VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association

June 12, 2023

In This Issue
  • VICA Host 16th Annual Hall of Fame Event
  • VICA Victory! Al Fresco Approved by PLUM Committee
  • Employee Retention Tax Credit
  • SoCalGas Gas Assistance Fund
  • Health Net Medi-Cal Redetermination

Quick Jump - Register to Attend!

“Inside Safe is a real solution that saves lives and supports communities. I want to thank Supervisor Horvath and Councilmember Soto-Martinez for partnering with us to bring people inside and express my appreciation to Councilmember Soto-Martinez for his commitment to urgently address the homelessness crisis by passing a budget that reflects our shared values."

Mayor Karen Bass

Statement on Thursdays New Inside Safe Effort Launch in Hollywood

VICA Hosts 16th Annual Hall of Fame - Honoring Those Who Contribute to the San Fernando Valley

On Thursday, June 8th, at The Garland, VICA held its 16th Annual San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame Dinner to celebrate with businesses and community leaders.


This year, we honored five community businesses and leaders for their active involvement in growing the San Fernando Valley. The inductees included the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley, Hilton Universal City, Radford Studio Center, Rickey M. Gelb, and Smoke House.


The event was presented by Amazon, The Garland and Gaspar Insurance Services and Amazon, co-sponsored by Cowe Communications, Kendra Scott, and the Los Angeles Daily News.


Post Event Report and more photos to come tomorrow.

From Left to Right: Scott Mills (The Garland), Tim Gaspar (Gaspar Insurance Services), Geovanny Ragsdale (Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley), Don Weissman (Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley), Shefali Mistry (California State University, Northridge), Cameron Onumah (Amazon)

From Left to Right: Scott Mills (The Garland), Tim Gaspar (Gaspar Insurance Services), Zack Sokoloff (Radford Studio Center), Katie Paul (Radford Studio Center), Martin Adams (Los Angeles Department of Water & Power), Cameron Onumah (Amazon)

Hall of Fame Honoree Rickey M. Gelb and VICA Chair Victor Berrellez (US Bank)

VICA President Stuart Waldman Livening Up Thursday Night's Festivities

VICA Chair Victor Berrellez (US Bank) Kicks Off Hall of Fame Program

Zach Sokoloff Accepts VICA Hall of Fame Award on Behalf of Radford Studio Center

Mark Davis Accepts Induction into the VICA Hall of Fame on Behalf of Hilton Universal City

VICA Victory! Al Fresco Proposal Passes PLUM, Makes Way to Full Council

Last Tuesday, the Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved the proposed al fresco ordinance amendments in Los Angeles.


The changes will establish specific standards for restaurants that wish to serve alcohol in their outdoor dining areas. Additionally, the changes permit ambient music to be played at a volume that allows for normal customer conversation.



VICA will continue to support the Al Fresco Dining program as a crucial role in sustaining local businesses, keeping restaurant doors open, and providing economic relief to struggling Angelenos.

Members

VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members!

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Gold Members


Silver Members


Renewing Members

Events

VICA University: What You Don't Know About Medicare and Medicare Health Plan Options

June 21 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Zoom


VICA invites you to join us for this informative 90-minute program (including a Q&A session) that will cover Medicare and Medicare health plans. Failure to follow the rules or knowing your options can prove costly to you and to your client or employee. Click the button below to register!

Register Here

VICA Leaders Forum: LA City Council President Paul Krekorian

June 29 | 11:30 AM

Burbank Airport Marriott


Since 2010, Paul Krekorian has served on the LA City Council where his leadership of the Budget and Finance Committee helped guide the city through the Great Recession. He also leads the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments, a coalition of leaders fighting for the Valley, and serves as a board member for Metro and Metrolink. In 2022, he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the City Council.


Click the button below to register!

Register Here

VICA in the News

Election: LA City Council District 6 Candidates Make the Case to Voters

Los Angeles Daily News | June 8

The Week Ahead

Land Use Committee: Housing Panel Discussion

Tuesday, June 13

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

Healthcare Committee

Wednesday, June 14

Noon - 2:00 PM

At the VICA Office

Sponsored by: Hospital Association of Southern California

RSVP

Save the Date 

Government Affairs Committee

Wednesday, June 21

Noon - 2:00 PM

At the VICA Office

RSVP

Transportation Committee

Tuesday, July 11

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

View Calendar

Hot News

Newsom Proposes 28th Amendment

On Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to establish new broad gun safety measures into law. A daunting and quixotic response to a wave of mass shootings in the U.S. looks to position California as the most aggressive state in the Union on gun control. Newsom's proposal would raise the federal minimum age to buy a firearm to 21 from 18, establish universal background checks, institute a waiting period for all purchases, and ban assault rifles nationally.


Growing List of Republican Hopefuls

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence have formally announced their presidential bids in New Hampshire and Iowa. They join a growing list of Republican hopefuls, including former president Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley, for the party's nomination.


LA City Becomes A Sanctuary City

On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion to make Los Angeles a "sanctuary city" for immigrants. The motion directs the city attorneys to prepare an ordinance to enshrine the sanctuary policies into the city's municipal code to ensure that "no city resources, property, or personnel are used for federal immigration enforcement".

Supreme Court Favor Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated a congressional map drawn by state lawmakers in Alabama after the 2020 Census, finding the state's redistricting plan for its seven House seats likely violated a provision of the Voting Rights Act. The 5-4 decision with Justice Roberts and Kavanaugh siding with liberal justices opens up opportunities for other state maps to be litigated, and ultimately having an impact on the makeup of the next House of Representatives, let alone state legislative boundaries.


Cornel West Running for President

Progressive professor and activist Cornel West announced he is running for president in 2024. One of the nation's most prominent thinkers, West - who has taught at Yale, Princeton, and Harvard, has long been engaged in politics. In his announcement, he enters to address truth and justice, and the presidency is just one vehicle to pursue that quest.


LA County Gasoline Prices Hit Peak

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose a half-cent Saturday to $4.97, its highest amount since December 1. The national average price rose for the fourth consecutive day following an eight-day streak of decreases. The seasonal driving surge has traditionally been strongly correlated with increased travel activities and gasoline increases.

Member Messages

Member Messages

Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!

VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.

ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
Read more about VICA at vica.com
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