West Valley News

52nd Fernando AwardRafer Johnson received the Fernando Award

Plaque from Board President Lynn Rinker at the52nd Annual Fernando Award Finalist Dinner, onSeptember 24, 2010 at the Warner CenterMarriott in Woodland Hills.

Johnson was chosen as the 2010 FernandoAward Recipient from a list of five finalists,including: Lois Curran-Klein, Ed Rose,Joel Simon and Gary M. Thomas.

The Fernando Award is the highest award forvolunteerism and civic accomplishment in the

San Fernando Valley.

An Olympic GoldMedalist and winnerof the Decathlon GoldMedal in the 1960Olympic Games inRome, Rafer Johnsonhas been volunteering inthe San Fernando Valleycommunity for manyyears. He is active withNew Directions for Youthand the Fair Housingcouncil.

“God didn’t makethem better than Rafer Johnson” said Master ofCeremonies Ross Porter about his long timefriend, during his Tribute to Rafer Johnsonremarks at the Recognition Dinner on December2, 2010, held at the Woodland Hills Country Club.

By most reports, holiday retail saleswere solidly higher so far this seasoncompared to last year.By Ed Crowe, West Valley News

The sales were so strong that the leadingretail industry group boosted its forecast for theholiday season by a full percentage point.According to CNNMoney.com “fueled in partby deep discounting on holiday merchandise.”

On November 24, 2010, at the WestfieldTopanga Shopping Center, Mayor AntonioVillaraigosa with Councilmember Dennis Zineand Peter Lowy, the CEO of Westfield, encour-aged Angelenos to join the Shop LA campaign,a year-long effort to promote shopping withinLos Angeles city limits to generate significantand much-needed revenue for the City.

“The start of the holiday shopping season isthe perfect time to remind local residents thatfor every ten dollars in sales tax spent withinLos Angeles, the City receives a dollar that goestowards services such as public safety, libraries,park and recreation programs and animalshelters," said Mayor Villaraigosa. “And since theholiday season is the giving season, as we giveto our loved ones, let’s make sure we don’t forgetto shop in LA so that we give back to our cityand its economy.”

Sales tax constitutes the fifth largest source ofgeneral fund revenue for the City of Los Angelesand is projected to be $292 million for thisfiscal year.

“Shop LA is a great example how businessand government can partner to support the City’seconomy”, said Westfield CEO, Peter Lowy.“We’re doing our part at Westfield by creatingover 14,000 jobs for local residents in LosAngeles. We are also excited that the world-classretailers at Westfield’s four shopping centers inthe City showcase the stylish merchandise,sensational products, and top tier service to makethis a fantastic holiday shopping season.”

CONNECTING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SINCE 2004. CELEBRATING 7 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE WEST VALLEY COMMUNITY. Volume 6 Number 9 2010

TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL

Holiday Season Gets Off to a Good Start with shopLA

Serving:CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

FREE

Peter Lowy, CEO of Westfield Group, Major Antonio Villaraigosa, Santa Claus and Councilman Dennis Zinecheer the carroling Westfield Topanga employees during the kick off ceremony for the shopLA campaign.

sfvThis

copyofthe

WestValley

Newsbelongs

to:

SUBSCRIBETO

THEWEST

VALLEYNEW

S.12MONTHLY

ISSUESFOR

ONLY$15

IT’STHE

LITTLEDETAILS

THATARE

VITAL.LITTLE

THINGSMAKE

BIGTHINGS

HAPPEN.John

Wooden

COMING SOON!A business exchange program with value-addedbenefits to participating members. Be part of it.

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.

Celebrating Topanga Exceeds Goals

Ed Crowe / Crowe Marketing Design

The Celebrating Topanga 2010 annual fundraiser to benefit the Topanga Police Station, was held onNovember 19, 2010 at the Hilton Woodland Hills. The event was presented by the Topanga Boosters, a volun-teer support organization made up of business and community leaders. Its primary mission is to increase theeffectiveness and morale of the officers and staff of the Topanga Police Station by raising money for communityservices, materials, and equipment not generally supplied by the City of Los Angeles.

Over 125 guests attended this lively event that featured, fun, food, and live entertainment. The TopangaBoosters exceeded their projected monetary goals thanks to the generosity of sponsors and live auction bidders.

See Celebrating Topanga 2010 on Page 8.

Ed Crowe / Crowe Marketing Design

INSIDEYour heart is in good hands 2

Soteras Mortgage 3Commercial / Residential

7

Shops at Vallarta 10Grandes Descuentos / Discount Coupons

$ave BIG with Business Servicesand Classified 15

1 Stop Shop at Westfield 16

(L-R) Captain Ivan Minsal, Francois Koury, Captain Tom Brascia, Steve Santen, Joanne Littman, CouncilmanDennis P. Zine, Ed Crowe, CD12 Chief of Staff Mitch Englander and Lieutenant Dave Storaker, pose for thegroup photo at the Hilton Woodland Hills.

See “Olympian Rafer Johnson...” on Page 9

See Westfield shopLA kickoff on Page 9

Jim Brammer Photography

2010 Fernando Award Recipient Rafer Johnson andhis family during the Recognition Dinner in his honor.

West Valley News Volume 6 Number 9 2010

The West Valley News 818.883.3374. We Deliver.

...and From All of Us at the West Valley News

From the Publisher’s DeskI want to extend a very special thank you to all our advertisers, editorial

contributors, supporters, and readers of the West Valley News. You makethe publication of this monthly community paper possible.

I look forward to a few new improvements as we begin out eight yearof publishing and serving the West Valley community. In 2011, we willhave a dedicated online presence and all advertising packages willinclude a listing on our new ED’S LIST of services.

“When You Advertise in the West Valley News, You’re Online 24/7,”is our new advertising campaign slogan. Your business will benefit fromexpanded exposure and increased visibility through our new website.

In addition, we will begin work on a new program to generate morebusiness for all participating Valley businesses. And when you “Flash”

or “Flex” your BIZEX™ Card, you’ll save big bucks on all purchases of products or services fromparticipating businesses.

Even though there are still challenges ahead, because of the economy and high unemployment, we mustbe proactive and create our own opportunities. We can’t wait for the government to provide solutions.They are too busy playing politics and worrying about reelection. We have to take action now so we canbe ready when things turn around. When you are self-employed, you can’t wait for things to happen.You have to make them happen.

We are including on this last issue of 2010 an article by The Growth Coach, Jonathan Goldhill,to provide guidance for organizing a retreat for your business, to review and analyze what yourstrengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are. Armed with that information, you can developnew strategies for your business to implement in 2011. As Goldhill says “Nothing great has everbeen achieved without strategy.” Retreat, analyze, develop a plan, take action.

There are encouraging signs of positive activities. The stock market is swinging upwards. Holidayretail sales are up compared to last year. People are spending money. Business people are attendingnon-profit community events and making donations. Granted not as much or as many but somegenerous hearts are reaching deep into the pockets, and making generous contributions.

The recent Celebrating Topanga 2010 event benefitting the Topanga Police Station, was one suchevent. The amount of money raised, exceeded the projected goals, thanks to the generosity ofsponsors and high bidders on various live auction items. Of course, it helped to have two talentedauctioneers namely, CD3 Councilman Dennis Zine and CD12 Chief of Staff Mitch Englander. Thepresenters of the event—the Topanga Boosters—promised fun, food, and live entertainment. Andthey delivered. Guests enjoyed the comedic style of Frazer Smith and Bruce Jingles. There werespecial dance exhibitions by Dance Dimension Performing Arts Center and Arthur Murray Studios.The highlight of the evening was the performance by Ticket To Ride A Tribute to the Beatles thatbrought happy memories to many guests who got up and danced. The food was extraordinary.The wine and well drinks superb. The Chinese Auction a real value and the Live Auction out of thisworld. All of it under the special ambiance created by Francois Khoury and his support staff at theHilton Woodland Hills. If this is a sign of things to come, it’s going to be a great 2011.

Happy Holidays and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

West Valley News Volume 6 Number 9 2010 PAGE 3

Crowe Marketing PublisherEd Crowe Managing Editor/Creative DirectorRickey Gelb Contributing WriterSandra Gonzalez Editor CRA/LAJonathan Goldhill Contributing WriterAl Martinez 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

Targeted flyer insertion and distribution isavailable. Call for estimated cost.

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 818-883-3374. The deadlinefor ads for each issue is the end of the third weekof the month prior to the month of publication.

©2010 Crowe Marketing CommunicationsImage copyrights held by the artists.

The West Valley News is open to the entirebusiness community of the San Fernando Valley.

The West Valley News is distributed by regular mailto active subscribers, via email to an electronicmailing list, and to the general public throughmore than 60 strategic, high-traffic businesslocations throughout the West Valley.

CalabasasCanoga ParkChatsworthResedaTarzanaWest HillsWinnetkaWoodland Hills

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 Business

Members of the Board of Directors of the Topanga Boosters, accmpanied by Topanga Station CommandingOfficer, Captain Tom Brascia and senior command officers, receive a certificate from Councilman Dennis Zine.


L E T T E R S

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

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

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

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

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

Subscribe to the West Valley News

818.883.3374

Only $1512 ISSUES FOR ONE YEAR

CALABASAS

CANOGA PARK

CHATSWORTH

RESEDA

TARZANA

WEST HILLS

WINNETKA

WOODLAND HILLS

Get local business and community news atyour doorstep. CALL ED CROWE TODAY!

CALL ED CROWE!

4New Corporate IdentityMarketing Brochures

Sales SheetsNewslettersCatalogsWebsites

Web HostingSocial Media Marketing

Packaging

and anything else you needto promote your business

818.883.3374

On a breezy cool evening high above the bright city lights of the great Hollywood Hills, near the mouth of theUniversal City Studios entrance, at the Hilton Universal City Hotel, a Star-Studded Gala Awards Dinner tookplace hosted by the Regional Black Chamber of Commerce SFV.

This important event recognizes some of the most prolific small business owners, community volunteers,government agencies, financial institutions, and community responsible corporations, from all the RegionalBlack Chambers’ regions — covering more than 35 cities, and 5 exclusive empowerment zones.

City of Los Angeles Controller Wendy Gruel opened the evening event with a warm Welcome. Hon.Supervisor Mike Antonovich office represented by Millie Jones, presented Certificates to each honoree,and Councilmember Dennis Zine delivered words of encouragement for direct community involvement in theValley. Final Remarks were presented by President/CEO, Madame M C Townsend.

The Award Honorees for 2010 were:

Small Business of the Year — Rasscom USA - Ernest Givens-an Export firm

Community Volunteers of the Year — Hubert Scales, Cleo Hill-Jackson, Rebecca Fleming, WilliamHutchinson, Matthew Tisdale, Luky Fernandez, Shirley Hu, Timothy Shephard, Donnie McGuire, WallaceJohnson, Jacqueline Helm.

Lifetime Achievement Award — Acclaimed Actor/Producer, Obba Babatunde

President’s Award 2010 — Hall of Fame/ R & B Legends / The Whispers — presented byrenowned actor Dawnn Lewis

Community-Responsible Corporation of the Year — Office Depot Encino

Financial Institution of the Year — Luther-Burbank Savings

Government Agency of the Year — Los Angeles World Airport

Among the notable VIP guests were: Dr. Coppertino, Willard Pugh, Carmelita Pittman, Belinda Moore,Alma Hayes, Guadalupae/Samba Mama, Shaun Baker, Jackie Hawthorne, Hugh Fuller/KJLH, Dr. McCloud.Media: Imageart2000 & Ruth Fleming. Operations Director: Char Cole.

Upcoming events presented by RBCC: The 10th Annual Largest Business Mixer in the Valley on January 27,2011, Studio City, California; and the Annual Community Business Summit, hosted by Disney Institute inMay 2011. RSVP at 818-464-3484 or www.regionalblackchambersfv.info.

Regional Black Chamber of Commerce SFVAnnual Gala Awards Dinner

Lois Curran-Klein Receives Rose Goldwater CommunityService Award at Annual Multi-Chamber Holiday Mixer

(L-R) Rose Goldwater, honoree Lois Curran-Klein of LCK Enterprises, Erick Klafter, senior general manager forWestfield Topanga & Promenade, during the award presentation at the Annual Multi-Chamber Holiday Mixer.

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

HOLIDAY PROGRAM FEATURES COMEDIANROBERT G. LEE

The holiday program at the December 22nd lunchmeeting of the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills willbe a special show featuring comedian Robert G.Lee. Robert G. Lee has been Hollywood’s topwarm-up comic for almost two decades. He is aveteran of over 1,000 episodes of such shows asJust Shoot Me, Becker, The Drew Carey Show andThe New Adventures of Old Christine. His job isto keep audiences entertained for hours betweencostume and set changes with rapid-fire ad-libsand humorous interviews.

Consequently, when he travels around the countryentertaining both corporations and churches alike,his razor sharp wit is always ready to have funwith, not make fun of, any audience he encounters.Whether using his talents as a comedian, writer ordirector, for the past twenty years, Robert G. Leehas proven time and time again that he is, indeed,One Funny Guy.

At the Rotary’s holiday meeting, Robert will delivera stand-up comedy routine that is sure to keep theaudience laughing. The Rotary Club of WoodlandHills meets at the Woodland Hills Country Clublocated at 21150 Dumetz Road in Woodland Hills.Lunch begins at 12:00 noon and ends at 1:30 p.m.The cost for lunch is $20.

For more information about the meeting or aboutRotary Club of Woodland Hills, contact Lois Kochat 818-857-7566 or [email protected]

Soon you will be able to FLEX yourBizEx™ and SAVE!

On Thursday, December 2, 2010, members of three Valley chambers of commerce, Calabasas,Canoga Park/West Hills, and Woodland Hills-Tarzana, enjoyed the opportunity to network and havea good time, during the Annual Multi-chamber Holiday Mixer hosted by Westfield Topanga.

Westfield Senior General Manager, Erick Klafter welcomed the chamber members and encouragedthem to spend some of their holiday shopping dollars at the over 200 retailers currently located atshopping center. He also introduced community leader Rose Goldwater and announced the name ofthe recipient of the 6th Annual Rose Goldwater Community Service Award presented by Westfield.

The award went to Lois Curran-Klein “For Exemplifying Excellence in Community Service As AnOutstanding Corp[orate Neighbor.” Congratulations Lois for the well-deserved recognition.


ADVERTISING DESIGN | MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS | NEW MEDIA

www.crowemarketingdesign.com

8 1 8 . 8 8 3 . 3 3 7 4

CALL ED CROWE!

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT DELIVER BOTTOM LINE RESULTS

You Can Have Your Carbs and Eat Them TooBy Lori San Martin, Certified Fitness Instructor I.F.P.A.

Carbohydrates got a bad rap when the high protein diets werepopular. But they aren’t all bad. In fact, carbs provide the bodywith much needed energy for physical activity and to help yourorgans function properly. Did you know that all vegetables and

all fruits are classified as carbohydrates and of course you know they are good for you.

So which carbs are the “bad guys”? Use this simple phrase to find out-“If it’s white, take ahike”. Stay away from anything made with white flour such as breads, cakes, cookies and pies.Also, white rice, white bread and for some people, potatoes are a no no. Sugar is the biggest badguy and comes in all forms including candy, desserts, sodas and many cereals.

If you are looking to lose weight or simply be healthier, cutting bad carbs out of your diet is aquick and simple way to start. Replace them with good carbs like whole grain breads and cerealsbeing careful to pick the ones lowest in sugars. Choose brown rice, whole wheat pastas and loadyour plate with vegetables, fruits and don’t forget the beans!

Embrace the good carbohydrates and you will be healthier for it.

Be healthy, Be happy!Lori San Martin is certified with the International Fitness Professionals Association. For personaltraining contact Lori at [email protected] or call 818-999-0320.

Thanks to the generosity of Vista Ford, the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley has received a12-passenger van. Vista owners Jon Shuken and Tori Shuken visited the Club for a tour andasked how Vista Ford could contribute to the organization. With the Club’s ever-increasing numbersof members, an additional van was needed to transport children from local schools to the after-school programs at the Main Clubhouse in Canoga Park.

According to the Shukens, “We know how important the Boys & Girls Club is to the West SanFernando Valley and Vista Ford wanted to help by donating a van to the Club so that they can pickup more children every day, as well as use it for field trips during the summer.”

According to Gary Thomas, Chairman of the Board of the Boys & Girls Club, “We are verygrateful to Vista Ford for their generosity and spirit of benevolence. We are very excited about ourincreasing number of members and expanding programs.”

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

There are more than 2,800 members of the Club, and approximately 100 youngsters visit thefacility each day, in addition to approximately 500 children provided after-school activities at Blythe,Reseda, and Topeka Drive Elementary Schools; Canoga Park High School, Tierra del Sol; and theMain Clubhouse in Canoga Park.The Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley is located at 7245 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park.Telephone: (818) 610-1054. Fax: (818) 610-1094. Website: www.wvbgc.org.

VISTA FORD DONATES VAN TO THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBOF THE WEST VALLEY

NEW STUDY SHOWS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WEST VALLEY MAKESMAJOR IMPACT ON CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SUCCESS

Results of a major new research study conducted for the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valleyby California Lutheran University (CLU), show that the Club has a major positive impact on the

Valley by improving Club members’ grades, health, and social skills;providing a safe environment; and delivering important benefits tolocal families.

The West Valley Club’s research was part of a larger study,conducted for the Los Angeles Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubsby CLU’s Damooei Global Research.

The just-released comprehensive study demonstrated that for every$1 invested by the Clubs, the community receives $16.42 worth ofpositive economic impact.

The study concludes that, “This tremendous rate of return isa testament to the vital role the Clubs play in shaping the lives andfutures of Club members and their parents.”

“As a not-for-profit health plan, Blue Shield of California is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubof the West Valley,” said Ronda Wilkin, Manager, Corporate Community Relations. “The economicimpact shown in this report demonstrates the value and importance of our continued investment inour community’s youth.”

Additionally, the study highlighted some of the West Valley Club’s intangible benefits to youngpeople and the community.

To download a PDF of the complete survey, visit www.wvbgc.org.

Thank You Vallarta Supermarkets

Sergio Gonzalez, Store DirectorVallarta Supermarkets #11

The organizing committee of the Día de losMuertos 2010 Festival, thanks all the merchantsand business owners in the community whoparticipated directly by their sponsorships anddonation of products and services.

We look forward to another successful eventnext year and the continuing participation ofall mechants along the business commercialdistrict of Old Town Center Canoga Park.

(L-R) Bill Watkins (Center for Economic Research & Forecasting at California Lutheran University), William Roberts(San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at CSU, Northridge), James Paulsen (Wells Capital Management),Marla Vasquez (Wells Fargo), Don St. Clair (Woodbury University) and Vance Peterson (CSU, Northridge)

Business leaders across the San Fernando Valley heard a keynote luncheon address from AEG Presidentand CEO Tim Leiweke during the Valley Industry and Commerce Association’s (VICA) 22nd Annual BusinessForecast Conference, October 28.

The VICA Business Forecast Conference helps business leaders prepare for the economic opportunities in theupcoming year and address the region’s most pressing public policy issues. This year’s theme was centered on:Launching California’s New Economy. An economic forecast breakfast kicked-off the day, followed by insightfulpanels addressing: November general election, healthcare, transportation, development, technology and changesin the media. The all-day event concluded with Leiweke’s luncheon keynote.

“The economists were mixed with their predictions for recovery, but William Roberts from CSUN wasoptimistic that the Valley would see economic improvements before the rest of the state. That prediction shouldbe reassuring to Valley business owners.” Said VICA President Stuart Waldman.

VICA 22nd ANNUAL BUSINESS FORECAST CONFERENCE


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].

The Valley Industry and Commerce Association’s (VICA) 61st Annual Meeting honored exceptionalVICA members while celebrating giving back to the community. Food baskets that served as luncheoncenterpieces (provided by Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market) were donated to Meet Each Needwith Dignity (MEND) and attendees brought more than 100 unwrapped toys that will be given tochildren who participate in programs provided by the West Valley Boys & Girls Club.

“It was important to VICA to give back to the community as we honored the contributions of ourmembers,” said VICA Chair Daymond Rice. “The Annual Meeting is always an exciting time to reflecton the accomplishments of the year and set goals for the year to come.”

Tim Mason, CEO of Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market, provided the keynote address duringthe luncheon. In addition to his role as CEO of Fresh and Easy, Mason is the director of Tesco PLC.

Mason shared with VICA members how the United Kingdom-based company is developing grocerystores across the world. He told attendees that families across the globe share the same challenge toeat healthy with busy schedules and the Fresh & Easy stores try to help meet their needs.

In addition to Mason’s speech, VICA presentedawards to some of the Valley’s notable businessleaders. Martin M. Cooper (CooperCommunications, Inc.) received the 17th AnnualHarmon Ballin Community Service Award andSharyn Quinn (L/B/W Insurance and FinancialServices) was the recipient of the 5th AnnualPresident’s Award. The 32nd Robert E. GibsonCorporate Award of Excellence was presented toWaste Management.

“This year’s honorees are excellent examplesof what it means to be effective leaders in ourcommunity,” said VICA President StuartWaldman. “VICA has grown into the success-ful organization that it is today because of thesupport of people like these awardees.”

VICA elected and installed its 2011 board ofdirectors and officers at the meeting. Rice beginshis second and final year as board chair.

The luncheon was presented by Pratt &Whitney Rocketdyne and held at the Airtel PlazaHotel in Van Nuys.

The mission of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) is to enhance the economic vitality of thegreater San Fernando Valley region by advocating for a better business climate and quality of life. Visitwww.vica.com for more information.

VICA Board Member Marla Vasquez (Wells Fargo), West Valley Boys & Girls Club CEO Jan Sobel, SharynQuinn (recipient of the 5th Annual President’s Award), Martin M. Cooper (recipient of the Harmon BallinCommunity Service Award), Kit Cole (representing Waste Management, the recipient of the 32nd Robert E.Gibson Corporate Award of Excellence) and Dean Mathew (Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne)

Martin M. Cooper accompanied by wife Barbara,displays Harmon Ballin Community Service Awardhe received at the VICA’s 61st Annual Meeting.

PHILANTHROPY WAS THE THEME OF VICA’S 61ST ANNUAL MEETINGFeatures Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason, honors outstanding members

The Growth CoachHow to Set Up a Strategic Retreat for Your BusinessBy Jonathan Goldhill and Daniel M. Murphy

Retreats are useful when developing yourstrategic plan or marketing or business plan,working through conflicts on your managementteam or team building and the like.

I facilitated a strategic retreat for the ownersand managers of a middle market manufacturingcompany last month. The retreat was successfulbecause we followed some fundamentalapproaches that consistently work to delivera great result.

What did we do to deliver a great result? Whywas it a success? Let’s review what we did.

To create a retreat that is both fun and focused,you need to get your entire team involved. Wheneveryone’s engaged, it is easier to agree on andset goals. Use the retreat to conduct a SWOT(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats)analysis if it’s been awhile since you’ve done that.Even if you have done this exercise recently, youmust all demonstrate that you are in alignment(agreement) over the vision and direction of thecompany based on the SWOT analysis.

A best practice is setting annual goals and thengetting on a 90 day cycle to gather your team andhold your people accountable for the agreed-uponresults. This implementation process is just asimportant as the goals. In our case, we set 90 daygoals and we will get together every 90 days todevelop the next quarter’s goals.

The critical success factor here is to select afew key strategies and implement them really well.Success is more about execution than anythingelse. Don’t tolerate excuses; insist on executionand results. Focus on the vital few instead of thetrivial many. Energy focused on a few highly

important goals is powerful and effective.

Ideally, we are setting goals to achievesignificant improvements in performance orprocesses. We are talking about big and boldgoals—goals on steroids. Being innovativeand think big will get everyone excited andchallenged to go for breakthroughs, not mereincremental gains.

Realize there are no rules or restrictions.As long as what you do is moral, legal, andethical, do not be shackled by company historyor industry standards or practices. In short, killthe “we have always done it this way” mentality.Shake habitual thinking patterns. Performancegoals, at a minimum, should be set in the criticalsuccess areas: leadership, business systemiza-tion, marketing, selling, operations (fulfillment),customer service, and back-office operations.In fact, your annual business plan could benothing more than 3-5 monster-size goals ineach one of these key areas.

Once you have your goals established, assign aperson to champion each cause. Give each personthe authority, time, and tools to make thingshappen. On a 90-day cycle, hold each personaccountable for progress on his or her goal(s).

These audacious, challenging, and adrenalin-inducing goals should be SMART (Specific,Measurable, Aggressive, Realistic, and Timed).Force your people to stretch. What gets measuredgets done. What gets rewarded gets repeated.As a leader, insist on aggressive implementation,follow-up, follow-through, and results. Intentionsand plans are mostly meaningless; implementa-tion is where success is found.

Nothing great has ever been achieved withoutstrategy. Strategy is what builds skyscrapers,wins super bowls, launches space shuttles andputs companies on the Fortune 500 list. Yet ifyou were to ask many business owners to definestrategy, they would fall short of being able totell you what it means. The word probably existsas one of the most misunderstood words inbusiness language.

Wikipedia defines strategy as a long term planof action used to achieve a particular goal, mostoften “winning.” Strategic planning (Wikipediadefines) is an organization's process of definingits strategy, or direction, and making decisionson allocating its resources to pursue this strate-gy, including its capital and people. Variousbusiness analysis techniques can be used instrategic planning such as a SWOT and PESTanalysis and other tools used by professionalslike ourselves who are engaged in strategicplanning, facilitation, consulting, coaching, etc.

Strategic planning should be involved in everyaspect of your company’s growth if growth is totake place in a way that’s quick and painless.We’ve all heard that those who fail to plan,plan to fail. Planning is important, but having aclear and simple plan is even more important!

Some companies operate with multiple plansin place while some others may have no plan inplace. While most companies have no writtenplan in place. But, how many of those plans arewell thought out? When you run your businessin a more abstract manner, expecting the“unsaid” to be understood, you don’t move in alinear, targeted direction toward your goal. As aresult, you land into what I call the pitfalls ofstrategic planning.

Having a well defined process for conductingyour strategic planning is important. Do youhave one?

How to take Strategy and Turn it into ResultsClarifying and communicating the vision for

the company is important. Also, setting the goalsfor next year and defining the strategies and tac-tics to support the achievement of those goals isimportant.

When you’ve successfully accomplished this,your strategic plan is complete. But, now it’s timeto execute them. Our research says organizationsachieve only 60% of their strategies and thatfully 50% of all projects fail to achieve theirobjectives.

So, what are the pitfalls that can occur instrategic planning? Here are 5 “traps” among15-20 we’ve identified that can occur and howto avoid each.

1) People don’t exactly understand the plan andall the details so they begin to make it up andadd their own pieces of input due to lack ofunderstanding, poor alignment and littleaccountability to the plan.

How to avoid: Leave no stone unturned inthe communication process. Test your teamto make sure that your message is receivedwell and understood from management tostaff. Some people are more visual. Some aremore auditory. Test their understanding of thestrategic plan in ways that can reach all typesof employees. Meet regularly to review theplan and discuss what’s holding us back fromsuccessful execution of it.

2) People start to fight over power of who’s incharge of what in an almost “survival of thefittest” fashion or mentality.

How to avoid: Spell out exactly who’s incharge of each initiative and for how long.Clearly indicate that they are the initiativechampion and get others enrolled on theirteam to work on that project. Define the

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

See The Growth Coach on Page 13

Northridge Cancer Center

With their façade grant, Northridge HospitalMedical Center adorned the entrance of their

recently expanded Cancer Center by buildinga beautiful mosaic and a structural platform todisplay a sculpture.

Shercor Center

Once a vacant, fenced-off eye sore, the ShercorCenter located in Reseda now boasts a freshlypainted exterior, coordinated trim and awnings.

The graffiti-covered windows were replaced byclean and bright storefronts that house numerousneighborhood-serving businesses such as anoptometrist and yogurt shop


Reseda Pool Replacement

The Reseda Park Swimming Pool Replacementproject will replace the existing swimming poolat Reseda Park. The Pool Replacement projectwill make it possible for youth to participate insummer aquatic sports in Reseda as LanarkPark does in Canoga Park, following its replace-ment in the summer of 2006. Construction isprojected to begin in spring 2011.

Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles Year-End ReviewDespite the bumpy economy, CRA/LA forged ahead in 2010 continuing to invest in the communities it serves. Exciting events and accomplishments were celebrated with our many community partners

over the course of the year. From our revised West Valley Façade Improvement Grant Program to the ground-breaking ceremony of the Child Development Institute and the 10th Annual Día de los MuertosFestival—2010 has been a year to remember!

Dennis P. Zine Community Center

In early spring, community members and dignitaries celebrated the Grand Opening of the 12,000square foot Dennis P. Zine Community Center in Canoga Park. Housing a multitude of serviceproviders, the center serves as a hub for educational, civic, and cultural activities.

Child DevelopmentInstitute Center(Former Canoga ParkLibrary)

The ground-breakingevent of the new ChildDevelopment InstituteCenter “Together We Grow”

took place this fall, amongst excited dignitaries,community leaders and philanthropists.Construction has commenced with a projectedopening to take place in spring 2011.

West Valley Façade ImprovementGrant Program

This business friendly program offersconditional grants to local business tenantsand property owners to improve their store-fronts. The program’s success in helping avariety of businesses is exemplified in thecaptions below.

Sherman Village Wins Tax Credits

In a highly competitive bid for tax credits, Sherman Village, the affordable housing developmentto be located on the corner of Sherman Way and Wilbur in Reseda, was the only LA City winner inits category.

As the winner, Sherman Village will receive approximately $1.2 million in federal tax credits.This represents an important milestone in moving the project forward.

Dia de los Muertos Festival

On Sunday, November 7th more than 15,000people from throughout the greater Los Angelesarea convened in the downtown business districtof Canoga Park to take part in the 10th AnnualDia de los Muertos Festival. The festival ishosted by Main Street Canoga Park in partner-ship with CRA/LA, Councilman Zine and manycommunity groups such as the Canoga ParkImprovement Association and the CanogaPark/West Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Main Street Canoga Park Farmers’Market Grand Opening

The much-anticipated Main Street Canoga ParkFarmers’ Market, hosted by Main Street CanogaPark and sponsored by the CRA/LA, celebratedits grand opening event in April. The markettakes place each Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.on Owensmouth Street between Sherman Wayand Wyandotte Street.

CRA/LA West Valley Regional Office18107 Sherman Way, Suite 100Reseda, CA 91335T 818.708.5844 F 818.344.2425www.crala.org


Against the backdrop of civil unrest in1960, the special visit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Canoga ParkHigh School 50 years ago, takes special historical significance. The recent visit of a direct relative of MLK, hisniece, Dr. Alveda King, to participate in the celebration of that historic day, was an honor to the West Valleyand the individuals and organizations that were instrumental in inviting her as the keynote speaker.

While researching the reason for the original visit of Dr. King to Canoga High, information revealed someimportant facts. “What started out with a tiny, black woman refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama

wound up changing the very fabric of this country.The movement Rosa Parks unwittingly sparkedbecause her feet were tired also spawned two ofthe greatest leaders this country has ever known.Ironically, they only met one time despite years ofwaging the same battle — yet neither could haveexisted without the other.

When four young men walked into a MemphisWoolworth’s, sat down at the lunch counter andrefused to leave until they were served, the CivilRights movement as we know it today was born.A wave of protests quickly sprang up throughout theSouth, led primarily by the black southern churchleadership. Because of his charisma and eloquence,Martin Luther King, Jr. emerged as the voice ofthe Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

While King organized and mobilized students, share-croppers and ordinary citizens to rally to the causeof racial harmony, other anxious organizers beganto move away from King’s message of non-violence.”

The keywords that have emerged from the preceding paragraphs are church leadership and students—thepossible connection to that historic visit to the San Fernando Valley 50 years ago.

According to the Woodland Hills Community Church (WHCC), on the morning of January 15, 1961, Dr. Kingpreached twice at their pulpit — delivering a sermon titled Three Dimensions of a Complete Life. That afternoonDr. King followed with an appearance at Canoga ParkHigh School where he delivered a speech calledThe Future of Integration. Dr. King’s visit was madepossible due to the work of WHCC’s pastor at thetime, Rev. Dr. Fred Doty.

For the celebration that took place on Monday,December 13, 2010, Keith Burkes, CommunityRelations Specialist for Everest College in Reseda,reached out to Dr. Alvida King in Atlanta, Georgia toextend the invitation. “I made the call and sheanswered the phone.” Said Burkes with a smile. Heworked with Kenn Phillips of The Valley EconomicAlliance to make the necessary arrangements andcoordinate her appearance at the various eventsplanned for this special day celebration. A privatesmall reception—hosted by the Warner CenterMarriott Hotel—was held later that evening, whereinvited guests and the media had the opportunity tolisten to Dr. Alvida King and ask some questions.

When Ed Crowe, publisher of the West Valley Newsasked, “How close do you think we have come as anation to realize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream?”She replied, “we have come far but there is still workthat needs to be done.” What do we need to do at thecommunity level to carry on his legacy of civil rightsand equality? Crowe asked. “Any change begins withourselves. But we must also work with our youth toempower them with education and guidance.”King added. Earlier that day, during her keynote presentation at Canoga High School, she asked the students inthe auditorium: WHO ARE YOU TODAY? • Where are you going? • How will you get there? • What’s next afteryou arrive? • Do you have a plan? • Did you “write the vision?” • Is your vision plain and clear? • Do youhave an anchor? Certainly plenty of food for thought for all the young minds present.

Student had the opportunity to interview Dr. Alvida King and were invited to write an essay. The best twoessays will be selected for publication in the L.A. Daily News.

Meanwhile, the WHCC, in order to commemorate the occasion, worked with community partners includingCanoga Park High School, the Courage Campaign, the Valley Interfaith Council, Progressive Christians Unitingand Topanga Mountain School to create a weeklong celebration of this historic event. To learn more detailsabout the planned WHCC events, visit http://www.whccucc.com/pages.asp?pageid=103141

50th Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’sAppearance at Canoga High School

Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. was the keynote speaker at the morning celebratory eventorganized at Canoga Park High School on Monday, December 13, 2010.

Dr. Alvida King and Kenn Phillip, Director of Workforce andEducation Investment of The Valley Economic Alliance.

Dr. Alvida King and Keith Burks, Community RelationsSpecialist for Everest College in Reseda and President ofNIA Productions. Burkes was instrumental in arrangingfor Dr. King’s visit to the San Fernando Valley.

Ed Crowe / West Valley News

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

A Rental Connection, Arthur Murray Studios, Auto Gallery, Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce,Chaminade College Preparatory, Clumek/Stern/Schenkelberg & Getzoff, Crowe Marketing Design/West Valley News,Daily News, Dance Dimension Performing Arts Center, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Frank Barbarino/FB Productions,

Gary M. Thomas, Gelb Group, Hilton Woodland Hills, Holiday Inn Woodland Hills, Howard Sommers Towing, Inc.,Jim Brammer Photography, Keyes Automotive, Marriott Warner Center, Merchants Building Maintenance, Merryvale Wineries,

Mix Entertainment and Productions, Providence/Tarzana Medical Center, PSC, Santen Family, Sodexo,Vista Automotive Family, Wells Fargo, Wendy’s Restaurant, Westfield Topanga & Promenade, Councilman Dennis P. Zine.

The Topanga Boosters Board of Directors and Event Organizing Committeewww.topangaboosters.org

www.Jim Brammer.com 818.344.0671

WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST?


Anecdotes, Interviews,Bits & Pieces aboutWest Valley History.

Sponsored by Robbi & Rickey Gelb

818.883.3374 www.crowemarketingdesign.comHelping Small Valley Businesses Increase Sales and Prosper

ADVERTISING DESIGN / MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS / NEW MEDIA

Olympian Rafer Johnson Named2010 Fernando Award Recipient

Rafer Johnson, already a Legend of the Valley, joins an elite group of Fernando Award recipients who havebeen honored since 1959. This Fernado Award, symbolizing leadership, volunteerism and dedication, is thehighest honor that can be bestowed upon a San Fernando Valley citizen.

An Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson has been involved with scores of charities. However, heis most passionate about Special Olympics Southern California, which he founded in 1969. Rafer’s involvementin Special Olympics began the year before, when he attended the first Special Olympics competition, conductedby Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. What started with a handful of athletes has now grownto more than 13,000 athletes in Southern California, and Rafer’s commitment to persons with intellectualdisabilities has been unwavering for more than 40 years. He is a resident of Sherman Oaks and has beenmarried to Betsy Johnson for nearly 40 years. She is a long time educator, a community service organizer,and a diversity advocate. They have two children, Jennifer and Josh.

Johnson the Olympian Athlete

Rafer Johnson (born 1935) was an outstandingall-around athlete, as proven by his record-breakingwin of the Olympic gold medal for the decathlon atthe 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy. The decathlonwinner, according to tradition, is regarded as the bestall-around athlete in the world.

As captain of the American Olympic Team, he borethe U.S. flag proudly in the opening ceremonies ofthe games that year and was the first African Americanto assume that special honor. He spent many yearsbefore and after his Olympic triumph spreading themessage of peace as an international ambassadorof goodwill, and in 1984 he received the distinctive

honor of lighting the Olympic flame at the games in Los Angeles, California.

Hard Road to Olympic Gold

A serious car accident in 1959 resulted in damage to Johnson’s spinal cord and lower back and caused himto miss both the AAU decathlon and the Pan Am games that year. After seven months of painful recuperation,Johnson began jogging. Slowly he resumed running and sprinting training. One month prior to the 1960Olympic trials at the AAU decathlon in Eugene, Oregon, Johnson accelerated his recuperative retrainingschedule to include jumps. Again in 1960, as in 1956, Johnson qualified for the Olympic team. He went tothe games in Rome, Italy, as captain of the U.S. team and carried the American flag at the opening ceremonies.It was a poignant moment for Johnson, as he was the first African American in the history of the modernOlympics to receive that honor.

Following his Olympic gold medal victory, he received the Associated Press Athlete of the Year award, theCalifornia Athlete of the Year Award for the second time, and endless other citations. His life was documentedwith Mike Wallace who narrated a television special produced by David L. Wolper, and Johnson also appearedon This Is Your Life. Years later, Johnson's childhood home of Kingsburg named a junior high school after him.He was touched by the hoopla and noted in his autobiography that, “If a gold medalist today were to receive asmuch attention as I had for six straight years, he would already be a wealthy man.”

Rafer Johnson received the Fernando Award Plaque from Board President Lynn Rinker at the 52nd AnnualFernando Award Finalist Dinner.

Harvey Branman / Photography As An Art

Ross Porter presents video Tribute to Rafer Johnson at theFernando Recognition Dinner at the Woodland HillsCountry Club on December 2, 2010.

The Mayor also announced at the pressconference that a special team of holiday trafficcontrol officers will be deployed to relieve andcontrol traffic congestion at and around theCity’s most heavily congested intersectionsand shopping centers. This initiative will alsoserve to provide safety for holiday shoppers,pedestrians and travelers during this holidayseason.

To further encourage Angelenos to shopwithin the City of Los Angeles, just last week,the Mayor’s Shop LA Program and the LosAngeles Federal Credit Union rolled out a discounted financing program for people who buyvehicles from dealerships located in Los Angeles.

The Shop LA discount provides a special half-percent off LAFCU’s regular new and used vehiclerates that can save hundreds of dollars in finance charges. LAFCU rates for a new vehicle are nowas low as 1.99% for qualified borrowers and potential car buyers can save even more when they

combine LAFCU’s low rates with dealer incen-tives provided through Shop LA’sparticipating vehicle dealers.

Auto dealerships are the single largestcontributor of sales tax to the City’s economy.Currently, LA has 54 automobile dealers thatgenerate 3.3 billion dollars in sales every yearfor the City and pay 271 million dollars everyyear to the City in taxes.

For more information about how to supportlocal businesses and City services through theShop LA program, go to www.shoplacity.com.

Westfield shopLA Kick offContinued from Page 1

See Plympian Rafer Johnson on Page 13

The streets of the business improvement district of the community of Reseda is lit up and readyfor the holidays thanks to the efforts of community leaders and the great support they received.“We covered the costs of installing/removing the decorations through community participation.”Said Nancy Sweeney, president and founder of Revitalize Reseda.

In 2006 and 2007 the Reseda Neighborhood Councilpurchased 60 lit holiday trees for display in the down-town business district each year from mid Novemberuntil right after the New Year. In recent years the ResedaNeighborhood Council paid for their installation/removalcosts. This year Revitalize Reseda and the ResedaNeighborhood Council reached out to individuals andbusinesses in the community to cover costs, due tobudget cuts in the Neighborhood Council funding pro-gram. It was a very successful campaign.

Holiday trees displayed in the downtown business district.

PAGE 10 West Valley News Volume 6 Number 9 2010

Reseda Feeds the HungryRevitalize Reseda hosted its 4th Annual Food Bank Drive this past month to benefit those who

have fallen upon tough times in our community this holiday season. The drive harvested 4,175 lbs.of non-perishable food, along with 106 turkeys for our local food pantry. Special thanks go out toCouncilman Zine and the Reseda Neighborhood Council that combined with community donationsmade it possible to purchase the turkeys. Non-perishable food and canned goods were collected bythe Reseda Neighborhood Council, Councilman Zine's office, American Legion Post #308, the WestValley YMCA, City of Los Angeles Van Nuys Planning Department, Magnolia Science Academy1 and 2, Reseda High Cadets, Reseda High AVID Program, Cleveland California Student Federation,Lokrantz School, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, The Lindley Church, TherapeuticLiving Center for the Blind, Boy Scout Troop #101, Zdenek Eye Center, Superior Pool Products,Kingswood Apts., Sherman Court Apts., Sherman Way Townhomes, Dos Hermanas, and manyindividual neighborhood watch groups, who partnered with Revitalize Reseda to make this projecta tremendous success!

The Shops at Vallarta above is Gelb Group’s newest property. Completed in 2010, this retailcenter features 16 brand new units for your mom and pop business. Located adjacent to theVallarta Supermarket, this center encourages one-stop shopping for a bustling neighborhood.Units 2, 3, 4, and 6 are available for leasing.

Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4

This new construction units are a blank canvasawaiting your business. 617 square feet of retailspace and a restroom.

Stats

Area: 617 square feetLease type: Triple NetRate: $2.50 / square foot / month plus triple netRent: $1542.50 per month plus NNN

Unit 6

The smallest of our available units: 483 squarefeet of retail space and a restroom. This unit alsohas a back door.

Stats

Area: 483 square feetLease type: Triple NetRate: $2.50 / square foot / month plus triple netRent: $1207.50 per month plus NNN

For Leasing Informationcall 818.377.2277 or visitwww.gelbgroup.com

A community working together to make a difference

The students and teachers have again beenrecognized. Since NEW Academy Canoga Park openits doors in September of 2005, due to school widecooperation from parents, students and teachers theyhave earned 1st place in Assemblyperson LloydLevine’s Fit and Fun Challenge in 2006 and 2007 andthe Governor's Challenge Fitness Award. Moreover,the 3rd grade team of teachers won Finalist for theTime Warner Teacher of the Year award in 2008.

Furthermore, the students have participated incommunity events such as EI Día de Los Muertos,St. Patrick Irish festivities, and activities sponsoredby the Optimist Club and the Kiwanis Club.

One of the many dedicated and talented teachersat NEW Academy, Mrs. Genein Letford, has beenselected as a top finalist for the Great AmericanTeacher Awards by the Ron Clark Academy. Thisteacher, a Bravo award finalist in 2010, was selectedby a panel of nationally renowned educators. She willparticipate, with all expenses paid, in the Ron ClarkGreat American Awards Gala and Conference on

Another Award for NEW Academy Canoga Park

Community activist Mary McMannes receivescertificate of recognition from RNC and RR.

See’s Candy is recognized for the generous donationtowards the holiday displays.

Reseda Neighborhood Council Chairman Cary Iaccino, Reseda Senior Lead Officer Isela Parra, RevitalizeReseda President Nancy Sweeney, and Councilman Dennis Zine durinng the 4th Annual Food Bank Drive.

See Genein Letford on Page 11

Wine & Food Pairingsoffered by

French Chef "Charlie"6:30- 9:00 pm Every Friday & Saturday

Reservations required($45 per person inclusive)

SAMPLE WINE LISTWine tasting includes 4 flights of wines (2oz. each flight)

Chateau des Matards 2006, Cotes de Blaye.Sauvignon Blanc

Macon-Vinzelles 2008, Bourgogne.Chardonnay

Beaujolais Nouveaux 2010.Gamay

Mas Gabinele 2000, Faugeres.Syra

Holiday Gifts Galore!We've liquidated the old and brought in the new!French decor, jewelry, our famous candles,

scarves, decorative bottles, soaps,and customized gift baskets

23130 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307818-610-3228

www.hiddenchateau.com


BUSINESS IDENTITY (Logos & Trademarks)

MARKETING & CAPABILITIES BROCHURES

ADS & PRODUCT CATALOGS

NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS

PRESS KITS & ADVERTISING COLLATERAL

PACKAGING DESIGN

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT MANAGEMENT CROWE VALUE DOLLARS

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT DELIVER BOTTOM LINE RESULTS

CALL ED CROWE!

818.883.3374

HERE’S YOUR ECONOMIC INCENTIVE $100 OFF

If you were waiting for the right time to do your next marketing projectNOW IS THE TIME! Get $100 OFF on jobs estimated at $750 or more.

COOKING CLASSES

Main Street Canoga Park

Farmers’ MarketMAKE IT A HABIT

Every Saturday 9AM-1PMOwensmouth north of Sherman Way

What’s a Triple Net LeaseA triple net lease is only one of many commercial

leasing options. In a gross lease, the lessee pays rentwhile the landlord takes care of everything else. Mostpeople who rent their homes are familiar with theterms of a gross lease, as this type of lease is com-monly used for residential properties. In a double netlease, the landlord assumes some of the costs ofproperty upkeep. In a double net lease, landlordscommonly cover parking, heating and cooling sys-tems, and the structural integrity of the building.

The triple net lease is sometimes called a true netlease, because the landlord usually has no responsi-bilities related to building upkeep. For this reason,many commercial landlords favor triple net leasingoptions. The building can generate a high level ofincome while the tenant keeps it in good condition,generally making improvements as well. The tenanthas many of the advantages of ownership, includingcontrol over the property, without the substantial capi-tal investment that a new acquisition represents.

A triple net lease can be risky for a landlord. Sometenants may not be able to pay fees, or may allow thebuilding to fall into disrepair. In extreme cases, a ten-ant may deliberately damage a building to collectinsurance money. For this reason, some triple netleases include a reserve fund. The tenant makes regu-lar payments into the reserve fund, which can be usedto cover essential repairs in the event of emergency.

A triple net lease is individualized to the tenant andlessor. The terms of the contract may contain restric-tions and stipulations to protect both parties. In someinstances, for example, the terms of the lease mayinclude a cap on total property taxes to be paid by thetenant. If the property taxes rise above a certainamount, the landlord will be responsible for coveringthe remainder. Protections may also be built in tocope with rising insurance rates or unexpected main-tenance costs.

When considering lease options as a landlord ortenant, the full terms of the lease should always beread before committing. In the caseof a triple net lease, make sure that all the terms areclear and agreed upon by both parties. Consulting alawyer who specializes in realestate is an excellent idea.

November 18th through the 21st in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mrs. Letford, one of the five finalists, creativelyintegrates her music classes with the social sciencesand language arts. This writer observed her class asthey listened to a Korean, singer. The teacher andstudents learned the Korean words for the song,discussed why the singer was singing the sad andtragic lyrics, reviewed on the map of South Korea thearea where the singer lived and then the studentswent to get their recorders and brass instrumentsto learn to play the song.

Several displays on the classroom walls, like MusicAround the World and the Musician of the Month,underscore the fact that the students are not justlearning to play an instrument, but they are learningthe culture of the artists.

The students, parents, and teachers are proud ofthe national recognition NEW Academy Canoga Parkis receiving through the excellent teaching ofMrs. Letford.

Jazz and a Crescent MoonIt was one of those nights when someone passing through the canyon says to himself,

“I want to live here.” That usually comes about when the Valley’s too hot and the ocean toofoggy and Topanga exists in weather of its own, remembering the cool of winter butanticipating summer.

But it wasn’t just the meteorological biome that made the night special. I don’t even recallwhat the temperature was, actually, only that we wore light jackets and weren’t too cold or toowarm. What intrigued me was all of it put together, Topanga, a non-intrusive crescent moonand jazz.

It was one of those moments you remember in some detail even though you might forgetyour cat’s name and your wife’s birthday. You walk into a place, the Canyon Bistro in this case,and there’s a guy in the corner riffing on an electric guitar making magic to an almost emptyoutdoor seating area.

That’s what we walked into the other night at the Bistro, and I have to tell you that I got intoa mellow mood real fast listening to him. Jazz is the kind of music that talks to you and I washearing it say let go, relax, soar with the sound to a place you’ve never been on a night thatnever was.

The man doing all this to me on this perfect night was a jazz guitarist who calls himselfEdwing. He was sitting on the floor against a wall impassively plucking at the instrument, itsecho lingering over a small Wednesday night crowd as friends at a nearby table listened withthe kind of attentiveness just naturally paid to a master. One of the friends was Yvonne Butler,a woman in a bright yellow, wide brimmed summer hat and yellow summer smock, a vocalistwho has sung with the Edwing Trio, and who sang on this night.

We came in a group—my wife, Cinelli, and two daughters, Cindy and Linda—to have dinnerand weren’t anticipating music with the food and good wine. Larry Cohn’s dinners stand aloneas far as I’m concerned and we go there often. But I’ve never been there on a jazz night. It wasan added incentive to mellow out and be transported to one of those mystical places of memorythat jazz can evoke.

I was listening to Edwing riff idly but intensively which is where all bravura performancesare born, with both ease and concentration that transcends the moment, making it special.He suddenly seemed to pull away from wandering through the chords and began playing“As Time Goes By.” If there’s one piece of music in the world that will carry me through athousand memories, it’s that one. I can get positively dreamy listening to it and rememberinga rainy night in San Francisco when Cinelli and I were young and the future was unrollinglike a scroll of time.

Edwing played other pieces that evening, like “Misty” and “The More I See You,” as thelast of the heavy traffic faded on the boulevard, leaving the night to music, but it was “AsTime Goes By” that got to me. That stormy night in San Francisco found us in a club calledBlackhawk awaiting the arrival of Billie Holiday. She didn’t show up when she was supposedto and the place was almost empty when she finally did. Only Cinelli and I and a couple offriends were hanging in there listening to Cal Tjader on vibes filling in.

Finally, like two hours late, Holiday wandered in through a side door half stoned, her hair andclothing damp. One could only guess what she’d been doing. She didn’t say a word, but juststood at the mike and began singing like a little girl in pain, which maybe she was. She sangsteadily for what seemed like half of the remaining night, but it was the tune from “Casablanca”that remains all these years later, evoking perfect visions of the City long ago.

So I want to thank Larry Cohn for having Edwing and Butler at the Bistro,he graying and pony tailed, she in dazzling yellow. They provided thestimulus to lose myself for a moment under the stars, with music as sweetas honey in hot tea and that silly little crescent moon shining bravely in awindless Topanga sky.

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


Genein LetfordContinued from Page 10

CHiPs for Kids Toy DriveCOUNCIL DISTRICT 3. On Wednesday, December 8th, Councilman

Zine joined forces with Walgreens Store Manager Jerry Pira, CaliforniaHighway Patrol Officer Leland Tang, and CBS2/KCAL9’s Suraya Fadel atthe Walgreens on Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park to promotethe annual CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive. Toys were collected by Walgreensemployees and community volunteers to be distributed to children andorganizations throughout the Valley who would otherwise not receivepresents for the holidays. As a major sponsor of the toy drive,CBS2/KCAL9 broadcasted from the Canoga Park Walgreens and fromseveral other drop-off locations across the southland. A special thanks

to Walgreens Store Manager, Jerry Pira, for coordinating the toy drive at the Canoga Park store.The toy drive campaign will continue through December 24th. For information on toy drop-offlocations, visit http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2010/11/26/chips-for-kids/.

West Valley News. We Deliver. Call 818.883.3374COMMUNITY ADVERTISING AT AFFORDABLE RATES.

CALABASAS / CANOGA PARK / CHATSWORTH / RESEDA TARZANA / WEST HILLS / WINNETKA / WOODLAND HILLS

PAGE 12 West Valley News Volume 6 Number 9 2010

MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON FROM…

Providing Constituent Services to Valley Veteransand Other Valley ResidentsMy primary responsibility is serving the people of the San Fernando

Valley. Our celebration of Veterans Day last month was a reminder of thespecial debt that we owe to those in our community who have servedin uniform. Our military pledges to “leave no soldier behind” on thebattlefield. In Congress, we must “leave no veteran behind” when they

return home from service. Our veterans deserve additional assistance re-integrating into the workforcewhen they return from active duty, and I want to do everything I can to keep our promises to veterans.

My staff and I regularly assist veterans who need help with VA disability benefits, veterans’ andsurvivors’ pensions, VA medical services, burial benefits, obtaining and correcting military records,and awarding overdue or lost military service medals.

For example, Esther Gaudenti’s husband was a veteran who received a Purple Heart, and she hadbeen receiving survivor’s benefits from the VA since his death. When she required 24-hour care in2008, her son applied for an increase in her benefit amount based on increased medical expenses.When this application stalled in the VA bureaucracy, Esther’s son contacted my office. We helpedmove the claim forward and, in 2009, Esther was awarded increased benefits, including a retroactivepayment.

Of course, my office is dedicated to solving problems for all local residents and businesses thatare dealing with federal agencies. While my staff and I cannot order a federal agency to decide amatter in your favor, we usually can help you get a prompt response. Specifically, we can assist byhelping to determine which health care services are eligible for Medicare coverage and assist withreimbursement difficulties. We can provide information about various Social Security programs;including retirement and survivor benefits, disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI),and we can help resolve problems with the Social Security Administration.

Similarly, my office can help businesses by providing information about the Small BusinessAdministration (SBA) loan programs and seminars, and about opportunities to sell goods andservices to the U.S. Government. We may also be able help obtain assistance from federal agencieswhich promote U.S. exports.

In addition, my office may be able to help with appointments to military academies, visas andnaturalization, IRS problems, passports, student financial aid, and postal service issues.

Finally, both my Washington and Valley offices offer unpaid internship positions for students whoare interested in government. If you are visiting Washington, DC, my staff can help you with ticketsfor tours of the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court and other important Washington sites.

For more information, please visit my website, www.BradSherman.house.gov, or email me [email protected].

I look forward to continuing to serve you in the U.S. House of Representatives and hope that youwill not hesitate to share any questions or opinions you may have about any issues facing Congress.

Congressman Brad Sherman represents roughly half of the San Fernando Valley.

Committee Assignments Reflect Blumenfield’sLeadership in State AssemblySACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) solidified his

position as a leader on budget issues in the State Legislature today when renamed Chair of theAssembly Budget Committee, appointed Chair of the newly-created Budget Subcommittee onBudget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation, and named a member of the Committee on

Appropriations.

“We need to reform and restructure California,” said Blumenfield.“Our budget challenges are so great that we are past a simple debateabout cuts and taxes. I will hold bureaucracy accountable, squeezemore efficiency into our spending, and focus our budget on job creationto ensure that our government works for the people. I am honored tohave this opportunity to serve my fellow Californians The challengeswe face together are an opportunity to fundamentally change our statefor the better.”

Reflecting Blumenfield’s commitment to improving the economyand quality of life in the San Fernando Valley, he will also serve onthe Committees on Transportation; Water, Parks, and Wildlife; and

Government Organization. He is also the first Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee to everserve simultaneously on the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which analyzes the costs ofall policy bills under the Legislature’s consideration.

“My commitment to restructure California includes restructuring how financial decisions are madeand monitored in the Legislature,” added Blumenfield. “By working on both committees that shapeour state’s finances, I will integrate and improve decision-making about how our limited budgetdollars are spent.”

For further information about Assemblymember Blumenfield, please visit his website athttp://www.assembly.ca.gov/blumenfield.

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 wifeis the President of the Liberty Hill Foundation.

Canoga Ave. Orange Line ExtensionConstruction Update...COUNCIL DISTRICT 12. Metro announced a temporary street closure

this weekend on Lassen Street between Owensmouth St. and CanogaAve. due to construction work on the Canoga extension of the MetroOrange Line busway. The work was scheduled for Friday, Dec. 10 from8:00 pm to Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4:00 pm.

The work includes constructing the abutment walls and supportcolumns for the Lassen Street Overcrossing and excavating and drillingpile foundations to support the bridge.

Westbound traffic was detoured north on Canoga Ave., west on Devonshire and south on TopangaCanyon Blvd. Eastbound traffic was detoured north on Owensmouth Ave., east on Devonshire andsouth on Canoga Ave. There was no street parking on Lassen between Owensmouth and Canoga.The sidewalk on the south side of Lassen was closed for pedestrians. Access was maintained inand out of Remmet Ave. There were flaggers directing traffic in and out of the Chatsworth MobileHome Park.

Construction on the 4-mile dedicated busway is well underway, and is expected to be completein 2012. It will connect the endpoint of the Orange Line at Warner Center in Woodland Hills toChatsworth Depot Metrolink Station, greatly expanding the public transit options for residents ofthe Northwest Valley.

For more information about construction on the Orange Line Extension, [email protected] or visit www.metro.net/molextension or call (818) 701-2827.

A WORD FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Jessica Yas, named new West Valley Area Directorfor Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

An announcement was made early last month about thepromotion of Barri Worth to become Director of Advancefor Mayor Villaraigosa. “This is an exciting opportunitywhich will shift my focus to a Citywide approach, as Iwill be overseeing the planning of the Mayor’s eventsand public appearances around the City. Though I willbe taking on this new role, I will continue to serve as theMayor’s liaison with the Los Angeles Jewish community.”Said Worth.

The new West Valley Area Director for Mayor AntonioVillaraigosa is Jessica Yas. She comes to the Mayor’soffice with both government experience in the Valley aswell as non-profit experience. She will be working out ofthe Mayor’s Van Nuys Field Office.

Jessica YasWest Valley Area DirectorMayor Antonio Villaraigosa14410 Sylvan Street, Room #211Van Nuys, CA 91401(818) 778-4990 (phone)

P.O.S.S.E. (People Organizing Safe, Secure Environments)Is your alley being used as a dumping ground? Tired of signs littering your community? Is there graffiti in your neighborhood?Are you fed-up enough to do something about it?

Join Councilman Dennis P. Zine‘s Community POSSE. TAKE BACK YOUR COMMUNITY! Call my District Office at 818-756-8848

Ask Your Elected OfficialStarting with the January 2011 issue of the West Valley News, we will publish specific questions

directed to Federal, State, and City elected officials who represent your local districts in the WestSan Fernando Valley.

This publication will publish the answers to those specific questions in the following issue,provided the answers are submitted by the respective offices of the addressed elected officials.

Email questions to [email protected]. Comments of a partisan or derrogatory naturewill not be published.



Business Education/Workshops

MONSTER MARKETING MISTAKES and how they are hurting your business!Monster Marketing Mistakes may be hurting your business and costing you money! Find out if you

are making these mistakes in your business by bringing and discussing your marketing, advertisingand selling materials (business cards, flyers, website, advertisements and more) to an expert for his

comments and suggestions. Learn what to do and what not to do to growyour business. This highly interactive event is limited to only 20 attendees.

• Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 10:00 – 1:00 FREE

• Premier America Credit Union, 19867 Prairie St., ChatsworthBen Tenn has more than 35 years of business experience, with a focus onmarketing, sales and general management. He has been a corporate executiveat Disney and Activision and the co-owner of a $10 million small business. He hasbeen an independent business consultant since 1996 serving local and nationalsmall businesses, a successful presenter of marketing and sales seminars, acolumnist for the SFV Business Journal. He earned his MBA from UCLA.

Reservations required: visit www.cocsbdc.org and click on ‘Calendar.’Or call 661-362-5900 [email protected]. Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in.

LOW COST OR FREE WORKSHOPS BY VEDC

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

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

• Access to capital

• Basic legal structures of a business

• Marketing on limited budget

• Business record keeping

• QuickBooks

• Managing Employees

• Managing for profit and results

• E-Commerce

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

All VEDC workshops at:

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

Contact Lucero Montañez818-907-9922

[email protected]

For additional information about fees and locations, visit:

www.vedc.org

• How to start a new business

• How to write a business plan

• How to do business with the government

• Import / export fundamentals

• Finance & accounting

• Customer service

• Human resources

• Procurement assistance

HELPING ENTREPRENEURS SUCCESSFULLY START, BUILD AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS

Post-Olympic Years

During the months following the 1960 Olympics,Johnson's earlier inclination toward dentistry ebbed.He received numerous offers to play professionalfootball and basketball, but accepted instead a contractto make films with Twentieth Century Fox. Amonghis film credits, he appeared with Woody Strode inSergeant Rutledge and with Frank Sinatra in NoneBut the Brave. He appeared in films with Bob Hopeand Elvis Presley and in two Tarzan movies. Johnsonaccepted television roles on Dragnet, Six MillionDollar Man, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents and servedas commentator for NBC for the 1964 Olympics inTokyo, Japan. In the mid-1960s he anchored thesports news for the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles,and he appeared on Mission: Impossible and DanielBoone. He appeared in a staged documentary aboutblack pioneers for the Public Broadcasting System(PBS) called The Black Frontier and a subsequentPBS film called Soul Soldier, about the BuffaloSoldiers of the U.S. 10th Cavalry.

Later in the 1960s Johnson accepted a positionwith Continental Telephone as an affirmative actionconsultant out of Bakersfield, California. He rosethrough the executive ranks during the 1970s tobecome vice president of personnel.

Goodwill Ambassador

Also during the 1960s Johnson became affiliatedwith an international goodwill group called Peopleto People. After spending considerable effort inestablishing chapters of the group on collegecampuses nationwide, he settled into a post incharge of the organization’s West Coast office inLos Angeles, California. He worked also with youthprograms under the auspices of the California StateRecreation Commission.

In light of his celebrity status and because he wasan African American, he used the clout of his greatpopularity to further social causes, including fairhousing and equal opportunity in the entertainmentindustries. He worked with the Urban League, withthe NAACP, and with James Meredith's nationalvoters' mobilization of blacks in Mississippi in 1966.Additionally, he was affiliated with San FernandoValley Fair Housing Counsel, and the VoterRegistration Program.

When Johnson received the People to People Awardas Athlete of the Year following his gold-medal win inRome in 1960, he met the late U.S. attorney generalRobert F. Kennedy at the awards affair. A friendshipensued that spawned Johnson's involvement in anumber of Kennedy-sponsored public projects, amongthem the Peace Corps and the Special Olympics. In1968 Johnson served as an official delegate for theKennedy presidential ticket, although the honor turnedtragic on June 5, 1968 when Robert Kennedy wasassassinated following the California presidentialprimary. Johnson, who witnessed the murder firsthand,assisted in arresting the assassin's flight and retrievedthe murder weapon. He was a pallbearer at the funeraland testified at the murder trial. In the years thatfollowed, Johnson was a frequent escort to Kennedy'swidow for political junkets and other public affairs.

Johnson maintained many organizational affiliationsthroughout the 1970s and 1980s, including the Close-Up Foundation on which he served as a board member.He was involved with the Hershey Track and FieldYouth Program, the National Amateur SportsDevelopment Foundation, the National Recreationand Park Association, and the Athletic AdvisoryPanel of the U.S. State Department, as well as theAmerican Red Cross and others.

More Glory Days

On December 18, 1971, Johnson married Elizabeth"Betsy" Thorsen, a middle school teacher in OrangeCounty, California. The couple had two children:Jennifer, born in 1973; and Joshua, born in 1975.The family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, in1973.

Twenty-four years after his gold-medal victory,Johnson relived his Olympic glory days by runningthe final lap of the opening ceremonies relay andlighting the Olympic torch for the 1984 Olympics inLos Angeles, California. In 1990 he was elected tothe National High School Hall of Fame, and in 1992he received the Humanitarian Award from Free Artsfor Abused Children. In 2000 Johnson realized aunique dream, and what he called his greatest moment,when he watched his own daughter compete in theOlympic games in Sydney, Australia.

As a long time resident of Sherman Oaks, OlympianRafer Johnson can now add to his many accolades,the highest honor that can be bestowed upon aSan Fernando Valley citizen, the Fernando Award.

Congratulations!

Olympian Rafer JohnsonContinued from Page 9

power structure in such a way that powerwithin your strategy is never simply “up forgrabs”, shared or has no single person whois accountable for the outcome. Give atimeline for which the task is to be finishedby the person in charge.

3) People try to resolve conflict on their ownand often not doing so in way that’sconstructive. This leaves the strategy hungup in ill-emotion and unresolved conflict.

How to avoid: Create a conflict resolutionboard: when people are in conflict have themgo before or submit an email to explain thenature of the problem. The board should beable to create a solution to the problem thatis done within a window of three to fourhours. If the original board members areoccupied, have board alternates that are oncall for conflict resolution. If you are theowner and the sole board member extra careis required to judge fairly and reasonably.

4) People become discouraged because theylose focus as they see the goal as somethingseparate from their position or day-to-dayresponsibilities. They lose momentum andenthusiasm dealing with the tyranny ofeveryday priorities. And, lose sight of what’simportant in favor of what’s more urgent.After a long weekend or holiday, they comeback and forget what they were supposed tobe excited about.

How to avoid: Create weekly pep rallies toreignite old enthusiasm midweek. Draw

pictures of the overall goal. Let people seeit and understand what you’re working foragain and again. They have to take ownershipof the goal. The goal has to become part ofthem and something they will benefit from.

Reward people for reaching the goal.Hold people accountable for failing tofollow though.

5) Communication breaks down betweendepartments.

How to avoid: Communications workshopswithin your company can give insight intoourselves and the other people we workclosely with. Practice better communicationsskills that foster understanding between peo-ple. The most basic form of communicationexplains to your peers what you need. Theythen repeat back to you what they understoodyou saying. They then confirm or deny whatthey understood to be true. If you deny it,the process is then repeated until clarity isachieved.

Strategic planning is something that should becelebrated as a way of bringing people togetherto share in a common vision or goal. You aresimply creating a common language in whichthe whole team can understand. You are lookingfor your whole team to be on the same page.This way you can avoid the pitfalls that stopmost companies from even reading out of samebook in how to get where they want to go.Thinking strategically is a requirement to bea successful business owner.

The Growth CoachContinued from Page 6

WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST?

818.883.3374 www.crowemarketingdesign.comHelping Small Valley Businesses Increase Sales and Prosper

ADVERTISING DESIGN / MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS / NEW MEDIA

Roberto Barragan Named One of the 100Most Influential Hispanics of 2010Van Nuys, CA - Roberto Barragan, President and CEO of VEDC (Valley Economic Development

Center, Inc), has been named on Hispanic Business Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Hispanics of2010, Spotlight on Thought Leaders. The list is comprised of individuals who have promoted theadvancement of Hispanics in the United States by their leadership, community involvement and/orprofessional achievements and whose recent national impact inspires other Hispanics to similarendeavors. This year the list is contains outstanding professionals from a wide variety of interestsfrom big business, government, academia, the arts and entertainment.

Roberto Barragan was included in the 100 Most Influential Hispanics of 2010 list for his manyachievements and success in leading VEDC, the largest small business development non-profit inMetropolitan Los Angeles. The Hispanic Business Magazine reported that every year, VEDC servesmore than 6,000 businesses with financing, training and assistance. “In the past three years, RobertoBarragan has grown VEDC loan capital from $8 million to $29 million.” He is also credited withfounding the San Fernando Valley Financial Development Corporation and the PacoimaDevelopment Federal Credit Union.

“In 2010, the nation has realized that without small business growth and recovery, there is norecovery. And traditional financial institutions by themselves will not provide sufficient access tocapital for small business needs. Credit unions, community development financial institutions andother small business financial organizations backed up with the Small Business Administration muststep into the breach and provide capital where it is needed to support the saving and creating ofjobs. Together we can positively impact the high unemployment rate hurting our communities, andbring our economy back ,” said Roberto Barragan.

Roberto Barragan has over 23 years experience leading and managing non-profit organizations,See Roberto Barragan on Page 14


Madrid Theatre

Clyde Porter West Valley Playhouse

www.culturela.org/madridtheatre

2010 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 27Guys and Dolls / Jo Swerling Musical July 30 – Aug 29Steel Magnolias / Robert Harling Comedy/Drama Sept 24 – Oct 24Don’t Dress For Dinner / Mark Camoletti Comedy Nov 19 – Dec 19

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

www.whctheatre.com

Thurs., Fri., Sat. 8:00 pm, Sun. 2:30 pm

Closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 25-26

Ticket Prices are $25.00 Reg.

$23.00 Seniors and Students. Group Discounts are available.

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

__

Box Office: (818) 884-1907

Community News/Calendar

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

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

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

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

Welcome to “Spirit Speaks” Toastmasters

We invite you to attend one of our meetings. 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:

Sarah Marr, VP Membership (310) 962-5445Jacquelyn Guardado, VP PR (818) 570-2235

Judi Baumbach and Carolyn Cousin-Goldman are to becongratulated on achieving their DTM (DistinguishedToastmaster) designation. The highest recognition a memberof Toastmasters may receive.

Woodland Hills~Tarzana Chamber of Commerce

JANUARY

Wednesday, January 5, 7:00 AM to 9:00 AMBusiness Networking BreakfastSponsor: TBAWoodland Hills Country Club21150 Dumetz RoadRSVP REQUIRED by noon on Tuesday. Walk-Ins add$5No Jeans please at Breakfast Venue(818) 347-4737Members $20 One Time Trial Guest $20.There will be assigned seating.

Saturday, January 15, 6:00 PM-10:30 PMMardi Gras Theme~Dinner and DancingCostumes or Black Tie OptionalReception and Silent Auction 6:00 PM-7:30 PMDinner and Program 7:30 PMHilton Woodland Hills6360 Canoga Ave.Woodland Hills, CA 91367Individual Tickets $852 Tickets for $150RSVP Required by noon on Thursday, January 13th.

Wednesday, January 19, 11:30 AM – 1:15 PMBusiness Networking LuncheonSponsor: TBAWarner Center Marriott21850 Oxnard StreetRSVP REQUIRED by noon on Tuesday. Walk-Ins add$5(818) 347-4737Members $25, One Time Trial Guest $25

Wednesday, January 26, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Business Networking MixerAddress: TBARSVP REQUIRED by noon on Tuesday.(818) 347-4737Members $0 One Time Trial Guest $10

United Methodist Church

“Do you hear what I Hear?” Melodious voices aresinging... sleigh bells are ring-a-linging. These arethe sounds of the season that THE VALLEYHARMONETTES are bringing you on Sunday,December 19th, 3:00 P.M., at the United MethodistChurch, 5650 Shoup (at Collins), Woodland Hills.“HOLIDAY IN HARMONY” is a (non-sectarian) con-cert of seasonal songs for all to enjoy from classiccarols and beautiful ballads to up-beat calypsorhythms. You are cordially invited — admissionis free.

Donations to defray expenses are appreciated.Come share the holiday spirit with us.

Don’t Dress For Dinner is a stylishly converted French farmhouse, Bernard is hopingto entertain his chic, Parisian mistress, Suzy, for the weekend. He has arranged for acordon bleu cook to furnish the gourmet delights, is in the process of packing his wife,Jacqueline, off to her mother, and has even invited along his best friend Robert as asuitable alibi. It’s foolproof, what could possibly go wrong....? “...a nifty comedy farceabout double adultery and gourmet cooking. What better way of forgetting the recession.The Sunday Times

Adult Education Classes, SFVGet your GED or HS diploma. Upgrade your jobskills. Learn a new trade. New Culinary & ServeSafeCert. Classes, ESL, Sat. classes. For informationor to enroll, call Hughes Education & Career Center,818-587-4335, El Camino Real Comm. Adult School,818-595-8000, Canoga Park High School Campus,818-673-1391, Reseda High School Campus,818-758-3700.

Main Street Canoga Park

Farmers’ MarketMAKE IT A HABIT!

Every Saturday 9AM-1PMOwensmouth north of Sherman Way

The West Valley Garden Club’sJanuary 11th program is, “Plight of the MonarchButterfly,” presented by Pricilla and Joe Cruz,“Western Monarch Guardians”.

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

If you wish to attend, please call 1 818 348 6677

Courage...From a Cyber Friend in honor of the brave in combat

You’re a 19 year old kid.

You’re critically wounded and dying in thejungle somewhere in the Central Highlandsof Viet Nam... It’s November 14, 1965. LZ(landing zone) X-ray. Your unit is outnumbered8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100yards away, that your CO (commanding officer)has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stopcoming in.

You’re lying there, listening to the enemymachine guns and you know you're not gettingout. Your family is half way around the world,12,000 miles away, and you'll never see themagain. As the world starts to fade in and out,you know this is the day.

Then—over the machine gun noise—youfaintly hear that sound of a helicopter.

You look up to see a Huey coming in. But...It doesn’t seem real because no MedEvacmarkings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.

He’s not MedEvac so it’s not his job, but heheard the radio call and decided he’s flying hisHuey down into the machine gun fire anyway.

Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not tocome.He’s coming anyway. And he drops it inand sits there in the machine gun fire, as theyload 3 of you at a time on board.

Then he flies you up and out through thegunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety.

And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!!

Until all the wounded were out. No one knewuntil the mission was over that the Captain hadbeen hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.

He took 30 of you and your buddies out thatday. Some would not have made it without theCaptain and his Huey.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain EdFreeman, United States Air Force, died inAugust 2008 at the age of 80, in Boise, Idaho.

May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

Our Redeemer Lutheran ChurchChristmas Services!

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 8520 Winnetka Ave.in Winnetka will hold their Christmas Eve CandlelightServices on Friday, December 24th at 5pm and 7pm.There will be special music and Holy Communionwill be distributed.

Everyone will be given an unlit candle when theyarrive and the flame will be passed from person toperson at the end of the service while we sing“Silent Night.”

Christmas Day will be celebrated on Sunday,December 26th at the 8am, 9:30am and 10:45amservices.

Please call 818/341-3460 or visit our website atwww.our-redeemer.org for more information.

St James Presbyterian Church

St. James Sunday Concerts will present a CandlelightChristmas Concert on Friday, December 24 at 10:45PM at St James Presbyterian church. Music by Bach,Handel, Chopin, Mozart, Buxtehude, Traditional car-ols and lessons will be heard and there will be a can-dlelighting ceremony near midnight. The programfeatures Alan Busteed on violin, Claire Rydell, cello,Ron Singer, clarinet and Roger Wright at the pianowith an ensemble from the Chancel Choir.

St James Presbyterian Church is located at 19414Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, 91356, near the Tampa exit.Admission is free, a voluntary offering will be taken.

Claire Rydell, Music [email protected]

Children’s Christmas Programs!

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 8520 WinnetkaAve. in Winnetka will celebrate Christmas with 2Children's Programs. The first is on Wednesdayevening, December 15th at 6:15pm. The preschoolchildren will present the Christmas message in song.

The second is the Sunday School Christmas Programon Sunday, December 19th at 9:30am and 10:45am.The story of Jesus' birth is told by the 3 wise menand is set to new music. Also performing are"Jethro," the Tone Chimers, the Band and the YouthGroup and there will be a special surprise guest!

Both programs are FREE and we encourage you tocome and bring your children!

Call 818/341-3460 or visit our website at www.our-redeemer.org

including turnaround and startup experience, major economic development projects, consulting,capital campaigns and fundraising. Mr. Barragan is a nationally recognized expert on small businessloan funds and micro lending. He is a strong supporter of business development in low to moderateincome communities and a vocal advocate for small business.

As the president of VEDC, Roberto Barragan charges each of the seven office locations with themission of creating and sustaining jobs and businesses in their communities by providing high-quality economic development services in our ongoing effort to enrich communities by makingeconomic dreams a reality.

To learn more about VEDC please visit www.vedc.org.

Roberto BarraganContinued from Page 13

CUSTOM FRAMING

BUSINESS & OTHER SERVICESCLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED RATES ARE $20 PER INCH6 MO. $108 – 12 MO. $189

FAX YOUR AD TO WEST VALLEY NEWS 818.883.9678VISA & MASTERCARD ACCEPTED(6 Months Minimum Placement for Classified Ads)

SHOP WITH CHAMBER MEMBERSFOR QUALITY AND SERVICE

AIR CONDITIONING


WEST VALLEY NEWS BUSINESS BY REFERRAL

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

ADVERTISING/GRAPHIC DESIGN

Crowe Marketing Design (818) 883-3374

West Valley News (818) 883-3374Community Advertising M (818) 231-4454www.crowemarketingdesign.com

MORTGAGE FINANCING – RATES ARE LOW AGAIN

Alex Soteras (818) [email protected]

NEUROSURGICAL & SPINE INSTITUTE

West Hills Hospital (818) 676-4321Physician Referral Hotline7300 Medical Center DriveWest Hills, CA 91307

AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE & REPAIR

Jose Beltran (818) 808-9060Residential, Commercial, IndustrialLic# 636153

PHOTO RETOUCHING / RESTORATIONS

Sean Crowe (818) 274-2890Digital photo retouchingDigital restoration of old photos

RETIREMENT LIVING/LEISURE CARE

Fairwinds West Hills (818) 713-0900Rick Waugh8138 Woodlake AvenueWest Hills, CA 91304

SWIMMING POOL SERVICE

Cleaner Pools (818) 635-3339Matt Poshepny

Advertise for six months or one year and get your contactinformation listed in BUSINESS BY REFERRAL free of charge.

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

Classified ads not included in this offer.

COMING SOON!A business exchange program with value-addedbenefits to participating members. Be part of it.

For information about BizEx contact:

Ed Crowe | CROWE MARKETING DESIGN | Since 1986818.883.3374 Direct 818.231.4454 [email protected]

If you are in business in the San Fernando Valley, you want to be part of BizEx.There are over 70,000 registered businesses operating in the San Fernando Valley.

SPANISH CLASSES

• Tutoring studentsall levels

• ProfessionalsMrs. Cristina818-713-9238

“My goal is for students to enjoy learning”• Summer Classes

Wall to wall carpet, brand new kitchen cupboards,Central A/C. Good credit and background checkis a must. Sorry no pets.

Please call (818) 887-3386

APARTMENT FOR RENT

PHOTO RESTORATION

BEFORE AFTER

Digital Photo RetouchingDigital Restoration of Old Photographs

Color and B&W

SEAN CROWE (818) 274-2890

Web Hosting from just $3.99/mo!Dollar-for-dollar, feature-for-feature, you’ll find the Web’s

best hosting plans right here. But our plans aren't cheap —They’re affordable. Big difference!

Plus, all of our state-of-the-art hosting plans come completewith FREE 24/7 technical support.

See listing of all hosting plans with complete details and prices!Visit www.crowemarketingdesign.com and click on

New Media / Web SolutionsFor FREE consultation call Ed Crowe at 818.883.3374

Canoga Park 2 Bed, 2 Bath Apartment for Rent $1,181

$25PER ISSUE

Regular Rate $50

Your BusinessCard Size Adhere in B&Wfor ONLY

CROWE MARKETING DESIGN Special 25th Anniversary Offer

Valid Jan-June 2011with AdvertisingInsertion Orders of6 issues minimum.YOU SAVE $150

PRINTING

10%SAVE $120Woodland Printing 7124 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91303

SAVE

Business Cards

Business Forms

Flyers Color & BW

Newsletters

Banners

WITH THIS COUPON. Exp 0909818.887.2229

www.woodlandprinting.com

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WITH

24/7 WEB PRESENCE$100 OFF with this coupon.

Home / About Us / Services / News / Contact UsFive Page Basic Professionally Designed Template-Based Website

Regular Price $599 818.883.3374crowemarketingdesign.com

10%SAVE

21727 Sherman WayOld Town Canoga Park, CA 91303

Bella DonnaSPECIAL EVENTS & BAKERY

Wedding or Special Events Cake

818.704.5032

Bella

Donn

aSpe

cial

Even

ts.c

om

Soon you will beable to FLEXyourBizEx™

and SAVE!

West Valley News

Documents

Transcript of West Valley News