GranadianThe official publicaTion of The

Granada hills chamber of commerce

OUr Chamber of Commerce office: 17723 Chatsworth St. Granada Hills, CA 91344

TelePhone: (818) 368-3235 | Fax: (818) 366-7425 | Website: www.granadachamber.com

Greetings and salutations once again!

Well, I have survived two months and moving quickly into the third. I want to thank each and every one of you who attended the Installation Dinner on

February 24. I think the event was a great success

and I hope everyone had a great time. If you would like to see the pictures of the event please go to our Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

First, I want to thank Bonnie Bursk for organizing and putting together the fun filled event that evening and being there for us all. This event has

many other supporters that I personally want to thank, Irv Selman, Master of Ceremony; Michael Lewis, Video Presentation and Photography; Nicki Heyd and Maria Schwartz for the 60/40 drawing; Marian Jocz, Executive Director – United Chambers of Commerce and Paul Lacayo, Executive Director - Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce.

I also want to give special thanks to Steve Baker and Leon Palassanian for staying afterward and helping me load my van. It was greatly appreciated.

My hat is off to David Beauvais for receiving the Gil Benjamin Award, which was most deserving. As for the other nominees, you can now join the ranks with Richard Fisk and me for being nominated but not getting it! We usually cry into our beer for about an hour and then move on.

I’d also like to congratulate Laine Caspi for winning the Thurlow Cully Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award.

On another note, “Scratch a Cat and you will have a permanent job”. I am hearing more and more about people out of work, starting this month if you are out of work let us know and let’s see if we can help in some way.

This last few weeks I’ve learned of several people, that’s more than one and less than ten, that had just lost their job; one being my daughter in law.

I actually know a few people who might hire, if it’s the right person. Timing is everything. No promises, just another possible way to get your name out there. Speaking of that, attending our Mixers and Networking Breakfast is another way to meet and greet people. You simply need a business card with your name, address, phone number, along with your email address and you’re good to go. No, don’t bring your resume to these functions, just a smile, handshake and a howdy do.

My good friends, as a friendly reminder, I simply want to remind you that we are a phone call away and we will help in any way we can.

I am reminded often by those who are in “the know”, that money can’t buy happiness, but somehow it’s more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo. Makes sense to me.

Lastly “A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water”.

Hope you enjoy reading my thoughts and let us help you in promoting your business.

march 2012

President’s Message

Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe

“The Valley's Most Neighborly Town”

1

2 Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe

Overlooking the San Fernando Valley, the Odyssey Restaurant was host to the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s 84th Annual Installation Dinner on Friday, February 24, 2012.

With 140 attendees present, the evening showcased the transition of the Chamber Presidency.

Outgoing President Alison Robin-son was honored by proclamations and certificates from the U.S. House of Representatives, the State of California and the City of Los Angeles.

She was also honored with a video tribute from Chamber Members and fellow Board Members rounding out her recognition.

There was the presentation of the Gilbert G. Benjamin Citizen of the Year Award as well as the presentation of the Thurlow S. Cully Board Mem-ber of the Year Award.

Along with award presentations, a special presentation was held for a long time Chamber Member.

The night was later accompa-nied by the Silent and Live Auction Events.

For the first time in two years, the Cham-ber Presidency changed hands.

U.S. Con-gressman Brad Sherman and City of L.A. Councilmember Mitch Englander were present to orchestrate the recognitions and to chair the Live Auction respec-tively.

Congressman Brad Sherman of-ficially administered the oath of office to New President Wynne Ritch and to

the 2012 Board of Directors. Afterward Alison thanked all those

that helped during her two year term and handed out recognition gifts to the Board Members who served in 2011.

She also recognized and presented to Board Member, Laine Caspi, the Thurlow Cully Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award.

Following Alison, incoming Presi-dent, Wynne thanked everyone for coming out and for the opportunity to serve this coming year.

He set down a personal goal to reach out to the community’s business-es, have a closer working relationship between the Chamber and its mem-bers, and attain a goal of reaching 200 members by the end of 2012.

Then the evening turned toward the presentation of the prestigious Gil Benjamin Citizen of the Year Award.

This year the nominees selected for

Annual Installation Dinner Serves Up Successful Evening

David Beauvais receives 2011 Citizen of the Year Award

March 2012news

for the honor were: Jerry Askew (Askew Network So-lutions), David Beau-vais (Granada Hills South Neighbor-hood Council and Old Granada Hills Residents’ Group), Marguerite Gos-sett (Granada Hills Womans Club), Rev. Kathleen Richter (St. Stephens Church), Eileen Smulson (Blankets of Love) and Jane Stanton (North Valley Family YMCA).

Since only a small number of the at-tendees knew the winner prior to the event, the anticipation was palpable as it is every year.

Last year’s recipient, Virginia Snow, read each of the individual nominees credentials leading up the announce-ment of the 2011 Winner: David Beauvais.

Before wrapping up the evening’s festivities with the Silent and Live Auction; Holiday Parade and former

Chamber President John Ciccarelli made a special presentation to another former president and his successor in 1986, John Weitkamp.

Due to a special vote by the Board of Directors in January 2012, the Chamber Meeting Room will be called the Weitkamp Board Room, renamed in honor of and recognition for John Weitkamp and his father Fred Weit-kamp, also a former Chamber Presi-

dent who served during 1956 and 1957, for their outstanding con-tributions to the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce and to the Commu-nity of Granada Hills.

Overall, the night was a success thanks to the efforts of our Dinner Chair, Bonnie Marie Bursk and those listed in the adjacent column.

Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe 3

March 2012news

Major Sponsor• Askew Network Solution

Event Sponsor• Colonial Coach Works

Table Sponsors• Andrews & Van Lohn Insurance• ARPI Mechanical• Cheryl & Brian Ford• LawOfficesof Savin&Bursk• Republic Services• Tru-Quest Home Inspection• Valley Life Improvement• Van’s Jewelry

Installation Patrons• Joe Vitti• Kirby Vaccum Co.of Granada

Hills - John CiccarelliAuction Sponsors• Acucare Chiropractic Pain Clin-

ic - Dr. Andrew Lam, D.C.• A Sweet Design• Nicki Heyd• J. Michael Kabo• LawOfficesof Savin&Bursk• Muscle by Russell• Numero Uno Pizza - Granada

Hills• Odyssey Restaurant• Wynne & Rosemary Ritch• SIRA 2000 Hair Salon• State Farm Insurance - Steve

Baker• Terry’s Tutoring Team• Vegetable Delight Restaurant

Music Provided by:• “Elegant Music” - Sheila & Ed

ZimmermanFloral Centerpieces provided by• Granada Hills Florist

SponSorS

March 2012Events

Chamber February Mixer Wednesday, March 21

(6:00 - 8:00 pm)Asana Chiropractic

17547 1/2 Chatsworth St. Raffle Tickets: 6 for $5

4 Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe

March 13Board Meeting Tuesday, March 13 (6:00 pm)

Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce

March 21

Chamber Networking Breakfast Friday, March 30

(7:30 am to 9:00 am)VFW Post 2323

17522 Chatsworth St.Granada Hills, CA 91344

$10 for members and $15 for non-members

March 30

Chamber Events

The Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Congressional Candidates Forum on Thursday, April 12th from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The forum, featuring candidates Mark Reed, Susan Shelly and Brad Sherman, will take place at Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences, 10445 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills.

The event is sponsored by the South and North Neighborhood Councils and The Old Granada Hills Residents

Group. More sponsorships are available (just contact the Chamber).

All residents of the Valley are wel-come to attend. Come hear your Congressional candidates speak on important issues.

Questions for the candidates must be submitted to the Chamber Office by email, no later than April 2nd.

Hope to see you there!Alison Robinson

Government Affairs Chair

Granada Hills Chamber hosts congressional candidates forum

Thursday, April 12 (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences

10445 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344

FebruaryMixer

February breakFastGranadian

Page Editors & DesignersAhra Cho, Jane Pyeon,

Shilpa BhongirGranada Hills High School

5Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe

United American Financial? Think Life Insurance on steroids!Every Life Insurance policy we

sell is eligible for free college schol-arship rewards for children, step children and grandchildren.

College costs are rising faster than most other compulsory expenses. Families are concerned that money will not be there when kids graduate high school.

Life Insurance Scholarships are a new tuition funding concept for families. This unique resource gives us an opportunity to protect those we love with insurance while accu-mulating serious Tuition Rewards to help educate our children or grand-children.

Tuition rewards are a free bonus – similar to frequent flyer miles.

But instead of upgrading to First Class for a 4 hour plane ride, you get 4 years of tuition discounts for saving and investing in life insurance to protect your loved ones.

1.5 million families start some sort of college saving plans each month. Our reward points earn 5,000 first year, then 2,000 annually thereafter - for each policy!

There are now 220,000 kids ben-efiting from these rewards.

Family members may also par-ticipate. Life Insurance plus Tuition Scholarship Rewards are arranged with components from major insur-ance companies and through the services and associates of:

Gary A. Minkin, LutcfUnited American Financial Services

of CaliforniaLicense 292492 | 818 363-2211

Valley Life Insurance

ScholarshipsMarch 2012

MemberShip

FIRM NAME :

PHONE: ( )

FAX: ( )

CONTACT NAME:

EMAIL:

ADDRESS:

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:

TYPE OF BUSINESS:

How did you hear about the Chamber?

0-5 Employees: $170

6-12 Employees: $230

13-20 Employees: $290

21+ Employees: $400

Non-Profit (with proof): $65

Please contact Paul Lacayo at 818 368-3235or mail application to: 17723 Chatsworth St.,

Granada Hills, CA 91344

Become a member

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Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe

Adv

ertise

ments

DECEMBER 2011- JANUARY 2012

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Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe 7

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Granada Hills CHamber of CommerCe

17723 Chatsworth st. Granada hills, Ca 91344

PrEsort stdU.s. PostaGE

PaidVan nUys, CaPErMit #259

PrEsidEnt

Wynne RichrEsidEnt MEMbEr

iMMEdiatE Past PrEsidEnt

Alison RobinsonVallEy lifE iMProVEMEnt

1st ViCE PrEsidEnt

Laine Caspi ParatUs insUranCE

sECrEtary Bonnie Marie Bursk

salVin & bUrsk law offiCE

trEasUrEr

Mike KaboCsUn

Richard FiskrEsidEnt MEMbEr

Jerry AskewaskEw nEtwork solUtions

Michael LewisMorE art, inC.

Nickie Wheelerall VallEy troPhy

Maria SchwartzGranada hills woMan’s ClUb

Donna Tregaro nEw EnGland finanCial

Joe VittirEsidEnt MEMbEr

Gary Farajian arPi MEChaniCal

Lillian Goodman rEsidEnt MEMbEr

David ChapmanrodEo rEalty

Nadya DonikianoPPortUnity shoP

Paul LacayoExECUtiVE dirECtor

board of direCtors