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A fresh and organic approach towholesome community-building inthe business improvement districtof Old Town Center Canoga Park.What better way to shop for fresh fruit, veggies

and other yummy products, than to be outdoorswith your family while having a great time.

On Saturday, April 24th, the Grand Opening ofthe Main Street Canoga Park Farmers’ Markettook place on Owensmouth Street betweenSherman Way and Wyandotte. This will be arecurring event every Saturday from 9:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m.

“This is perfect and convenient for us.” Saida visitor from the neighboring community ofWoodland Hills. She was there with her youngdaughter and was truly enjoying what she saw.Her daughter was waiting on line to get her facepainted and she had just purchased some organicfresh produce to bring home. “You need to getthe word out,” she remarked. “This is great.”

“Imagine the sweet goodness of plump straw-berries, tart blackberries, ripe boysenberries,savory blueberries and juicy raspberries,bubbling under an all-butter homemade crust...”

Impressive by all standards,West Hills Hospital openedtheir new state-of-the-art EROn the drawing board and planning stages

for several years, the West Hills Hospital andMedical Center made the official announcement,at a special reception held on May 11, 2010,of the grand opening of their $60 million,state-of-the-art emergency department andcritical-care unit. Invited guests and the mediahad the opportunity to tour the new facilitiesbefore the evening’s formal presentationsand reception.

The new ER building is designed to transformWest Hills Hospital from a community facilityto a regional health care center, according topresident and CEO Beverly Gilmore. She hasbeen at the helm of the hospital, maintaining asteady course since she came aboard in 2004.

Outside of a temporary delay in breakingground to start construction and a few bumpsalong the way, Gilmore’s competent leadershiphas brought the vision of the new ER to fruition.

CONNECTING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2004. CELEBRATING 6 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY. Volume 6 Number 5 2010

TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL

The Main Street Canoga Park Farmers’ Market is Here!

Serving:CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

FREE

A representative from Ace Ranch shows off the California organic Hass avocados among other selected fruitsold at the newly launched Main Street Canoga Park Farmers’ Market in Old Town Center Canoga Park.

See West Hills Hospital new ER on Page 8

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For information about BizEx contact:Ed CroweCROWE MARKETING DESIGN818.883.3374 Direct818.231.4454 [email protected]

If you are in business in the San Fernando Valley,you want to be part of BizEx.

Get ready for BizEx. It’s all about getting more business.

See Canoga Park Farmers’ Market on Page 7

You can buy Mommie Helen’s delicious pies at theMain Street Canoga Park Farmers’ Market everySaturday from 9AM-1PM.

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

Ed Crowe / Crowe Marketing Design

Seven Honored with Z-Awards


The 8th Annual “Z Awards For Exzellence” was held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the WarnerCenter Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills. This annual event honors public safety personnel who goabove and beyond what is expected of them in order to serve the citizens of the Third CouncilDistrict and the greater Los Angeles community. See related story on Page 6.


INSIDEAlex Soteras 2SOTERAS MORTGAGECommercial / Residential

...Lay off Less, Hire MoreBy Jonathan Goldhill The Growth Coach 3

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Z Awards 2010 Honorees. (L-R) LAFD Captain Selwyn Lloyd, LACSD Deputy Joseph Cerda, Councilman Dennis P. Zine,LAPD Officer Samuel Davis, LAPD Officer Gary Shanahan, OPS/GS Senior Lead Officer Evelyn Solano, LAPD Senior LeadOfficer Dennis Cunningham, CHP Patrol Officer Jeff Ferber.

CHRIS KOLSKIU. S. CONGRESS 2010CALIFORNIA’S 30th Congressional District

Let’s Put America FirstRescue America from Liberal failurewww.chriskolski4congress.com

Come Join the Campaign to take our Country backCall: 818-836-6010

Paid for by Friends of Chris Kolski for Congress 2010

From the Publisher’s DeskAs disappointing as it was to hear about the cancellation of the Canoga

Park Memorial Day Parade and the West Valley Optimist Family Fitness5K/10K Challenge, due to the high cost of city permits and fees for LAPD,DOT, and cleaning services, new ways have to be found to raise the funds.

The tradition of the Memorial Day Parade to honor our veterans mustcontinue. A static street fair is not going to cut it. We already have astreet festival in Canoga Park. We need a soldier’s parade to honor allthe veterans in the U.S. armed forces.

DO OUR VETERANS DESERVE A MEMORIAL DAY PARADE?A resounding YES! Save the Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade.

On a different note, the signs of economic recovery are here to stay,according to the recent 2010 Valley Economic Summit. There are goodnews all around. For some it will take a little longer to recover but still

we can’t seat idle and wait for somebody else to do something about it. Be creative. Find a way.

The State Enterprise Zone has been expanded for the West Valley, North Valley and Van Nuys Airport.Within these areas, businesses can take advantage of State and/or Federal tax credits and deductions notavailable to businesses elsewhere. The goal of the incentives is to stimulate business attraction, growth,and increased employment opportunities within economically challenged areas of the City.

So if you are in a position to invest, do it now to take advantage of the tax incentives and create jobs.

On a personal note, 2010 is a milestone year for me. I will be celebrating another decade of life. Earlierthis year my wife and I became grandparents for the first time. The first born of the next generation inmy family arrived in March. As an aficionado of our family genealogy, I have managed to connect todescendants of my ancestors on the Crow(e) side across three continents. In honor of my father and allthose family members who have preserved our history, I’m organizing a historical family reunion in theWest Valley in September. The Crow(e)s are coming! I expect over one hundred to come together. Andin anticipation of the upcoming family reunion, I’m taking a special trip with my son to South America,following the route that my great grandfather took when he emigrated to Peru in 1869 after the AmericanCivil War. It should be a small adventure. In November my dear mother is turning 90-years-young andit is also a great reason to have a big celebration. To end the year with a high note, my daughter Tarynis getting married on December 31. What a way to cap the year with a double celebration. Salud!

PAGE 2 West Valley News Volume 6 Number 5 2010

Crowe Marketing PublisherEd Crowe Managing Editor/Creative DirectorRickey Gelb Contributing WriterSandra Gonzalez Editor CRA/LAJonathan Goldhill Contributing WriterLance Miller Contributing Writer

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

WEST VALLEY NEWSc/o Crowe Marketing Design8378 Sale Avenue, West Hills, CA 91304Tel: (818) 883-3374Fax: (818) [email protected]

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pmAnnual subscription rate is $15.Single copies $1. Multiple copies $50/100

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] [email protected].

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

Advertisers

To advertise, call Ed Crowe at 818-883-3374.The deadline for ads for the June issue isMay 26 and for the July issue is June 25.

©2010 Crowe Marketing DesignImage 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 mailed to all activesubscribers by regular mail and email. Additionalcopies are distributed to the general public,through more than 60 strategic, high-trafficbusiness locations throughout the West Valley.

CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

Ed Crowe, publisher of the West Valley News, visits cousin Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University.

It was indeed an honor to meet Michael Crow personally back in April. He is an intellectual,highly competent university president who has transformed ASU to rank among the top 11 mostprestigious universities of higher learning in the country. I’m proud to be his relative.

His father George Ellis Crow was instrumental in connecting the North America and the SouthAmerica side of the Crow(e)s. We are descendants of two brothers and we have connected aftermore than 140 years. Amazing but true. Believe or Not.

West Valley News Volume 6 Number 5 2010 PAGE 3

LETTERS

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.

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 Chamber(818) 345-1920 | Fax (818) [email protected]

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

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

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

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

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The Growth CoachLos Angeles- Small Business Owners Lay off Less, Hire MoreBy Jonathan Goldhill

Jonathan Goldhill, The Growth Coach, coaches leaders of growing companies to grow their business. His peergroups, webinars and individual coaching serve small and medium-sized businesses in the landscape industry.To learn more about his unique group and individual coaching programs visit www.TheGrowthCoachLA.com.Jonathan can be reached at (818) 716-8826 or [email protected] and followed on LinkedIn orTwitter at Coach2CEOs.

The Growth Coach of Los Angeles Releases ‘Business Barometer” Survey

Small business owners across the U.S. including Los Angeles are starting to show signs of jobgrowth, according to a survey conducted by The Growth Coach, a business coaching organizationthat serves several thousand small business clients annually in more than 150 markets acrossNorth America.

Jonathan Goldhill, owner of The Growth Coach in Los Angeles, participated in the ‘BusinessBarometer’ survey, a study completed by 42 percent of the Growth Coach businesses across thecountry. The Growth Coach corporate headquarters conducts the survey quarterly to capture asnapshot of the “economic mindset” of the thousands of small business clients their coaches serve.

Based on survey responses, 37 percent of business coaches, including Goldhill reported that theirsmall business clients (defined as less than 100 employees) plan to hire new employees during thesecond, third, or fourth quarter of 2010. In addition, of the open positions small business ownersplan to fill, 36% will be new jobs to support growth and 44% will be replacement positions forprevious employees.

As small business owners prepare to hire more employees the survey also highlights that 70percent of small business owners have no plans to lay off any additional employees during theremainder of 2010.

“We coach dozens of small businesses in the area, which provides us with tremendous insighton the local small business climate,” said Goldhill, owner of The Growth Coach of Los Angeles.“This latest Business Barometer indicates that local business owners are creating their roadmapsto plan out how they are going to fill the empty positions left during the worst of the recession.It shows that the light at the end of the tunnel is indeed starting to shine through in Los Angeles,”

The Growth Coach specializes in providing affordable group coaching workshops and one-on-onecoaching to business owners and executives. In addition, we coach sales teams and managementteams to be more effective utilizing our proprietary strategic-focusing process. All initial coachingservices come with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. The coaching process helps clients gainclarity about where they want to go, develop continuous action plans to get there, and receiveon-going accountability to stay on track. For more information on The Growth Coach of Los Angeles,please contact Jonathan Goldhill at (818) 716-8826 or visit online at www.TheGrowthCoachLA.com.

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The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley raised$85,000 at its annual Club de Cuba event tosupport its after school programs for local chil-dren, many from disadvantaged circumstances.

“The funds raised at this year's event will helpus keep local youth off the street and safe duringafter school hours,” said Board Chairman GaryThomas. "The number of community memberswho attended to show their support for the Clubwas outstanding."

Guests enjoyed casino games, music, dancingand bid on live and silent auction items at theCaribbean-themed event.

Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Oswaldo Galicia from Canoga Park High School toldattendees how the Club has helped him succeed and shared his plans for the future. He waspresented with the Ron Richlin Scholarship check for $2,000 by Barbara Shore, a Club supporter,and will receive an additional $3,000 per year from Club board members to help cover his livingexpenses while attending college. Galicia received a full-tuition scholarship to Bucknell Universityin Pennsylvania.The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley was founded in 1995 as a response to the local need for safe, healthy,productive activities for youth during non-school hours.

There are more than 2,800 members of the Club, and more than 550 youngsters take part in its programs eachday at its main site and at Blythe, Enadia Way, Reseda and Topeka Drive Elementary Schools; Canoga Park HighSchool; and Tierra del Sol.

The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley is located at 7245 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303. Visitwww.wvbgc.org to learn more about the Club.

CLUB DE CUBA EVENT RAISES $85,000 FORBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WEST VALLEY

Civil War Reenactment on Pierce FieldsReenacting the American Civil War began even before the realfighting had ended. Civil War veterans recreated battles as a wayto remember their fallen comrades and to teach others what thewar was all about.

This year, the Civil War springs to life at the Pierce Farm Centeron June 12 and 13 with hundreds of re-enactors that willrecreate the epic conflict of the American Civil War on the broadfields of Pierce College. The two day celebrated event will gofrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with different demonstrations every hour.

Visitors will view exciting cavalry charges, artillery barrages,and infantry assaults that were part of America's watershedevent, one that transformed a mere union of states into a nation.

Throughout each day, demonstrations and presentations willtake place, including Victorian dancing, military drill, and skillsand crafts from the era.

Historical notables from the past will address all of thosepresent, and President Lincoln will give his famous GettysburgAddress as part of a grand "Living History" program.

After seeing re-enactors and historical personages who appearas if they have leaped from the pages of history books, visitorswill leave the event with a far better appreciation of the politicalissues, the aspects of daily life, and the great sacrifices andhardships endured by both sides in this greatest of Americanconflicts, the consequences of which still affect our countrytoday.

For ticket and event demonstrations go tohttp://piercefarmcenter.com

West Valley News Volume 6 Number 5 2010

Find the West Valley News at Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market in Woodland Hills held a “5% Day” fundraiser to benefit West Valley PALS(Police Activity League Supporters). The event, where a local charity receives 5% of a designatedday's net sales, raised enough funds to pay for several upcoming PALS youth programs andactivities. The PALS program is a non-profit organization operating since 1973 with the LosAngeles Police Department, helping youth at risk by creating a positive bond between police officersand the youth of our community. Our many volunteers and Police Officers provide over 1,800 hoursof service yearly. They can be found online at WestValleyPALS.org.

The Formula for Independence (2nd of 6)By Lance Miller, 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking

Our Founding Fathers declared our Independence from GreatBritain by stating that we have rights that allow each of us be andmaintain our independence. We are all familiar with this sentencefrom the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to beself-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowedby their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among theseare Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I have heard this quote repeated throughout my life, but onlyrecently stopped to question exactly what it meant and the

relationship between these “Rights” and independence.

Today, I will look at the meaning of “LIFE.”

I always assumed that LIFE meant, “The period between life and death” or rather the organicexistence of eating and breathing. But the subjects of Great Britain were able to exist betweenbirth and death as were slaves and prisoners. So LIFE is a component of Independence it musthave meant something more that “being alive.”

Looking further we get the definition, “a principle or force that is considered to underlie thedistinctive quality of animate beings.” So the underlying force which animates us is LIFE! Thismeans that we are not animated by a law or governance, but animated from within. So we wouldbe entitled to determine and direct our own energy in living.

There is also the definition, “the period that something is able to fulfill its purpose.” While thiscan pertain to a car or pair of shoes, it connects life to the action of achieving and fulfilling apurpose.

The word LIFE comes from the LIVE, meaning to be ALIVE! Idioms such as “Get a Life — Hehas no Life — She is the Life of the party — describe the concept animating life with our energyand purpose.

Now when I hear that I have an “Unalienable Right of Life” I know it means that I have the rightto animate my own existence in the direction of fulfilling my own purpose. Life is the quest offollowing and fulfilling one’s own purpose or purposes. No other entity, government or otherwise,can decide the purpose for we live, it is our RIGHT!

Have one’s own “Life” is one of the components to maintaining one’s independence.

Lance Miller is the 2005 World Champion of Public Speaking with Toastmasters International. He is aninternational speaker and speaking coach and lectures on communication, leadership and ethics. For moreinformation go to www.lancemillerspeaks.com.

Over 2500 student runners were expectedThe Optimist Dads’ Day Dash had joined forces

with the Lloyd Levine Fun & Fit Challenge to producethe FOURTH ANNUAL Optimist West ValleyOptimist Family Fitness 5K/10K Challenge.The date was moved from mid June to accommodatestudent runners from local area schools and who area part of Students Run/LA. The event was to takeplace on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at WarnerCenter Park, Woodland Hills but was cancelled dueto the high cost of city permits and fees.

Hopefully it will return next year. The organizers ofthis event were very disappointed.

THE WEST VALLEY OPTIMISTFAMILY FITNESS 5K/10K CHALLENGE

Whole Foods Raises Funds for West Valley PALS

West Valley PALS (Police Activity League Supporters) kids and board members say "Thanks!" to Whole FoodsMarket Woodland Hills for raising funds for PALS programs. They are joined in the festivities by CouncilmanDennis Zine, an honorary board member for West Valley PALS.

CANCELED

22nd ANNUAL CANOGA PARKMEMORIAL DAY PARADE

By Ed Crowe, West Valley News

The news of the cancelling of the CanogaPark Memorial Day Parade reached the ears ofthe community as if by surprise. Whatever wenton months before was kept under wraps until adecision was made to not have it. Instead anannouncement was made that a street fairwould take its place.

What the organizers didn’t anticipate was that ifthere was no parade, there was no one interestedin participating in a commercial street fair. Andjust as quickly as it was announced, the idea fora street fair was tossed aside. Of course the cityand the local councilmember were blamed for it.

Many forgot why the Memorial Day Paradetakes place in the first place. It’s to honor themen and women in uniform, who have servedand are serving in the military to preserve ourway of life. To protect the freedoms that makeour country great. Not to raise money for anyparticular organization.

Granted it has always been an enormoustask to organize and coordinate the parade forthe past twenty years. But the fuel that made itpossible for many volunteers to work tirelesslyto put it all together, was the American patriotismbehind it. There was an emotional investmentand a great sense of pride. You take that awayand soon the engine runs out of steam.

Perhaps the solution is to raise money tocreate an independent reserve fund to cover allexpenses related to the Memorial Day Parade.

Do veterans need a Memorial Day Parade?The answer is a resounding YES!

CANCELED

LOW-COST SUMMER PROGRAMAT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THEWEST VALLEYThe Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley is

again offering its low-cost, nine-week summerenrichment program from June 28 to August 27,2010.

Each year, more than 200 kids participate inthe popular program at the main Club site inCanoga Park. The Club’s summer program offerkids an enriching time in which to make newfriends; explore the world through field tripsand special events; learn music and dance;and participate in arts and sports, which theirschool may not offer.

Aside from being educational and fun for kids,the Club’s summer program also provides a safeand positive place for kids. They are supervisedand mentored by caring counselors and programassistants from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. As Jan Sobel,the Club’s CEO says, “Summer is often a timewhen kids are left unsupervised. The summerprogram keeps kids off the streets and out oftrouble while their parents are at work. This isbeneficial to both parents and the community.”

The Club’s summer program costs $60 aweek or $540 for nine weeks and includeslunch and snacks. While the summer programis affordable for most families, more than halfof the participants cannot afford the cost. TheClub offers scholarships to low-income familiesso no children are turned away for their inabilityto pay.

The Club is seeking corporate and individualsponsorships for its summer program scholar-ship fund. Individual sponsorships are as lowas $120 to sponsor a kid for two weeks. Pleasecontact Jan Sobel at 818-610-1054 for moreinformation.

The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley meetsthe local need for safe, healthy and productiveactivities for youths during non-school hours.The Club has more than 2,800 members. Nearly150 youngsters visit the main site each day andnearly 550 children participate in after-schoolactivities at the Club’s six off-site schools:Blythe, Reseda, Enadia Way and Topeka DriveElementary Schools; Canoga Park High School;and the affordable housing community of Tierradel Sol.

The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley islocated at 7245 Remmet Avenue, Canoga Park,CA, 91303.

To learn more about it call (818) 610-1054 orvisit www.wvbgc.org.

He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery inVirginia on 12/5/05. John enlisted into the Marine Corpwhen he was a junior at Bear River High School, adecision he made all on his own. It was his greatesthonor to become a United States Marine to serve Godand his country.

John died on November 16, 2005 during operationSTEEL CURTIN in Iraq. His courageous efforts provedboth instrumental in saving Marines’ lives and killing18 insurgents in an intense firefight. In his last e-mail tohis mother he asked for prayers for him and his squad.

The fourteen neighbors on Leonora Drive honor Johnthis Memorial Day with 19 flags placed in their frontyard. One small flag for each year of John life.

Sponsor: Mrs. Karen Doan, neighbor of Mrs. Lucente

The flags are flying on Leonora Dr. in Woodland Hillsfor Lcpl. John J.T. Lucente USMC.

By Willy Hostettler, Kiwanis Club of Warner Center Foundation


“STEVE ALLEN EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION” AWARDSHONOR VALLEY SCHOOLS, EDUCATORS, AND STUDENTSSome remarkable Californians from our San Fernando Valley, who have received national education

recognition this year will be honored at the 10th annual Steve Allen “Excellence in Education” Awardson May 26, 2010. The awards were presented at The Valley Economic Alliance quarterly Board ofDirectors meeting being hosted by ITT Technical Institute in Sylmar, CA. The Steve Allen “Excellencein Education” Award is named after long-time Valley resident and legendary entertainer Steve Allen,and salutes nationally recognized achievements in the education field.

Recipients of the 2010 Steve Allen “Excellence in Education” National Recognition Awards are:

• Danube Avenue Elementary School - Blue Ribbon Distinguished School

• Hamlin Street Elementary School — Blue Ribbon Distinguished School

• ECR Robotics Team 404, El Camino Real High School — First Place in the VEX RoboticsCompetition

• El Camino Real Academic Decathlon Team, El Camino Real High School — First Place in the29th Annual U.S. Academic Decathlon

• Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES) — National Magnet School of Distinction

• Krikor Kouyoumdjian, North Hollywood High School — Duke Moot Court Co-RecipientIndividual Best Speaker Award

• Catherine Smith, North Hollywood High School — Duke Moot Court Co-Recipient IndividualBest Speaker Award

• Katie Feldman, Los Angeles Valley College — Poetry Interpretation at the Phi Rho Pi NationalSpeech Tournament

• Angel Barrett, Plummer Elementary School — National Distinguished Principal 2009

• Lemay Street Elementary School — National Excellence in Urban Education Award

• Horace Mann Elementary School — National Excellence in Urban Education Award

The “Steve Allen Excellence in Education” Award is named for Steve Allen, who is best known asthe creator of the original “Tonight Show” and composed more than 9,000 songs, valued learning,and spent much of his later years focused on and writing about the importance of education.

Harvey Berg, LAUSD, North Hollywood High School, Catherine Smith, Duke University International MootCourt Competition, Krikor Kouyoumdjian, Alma Sanchez, William Allen

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At last, an affordable Charity Golf Event benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce invites members, non-members and the LLSsupport community to join us at the legendary Lost Canyons Golf Club located in Simi Valley.

All golfers will come out winners.

Sponsorship Levels: Individual $200 Foursome $750 (Arrange a foursome to get that $50 off!)Tee Box $250

Visit www.woodlandhillscc.net for sponsorship opportunities or call 818-347-4737

2010 Hall of Fame inductees announcedTradition of honoring outstanding Valley leaders continuesVICA has announced the inductees for its Third Annual San Fernando Valley Business Hall of

Fame. This year’s inductees include Anheuser-Busch, The Buckley School, Harry Chandler,Porto’s Bakery and The Walt Disney Company. The Hall of Fame was created by VICA in 2008to recognize significant contributions to the Valley community. Inductees include individuals,businesses and other community organizations that have been responsible for the continuedsuccess, economic vitality and culture of the San Fernando Valley. The inductees will be recognizedat VICA’s Business Hall of Fame Dinner on June 17 (6-9:30 p.m.) at the Sheraton UniversalHotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City.

For more information call 818.817.0545. Advertising opportunities and sponsorships are available.The event is presented by Wells Fargo and Thomas Properties Group.

Team Taras raises $50,000 for Cancer at Revlon WalkMost of us know a friend or relative who has been impacted by breast cancer. Ed Crowe, wife Sonya and

daughters Ingrid and Taryn joined Dr. Ian Taras’ Team several years ago, to take part every year in the REVLONRUN/WALK FOR WOMEN to benefit breast and overian cancer research. “What an amazing job everyone did.We ended up with 267 people on the team and raised nearly $50,000.” Dr. Taras wrote recently in an email sentto all team participants. He has been carrying on the legacy of his mother for many, many years. If you want tobe part of this winning team against cancer next year, look him up at www.drtaras.yourmd.com.

Dr. Ian Taras and Sonya Crowe after the group photo of Team Taras near the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

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PART TIME WORK DR. SHELDON SPRINGER D.D.S.

In practice for over 30 years, Dr. Springerhas become an icone in the West Valley.A native of New York and graduate of

Northwestern University, Dr. Sheldon Springerserved in the U.S. Airforce as captain andpracticed dentistry during his tour of duty.After his honorable discharge, he worked

for other dental offices for nearly a year beforeopening his own private practice. He marriedand is the proud father of a daughter whorecently graduated from law school and a son,who is a certified financial planner.Dr. Springer has managed and operated two

private practices in Southern California beforerelocating to Canoga Park. He has been at thecurrent location on Sherman Way just west ofTopanga Canyon Blvd. for the past five years.“Why turn a $100 filling into a $1,000 root

canal,” Dr. Springer says, which reflects onhis personal philosophy about dental care. Hehighlights the importance of regular preventivecare and personal dental hygiene.His practice in Canoga Park offers high quality

dentistry without the high cost. Dr. Springer isan experienced and gentle dentist. He does nottake the impersonal clinic approach to hispractice. Every patient receives personalizedcare tailored to his/her dental needs.Dr. Springer, specializes in modern dentistry

materials and offers his expertise in reasonable

and extremely affordable rates and plans. “Thereis no reason you can’t have a winning smile.”He adds. Besides accepting most insurance plans,Dr. Springer offers special discounts for patientswithout insurance. Even if they have insurance,he offers discounts on the co-payment to makehis services as affordable as possible.For small business owners without dental plans

for their employees, Dr. Springer offers a privatedental plan specially tailroed for businesses.He runs a bilingual office. Se habla español.Dr. Sheldon Springer, D.D.S. office is

located at 22030 Sherman Way, Suite 204,Canoga Park. To book your appointment today,call (818) 716-5512.

This is a FREE individual or business profile with photo offered to all advertisers who sign commitments for 6-12 issues of the West Valley News.


8th Annual “Z Awards For ExZellence” Continued from Page 1The 2010 “Z Awards For ExZellence” Recipients are:

Officer Samuel Davis, LAPD Valley Traffic Division: Officer Davis is assigned to the Valley Traffic Division COMPSTATUnit which is responsible for reducing fatal and serious injury traffic collisions in problem areas. Officer Davis' citationaverage has been approximately 30 citations per day, the highest daily average for all of the officers assigned to Valley TrafficDivision. He also maintains one of the highest daily averages of vehicle impounds which has lowered the incidents of hit &run collisions within Operations-Valley Bureau. In 2009, he issued a total of 2778 traffic citations and impounded 221vehicles. During the month of December in 2009, Officer Davis issued over 600 speeding citations on Roscoe Boulevard.Because of his tenacity, traffic collisions on Roscoe have dropped dramatically.

Officer Gary Shanahan, LAPD West Valley Area: Officer Shanahan is a 30-year veteran of the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment and has been assigned to the West Valley area since 1982. Officer Shanahan has spent his entire career workingin a field patrol capacity creating partnerships with the community. His approachable and respectable demeanor has allowedhim to develop long lasting relationships, and his character is reflected in the numerous commendations he has receivedthroughout his career. He has been able to become very familiar with the area and developed strategies to combat its crimetrends.

Officer Dennis Cunningham, LAPD Topanga Area: Officer Cunningham is a 12-year veteran of the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment who has established himself as one of the Department's best. He was promoted to Police Officer III andhandpicked by Captain John Sherman, Topanga Division's Commanding Officer, to become an inaugural member ofthe new Topanga Station's Gang Enforcement Detail. See more on Page 10.

Officer Evelyn Solano, Office of Public Safety, LA City General Services: Senior Lead Officer Solano is responsible for83 parks and 13 libraries as well as the west-end Foothill area. Though she covers a significant area, she has been verysuccessful at maintaining consistent communications within her area of operation and enjoys a good working relationshipwith area Council offices as well as the West Valley, Topanga, Devonshire, and Van Nuys Area LAPD SLOs. As a solo patrolcar, in addition to her SLO duties, Officer Solano has amassed impressive statistics with over 63 parking cites, 27 personalservice cites, seven Release From Field Custody arrests, and ten misdemeanor arrests during the past several months.

Captain Selwyn Lloyd, Los Angeles City Fire Department: Captain Lloyd is not only an outstanding firefighter withexceptional technical and leadership abilities, but is highly respected by his supervisors and peers for his dedication on dutyand to the citizens he serves. He is planning on dedicating the next few years to working with at-risk youth who aspire to acareer in the fire department. He also puts forth efforts to diversify the future ranks of the Fire Department by running a fireacademy with the help of Councilman Zine, East Los Angeles College, and the LAFD. Currently, Captain Lloyd is an instructorat the East Los Angeles Fire Academy, an instructor/counselor at the Reseda Fire Explorer Post, and a counselor/youthinstructor with the West Valley Willing Worker Program.

Deputy Joseph Cerda, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Cerda is currently assigned to the Chatsworthsub-station patrolling for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in the San Fernando Valley. Whileworking a single-man patrol unit in 2009, he made more than 697 arrests. Of those arrests, 425 were for open charges,ranging from possession of narcotics and weapon related violations. He seized a large amount of narcotics during trafficand pedestrian stops.

Officer Jeff Ferber, California Highway Patrol: Officer Ferber excels as a CHP Officer, having received multiple commenda-tions for his enforcement and public service efforts including the California State Medal of Valor. In 2006, Officer Ferber wasassigned to the FBI's Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) team where he investigated and incarcerated individualsthat prey on children. Recently, Officer Ferber and the SAFE team set up a sting in the West Valley area luring "would-be"predators to meet with what they thought were young girls. This operation netted thirteen suspects, with twelve convictionsand one still awaiting trial. Officer Ferber was responsible for the arrest and conviction of a teacher in the West Valley areawho was abusing students. This teacher is now serving a long prison sentence.

BE PART OF IT!West Valley News Volume 6 Number 5 2010 PAGE 7

CRA/LA West Valley Regional Office

18107 Sherman Way, Suite 100Reseda, CA 91335

T 818.708.5844

F 818.344.2425

www.crala.org

Canoga Park Farmers’ MarketContinued from Page 1

Indulge your sweet tooth with Mommie Helen’sunforgettable pies and cobblers.

Besides yummy desserts, all made one at atime, by hand, using secret recipes, you will findhigh quality registered organic eggs from TheKenDor Farm, dry fruit from Avila & Sons Farms,gifts that are hand packed and ready to ship fromSanta Barbara Pistachio Company, freshly bakedbread from La Brea Bakery, and array of otherfarm fresh locally grown produce.

In addition, this weekly community eventfeatures FUN ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIREFAMILY including: Cooking demos, live musicand entertainment, free produce raffle, facepainting and crafts for the kids, tasty foods fromlocal vendors, and much more!

The Main Street Canoga Park Farmers’ Marketis operated by the non-profit organizationSustainable Economic Enterprises of LosAngeles and sponsored by the CommunityRedevelopment Agency of the City of LosAngeles (CRA/LA) in collaboration with theCanoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce,Canoga Park Improvement Association andCouncilman dennis P. Zine (CD3).

For more information, please contact PompeaSmith at [email protected] or by phone at323-463-3171, or visit www.farmernet.com.

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATIONSaturday, May 29

9AM-1PMOwensmouth Avenue

Between Sherman Way & Wyandotte


NORTH OF MULHOLLAND, Martin Cooper’s New Book, CoversWide Range of Topics; Profits Donated to Local CharitiesNorth of Mulholland, by Martin M. Cooper, published last week, is a compilation of five years of

essays from the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, covering a broad range of topics.

The book is available in hardcover andsoftcover versions, as well as electronically,from Amazon.com ($28.95 hard cover; $18.95soft cover; $9.95 Kindle), BarnesandNobel.com,and from the publisher, Author House(Authorhouse.com).

North of Mulholland is also available fromthe author ([email protected] or818-789-5454) for $24 hard cover and $14soft cover. Cooper is donating all profits fromhis sales of the book to the Boys & Girls Clubof the West Valley and New Horizons, aSan Fernando Valley-based organization thatprovides services to adults with developmentaldisabilities.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis P.Zine said of the book: “North of Mulholland isclearly written by someone who truly under-stands the San Fernando Valley. This collectionof essays by my friend and civic leader MartyCooper is entertaining, informative, andinsightful.”

According to the publisher: “North of Mulholland is a distillation of experiences, opinions, andstories springing from Southern California’s San Fernando Valley, but expanding into a world viewof where we have been, where we are, and where we may be headed. Mr. Cooper’s fascination withChurchill, antique typewriters, and books, and his critical eye for our surroundings, have spawnedmore than fifty fascinating essays. He takes on everything from strip malls to Countrywide HomeLoans; from the Los Angeles Times to technology; and from Los Angeles’ City Council to living upthe street from Michael Jackson’s family compound.”


West Hills Hospital new ERContinued from Page 1

“You've got to evolve to the patients’ needs,” saidGilmore, who has been the president and CEO of thehospital since 2004.

The critical-care unit and emergency department arenow operational. The 48,000-square-feet, two-storynew ER building, is the largest in the San FernandoValley, according to hospital officials. Local residentshad the opportunity to tour the impressive facilityduring a public open house on the weekend.

The new building features 30 emergency room beds,specially equipped for privacy. There are also threelarge resuscitation rooms, two “negative pressurerooms” for highly contagious patients and all the newstate-of-the-art hardware a modern hospital needs.

The critical-care unit has 33 beds, allowing treatmentfor a variety of patients, from premature infants toadults suffering from cancer or heart attack.

Because the new facility took longer to complete, theoriginal estimated cost of construction of $40 millionincreased to $60 million. However, it came pretty closeto the projected budget and time line for completion.

Hospital’ executives were elated to announce that theformer emergency department is being remodeled asthe new home for the renowned Grossman Burn Center,which will relocate in June from Sherman Oaks.

The Grossman Center will be able toprovide specialty care to as many as39 patients in its expanded quarters atthe West Hills Hospital, in addition toconducting research on new treatmentsfor burns.

"We're excited we're staying in theValley," Keely Quinn, communicationsdirector of the Grossman Center said.“The transition from Sherman OaksHospital will be quick. Most of theadministrative records have been trans-ferred and we’ll be operational within afew hours of moving into the new facility.”Quinn added.

During an invitation-only reception earlier in May,Gilmore dedicated a rose garden named for L. A.Councilman Dennis Zine, whom she said asked“why can we have a rose garden.” He was instrumentalin helping the hospital with plans and licenses.

According to an article in the Daily News, Zine saida state-of-the-art facility was needed in the West Valley,which also draws patients from Calabasas and AgouraHills. "When something happens out here in the WestValley, this (hospital) is it," he said.

Hospitals have struggled through the recent economicrecession, and at least half of those in Los AngelesCounty are operating at a deficit, officials have said.But a forecast released in February by the Los AngelesCounty Economic Development Corp. predicted thathealth care will be among the first sectors to reboundfrom the recession.

The future of the new ER facility looks bright.

“Recovery is Here” the message atthe 2010 Valley Economic Summit

Bruce Ackerman, President & CEO, The Valley Economic Alliance, Christine Essel, newly appointedChief Executive Officer, CRA/LA, Peter Lowy, Group Managing Director, Westfield Group.


There was a sense of optimism at the 2010 Valley Economic Summit on May 13th. Theunderlying message overall was that “recovery is here to stay.” There has been growth inthe last three quarters. The real estate residential market bottomed out in March 2009 and itis slowly recovering, or at least sustaining at current values.

When valley businesses were surveyed recently about the most pressing issues impactingtheir recovery, the number one response was “it’s the economy.” However, reports show thatdemographics are growing slowly and there has been a 3% upswing in employment. Localretailers are reporting a 4-5% real growth in sales, which is very positive news.

Foreclosures are not going away and 3-4 quarters of continued defaults are expected inthat area. People want the government to do something but they don’t know what they wantgovernment to do — but something needs to be done.

Westfield’s Peter Lowy has a pragmatic view of the economy and urges business leadersto “get involved in the political process.” The right decisions have to be made about infra-structure to attract the kind of developments that bring sustainable revenue to the tax base.

Overall it’s good news and businesses across the board have to prepare for the recovery.

The recent grand opening of the new ER facilityat the West Hills Hospital and Medical Centerwill bring more than additional services andcapabilities to the West Hills community.

The hospital's former emergency facility isbeing remodeled as the new home for therenowned Grossman Burn Center, which willrelocate in June from Sherman Oaks.

The Grossman Center will be able to providespecialty care to as many as 39 patients in itsexpanded quarters at the West Hills Hospital,in addition to conducting research on newtreatments for burns.

"We're excited we're staying in the SanFernando Valley," Keely Quinn, communicationsdirector of the Grossman Center said. “Thetransition from Sherman Oaks Hospital will bequick. Most of the administrative records havebeen transferred and we’ll be operational withina few hours of moving into the new facility.”Quinn added.

The completion of the new $60 million,state-of-the-art emergency department and critical-care unit at West Hills Hospital, and the relocationof the Grossman Burn Center to the former emergency facility, makes for a legendary partnership. Itwill be great for the community and the San Fernando Valley region.

A. Richard Grossman, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. A. Richard Grossman is an internationally recognized plastic surgeon and pioneer in thecomprehensive treatment of burn wounds. A graduate of Emory University and The University ofTennessee Medical School, his post graduate training spanned eight years at Cook County Hospital,where he became board certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery.

In 1958, while serving as an emergency room resident at Cook County Hospital in Chicago,Dr. Grossman treated victims of a catastrophic fire at Our Lady of Angels parochial elementaryschool, which claimed the lives of 93 children and four nuns. The experience had a profound effecton Dr. Grossman and was a driving force behind his vision to create a world class comprehensiveburn treatment facility dedicated to providing the best burn care anywhere, whose philosophy wouldbe to not just ensure survival, but to restore patients to as close to their pre-injury condition aspossible-functionally, emotionally and cosmetically.

Dr. Grossman moved to Los Angeles and set about to achieve that vision. In 1969, he convincedSherman Oaks Community Hospital to devout two beds exclusively to burn care. By 1978, the burncenter had expanded into a free-standing, 30 bed specialty unit that today remains one of the largestand most comprehensive burn centers in the world.

Dr. Grossman served as the President of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons for eightyears and is a member of many honorary societies (listed in his curriculum vitae). He has authoredor co-authored over 35 articles in medical journals, and written or contributed to six text books.

Grossman Burn Centers are plastic surgery-based medical centers of excellence specializing inthe comprehensive treatment of burns — from acute care and reconstruction, to rehabilitation andpsychological counseling. Since we first began in 1969, Grossman Burn Centers have earned aworld-wide reputation as the innovative leaders in burn treatment.

In addition to the many pioneering innovative techniques developed by founder Dr. A. RichardGrossman which are now standard practice in the treatment of many burns, Grossman Burn Centersare further distinguished by the compassionate, nurturing, personalized and team-centered wayswe provide treatment, which our experience has shown result in less patient discomfort and speedierrecoveries with better results.


Anecdotes, Interviews,Bits & Pieces aboutWest Valley History.

Sponsored by Robbi & Rickey Gelb

Rickey Gelb and Dr. Richard Grossman at the Z Awards.

The Grossman Burn Center and West Hills

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

The West Valley News 818.883.3374. We Deliver.


SUPPORTING THE BRAVE OFFICERS THAT PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

www.topangaboosters.org

PLEASE JOIN US AS A MEMBER

The Topanga Boosters is a volunteer support organization made up of business and community leaders. Its primarymission is to increase the effectiveness and morale of the officers and staff of the Topanga Police Station by raisingmoney for community services, materials, and equipment not generally supplied by the City of Los Angeles.

TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE

There are many ways how you as a stakeholder in the community can be part of the Topanga Boosters.

LAPD Good Neighbor Any Amount

LAPD Residential Supporter $60.00 per year

LAPD Business Supporter $120.00 per year

The Topanga BOOSTERS is a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization. Tax ID# 36-4622976

For more information about becoming a member of the Topanga Boosters as a resident or business owner, contactEd Crowe, Vice President of Community Relations at (818) 231-4454 or at [email protected].

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WEST HILLS AREA CRIME PREVENTION TIPSBurglary prevention tips from the Topanga Area Crime Analysis Detail:• Lock all windows and doors — even if you live on the second floor of an apartment building. Locksliding glass doors. Two-story residences — lock upstairs windows, sliding glass doors andFrench doors. Remember, suspects can climb onto a balcony.

• Never leave a ladder outside and accessibleto a burglar.

• Alarm — if you have one, use it! Add additionalwindow security (example - pins in the window).

• Install motion detectors on all levels of the residence.

• Relocate valuables. Most burglars take property fromthe master bedroom.

• Photograph and make a list of your valuables. Includeserial numbers.

When You're on Vacation:

• Let a trustworthy neighbor know that you are away.Ask that person to keep a lookout for your residence.

• Leave one light on inside your home.

• Mail and newspapers should be picked up or stopped.

• Have a friend or neighbor park their vehicle in yourdriveway or parking slot.

For more information on preventing crimes, visit the LAPD website.

Pass this on to your friends and family and encourage them to sign up for E-Policing and Nixlealerts.activity to the Police see a reduction in crime.

In 2009, Topanga Area has seen a significant reduction in crime. With the communities help wecan keep that trend going into 2010, sending the message that we will not tolerate criminal acts inour communities.

Dennis Cunningham • Senior Lead Officer/West Hills • 818-731-2578

Keeping LA Safe fromTerrorists with iWatchAs we learned with the recent terrorism attempt

in New York's Times Square, it's important forall citizens to be alert and report suspiciousbehavior immediately.

iWatch is a new tool the LAPD is using to helpeducate the community about what to look outfor, and how to report possible terrorist activity.

You may have seen the public service cam-paign: iWatch, iReport, iKeep us safe. As PoliceChief Charlie Beck points out in this video aboutiWatch, a major international city like LosAngeles is certainly a potential terrorism target.And he notes that while the LAPD has some ofthe best terrorism experts working to keep ourcity safe…they can't be in all places at all times.They rely on you and your neighbors to noticesuspicious behavior and report it promptly.

Spend a few minutes on the iWatch section ofour website. There are 15 types of business thatneed to be especially alert to certain purchasesor rentals. You can report suspicious behavioronline, or if it is urgent, call 911.

—

Did you know you could volunteer with theLAPD? The Topanga Area Station is currentlyseeking volunteers. Learn more about thedifferent opportunities that will match yourskills and interest. Interested? Contact OfficerTodd Jaron or Sergeant Desi Ehrlich at(818) 756-3180 or [email protected].

CHILD SAFETY TIP!The LAPD has long stressed the need to neverleave anything of value inside your vehicles atnight. Burglars will target your vehicles simplybecause they observe items of value left unat-tended. It seems strange to have to say this butthings of value should also include your youngchildren.

A recent situation occurred that reminded meof the countless time I have observed sleepingchildren left unattended inside vehicles whileMom or Dad were inside the home or store.A couple of years ago I was involved in a verydangerous pursuit that began when a car thiefjumped behind the wheel of a Chevy Tahoe thathad been left running while the driver ran insidethe store for a quick cup of coffee. The driverhad eyes on her vehicle and was probably nomore than thirty feet from her vehicle at anytime.The thing that made this pursuit the mostdangerous is that the victim's 16 month old sonwas asleep in the back seat.

About two weeks ago I was patrolling duringthe late evening hour when I observed a recentlyparoled individual walking up to a car leftrunning in a quiet West Hills Area driveway.I detained the individual and spoke to him forabout 15 minutes. As I spoke to him I could hearthat the engine of the vehicle was running. Asour conversation continued a young lady walkedout of the home with a very concerned look onher face. I watched as the woman turned theengine off and removed her infant child fromthe back seat.

Never leave your children unattended insidea vehicle for any reason.

For many this is common sense, for othersmaybe being in a rush has led to complacency.Remember protect yourself, protect your family.Look out for your neighbors and report suspi-cious activity to the Police.

Senior Lead Officer Dennis Cunningham#34966 Topanga Area/ LAPD 818-756-3070

ERRATA. On the last issue, the information below was made part of Captain Ivan Minsal’s profile. He is aproud father of a son. The proud father of a daughter in reference below is Captain John Sherman. Weapologize for the error.

“As a proud father, I am honored to tell you that my daughter has successfully completed the Los AngelesPolice Academy. She graduated on January 29, 2010, and is patrolling the streets of Rampart Area.”

2010 Z Award Honoree Officer Dennis CunninghamLAPD Topanga Area Officer Dennis Cunningham is a 12-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Departmentwho has established himself as one of the Department's best. He was promoted to Police Officer III andhandpicked by Captain John Sherman, Topanga Division's Commanding Officer, to become an inauguralmember of the new Topanga Station's Gang Enforcement Detail. As a gang investigator, he has made anumber of significant, high-profile arrests. One such arrest occurred when Officer Cunningham detainedand searched a known high-level gang shot-caller and found him to be in possession of a Tech 9 machinegun, narcotics, and money. That arrest led to Officer Cunningham initiating and being team leader forTopanga GED's first search warrant. His aggressive, proactive style of policing earned him the respect ofhis peers and supervisors as well as the honor of being selected Topanga's first Officer of the Quarter. InDecember, Officer Cunningham was instrumental in the identification and arrest of a door-to-door magazinesalesman who brutally beat, sexually assaulted, and robbed a woman at her home in Woodland Hills.

Z Award honoree Officer Dennis Cunningham


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Let the Light Shine inThere’s a darkness over the world, one of those periodic cycles of woe that has everyone

edgy and nations unpredictable. I’m beginning to feel like a guy I used to know in Oaklandwho walked around under a dark cloud like the cartoon character Joe Btfsplk, living a life ofgrim expectations. Ask him what the trouble was and he’d say “Everything,” which caused therest of us to fall into his gloomy state, anticipating the worst, hunched over and sad.

Well everything does seems to be the matter today. That oil spill tops it all off for themoment, spreading a gummy mess through the Gulf of Mexico, polluting the sandy shoresand threatening the wildlife. But then there’s that Iceland volcano too sending up clouds ofsmoke so thick you can’t fly through the damned stuff. The essentials in peril.

Periodic earthquakes up and down the west coast and elsewhere in the world, tornadoes inthe Midwest, a recession throughout the land, hatred in Arizona, a bunch of banjo-pluckingprotestors who call themselves the Tea Party following an emptiness like Sarah Palin to, byGod, set things right, and layoffs in L.A. that are going to send hundreds more shell-shockedjobless people to the bread lines.

What’s going on here?

Even fun places like Greece and Italy and maybe Spain that no one takes seriously in theeconomic strata are causing money problems and what about that nut who pushed the wrongbutton on Wall Street and sent our own stock market into what they’re calling a flash crash?A chef is charged with trying to hire homeless guys to kill his wife and the mother of a deadgirl visits the guy in jail who killed her daughter and says she forgives him.

What? Huh?

Everything Is out of synch. The music’s wrong, the words don’t scan, the beat is erratic.One expects that at any minute Godzilla will rise out of the sea and we’ll all run screaming likethe Japanese in Tokyo, dashing blindly through the Ginza, but in L.A. it’ll be down SunsetBoulevard or Broadway in New York, depending on whether the monster rises in the Atlanticor the Pacific. He’ll eat us all.

The feeling of doom is one I can’t shake. Forget the war, that’s penny ante horror comparedto everything else that’s going wrong and could go wrong. Our troubles are in the core of theEarth and in the very atmosphere we breathe and no one seems to know what to do aboutthem. We blame each other, we blame God or government, we blame nature, fate, kismet andthe radiation we’ve loosed in the air, and the acid rain falling on our heads.

Yesterday the cat bit me. It was a big bite for no good reason and it drew blood. Great, I’vegot a bad heart, bad lungs and a convulsive stomach but I’m going to die of cat fever likesome kind of small prey that wiggles into stillness in the last painful moments of life,screaming beyond our ability to hear, a wee cry into eternity.

“You’re just lumping all of the bad things together, which makes the world look terribleand life as bleak as the face of the moon,” my wife says. “It is bleak,” I say, “even my fish aredying. I had six in the tank and now I’ve just got that one scrawny thing staring out at me.He knows, the fish knows, but the fish aren’t saying.”

She used to say that bad things happened in threes. The refrigeratorwould stop working, the dryer would break down and the car wouldn’t start.Now it’s in far greater multiples, affecting everything around us, damagingour auras and dimming our electrolytes.

Then I look out the window. The rain has stopped. Drops of water glistenon the new green of the oak trees. The world glistens. OK, I say to myself,

the oil still leaks, the volcano still rumbles and the wind blows evil circles through the citiesand the farmlands, but there’s sunlight too.

Cling to the brighter things, I say with a will. Let a little light shine in.

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

AL MARTINEZ

CRA/LA Welcomes CHRISTINE ESSELas New Chief Executive Officer!Christine Essel joins the CRA/LA as CEO

following the unanimous vote of approval byboth the Los Angeles City Council and CRA/LA’sBoard of Commissioners last month.

Christine Essel is Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of CRA/LA. With an annual budget exceeding$600 million and a work program covering 32project areas throughout the City of Los Angeles,CRA/LA is the largest redevelopment agency inthe State of California. Essel joined the agencyin May 2010 and is committed to redefining therole of CRA/LA to encompass a broad mission ofcreating economic opportunity and improving thequality of life for current and future generationsliving in CRA/LA project areas.

Under Essel’s leadership, CRA/LA is focusedon creating family-supporting jobs, producingaffordable and workforce housing, promotingsustainable urbanism and delivering significant,transformative investment to areas of LosAngeles that have not shared in the city’s cyclesof prosperity. To support their mission, CRA/LAhas rebuilt its housing department, adopted alandmark policy on local hiring in constructionjobs receiving financial support from CRA/LA,adopted a Healthy Neighborhoods policy asa blueprint for incorporating sustainabilityprinciples throughout CRA/LA’s practices,programs and projects.

Prior to joining CRA/LA, Christine Essel was anexecutive with Paramount Pictures for more than25 years, most recently as Senior Vice Presidentof Government Affairs and Community Affairs.In that role, Essel was responsible for shapingParamount’s civic and political presence at thestate and local levels and developing legislativestrategy. During her tenure at the studio shealso served as Sr. Vice President Planning andDevelopment, leading her team in the expansionand redevelopment of the 65-acre facility inHollywood.

Essel has been a longtime active civic leader.In 1992, Ms. Essel became a Commissioneron the Board of CRA/LA, serving for seven yearsincluding four years as Chair. She served as aLos Angeles World Airports Commissioner, andwith the California Film Commission, having ledthe Film Commission’s Board as its Chair fornine years. She is the First Vice-Chair of FilmLA,and an Officer and Immediate Past Chair ofCentral City Association.

She has also served as Vice-Chair of theCalifornia Workforce Investment Board, andBoard President of Alternative Living for TheAging. She received ALA’s Sheldon AndelsonAward, the Woman of the Year Award from theCity of Hope Diamond Circle, the Woman ofDistinction Award from the Hollywood Chamberof Commerce and the Community Leader and2009 “Calendar” Awards from the NationalWomen's Political Caucus.

2010 Hall of Fame inductees announcedTradition of honoring outstanding Valley leaders continuesVICA has announced the inductees for its Third Annual San Fernando Valley Business Hall of

Fame. This year’s inductees include Anheuser-Busch, The Buckley School, Harry Chandler, Porto’sBakery and The Walt Disney Company. The Hall of Fame was created by VICA in 2008 to recognizesignificant contributions to the Valley community. Inductees include individuals, businesses andother community organizations that have been responsible for the continued success, economicvitality and culture of the San Fernando Valley. The inductees will be recognized at VICA’s BusinessHall of Fame Dinner on June 17 (6-9:30 p.m.) at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 UniversalHollywood Drive, Universal City. Click here to register online or call 818.817.0545. Advertisingopportunities and sponsorships are available. The event is presented by Wells Fargo and ThomasProperties Group

Walk on The Horizon on June 6New Horizons, a non-profit agency that providesservices for adults with developmental disabilities,is holding their 3rd annual Walk on The Horizon onJune 6, 2010 at the California State University ofNorthridge campus. Walk on The Horizon is awalk-a-thon event that raises funds for NewHorizons. Individuals, families, and corporationsare invited to pledge individually or form a teamand participate in the event.

For more information regarding the event andregistration, please visit www.walkonthehorizon.orgor contact Tolly Fallon at 818-221-0629 [email protected].

Valley Cities UniteThe San Fernando Valley finallybecomes a “place”One hundred years after the digging of the

Los Angeles Aqueduct, cities and communitiesin the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley’shave made history once again uniting in a JointPowers Agency to help steer this region of overtwo million. This morning’s vote of the LosAngeles County Board of Supervisors officiallyactuated the new agency, which had already beenapproved by the cities of Burbank, Glendale,Los Angeles, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.

The new “San Fernando Valley Council ofGovernments” will be led by existing electedofficials—council members and supervisorsfrom each jurisdiction. “This is not a new levelof bureaucracy” assures Acting Director RobertL. Scott of the Mulholland Institute, “but aforum in which leaders of our Valley cities cancollaborate—to come up with efficient andhighly-leveraged solutions, to lobby for state,federal and local funds and resources, andto build consensus for planning at the highestlevels.”

Part of the role of the COG is to oversee plan-ning within the recently adopted San FernandoValley subregion of the Southern CaliforniaAssociation of Governments. Because SCAGrepresents six counties and 189 cities, thisallows for Valley-specific input at macroplanning levels. The subregion’s first projectis already underway: an initial Interstate-5Corridor Economic development Plan.

“There are great possibilities when we bringthe creativity and agility of the smaller citiestogether with the clout and credibility of theCity and County of Los Angeles,” according toDavid Fleming, Chair of the Valley EconomicAlliance. “We have more than a decade investedin the COG, the SCAG subregion and thecreation of the San Fernando Valley StatisticalDistrict—which goes into full swing with the2010 Census. Specific ‘San Fernando Valley’data will finally be available, online at theU.S. Census Bureau.”

The Valley Economic Summit brings togetherbusiness leaders from the Valley region alongwith economic and real estate experts who willexamine and explore the issues and concerns ofthe current regions economy.

Key Industry Trendsand Opportunities atthe 5th annual ValleyEconomic Summit

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT DELIVER BOTTOM LINE RESULTS

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MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON FROM…

Up to 15,000 San Fernando Valley companieseligible for substantial tax credit nowSan Fernando Valley small businesses will be getting a little bit of good

news in their mailboxes. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks)said today that companies eligible for new health reform tax credits willbe getting a postcard explaining the credits and encouraging them to takeadvantage of the tax cut.

Congressman Sherman said the tax credit is especially important to getting the Valley economymoving again.

“There are over 15,000 companies in the Valley that meet the criteria for the small business healthreform tax credit,” said Congressman Sherman. This is going to make it a little easier for companiesalready offering insurance to afford it and will allow more small businesses to start providing healthcare coverage for their workers. It is important for Valley businesses to know it is out there so theycan start taking advantage of it immediately.”

The tax credit is available to small businesses with 25 or fewer employees, and an average wageof $50,000 or less that provide health insurance for their employees. Companies with 10 or feweremployees and an average wage of $25,000 or less get the maximum credit—35% of what theemployer is paying for employee insurance coverage. The maximum credit rises to 50% in 2014.

The tax credit is also available to small non-profit organizations. For non-profits, the tax credit isworth up to 25% of what the employer is paying for employee insurance coverage. The maximumcredit for non-profits rises to 35% in 2014.

The tax credits are available now, beginning with this tax year. The IRS has begun mailing morethan 4 million postcards to small businesses around the country to help ensure that they realizethey may qualify for the credit immediately.

The IRS website provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the tax credits



Cal State Northridge Program Gets Boost from State AssemblyPhysical Therapy Degree Program Facing Closure Slated for ReprieveSacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – San Fernando

Valley) that will save a degree program for physical therapists offered at California State UniversityNorthridge (CSUN) and other state colleges passed the state Assembly today on a vote of (75 - 1).

“This is a jobs bill for California generally, and the San Fernando Valleyspecifically. Physical therapy is one of the top three jobs in demandtoday; the annual shortfall is estimated at 500. We must keep these goodpaying, professional jobs here in the state and in the Valley. The best wayto do that is to make sure students can receive their training at Californiaschools. Absent my bill, many students would be forced to go out of statefor their education, and many Californians would be forced to bring inpeople from out-of-state to perform critical jobs,” Blumenfield said.

New national standards require physical therapists to have a“doctorate in physical therapy” degree, replacing the current master’sdegree requirements. California’s “master plan” for higher education hasprevented CSU programs from readily making the change. AB 2382

carves out an exception in the law to allow the CSU system to confer doctorate degrees for physicaltherapy only.

Four California state universities offer physical therapy programs – Fresno, Long Beach, Northridgeand Sacramento – and graduate 33% of the students entering the profession today. Without the bill,these programs would likely close down.

AB 2382 will result in no new costs to the state. It now goes to the state Senate for consideration.

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield was elected to the State Assembly in November 2008. He represents the 40th Assembly District, which spansthe northwest portion of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley, including the communities of Canoga Park, Granada Hills, Reseda, North Hills,Northridge, Tarzana, Van Nuys, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills. Bob is a graduate of Duke University and the UCLA Anderson SchoolBusiness Executive Program. He is 42 years old and lives in Woodland Hills with his wife, Kafi, and their children Nia (4),and Obi (1). His wife is the President of the Liberty Hill Foundation.

Hundreds of San Fernando Valley Residents Turn outfor Community Budget ForumBlumenfield and Fuentes host interactive budget discussion in ResedaReseda, CA – Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D–San Fernando Valley), Chair of the Assembly

Budget Committee, hosted a community budget forum at ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Centerin Reseda on Friday, May 7. More than 500 people attended the interactive event, and were invited togive their opinion on state budget priorities and ask questions about specific budget choices.

Blumenfield was joined by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D–Sylmar), who is Chair of theAssembly Appropriations Committee. This year marks the first time Assemblymembers from theSan Fernando head both of the Assembly’s two fiscal committees — Budget and Appropriations.

“I am pleased that so many people from our community came out to hear about the difficult choiceswe face in closing another huge budget deficit this year. The decisions we make on how to close a$20 billion gap will have far-reaching consequences for the San Fernando Valley, and the entirestate,” Blumenfield said.

The forum in Reseda was the sixth such gathering being held in communities throughout the state,as part of an effort to bring about greater transparency in the budget process, and give the public abetter understanding about how the annual budget plan is constructed. The forum included an inter-active component presented by Next 10, an independent, nonpartisan organization, dedicated toimproving the state’s future, which allowed people in attendance to “vote” on decisions that addressthe state budget gap.

“We are taking the budget process out of the Capitol bubble and into the real world. I hope thosewho came gained some insight into the challenges we face in meeting all of the needs of our statewith decreasing revenues,” Blumenfield said.

Assemblymember Julia Brownley (D–Santa Monica) and Assemblymember Fiona Ma (D–SanFrancisco) also helped lead the forum.

Assembly “Jobs Budget” Puts California Back to WorkSacramento, CA – Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D–San Fernando Valley), Chair of the

Assembly Budget Committee, and Assembly Speaker John Perez today unveiled the Assembly JobsBudget, a plan to close the state’s $17.9 billion General Fund shortfall, and end the year with a $1billion reserve.

The centerpiece of the proposal is a $10.1 billion Jobs and Economic Stability Fund that willprotect against the loss of 430,000 private sector, local community and school jobs in the Governor’sMay Budget Revise.

At a Sacramento press conference, Blumenfield made the following statement about the AssemblyJobs Budget:

“This budget proposal is a paradigm shift. Prior to this budget proposal, conventional wisdomstated that the only way to solve a budget deficit was to pick between three poisons – each of whichwould cost jobs and hurt the economy: raising taxes, cutting essential services, or accruing debt.

“The non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) recently advised the legislature and theGovernor that given the precarious state of our economy all three of these options would be extreme-ly damaging to our economy.

“Our Jobs Budget is a blueprint for a new growth paradigm.

“While we do charge a fee for the extraction of one of our natural resources — oil — this bringsus in line with every other oil producing State (and the federal government when it comes to oil threemiles off our coast). And we creatively leverage that fee to create jobs exponentially in relation to thecost of that fee.

“Although we cut billions of dollars in programs, we strategically avoid cuts that result in major joblosses, cost shifting and the loss of federal funds.

“How do we pay for this? Our plan securitizes the beverage container recycling fund revenues —but we do it in a manner that doesn’t increase our overall bonded indebtedness.

“This is a new paradigm — a budget designed for growth and jobs. This budget proposal makesresponsible investments in our future. Key elements of our proposal include:

• Funding Proposition 98 (funding guarantee for K-14 schools) at $5.9 billion above theGovernor’s proposal for the budget year – which translates to more than $750 in per pupilexpenditure increase.

• Restoring $600 million in cuts prior cuts to the UC and CSU and reducing Governor’s UC andCSU fee increases by 50%.

• Averting the Governor’s devastating and unconscionable cuts to Medical, CalWorks, and IHSSand in so doing picks up more than $5.5 Billion in federal funds and maintains critical jobs.

• Restoring funding for our Judicial System, preventing furloughs and enabling business to againfunction effectively without rule of law delay.

• Continuing necessary child are programs for the poor that enable working parents to remain inthe workforce

“This is a smart and credible budget. Unlike the Governor’s budget, ours is not an extreme budget— it has no new broad-based or excessive taxes nor does it have extremist cuts. Our Jobs Budgetcan easily stand up to Wall Street Scrutiny — it pays down our debt, it doesn’t increase it.

“Our Jobs Budget is designed for the long term. While it doesn’t solve all out-year problems, it isn’tpenny-wise and pound foolish either. It will strengthen the fundamentals of our economy.

“This is a budget we are proud to present to you today.”

A summary of the Assembly Jobs Budget is in the attached document.

Councilman Zine Appointed to Budget and Finance CommitteeOn Friday, April 23, 2010, Councilman Dennis P. Zine was appointed by Council President Eric

Garcetti to serve on the Budget and Finance Committee for the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 budget hear-ings beginning Tuesday, April 27th.

"I am elated to join the budget team and start tackling some of the most critical issues facing ourCity," said Councilman Zine. "As a committee member, I am determined to get back to basics andfund the services that people expect from municipal government while cutting back on waste. Mygoals are to define and prioritize essential government functions, be the taxpayers' advocate, and seta credible and prudent tone for the full Council discussions."

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Thursday, June 17All About Business Loans4pm – 5pm FREEGlendale Women’s Business Center – 330 N. Brand Blvd.,Suite 190, Glendale, CA 91203Contact: Sofia Muradyan [email protected]


FREE Business CounselingSBA SCORE Program

Call the Chamber Office to schedule an appointment withDon Doner/Senior SCORE Counselor

818.884.42225 Tips on Advertising Basics• Be consistent in your ad message and style including business cards, letterhead, envelopes, invoices,signs and banners.

• Newspapers, radio and TV stations are helpful in producing the advertising that you will be running with them.• While word-of-mouth advertising has been around a long time, it usually falls short of being able to attractthe number of customers needed to be successful in business.

• Promote benefits rather than features. A benefit is the emotional satisfaction your product or service provides,or a tangible performance characteristic.

• Know your competitors. Knowing everything about your competitors is just as important as knowing everythingabout your own business.

Counselors to America’s Small BusinessThursday, June 17Google Apps for Small Businesses6pm – 8pm FREEDowntown LA Retail ProjectLos Angeles Public Library – 630 W. 5th St., Meeting RoomA, Los Angeles, CAContact: Peggy Jo Pabustan [email protected]

Saturday, June 19Take Your Business to the Next Level9am – 12pm Free if you qualifyVEDC – Van NuysContact: Lucero Montañez [email protected]

Tuesday, June 22All About Business Loans4pm – 5pm FREEWest SFV Business Assistance Program –21010 Vanowen St., Canoga Park, CA 91303Contact: Carol Martinez [email protected]

Tuesday, June 22Expanding Your Target Market4pm – 6pm $10VEDC – Van NuysContact: Lucero Montañez [email protected]

Wednesday, June 23All About Business Loans4pm – 5pm FREEVEDC – Van NuysContact: Lucero Montañ[email protected]

Thursday, June 24All About Business Loans4pm – 5pm FREEDowntown LA Retail Project – 315 W. 9th St. #501, LosAngeles, CA 90015Contact: Sofia [email protected]

Thursday, June 24Business Marketing Basics4pm – 6pm $10VEDC – Van NuysContact: Lucero Montañ[email protected]

Tuesday, June 29Fed/State Payroll Taxes9am – 3pm FREEVEDC – Van NuysContact: Lucero Montañ[email protected]

Tuesday, June 29Google Apps for Small Businesses6pm – 8pm $10VEDC – Van NuysContact: Lucero Montañ[email protected]

All VEDC workshops at:

VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center)5121 Van Nuys Blvd. 3rd Floor, Van Nuys, CAContact Lucero Montañ[email protected]

Business Education/Workshops



GROW YOUR BUSINESS with EFFECTIVE SELLINGA hands-on, 3-hour training workshop to help you learn effective ways to increase your sales

and improve the results from your selling processes. Lead by Ben Tenn, a sales expert with 35 yearssuccessful business experience, the workshop begins with a presentation on how to create and

implement a powerful selling program in today’s competitive and changingmarket. Then you askthe questions and get answers that will be personal and practical. Ideal forsmall business owners and startups. A great way to plan and prepare forthe new year.Ben Tenn has more than 35 years of business experience, with a focus on market-ing, sales and general management. He has been a corporate executive at Disneyand Activision and the coowner of a $10 million small business. He has been anindependent business consultant since 1996 serving local and national small busi-nesses, a successful presenter of marketing and sales seminars, a columnist for theSFV Business Journal. He earned his MBA from UCLA.

Reservations required: www.cocsbdc.org and click on ‘Calendar’

Or call 661-362-5900 [email protected]

Wells Fargo Expands Support for Small Business in LA County through VEDCValley Economic Development Center (VEDC) has received a $250,000 grant from the Wells Fargo

Foundation to expand VEDC’s small business lending programs. For the past ten years, Wells Fargohas played a critical role in supporting VEDC’s mission and has invested in establishing manyprojects that have helped VEDC to become the largest business development organization inLos Angeles.

VEDC Board Chair Don St. Clair said, “VEDC is exceedingly proud to partner with Wells Fargo inthis time of severe credit crunch when community development lenders are experiencing greaterdemand than ever. Over the past year, we have seen an overwhelming increase in demand and weare only limited by our available resources. The Wells Fargo Foundation Grant will enable VEDC tocontinue to find solutions and lending programs for small business owners, even during this difficulteconomic time.”

“Wells Fargo is proud to present VEDC with a $250,000 grant to support job creation and smallbusiness lending for the community,” said Marla Vasquez, Wells Fargo San Fernando ValleyCommunity Bank regional president. “Our organizations share a vision to support lending to localsmall businesses in order to grow jobs and keep our communities strong and vital.”

VEDC is an organization providing economic development services in Southern California whichhelps to create and sustain local jobs. The $250,000 grant will be used as part of a broad effort tosupport VEDC’s small business lending programs and provide access to capital to small businesses.More specifically, Wells Fargo’s support will be used to assist in the implementation of the $15million Citywide Small Business Loan Program, increase SBA 504 lending by the San FernandoValley Financial Development Corporation, and increase SBA 7(a) lending by the PacoimaDevelopment Federal Credit Union.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets,providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than10,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America andinternationally. The Company promotes economic growth and self-sufficiency, education, socialservices, the arts and the environment in thousands of communities across North America. In 2009,the Company gave more than $15 million to nonprofits in Greater Los Angeles. The merger of WellsFargo and Wachovia makes their presence twice as strong in the communities they serve. For moreabout Wells Fargo’s achievements in Social Responsibility: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OFVALLEY AREA STATE ENTERPRISE ZONE EXPANSIONLocal and State Agencies Save 4000 Jobs and Provide Economic Benefits toCreate Thousands of Additional Jobs in the San Fernando ValleyLOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today the approval of the Valley area

expansion for the State Enterprise Zone (SEZ). The total expansion area covers 5,444 acres ofindustrial and manufacturing zoned land and businesses and includes Chatsworth, Canoga Park,Northridge, Van Nuys Airport and Corridor, Warner Center and the North East Valley industrial area.

“With 37 percent of the population and 47 percent of the city’s land area, the San Fernando Valley’seconomic vitality is of utmost importance to all Angelenos,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “EnterpriseZones help businesses lower their operating costs and promote hiring and capital investmentthrough tax credits and deductions. I would like to thank everyone involved in this agreement fortheir commitment to guarantee that Valley businesses will continue to thrive and grow.”

The State Enterprise Zone program is administered by the State Department of Housing andCommunity Development and provides tax credits to businesses located within the zones.

The application to expand the Los Angeles enterprise zone in the San Fernando Valley languishedfor six months within various state and city departments. The Mayor’s office and First Deputy Mayorand Chief Executive of Economic and Business Policy Austin Beutner, in collaboration with theCommunity Development Department and the Planning Department, expedited the approvals processin order to assist several companies looking to expand.

“The Mayor and I were together with the Governor in Los Angeles at the BYD announcement andwe had the opportunity to discuss this issue,” said Beutner. MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCESAPPROVAL OF VALLEY AREA STATE ENTERPRISE ZONE EXPANSION

Local and State Agencies Save 4000 Jobs and Provide Economic Benefits to Create Thousands ofAdditional Jobs in the San Fernando Valley.

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Saturday, June 12Where’s the Money?Access to Capital Business ExpoVEDC 8:00am - 2:30pm

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THE CALABASAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE15th Annual CalabasasWine Tasting & Silent Auction

Calabasas Civic Center Plaza100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas, CA 91302Friday, June 11, 20105:30 – 7:30 p.m. $40.00 per personRSVP: (818) 222-5680


Madrid Theatre

Clyde Porter West Valley Playhouse

www.madridtheatre.org

2009 SEASONPERFORMANCE SHOW CATEGORY DATES

Murder On The Nile / Agatha Christie Mystery Jan 29 – Feb 28

Light Up The Sky / Moss Hart Comedy Mar 26 – Apr 25Table Manners / Alan Ayckbourn Comedy May 28 – June 27Summer Musical TBA Musical July 30 – Aug 29Steel Magnolias / Robert Harling Comedy/Drama Sept 24 – Oct 24Private Lives / Neil Simon Comedy Nov 19 – Dec 19

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

www.whctheatre.comThursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 8:00 pm, Sundays 2:30 pm

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

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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!

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We invite you to attend one of our meetings. Noreservation is required, just show up. You won't bepressured 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:

Lori Kaye, VP Membership (818) 623-8448Ed Crowe, VP Public Relations (818) 231-4454

Glenn Broadus Jr., a member of Toastmasters Spirit Speaks,after receiving his Best Speaker ribbon during the bi-monthly meeting at the TV Motion Picture Fund Center.

San Fernando Valley Genealogical Society

“My Ancestor: An Andersonville Casualty” will be thetopic of speaker, Carole Morton, at the San FernandoValley Genealogical Society, at the June 18, 2010meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Chatsworth Chamber ofCommerce Meeting Room at the Chatsworth TrainStation, 10038 Old Depot Road, Chatsworth CA9131. Carole Morton's presentation is a timeline ofhistory. It begins and ends with her Great GreatGrandfather, Elbert Jones. His life will be flanked byevents prior to and after Lincoln's inauguration andthe crisis of the Great Rebellion. Carol Morton is anavid genealogist, exonumist, and deltiologist. She isPast Regent of Chatsworth Chapter Daughters of theAmerican Revolution (DAR) and a DAR Genealogist.She is President of the California Nevada Departmentof Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865(CNDUVCW). Carole is also President of the SanFernando Valley Historical Society and a member ofnumerous historical societies.

Join us for this interesting presentation. Visitors arewelcome. Our programs are free, but donations areappreciated. You can also find visit us at:www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~casfvgs/index.html

For information call John Lindsay at (818)349-0878.

Golden Lasso Employee Appreciation LuncheonDr. Lee R. Weiss, Medical Director and Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at

West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, spoke to the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce at theirannual Golden Lasso Employee Appreciation Luncheon showcasing their member’s valued employeeson April 22nd at the Calabasas Civic Center, Founders Hall. Dr. Weiss discussed new health trendstoday and the new expansion plans at West Hills Hospital – ER and ICU that opened in mid-May.Attendees learned how this expansion will benefit the community.

Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, June 27:00 AM to 9:00 AMBusiness Networking BreakfastSponsor:TBAWarner Center MarriottAddress: 21850 Oxnard StreetRSVP REQUIRED by noon on Tuesday. Walk-Ins add$5(818) 347-4737Members $20, One Time Trial Guest Price $20. Therewill be assigned seating.

Monday, June 14At Last~ An Affordable Charity Golf EventThe Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of CommerceBenefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

We invite members, non-members and the LLS sup-port community to join us at the legendary LostCanyons Golf Club located in Simi Valley. All golferswill come out winners. there will be many prizeswhich will be announced soon.

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Wednesday, June 1611:30 AM – 1:15 PMBusiness Networking LuncheonSponsor: Ameritel, Inc.~Dave Burtch ChablisAddress: 18588 Ventura Blvd.RSVP REQUIRED by noon on Tuesday.Walk-Ins add $5(818) 347-4737Members $25, One Time Trial Guest Price $25

Wednesday, June 235:30 PM – 7:30 PMBusiness Networking MixerAirtel Plaza HotelAddress: 7277 Valjean AvenueRSVP REQUIRED by noon on Tuesday.(818) 347-4737Members $0, One Time Trial Guest Price $10

(L-r) Kimberly Bordonaro, Chairwoman, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Lee R. Weiss featured speaker,and Carol Washburn, Calabasas Chamber President and CEO.

Dr. Lee R. Weiss from West Hills Hospital and Medical CenterFeeatured Speaker at Calabasas Chamber of Commerce

Cinco Chambers Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Fiestaat the Warner Center Marriott

Five West Valley Chamber Executives gathered to improve the economic environment of their communities.(l-r): Diana Donovan, President/CEO Encino Chamber; Rana Ghadban, Executive Director of the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber; Clay Andrews, Warner Center Marriott General Manager; Diana Williams, ExecutiveDirector of the Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber; Carol Washburn, President/CEO of the Calabasas Chamberand Nora Ross, Executive Director of the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Five Chambers of Commerce from the West Valley gathered to celebrate at a lively Mega-Mixerand Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on May 5th at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in their beautiful newUrban Oasis poolside lounge.

Cinco de MayoNot to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which occurs on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a voluntarily-observed holiday that commemorates theMexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under theleadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in theUnited States. While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observedin the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday inMexico.

The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered,the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. “This battle was significant in that the 4,000Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had notbeen defeated for almost 50 years.” Second, it was significant because since the Battle of Puebla nocountry in the Americas has been invaded by an army from another continent.

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CELEBRATING 6 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

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