L.A. Business This Week

 

     
Thursday | June 9, 2011
     
 

IN THIS ISSUE

This Week At The Chamber
Read the latest happenings

Member News
Read good news from Chamber members

Issues of Interest
Read about what's going on in your community

  COMING UP AT
THE CHAMBER
 
     
 

FRI | June 10
Health Care Council
Health Care Reform in California
more info |
register

MON | June 13
Special Breakfast Honoring Jane Harman
Open to Circle Level Members and Board Members
more info

MON | June 13
Environmental Sustainability Council
Special meeting on AQMD Energy Policy
more info | register

TUE | June 14
Occidental Petroleum Power Hour Series
Featuring Pulitzer-Prize winning L.A. Times reporters on the Bell scandal
more info |
register

WED | June 15
Global Initiatives Council
National security and international trade
more info |
register

View all upcoming events on our Web Calendar.

 
     
 



OVERHEARD

 

"The flexible spending bill, AB 18, is best for students … It’s best for teachers, but it’s still a difficult message to get through. One critical way to do this is by developing partnerships."

—State Sen. Alan Lowenthal on Friday at the Education & Workforce Development Council meeting on Linked Learning and the Long Beach College Promise.


  Media Highlights  

 

 

Meaningful Education Reform
CapInsider.com, June 4
Read more

Door opens for major reform of school finance
California Watch, June 3
Read more

Work Ready Now
CBS 2, June 7
Read more  

 

 
   
 


EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Chamber and U.S. Small Business Administration honored small business owners and champions Tuesday at the 30th Annual Small Business Awards at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel. Above from top left clockwise: Antonio Zate, Wells Fargo; Derek A. Romo, Work at Home Business Expo; emcee Larry Carroll, news anchor; Chamber Board Member Barry Levin, Snak King Corporation; Paul Mazbanian, SBC Lending; Ron Fong, Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program; Madelyn Alfano, Maria's Italian Kitchen; Michelle King, Santa Monica College Small Business Development; Michael Scotto, SCORE Ventura County; Frank Mancini, Elite SDVOB Network; Dorothy C. Randle, Mayor Villaraigosa's Office of Economic & Business Policy. (Not pictured: Elham Ebiza, California Recycles, Inc.) View photo gallery.


Chamber and coalition urge Gov. Brown and legislature to negotiate financial plan
The Chamber has voiced its support for a financial workout plan for California by joining a coalition of 13 major business organizations from across the state, including the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. The Coalition for a California Financial Workout Plan is encouraging Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders to restart negotiations around a five-point workout plan. Voice your support by taking action today. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Chamber to meet with L.A. Times reporters who broke City of Bell scandal
Beginning in the spring of 2010, the Los Angeles Times published a series of stories exposing officials' financial misdeeds in the small working-class town of Bell. Hear from staff writers Jeff Gottlieb and Ruben Vives about how they uncovered the story at the Occidental Petroleum Power Hour Series on Tuesday, June 14, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chamber. Coverage of the Bell scandal involved more than two dozen reporters and editors, and led to criminal charges against eight current and former city officials, millions of dollars in tax refunds to residents, and legislative reform efforts promoting transparency and open government. In April, Gottlieb and Vives were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their coverage of Bell. Register now or contact Pat Clark, 213.580.7595.

Looking for good employees? Our youth are ready to work.
The Chamber helped more than 180 young Angelenos prepare for entry-level employment Saturday during the largest-ever Work Readiness Certification. Chamber members Cedars Sinai, UPS, Deloitte LLP, Pacific Asian Consortium In Employment and others conducted job interviews — some mock, some real — and provided youth with valuable feedback. "I'm trying to walk away with some more experience as far as how to communicate and build my confidence up," said Derrian William, a youth participant.  Employers are encouraged to participate by hiring youth or sponsoring youth jobs. Contact Maria Dolores Nieto, 213.580.7599.

 

Chamber member helps Homeboy Industries open cafe in L.A. City Hall
Homeboy Diner opened its doors today inside L.A. City Hall, serving coffee, pastries, tamales, sandwiches, salads and more.  Of the famed Homeboy Industries, Homeboy Diner will provide jobs and opportunities for former members of L.A. street gangs. Many individuals and organizations helped make this a reality, including Chad Lauterbach, Be Structured, who sits on the board of a non-profit that provided the necessary funding for Homeboy Diner. The Chamber congratulates all those who helped make today's opening a reality. Read more.

Click hereto learn more.

 
good news goods news goods news

 

 

 

  MEMBER ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
   
 
 

ADVERTISE HERE
Contact us to advertise in
this space and reach
thousands of business
leaders each week.

 
  ISSUES of interest  
 
 

LADWP begins dialogue on water and power rate process
The first ever joint meeting of L.A. City Council's Energy & Environment Committee and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Board of Commissioners took place this past Saturday. General Manager Ron Nichols delivered a presentation on LADWP's challenges, fiscal outlook, priorities and policies. LADWP announced seven regional Community Collaboration Sessions throughout the City in June to discuss with the ratepayers legal mandates, aging infrastructure, policies and other basic necessities as well as strategic investments being considered and what they would cost. Learn more.

Take Action on Federal Contracting Act of 2011
Join the Chamber in voicing support for Keeping Politics Out of Federal Contracting. The legislation would help ensure that political spending—or the lack thereof—continues to play no role in federal contracting decisions. Voice your support today.

 
 

 

MEMBER BENEFITS
 

Adding value to your Chamber membership

 
   
MEMBER advertisement
 
 






 



The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com