Valley Voice Poll Obama Leads in California, But Romney ... · PDF fileObama Leads in California, But Romney Can Win it All ... CSUN OffeNSive Webpage ... CSU Northridge Professor

Covering Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, and Valley Communities West of the San Diego Freeway

Volume 7, Number 2 February, 2012

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Reporter’s Opinion

Hearing Footsteps?It Could be Newt!

By Haeeun Blessing Jee, Valley Voice Reporter

W ith Newt Gingrich’s win in the South Carolina primary, some of us were left wondering how his victory would change the GOP candidate choice. Due to the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary, many were sure that Mitt Romney’s

path to the GOP candidacy would be clear, with no serious threat. Romney’s close second in the Iowa caucus, and New Hampshire win was clearly a victory for the silver-haired businessman. However with Romney’s recently released income tax return showing a scanty 14% in taxes and with Gingrich’s victory in the SC primary, both Republicans and Democrats are now not too sure about who the GOP candidate will be. Polls have shown that Gingrich’s popularity has soared over Romney’s over the last couple of weeks. This shows that Republicans across the nation have not yet decided on Mitt Romney as their nominee. They are still considering Gingrich as a potential candidate. Most of these Republicans who are changing their vote from Romney to Gingrich are conservative, Tea Party supporters, and/or evangelical Christians. This shows that Romney is not appealing to right-wing Republicans, and he is failing to maintain his support across the nation.

* * * As for the bigger picture: let’s say Romney will be our future GOP nominee and Obama as our Democrat candidate. Would California turn Republican? “No,” said Ryan Janowski, resident of West Hills. “The most important consideration is that California operates on a winner-takes-all system of elector distribution, which means that unless the coastal region of the state sinks into the sea, Obama will take all 55 electoral votes.” California has been a blue state during presidential elections since 1988, with currently only 19 of its 55 Congressional members Republicans. I highly doubt that California can go Republican, even with the disillusionment of Obama’s performance by many Democrats. However, the economy is improving and even Obama’s public has improved with the recent

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Valley Voice PollObama Leads in California,But Romney Can Win it All

By Myles Mann, Valley Voice Reporter

Just weeks ago, a sense of inevitability surrounded Mitt Romney; there was little doubt among Republicans that he would be the one to face President Obama this fall. Yet, a sudden turn of events occurred shortly before the South Carolina

Primary, giving Newt Gingrich’s campaign a new breath of life. Nevertheless, Governor Romney continues to have the strongest chance of becoming the Republican nominee in November and is viewed by many, such as Roy Baron ofNorthridge, as “the most electable candidate to defeat the President.” The key to winning a presidential election resides in the Electoral College. As a candidate needs two hundred and seventy electoral votes to become President based on a winner-take-all system, the upcoming election will surely come down to just a few states. California, of course, has the largest population and thus the largest number of electoral votes. The prize of fifty-five electoral votes has been reliably Democratic for several Presidential elections and appears to be non-competitive this November. Jordan Parker of Calabasas says that “California went for Obama by nearly twenty percent in 2008--his approval is still high above water here; there is absolutely no chance that Romney or whoever the nominee is will defeat him here.” Republican Henry Pellman of Granada Hills grudgingly agreed, stating that, “there is just no way California will be competitive in November.” Pellman added that the “increasing Latino population ensures that California remains blue in 2012 and for many years to come.” Independent Jon Coburn of Porter Ranch states that “If California went overwhelmingly blue in 2010, there is virtually no chance it’ll go red in 2012.” While it appears quite certain that the President will come out ahead in the Golden State, other states are far more unpredictable.

* * *

In the political realm, it is well known that “As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.” No Republican has ever won the Presidency without winning the Buckeye State. Recent polls in Ohio suggest that the President has a slight edge over all the candidates in the Republican field. A new Quinnipiac University Poll notes that

“Sky’s the Limit”40% Interest Rates

No Way to Build U.S.By Andrew Kim, Valley Voice Reporter

Congress originally created usury laws to cap high interest rates with the intention of forcing lenders into lowering interest rates that they offer to high-risk customers. These days, some lenders are charging severely

high interest rates, some as high as 40%. There are two sides to this issue, one supporting usury laws and one disapproving of usury laws.

The U.S. originally did have usury laws. Each state had its own standards for limiting interest rate that could be charged without becoming usurious. These usury laws defended borrowers by not allowing lenders to sue to recover debt from an illegally charged interest rate. However, through a number of Supreme Court rulings, usury laws were steadily broken down. In the Marquette Nat. Bank of Minneapolis vs. First of Omaha Service Corp. case, the Supreme Court ruling allowed nationally chartered banks to charge interest rates of their states regardless of the borrower’s state of residence. Furthermore, the Depository Institution Deregulation and Monetary Control Act, which exempted federally chartered lending firms from state usury laws, also downsized the effectiveness and reach of state usury laws. Finally, in the Smiley vs. Citibank case, the Supreme Court continued to limit states’ power to regulate credit card fees and thus prevented states

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CSUN OffeNSive Webpage

aNti-SemitiSm thriveSON CalifOrNia CampUSeS

(Is there a limit to academic freedom? Is there ever a time when academic freedom crosses the line into full-fledged indocrination of students? Does a Professor have the right to post offensive, racially charged and academically irrelevant material on his state-funded website?)

the following letter was sent to now retired CSU Northridge President Jolene Koester, apprising her of Professor Klein’s anti-Semitic webpages and urging her to have them removed from the CSUN server:

Dear President Koester,

We are faculty members at the University of California, who have been investigating and documenting anti-Jewish bigotry on California public university campuses for the last several years.In case you have not seen them, we wanted to bring to your attention two webpages of CSU Northridge Professor of Mathematics David Klein, which are hosted on the CSUN server:Professor Klein’s “Home Page,” linked to the “Tenure-Track Faculty” webpage of the CSUN Department of Mathematics, contains a section entitled “CSU and Political Issues,” that includes a link to another CSUN-hosted webpage entitled “Boycott Israel.” Professor Klein’s “Boycott Israel” page contains a litany of false and inflammatory statements and photographs intended to incite hatred and promote political activism against the Jewish state.

* * *

There are several reasons why Professor Klein’s webpages should be immediately removed from the CSUN server:1) These webpages are in clear violation of the CSU policy prohibiting the misuse of the CSU name for inappropriate purposes, including for the promotion of political organizations and activities such as “boycott.”2) Many of Professor Klein’s statements on his “Boycott Israel” webpage meet the U.S. Department of State’s Working Definition of Anti-Semitism, including the statement that “Israel is the most racist country in the world.” In addition, the pictures of mutilated dead babies that appear on this page, with the clear implication that the babies have been brutally murdered by Israeli soldiers, are perfect examples of the classic anti-Semitic “blood libel”, the false accusation that Jews kill non-Jewish children for evil purposes, an accusation that has been used throughout Jewish history for the purpose of inciting hatred and violence against Jews. Campaigns to boycott the Jewish state are also anti-Semitic according to the U.S. State Department, and in some cases are a violation of U.S. law.3) The promotion of virulently anti-Israel and anti-Semitic statements and imagery on the departmental website of a CSUN faculty member cannot help but contribute to a hostile environment for Jewish students on your campus.4) CSUN is a public university, whose facilities and resources, including the CSUN website, are supported by the tax dollars of California citizens, many of whom would find Professor Klein’s webpages an egregious violation of public trust.

* * *

We do not believe that this is an issue of Professor Klein’s freedom of speech. Indeed, CSUN’s policy on internet use explicitly states that the University has the right to remove “any defamatory, offensive, infringing, or illegal materials” from its website. If you choose not to remove Professor Klein’s anti-Semitic material from the CSUN website, we will presume that it is because the University finds nothing “defamatory, offensive, infringing, or illegal” about these webpages, and is unconcerned with the effects they may have on CSUN students, parents, community members, and taxpayers.

Sincerely, Tammi Rossman-Benjamin Lecturer, University of California at Santa Cruz

Porter Ranch School UpdateWe are in the process of ordering all of the equipment and furniture this

month. It is a huge but exciting task for our school. I just reviewed one order for 926 chairs! Our curriculum and design teams are continuing to

meet monthly and plan programs for our future students. We are in the process of meeting with the teachers of the neighborhood schools that we will be receiving students from to discuss staffing and plans for a smooth transition for next year. We are also beginning the essential but challenging process of preparing all of our safety guides, procedures and permits for the new school which will have a state of the art fire detection system. And finally, we are meeting with several environmental support groups this month to plan for energy efficient programs and a policy to create a “green campus” for our students and our community.

- Mary Melvin, Principal

School BoundariesA divided Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education instructed

Superintendent John Deasy to explore the possibility of lifting school boundaries to give students the option of attending different campuses.

The board asked Deasy to report back within 90 days with recommendations. “Today’s resolution is about planning for our success,” board president Monica Garcia said. “As we open new schools, we need to look at boundaries and give parents and students the ability to choose a school based on their academic interest and needs, not based on their ZIP code.” She said parents should be able to consider factors such as a school’s atmosphere, class sizes, test scores and after-school programs when deciding where to send their children.


Congressman Brad Sherman Town Hall Meeting

“Town hall meetings are an excellent opportunity for me to listen to what’s on the mind of Valley residents and to respond to questions. On February 26th, we will discuss the economy, taxes, the national debt, education, Social Security and Medicare - and many other issues facing Congress. My constituent service staff will also be available to help you deal with any problem you’re having with any federal agency. The event, refreshments, and parking are free, so I hope to see you on Sunday, February 26th.”

--- Congressman Brad Sherman

Sunday, February 26th 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Reseda High School 18230 Kittridge Street

Contact Congressman Brad Sherman’s office for more information:

5000 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 420, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818) 501-9200 • fax: (818) 501-1554

E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.BradSherman.house.gov

From the Left

Dear DemocratsBy Susan Estrich

Me, worry? Yes. Every day I’m asked by Democrats whether to worry about Mitt Romney.

Many of them, frankly, aren’t. They tell me about his being a Mormon (unfair, but true, the prejudice is real) and about the right-wing attacks and the Bain business and his being rich and paying less in taxes than the rest of us. Won’t all of that kill him? Not necessarily. In reverse order: Most Americans would like to be rich. Rightly or wrongly, in the past, there has been more resentment of those who “live off the public dole” (did anyone but a handful of liberals oppose “welfare reform”) than of those who have made it. Maybe that’s changed with the 99 percent business, but it has yet to be demonstrated. Besides, as my guide in Paris pointed out to us, “Your first lady stayed at the Hotel de Crillon, the most expensive hotel in Paris.” Even more expensive than where Princess Di stayed. Ouch. Bain Capital. Created jobs and cut jobs. Romney says it was a net positive. Can Democrats find folks who will stand up and say they lost their jobs because of Bain Capital? Sure. Can Republicans find people who will say Bain created new jobs for them? No doubt. Two more points. Romney is lucky: All of this is coming out now. The media (and maybe the rest of us) have the attention span of gnats. Old news is not news. Bad news that comes out months before the election is all but forgotten by the fall. Think the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Who? Exactly my point. And by the way, our problem as Democrats is jobs.

* * *

I’m not pretending Romney is a perfect candidate. Not even close. Multiple-choice Mitt, he was called in Massachusetts. But neither is our president. So, yes, I’m worried about Romney. And no, I’m not convinced his problems make him an easy mark. But what I’m even more worried about is Democrats who veer between complaining about the president and complacency about his re-election. Wrong on both counts. Nothing to be complacent about with this economy. Come November, there still will be too many people looking for work who can’t find it, too many working at jobs that pay them too little to support their families, too many mortgages in foreclosure and houses on the market. We vote our lives in elections. And a lot of people’s lives are not good. There is a time to complain and a time to contribute. This is the time to contribute — and not just money, but support, enthusiasm, work. Now is the time to focus on what he’s done right and what Democrats are going to have to do to win this election. If you’re complaining now, believe me, you’ll be complaining even more come November. - Creators.com

From the Right

Obama’s Super-CzarIs on the Loose

By Michelle Malkin

Here is the operating motto of the Obama White House: “So let it be written, so let it be done!” Like Yul Brynner’s Pharaoh Ramses character in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” the demander in chief stands with

arms akimbo issuing daily edicts to his constitution-subverting minions with an imperious wave of his hand. His entourage of insatiable usurpers never rests. Can’t delude legislators into adopting a $1.5 billion Kabuki summer-jobs makework boondoggle? Create an unfunded program through executive fiat. Can’t muster up a filibuster-proof majority for radical nominees? Czar-ify ‘em. Can’t get Congress to approve vast wild lands designations? Grab them under cover of a holiday lame-duck session. Can’t get the illegal alien bailout DREAM Act passed on Capitol Hill? Executive-order it.“So let it be written, so let it be done!”

* * *

In keeping with the dark and defiant habits of this administration, the new head of the half-billion-dollar Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was sworn in behind closed doors during Christmas break. The nomination of former Democratic Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to serve as Dodd-Frank regulatory enforcer had been soundly defeated in the Senate before Christmas. Progressive zealots funded by billionaire George Soros goaded Obama to ignore the Senate’s constitutionally grounded advice and consent role. At his left flank’s urging, Obama vowed to follow in President Theodore Roosevelt’s footsteps (TR recess-appointed 160 officials during a recess of less than one day) and install Cordray even though the Senate technically remained in pro forma session. Fresh from his Hawaii vacation, Obama returned to Washington and for once delivered on a promise. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters that the administration expects no retaliation for the end-run around the deliberative process. Playing the pharaoh’s helper, Carney airily dismissed widespread bipartisan questions about the legality of the power grab as “esoteric discussion.” The GOP knew the installation of Obama’s latest super-czar was coming, but is now scrambling to respond. Republicans will get clobbered with the class warfare card again unless they forcefully counter the Democrats’ narrative of the president’s “bold” actions for “middle-class Americans.”

- JewishWorldReview.com


CityWatchWhat Are The Dodgers

Really Worth?By Jack Humphreville

P rospective purchasers of the Dodgers have submitted their non-binding, prelimi-nary indications of interest to the Blackstone Group, the New York investment bank that is running the auction for the sale of the Dodgers.

Numerous bidders have been mentioned in the press: Mark Cuban, the internet billionaire that owns the world champion Dallas Mavericks; New York hedge fund mogul Steve Cohen; Magic Johnson and friends; Rick Caruso, the owner of The Grove, and Joe Torre, the former manager of the Dodgers; investment manager Tony Ressler who also happens to be a minority investor in the Milwaukee Brewers; and Stanley Gold and the family of the late Roy Disney. There has also been considerable speculation about how much the Dodgers are worth. Forbes ascribed a value of $800 million, while the press has reported numbers in the range of $1.2 billion. We have even read about valuations in the range of $1.6 billion to $2 billion, obviously helped by leaks from the McCourt camp. Obviously, there is a lot to like about the Dodgers, our home town team for over 50 years. After all, they have won the World Series five times since moving to Los Angeles and have Vince Scully in the broadcast booth.

* * * And what’s not to like about Chavez Ravine on a summer’s evening, especially when the Boys in Blue smack the Giants in front of a capacity crowd. And despite all the controversy last year, the Dodgers played .594 ball after the All Star break. At that pace, they would have won the West and made the playoffs. The Dodgers have also signed MVP runner up Matt Kemp to a long term contract on considerably better terms than the Angels did for an aging Albert Pujols. The pitching staff is anchored by left handed Clayton Kershaw, the Cy Young winner and strike out artist who will be only 24 on Opening Day. Importantly, the Dodgers are in the nation’s second largest media market which is further enhanced by many more fans around the country. The new owner will also need to remodel or rebuild 50 year old Dodger Stadium so that it can accommodate very lucrative skyboxes that are an extremely important source of revenue for professional teams. And this, as we all know, is a very expensive project that will not be financed in any way by the City of Los Angeles. As it is, the Dodgers and The Boston Parking Lot Attendant have estimated liabilities in the range of $900 million. This would include debt of the Dodgers; bank debt secured by the parking lots; deferred compensation to the likes of Manny Ramirez; any liability associated with the Bryan Stow beating on Opening Day; advances from Fox Sports; personal debts and mortgages on his various residences in Montana, Vail, and Cape Cod; attorney fees; recapture taxes; long term capital gains tax; and any payments and penalties due to the Internal Revenue Service and the State of California as a result of his overly aggressive tax positions. And last, but not least, the $131 million payment to the lovely Princess Jamie who resides in her $50 million beachfront residence in Malibu. So, are the Dodgers worth over $900 million? The Dodgers are not making money, attendance was down 18% last year, and no shows were 25% of the ticket sales. The new owner will have to increase payroll by 75% to be competitive and Dodger Stadium will require a massive investment. The value of the Dodgers is also clouded by Boston Frankie’s desire to continue to own the 300 acres in Chavez Ravine, including the land under Dodger Stadium. His plan is to enter into a long term lease with the new owner on terms that are very favorable to him that may include future development rights. Not that he ever developed anything. But this land lease presents two problems. The first is who in their right mind would want to do business with Boston Frankie. And secondly, a long term land lease would more than likely be considered debt by Major League Baseball, thereby limiting the new owner’s financing options.

while the President has just a 44% approval rating in Ohio, the President still has a four percent lead over Governor Romney--45 to 41 percent. Ohio’s eighteen electoral votes will clearly be critical in pushing either candidate over the top. Florida, with twenty-nine electoral votes up for grabs, will also be similarly competitive. A recent strategy detailed by the President’s top electoral advisor states that the President would simply need to carry all the states John Kerry won in 2004 in addition to Florida to win the election. Winning the Kerry states and Florida would allow the President to concede key battle grounds like Virginia, North Carolina, New Mexico, Iowa, and Indiana, among other states. A recent NBC poll of 2,119 voters in Florida showed that President Obama had a seven percent lead over Mitt Romney--48 to 41 percent. Karen Greenberg of Tarzana “fervently believes that the President will win reelection” stating that “in this anti-Wall Street environment, the Republican Party is simply out of touch by nominating the biggest Wall-Street crony in the nation for President.” Kenneth Greene of Encino strongly disagreed, citing “Romney’s strong business experience” as “key to ensuring his victory over the President.” Greene believes that “Romney has the experience in business to know how to run a country effectively.” Republican Kimberly Robertson of Granada Hills believes that “Romney’s numbers will rise in the polls after this divisive primary ends” and believes that “Newt Gingrich should drop out to help the Party unite.” Lynette Johnson of Woodland Hills thinks that “the long Republican primary helps Democrats, as the media is pointing out the flaws of all the conservative candidates.” There are just nine months until America picks a President. Citizens throughout the Valley are overwhelmingly excited for the upcoming election and enthusiastically look forward to having a debate about the direction of the country. While the results of the election remain widely uncertain, there is one thing that seems assured: the election will likely be historically close and nine months in politics is as long as a lifetime.

Valley Voice PollObama Leads in California,But Romney Can Win it All

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued from page 1)ever, the economy is improving and even Obama’s public has improved with the recent Newsweek and TIME cover issues that put Obama in a positive light. With California’s diverse demographics and a large number of minority groups, spe-cifically recently-immigrated Latino populations, it can be safely assured that Romney, who supposedly only supports the military aspect of the controversial DREAM Act (it’s hard to really tell what he thinks because he’s flip-flopping all the time), California will not vote Republican and Obama will get his 55 votes. In terms of nationwide elections, there are many deciding factors. If New Hampshire, North Carolina, and especially Pennsylvania turn red, then Romney has a chance of keeping Obama from getting the countrywide electoral majority. Obama’s campaign has been ag-gressive this season, on the offense against GOP candidates, and with the economy perking up and the public light shining brighter, I believe Obama will win the electoral majority, with California as a nice safety net if a toss-up state does turn Republican. If Obama does not get the majority of electoral votes, then the vote will go to the House. And who knows what will happen once the vote goes into the House? With the crazy record of this year’s politics, the thing is that no one really knows what will happen.

Reporter’s Opinion

Hearing Footsteps?It Could be Newt!


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Porter Ranch DriveUnexpected Controversy

EruptsOver Proposed Bike Lane

Members of the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council expected to approve a proposed bike lane on a short stretch of Porter Ranch Drive to “close a gap” in the bike lane network in Porter Ranch during the January meeting, but the project began to be questioned,

invoking the recent Wilbur debacle. Glenn Bailey, Vice-Chair of the Bicycle Advisory Committee of the City of Los Angeles

presented the proposal to add a bike lane to Porter Ranch Drive north of Rinaldi to Corbin; this is the street between Toys R Us and the vacant lot planned for a shopping center. The lane would be four tenths of a mile on both sides of the street. There is currently no parking there now and there are two lanes of traffic in each direction. That would not change.

The bike lane would be designated for the five feet adjacent to the sidewalk. There would also be a four foot buffer space identified between the bike lane and the car lanes, adding an element of safety for bicyclists. This would be the first buffered bike lane in the San Fernando Valley.

Stakeholder Dave Hasson raised concerns about the safety of having a bike lane in that location considering the volume of traffic entering the shopping center next to Toys R Us. He noted that bicyclists can travel up and down the hill using Corbin to Porter Ranch Drive or Mason and don’t need to use this short, but high trafficked stretch of Porter Ranch Drive. Another stakeholder commented that she regularly walks that stretch of road and has concerns about her safety from drivers not paying attention. Board member Sue Hammarlund suggested that the developer incorporate bike lanes into the new shopping center.

* * *Board Member Becky Leveque was quick to state that she is not against bike lanes, but

wanted to know whether the City had taken into consideration Porter Ranch’s Specific Plan and the development of the shopping center in the vacant lot when proposing this bike lane. Attendees started to raise concerns that even though there is a planned stop light for the entrance next to Toys R Us, future shopping center traffic could be so significant that more than two lanes of traffic in each direction might be required in the future.

Stakeholder Irv Cohen admonished the PRNC to think ahead 15 years from now to consider what the traffic needs would be. One attendee asserted that once a bike lane is put in, it is impossible to remove! Board member Bright Aregs wanted to know if there was a legal requirement that the bike lane be implemented.

Several bicycle advocates were on hand to support the project, saying that people are going to bicycle there regardless of the bike lane and that bike lanes promote activity and are part of Porter Ranch’s image as the Crown Jewel of the Valley.

Board member Pat Pope divulged that he had expected to support the project at the beginning of the meeting but was now concerned about its viability. Ultimately President Mel Mitchell noted that the PRNC did not have the opinion of its largest stakeholder, Porter Ranch Development Company and would like to have more input from them and the Department of Transportation’s consideration of the new shopping center in the Porter Ranch Specific Plan before voting on the proposal. The board voted to gather that information and resume consideration during the February meeting. There are two other bike lane projects slated for Porter Ranch and the PRNC would like to consider those projects as well as push back it has received from the Department of Transportation about allowing street parking at Holleigh Bernson Park.

Please join us and weigh in on the traffic volume vs. bicycle safety issue on Porter Ranch Drive at our February meeting, February 7, 6pm, Shepherd of the Hills Church. Find out more: PRNC.org.

- Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council

Neighborhood Elections

No Money to Run Them?The Los Angeles City Council voted to transfer authority for running

90 Neighborhood Council elections this year from the city clerk to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, amidst a warning there

will be no money for the races.On an 11-2 vote, the council agreed to instruct the City Attorney’s

Office to draft an ordinance to make the transfer of authority official.The city’s administrative code requires the city clerk to run

Neighborhood Council elections between April-June of every even-numbered year. However, the council took away the clerk’s budget for running the elections during budget negotiations in May.

The City Attorney’s Office had recommended postponing the elections until 2014, a move Councilman Paul Krekorian said would be the death of the Neighborhood Council system.

“If you tell Neighborhood Council board members that, like it or not, they’re on the hook for another two years, I can tell you that you will have extensive defections throughout this city,” Krekorian said.

Instead, Krekorian proposed transferring the authority to Department of Neighborhood Empowerment General Manager BongHwan Kim, who said he could run the elections with a budget of around $650,000.

City Clerk June Lagmay said she had requested $1.9 million to run the elections, but was given $1.3 million.

City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, the city’s top budget adviser, told the council there is no money to pay for the elections.

Councilman Richard Alarcon strongly opposed giving Kim authority to run the elections, saying the department did a poor job when it previously did so.

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A new year brings with it the anticipation of a fresh beginning and the hope of our lives being better than they were the previous year. What often happens as January turns into February is that various struggles from last year carry over into the New Year. Soon, we find ourselves disappointed and burdened by the same worries, heartache,

and troubles that seem to have plagued us our entire life.God offers us this encouragement in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about

anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What this means is that we must resolve to PRAY—to share the concerns of our heart with a living God who cares about us, hears our prayers and is moved by them. When we trust God with our prayers, He promises His peace in return.

If you have not included prayer in your New Year’s Resolution, it is not too late to start. Imagine having a true and loyal friend, who is available at all hours, and who has the power not only to help you feel better, but also to change your circumstances. This friend is not an imaginary one; God is real, and praying is simply communicating with Him and listen-ing for His voice in your life.

You may be wondering, What should I pray for? Here is a starter list, by no means a complete list, but one that may spur you on to becoming a prayer-warrior. Cut it out and put it somewhere that will remind you often to talk with God and receive His peace:

Marriages and Families – May the Lord help men to step up and become godly men who 1. serve Christ, honor their wives, and lead their family. May He help women reflect the love of Christ in all situations and give them peace and strength for the challenges of each day.Singles - May the Lord help single men and women not to compromise their faith or 2. purity and not to run ahead of what He has planned for them.Children – May the Lord watch over them and protect them from the forces in this world 3. that aim to lead them down the wrong path. May the Lord raise up a generation of young people that will shake up this world for Christ.Pastors, Churches, and Ministries – May the Lord cause our churches to make disciples 4. of all nations as Jesus instructed us to do, preaching God’s Word in an uncompromising manner. May they lovingly serve the poor and afflicted. Peace – May God bring peace to the Middle East and protect Israel.5. Global Economics – May the Lord settle the economic turmoil in Europe.6.

Pastor Dudley C. Rutherford - Shepherd of the Hills

How Do I BEgINTo PRAy?

By

Underground Church and Persecuted Christians – May the Lord give His mercy and 7. protection to the underground churches—especially in China—and may He strengthen and encourage those who are being persecuted for their faith—especially those in India, China, and Egypt.Revival in America – May the Lord bring a much-needed revival to America, that we 8. would care more for the spiritual than the material.The Poor – May the Lord cause us to care for those who are less fortunate than we are 9. and to let our love for them be known.Government – May the Lord place into administration those who have a holy fear and 10. reverence for Him and the truth of His Word, the Bible.Military, Police, and Fire Fighters – May the Lord protect the men and women who 11. courageously serve our nation and strengthen the families who support them.Entertainment Industry – May the Lord prompt those who work in Hollywood, the 12. media, and the entertainment industry to use their talents for God. Missionaries – May the Lord bless and empower missionaries who serve around the 13. world to lift high the name of Jesus.Financial Needs – May the Lord provide for those who are hurting financially and help 14. each one to believe in His laws of giving and biblical stewardship.City of Los Angeles – May the Lord help Angelenos to change the world, as we lead 15. others to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.Father, thank You for the power of Your love and grace. May Your mercy that shines

upon us be forever present and may the personal relationship we have with You be a testi-mony that You desire to have that same relationship with others. Thank You for loving us and never giving up on us. Forgive us whenever we fail You, and speak truth into our lives when we take our eyes off of You. Help us to repent, to turn completely to You without hesi-tation. May we read the Bible with passion and conviction, and see our trials as blessings as You shape and mold our lives. IN JESUS’ NAME, Amen…and Amen!

Pastor Dudley C. Rutherford is the Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch.

Edited by Connie Fogg

Weekend Service Times -Saturday 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm - Sunday 8:30 am, 10:00 am,

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Your Social SecurityMedicare Rumors

By Tom Margenau

I f anyone thought the new year would bring about a refreshing wave of truth and honesty on the Internet, well, then he is about as gullible as the people who

believe the latest bit of trash that’s floating around out there in cyberspace. About fifty of my readers sent me the following message and asked me to comment on it. Here is what the message says: “This is another example of Obamacare ripping off seniors. The per-person Medicare (Part B) insurance premium will increase from the present monthly fee of $96.40; rising to: $104.20 in 2012; $120.20 in 2013; and $247 in 2014. These are provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation, purposely delayed so as not to confuse the 2012 re-election campaigns. Please send this to all seniors that you know, so they will know who’s throwing them under the bus.” First, there are no proposed Part B Medicare premium increases for future years. So the premium is not set to go up to any of the amounts listed, and certainly not to the quoted “$247 in 2014.” In fact, they only recently announced the 2012 Part B premium. The basic premium for 2012 is $99.90. And that’s actually a decrease compared to the 2011 premium rate of $115.40 and the 2010 premium rate of $110.50. In fact, the 2012 premium is back down near the 2009 rate, which was $96.40. And by the way, the 2012 decrease is a direct result of savings generated by the “Affordable Care Act,” or what so many people like to call “Obamacare.”

* * *

In other words, this latest Internet fantasy would have people believe that Obamacare is causing an increase in Part B premiums for seniors, when actually just the opposite is the case. Throughout the history of the program, the basic Part B rate has gone up steadily each year — usually by a few dollars. As I said, the “basic” rate was $96.40 in 2009, $110.50 in 2010, and $115.40 in 2011. But because there were no Social Security cost-of-living increases in 2010 and 2011, the law stipulated that a senior’s Part B premium had to be held at the 2009 level of $96.40. In other words, because many people were paying only $96.40 for Part B Medicare in 2011, they will see the 2012 rate of $99.90 as an increase. But it is actually a decrease from the “official” premium rate of $115.40. And it gets worse. Depending on a variety of circumstances — such as when you went on the Medicare program, or maybe if you went off the program and then came back on — some people actually paid the full premium of $110.50 in 2010 and $115.40 in 2011.

* * *

I know from my emails that many seniors think the government is taking them to the cleaners when it comes to paying for Medicare. Actually, just the opposite is true. The original Medicare Act passed in 1965 specified that the Part B premium must be set at a level to cover 25 percent of the costs of running the program. In other words, that $115.40 you should have been paying in 2011 (although most of you actually paid only $96.40) and the $99.90 you will be paying in 2012 covers only one-fourth of the costs of all the coverage you get. Guess who picks up the rest of the tab? That’s right. The taxpayers. Now, I fully understand that many senior citizens are taxpayers, so they are part of the group helping to pay for the 75 percent of Medicare costs not paid for by the Medicare premium. But the point I am trying to make is that Part B Medicare is a heavily subsidized health insurance program and is actually quite a good deal for most American seniors. - CREATORS.COM

New Threats toSocial Security & Medicare

By Congressman Brad Sherman

This past year, new threats arose to the existence of Medicare and Social Security as we know it. In April of 2011, the Republican Majority in the House of Representatives passed a radical plan to eliminate Medicare and replace it with a voucher program. Seniors would have to use their own money, along with a government

voucher, to purchase insurance from private insurance companies. While this Republican plan has not passed the Senate, I strongly opposed any efforts in the House to create a “voucher” system that effectively wipes out Medicare’s guaranteed health care benefits. According to the Joint Economic Committee, the Republican Medicare plan would increase the average senior citizen’s out-of-pocket medical costs by $6,300 per year. There are also new proposals in Congress to privatize Social Security. These plans would cut future Social Security benefits and divert these savings to fund new private accounts. Because these plans would divert massive sums from the Social Security Trust Fund, it would leave the program in a deep financial hole, and likely lead to cuts in benefits. I have consistently opposed any and all efforts to privatize Social Security. I believe Social Security belongs to the people who contribute, not the government—it must not be hijacked to pay the federal debt. The money put in should be protected and used only for Social Security. All Americans should seek a comfortable retirement including IRA’s, 401(k)’s and similar accounts. However, any sound retirement plan starts with an inflation-adjusted lifetime annuity -- a monthly check for life that you cannot lose, and you cannot outlive. This is what Social Security provides. We should not replace a guarantee with a gamble. * * *

Previously, Medicare did not provide any coverage for prescription drug costs between $2,840 and $6,447 per year – causing a “donut hole” or coverage gap for prescription drugs. Now, thanks to legislation that I


“Sky’s the Limit”

40% Interest RatesNo Way toBuild U.S.

Should You Take A Loan From Your 401(k)?

By Ron Rauschenberger, State Farm Agent

Many people find that their 401(k) accounts have become one of their largest financial assets after years of regular contributions with an employer match. Some employers even allow plan participants to borrow against

the funds, and that can be tempting. Wouldn’t almost everyone like extra cash? However, a 401(k) loan can set back your retirement and create a financial bind if you leave your employer. As a result, a 401(k) loan should be considered for emergencies only, if at all. With a 401(k) loan, you can borrow up to 50 percent of the vested balance in your 401(k) account or $50,000, whichever is lesser. However, you will have to pay the money back with interest. The interest is credited to your 401(k) account, not to your employer, so you are paying the money to yourself. Because you pay yourself, the 401(k) loan may be a cheaper way to borrow money. Just because a 401(k) loan could be a cheap way to borrow money doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea. A 401(k) loan has several drawbacks. First, the money has to be repaid, usually over a five-year period. If you leave the company or the 401(k) plan is terminated, the loan will typically become due within 60 days. That can happen if you quit or are laid off, or if the company merges with another company or goes out of business. These unforeseen events cause their own financial emergencies and set back your retirement. If the loan is not repaid when due, then the balance will be treated as a withdrawal, and it will generally be subject to income tax on the distribution as well as a 10 percent penalty tax if you are younger than 59½. Ifyoufaceaseriousfinancialemergency,thenborrowingmoneyfromyour401(k)planmaymakesense. It can be easy to obtain, and you pay the interest to yourself rather than to a bank. However, consider it only after you’ve exhausted your cash savings accounts. It is best to leave your 401(k) alone so that you can continue building toward your retirement goals for the future.


supported, recipients whose drug costs fall within the donut hole are receiving a 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs. The out-of-pocket costs for seniors’ drug costs falling in the donut hole will be further reduced incrementally until it is completely eliminated in 2020. But some in Congress would reinstate the donut hole, placing additional burdens on seniors in need of prescription drugs. No American should have to choose between paying for groceries, and paying for vital prescription drugs. I also oppose any proposal to repeal the new provision that provides seniors with free annual checkups without co-pays.

* * *

The good news is that, so far, we have been able to prevent these sweeping changes from taking place. I will continue to fight plans to privatize Social Security or turn Medicare into a voucher program. If you would like to tell me how I can better serve the community, please attend my next Town Hall meeting on Sunday, February 26 from 3:00 – 4:30pmPST at Reseda High School located at 18230 Kittridge Street. Listening to Valley residents is one of the most important parts of my job. Town Hall Meetings are an opportunity to discuss issues facing Congress, including health care, the economy, taxes and education. The meetings also are a chance for you to meet my constituent service staff and get help dealing with federal agencies.

March, 2011 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 9

Four Loko BeverageCleveland High School

Students Fight“Blackout in a Can”


F our Loko is a beverage containing either 6 percent or 12 percent alcohol (depending on state regulations), and a large shot of caffeine, equivalent to the amount of caffeine in a tall Starbucks coffee. This combination makes the beverage deadlier

than most other alcoholic drinks. Drinkers get drunk and high but because the caffeine shields the effects of the alcohol, they are unaware of their state and drink more to feel that intoxication “buzz” in the end. Not only is Four Loko under investigation because of health concerns, but Cleveland students are questioning the advertisement intentions and methods used by Phusion Project LLC, the company that produces Four Loko. “Four Loko is marketing by the graphics that they use and the proximity that they sell their products. [Targeting] kids of color, [Four Loko will] use graffiti style labeling that is attractive to the youth. These products are sold heavily in populations of folks of color. You won’t find these products in Beverly Hills,” said Fluke Fluker, a co-founder of Village Nation. “And it’s cheap and it’s attractive for our kids to drink.” Senior Desirae Duncan, co-president of BSU, added her own thoughts on this dilemma. “If you go to a store and you see a can with something you can relate to on it - the graffiti - you become interested in the product. The containers make alcohol even more attractive to the already enquiring young adults. “Four Loko is like ‘alcohol for kids,’” she said.

* * * An anonymous Cleveland junior believes that the flavor of Four Loko is what really makes teens prefer this beverage over other alcoholic drinks, like beer. “With Four Loko, it’s like drinking a juice! And you don’t taste the alcohol. The aftertaste is fruity – it’s awesome!” he exclaimed. “The thing is, you don’t feel drunk. What happens is, out of nowhere, it’ll just hit you, you’re [expletive] up, you’re done.” “You can drink half a can, you’ll feel a buzz. You finish that [one can and] you don’t even know you’re drunk. You’re just gone,” he said. Assistant Principal Shanna Sarris said the speaking out Four Loko is a good idea. “I think any type of movement from the students’ perspective is always the best thing because students listen to students more than they necessarily listen to adults preaching to them about something,” she said. But instead of limiting the target audience to people of color, she believes that it should be widened to include all socio-economically impoverished people. Dean Rolando Young also believes that saying Four Loko specifically focuses on people of color would be jumping to conclusions. “The way [Phusion Projects] markets their product is geared towards young people. You have to remember that Cleveland is like a mini-city. So whatever is going on outside, outside our walls, it’s happening here,” Young said.

* * * Would it be safe to say that Four Loko has increased teen alcohol consumption at Cleveland? The previously-stated anonymous junior claims that it has. “Definitely. Here at Cleveland? Especially,” he said. “I have friends that drink. The other day, this kid was [passed out] on the bench [after drinking Four Loko].” “This year, we have had a few incidents where kids came to school intoxicated. They did make us aware that they had drunk the Four Loko. However, they have also been helpful in letting us know that there are a lot of stores out there that are just selling it to minors, without carding them,” Sarris said. The Land reflects what is going on across the country, the increasing consumption of drinks containing both caffeine and alcohol. The state of Michigan has completely banned the sale and consumption of Four Loko in its state. Ramapo College in New Jersey, Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and the University of Rhode Island have banned Four Loko and other similar alcoholic beverages containing caffeine. Other colleges are quickly following suit as they realize the disaster Four Loko is causing on campuses, including students requiring hospitalization.

Harvey Dunn CPA40 Years Experience

(818) 887-5137Office

20969 Ventura Blvd., Suite 203Woodland Hills, CA 91364

A THE CONVENIENCE OF YOUR HOUSE ALL LEVELS, ALL AGES

ANDREW ZADORTRAINED IN EUROPE

15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

(323) 547-6982

PIA NO L E S S ONS

Getting a Handle on DWP’s Budget and Transfer Fees: A No Brainer

YES ON BALLOT MEASURE JBy Jack Humphreville

A Yes Vote on Measure J is a no brainer. It is what Corporate America has been doing for generations. So let’s welcome City Hall and our Department of Water and Power to the late Twentieth Century.

Here’s the ballot language on Measure J: “Shall the Charter be amended to (a) require the Department of Water and Power for informational purposes to submit to the City Council by March 31 each year a preliminary budget for the ensuing fiscal year ( July 1 through June 30), to be updated by May 31 with new information, and (b) establish procedures for making surplus transfers from the Power Revenue Fund to the City Reserve Fund?”

Measure J, if passed, will require the DWP to submit its preliminary budget for the year beginning on July 1 to the City Council for informational purposes b y March 31, about three weeks prior to the release of City’s budget. An update will be due on May 31.

Measure J, if passed, will also require that DWP Board of Commissioners notify the City Council and the Mayor of the status of the 8% Power Transfer Fee by December 31, and if the transfer cannot be made in full, to document why the 8% Power Transfer Fee cannot be made in full.

DWP and its Ratepayers are the largest single source of cash for the City’s General Fund. The City Utility Tax and the not so transparent 8% Power Transfer Fee are projected to contribute $315 million (7.2%) and $257 million (5.9%) to the City’s General Fund, a total of $573 million (13.1%) of the General Fund’s revenues.

* * * However, there are two troubling issues with Measure J.

The first is that the ballot measure is not written in “Plain English” (as recommended by the Securities & Exchange Commission, Arthur Levitt, and Warren Buffett), so that the Ratepayers and voters are buried in legalistic, bureaucratic and charter mumbo jumbo which requires a special decoder ring. It also allows our political elites to play word games when they want to change the rules.

The second issue is that Measure J does not reform DWP’s lax accounting policies that rely on the controversial standards developed by the Government Accounting Standards Board rather than the more rigorous standards that are applicable to publicly held companies like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric.

One major difference is that DWP would be required to carry its unfunded pension liability on its balance sheet. This liability would also be determined by using the market values of the pension plan’s assets (not the actuarial value that allows “smoothing” and “market value corridors”) and an Investment Rate Assumption that is more consistent with reality.

In DWP’s case, the advertised liability of $1.6 billion would increase to $2.6 billion based on market values, and that liability would increase to over $3.5 billion based on a lower Investment Rate Assumption. This would imply a funded ratio of less than 65%. Any liability would also include the liabilities associated with post retirement medical benefits.

Of course, Measure J may be an academic exercise if the 8% Power Transfer Fee is determined to be subject to a popular vote pursuant to Proposition 26 that was adopted on November 2 by the California voters. According to the Los Angeles Times, this matter is being studied by the City’s lawyers.

In the meantime, Vote Yes on Measure J. - City Watch

Members questioned the District’s readiness for this change with supplies, maintenance, etc. and were also concerned about the difficulty parents would have making adjustments to childcare or changing vacation plans on such short notice.

To get the word out to many parents who were not aware of the calendar change, UTLA members handed out flyers to parents in January urging them to call the School Board if they were opposed to the Early Start calendar.

UTLA and LAUSD will now establish a working group to study the Early Start Calendar and its impact on instruction, with an eye towards implementation in 2012-13. A calendar committee will meet as soon as possible to determine the school start date for 2011-12.

LAUSD PostponesEarly Start Calendar


March, 2011 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 9

Four Loko BeverageCleveland High School

Students Fight“Blackout in a Can”


F our Loko is a beverage containing either 6 percent or 12 percent alcohol (depending on state regulations), and a large shot of caffeine, equivalent to the amount of caffeine in a tall Starbucks coffee. This combination makes the beverage deadlier

than most other alcoholic drinks. Drinkers get drunk and high but because the caffeine shields the effects of the alcohol, they are unaware of their state and drink more to feel that intoxication “buzz” in the end. Not only is Four Loko under investigation because of health concerns, but Cleveland students are questioning the advertisement intentions and methods used by Phusion Project LLC, the company that produces Four Loko. “Four Loko is marketing by the graphics that they use and the proximity that they sell their products. [Targeting] kids of color, [Four Loko will] use graffiti style labeling that is attractive to the youth. These products are sold heavily in populations of folks of color. You won’t find these products in Beverly Hills,” said Fluke Fluker, a co-founder of Village Nation. “And it’s cheap and it’s attractive for our kids to drink.” Senior Desirae Duncan, co-president of BSU, added her own thoughts on this dilemma. “If you go to a store and you see a can with something you can relate to on it - the graffiti - you become interested in the product. The containers make alcohol even more attractive to the already enquiring young adults. “Four Loko is like ‘alcohol for kids,’” she said.

* * * An anonymous Cleveland junior believes that the flavor of Four Loko is what really makes teens prefer this beverage over other alcoholic drinks, like beer. “With Four Loko, it’s like drinking a juice! And you don’t taste the alcohol. The aftertaste is fruity – it’s awesome!” he exclaimed. “The thing is, you don’t feel drunk. What happens is, out of nowhere, it’ll just hit you, you’re [expletive] up, you’re done.” “You can drink half a can, you’ll feel a buzz. You finish that [one can and] you don’t even know you’re drunk. You’re just gone,” he said. Assistant Principal Shanna Sarris said the speaking out Four Loko is a good idea. “I think any type of movement from the students’ perspective is always the best thing because students listen to students more than they necessarily listen to adults preaching to them about something,” she said. But instead of limiting the target audience to people of color, she believes that it should be widened to include all socio-economically impoverished people. Dean Rolando Young also believes that saying Four Loko specifically focuses on people of color would be jumping to conclusions. “The way [Phusion Projects] markets their product is geared towards young people. You have to remember that Cleveland is like a mini-city. So whatever is going on outside, outside our walls, it’s happening here,” Young said.

* * * Would it be safe to say that Four Loko has increased teen alcohol consumption at Cleveland? The previously-stated anonymous junior claims that it has. “Definitely. Here at Cleveland? Especially,” he said. “I have friends that drink. The other day, this kid was [passed out] on the bench [after drinking Four Loko].” “This year, we have had a few incidents where kids came to school intoxicated. They did make us aware that they had drunk the Four Loko. However, they have also been helpful in letting us know that there are a lot of stores out there that are just selling it to minors, without carding them,” Sarris said. The Land reflects what is going on across the country, the increasing consumption of drinks containing both caffeine and alcohol. The state of Michigan has completely banned the sale and consumption of Four Loko in its state. Ramapo College in New Jersey, Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and the University of Rhode Island have banned Four Loko and other similar alcoholic beverages containing caffeine. Other colleges are quickly following suit as they realize the disaster Four Loko is causing on campuses, including students requiring hospitalization.

Harvey Dunn CPA40 Years Experience

(818) 887-5137Office

20969 Ventura Blvd., Suite 203Woodland Hills, CA 91364

A THE CONVENIENCE OF YOUR HOUSE ALL LEVELS, ALL AGES

ANDREW ZADORTRAINED IN EUROPE

15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

(323) 547-6982

PIANO LESSONS

Getting a Handle on DWP’s Budget and Transfer Fees: A No Brainer

YES ON BALLOT MEASURE JBy Jack Humphreville

A Yes Vote on Measure J is a no brainer. It is what Corporate America has been doing for generations. So let’s welcome City Hall and our Department of Water and Power to the late Twentieth Century.

Here’s the ballot language on Measure J: “Shall the Charter be amended to (a) require the Department of Water and Power for informational purposes to submit to the City Council by March 31 each year a preliminary budget for the ensuing fiscal year ( July 1 through June 30), to be updated by May 31 with new information, and (b) establish procedures for making surplus transfers from the Power Revenue Fund to the City Reserve Fund?”

Measure J, if passed, will require the DWP to submit its preliminary budget for the year beginning on July 1 to the City Council for informational purposes b y March 31, about three weeks prior to the release of City’s budget. An update will be due on May 31.

Measure J, if passed, will also require that DWP Board of Commissioners notify the City Council and the Mayor of the status of the 8% Power Transfer Fee by December 31, and if the transfer cannot be made in full, to document why the 8% Power Transfer Fee cannot be made in full.

DWP and its Ratepayers are the largest single source of cash for the City’s General Fund. The City Utility Tax and the not so transparent 8% Power Transfer Fee are projected to contribute $315 million (7.2%) and $257 million (5.9%) to the City’s General Fund, a total of $573 million (13.1%) of the General Fund’s revenues.

* * * However, there are two troubling issues with Measure J.

The first is that the ballot measure is not written in “Plain English” (as recommended by the Securities & Exchange Commission, Arthur Levitt, and Warren Buffett), so that the Ratepayers and voters are buried in legalistic, bureaucratic and charter mumbo jumbo which requires a special decoder ring. It also allows our political elites to play word games when they want to change the rules.

The second issue is that Measure J does not reform DWP’s lax accounting policies that rely on the controversial standards developed by the Government Accounting Standards Board rather than the more rigorous standards that are applicable to publicly held companies like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric.

One major difference is that DWP would be required to carry its unfunded pension liability on its balance sheet. This liability would also be determined by using the market values of the pension plan’s assets (not the actuarial value that allows “smoothing” and “market value corridors”) and an Investment Rate Assumption that is more consistent with reality.

In DWP’s case, the advertised liability of $1.6 billion would increase to $2.6 billion based on market values, and that liability would increase to over $3.5 billion based on a lower Investment Rate Assumption. This would imply a funded ratio of less than 65%. Any liability would also include the liabilities associated with post retirement medical benefits.

Of course, Measure J may be an academic exercise if the 8% Power Transfer Fee is determined to be subject to a popular vote pursuant to Proposition 26 that was adopted on November 2 by the California voters. According to the Los Angeles Times, this matter is being studied by the City’s lawyers.

In the meantime, Vote Yes on Measure J. - City Watch

Members questioned the District’s readiness for this change with supplies, maintenance, etc. and were also concerned about the difficulty parents would have making adjustments to childcare or changing vacation plans on such short notice.

To get the word out to many parents who were not aware of the calendar change, UTLA members handed out flyers to parents in January urging them to call the School Board if they were opposed to the Early Start calendar.

UTLA and LAUSD will now establish a working group to study the Early Start Calendar and its impact on instruction, with an eye towards implementation in 2012-13. A calendar committee will meet as soon as possible to determine the school start date for 2011-12.

LAUSD PostponesEarly Start Calendar


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Sierra CanyonGrid Champs

Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the Chatsworth Sierra Canyon football team players, coaches, and their families, teachers and fellow students for winning the state championship!

In an exciting game on Dec. 16, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon defeated Northern California’s Le Grand High School 34-13 to win the California Division IV title. Sierra Canyon’s Xavier Menifield ran for 129 yards and three touchdowns.

The Sierra Canyon Trailblazers had an iron defense, despite Le Grand’s average of over 58 points per game and a 21-game winning streak. Sierra Canyon’s defense also recovered two fumbles in the second half. It looked as if Le Grand might hold their winning streak when the Bulldogs took a 13-7 lead on in the final minute of the first quarter. But the Trailblazers shut down the Bulldogs and scored the final 27 points.

We are proud to have such excellent young athletes in our community!

North of RinaldiHit by BurglariesThis is a follow up to my earlier reports regarding

increased residential burglary activity in the Granada Hills and Porter Ranch areas, particularly

affecting the areas North of Rinaldi Street.The Burglaries are occurring during the daytime

(generally between 9AM and 4PM). The method of operation revolves around an initial door knock followed by a forced entry from a side or rear window/door. Property being taken is jewelry, money, firearms and electronics.

Based on some witness accounts there is not one particular suspect responsible for these crimes. Instead it appears there are several crews (generally made up of at least 2 or 3 individuals) carrying out the burglaries.

As a reminder, the best way to prevent these crimes is to always remain alert and vigilant with a genuine interest not only in protecting your property but your neighbors as well.

Look for vehicles and activity which is unusual for your neighborhood. Take the time as you go in/out of your home to scan the street; you are looking for something that looks out of place.

It could be a parked vehicle with people just sitting in it; it could be an unfamiliar vehicle in a neighbor’s driveway; it could be a pedestrian going from door to door.

If you see this type of activity, pay attention and evaluate the situation. The question is “what do you think is going on?” If you suspect criminal activity, don’t hesitate to call the police right away.

Those who favor enacting usury laws find substantially high interest rates ridiculous. With rates as high as 40%, the borrower likely has to default and will most likely not be able to meet the payments. In fact, these borrowers probably have no business in borrowing money in the first place. However, these lenders still insist on charging these borrowers with very high rates to compensate for the risk that comes along with these borrowers. Usury law supporters find these abusive lenders synonymous to loan sharks or predatory lenders. * * *

However, some don’t believe approving usury laws would help much. In fact, some believe approving usury laws would be perverse. Usury laws will, in their opinion, result in lenders shutting out a sizeable consumer segment. Usury laws will force lenders to avoid doing business with anyone whose credit warrants an interest rate higher than what is approved. In their opinion, with a usury law in place, someone who needs the money desperately would not be able to get a loan to perhaps fix a damaged car that would prevent them from going to work. On the final analysis, our government has to make well informed decisions to encourage economic growth and confidence. Because of our recent financial collapse, many families in America and around the world have been devastated. It is up to the people, the government, financial institutions, and firms to work together to bring about a better America.



New Threats toSocial Security

& Medicare

Mason Recreation Center Registration for Girls Volleyball, spring 2012, begins Thursday, Feb 2, at 1 p.m., on a first come, first served basis. A birth certificate is required. Fee is $120, which includes jersey, shorts, officials’ fees, awards, but not insurance. Three divisions for ages 8-10, 11-12, 13-15. Mandatory evaluations start Feb. 25, and practices in March. Call 818-998-6377. Little Kickers, instructional soccer registration begins Thursday, March 1 at 2 p.m. Fees are $100 for t-shirt, awards. Boys and girls, 3-4 years old. A birth certificate is required. The park is located at 10500 Mason Ave., Chatsworth.

Hillcrest and LA Baptist Hillcrest Christian School and Los Angeles Baptist are pleased to announce their upcoming Open Houses on February 2nd & 3rd. As a part of the ongoing transition of becoming one unified school starting in the 2012-2013 school year, each will host an Open House. On Thursday, February 2nd, the South Campus (LAB) will be open from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. On Friday, February 3rd, the North Campus (HCS) will also be open from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. For more information, check out www.hillcrestchristianschool.org or call (818) 368-7071.

Chatsworth High A pair of 2007 first-round draft choices from Chatsworth High School’s baseball team will have their jersey numbers retired prior to the noon alumni game on Feb. 4. Eric Sondheimer writes in the Los Angeles Times that Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals and Matt Dominguez of the Miami Marlins will be honored. Moustakas is expected to be at the game. Dominguez will be in Florida starting spring training, Sondheimer reports.

Community Clean-Up Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council and Temple Ahavat Shalom for their Day of Service Community Clean-Up on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. They will be working on Tampa Ave., from Devonshire St. to Chatsworth St. in Northridge. For more information or to RSVP, call Shellie Turer at Temple Ahavat Shalom at (818) 993-2255 or email [email protected].

Tom Fields-Meyer American Jewish University will host a conversation and book signing with Tom Fields-Meyer on Monday, February 6 at 11:00AM at AJU’s Familian Campus, 15600 Mulholland Drive in Bel Air. Fields-Meyer, former senior writer for People,

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Forward, will be signing his new book Following Ezra: What One Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from His Extraordinary Son, which is a tender account of a father’s experience through his son Ezra’s Autism diagnosis. For more information or to purchase tickets for $10, please contact Caroline Cohen at 310.440.1246 or visit wcce.ajula.edu.

Bingo Night The public is invited to our monthly Bingo Night on Thursday, February 9, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, $5 per person to play all evening (12-15 rounds of Bingo). Prizes awarded to winners at the end of each round. Play as many rounds as you like. No need to stay ‘til the end! This month we will meet at JAVA Centrale (a deli/café next to Pacific Theatres), located at the corner of Winnetka & Prairie, 9201 Winnetka Ave., Chatsworth. Plenty of free parking. Call to reserve your seats: 818-882-6437. Pay at the door.

E-Waste Collection Lorne St. PTA, Lorne St. Elementary School and California E-Waste are holding their Second Annual E-Waste Collection event on Saturday, Feb. 11, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at 17440 Lorne St. in Northridge. For more information, call Pam Richman at Lorne Elementary School at (818) 342-2063.

Center Stage Opera Celebrate Valentine’s Day with us at L’Affair Café on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 6 pm. Soprano Adrien Roberts, mezzo-soprano Danielle Marcelle Bond, and accompanist and MC Jerry Brown will serve up a musical feast. Your full-course dinner includes your choice of entrée: chicken marsala, pasta primavera, or filet of sole. The entire evening is just $49 (including tax and tip), and advance reservations are required. Call 818-517-4102, or visit us at www.centerstageopera.org, to reserve your seats today! For tickets and further information, call 818-517-4102, or go to www.centerstageopera.org.

Haeevn Blessing JeeAndrew KimMyles Mann

The Valley Voice is published every last Tuesday of the Month.

Deadline for submission isthe 15th of the month.

E MAIL: [email protected]


LOCAL EventsBunco Night

The public is invited to our monthly Bunco Night on Monday, February 13, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm for a fun evening of Bunco & prizes. $5 per person to play. Prizes awarded to winners at the end of the evening. Meet at Johnny’s Pizza (next to Applebee’s), located at the corner of Winnetka & Prairie, 9243 Winnetka Ave., Chatsworth. Plenty of free parking. Reserve your seats: 818-882-6437. Pay at the door.

Sherman Seminar On Saturday, February 18, 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m., Congressman Brad Sherman will host a Seminar on Refinancing, Home Purchasing & Foreclosure Prevention at the Sherman Oaks/East Valley Adult Center, 5060 Van Nuys Boulevard. All constituents are invited to attend. Free parking available on site in public lot on Hartsook Street and Van Nuys Boulevard.

Del Air Rockhounds The Del Air Rockhounds Club Education Team, a 6-member team lead by Maxine Dearborn is all about education in the Earth Sciences. Anyone interested in learning more about the Club is invited to attend a meeting on the first Thursday of each month at the united Methodist Church of Northridge, 9650 Reseda Blvd, at 7:30 PM. There is no charge for the school presentations. Donations are gratefully accepted, however. For more information, visit www.delairrockhounds.org. Email: [email protected]. The public is invited to attend the Club’s annual Gem Show on Feb. 24 and 25 at the above location.

Car Seat Check-Up Event The California Highway Patrol in coordination with Northridge Hospital Medical Center are hosting a Car Seat Check Up Day on Saturday, Feb. 25, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at Northridge Hospital by appointment only. To make an appointment, call (818) 885-8500 ext. 3437.

Sherman Town Hall Meeting Congressman Brad Sherman will host a Town Hall meeting from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 26th, at Reseda High School, located at 18230 Kittridge Street. The event, refreshments and parking are free.

Travel to Cuba The Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Explorations have announced plans to “Discover Cuba” in October 2012 in a new opportunity to see the island long closed off to travelers. Anyone interested in the October Cuba trip is asked to call the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber at (818) 989-0300 to reserve a spot or obtain a brochure or email [email protected].

Adult Education Classes Get your GED or HS diploma. Upgrade your job skills. Learn a new trade. Computer Op/repair, parenting, culinary, ServSafe Cert. ESL, construction, healthcare. Evening & Sat. classes. For information or to enroll, call: Hughes Edu. & Career Ctr. at 818-587-4335, El Camino Real Comm. Adult School at 818-610-5600, Canoga Park High School Campus at 818-673-1391, Reseda Adult School at 818-758-3700.

Northridge Hospital Brunch Save the date for the Northridge Hospital Trauma Center’s Annual Golden Guild Champagne Brunch, on Sunday, March 25 at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills. If you are interested in sponsoring or donating toward this event, please call the Northridge Hospital Foundation at (818) 885-5341, ext. 2.

CalRTA Meetings Meetings are now held at the Northridge Women’s Club, 18401 Lassen Street. Luncheon meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of every other month from October to June. The business meeting starts at 10:00 am, but many members prefer to come a little early to socialize, have a cup of coffee and cookie and patronize the Boutique, Share the Wealth drawing table, Fancy Fingers counter and the Book Sale tables. Our program is presented after the meeting. We take a half-hour break after the program for more socializing. A catered luncheon is then served. Luncheon cost: $15 advance reservations, $17 if paid at the door. Phone (818) 360-5014.

“The-J” Your NEW Jewish Community Center Events818-360-2211

FOREVER FRIENDS - A NEW Couples Havurah (30-45) is forming at “The-J.” If you are interested in meeting new people, sharing fun times and joining with friends in exciting events and activities please call Amy at 818-470-3406.

F-SToPS CAMERA CLUB - Do you like taking pictures? Would you like your work to be critiqued by a professional? Our meetings are held on the second Thursdays of the month from 7-9:30 pm. We meet at The Village @ Northridge, 9222 Corbin Ave. Northridge. Please call Monica @ 818-512-4206 for more information.

CoMMUNITY TRIP CLUB - Would you like to explore our community? Our new club is for singles, couples, families and friends. Call Ellen and Howard @ 818-360-2211 to get more information.

PARENTING CIRCLE - “The Dos and Don’ts of Effective Discipline” will be the topic of discussion at our lectures on: Thursdays, February 9 and February 23 at Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, from 6:30 – 8 pm. Contact Amy Grofsky-Flores at 818-470-3406.

COOKING CLASSES - Come visit with Chef Howard. You will have fun eating and savoring the tasty and unique dishes you will create and there will be lots of food to take home and share with your family. The next two classes will be held Thursday, February 23 (Middle Eastern Cuisine) and Thursday March 22 (A Passover Makeover). The classes are from 7-9 pm. Please call Ellen @ 818-360-2211 for reservations. There is limited seating.


Chaminade College Preparatory

Setting the standard in Catholic educationwww.chaminade.org

MIDDLE SCHOOL19800 Devonshire St.Chatsworth, CA 91311

818.363.8127

HIGH SCHOOL7500 Chaminade Ave.West Hills, CA 91304

818.347.8300

A Catholic School in the Marianist Tradition for Grades 6 - 12

CampusTours

Call for an appointment today!

Come see all that Chaminade has to offer.Schedule a guided tour of the middle and/or high school campus.

Valley Voice • Spamlot/Pantages Theatre5.0” x 7.625” • 4 colorPub Date: 2.1.2012

A BIRTHDAY PARTY YOURKIDS WILL NEVER FORGET! Sylmar 866.986.RACE I MB2RACEWAY.COMCopyright © 2012 MB2 Raceway Inc. All rights reserved. | www.mb2raceway.com


14PIECEINCREDIBLE

ROOM PACKAGE EVENT

you choose occasional table set: 1 cocktail table & 2 end tables,rug, pair of lamps, decorative throw & 5 piece accessory set.

you choose one sofa & matching loveseat set or 2 piece sectional, then choose one item from each category below.

$799 $79914 Piece Living Room Group

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NO INTEREST IF PAID IN FULL WITHIN 18 MONTHS*

On Purchases with your Ashley Furniture HomeStore credit card made between 2/21/2011 to 3/5/2012. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within 18 Months or if you make a late payment. Minimum Monthly Payments Required.

No down payment and no minimum purchase required for this credit promotion

Blended Leather ContainsLeather ........................17% Polyurethane ..............57%Polycotton ..................26%

Blended Leather ContainsLeather ........................17% Polyurethane ..............57%Polycotton ..................26%

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Includes Queen Headboard, Footboard, Rails, Dresser, Mirror, Night Stand, Bluestone Mattress & Box Spring, 4 Piece Comforter Set & 2 Lamps

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14 piece living room includes sofa and loveseat or 2 piece sectional, cocktail table, 2 end tables, area rug, throw, 5 piece accessory set and a pair of lamps.

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday-Sunday 10am-9pmvisit us online @ www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com “Se Habla Español”

COLTONNext to our Factory

855 Ashley Way I Colton, CA 92324909.433.5303

PALM DESERTDesert Gateway Plaza

34740 Monterey Ave I Palm Desert, CA 92211760.202.3052

W. LOS ANGELESIn Helm’s Bakery Building

8850 Venice Blvd I Los Angeles, CA 90034310.836.1433

PALMDALEAcross from the AV Mall

39626 10th Street West I Palmdale, CA 93551661.225.9410

VICTORVILLENorth of Victor Valley Mall

12704 Amargosa Road I Victorville, CA 92392760-261-5386

HAWTHORNEEast of 405, Rosecrans exit

14600 Ocean Gate Ave I Hawthorne, CA, 90250 310-349-2083

BURBANKEast of the 5 Exit Burbank Blvd

401 N. 1st Street Burbank, CA 91502

818.840.5620

SANTA CLARITAIn the previous

Wickes Furniture building26520 Carl Boyer Dr.

Santa Clarita, CA 91390661.284.7200

NORTHRIDGEJust East of The Northridge Mall

9301 Tampa Ave. Northridge, CA 91324-2503

818.717.1740

LONG BEACHWest of the 605

In Long Beach Towne Center7410 Carson Blvd

Long Beach, CA 90808 562.766.2050

YORBA LINDAJust North of Fwy 91

22705 Savi Ranch Pkwy Yorba Linda, CA 92887

714.363.9900

FOUNTAIN VALLEYJust East of 405 Fwy

18060 Euclid St Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714.549.3200

LAGUNA HILLSJust North of The Laguna Hills Mall

24001 El Toro Rd Laguna Hills, CA 92653

OPENING Spring 2012NOW OPENNOW OPEN

*Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be assessed on the promo purchase if you pay the promo purchase amount in full within 18 Months. If you do not, interest will be assessed on the promo purchase from the purchase date. However, if account becomes 60 days past due, promo may be terminated early, accrued interest will be billed, and regular account terms will apply. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases and, after promotion ends, to promotional balance. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval.

Previous purchases excluded. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Discount offers exclude Stearns & Foster®, Embody by Sealy mattress sets, floor models or clearance items, sales tax, furniture protection plans, warranty, delivery or service charge. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Stoneledge Furniture LLC., many times have multiple offers, promotions, discounts and financing specials occurring at the same time, these are allowed to only be used either or and not both or combined with each other. In addition we offer many Special Purchase pricing, Manager’s Special pricing, Advertised Special pricing and Clearance pricing which are not available with any further discounts, promotions, or financing specials. †Purchases must be made by 2pm PST for next day delivery. Next day delivery service is available for all in-stock purchases except clearance and accessories. Available to select delivery zones and on select days only. Next day delivery service has limited availability on peak days. Some restrictions may apply. Some pieces and fabric prints may vary by region. Selection may vary by store. Although every precaution is taken, errors in price and/or specification may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. Prices valid for a limited time only. Participation times may vary. Picture may not represent item exactly as shown, advertised items may not be on display at all locations. Some restrictions may apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. DURABLENDTM upholstery features a Polyurethane/Leather blend (57% Polyurethane, 26% Polycotton, 17% Leather) in the seating areas with skillfully matched Polyurethane everywhere else. HomeStores are independently owned and operated. ©2012 Ashley HomeStores, Ltd. Promotional Start Date February 21, 2012. Expires March 5, 2012.

OPENING SPRING 2012

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Valley Voice Poll Obama Leads in California, But Romney ... · PDF fileObama Leads in California, But Romney Can Win it All ... CSUN OffeNSive Webpage ... CSU Northridge Professor