Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

The Business Source Center for the San Fernando Valley, along with five other centers in Los Angeles, will reopen, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced.

The North Valley Business Source Center is run by the Valley Economic Development Center (www.vedc.org) "Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy," said the mayor. "We are reopening the BusinessSource Centers to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to create jobs and grow their businesses."  Located at 13172 Van Nuys Blvd. in Pacoima.

The LA BusinessSource program is part of the Mayor's Office of Small Business' effort to expand support for key job creators in LA. The city is home to 325,000 small businesses making LA the largest small business community in the country. The six new centers replace the LA Business Assistance Program that served the city for 11 years. In 2010, the Mayor's Office of Small Business and the Community Development Department realized that the LA Business Assistance Program was in need of improvement. The two offices worked together to find a new system that includes performance metrics to more efficiently track the success of the program as a whole.

As if the Carmageddon closure of Interstate 405 from July 15-17 weren't enough, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces these lane closures on Interstate 5 and the Ventura Freeway. The closure began July 1 and will continue through July 8. The closures are part of the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Improvement Project.

Here is the message:

San Fernando Valley - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the following lanes, ramps, and connectors of the Golden State Freeway (I-5) and the Ventura Freeway (SR-134) as part of a $57.8 million improvement project to construct High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes in each direction along I-5 between SR-134 and Magnolia Boulevard. Closures are subject to change. Detours will be signed.

Northbound I-5 from Colorado Boulevard to SR-134

Up to three lanes - 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Up to four lanes - 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Northbound I-5 from Burbank Boulevard to SR-134

Up to two lanes - 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Up to three lanes - 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Southbound I-5 from Burbank Boulevard to SR-134

Up to two lanes - 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Up to three lanes - 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Work began this March and is expected to be completed in late 2014. The website: www.dot.ca.gov/dist07.

Sandy Benson of The Printing Connection, Edo Gabrielyan of 1 & Only Insurance Services, and Marilynn Bradbury of Ramsey-Shilling enjoying the mixer

We had a great showing at the United Chambers of Commerce Mega-Mixer on June 30. An astounding 480 members and guests from 13 chambers throughout the San Fernando Valley attended.

Many business people visited our table at the event. Even with the large crowd, we were able to move around and meet and greet in the spacious ballroom at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills. It was a prime opportunity for speed networking and making strategic connections.

Dick Woody of The Group Rep

Our own members were pleased.

Said Marilynn Bradbury of Ramsey-Shilling: "I enjoyed the wonderful blend of the business representatives and the many members from other chambers. I like the relaxed atmosphere and getting to meet so many people.

Noted Sandy Benson of The Printing Connection: "I met some amazing people and bonded with several new friends."

If you missed this one, come to the next. With the success of the inaugural mixer, the United Chambers will make this an annual event. Next year's Mega-Mixer will again be on the Thursday before the July 4 weekend, said Marion Jocz, executive director of United Chamber of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley (www.unitedchambers.org).

Many thanks to the planners of the event for expanding our opportunities many fold.

Oleg Bouimer Southern California Health Institute	Meeting and greeting at our booth -- Zaven Pogosyan of G Store & Gifts,  and Executive Director Michelle Gilstrap

Congressman Howard Berman

Congressman Howard Berman headlined a high-energy networking breakfast June 28. He spoke briefly on many topics, from redistricting, of course, to the federal budget deficit, immigration laws and intellectual property protection. “Much of our $14 trillion deficit came from decisions made a long time ago,” he noted. About extending the federal debt limit, he said, “We’re flirting with disaster when we go up to that deadline and threaten not to increase the debt limit.”

As the center of the entertainment industry, he continued, we in Southern California face a serious problem with the theft of intellectual property via the Internet. As copies of films and music are downloaded, creators often get no compensation.

Diane McCreary thanked the Congressman for his helping in getting funds for improvements at the historic Campo de Cahuenga.

Guy Weddington McCreary, Sponsor	From left: Carson Schreiber, Jo Ellen Krumm, Guy Weddington McCreary, Chamber President Vic Viereck, Congressman Howard Berman, Michelle Gilstrap, and Edo Gabrielyan.