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In This Issue
Office Depot Discounts
Calendar
NoHo Farmers Market Every Saturday
LA Women's Theatre Festival
Networking Breakfast Moving to the Daily Grill
Small Business Health Care Credit
Coldwater Canyon Closure
Employer Federal & California Posters for 2013 Required
Still Time to Protest Parcel Fee Tax
Breakfast Sponsors for 2013 Sign-Up Now
Heather Binns, Full of Life Fitness
February Networking Breakfast
Nonprofit Workshop: Mar 21
Terri Jackson, Envy Nutrition
Pacific Cheesecake Grand Opening
Adrin's Open House a Popular Stop
President's Update

Quick Links

Sign Up for
Office Depot Discounts
for Members

Chamber discount program with Office Depot  for Chamber Members.  

 

Special Portal in Members only section and in new members email or contact the Chamber office at [email protected], or call 818-508-5155.

New Members:

Valley Village Neighborhood Council 

 

 

Renewals:  

 

Valley Village Dental

Pack Rat Self Storage

The Village Family Services

TK Media Services

Hydrex Pest Control

 

 

 

Staff

Executive Director:

Michelle Gilstrap

 

Bookkeeper:

Diane McCreary 

 

Monthly e-Dispatch Editor:

Jo Ellen Krumm

 

Webmaster & e-Dispatch
Layout Editor:

Carrie Spencer

 


Testimonials

 

Many members were recognized by other members at our February meeting:  

 

Envy Nutrition and Terri Jackson,
for her great shakes,
by Bronwyn Ralph  

 

Los Angeles
Police Department
,
for bringing down crime, by Vic Viereck and
Terri Jackson  

 

Diane McCreary,
for accounting advice,
by Allison Soul�  

 

Bronwyn Ralph
and her book,
"Off the Beaten Path,"

by Terri Jackson  

 

Jo Ellen Krumm,
for writing and editing for the Chamber,
by Kurt Banks and
Vic Viereck  

 

Patch.com and
Evan Atkinson
,
by Terri Jackson  

 

Hydrex Pest Control and Herb Pencille,
by Vic Viereck  

 

Quisenberry Insurance and Kurt Banks,
for insurance services,
by Terri Jackson  

 

Michelle Gilstrap,
for work for the Chamber and communications expertise,
by Vic Viereck and Bronwyn Ralph 

 

Edo Gabrielyan and
1 & Only Insurance
,
by Vic Viereck and
Terri Jackson  

 

Carson Schreiber,
for Kiwanis, Chamber and other work,
by Terri Jackson and
Vic Viereck

 

 

Calendar  

Information is subject to change. Visit the website for updates.

 

Continuing Saturdays: 

NoHo Arts District 

Farmers Market.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 

5200 Bakman.

Tasty foods and great craft and gift items.  

 

March 14: Chamber Board Meeting, 7:30 a.m. Universal Studios

Must preregister by Tuesday, March 12

 

March 21: "Business of Nonprofits - Executive Series: Cultivating New Funding Sources," hosted by Kiwanis Entertainment Industry Group. 9 to 11 a.m., Community Room, Sherman Oaks Galleria, $15 includes continental breakfast and validated parking. Register here. See article.

  

March 21-24: Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival.  See Article. 

 

March 22: 
Deadline to register for March 26 networking breakfast for lower rate and to be on the Hotlist. See article.

 

March 25: UCNH Networking Breakfast, 7:30 - 9 am. See article or visit website.
 
 
 

NoHo Farmers Market Every Saturday 


The NoHo Arts District Farmers Market (nohomarket.org) on Saturdays offers freshness and fun every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the block of 5200 Bakman. 

 

It is a California Certified Farmers Market as well as a market for arts and crafts.

 

"This is a great opportunity for our members not only to promote the Chamber, but your own business each Saturday," says executive director Michelle Gilstrap. "You only need to let me know when you would like to reserve the booth, and I will work out a rotation schedule."  

 

Contact Michelle at [email protected] or 818-508-5155.

LA Women's Theatre Festival 20th Anniversary 

 

The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival is proud to announce that its 20th Anniversary Festival will be produced in association with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center at 1125 North McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038.  

 

The Festival will take place March 21-24, 2013 in the Center's beautiful state-of-the-art 200-seat Renberg Theatre. For this exciting milestone year, the Festival will expand its programming to include celebrity, international, men and youth performers, as well as offer industry workshops and panels. 

 

The Champagne GALA and Awards Ceremony is slated to be hosted by Honorary Chairpersons Danny Glover and Hattie Winston

 

 

Friday, March 22,
8 p.m.
OF CULTURE, OF SELF

Starletta DuPois (The Notebook)

Jude Narita (Coming Into Passion / Song For A Sansei)

 

Saturday, March 23,
2 p.m.

NOT FOR CHILDREN ONLY

Courtney R. Jones (FOX Sports West)

Miriam Reed (LAWTF Co-Founder/Margaret Sanger: Radiant Rebel)

 

Saturday, March 23,
8 p.m.

ENCORE!

Karen A. Clark (LAWTF Board/The Karen A. Clark Project)

Malathi Iyengar (Rangoli Dance Company)

 

Sunday, March 24,
2 p.m.

SPEAKING OF MEN

Ted Lange (Love Boat)

Tanya Kersey (Hollywood Black Film Festival)

 

Sunday, March 24,
7 p.m.

KEEPING IT REAL! 

Dawn Didawick (Hart of Dixie)

Joyce Guy (LAWTF Co-Founder/Days of Our Lives)

 

Other confirmed celebrities over the four-day, six-program Festival include, in alphabetical order, the very talented Obba Baba tunde, Kim Coles, Florence LaRue, Ted Lange, Freda Payne, Roger Guenveur Smith, and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney.

 

For ticket information or group sales, please call (818) 760-0408 or visit website.

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March 8, 2013
Greetings!

This E-Dispatch is sent to you to keep you informed of the changes affecting the business community of Universal City and North Hollywood.  We value our chamber members and advocate on their behalf with elected officials. Our website contains more information to assist our members: www.noho.org.

NETWORKING BREAKFAST MOVED TO THE 

DAILY GRILL, STUDIO CITY

 

The UCNH Networking Breakfast has moved the March meeting to the Daily Grill located at 12050 Ventura Blvd., in Studio City.  They are at the edge of Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd, on the second floor of the shopping center.

 

Our Speaker is checking his schedule to see if he can attend.  Watch for the announcement.

 

Our members will be able to park in the shopping center and take the elevator up to the 2nd floor.  

  

Cost is $20 for members who preregister by the Friday before, and $25 for those who register later. For not-yet-members, cost is $25 if you preregister, $30 otherwise.

 

Preregister by Friday, March 22, and your contact information will be listed on the Hot Sheet given to all attendees. Visit the website to register.

BUSINESS OWNERS - NONPROFITS  MAY QUALIFY TO CLAIM SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH CARE CREDIT

 

As the March 15 corporate tax filing deadline approaches, California's small businesses need to know they may qualify for an important health care tax credit available under the Affordable Care Act.

 

Designed to help small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ moderate and lower income workers either maintain existing coverage or offer health insurance to their employees for the first time, the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit provides a credit equaling up to 35 percent of the health insurance premium costs that a small business incurred for insuring its employees.

 

In an interview with CalChamber News, Certified Public Accountant and tax expert Conrad Davis of Crowe Horwath LLP, explains that more businesses need to be made aware of this benefit of the law aimed at small employers.

 

"Right now the credit is underutilized," Davis says

 

COLDWATER CANYON CLOSURE WILL AFFECT THOUSANDS EVERY DAY FOR 5 WEEKS

 

Coldwater Canyon Closure

 

EMPLOYER FEDERAL & CALIFORNIA  POSTERS FOR 2013 REQUIRED FOR ALL BUSINESS OWNERS 

 

Owners with more than 50 must order new poster sets.  

Employee 2013 Poster SetsOnce again, the Chamber is selling the updated California & Federal Poster Sets for all employers.  Please make sure to order yours for your company. This is a mandatory poster for all employers of even one employee so you are not fined

If your company bought a poster set in the early part of the year or last December and has more than 50 employees, you must order a new one to keep up with the laws that go into effect this month. 
 
If you bought it from the Chamber, there is a small charge of $15 to replace what was purchased earlier.  Everyone else will have to pay the normal prices on the website.

STILL TIME TO PROTEST PARCEL FEE TAX NOW BY EMAIL UNTIL MARCH 12
BizFed Report

 

With 2.2 million parcel owners in L.A. County, we don't expect the County to receive the 1.1 million + protests that would stop the measure in its tracks.  However, it's important that as many parcel owners as possible send in their protests to make their voices heard with the Board of Supervisors, who will ultimately decide if and how the measure moves forward.

 

Here's how to file your protest by March 12:

 

1.  Look up the 10-digit Assessor's Identification Number for your property, also referred to as Assessor's Parcel Number, or API. Click here to go to the Assessor's Office for your number.

  • Enter the property address in the "Search by Street Address" field, and the AIN/APN will come up. 
  • You can also find your AIN/APN on your deed, property tax bill, or title report, or you can call the Assessor's Office at 888-807-2111.

2. Complete a protest form (download the form here) OR write a protest letter (it doesn't have to be on the official form).  You MUST include ALL of the following FOR EACH PARCEL:

  • Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
  • Parcel site address (or description of parcel's location if parcel has no address)
  • Name and signature of the parcel owner or an authorized representative.  (NOTE: You MUST include a hand-written signature, not just a typed name.)

3. Scan or take a picture of your protest form or letter and                  email it to: [email protected].  

 

You may also mail the form or letter to the Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors, P.O. Box 866006 Los Angeles, CA 90086,  or you can hand-deliver protests into the ballot box located on the 3rd floor of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, Room 383.  

 

 

If you own multiple parcels, please be sure to submit a protest for each parcel.

BREAKFAST SPONSORS FOR 2013 SIGN-UP NOW!

Networking Breakfast Feb. 2012
Exchanging Business Cards is an important activity at the Networking Breakfast each month.
Breakfast Sponsors are needed for 2013.  The Chamber allows 1 member to sponsor the monthly Networking Breakfast for $145.00.  
  • Receives top placement on the HotSheet.
  • Receives material placement at everyone's place at the breakfast.
  • May place a business card ad on the back of the HotSheet.
  • 5 minutes to discuss your Company at the Front of the Breakfast.
  • Receives Two Breakfasts, gives Sponsor better opportunity to network at the Breakfast.
  • Featured in the E-Dispatch as the Sponsor with a written description of what they do provided by the company the Friday prior to the Breakfast.
  • Receives a Table Top Display at the Breakfast
  • Requested to arrive early to place their material on the Table top and on Member places at the breakfast.
  • Featured on the Net Breakfast Section of the Web Page with their Logo.
  • Should bring a Raffle item to be the prize for the Breakfast value at no less than $25.00.

Anyone wanting to sponsor should call Michelle at the office 818-508-5155 and schedule your month.  You can pay for the breakfast the month that you are scheduled.   

HEATHER BINNS, CPT, FULL OF LIFE FITNESS, RAISING MONEY FOR LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA SOCIETY

 

 

 

 

MARCH 13 - SOUPLANTATION - ATWATER VILLAGE - 11 A.M. - 8 P.M.

&

MARCH 16 - MO'S IN TOLUCA LAKE - 9 A.M. - 11 P.M.

  • Mo's Flyer. Take flyer with you. May download both flyers.

FEBRUARY NETWORKING BREAKFAST: SENIOR LEAD OFFICERS GIVE CRIME-FIGHTING ADVICE

  
 

Mike Lewis and Jennifer DuVally, Los Angeles Police Department senior lead officers for the North Hollywood area, enlightened Chamber members and guests at our February 26 networking breakfast.  

 

Officer Mike Lewis
"We can't do it alone," Lewis told a supportive crowd. "We need your eyes and ears to point to the problems."  

 

The crime rate in Los Angeles is the lowest since the 1950s, he noted. "Although property crimes are high, crimes against people are low. But in the last six months," Lewis continued, "crime has exploded in Southern California due to the early release of 30,000 prisoners. It's mostly drug offenders, and thus the increase in car break-ins."  

 

 

 

Officer Jennifer DuVally
Residents can discourage crime by "hardening the target," the officers said, by using cameras, audible alarms and large dogs - or the semblance of such. Also, Lewis said, "Don't leave your valuables in the bedroom. That's the first place burglars look. Keep them elsewhere, such as the garage."  

 

 

"It's important for you to know your senior lead officer," said DuVally. "Call 911 if you see a crime in progress. Don't confront the criminals directly," she warned.  

 

 

 

Breakfast Sponsor Terri Jackson
of Envy Nutrition

 

Breakfast sponsor was Terri Jackson of Envy Nutrition. Her nutrition business, she said, "has taught me what it's like to be part of the community. I want to help people. They're dying every day. I opened Envy Nutrition to get to a lot of people fast."  

 

We welcomed new member David Kleinbart of KCSN Radio (88.5 FM). The Daily Grill of Studio City was a gracious host for our first breakfast meeting there. Many members congratulated Chamber President Vic Viereck on his receipt of the Kiwanis Club Distinguished Service Award the previous Sunday at a three-division Kiwanis luncheon.  

 

Vic Viereck, President of the UCNH Chamber, presents membership plaque to
David Kleinbart, KCSN Radio.

NONPROFIT WORKSHOP: MARCH 21

 
The Kiwanis Entertainment Industry Group is hosting a panel of expert to explore financing of nonprofits. "Business of Nonprofits - Executive Series: Cultivating New Funding Sources" will be Thursday, March 21, at the Community Room of the Sherman Oaks Galleria, 15301 Ventura Blvd. The room is on the first floor of the Rotunda, next to Paul Mitchell The School.

Panelists so far include:
  • Mitch Dorger, EMBA, Dorger Consulting  
  • Cian Mitsunaga, Esq., M.E.T.A.L. Law Group  
  • Mary Archibald, CPA, Frith-Smith and Archibald  
  • Kevin Farrell, MBA, CFP, Farrell Financial Inc.  

A continental breakfast, compliments of the Principal Financial Group, and parking validation are included. Registration is $15 plus a service fee at http://thebusinessofnonprofits.eventbrite.com. Space is limited, so please register online early. The event is a fundraiser for the Kiwanis' charitable activities.

TERRI JACKSON, ENVY NUTRITION, IN WRITING SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST: NEEDS YOUR VOTE

Terri Jackson

The time has come for me to ask for your help.

I am working on my Memoir and have entered an excerpt of it in The Backspace Writers Conference Scholarship Contest, and I'm asking you to take a minute and vote for it. When enough of you do, it will give it the chance to get in front of the professionals and to win.

Its entry #74 and it's called "Little Zebra" memoir.

BackspaceWritersConference
  1. Click the above link to vote. 
  2. Scroll down the page to Number #74 and click "Little Zebra."  
  3. Then scroll back to top of page and vote. You can vote only once. 
Deadline is March 15th. Thanks so much. 

SMILE & SAY "CHEESECAKE"

 
Pacific Cheesecake Co. held a grand opening and ribbon cutting at its new Valley Village location at 4820 Laurel Canyon Blvd. on February 28. Chamber members and representatives of elected officials gathered to congratulate the owners, Karen, Steven and Mike Freeman, and taste samplings of cheesecake.

Presenting certificates were Bill Hacket, district director for Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian; Quincy Reid, field representative for Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra; Nikki Ezhari, field deputy for City Councilman Paul Krekorian; and Lori Garcia Wheeler, senior field deputy, Van Nuys District Office of County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

The shop offers a multitude of flavors each day from its 120-flavor menu. Cheesecakes come in sweet and savory varieties, in mini, small, medium and large sizes. No-sugar-added cheesecake is available.

For information, pacificcheesecakecompany.com. For orders, [email protected]. The phone is (818) 763-1488.
Pacific Ribbon Cutting
Steven Freeman holds the scissors to cut the Ribbon, while his Mom, Karen and brother Mike assist. UCNH Chamber Board members and elected officials attended.
Bill Hacket, Field Director, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian presents certificate to the Freemans on their Grand Opening.Quincy Reed, Field Deputy for Assemblymember Bocanegro, presents certificate to the Freemans on their Grand Opening festivities.
The Freemans accept Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's certificate presented by Lori Wheeler, senior field deputy.
The Freemans accept certificate from Nikki Ezhari, field director for Councilman Paul Krekorian, Second Council District.

ADRIN'S OPEN HOUSE A POPULAR STOP

 

Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and
Chamber President Vic Viereck
 
New Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian greeted an overflow crowd of approximately 400 at his official open house at the Van Nuys State Office Building on Feb. 21.

Well-wishers flowed in to congratulate our new representative to the State Assembly. The Chamber had its contingent there, led by President Vic Viereck.  

PRESIDENT'S UPDATE  

By Victor "Vic" Viereck
Vic Viereck
Victor Viereck

 

One of the benefits of a business being a member of the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is getting more exposure to other businesses and the public in general.  

 

Starting in February we had our monthly breakfast mixer at a different restaurant. We really enjoyed breakfast at the Daily Grill, and expect to be there again in March. On February 28 our members and several field deputies of elected officials enjoyed the ribbon cutting at the new Pacific Cheesecake Company, which has a wide variety of delicious cheesecake. We also have quarterly mixers. Besides the enjoyable networking opportunity those are, the members who own the mixer locations have the opportunity to show the qualities of their businesses.  

 

Now that the primary election is done for Mayor, City Attorney, City Controller, odd numbered City Council positions, LAUSD Board Positions, and Community College Board members, it is important for our members to become acquainted, if not already, with the new officials and the candidates in the runoff elections. They need to know what helps or hinders business, and how wide spread pro-business policies increases employment while growing the tax base. Especially considering the wise defeat of the �% sales tax increase in Proposition A, we need to deliver the message of how to raise more tax revenue by growing the tax base (and cutting waste). In the long run, growing the tax base creates more long-term, dependable benefits.