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Sierra Madre Picked for FEMA Pilot Project  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a pilot project submitted by Donna Cayson, Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) Distinguished Fellow. Cayson, a retired Sierra Madre Police Dept. officer, is assigned to the Department of Homeland Security; FEMA, National Preparedness Directorate. Cayson's proposed initiative seeks to develop and pilot a model that will increase individual preparedness through an all-inclusive community based approach combined with the development and implementation of a Technical Assistance Template.
The purpose of this pilot project is to take action in response to recent research which indicated that there has been little increase in the number of prepared citizens over the past six years. Cayson believes that individual preparedness will increase when the collective efforts of all community stakeholders are focused on the common goal of individual preparedness.
Nearly two dozen local organizations have been invited to participate in the program, and the Chamber of Commerce is taking an active role.
Phase I of the project is to determine the current state of preparedness among the residents of Sierra Madre and those who work in the City, and thus likely to be participants in the event of emergency.
A website has been set up and the Chamber invites all who fit the above criteria to visit the site and participate in a brief survey that will take just a couple minutes of your time, in order to help assess the current state of preparedness. The web address is http://site.smipp.org/.
Please take a moment to stop by the site and respond to the survey. We'll keep you updated on subsequent phases of the project as it moves forward. It is anticipated that if this pilot project is a success, the template created in Sierra Madre will be a model for towns nationwide.
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Neibys Honored at Santa Anita 
The Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce honored, for the first time, two people as its Citizen(s) of the Year at its annual Citizen of the Year/Board Installation dinner on Friday. The late Dr. Paul Neiby and his wife Louise were chosen to receive the Chamber's 2009 Citizen(s) of the Year award.
The dinner was held in the Chandelier Room at Santa Anita Park. About one hundred guests turned out to remember Paul, who passed away Jan. 13th, and to honor Louise, who described the evening as "bittersweet."
The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring entertainment by the Mercy Powell (jazz) Quartet. After a brief welcome by 2007 Citizen of the Year Pete Siberell, in his 17th year at Santa Anita and Director of Community Service & Special Projects for the L. A. Turf Club, Chamber President Krantz handed the evening's emceeing duties over to Susan Henderson. It was the Kiwanis Club which nominated the Neibys for Citizen of the Year.
Following dinner, Henderson introduced a long list of honored guests, including nearly a dozen former Citizens of the Year. Chamber President Matt Krantz then presented Certificates of Appreciation to outgoing Board members Elizabeth Booth, Halcyon Koerber, Linda Thunes and Enid Joffe. He also introduced the new Board of Directors for 2010, which consists of Elaine Aguilar, Allyn Colbert, Henderson, Laura Hirsh, Sue Lamb, Janette Ledea, Krantz, Robin Salzer and Neil Vance.
Henderson then introduced a video prepared for the event in which friends of the Neibys discussed their contributions at length. The video began with a congratulatory message from fellow Kiwanian and 1998 Citizen of the Year, Judy Webb-Martin. The bulk of the video consisted of members of a group that called themselves "The Bean Town Coffee Club." The "club" met regularly to discuss local happenings, and in the video they were, fittingly, having coffee and reminiscing about their old friend.
Following the video, guest speakers Pat Birdsall (who met the Neibys through Kiwanis), and author Michelle Zack spoke about the Neibys.
 Then the couple received proclamations/certificates from the Chamber, the City of Sierra Madre, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors (Michael Antonovich), a joint proclamation by Assemblyman Anthony Adams and State Senator Bob Huff (who was on hand to make the presentation personally, click photo to enlarge), and Congressman David Dreier. The City presentations were made by Council members John Buchanan and Joe Mosca. Congressman Dreier's representative Mark Harmsen was there early in the evening, but had several other events to attend and so Krantz presented Mrs. Neiby with Congressman Dreier's proclamation, as well as Supervisor Antonovich's and the Chamber's.
A very moved Louise Neiby then spoke very briefly thanking everyone for coming and for the honor, and the evening drew to a close. For more extensive coverage of the event, including many more photos and links to view the video tribute, visit www.SMCitizenoftheYear.info. |
Grand Opening and Chamber Ribbon Cutting at Butterfly Effect Day Spa
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010
 On Saturday from 4 to 7pm, owner Rita Fichera and staff welcomed dozens of folks to their new Butterfly Effect Day Spa grand opening and ribbon cutting. Champagne was served, lots of hors d'oeuvres were offered, and the first 100 guests received gift bags. There were also about half a dozen prize drawings. Delicious cupcakes by "Dipped" were also served, and a couple of vendors were offering product, as well.
Fichera is a licensed esthetician, and the Day Spa offers many opportunities to "Captivate Your Beauty." The menu includes eyelash extensions, brow services, make up, waxing, facials, peels, light treatments massage therapy and body treatments. They also do Spa Parties. Click on the photo to see it larger. |
For All Sierra Madre Chamber Members
The Los Angeles Clippers are hosting a Multi-Chamber Mixer at the Palm Restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles. This will be a great opportunity to network with Chamber Members from all of the Greater Los Angeles Area. The Palm will provide hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. After the mixer, head over to STAPLES Center and watch as Baron Davis and the Clippers host the Atlanta Hawks. Please see the details below.
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