A monthly service for Sherman Oaks Chamber Members.
What's in this Issue:
· The Front Page
· News of Members
· July is for Events
· Government News
· Welcome New Members!
· Renewing Members
· The Calendar
THE FRONT PAGE
Jack Weiss is July Luncheon Speaker
July 15 is the date for our monthly lunch meeting at Valley Inn Restaurant. Councilman Jack Weiss will be guest speaker. Weiss was elected to the City Council in June 2001. His district stretches from Sherman Oaks, Valley Village and Encino through the Hollywood Hills into Century City, Bel Air and the Fairfax District.
Much of Weiss’ legislative program is dedicated to improving the City’s ability to prevent disasters and respond to emergencies. He is also anxious to hear from constituents about their concerns and ideas to make their neighborhood better.
Registration is at 11:45 AM, call to order at 12 noon. There is a $20 per person charge for the meeting. The public is welcome with advance reservations by calling 818-906-1951.
L.A.’s Largest Mixer July 22
Network with 2,000 other Los Angeles area business owners and managers. Live music, good food all come together at Los Angeles Center Studios on Thursday, July 22 for L.A.’s Largest Mixer.
Sherman Oaks Chamber members will find lots of free parking, a modest $15 admission fee and a booth inviting everyone to come to Street Fair 2004 and to do business in Sherman Oaks! Hours have been expanded so you can party from 5 to 9 PM. We’re proud of the artistic talent of Dragonfly Design Group which have enhanced the Web site and promotional materials. Visit www.lamixer.com for details. By the way, if you bring a new children’s book to donate, you will join a group eligible for a trip to Hawaii courtesy of ATA Airlines. See you there. No reservations required.
Street Fair 2004 is Sunday, October 24. Get Your booth application today. Just call 818-906-1951.
NEWS OF MEMBERS
A big vote of thanks goes to our recent meeting sponsors. Randi’s Fitness for Kids sponsored Breakfast in June and The UPS Store sponsored our June Lunch meeting. That Lunch meeting also featured a gift bag at each place from The UPS Store and another from Michael Franco MD and staff. Flowers Heaven Scent presented a door prize floral arrangement at both Breakfast and Lunch.
Each of these businesses recognizes the value of keeping their name before our members. You, too, can sponsor a meeting and share your expertise with everyone! Just call 818-906-1951 to volunteer.
We’ve corrected the Web listing for one of our newer members, Streamline Advisers. We regret any inconvenience our error may have caused. Lorraine has also decided that a hyphenated last name is too long, so she prefers to be known simply as Lorraine Sanchez. Correct email is lsanchez@streamlineadvisers.com.
Arden Realty has moved staff around. Our new contact is Gabrielle Keel. Welcome! We look forward to getting acquainted and hope you will frequently attend our events.
Effective July 1, Cary Bichlmeier becomes company President and Chamber contact as Joyce Bichlmeier retires. Bichlmeier Insurance has extensive experience satisfying the needs of Chambers of Commerce in Southern California.
Our new contact with Oakwood Corporate Sales came to our May Mixer at Westfield. Her name is Nena Suwara and she’s located in the Woodland Hills office at 22122 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills 91367. Web site www.oakwood.com.
Auto Club of Southern California has assigned a new contact on their staff. Nancy Caringello is the Travel Supervisor in the Van Nuys office. Her email address is caringello.nancy@aaa-calif.com
Juli Flam is an additional contact at Flam’s Key Service, Inc. Office email is jellybean828@yahoo.com.
Jill & Company, Newstalk 870 KRLA continues to present discussions of current concerns to the Southland. The show is hosted by Jill Banks Barad, Jill Barad & Associates.
Brandon Capps is Branch Manager for Kinko’s Sherman Oaks. He’s been generous and helpful in preparation of the Sponsor packets for Street Fair 2004 and other special projects of the Chamber.
Mary Lynn Drake is now Administrator for Rushfeldt, Shelley and Drake LLP. The firm continues to operate from their Riverside Drive offices.
Valley Inn Restaurant presents a Wine Tasting Dinner on July 27 featuring Prestige Italian Wines that have been gathered from many regions of Italy. Entrée selection is Pasta Bolognese or Pan-Seared Tuna. $49.95 per person. Reservations at 784-4811.
We appreciate the involvement of our May event sponsors: The Sherman Oaks Sun sponsored Breakfast, Bank of America Mortgage sponsored lunch, and Westfield Shoppingtown Fashion Square hosted our Mixer.
Door prize donations were provided during May by Flowers Heaven Scent, Casa Vega and Westfield Shoppingtown Fashion Square. We certainly appreciate your generosity!
Thanks to a special offer from the Daily News, Sherman Oaks Chamber members have an opportunity to purchase a one-year subscription to the newspaper delivered to their business address. This opportunity is available at the time you renew your dues investment in the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce. Details are available by calling the office at 818-906-1951.
Congratulations to Life Simplified. June 1. 2004 was the one-year anniversary of clearing clutter and simplifying lives for Sherman Oaks resident Laurie Clarke. Clarke embarked upon this field as a result of a request for help and a realization that moving around during her twenties had caused her to analyze whether she owned her own stuff or did it own her?
Clarke said that she doesn’t force her clients to give up anything they don’t want to let go of. She asks questions and makes suggestions, but ultimately the client makes the decisions. Usually the client realizes what the clutter is costing them and they start to let go of the emotional attachments much more easily.
By finding solutions for her client’s disorganization Clarke hopes to inspire them to see new possibilities for themselves. Clarke is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and an active member of the Los Angeles Chapter. For more information about Laurie Clarke of Life Simplified visit www.lifesimplified.net .
Robert L. Cohen DDS received the Small Business Award of the United Chambers of Commerce during ceremonies on June 11, 2004. Seventeen businesses nominated by a local Chamber of Commerce were saluted in recognition of their contribution to the economy of the San Fernando Valley. Cohen was lauded for his contributions to the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, Kester Avenue Elementary School, local sports activities in which his children are involved and for his leadership of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce.
The underlying importance of this annual breakfast can perhaps best be shown through the following press release received by our Chamber office:
The National Federation of Independent Business has just released a report based upon data collected by the U.S. Small Business Administration for 2001 that confirms just how important small businesses are to the American economy. A spectacular dot-com bust, a national recession, the seemingly daily spectacles of corporate scandals, an energy crisis in the biggest state in the union, and terrorist attacks stabbing at the financial heart of the nation in 2001 brought Wall Street to its knees, but it could not break a nation supported by the unbendable girders of its Main Streets. While corporations cowered, small business rose to the challenge, generating 100 percent of all net new jobs over the previous year.
For additional details visit www.sba.gov/advo/stats.
Above Four Photos: Mixer hosted by Flam’s Key.
President Bob, Angela Clair, Michele Berg and Harry Lincoln at Spring festival.
Membership Committee hard at work – Neal Shapiro, Harry Lincoln, Angela and Allan Clair, Zarek Dietz.
Ribbon Cutting at Bobby Loco’s Baja Grill. Owner Bob Wilson holds plaque with son Bob Jr. behind Jill Banks Barad. Attendance at the event included Matt Hunter, Celeste Bocian, Patricia Neill and several employees of the Galleria, Ken Gerston, Stacy Ehrlich and staff from Bank of the West.
Congratulations to Bob Wilson who was honored by United Chambers as the Small Business representative of the Agoura Chamber for his leadership as a restraunteur and as Mayor of Thousand Oaks. Wilson was also quoted in a recent article in San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Zarek Dietz and Harry Lincoln presented plaques to a group of new members who attended a 7 AM Orientation and following “Good Morning Sherman Oaks” Breakfast. Plaques received by Kenneth Beck Detective Agency, Jennifer Caprile of Wheatman Insurance, Orit Korenwasser and associate from New York Life, ……..from Comerica Bank.
Michelle Tomyuk of Flowers Heaven Scent presented door prize winnings to Jennifer Caprile, Wheatman Insurance under the watchful eye of Harry Lincoln.
Neal Kleinman, General Manager Westfield Shoppingtown Fashion Square and his busy staff provided an evening to remember during the May Mixer.
Photography and Video by Zarek opened with a splash on Ventura Blvd. in June. The firm holds membership in both the Mid Valley and Sherman Oaks Chambers of Commerce, so Sherman Oaks President Cohen acted as emcee and Mid Valley CEO Nancy Hoffman Vanyek presented certificates from elected officials unable to attend. John Bwarie of the Mayor’s staff and Lori Wheeler, Deputy to Supervisor Yaroslavsky made presentations.
The Board of Directors of the Sherman Oaks Chamber met over dinner with the Board of the Village at Sherman Oaks Business Improvement District. It should be noted that five members of the BID Board are also Sherman Oaks Chamber members, although not sitting on the Chamber Board at this time.
JULY IS FOR EVENTS
Come Lunch With the Stars of Sherman Oaks
Thursday, July 15, 2004
11:45 AM Registration, 12 noon lunch
$20.00 per person
Valley Inn Restaurant, 4557 Sherman Oaks Avenue
Just west of #405 freeway and three doors south of Ventura Boulevard
Meeting Sponsored by Sherman Oaks Galleria
Guest Speaker Jack Weiss
Los Angeles City Councilman, 5th District
Reservations Requested at 818-906-1951
Or Email: ourchamber@aol.com
L.A.’s Largest Mixer VI
Southern California’s Ultimate Networking Event
Thursday, July 22, 2004
5 to 9 PM
Los Angeles Center Studios
450 South Bixel Street
between 3rd and 6th Streets
$15.00 per person at the door
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
Info at 323-860-9999 or www.lamixer.com
More than 30 Chambers of Commerce, a multitude of business networking
Books collected for the Reading by 9 children’s literacy initiative
Web and Collateral Design by Dragonfly Design Group
Of Sherman Oaks
GOVERNMENT NEWS
Councilman Weiss’ office indicates that Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety has added information on the status of building permits, etc. at www.ladbs.org then click on “Get a Property Activity Report.”
If you’ve heard rumors about Best Buy creating a new store to replace the two theaters that were close to Gelson’s, there is such a project underway. Plans call for underground deliveries and placing the store close to Van Nuys Blvd. with rear parking.
The Federal Reserve has informed us that the new $50 bill should be introduced into circulation late in 2004. Like the $20 note, it is designed to lessen counterfeiting, while remaining definitely American with the same portraits and historical images. If you need information with which to train employees/ customers, our Chamber office can provide the order form. Information is also available at www.moneyfactory.com/newmoney.
County of Los Angeles provides property tax assessment seminars in Van Nuys on July 21, August 18, September 22 at 2 PM in Bernardi Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Ave.
The San Fernando Valley Business Journal advises that the US Dept. of Commerce is opening an office at Pierce College. Goal is to assist local firms that wish to do business overseas by exporting their goods.
Assemblyman Lloyd Levine asked us to share information on a local group of teens who are making an exceptional contribution to the world. Seven years ago, a pilot project was begun in the 40th Assembly District. It brought together 25 students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade who would meet monthly to tackle issues in politics and government. Discussions result in the group planning and executing community service projects throughout the Valley.
Last year the group wrote legislation that became AB 2187, and presented it to lawmakers in Sacramento. The bill dealt with making nutritional information about food served in schools more readily available to students. The bill is currently in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
This year’s commission participated in the Children’s Hunger Fund in Pacoima, packaging food and arranging its distribution to impoverished families around the world.
Now Levine’s office is looking for candidates for the 2004-2005 commission. If you know an interested teen, contact Alycia Seaman in Levine’s office at 818-904-3840.
Los Angeles Police Department asks for the public’s help. Chief Bratton has directed that serious crime where human life is in danger be answered by vehicles using sirens and red lights flashing. Response time has become shorter in the month or so this program has been in force. Indications are that there will also be fewer accidents involving officers responding to calls.
As citizens become adjusted to the greater visibility of emergency responses, we’ve been asked to remind everyone that the proper action when driving is to pull to the right to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. Too many of us have become accustomed to simply stopping where we are, in the middle of the road, which forces the red light vehicle to move into oncoming traffic, creating an unsafe situation.
The Gas Company is responding to the prediction by a UCLA seismologist of a major earthquake in southern California between now and fall. In addition to being aware of the prediction, The Gas Company works to stay prepared for any emergency. They have spent a billion dollars on major strengthening improvements to their pipeline.
Before an earthquake: be sure your water heater is secured to wall studs to prevent tip over. Replace semi-rigid gas appliance connectors with corrugated metal ones. Keep a 12-inch adjustable wrench handy in case the sound or odor of a gas leak necessitates turning off service at your gas meter. Once turned off, don’t turn gas back on without the assistance of a Gas Company employee or licensed plumbing or heating contractor.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
WSI (Internet Business Solutions)
4355 Ventura Canyon Avenue Unit 205
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Tel: 818-990-9076 Fax: 818-630-5722
Email: chris@wiswebtech.com
Web: www.wsiwebtech.com
Chris Puram, Owner
WSI is rated #1 as an Internet Services Business. A WSI “Internet Solution” includes consultation, design, development, hosting, optimization, review of connectivity, training and marketing support. Our service is tailored to your unique needs and designed to insure return on your investment.
The Village at Sherman Oaks Business Improvement District
14622 Ventura Blvd. Ste 404
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Tel: 818-771-5667 Fax: 818-780-9104
Email: info@village@shermanoaks.com
Web: www.villageatshermanoaks.com
Leslie Elkan, President 2004
The Business Improvement District (BID) was formed five years ago under the Ventura Blvd. Specific Plan. Goal of the Specific Plan is to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere along the 17-mile stretch of highway. The BID helps to emphasize the special spirit of Sherman Oaks as different from other parts of the Valley. Trees and benches have been added to date with additional enhancement scheduled through fall 2004.
Bruce Pfeifer Painting Company
14039 Garber St.
Arleta, CA 91331
Tel: 818-830-7246 Fax: 818-895-1154
Email: bpfeiferpainting@yahoo.com
Bruce Pfeifer, Owner
I have been working in this field for over 20 years. In January 2004, my company received a contracting license. My field of expertise is residential and commercial interior and exterior painting, plaster and stucco repair.
Wheatman Insurance Services, LLP
6345 Balboa Blvd Ste 285
Encino, CA 91316
Tel: 818-881-8900 Fax: 818-881-8922
Email: jcaprile@wheatman.com
Web: www.wheatman.com
Jennifer Caprile, Agent Tel. Ext 102
This Broker Insurance Company represents over 200 quality insurance companies.
Valpak
18321 Ventura Blvd Ste 320
Tarzana, CA 91356
Tel: 818-654-2640 Fax: 818-345-1992
Email: felicia_howard@coxtarget.com
Web: www.Coxtarget.com
Felicia Howard, rep.
Valpak has been the leader in local cooperative direct mail for 35 years. More than nine out of ten adults receiving Valpak envelopes are aware of the service.
Beck Detective Service
PO Box 56163
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
Tel: 818-994-3693 fax: 818-994-0676
Email: kennethbeck@juno.com
Web: www.beckdetectiveagency.com
Kenneth Beck is a Private Investigator.
RENEWING MEMBERS
Rushfeldt, Shelley & Drake LLP
New contact: Mary Lynne Drake
Tel: 818-904-1441
Since 1985
Casablanca Salon
Tel: 818-981-3990
Since 1997
Beck Investment
Tel: 818-789-2294
Since 1993
Jill Barad & Associates
Tel: 818-990-4002
Since 1999
McDonald’s
Office Tel: 818-881-6801
Since 1988
United Publishers
Tel: 818-778-3488
Since 1994
Wescom Credit Union
Tel: 888-493-7266
Since 2000
Sheri Wegand
Tel: 818-528-2243
Since 2001
24 Hour Fitness
Tel: 818-728-6777
Since 2001
Sherman Oaks Square
Tel: 818-986-9303
Since 2000
Vision Quest
Tel: 818-386-0185
Since 2002
Kreiss Collection
Tel: 818-905-8821
Since 2002
Buckley School
Tel: 818-783-1610
Since 1982
Gelson’s Supermarket
Tel: 818-377-4140
Since 1999
ADT Security-Bel Air Patrol
Tel: 818-909-0078
Since 1992
Studio City Oriental Medical Center
Tel: 818-789-2468
Since 1992
Photography and Video by Zarek
Tel: 818-304-0334
Since 2001
Family Urgent Care
Tel: 818-808-2828
Since 2000
Sherman Oaks Health & Rehab
Tel: 818-986-7242
Since 1997
Sherman Oaks Hospital
Tel: 818- 981-7111
Since 1976
THE CALENDAR
July
- July 1 - BID Board meets, 9 AM, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd. Public welcome.
- July 6 - Mid Valley Community Police Council, 8 to 9 AM, Valley Presbyterian Hospital
- July 7 - “Good Morning Sherman Oaks” Breakfast – 7:30 AM, Sponsored by Bella Vita
July 7 - Summer Concert at the Galleria, featuring Horace Heidt and his Orchestra, 6:30 to 9 PM, admission free
- July 10 - Cops N Cowboys of Mid Valley Police Council
- July 12 - Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Board, 6:30 PM, Millikan Middle School
- July 13 - Sherman Oaks Chamber Board, 5:30 PM, Sherman Oaks Hospital
- July 14 - Street fair Committee, 12 noon, Mazzarino’s on Riverside Dr
- July 15 - Luncheon, 11:45 AM, Valley Inn, $20 – Guest Speaker Jack Weiss
- July 19 - United Chambers Government Affairs Committee, 12 noon, 5121 Van Nuys Bl
- July 21 - Summer Concert at the Galleria
- July 22 - LA’s Largest Mixer, 5 to 9 PM
- July 26 - Marketing Committee, 6 PM, Valley Inn
- July 28 - Sherman Oaks Government Affairs Committee, 12 noon
- July 28 - Summer Concert at the Galleria
August
- Aug. 4 - “Good Morning Sherman Oaks” Breakfast, 7:30 AM
- Aug. 4 - Final Summer Concert at the Galleria
- Aug. 5 - BID Board, 9 AM, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd.
- Aug. 9 - Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, 9 AM, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd
- Aug. 10 - Sherman Oaks Chamber Board, 5:30 PM, Sherman Oaks Hospital
- Aug. 11 - United Chambers lunch, 12 noon, The Odyssey
- Aug. 12 - Street Fair Committee meets, 12 noon, Mazzarino’s
- Aug. 16 - United Chambers Government Affairs Committee, 12 noon
- Aug. 19 - Sherman Oaks Chamber Lunch, 11:45 AM, Valley Inn, Speaker to be announced
- Aug. 25 - Sherman Oaks Government Affairs Committee, 12 noon
- Aug. 25 - Membership Committee, 6 PM
- Aug. 30 - Marketing Committee, 6 PM.
Plan Ahead… On Wednesday, September 22, Mayor James Hahn has agreed to be guest speaker at lunch hosted by Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino and Mid Valley Chambers of Commerce. Details soon.
