those just getting started.

Date: Thursday, May 24 Time: 10 am – 1 pmCost: $35Location: Premier America Credit Union, 1st Floor Training Room, 19867 Prairie St., Chatsworth

Export-Import Workshop

This workshop will provide new-to-export and new-to-market clients with information on getting started in inter-national trade. International trade basics will be provided as we walk through to the export/import developmentstages and are introduced to trade assistance resources on the federal, state, and local level. Register online at:http://tinyurl.com/84aq8r7

Date: Friday, May 25 Time: 10 am – 12 pmCost: FREE + $2 parking fee (kiosk located in lot 14, machine takes $1 bills and quarters only)Location: COC University Center, Room 222, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita

All VEDC workshops at:

VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center)5121 Van Nuys Blvd. 3rd Floor, Van Nuys, CAContact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

For additional information about fees and locations, visit: www.vedc.org

Action Alert:Protect California film creditsHelp keep entertainment industry jobs in the state

VICA urges its members to show support forAB 2026 (Fuentes), which would extend theCalifornia Film Tax Credit Program for motionpicture and television production through July1, 2020. The successful program was part ofthe 2009 budget plan and generated more than$3.8 billion in economic output during its firsttwo years. AB 2026 will be considered by theAssembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism,and Internet Media Committee early next week.Those who support filming and the economicbenefits it brings should remind lawmakers thatthe entertainment industry spends approximate-ly $15.4 billion on goods and services annuallyin California, and nearly 20 million jobs arelinked to the industry.

Popular Valley eatery joins Hall of Fame

Casa Vega Restaurant is a 2012VICA Hall of Fame inducteeCasa Vega Restaurant opened its doors in

1956 when a young Rafael “Ray” Vega decidedto enter the family trade by becoming a restau-rateur. The menu is full of recipes that havebeen in the Vega family for generations. Today,Casa Vega is jointly managed by Vega and hisdaughter Christina Vega Fowler. Casa Vega willbe recognized along with Edgar Rice Burroughs,Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Valley Collegeand Universal Studios during VICA’s BusinessHall of Fame on June 7 (6-9:30 p.m.) at theSheraton Universal Hotel, 333 UniversalHollywood Drive, Universal City. For moreinformation, call 818.817.0545. The event ispresented by Wells Fargo, Thomas PropertiesGroup and JP Morgan Chase.

VICA is widely considered one of the most influential business advocacy organizations in Southern California. With itsknowledge of the legislative process and economic issues, VICA's access to public officials ensures that the San FernandoValley's business perspective will be heard in the interest of improving our business climate and quality of life. With inputand guidance from its members, VICA maintains a regular presence at all levels of government to effectively represent Valleybusinesses.

VICA 818.817.0545 www.vica.com

Tuesday, May 15Effective Tools to Build & Market your Website5pm-7pm $10VEDC

Wednesday, May 16Business Plan Essentials4pm-6pm $10VEDC

Wednesday, May 16Marketing your Business Right Series 2 (2 of 5)6pm-8pmVEDCFree

Thursday, May 17Business Strategies for Growth & Sustainability Series2 (3 of 4)6pm-8:30pmVEDCFree

Saturday, May 19Business Survival in a Bad Economy9am-4pmVEDCFree (if you qualify)

Tuesday, May 22Introduction to Federal Contracting9am-12pmVEDCFree

Tuesday, May 22Start-Up Do's & Don'ts4pm-6pm $10VEDC

Wednesday, May 23All About Business Loans4pm-5pmVEDCFree


Thursday, May 24Business Strategies for Growth & SustainabilitySeries 2 (4 of 4)6pm-8pmVEDCFree


LOW COST OR FREE WORKSHOPS BY VEDC

VEDC also offers a comprehensive business training series for those ready to go to the next level of businesssuccess. VEDC offers comprehensive business workshops designed to transfer critical management skills tosmall business owners. These workshops are open and available to anyone seeking additional information onhow to start, operate and successfully grow a business.

Classes are reasonably priced or FREE. Workshops are offered in our different locations throughout theSan Fernando Valley and Downtown Los Angeles area.

VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center) also offers a comprehensive business training series for thoseready to go to the next level of business success.

ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment CenterPresents Fourth Annual Senior SymposiumEight West San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Councils and Councilman Dennis P. Zine have

joined with ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center (OSEC) to present the fourth SeniorSymposium , “Living Well” May 19, 2012. Well known motivational speaker Jackie Goldberg(Pink Lady) will kick off the day with her keynote, “Get Up, Get Out, Get a Life”. OSEC is located at18255 Victory Blvd. In Reseda.

The all day event, which is free to registered attendees, will feature speakers and workshopsdiscussing mental, emotional and physical health. According to Larry Lisonbee, Director, “As moreand more boomers turn 65 and are leading active lives, OSEC offers a year round place for socialinteraction and learning. This annual event is an opportunity for the West Valley seniors to have aconcentrated day- long discussion with experts and peers on issues affecting them every day. Weare thrilled that the Canoga Park, Encino, Lake Balboa, Northridge South, Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetkaand Woodland Hills/Warner Center Neighborhood Councils are all co-sponsoring this event.”

The Symposium features a variety of topics from eating healthy on a budget, having to work over60, dealing with legal issues, having fun and still making a difference. More than fifty vendors, whoprovide goods and services to the Senior Community, will be exhibiting which will add an extra ben-efit to the attendees. Attendees are asked to pre-register before May 12, by calling 818 705-2345,since space is limited.

For more information please contact: Denyse Selesnick, Symposium Chairman [email protected] Senior Enrichment Center is a division of ONEgeneration, a not for profit organization whosemission is to enrich the lives of seniors, children and their families throughout our diverse community.

MULTIPLY x 20,000 THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISE IN THE WESTVALLEYNEWS

The July 2012 Issue of the West Valley NewsWill be Dedicated to the Boys & Girls of the West Valley

Here’s Your Opportunity to Salute and Support the Club

See Page 9 for advertising rates and how you can reserve your ad space.


Madrid Theatre

Clyde Porter West Valley Playhouse

www.ci.la.ca.us/cad/madridtheatre

__

2012 SEASONPERFORMANCE SHOW CATEGORY DATES

Black Coffee Mystery Feb. 3 – Mar. 4Stage Door Drama Apr. 13 – May 6The Odd Couple Comedy June 1 – June 30Summer Musical Musical Comedy July 27 – Aug 26The Front Page Comedy/Drama Sept 21 – Oct 21Moon Over Buffalo Comedy Nov 16 – Dec 16

Visit our website for abstracts about each show. Show titles subject to change.

www.wvplayhouse.com

Box Office: (818) 884-1907

Community News / Calendar

WE INVITE YOU TO MAKE EFFECTIVECOMMUNICATION A REALITYIf you ever had to stand up in front of a groupand make a presentation about your business—YOU NEED TOASTMASTERS!

If you ever had to introduce an important person ina public meeting and panic at the thought becauseyou don’t know how—YOU NEED TOASTMASTERS!

If you are involved in your community and need tospeak out about what you are passionate about—YOU NEED TOASTMASTERS!

If you are in a position of leadership and want toimprove your communication skills—YOU NEEDTOASTMASTERS!

Welcome to “Spirit Speaks” Toastmasters

We invite you to attend one of our meetings.No reservation is required, just show up. You won'tbe pressured to speak or join, and there is no cost.Come prepared to enjoy yourself!

Meetings: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the monthTime: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

TV Motion Picture Fund CenterEducation RoomCalabasas Road at Mulholland Road(Right off the 101 Fwy at Valley Circle)Calabasas, CA 91302

For membership information contact:Ed Crowe VP Public Relations (818) 231-4454

Stage Door Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman. The play concerns a group of younggirls who have come to New York to study acting and find Jobs. The scene is MissOrcutt’s boarding house, where the hopes and ambitions of sixteen young women arerevealed in scenes of entertaining comedy. The central plot has to do with courageousTerry Randall, who fights against discouragement in the theatre where we are sure shewill conquer. This is a wonderful story, that will pull you in right from the start.

Runs Apr. 13 – May 6 Thurs. Fri., Sat. 8:00 pm, Sun. 2:30 pm

Ticket Prices are $25.00 Reg. $23.00 Seniors and Students.

Group Discounts are available.

Clyde Porter’s West Valley Playhouse 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303

__

Adult Education Classes, SFVGet your GED or HS diploma. Upgrade your jobskills. Learn a new trade. Computer Op/repair,parenting, culinary, ServSafe Cert. ESL, construction,healthcare. Evening & Sat. classes. For informationor to enroll, call: Hughes Edu. & Career Ctr. at818-587-4335, El Camino Real Comm. Adult Schoolat 818-610-5600, Canoga Park High School Campusat 818-673-1391, Reseda Adult School at818-758-3700, or visit our website at:http://elcamino-lausd.ca.schoolloop.com

MAY 2012

www.valleycultural.org

Writers Club Announces May Program

The San Fernando Valley Branch of the CaliforniaWriters Club welcomed author Ellen Reid onSaturday, April 7 at the Motion Picture and TelevisionFund Home—Katzenberg Villa located at 23388Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills, 91364.

For more information and directions to the location,go to www.cwc-sfv.org.

RELAY FOR LIFE OF RESEDA Please join us onSaturday, June 9th for Reseda Relay for Life atCleveland High School in Reseda. Sign up NOWto start a team, make a donation, or purchase aluminaria in honor of a friend or loved one. Visitwww.relayforlife.org/resedaca or contact Event ChairAngel Gonzalez at 818-590-9043, or [email protected]. Join in with us for thisimportant cause.

May 16Universal City / North Hollywood ChamberAfter Hours NOHO Mixer5:30 pm - 7:30 pmColey's Jamica Best Cuisine10842 Magnolia Blvd.(818) 508-5155Sunland Tujunga ChamberMixer6:00 pm - 8:00 pmRise N Shine Cafe9865 Sunland Blvd.(818) 352-4433Filipino ~ American ChamberAsian Pacific American Heritage Month6:00 pm - 9:30 pmThe Beverly Garland Holiday Inn4222 Vineland Ave(818) 430-3972Woodland Hills / Tarzana ChamberValley Wide Mixer5:30 pm - 7:30 pmBJ's Restaurant6424 Canoga Avenue(818) 347-4737

May 17Canoga Park / West Hills ChamberNetwork Breakfast7:15 amHometown Buffet6705 Fallbrook Avenue(818) 884-4222Chatsworth / Porter Ranch ChamberNetworking Leads Lunch11:30 am - 1:00 pmThe Olive Garden Italian Restaurant19724 Nordhoff Place(818) 341-2428Calabasas ChamberBusiness Networking Mixer5:30 pm - 7:00 pmCalabasas Jewelers23504 Calabasas Road(818) 222-5680Studio City ChamberMixer & Ribbon Cutting5:30 pmTotal Woman Gym & Day Spa12050 Ventura Blvd., B -201(818) 655-5916Sun Valley ChamberMixer5:30 pm - 7:30 pmSpecial Spirit9909 Helen St.(818) 768-2014May 18Granada Hills ChamberNetworking Breakfast7:30 amVFW Post 232317522 Chatsworth Street(818) 368-3235May 19Encino ChamberStructure to Succeed SeminarGuest Speaker ~ Andre Cohen1:00 pm - 2:30 pmEncino Chamber Office4933 Balboa Blvd.(818) 789-4711

June 1United Chambers of CommerceSmall Business Breakfast Awards7:30 am - 9:30 amThe Beverly Garland Holiday Inn4222 Vineland Avenue(818) 981-4491

June 28United ChambersValley Mega Mixer6:00 pm - 8:30 pmCollection Room @ Galpin Motors15600 Roscoe Blvd.(818) 981-4491view flyer for detailsRegister early and save money. Contact your localChamber. See list on Page 4.

St. Nicholas Valley Greek Festival

Don’t miss the 39th Annual St. Nicholas Valley GreekFestival, the biggest Greek festival in all of LosAngeles, coming up May 26 to 28 at St. NicholasGreek Church in Northridge.

May 26, 27, 28

1:00 pm to 9:00 pm

St. Nicholas Greek Church

9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge

This San Fernando Valley tradition features Greekmusic, dance, food, culture, games, booths and more.

For more information, call Info:www.valleygreekfestival.com(818) 886-4040

Walk on the Horizon & 5k on June 23Take a little walk, or run, and make a big difference at the fifth annual Walk on the Horizon event on Saturday,June 23 at Woodley Park, to benefit New Horizons’ programs for adults with intellectual and developmentaldisabilities. The event will feature a 5k run and a non-competitive walk around Woodley Avenue Park in VanNuys. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., the run begins at 8:30, and the walk starts at 9. An awards celebrationfeaturing food, entertainment and the band Arrest My Sister will follow the walk/run.

“We invite you to participate and create a team of family members, business associates or friends and be partof this important and fun event,” says Jacques Soriano, Chairperson for Walk on the Horizon. Participants areable to use an on-line fundraising tool to invite others to sponsor them in the walk or 5k.

For more information on Walk on the Horizon, or to register, visit the website www.newhorizons-sfv.org/walk orcontact John Thornton at New Horizons, 818-221-0644 or [email protected].

WEST VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH“An Oasis in the Wilderness” Jn. 7

22450 Sherman Way (west of Shoup), West Hills, CA 91307

Morning Worship / Sunday Life Groups / 9AM & 10:45AMEvening Worship / Journey at 5PM

Evening Worship / The Rock at 6PM on Saturday night

818.884.6480WWW.WVCCH.ORG

GLENN KIRBYSenior Minister


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– Business card size ad in the West Valley News (See sample above)– Print ad exposure in 8 communities in the west valley– 24/7 online listing of contact information www.westvalleynews-sfv.com– Active hyperlink to your own website

Call Ed Crowe at (818) 231-4454 for details.

Ask him about the West Valley News 24/7 Promotion Bundle

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