west valley news

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WHHO Turns Green into Red by Suing the L.A. City Council “The Westfield ‘Village’ has been approved by the LA City Council! Now What? Come hear what has happened and what must happen next.” This was the first item on the agenda of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization (WHHO) general meeting of March 28, 2012. The next day, March 29, 2012, Corin L. Kahn, an attorney with a law practice in Santa Monica, retained by WHHO and Jeff Bornstein, filed with the Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles, a PETITION AND COMPLAINT FOR WRIT OF MANDATE AND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE MANDAMUS—naming as Defendants CITY OF LOS ANGELES; The CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES; and DOES responsible for the approval of the project, inclusive; and WESTFIELD, LLC. as Real Parties In Interest. The lawsuit was filed exactly one month after the L.A. City Council unanimously voted to approve The Village at Westfield Topanga, a $450 million mixed-use project in the heart of the West Valley. The 31 acre site of underutilized land is located southwest of Owensmouth and Victory within Warner Center. The legal maneuvers of WHHO and Bornstein have turned the Green Light for the project into additional bureaucratic Red Tape for Westfield. "It's a frivolous lawsuit without merit" says Councilman Dennis Zine about the complaint filed by the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization and Jeff Bornstein against the City of Los Angeles, the L.A. City Council, and Westfield. “This was proof of what people can do, working together for a common goal.” A sense of pride and a can-do-attitude brought over 600 players and their families, along with a distinguished list of elected officials, to celebrate the Opening Day of Westhills Baseball League’s 43rd Season, on Saturday, March 3, 2012. A new parking lot and pedestrian crosswalk were completed in time for the Opening Day festivities. “If you understand our roots you will have a better understanding of our commitment, sense of community and the love for baseball that has helped our league develop into what it is today.” Says Mark Sikand, the league’s president about its history. The history of Westhills Baseball possibly parallels the history of the community of West Hills in the way that residents of the west end of Canoga Park (as it was known 25 years ago), shared a vision for making things better. It was 1970 and Westhills Baseball had a plan, a lease on 81/2 acres, $1,300 in the bank, 3-year-old uniforms, and a dream. A construction committee was formed and given the task to turn 368,260 sq. ft. of uneven, rock-filled, twig-strewn, stump laden, hard-packed dirt into playable fields CONNECTING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2004. CELEBRATING 9 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY. Volume 8 Number 4 2012 www.westvalleynews-sfv.com West Hills Celebrating 25 Years of Building a Community Serving: Calabasas Canoga Park Chatsworth Reseda Tarzana West Hills Winnetka Woodland Hills Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Gruel is joined by L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and members of the Westhills Baseball League, to celebrate the opening of the 43rd Season and the new improvements to the Westhills Sports complex. sfv This copy of the West Valley News belongs to: SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEST VALLEY NEWS. 12 MONTHLY ISSUES FOR ONLY $15 Club de Cuba FUNraising for BGCWV Ed Crowe / West Valley News 8th ANNUAL CLUB DE CUBA EVENT RAISES $77,000 FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley raised a net of $77,000 at its annual Caribbean-themed Club de Cuba event to support its after-school programs for local children, many from disadvantaged circumstances. “We had an amazing level of support from the community at this year’s event,” said Board Chairman Gary Thomas. “The funds raised go directly to the Club to support programs that help keep local youth off the street and safe during after school hours.” Ed Crowe / West Valley News INSIDE New ER at West Hills Hospital 2 Living Trusts in conformity with Medi-Cal rules 3 SHOP. DINE. PLAY. RESEDA 4 Mastering the Power of Marketing 5 Need Extra Cash? 7 $ave BIG with Business Services and Classified 15 Spring Savings at Green Thumb 16 Marty Cooper, Cooper Communications, BGCWV Board member and Chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee care-freely bids his chips on the Roulette for a great cause. It was a fun evening for all attendees. See West Hills Celebrating 25 Years on Page 3 Councilman Zine (right) walks along the new crosswalk and Pedestrian Signal on Valley Circle to get to the new Parking Lot that will accommodate overflow parking needs at the Westhills Baseball sports complex. NOW ONLINE 24/7 Ed Crowe / West Valley News 100 CELEBRATION CANOGA PARK TH ANNIVERSARY 1912-2012 FREE L.A. City Council at Final Public Hearing for The Village at Westfield Topanga on February 29, 2012. See Club de Cuba Raises Funds for BGCWV on Page 10 Ed Crowe / West Valley News

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West Hills Celbrating 25 Years of Building a Community

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Page 1: West Valley News

WHHO Turns Green into Redby Suing the L.A. City Council“The Westfield ‘Village’ has been approved by the

LA City Council! Now What? Come hear what hashappened and what must happen next.” This wasthe first item on the agenda of the Woodland HillsHomeowners Organization (WHHO) general meetingof March 28, 2012.

The next day, March 29, 2012, Corin L. Kahn, anattorney with a law practice in Santa Monica, retainedby WHHO and Jeff Bornstein, filed with the SuperiorCourt of California County of Los Angeles, a PETITIONAND COMPLAINT FOR WRIT OF MANDATE ANDFOR ADMINISTRATIVE MANDAMUS—naming asDefendants CITY OF LOS ANGELES; The CITYCOUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES; and DOESresponsible for the approval of the project, inclusive;and WESTFIELD, LLC. as Real Parties In Interest.

The lawsuit was filed exactly one month after theL.A. City Council unanimously voted to approveThe Village at Westfield Topanga, a $450 millionmixed-use project in the heart of the West Valley. The31 acre site of underutilized land is located southwestof Owensmouth and Victory within Warner Center.

The legal maneuvers of WHHO and Bornstein haveturned the Green Light for the project into additionalbureaucratic Red Tape for Westfield.

"It's a frivolous lawsuit without merit" saysCouncilman Dennis Zine about the complaint filedby the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organizationand Jeff Bornstein against the City of Los Angeles,the L.A. City Council, and Westfield.

“This was proof of what people can do,working together for a common goal.”

A sense of pride and a can-do-attitude broughtover 600 players and their families, along with adistinguished list of elected officials, to celebratethe Opening Day of Westhills Baseball League’s43rd Season, on Saturday, March 3, 2012. Anew parking lot and pedestrian crosswalk werecompleted in time for the Opening Day festivities.

“If you understand our roots you will have abetter understanding of our commitment, senseof community and the love for baseball that hashelped our league develop into what it is today.”Says Mark Sikand, the league’s president aboutits history.

The history of Westhills Baseball possiblyparallels the history of the community of WestHills in the way that residents of the west endof Canoga Park (as it was known 25 years ago),shared a vision for making things better.

It was 1970 and Westhills Baseball had a plan,a lease on 81/2 acres, $1,300 in the bank,3-year-old uniforms, and a dream. A constructioncommittee was formed and given the task to turn368,260 sq. ft. of uneven, rock-filled, twig-strewn,stump laden, hard-packed dirt into playable fields

CONNECTING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2004. CELEBRATING 9 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY. Volume 8 Number 4 2012

www.westvalleynews-sfv.com

West Hills Celebrating 25 Years of Building a Community

Serving:CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Gruel is joined by L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and membersof the Westhills Baseball League, to celebrate the opening of the 43rd Season and the new improvements tothe Westhills Sports complex.

sfvThis

copyofthe

WestValley

Newsbelongs

to:

SUBSCRIBETO

THEWEST

VALLEYNEW

S.12MONTHLY

ISSUESFOR

ONLY$15

Club de Cuba FUNraising for BGCWV

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

8th ANNUAL CLUB DE CUBA EVENT RAISES $77,000 FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBThe Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley raised a net of $77,000 at its annual Caribbean-themed

Club de Cuba event to support its after-school programs for local children, many from disadvantagedcircumstances.

“We had an amazing level of support from the community at this year’s event,” said Board ChairmanGary Thomas. “The funds raised go directly to the Club to support programs that help keep localyouth off the street and safe during after school hours.”

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

INSIDE

New ER at West Hills Hospital 2

Living Trusts in conformitywith Medi-Cal rules 3

SHOP. DINE. PLAY. RESEDA 4

Mastering the Power of Marketing 5

Need Extra Cash? 7

$ave BIG with Business Servicesand Classified 15

Spring Savings at Green Thumb 16

Marty Cooper, Cooper Communications, BGCWV Board member and Chair of the Marketing & CommunicationsCommittee care-freely bids his chips on the Roulette for a great cause. It was a fun evening for all attendees.

See West Hills Celebrating 25 Years on Page 3

Councilman Zine (right) walks along the new crosswalk andPedestrian Signal on Valley Circle to get to the new ParkingLot that will accommodate overflow parking needs at theWesthills Baseball sports complex.

NOW ONLINE 24/7

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

100CELEBRATION

CANOGA PARK

TH

ANNIVERSARY

1912-201

2

���

FREE

L.A. City Council at Final Public Hearing for TheVillage at Westfield Topanga on February 29, 2012.

See Club de Cuba Raises Funds for BGCWV on Page 10

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

Page 2: West Valley News

PAGE 2 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012

Increase the visibility of your business 24/7 on Ed’s List of Business by Referral.Visit www.westvalleynews-sfv.com to learn how.

You don’t have to go to London to find a copy of the West Valley News or great European fashion accessories,just stop by Westfield Topanga at the Concierge Counter and then go upstairs and check out what’s new at TOUS.Every Day is TOUS Day at Westfield Topanga.

(Ed Crowe, publisher of the West Valley News visiting the Tower of London in mid March—a welcomed break)

Page 3: West Valley News

From the Publisher’s DeskApril is a time of renewal and hope for starting fresh and throwing

out the useless stuff and focusing on what’s beginning to germinate,out there in that garden of new opportunities.

Unfortunately for some, they keep bringing up the same old tiredarguments without room for compromise. They don’t offer solutions,just lecture about how things should be done because they know better.

They tell the engineers how they should build things but they are notengineers. They tell development managers how to manage land usebut the closest things they have done, is manage a playground.

They know how to create controversy and they use it to get attentionto themselves rather than focusing on finding agreeable solutions.

What’s the real motivation I ask, when it appears suspect that the intentions are not genuine. Thetruth eventually surfaces and those involved in altering the course of good, are exposed as fraud orless than honest about their intentions. If their motivation is well intended to correct a wrong, thenthey will be hailed as reformers for the good of the whole.

The jury is out on those individuals who want their names on the record, not as supporters ofcontrolled progress or contributors of good ideas, but as opposers of what they perceive as eviland cannot control. Let’s return to the glass-is-half-full optimism, and focus on the positive.

Let’s spring forward to creating new business opportunities, more jobs, and increased prosperity.

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 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

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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.

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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

CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

within 4 months, if the 1970 season was tobecome a reality. Everyone stepped up to meetthe challenge. The auxiliary served food, ranerrands, made telephone calls and raised money.The Board members carried out their duties andstill made all of the work parties. The managerscame every weekend with their players and theirparents to make up the hundreds of bodiesneeded for us to meet the challenge. This wasa community in action. This was proof of whatpeople can do, working together for a commongoal. This was Westhills Baseball. Opening daywas a beautiful sun shining day filled with

excitement. Many people had worked all night tobe ready. It could have snowed for all they cared.They were ready. THEY DID IT!

Today Westhills Baseball, “Mini DodgerStadium,” as described by the LA Times, ismuch more than the beautiful baseball complexthat it is. We are the envy of the city. We are thebaseball program that other programs aspire tobe. In impressive numbers, our Westhills alumnipopulate the baseball rosters of our local highschools, major colleges, and minor and majorleague professional teams. The most publicizedof the Westhills alumni are the major leagueplayers, but all of us who participate here atWesthills Baseball are equally proud of the greatyoung men and women who “graduate” from

West Hills Celebrating 25 Yearson Page 10

our program with the ideals of community andfriendship. The preceding information wasextracted from the Westhills Baseball website.

In researching the background about the originof the name Westhills (one word) and how itrelates to the adopted new name West Hills(two words), and the original name Canoga Park,detailed articles were found published by theLA Times in 1987. The name that resurfacesassociated with the renaming of the west endof Canoga Park to West Hills, is CouncilwomanJoy Picus. She was serving her fourth term inthe L.A. City Council Third District when thename West Hills was officially adopted—notwithout controversy.

Following is the full LA Times article.Joy Picus and West HillsSeptember 12, 1987

The Westhills Homeowners Assn. is extremelydisappointed with Councilwoman Joy Picus' decisionto back away from the boundaries established forthe community designation of West Hills in January.We supported the creation of West Hills, but wereopposed to the inclusion of even the small area offlatland between Vanowen and Victory. The proposedextension of West Hills into more of the Valley willdestroy the original intention.

The premise for West Hills was the creation of a

Counciilman Dennis Zine is joined by L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, L.A. City Controller WendyGruel, distinguished guests and members of the Westhills Baseball League to cut the ribbon to officially openthe new overflow parking lot.

small residential hillside community which could beenhanced through community action. The West HillsProperty Owners Assn. was created to perform thisfunction. Their goals are very similar to those of theWesthills Homeowners Assn., which led to thecreation ofWesthills (one word) by the Countyof Los Angeles in 1974. The contemplated boundarychange is in response to unfounded concerns bygroups outside West Hills and is extremely damagingto all the residents in and out of West Hills.

It is reported that the people pushing for expansionof West Hills feel that property values in their areahave suffered as a result of the creation of West Hills.It is clear from Los Angeles Times coverage of theWest Hills/Canoga Park division that there is verylittle difference in property values between West Hillsand Canoga Park other than the fact that the homesin the western end of the area are typically newerand larger. It is also clear that Canoga Park propertyvalues will rise rapidly as a result of the businessconstruction in Warner Center and the creation ofa “downtown” San Fernando Valley. This growthand revitalization of the area will increase the propertyvalues of the neighboring homes as long as theresidents are active in maintaining and improvingtheir own neighborhoods. It has nothing to do withthe name.

It is clear that the only interest of the groupswishing to be included in the community of WestHills is a perceived quick increase in propertyvalue. They have no plan or interest in communityimprovement. Their efforts are in stark contrast tothe residents of West Hills, who have organizedcommunity activities, Neighborhood Watch programsand are actively pursuing traffic problems, graffiticleanup and new park facilities.

The board of the Westhills Homeowners Assn.has voted to oppose any changes to the establishedborders of West Hills without the approval of themajority of the residents of West Hills. We feelit would be undemocratic to allow arbitrarychanges without the consent of the people whocreated West Hills in the first place. They didthis through a petition drive, which was 80%in favor of the name change.

It is also suggested that, if there is anothergroup within Canoga Park which also favors aname change, as demonstrated by petitions,

See West Hills Celebrating 25 Years on Page 6

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

Page 4: West Valley News

PAGE 4 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 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]

Subscribe to the West Valley News

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Reseda Centennial and Ride Reseda Bicycle TreksOffered Ride of the CenturyIn honor of Reseda’s Centennial, Ride Reseda attempted their longest bicycle ride of the century

(so far), traveling the length of the Orange Line Bike Path, from the Canoga Park Metro Station tothe North Hollywood Red Line Station, a total of 14.2 miles, one way on Sunday, April 1, starting9:00 a.m. Ambitious riders could also ride back; less ambitious riders could join the pack anywherealong the route. Riders experiencing fatigue or who just want to take it easy were asked to disembarkthe path and ride the Orange Line Bus back to Reseda. Special fares were offered on that day.

“We’ve toured rain forests, settler dwellings, Star Trek sets, and private holiday water displaysright here in our own back yard. This is our most adventurous journey yet,” said Hank Truxillo,organizer of Ride Reseda. “We will see our history, our future, and our neighborhood from thesaddle of our bicycles.”

Reseda, one of the original valley suburbs, will be celebrating its 100th year throughout 2012,planning and participating in events and revelries culminating in a gala outdoor music festival inSeptember. Reseda, the hub of the valley, was an original Red Car stop on the Pacific Electric line,and is host to the Los Angeles River, ground-zero of the Northridge Earthquake, and the home ofthe Karate Kid.

Reseda was once the heart of a diverse and vibrant music scene, with acts such as U2, Tom Petty,James Brown, No Doubt, Zoogz Rift, Los Lobos, Lucinda Williams, and Jane’s Addiction performingat such locations as The Country Club and BeBop Records. The Reseda Centennial Music Festivalseeks to recreate the heyday of the Reseda music scene as well as celebrate the diversity of itscommunity with a wide variety of cultural performers.

Follow the Reseda Centennial on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/ResedaCentennial

Page 5: West Valley News

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012 PAGE 5

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

Points to Ponder

• The greatest mistake a person can make is to be afraid of making one.Elbert Hubbard

• Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.Henry Ford

• An idea is the only lever which moves the world.Arthur F. Covey

• I use not only all the brains I have, but also all I can borrow.Woodrow Wilson

• Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes.Napoleon Hill

• If you want to succeed, double your failure rate.Thomas Watson

• Because its purpose is to create a customer, the business has two—and only two—functions:marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results. All the rest are costs.Peter Drucker

• There’s a way to do it better… find it.Thomas Edison

Worth repeating, the purpose of every business is to find, satisfy and retain customers in a profitable manner.The real value of your business is directly tied to the future, predictable cash flow from your customers/clients.Marketing will help you achieve this critical imperative by growing geometrically instead of incrementally. Astrategic business owner takes full advantage of the power and leverage of marketing.

Growing Your Business

What is marketing? First, it’s about understanding deeply the needs and wants of your customers andproviding them with greater value. You must clearly identify the demand in the marketplace. At a minimum, mostbusinesses can improve significantly in this area. However, the real power and leverage of marketing comesfrom the next level of influence, communicating convincingly your unique and superior value proposition.

Marketing is about communicating with and educating your customers, prospects, and referral sources whyit’s in their best interest to do business with your company. It is about educating the right target audience on theunique and superior advantages, benefits, value, and results you can provide and sharing the credibleevidence/reasons that support and back-up such promises. In short, marketing is about educating your targetmarket on the advantages of doing business with you and the reasons why they should trust you to deliver onyour promises.

Instead of impacting one prospect at a time (i.e. direct selling), marketing allows you to communicate with,educate, and influence many buyers at once. In a sense, marketing is a one-to-many selling system. Marketingallows you to target and influence large groups of customers, prospects, alliances, referral sources, reporters,etc. in a single action.

Unfortunately, most business owners mistakenly try to tackle most goals (i.e. growing sales) with aone-to-one, single weapon, combat mentality. For example, instead of considering the leverage of marketing(i.e. strategic alliances, referral systems, direct mail, telemarketing, etc.) to grow sales, many owners remain inthe same comfort zone and deadly rut of using a single weapon like direct selling. They miss the chance to useair support (marketing) to vastly aid their ground war (selling). They fail to consider and try new options, newapproaches, and new strategies.

While all businesses have a selling process (converting leads to customers), most do not have alegitimate marketing process (generating qualified leads). As such, they miss out on tremendous leverageand opportunities.

Your goal should be to add an on-going marketing process to your business. Again, marketing is nothingmore than understanding the needs of your customers and then communicating to them the superior advan-tages/benefits they can derive by doing business with you. Think of marketing as on-going education.You are educating customers, prospects, and referral sources why it’s in their best interest to do businesswith your company.

There are only 5 ways to grow your business:

1) Keep the customers you have,

2) Bring in more customers,

3) Increase the average transaction size (unit sale),

4) Increase the frequency of purchases, and

5) Say “no” to bad customers/prospects.

In short, keep what you have, bring in more customers, sell larger amounts to them, and sell to them moreoften. Do one or more of these and your business grows. Do two or more of these well and your business cangrow by quantum leaps and bounds—geometric growth instead of mere linear growth.

Keep What You Have, Grow What You Have

Don’t under estimate the need to satisfy and retain customers. Most businesses put too much money, time,and effort into chasing new customers/prospects and far too little resources trying to keep their current ones.However, we all know that you can’t fill up a bucket if you don’t plug the current leaks. Real profits and stablerevenue streams come from long-term relationships and repeat business with your current, loyal, profitablecustomers. Some experts declare that 80% of a company’s future growth comes from existing clients, if servedand cultivated properly. As such, customer satisfaction and retention should be your #1 marketing priority.

Again, the purpose of a business is to attract and retain customers. You can’t grow and remain in businesswithout keeping the customers you currently have. First, you must measure your current attrition rate (loss of

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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On April 4, 2012, beginning at 6:45 p.m., Christyand Robert Melgoza, owners of the Arthur MurrayDance Studio Woodland Hills, joined more than 40Arthur Murray Studio’s from around the world toshare what 100 years of Dance means to them.

Free dance lessons were offered for all levels onthat day, and at 7pm, following a symbolic ribboncutting by the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber ofCommerce, there was a chamber member groupdance class followed by Jen and Sam performingthe Cha-Cha. Of course the BIG PARTY began whenCouncilman Zine arrived to try his dancing moves.

Artist David SchwARTZ (left) was commissioned topaint 100 years of Dance. He was busy at work at thedance studio from mid-morning until the painting wascompleted at the end of the evening. His work wasstreamed live as part of the Celebration program.

See ad above for contact information and offer.

The Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of Commerce threw a Valley Wide Mixer at beautifulBraemar Country Club, Wednesday, March 28th. The party brought over 200 attendees and waskicked off by a ribbon cutting in celebration of the club’s completion of their expansion!

See Mastering the Power of Marketing on Page 11

Page 6: West Valley News

PAGE 6 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012

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

under an ADVERTISED blanket

on an ADVERTISED mattress

and pulls off ADVERTISED pajamas

bathes in an ADVERTISED shower

shaves with an ADVERTISED razor

brushes his teeth with ADVERTISED toothpaste

washes with ADVERTISED soap

puts on ADVERTISED clothes

drinks a cup of ADVERTISED coffee

drives to work in a ADVERTISED car

and then…

refuses to ADVERTISE

believing it doesn’t pay.

Later if business is poor

he ADVERTISES it for sale.

WHY IS IT?

Canoga Park Bowland

the San Fernando ValleySymphony Orchestra

CONCERTS AT THE BOWLWednesday Evenings at 8:00pm

IN THE ROYAL ROOM

ADMISSION FREE/ 1 DRINK MINIMUM

20122 Vanowen Street, Winnetka, CAPersons under 21 years of age not admitted.

ATTENTION ALL WEST VALLEYCOMMUNITY GROUPSNon-profits, youth, church and communityorganizations, please join Reseda on the weekendof June 9 and 10 for the Reseda Relay for Lifeat Cleveland High School. This is 24 hours thatyou’ll never forget! Relay for Life raises awarenessof cancer in the community and raises money tosupport various programs and services of theAmerican Cancer Society. We are asking for youto give one day out of your life for those whomight not have another.

Sign up NOW to start a team, make a donation,or purchase a luminaria in honor of a friend orloved one.

For more information or contact Event ChairAngel Gonzalez at (818) 590-9043, orNancy Sweeney at (818) 832-2280 orvisit www.relayforlife/resedaca.

We’d love to have you join in with us for thisimportant cause.

LOOKING FOR A FORKLIFTAND DELIVERY TRUCKA forklift and/or a 16'-22' delivery truck (with lift)is needed as a donation for Habitat for Humanity’sReStore project which is slated to open this yearin the Woodland Hills/ Canoga Park area.

Both are needed to take building materials andappliances that would otherwise wind up in land-fills and make them available for sale to the publicat about 40% of the normal cost. The proceedsfrom the ReStore will be used to fund Habitatprograms, including new and renovated housingfor veterans and low-income families. An additionalfeature of a ReStore is that it will be used as a jobtraining site for veterans. Beyond basic job skills,they will learn retail business management, whichwill allow them to gain future employment.

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

A Bard Doesn’t Take Out the GarbageI am having a little difficulty convincing my wife that now that I am the Bard of Los Angeles,

as officially designated by the Huntington Library, I am due certain perks and privileges thatnon-Bards do not, and should not, receive.

That does not include possessing the right to have someone beheaded or imprisoned ina tower and I do not expect to be honored with a concubine of any sort or free drinks atAbuelitas but I do feel that a Bard should not have to take out the garbage or feed the dogevery night.

Those of you who keep abreast of small events accorded to eager little people such asmyself know that the Huntington has collected my life’s work and has it currently on displayunder the imposing title of “Al Martinez Bard of Los Angeles.”

Because the Huntington is an institution of prestige and knows a Bard when it sees one,I have accepted the title with all of its glorious manifestations. I do not wear tights and a ruf-fled collar, but I do shave more frequently, wear socks with my sneakers most of the time andlimit my martini intake to one at a time and not lick them up like a dingo at a watering hole.

On the other hand, I see no reason why a Bard must continue doing menial chores aroundhis Bardom, such as the aforementioned garbage chore or feeding the Bard Dog. I havesuggested to the Bardette, which is to say my wife Cinelli, that it ill befits one who bearsthe Shakespearian title to be found engaging in tasks that demean it.

I doubt, for instance, that Will ever did anything but throw everything into the street outsidehis home, which was a common practice in the 16th century. Since there was no PETA backthen, dogs were not offered special care and were forced to rummage for their food in thegarbage that Shakespeare and the Missus tossed into the street.

“Are you suggesting,” the Bardette asked, “that we throw our garbage into the street in frontof the house and let the dog eat whatever he can find in it that is edible?”

“Sort of,” I said in the deep baritone I had acquired since becoming a Bard.

“And you would sit at a table with a quill and scroll writing sonnets while I, your wench,did the housework, cooked, shopped, dusted, swept and polished and fed you wine and awhole suckling pig the remains of which would be thrown into the street for the Bard Dogto eat?”

“Well, since you put it that way,” I said, “the Bard could probably help out a little. Perhapsthee could just throw the dog food on the floor and let the Bard Dog consume it and lick thefloor clean at the same time.”

“Good idea,” she said, “and we can throw your dinner on the floor in another part of thehouse which you can lick clean as you dine.”

You can guess how the rest of it went. The Bardette continued to bury me in truths andsatire until my position weakened, my voice lost its deep, commanding baritone and I begansqueaking like a parakeet.

I have since reassessed my position as the Bard of Los Angeles andwill continue dutifully feeding the Bard dog in a spirit of reconciliationwith the lovely Bardette. We have also agreed to share the garbagechores on an every-other-day basis.

The rest of the time I can sit on my big Bard ass and rewrite Hamlet.Not a bad life for a Bard.

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 MARTINEZThe Zankou Chicken Story1962

The first Zankou Chicken was opened in 1962 in theheart of Beirut, Lebanon by Vartkes Iskenderian andhis family. The mission was simple – to share withthe community the delicious family chicken recipeand secret garlic sauce. As the restaurant'sMediterranean menu grew, so did its customers andit wasn't long before Zankou Chicken's homemadedishes made the restaurant a household name.

After serving Lebanon's diverse community for 20years, Vartkes and his son Mardiros Iskenderian soldtheir thriving restaurant and moved to Los Angeles,California. Here they found the land of opportunity,the city of dreams and the place where ZankouChicken could once again win the hearts of manywith its homemade, all-natural food.

1984

In 1984, Zankou opened its doors in Hollywood.Centered in the heart of America's motion pictureindustry, Zankou attracted thousands of aspiringactors, writers, artists, and musicians with itsdelicious, inexpensive meals. In a city as diverseas Los Angeles, residents soon discovered thatthere was only one Zankou garlic sauce.

1992

In 1992, Mardiros Iskenderian opened the secondZankou Chicken in Glendale, California. By this time,the Zankou Chicken fan base had risen to matchits taste. The restaurant was heavily crowded onopening day, and the immense success of thisbranch led Mardiros to open further Zankou Chickenrestaurants in Van Nuys, Anaheim, Pasadena.Later with the opening of the West LA and Burbanklocation, Zankou gave customers a glimpse into therestaurant's future: where delicious, high quality,inexpensive meals are served amidst an elegantambiance.

Today

With each new establishment Zankou Chicken strivesto deliver healthy and delicious food that is fast yetis anything but fast-food. And, with its secret garlicsauce, the unique taste of Zankou Chicken isanything but a secret!

SEE COUPON ON PAGE 4

Congratulations to Al Martinez on beingdesignated Bard of L.A. by the prestigiousHuntington Library.A well-deserved recognition for a lifetime of creative writingand professional journalism... even if he still needs to assumemundane chores at home every-other-day.

they should be entitled to create their own designa-tion other than West Hills. The community ofFallbrook would be a good choice. The name ofWalnut Groves would be another. This would com-memorate the walnut trees which populated this endof the Valley before it was developed.

PETER ROTHENBERGWesthills

Rothenberg is president of the Westhills Homeowners Assn.

West Hills Celebrating 25 YearsContinued from Page 3

A second article covers the period of timewhen other groups outside of the originalproposed boundaries of the renamed West Hills,had a few things to add to the controversy.

Picus had to reaffirm her decision and put anend to the ongoing debate among communitymembers. On October 14, 1987, she announcedthe final boundaries for West Hills.

Following is the full LA Times article.

Picus Unveils New Map of West Hills,Calls It FinalThursday, October 15, 1987 | GABE FUENTES | Times Staff Writerhttp://articles.latimes.com/

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus onWednesday [Oct. 14, 1987] announced what she saidare the final boundaries of West Hills after a survey ofabout 8,500 Canoga Park residents showed that mostwanted to join the community.

Picus said she will move the eastern boundary fromPlatt and Woodlake avenues to Shoup Avenue, whichleft no single faction in the months-old dispute witheverything it wanted.

Picus’ decision to expand West Hills, carved fromthe western flank of Canoga Park in January [1987],was based on the results of the survey she mailed to

See West Hills Celebrating 25 Years on Page 11

Page 7: West Valley News

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012 PAGE 7

CALIFORNIA GROWN

Main Street Canoga Park

Farmers’ MarketMAKE IT A HABIT

Every Saturday 9AM-1PMOwensmouth north of Sherman Way

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WEST VALLEY FORMS HONORARY COMMITTEEIN RECOGNITION OF ITS 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLELos Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilmember Dennis P. Zine, whose District

includes the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, have agreed to chair an Honorary Committeeformed in recognition of the Club’s contributions to the community over two decades.

“We wanted to create a committee that represented the entire community, which is why we haveelected officials, business organizations, and civic leaders in the group. We’re most appreciativethat this prestigious group of individuals is willing to support the Club by lending their namesto our 20th anniversary celebration,” said Jan Sobel, The Club’s President/CEO.

Members include: David Adelman, Chairman,VICA; Howard L. Berman, Congressmember;Bob Blumenfield, Assemblymember; BertBoeckmann, Owner, Galpin Motors; HectorElizondo, Actor; Mitchell Englander,Councilmember, 12th District and Boys & GirlsClub Board member; David Fleming, Esq.,Latham & Watkins; Mario Lopez, Actor andNational Boys & Girls Club spokesman;Alex Padilla, State Senator; Fran Pavley, StateSenator; Lisa Pitney, Vice President, GovernmentRelations, The Walt Disney Company; BradSherman, Congressmember; and Ron L. Wood,President & CEO, Valley Economic Alliance.

To learn more, visit www.wvbgc.org.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER WORKVIRGINIA RAFELSON

“I’ve always been involved in the community.I like to help.” Says Virginia Rafelson whovolunteers three days per week at the West HillsHospital and Medical Center.

She greets visitors with a smile and helpsvisitors find their way, at the main lobby’sinformation counter. Rafelson has been doingthis for the past six years.

She is also a member of various organizationsin the community and finds time to do volunteerwork there as well.

People like Virginia Rafelson, is what makesWest Hills a great community to live, work,and play. As West Hills celebrates its 25thAnniversary of building a community, the WestValley News salutes Virginia as a good citizenof the month.

SENIOR HOUSINGBy Alexi Chidahian

For a senior citizen finding an affordable homecould be challenging. A senior on a fixed incometypically can’t afford a $1300 a month apartment.However there is an alternative for seniors seekingaffordable housing in Reseda. Goldrich and Kestindustries are leaders in real estate for retired seniors.G & K Management Co. Inc. offer affordable housingin the San Fernando Valley for seniors living on afixed income. They have four apartments located inReseda; Reseda Park, Sherman Arms, KittridgeGardens, and Sherman Park.

The rent varies inversely with the tenant’s overallincome for that year. The rent is determined by 30%of the tenant’s income. If they have a high income,like $50,000, then they will be rejected to live there.The average income of acceptance is anywhere from$17,000 to $29,000 a year.

Free of charge G & K offers numerous activities toits residents. They offer cooking classes, computertraining, painting, and various arts and craftsactivities. They allow seniors to live in a fun andsafe environment; while still keeping money intheir pockets.

MELISSA’S CUPCAKESMelissa has been baking for friends and neighbors

since she was 11 years old. Because she got so manyrequests for her popular cupcakes, she decided tostart her own company. Her specialty is bakingcustom cupcakes for parties and charities.

Melissa wanted to give back to the communityusing her cupcake business as the vehicle. For anupcoming event she will be the corporate sponsorfor Lawrence Middle School’s Relay for Life event atChatsworth High on April 28, 2012. She sponsoredthe event last year and her cupcakes did very well forthe fundraising.

Visit Melissa online at www.melissacupcakes.com

Page 8: West Valley News

Anecdotes, Interviews,Bits & Pieces aboutWest Valley History.

From West Canoga Park to West Hills

PAGE 8 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012

Blumenfield Honors Joy Picus as Woman of the Year, in State Capitol(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – San Fernando Valley) honored

Joy Picus, of Reseda, during the California State Assembly’s Woman of the Year ceremony forher continued life of service to the San Fernando Valley.

“The San Fernando Valley would not be all that it is today without Joy,” said Blumenfield. “Herleadership and commitment to service has made our community better at caring for people equally,from the dawn to twilight of life.”

Picus represented the West San Fernando Valley on the Los Angeles City Council from 1977-1993 and is now involved in the work of a number of non-profit organizations. She currently serveson the Board of Directors for Jewish World Watch, the CSU Northridge Foundation, the Friends ofthe Griffith Observatory, and Community Partners. She is also devoted to mentoring young womenleaders through the LA League of Women Voters’ Running and Winning program, which is designedfor high school students.

“Joy is a magnificent example of compassionate leadership,” added Blumenfield. “Her passionfor progressive change and hard work continues to inspire me.”

As a member of City Council, Picus pushed a comprehensive child care policy and opened a childcare center for city employees that, in 1996, was renamed the Joy Picus Child Care Center. Sheintroduced the motion to end discrimination at private clubs in LA through which met unanimousCity Council support, in 1986. Picus also led the way for the pay equity standard male and femalecity employees.

During the annual Woman of the Year celebration, a woman from each Assembly District ishonored in the State Capitol. Each honoree was introduced on the Assembly Floor and received aresolution honoring her accomplishments. The annual event has been a Capitol tradition since 1987as a way to highlight the achievements of outstanding women throughout the state during Women’sHistory Month.

Renaming of a community is nothing new in the west valley. Back in 1931, Mary Logan Orcutt(1873-1972), prominent early civic leader of Owensmouth and wife of prominent geologist WilliamWarren Orcutt (1873-1942), was influential in the renaming of Owensmouth to Canoga Park, withsome help from her friend President Herbert Hoover. Apparently she did not quite agree with theassociation of the name of her adopted community with the Owensmouth river.

In 1987, another prominent community leader was instrumental in renaming the southwesternpart of Canoga Park to West Hills. She was Joy Picus, who became the first woman to representthe San Fernando Valley on the Los Angeles City Council and served for a record sixteen years(1977-1993). In that era the 3rd District covered the southwest corner of the Valley, includingWoodland Hills, Tarzana and parts of Encino, Canoga Park and Reseda.

Towards the end of Picus’ third term (1986), pressure from real estate folks and residents of thewest end of Canoga Park to rename that part of the community, prompted Picus to do a survey.

According to an article published by the L.A. Times on October 15, 1987, Picus' decision toexpand West Hills, carved from the western flank of Canoga Park in January [1987], was basedon the results of the survey she mailed to residents in December 1986.

The survey was Picus' attempt to resolve the controversy that spiraled as more residents eastof the area sought the new name as well.

"It is clear that the overwhelming majority of people living west of Shoup want their communityto be identified as West Hills," Picus said. "In response to this desire, I will ask the city Departmentof Transportation to post blue signs in the area."

This year, West Hills is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a west valley community. Soon youwill see new medallion signs installed around the community. See related story on Page 1.

(L-R) Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield, Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, honored former L.A.City Councilmember Joy Picus, Assembly Speaker John Perez, and Assemblymember Holly Mitchell.

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 playroles 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

Page 9: West Valley News

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012 PAGE 9

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 Saint Paul-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’s firstsupporters: 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 sale price for the stretched canvas painting of Vincent van Goh’s Blue Irises is $699. If you admirevan Gogh and have a large wall space in your home or office, this rendition of Irises will be a great addition toyour art collection. Of course if you have a few millions to spend, go to the J. Paul Getty Museum in LosAngeles, and make them an offer they can’t refuse. Or call Ed Crowe at (818) 883-3374 and for a reducedprice of $699, you can take home a beautiful rendition on canvas of the original painting. You will also besupporting 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

Dr. Joseph of Vitality connecting to the community at the Shadow Ranch Park EggstravaganzaEd Crowe / West Valley News

Page 10: West Valley News

Club de Cuba Raises Funds for Boys & Girls Club of the WVContinued from Page 1

Guests enjoyed casino games, music, dancing, and bid on live and silent auction items. This year,more than 40 players participated in a Texas Hold’em Tournament.

The Club’s 2012 Youth of the Year, Jorden Sneed, inspired the guests with a heartfelt speech abouthow the Club helped her change her life for the better when she was struggling at a very young age.

The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley wasfounded in 1992 as a response to the local needfor safe, healthy, productive activities for youthduring non-school hours.

There are more than 3,100 members of the Club.Approximately 150 youngsters visit the MainClubhouse in Canoga Park each day in addition tomore than 550 children engaged in after-schoolactivities at the Club’s five school sites: Blythe,

Reseda, and Topeka Drive Elementary Schools; Canoga Park High School; Hale Middle School; andthe housing community of Tierra del Sol.

PAGE 10 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012

SHOP LOCAL. CONTRACT LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.CHECK OUT BUSINESS BY REFERRAL AT WWW.WESTVALLEYNEWS-SFV.COM

The Eggstravaganza Safety & Health Fair returned to Shadow Ranch Park, in West Hills, onSaturday, April 7, 2012.

As children raced to collect candy eggs under the park’s famed eucalyptus trees, their families andother visitors learned about emergency services, disaster preparedness and public health at dozensof information booths and exhibits.

Local musicians helped celebrate West Hills’ 25th anniversary.

The Eggstravaganza was a collaborative presentation ofWest Valley Christian Church and theShadow Ranch Recreation Center. The fifth annual Safety & Health Fair was sponsored byState Farm Insurance and coordinated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation andParks’ Shadow Ranch Recreation Center and theWest Hills Neighborhood Council.

Christina Henry, director of the Shadow Ranch Recreation Center, praised Senior MisnisterGlenn Kirby andWest Valley Christian Church in West Hills for cosponsoring the day’sactivities for children, including games, bounce houses, arts & crafts, face-painting, a petting zooand separate egg hunts for several age groups ranging from small toddlers to 12-year-olds.

These activities were free of charge, but children brough their own baskets for the egg hunts.

Sol Bash, chair of the West Hills Neighborhood Council’s Public Safety and Emergency

Eggstravaganza Safety & Health Fair returns to West Hill’s Shadow Ranch ParkPreparedness Committee, thanked State Farm Insurance for being the primary sponsor of the Safety& Health Fair.

The Department of Recreation and Parks provided pop-up tents, tables and chairs for exhibitorswho provided information on emergency preparedness, health issues, hazard communicationawareness, fire prevention, poison prevention, search-and-rescue and other topics. Emergencyvehicles were on display.

Exhibitors includedWest Hills Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Woodland Hills,the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills and many other agencies and businesses, including theLos Angeles Fire and Police Departments.

“We encouraged every business and organization with an interest in safety, health and emergencypreparedness to participate in this event,” Bash said.

“In previous years, the egg hunt has always drawn large numbers of families to Shadow RanchPark,” Bash continued. “These families will likely benefit from all of the exhibitors that will provideinformation on protecting their loved ones.”

A record attendance of at least 5,000 people made this community-building event a great success.Congratulations to the organizers and team of volunteers. Come back again next year.

(Top left & right) Guests at the Boys & Girls Club ofthe West Valley’s 8th Annual Club de Cuba enjoycasino games to benefit Club’s youth.

Jan Sobel, CEO/President of the Boys & Girls Clubof the West Valley, receives certificate.

2012 Youth of the Year, Jorden Sneed, surroundedCongressman Sherman, Councilman Zine andCouncilman Englander.

Page 11: West Valley News

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012 PAGE 11

SUCCESS CENTER

The purpose of this article is to enable you to get things done, easily, effectively and on time. Inbusiness you will learn to set firm priorities to be completed daily, weekly or monthly. You will learn totake delight in the timely completion of any task you accept, whether it be calling prospects persuasivelyand successfully, doing whatever is needed to move to a higher level in your chosen career or growingyour own business joyously and effectively.

There are 168 hours in your week. The purpose of this article is to enable you to use those hours aseffectively as possible to accomplish your goals. Through hypnosis, you can learn to put good timemanagement habits in place deep in your subconscious mind. Its magic is in enabling you to automati-cally practice those new habits in place of any negative ones you may have used in the past.

You will begin with a list of goals. Be specific, such goals as calling a certain number of prospectseach week and closing a specific number of deals each month.

You can make a schedule of daily, weekly, and monthly activities to insure that your goals and the taskson your daily To Do list all get accomplished.

The printed schedule lists most of what you regularly do with your time. List the amount of time inminutes or hours per week you spend on eating, cooking, shopping, etc. and particularly everythingyou do that earns you money or could earn you money.

The printed schedule also contains a grid with the time of day along the left side (every half hour, thoughyou may want one for every 15 minutes depending on the kind of work you do), with days of the weekat the top. This is designed to allow creating a standard schedule of how you plan to spend your time.

If you are not using the whole 168 hours, consider what you might do with the left over time to increaseyour income or accomplish a major goal such as writing a book. Such things are accomplished byallotting them regular time in your calendar. A good, professional appointment calendar digital or paperis essential.

Your time is your most important commodity and managing it properly is imperative.

Call 800-GOAL NOW (462-5669) for a complimentary time management sheet. Mention this publication(West Valley News) for your gift of Magical Time Management, a guided meditation audio download toimplant in your Sub Conscious mind the ability to prioritize for joy and profit in your life—to get thingsdone effectively and on time!

Terry Brussel PhD, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist has been in private practice since 1969 right herein the San Fernando Valley. She created the Seven Keys to Self Actualization to help her clients reachtheir Highest potential-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual as well as financial.

Go to www.acesuccess.com to download as a gift the guided meditation Abundance Your Money andMore Magnet.

Here’s to your success!

MAGICAL TIME MANAGEMENT:CONSCIOUS AND SUBCONSCIOUS

By Terry Lee Brussel Ph.D., Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist Since 1969

INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISE IN THE WESTVALLEYNEWS

customers) and set a goal for dramatically reducing this rate. For example, let’s say, on average, that youlose 20% of your customers every year. A realistic goal would be to reduce this attrition rate to 10% per year.Bottom line, it is easier and nearly eight times cheaper to serve and retain current clients/customers than topursue new ones.

Once you have plugged the holes in your attrition bucket, you want to serve better and get closer to theseprofitable and worthy customers. You want to better understand their needs and then fulfill as many of theseneeds as possible with additional products and services. Continually communicate with your customers.Give them value. Give them solutions. Focus on them and their needs, not on your products/services.

Communicate with them in person, in letters, in faxes, in emails, via your website, brief newsletters, etc.Don’t worry, you can’t overcommunicate with your customers. Like employees, keep them informed, involved,and inspired to continue doing business with you. Also, repeatedly ask your customers the following questions:

• “How are we doing?”

• “What other needs do you have?” and

• “How could we improve our value to you?”

Your objective is to provide them with more value more frequently and as a result, you will benefit with moreprofits. Never sell a customer only once. Real profits come from repeat business. As such, set goals to increasethe frequency and size of repeat business. You want on-going relationships and on-going sales.

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 thatis different 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)

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

MASTERING THE POWER OF MARKETINGContinued from Page 5

residents last month, the councilwoman toldneighborhood leaders at her Reseda field office.

The survey was Picus’ attempt to resolve thecontroversy that spiraled as more residents eastof the area sought the new name as well.

“It is clear that the overwhelming majority of peopleliving west of Shoup want their community to beidentified as West Hills,” Picus said. “In response tothis desire, I will ask the city Department ofTransportation to post blue signs in the area.”

Mixed Reaction

The survey results also determined that CanogaPark residents living between Shoup Avenue andTopanga Canyon Boulevard will not be included inWest Hills. After Picus announced the survey resultsand her decision, the community leaders present forthe announcement voiced mixed but conciliatoryreactions.

“We’re certainly happy that this distracting anddivisive issue is now behind us,” Joel Schiffman,a lawyer and president of the West Hills PropertyOwners Assn., told the group. But, he added in aninterview later: “People are disappointed.”

Schiffman said he will ask the 1,000-memberassociation’s board to call a special election on thequestion of whether residents of the newly includedareas should be allowed to join the association.

Within the association, he said, “There’s a diversityof opinion about it.” Schiffman brought to thecouncilwoman’s office his association's own survey,which he said opposes any expansion by a ratio ofmore than 20 to 1.

Battle lines in the controversy had formed withSchiffman’s group, whose members were notincluded in Picus’ survey, arguing against expansion.A group in an area called the “Open Zone” soughtexpansion to Fallbrook Avenue only. And a thirdgroup pushed for expansion farther east to TopangaCanyon Boulevard.

Lil Younger, a real estate agent and leader of theOpen Zone west of Fallbrook, beamed after havingachieved her group’s “main goal” of being includedofficially in West Hills. Younger, who earlier had saidher group hoped to “hold the line” at Fallbrook, saidthe other new West Hills residents to the east ofFallbrook “worked hard for it, and they're entitledto it.”

The Shoup boundary splits the homeowner factioneast of Fallbrook. Neighborhood leaders Randy Cohenand James Fedalen, who live west of Shoup, hadallied with real estate agent Mickey Epstein, who lives

east of Shoup, in an attempt to extend the West Hillsboundary to Topanga Canyon.

“It’s like waiting outside the operating room withanother family and then finding out your family isgoing to be fine and the other is not,” said Cohen, anadministrative assistant with a San Fernando Valleyaccounting firm.

Epstein and others from his area who voted to joinWest Hills were left in the cold by the survey. AsPicus concluded her remarks Wednesday, Epsteintook her to task for retreating from a ballot-countingmethod outlined earlier by her chief deputy, SharonSchuster. Leaders east of Fallbrook say the Schustermethod, which called for counting votes from onearea toward the inclusion of another, would haveachieved their goal.

At the close of Picus’ remarks Wednesday (Oct. 14],Epstein loudly began to protest that Schuster'smethod should have been followed. Picus sternlycut him off.

“I’ve made my decision,” the councilwoman toldhim. “In that case, my chief deputy was speakingfor herself.”

"You're not to be trusted," Epstein said as Picusended the argument by munching on a chocolatedoughnut.

Picus said that a 47% survey showing in Epstein’sarea meant “it’s obvious that they either prefer theirneighborhood to be identified as Canoga Park, orperhaps they are indifferent.”

According to survey results, which were counted bythe city clerk, more than 75% of homeowners livingbetween the original West Hills boundary, at Platt andWoodlake avenues, and Fallbrook voted to shed thename of Canoga Park. Farther to the east, about 62%of those living between Fallbrook and Shoup wishedto join West Hills. The survey created a third zone,between Shoup and Topanga Canyon, in which only47% wished to be in West Hills.

Although Picus originally said a two-thirds votewould be required from each zone, problems inmailing the surveys led her to throw out that ruleand allow the area between Fallbrook and Shoup inwith less than a two-thirds vote.

About 280 surveys intended for the Shoup zonewere delivered to the Fallbrook zone instead, a Picusaide said, and more than 1,000 homes in theFallbrook zone did not receive surveys at first, forcinga second mailing that may have given that area anadvantage in the polling.

The boundary change will include commercialareas such as the Fallbrook Square and Platt Villagein the fledgling community, which at first was almost

West Hills Celebrating 25 YearsContinued from Page 6

See West Hills Celebrating 25 Years on Page 13

Page 12: West Valley News

PAGE 12 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012

FROM COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER’S E-NEWS

The Northridge Public Art Project...We are proud to announce the launch of the Northridge Public Art

Project,a series of partnership art partnerships and events meant to bringtogether community building, public art, creativity, and volunteerism tomake Northridge a more beautiful community. The first events related tothe Northridge Public Art Project are the CSUN Art Walk & GalleryOpening and the CSUN Art Gallery Annual Juried Student Art Exhibitionon Friday, April 20.

We are proud to be partnering with the Museum of the San FernandoValley, Northridge South Neighborhood Council, CSUN, local Northridgeartists, and many community volunteers who are dedicated to bringingmore art into the daily life of our community.

CSUN Art Walk & Gallery OpeningFriday, April 20

This fun, easy self-guided campus tour features docents at each campus art stop. Tours start infront of the Valley Performing Art Center between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm to ensure ample time totour the campus before the CSUN Gallery Opening. Valley Performing Arts Center is on the cornerof Lindley Ave. and Nordhoff St. Map http://g.co/maps/kw9g6

CSUN Art Gallery Annual Juried Student Art ExhibitionOpening ReceptionFriday, April 20, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

This major art exhibition is the year-end culminating event for both the CSUN Art Departmentand Art Galleries. The exhibition includes a broad range of student works in disciplines includingpainting, sculpture, animation, video, web design, photography, drawing, printmaking, graphicdesign, textiles, ceramics, and mixed media. The CSUN Art Galleries are located at 18100 PlummerSt., between Lindley Ave. and Etiwanda Ave.

MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON

Does the IRS Owe You Money?Sherman Announces How Los Angeles Residents Can Find OutIf They Have Unclaimed Tax Refunds

On Saturday, Congressman Brad Sherman (D - Sherman Oaks)announced that 4,176 taxpayers in Los Angeles County are owed$6,722,735 in tax refunds. In many instances, the United States PostalService was unable to deliver refund checks due to mailing address

errors. In an effort to assist taxpayers in collecting their tax refunds, Congressman Sherman hasposted a list of Los Angeles County residents who are owed a refund for their 2010 taxes on hisweb page, BradSherman.house.gov.

“For a struggling family, a thousand or even a few hundred dollars can help with the costs ofhousing, food, medicine and other important provisions,” said Congressman Sherman. “If thereis any chance you have an unclaimed refund, check out our website to see if you’re on the list andlearn how to contact the IRS to collect your refund.”

In California, the top three undeliverable refunds average $36,900. The average 2010 tax refundcheck was $1,610 in Los Angeles County. This information is also listed at BradSherman.house.gov.The Internal Revenue Service owes refunds to 869 residents in the San Fernando Valley, but theirchecks were returned to the U.S. Postal Service because some families moved without leaving aforwarding address or the IRS found errors in the taxpayers’ favor, but could not locate the peopleowed the unexpected windfalls.

If a taxpayer moves after filing his or her tax return and doesn’t leave a forwarding address, thePostal Service returns the check to the IRS. If a person changes his or her name, perhaps aftermarriage, and doesn’t notify the Social SecurityAdministration of the name change, then theirSocial Security number will not properly matchin IRS computers. This can slow or prevent thetransfer of old refund checks to them. And, inthe case of deceased taxpayers, some familiesand executors of estates may not know that theyhad an unclaimed refund.

California taxpayers should also check with theFranchise Tax Board (FTB) for unclaimed refundsby visiting www.ftb.ca.gov/online/refund.Congressman Sherman represents half of the San FernandoValley. Before he was elected to Congress in 1996, Sherman,a certified public accountant, was chairman of the CaliforniaState Board of Equalization – the nation’s only elected taxcommission and America’s second largest tax agency.

FROM COUNCILMEMBER ZINE’S WEEKLY UPDATE

Restitution Check Presented to Councilman ZineAt Tuesday’s meeting of the Los Angeles City Council, Councilman

Zine received the restitution check from City Attorney Carmen Trutanichfor the City resources expended during the search of a false suspect inthe Los Angeles School Police Officer Jeffrey Stenroos incident forover $300,000.

On January 19, 2011, the Los Angeles Police Department receivedreports of a Los Angeles School Police Officer being shot in the chestby an unknown gunman just outside EI Camino Real High School inWoodland Hills. This reporting set in motion a series of events that costthe City hundreds of thousands of dollars and resources to secure the

area and make public safety a priority in that community. Hundreds of officers from the LAPD,School Police, the LA County Sheriff’s Department, FBI, ATF, and the California Highway Patrolresponded to the area around EI Camino Real High School looking for the gunman, sealing offa large part of the West San Fernando Valley, and placing approximately 9,000 students onlockdown for hours.

On January 27, 2011 LAPD investigators reported that the shooting that had sparked the lockdownand the barricade of the Valley community was a hoax, and the officer was placed under arrest.Los Angeles School Police Officer Jeffrey Stenroos was booked on a felony charge of filing a falsepolice report.

The following day, Councilman Zine called for an effort to recoup hundreds of thousands dollarsfrom this individual who had no regard for the entire community. The City Council requested theCity Attorney to recover as much of the associated City costs spent in the search for an identifiedsuspect and for endangering hundreds of children, community members, and over 300 hundredofficers deployed to the area in search of the reported shooter.

Stenroos was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison and five years of probation. He wasalso ordered to complete 400 hours of community service and pay restitution. Last week, Stenroosagreed to pay $309,041.76 in restitution to the City of Los Angeles. City Attorney Carmen Trutanichpresented the restitution check to Councilman Zine at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to bedeposited in the City’s General Fund.

A WORD FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

SHOP LOCAL. CONTRACT LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.CHECK OUT BUSINESS BY REFERRAL AT WWW.WESTVALLEYNEWS-SFV.COM

INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISE IN THE WESTVALLEYNEWS

“End the R-Word” bill unanimously approved on a bipartisanvote by the Senate Health Committee

Sacramento, CA – The Senate Health Committee passed SenatorFran Pavley’s Senate Bill 1381, the “End the R-Word” bill recently ona unanimous, bipartisan vote. The non-fiscal bill now goes directlyto the full Senate for consideration.

SB 1381 was introduced by Senator Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) toprovide an important terminology change for the disabled communitythroughout California. Existing law refers to “mental retardation” or a“mentally retarded” person in provisions relating to educational andsocial services, commitment to state facilities and criminal punishment.

Senator Pavley said, “The use of the “R-word” is profoundly hurtful tomany people with intellectual disabilities. I appreciate the support of the Senators in the committeeand their acknowledgement that the term “mentally retarded” is offensive and outdated.” SB 1381would revise these provisions to refer instead to “intellectual disability” or “a person with anintellectual disability.” The state is not expected to incur any additional costs as changes will occurduring routine revisions to laws and documents over the next several years. The federal governmenthas removed the use of the word “retarded,” as have 44 other states. The federal government hasstripped the terms “mental retardation” and“mentally retarded” from federal health, educa-tion and labor policies and replacing the termswith “Intellectual disability” and “individual withan intellectual disability.”

When originally introduced, the term “mentallyretarded” or “mental retardation” was a medicalterm with a specific clinical connotation. Today,this term is most commonly used to degrade orinsult people and reinforce painful stereotypesof people with intellectual disabilities. It isestimated that seven to eight million Americansor one in ten families in the United Statesexperience intellectual disabilities.SB 1381 is sponsored by The Arc of California andsupported by United Cerebral Palsy in California.

Senator Pavley attended the Eggstravaganza at the ShadowRanch Park. Here with Ron Sobel, WHNC Board member.

Congressman Sherman attended the Eggstravaganzaat the Shadow Ranch Park. Here with Glenn Kirby,

Senior Minister of the West Valley Christian Church

“Sky’s the Limit” 7th Annual Aviation Career Day at Van Nuys Airport...Save the date for the 7th Annual Sky's the Limit Aviation Career Day at the historic Synchro Hangar

at Van Nuys Airport on Friday, April 20.

Friday, April 209:00 am to 2:00 pmSynchro HangarVan Nuys Airport

Every year, this great event offers over 1,400 young people the chance to learn about the excitingand challenging careers paths in the aviation and aerospace industries in the San Fernando Valleyand beyond.

The event will feature interactive aviation and aerospace exhibits, military and civilian aircraft dis-plays, airfield bus tours, and light refreshments.

For more information, call (818) 901-9828 or email [email protected].

Page 13: West Valley News

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012 PAGE 13

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.

Call for new dates Time: 9 am – 12 pm Cost: $35

Location: 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 apresentation of how to create and execute a marketing and selling program, and then it is your turn—you askthe questions about your business situation and get answers that are customized to your business situation.Ideal for both existing business owners and for those just getting started.

Call for new dates Time: 10 am – 1 pm

Cost: FREE – Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/739ht7k

Location: Premier America Credit Union, 1st Floor Training Room, 19867 Prairie St., Chatsworth

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. Core business workshop topics include

• Access to capital

• Basic legal structures of a business

• Marketing on limited budget

• Business record keeping

• QuickBooks

• Managing Employees

• Managing for profit and results

• E-Commerce

VEDC also offers a comprehensive business training series for those ready to goto the next level of business success.

All VEDC workshops at:

VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center)5121 Van Nuys Blvd. 3rd Floor, Van Nuys, CA

Contact Lucero Montañez at 818-907-9922 or via email to [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. Famed writer to join

VICA Hall of FameEdgar Rice Burroughs is a2012 Hall of Fame inducteeEdgar Rice Burroughs, the legendary author

of Tarzan and nearly 100 other stories, moved tothe San Fernando Valley in 1919. He purchasedthe 550-acre estate of General Harrison GrayOtis, renaming it “Tarzana Ranch.” When theCity of Los Angeles completely surroundedTarzana Ranch by 1923, Burroughs sold alarge portion of it for residential development.In 1930, a post office was established in thecommunity, and the 300 residents held acontest to find a name for the new community.The winning entry was "Tarzana." Burroughs willbe recognized along with Casa Vega Restaurant,Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Valley Collegeand Universal Studios at VICA’s Business Hallof Fame Dinner on June 7 (6-9:30 p.m.) at theSheraton Universal Hotel, 333 UniversalHollywood Drive, Universal City. For moreinformation or to register, call 818.817.0545 .The event is presented by Wells Fargo, ThomasProperties Group and JP Morgan Chase.

VICA seeks Membership CoordinatorIdeal candidate will have customer serviceexperience

VICA recently launched a search for aMembership Coordinator, who will report tothe President. The Membership Coordinatoris responsible for recruiting new members,re-selling dropped (canceled) members,retaining and servicing existing members,selling sponsorships and advertising, andother activities related to the organization’sbusiness. To apply, email a resume, coverletter to [email protected].

VICA is widely considered one of the most influentialbusiness advocacy organizations in Southern California.With its knowledge of the legislative process and economicissues, VICA's access to public officials ensures that theSan Fernando Valley's business perspective will be heardin the interest of improving our business climate and qualityof life. With input and guidance from its members, VICAmaintains a regular presence at all levels of government toeffectively represent Valley businesses.

VICA 818.817.0545 www.vica.com

Tuesday, April 10Business Plan Essentials4pm-6pmVEDC$10Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Monday, April 10Effective Tools to Build & Market your Website5pm-7pmVEDC$10Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Tuesday, April 10Selling is a Science6pm-8pmVEDC$10Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Wednesday, April 1116 Principles of Success in Business6pm-8pmVEDCFreeContact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Saturday, April 14Federal & State Payroll Tax Seminar9am-3pmVEDCFreeContact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Tuesday, April 17Customer Service4pm-6pmVEDC$10Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Wednesday, April 18All About Business Loans4pm-5pmVEDCFreeContact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Thursday, April 19Social Networking for Businesses6pm-8pmVEDCFreeContact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Thursday, April 19Women's Owned Small Business Certification(WOSB)9am-11amVEDCFreeContact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Saturday, April 21Business Survival in a Bad Economy9am-4pmVEDCFree (if you qualify)Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

Tuesday, April 24Start-Up Do's & Don'ts4pm-6pmVEDC$10Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

All VEDC workshops at:

VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center)5121 Van Nuys Blvd. 3rd Floor, Van Nuys, CA

Contact: 818-907-9977 or [email protected]

VEDC LOW COST OR FREE WORKSHOPSAPRIL 2012

entirely residential. Yet some of the businesses wantto continue to have Canoga Park addresses, saidSusan Pasternak, Picus’ press secretary.

Picus has been dogged by the West Hills issuesince the campaign for the name change waslaunched a year ago. Political observers had said thesurvey offered no easy way out for the three-termcouncilwoman, who is up for re-election in 1989. Theaffected area, however, represents far less than amajority of the voters in her council district.

At the close of her announcement Wednesday[Oct. 14, 1987], Picus said: “This has been a difficult,divisive time for us all. Let’s close the book now.”

Later, Epstein said in an interview: “That lady is notdone with me . . . . There’s no way that I’m going togo away.” The West Valley News thanks the LA Times for the articles.

Now that readers know the full story of therenaming of the west end of Canoga Park toWest Hills (two words) and the book has beenclosed for nearly 25 years, it is time to adopt ajoyous and celebratory mood and get ready forthe installation of the new West Hills medallionsigns. It took six years of bureaucratic delaysbut finally, THEY ARE DONE!

West Hills Celebrating 25 YearsContinued from Page 3

Final artwork for the signs created by Ed Crowe

Page 14: West Valley News

SHOP LOCAL. CONTRACT LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.CHECK OUT BUSINESS BY REFERRAL AT WWW.WESTVALLEYNEWS-SFV.COM

PAGE 14 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012

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

APRIL/MAY 2012

www.valleycultural.org

Sky's the Limit Aviation Career DayFriday, April 20 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pmSynchro Hangar, Van Nuys Airport

For more information, call (818) 901-9828 or [email protected].

What a difference a century makes!Here are some statistics for the Year 1910:

The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 milesof paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.

The average US worker made between $200 and$400 per year...

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarianbetween $1,500 and $4,000 per year, anda mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 % of all births took place at HOME .

90% of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!

Instead, they attended so-called medical schools,many of which were condemned in the press ANDthe government as ‘substandard.’

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month,and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor peoplefrom entering into their country for any reason.

The Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza

2. Tuberculosis

3. Diarrhea

4. Heart disease

5. Stroke

TheWest Valley Garden Club’s May 8, 2012Program will be Awards and Scholarships. Recipientswill speak on their educational plans. Smokey BearPoster Awards will be given and the students willdisplay their posters.

Civic Beauty Awards will also be presented.

11:00 a.m. Orcutt Horticultural Center.23600 Roscoe Blvd., West Hills

If you wish to attend, please call 818 348 6677

Writers Club Announces April 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.

The Canoga Park Bowl and the San Fernando ValleySymphony Orchestra Present Concerts at the “Bowl”in the Royal Room

Wednesday, April 18, at 8:00pm

The SFVS Jazz Quintet

Performs tunes from the "Great American Songbook,"featuring Jimi Dee, guitar; Gary Herbig, saxophone;Adrian Miller, trumpet; Larry Muradian, bass andChuck Burkinshaw, drums

Wednesday, April 25, at 8:00pm

The Blues Bandits

Perform the "Blues,"featuring David Reo, guitar andvocals; Jimi Dee, guitar and vocals; James Domine,the viola, Gary Herbig, saxophone; Larry Muradian,bass guitar and Chuck Burkinshaw, drums

The American flag had only 45 stars .....

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada was only 30!!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’tbeen invented yet.

There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or writeand only 6% of all Americans had graduated fromhigh school...

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all availableover the counter at the local corner drugstores.

Back then pharmacists said, ‘Heroin clears thecomplexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulatesthe stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfectguardian of health’

Eighteen percent of households had at leastone full-time servant or domestic help .....

There were about 230 reported murders in theENTIRE U.S.A.!

There had been no world wars.

There was no nuclear energy technology.

There was no US Department of Education, orDept. of Homeland Security.

Just think—you can forward this to someone elsewithout typing it yourself.

From there, it will be sent to others all over theWORLD—all in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another100 years. IT STAGGERS THE MIND, DOESN’T IT?

The Year is 1911. One Hundred Years Ago.

$4.539

CANOGA PARK-WEST HILLS REPUBLICANWOMEN, FEDERATED PLAN DAY-TRIP TOUROF HISTORICAL LA CAÑADA HOUSE

On Thursday, May 3, club members and friends ofthis organization will travel by bus to enjoy a docenttour of the Lanterman House Historical Museum inLa Cañada Flintridge.

The former home of a founding family of that city, onemember of which became a Republican CaliforniaState Assemblyman, the 11,250 square foot fireproofreinforced concrete bungalow, completed in 1915,contains original furnishings, a grand ballroom, andelaborate decorations, and sits among landscapedgardens. A catered picnic lunch will be supplied.

Persons wishing to be included in this event (for aprice of $25) may Email: [email protected] orphone 818-437-9244. Reservations are limited.

HERITAGE DAYS AT PIERCE COLLEGESaturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29from 10:00 am to 5:00 pmFor event schedule or to purchase tickets online,visit http://piercefarmcenter.com/

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.

Page 15: West Valley News

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

West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012 PAGE 15

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TELEPHONE SERVICE

WEST VALLEY NEWS BUSINESS BY REFERRAL

ADVERTISE IN THE WEST VALLEY NEWS. COMMUNITY ADVERTISING AT AFFORDABLE RATES. 818.883.3374C A L A B A S A S / C A N O G A PA R K / C H AT SW O R T H / R E S E D A / TA R Z A N A / W E S T H I L L S / W I N N E T K A / W O O D L A N D H I L L S

SAMPLE ONLINE LISTING

ADVERTISING/GRAPHIC DESIGN

Crowe Marketing DesignEd CroweT (818) 883-3374 M (818) 231-4454ecrowe@crowemarketingdesign.comwww.crowemarketingdesign.com

West Valley NewsCommunity AdvertisingEd Crowe (818) 231-4454advertising@westvalleynews-sfv.comwww.westvalleynews-sfv.com

Advertise for 6-12 issues and get your contact informationlisted online 24/7 in BUSINESS BY REFERRAL free of charge.

You also get a FREE business profile with photo. A value of $250.

Classified ads not included in this offer.

PHOTO RESTORATION

BEFORE AFTER

Digital Photo RetouchingDigital Restoration of Old Photographs

Color and B&W

SEAN CROWE (818) 274-2890

When You Advertise in the West Valley News You’re Online 24/7

MAXIMIZE VISIBILITY & EXPOSURE OF YOUR BUSINESSwith monthly print advertising and 24/7 Google Places local exposure

ONLY $157 per month with 6-month agreement

Your business promotion/advertising bundle includes:

– 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– Optimized Google Places local mapping for top ten, first page placement– Monitoring of SEO keywords and period updates

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

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

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INSTANT SAVINGS! vBizEx™ is a business exchange and value card program—with value-added benefits—for chambers of commerceand participating members and their employees.

Participating national and local retailers, as well as serviceproviders and other merchants, will offer special groupdiscounts to vBizEx™ card holders.

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Get top qualityDVD’s for$0.57/Movieor Blu-Ray for$0.71.NO COPIES!All originaldiscs...

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Page 16: West Valley News

PAGE 16 West Valley News Volume 8 Number 4 2012