Chamber members and guests enjoyed a taste of The Hesby Life at our quarterly mixer Jan. 23. Along with making new connections, we enjoyed tours of the apartments. In the lounge, we partook of hors d'oeurves from the Eclectic and a variety of beverages. From the many crostini choices, including beef tenderloin and sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese, to the libations, it was quite a party. The Eclectic and Hesby crews were attentive hosts. 

The Hesby is a large new luxury apartment complex at 5031 Fair Ave. It offers its own amentities as well as the excitement and convenience of NoHo. For information or tours, call (855) 227-3523, or visit thehesbylife.com. Our thanks to the Hesby staff and the Eclectic personnel, including Laura, a gracious server.

Jay Leno Received Proclamation from Councilman Tom LaBonge declaring it Jay Leno Day for his 22 years as the Tonight Show host (Courtsey of LaBonge News)

 On Wednesday, City Council of the City of Los Angeles declared February 6, 2014 as "Jay Leno Day in Los Angeles." Councilmember LaBonge commended Jay Leno for his contributions as an entertainment icon, making millions of people laugh every weeknight for more than twenty years

Councilman Tom La Bonge presents certificate to Nate Kirtman, NBCUniversal for their 22 years of support for the NBC Tonight Show.

Capt. Brian Ballton

Capt. Brian Ballton of the Los Angeles Fire Department talked about the proposed City of Los Angeles Industrial/Commercial Annual Inspection Fee at our January networking breakfast. Ballton is Unit Commander of the Valley Industrial Commercial Unit, supervising six fire inspectors who are responsible for over 2,400 large commercial buildings in the Valley. The fee would be a fee for service, he said.

As proposed, the draft ordinance would impose an annual fee of around $440 for industrial and commercial buildings of 40,000 square feet or more, with four to six stories. Eventually the fee could go higher for larger buildings. The draft ordinance is being considered by the Los Angeles City Council and is expected to be approved latter this year, Ballton said.

New Member: Holiday Inn Express, Michael Acosta with Chamber President Terri Jackson

We welcomed new member Michael Acosta from the Holiday Inn Express, which celebrated its ribbon-cutting the next day (see article).

Geoklix, Art Yeranosyan explained internet marketing as our Breakfast Sponsor for the January Breakfast

Dr. Jorge Montes

Our member Business Card speaker for January was Dr. Jorge Montes, a popular area dentist and co-founder of Operation Smiles Uplifting Military (OSUM), which provides dental services for Vietnam veterans. This month he addressed a new topic, one dealing with heart health and dental care: sleep apnea. This condition in which breating stops and sleep is interrupted repeatedly is a serious health issue, and one that some dentists can help diagnose and treat (with a special oral appliance). If you or a family member snores loudly and is very tired during the daytime, he or she might have sleep apnea and should seek diagnosis and help. Dr. Montes is at (323) 522-5971.

This month, we will meet at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 25, at the Daily Grill, 12050 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. Cost for the networking breakfast is $20 for members and $25 for not-yet-members if you RSVP by the Friday before (Feb. 21 this month). You will also be listed on the Hotsheet distributed to all attendees. For later registrations, cost is $25 members, $30 not-yet-members. RSVP on the website (noho.org); click payments.

MK Partners' New Office

Chamber members, representatives of elected officials, and guests turned out in force. For information, visit www.mkpartners.com.

Envy Nutrition Moves  

Celebrating a new location, Envy Nutrition moved to Burbank. Assisting with the ribbon cutting are UCNH Board Members: Zaven Pogosyan, Carson Schreiber, Sabina Sayegh, Guy and Diane McCreary.  Terri's Dad, Richard    Kurt Banks, Terri Jackson, Maria DeNoraCoreas , Herb Pencille, Vic Viereck and Michelle Gilstrap

 

Envy Nutrition celebrated its new location with a ribbon-cutting on Jan. 22. Terri Jackson moved her popular nutrition business eastward to 4000 Magnolia, Suite L, Burbank. Along with the new address comes an expanded mission. "We realized we are a developer not only of healthy lifestyles but of entrepreneurs," said Terri. "Now we help people get healthy as well as becoming the entrepreneurs they were meant to be." She invited members of the community to stop by for a free health evaluation. The phone is (818) 822-1766.

 

Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood Opens

Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood

 

 

Cutting the Ribbon at the Grand Opening were elected officials representatives: Left to Right: Talene Dermanjian, Field Deputy, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian office; Brian Gavidia, Field Representative, Congressman Tony Cardenas; Councilman Paul Krekorian, Council District 2, Bob, Rajesh and Raj Patel, owners and developers of the hotel. Second Row, Zaven Pogosyan, UCNH Chamber Board Member and Michelle Gilstrap, Executive Director.

 The sparkling new Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood welcomed the Chamber and other community members at its festive grand opening on Jan. 29.  The hotel is at 11350 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood  91601, east of Lankershim.

 

Manager Ben Hipolito noted the many amenities the hotel offers, including complimentary breakfast buffet featuring a variety of hot morning favorites, outdoor pool, business center, fitness area, flexible meeting space, wired and wireless high-speed internet access.

 

The location in convenient to studios and the NoHo Arts District, as well as downtown Los Angeles.  Book online or call 1-818-821-8031  www.hiexpress.com

The Kiwanis Entertainment Industry Group collected loads of clothing for the homeless in its "Fill the Truck" clothing drive with the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission. Members of the club and the community brought bags and bags of clothing to the parking lot of Panera Bread, 14708 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, to fill the truck on Saturday, Jan. 25. We didn't totally fill the truck, but we did pretty well. 

Kiwanis EIG offers its thanks to the community and to its host, Panera Bread, which also provided delicious cookies for donors. For information about the international service club, visit www.kiwaniseig.org. Come to a meeting and you'll likely see many familiar and welcoming faces.