Valley Industry & Commerce Association |
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- Quote of the Week
- VICA Victory: Al Fresco Dining
- Members
- Bridging the Digital Divide
- VICA Foundation Scholarships
- Valencia Commerce Center (VCC)
- Upcoming Events
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- Committee Recap
- 2022 Legislative Priorities
- Media Mentions
- Hot News
- Member Spotlight
- Member Messages
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"The Valley is in turmoil."
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Rachel Torres, Redistricting Commissioner
Regarding opposition by neighborhood councils to the new redistricting maps in the Valley
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VICA Victory: L.A. Approves Permanent Al Fresco Dining |
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VICA was proud to advocate for the permanence of Al Fresco dining in the City of Los Angeles. With a 14-0 vote, the Los Angeles City Council agreed with VICA in making outdoor and sidewalk dining a mainstay of restaurant operations. Al Fresco dining provided a lifeline for many restaurants who faced countless struggles, and in a year full of confusing ordinances and guidance from government, the option to have outdoor dining proved to be one of the few bright spots.
Moving into the future, Al Fresco dining still has more to offer restaurants, workers, and patrons alike. While restaurants continue to reel from the lingering effects of the pandemic, expanded outdoor dining allows our restauranteurs to expand their operations and can potentially help them offset the costs that they incurred over the last year. Al Fresco dining will also lead to many other advantageous changes for restaurants including addressing archaic parking requirements for restaurants, allowing rideshare, public transportation, and rapid curbside pickup to grow as viable alternatives to congestion. We applaud the City Council for approving this common-sense and important ordinance.
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VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members |
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Bronze Members:
Member:
New Platinum Member:
New Member:
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VICA Urges the County to Bridge the Digital Divide |
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This week, VICA sent a letter to the LA County Board of Supervisors urging them to pursue an equitable approach in connecting LA County households to fast and affordable internet access. While the Board has proposed different options on how to accomplish this, Option 1 is by far the most cost-effective way to do so. Option 1 would utilize existing broadband infrastructure and providers to rapidly and efficiently bring countless households online for the first time.
Conversely, if the County opted for one of the other options, including building and subsequently maintaining a public wireless network, LA County households would be forced into using an inferior network, creating a two-tiered system with the newest users being forced into using the "slow lane" when accessing the internet.
VICA is proud to support Option 1 as it is the farthest reaching solution to connect households and simultaneously saves critical resources which can go towards other programs that improve the quality of life for residents County-wide.
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VICA Foundation Scholarships |
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Each year, the VICA Research Foundation offers three scholarships to outstanding local students with a demonstrated interest in business. We strongly encourage our members to share this opportunity with their organizations and students in our community. |
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Melvyn A. Kohn Memorial Scholarship |
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A $500 scholarship to a student attending a VICA-member high school or primary education institution.
Application Deadline: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
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Marvin R. Selter Memorial Scholarship |
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A $1,000 Scholarship to a full time undergraduate attending a VICA member university or college.
Application Deadline: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
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Ricky M. Gelb Scholarship |
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A $1,000 Scholarship to a full time undergraduate attending a VICA member university or college.
Application Deadline: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
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VICA Supports the FivePoint Valencia Development |
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VICA was proud to support the next phase of FivePoint Valencia's Entrada South and Valencia Commerce Center project, a development that will help address the local housing crisis and create thousands of jobs in the County.
This project is a common sense solution in regards to the shortage of housing-stock as the development is slotted to produce close to 21,500 homes. FivePoint Valencia will also deliver 1.5 million square feet of commercial space, allowing space for businesses in a new and diverse community. Furthermore, the project also focuses on sustainability and aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas and net-zero energy in its homes and buildings, protecting the environment and the community, all while driving economic growth. The economic vitality this project will bring to the region is critical and VICA is excited to advocate for VCC in order to see the project come to fruition.
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VICA After Dark with Metropolitan Water District CEO Adel Hagekhalil
Monday, November 15
5:30 to 7:30 pm
LIVE EVENT: FIVE on the Hill at Hilton Universal City
Join VICA for the opportunity to hear updates that impact the business community from the Metropolitan Water District CEO and General Manager.
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State Officeholders Dinner
Thursday, November 18
5:30 - 8:30 pm
LIVE EVENT: Sheraton Universal
Join VICA for a rare opportunity for Valley business leaders to connect with state lawmakers and and participate in fun, candid, and interactive conversation!
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Ambassadors Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 26
9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
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Labor and Employment Committee
Wednesday, November 3
9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
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Education Committee
Thursday, November 4
9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
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After Dark with Adel Hagekhalil (MWD)
Monday, November 15
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
IN PERSON: FIVE on the Hill at Hilton
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State Officeholders Dinner
Thursday, November 18
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
IN PERSON: Sheraton Universal
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Aviation Committee (10/19)
Sponsored by Aeroplex/Aerolease
- Arthur Vander Vis of Los Angeles County Public Works gave an update on the transition to County management of 5 airports.
- Tamara McCrossen-Orr, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the Los Angeles World Airports gave a presentation on the LAWA Sustainability Plan.
- Faviola Garcia from the Office of the Regional Administrator gave an update from the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Pamela Marcello, the Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Hollywood Burbank Airport gave an update on the status of the airport.
- The Committee decided to table the Air Traffic Public Safety Act and consider it at a future Aviation Committee meeting.
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Government Affairs Committee (10/20)
Sponsored by Amazon
- VICA Legislative Affairs Manager Kayla Koerting gave a 2021 Government Affairs Update
- Matt Szabo, Los Angeles' City Administrative Officer gave an update
- Jennings Imel, Executive Director of Western Region of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave a federal legislative update
- VICA also gave an update regarding redistricting
- The committee also recommended that VICA support the Federal Infrastructure Package.
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Submit Your Ideas for VICA's 2022 Legislative Priorities! |
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As we move towards the end of the year, VICA is preparing its Legislative Priorities for 2022. This member-driven process depends on our members to suggest key issues on which VICA should advocate over the next year.
We need to hear your ideas for practical changes VICA can advocate for, which would help businesses recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and thrive in Los Angeles.
Don't miss this chance to submit your suggestions for VICA's 2022 Legislative Priorities! Please send your ideas by Friday, October 29th.
For more information, email Kayla@vica.com.
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California's Dry Spell
Mark Ridley-Thomas
L.A. City Redistricting Commission
Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Redistricting Commission approved their proposed maps, 15-6, moving the process forward and sending off the maps for approval by the City Council next week. The maps have sparked controversy for their major changes to the boundaries of Council District 2 and 4.
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Dodgers
After digging themselves into a hole against the Braves, the Dodgers were able to fend off elimination. Bolstered by three homeruns from Chris Taylor, the Dodgers won last night's game 11-2. The series is now 3-2 and returns to Atlanta on Saturday.
LAUSD Students
L.A. Zoo or Disneyland?
The L.A. Zoo has recently unveiled a plan to transform the park into a modern tourist attraction that will compete with fan-favorites like Disneyland and Six Flags. The plan involves getting rid of the remaining woodland around the park, an issue that has already garnered the dissent of local environmentalists. |
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Mary Rosas - Starbucks
Government and Community Relations
Mary Rosas was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She was the first public school student to receive a full scholarship by the Los Angeles Archdiocese for Mount St. Mary’s College. These scholarships usually go to Catholic school students.
Go San Fernando High School Tigers!!
When asked some additional questions, the below was shared:
Tell us about the strides that have been made over the past 18 months.
Starbucks has elevated their support for employee affinity groups which brings together partners (employees) to talk about their culture, traditions, etc. The leadership efforts have resulted in more civic and community engagement for Starbucks across the USA!
What has your company's greatest accomplishment been so far in 2021?
Like most companies, overcoming the pandemic is truly a great accomplishment. Our store practices are being shared with other companies and industries to ensure safety precautions for employees and customers. State by state we share best practices with Chambers of Commerce groups to support smaller businesses that may need that extra support.
What benefits have been gained by having a seat at the table with VICA?
Access to elected officials and community stakeholders has resulted in genuine opportunities to connect and learn about the development for solutions to tough issues, like homelessness. Our stores are highly impacted by homeless encampments and VICA has been a great convener for Starbucks to engage with District offices and activate on clean ups, etc. But, most importantly, we have developed our own Outreach Worker Program with PATHS to refer customers going through difficult times, this all resulted from listening to local leaders.
Can you share what VICA has meant for your business during COVID?
Mandates have truly been the toughest hurdle to manage and implement. VICA has been a trusted source for us across the various counties. We appreciate receiving updates on enforcement and influencing how to implement. Restaurants truly need more engagement from organizations like VICA to voice their concerns and to secure a seat at the table with policymakers.
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MUST BE A CURRENT VICA MEMBER TO BE FEATURED!
- Please share a brief biography and a fun fact about yourself that people would love to learn, ie: you love skydiving, you have run a marathon, you started your own business at a young age, etc. (2-3 sentences)
- Tell us about your organization and the strides you've made over the past 18 months. (4-6 sentence)
- What has your organizations and/or your greatest accomplishment been so far in 2021?
- What benefits has your organization gained by having a seat at the table with VICA?
- Can you share what VICA has meant for your business during COVID?
Send responses and headshot to Shauna Carter
shauna@vica.com
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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 cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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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.
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