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Covering Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, and Valley Communities West of the San Diego Freeway
Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013
Find Us 24 Hours a Day at:www.evalleyvoice.comYour Award-Winning Local Newspaper FREE
Everywhere
CityWatchLA and Other California Cities
Still Being SqueezedBy Joel Kotkin
Recent announcements of state budget surpluses have led to the popping of corks across the deepest-blue parts of America, particularly here in California. Thestates’fiscalmeltdownhasnotbeenaverted,butsimplydelayed,bythe
currentasset-driveneconomicrecovery.Takentogether,thestatesowe$1trillioninunfunded pension obligations alone. These costs are eating up much of the projected surpluses, even in prosperous and relatively frugal states such as Texas. Butthefirstplacewherethefiscalblowoutwillhittheroadmaybeatthelocallevel.Thisis,inpart,becauseonewaythatstatestrytoimprovetheirbalancesheetsisbycuttingaid to localitieswhile imposingnewmandatesdealingwitheverythingfrom housing to green policies. This has occurred in such places as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,NewJerseyandNewYork. So, even as state budgets improve somewhat, municipal budgets remain veryvulnerabletocutbacks.Pewreportsthatbothstateaidandproperty-taxcollectionshavecontinuedtodrop,somethingthatperhapswillbeslowedbyadevelopingbubblein real estate values. Similarly,accordingtoareportbytheNationalLeagueofCities,cityfinancersattheend of 2012 projected a sixth consecutive year of year-over-year declining revenue. The ability of localities – particularly the most-distressed – to endure this pattern much longer issomewhatdubious. Infact,therunuptoawaveofmunicipalbankruptcieshasbegun.Sevenmajormunicipalities have already filed for bankruptcy, the largest being the city of SanBernardino. To a large extent, these bankruptcies are being driven by unfunded
obligations for employee pensions. A newstudy by the Brookings Institute “estimated that the aggregate unfunded liabilities of locally administered pension plans top $574 billion. ... On average, pensionsconsume nearly 20 percent of municipal budgets.”Buttheworstisyettocome.“[I]ftrends continue, over half of every dollar in taxrevenuewouldgotopensions,and,bysomeestimates,insomecases,wouldsuckup75percentofalltaxrevenue.” This has locked many localities across the country into a classic vicious cycle as they try to dig their way backto growth. Unless radically reformed,health care and retirement obligations to employees seem certain to outweighthe ability to fund necessary government functions, the very things – infrastructure,
public safety and other economic development components – necessary to nurse a region and its governments back to health.
* * *
ManycountiesandlocalitiesriskalsolosingtheirhealthcarebenefitsunderGov.Brown’srevisedfiscalyear2013-14budget.Thesechangeswillbehardeston thoselocalitieswiththebiggestproblems,notablysomesmallercitiesalreadytiltingontheedgeofbankruptcy.Asmanyas10others,includingOaklandandSanJose,couldjointhem.Manyothersaresimplycuttingback;Sacramentoisnowaskingnewlyrecruitedpoliceofficerstopayintotheirpensionplansbeforejoiningtheforce. These problems also are deeply entrenched in the state’s largest city. Los Angeles, more than any of the top 10 cities in the country, with the possible exception ofChicago, still suffers from quasirecessionary conditions. Not surprisingly, LA’s budget situation, in large part due to pension and other employee-related costs, remains perilous. Former mayor, businessman Richard Riordan, has predicted that, unless pensionsandcompensationarereformeddramatically,thecitywilleventuallyslide,inexorably,towardbankruptcy. The primary culprit in this slide, notes Riordan, has been the political domination of Los Angeles, and other cities, by public employee unions and the lack of true political competition.Theoriginalposterchildforthis isSanBernardino,where laborcostsconsumed 80 percent of the city budget, in large part due to public-sector unions’ investment in local political races. Biggerand somewhat economically stronger,LosAngelesmaynot soongo thewayofSanBernardino,butitsfiscalproblemsremainsevere,withaprojected$800milliondeficitoverthenextfouryearsandpensionsthatareunderfundedbyatleast$15billion.Clearly, these shortfallswill continue toundermine the city’s ability tokeepitsstreetssafe,roadspavedandparksoperating–untilCityHall iswillingtostand up to the public-sector lobby. (Joel Kotkin is executive editor of NewGeography.com and is a distinguishedpresidentialfellowinurbanfuturesatChapmanUniversity,andcontributingeditortotheCityJournalinNewYork.)
Home Prices Jump 29%T hemedianprice of ahome inLosAngelesCounty rose 29.4percent inMay,
comparedtothesamemonthayearago,reflectingastatewidejumpthatgaveCalifornia the biggest year-over-year price increase in 33 years, according to
figuresreleasedbytheLosAngeles-basedCaliforniaAssociationofRealtors. ThemedianpriceofaLosAngelesCountyhomewas$365,990inMay,upfrom$282,930inMay2012,accordingtoCAR.May’smedianpricewas1.2percenthigherthanApril,whenthemedianwas$361,630.Homesalesinthecountyincreasedby14percentbetweenAprilandMay,butweredown2.2percentfromMay2012. Statewide,themedianpriceofasingle-familyhomewas$417,350inMay,up31.9percentfrom$316,460inMay2012,accordingtoCAR.Itwasthe15thconsecutivemonth of year-over-year increases, and 11th straight month of double-digit jumps. AccordingtoCAR,the31.9percentincreasewasthelargestannualjumpsinceatleast1980,whentheassociationbegantrackingthestatistic. “Morehomebuyersareputtingdownlargerdownpayments,andmanyofthemare opting for more stable loan products,” CAR Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young said. “Additionally, historically low mortgage rates havereducedmonthlymortgage payments substantially,making owning a housemoreaffordable,evenwithrisinghomeprices.” ThenumberofhomessoldinCaliforniaincreasedby1.9percentbetweenAprilandMay,butfell3.6percentfromMay2012,accordingtoCAR.
Immigration Stallsin House
Southland immigrant-rights activists and lawmakers hailed the U.S. Senate’spassageofimmigrationlegislationthatwouldprovideapathtocitizenshipformillions of people living in the country illegally, although the package has little
chance of being approved by the House of Representatives. TheSenateapprovedthelegislation,whichwascraftedbyabipartisangroupofSenatorsknownasthe“GangofEight,”ona68-32vote.Thosevotinginfavorofthelegislationincluded14Republicans. “The bill includes several provisions important for California,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein,D-Calif.“Iamespeciallypleasedwith thecreationofanewBlueCardprogram for legal statusandapathway to citizenship for currentundocumentedfarmworkers.Thebillestablishestwonewagriculturalvisaprogramstomakesurefarmersareabletolegallyhirefutureworkerswhenlocalworkersareunavailable. “Thebillalsohelpstechcompanieshireworkersinscienceandtechnologyfieldswhile protectingAmerican workers fromwage suppression and displacement,”she said. * * * ArturoS.Rodriguez, president of theUnitedFarmWorkersunion, said thevote“marksahistoricmomentfornewU.S.immigrants.” He said the legislation “is a truly bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform billthatcallsforaroadmaptocitizenshipfortheestimated11millionundocumentedimmigrantscurrentlylivinginthecountry.WeurgemembersoftheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives to not delay any longer and take up the Senate bill.” ButHouseSpeakerJohnBoehner,R-Ohio,hassaidtheRepublican-controlledHousewasunlikelytoevenconsiderthelegislation. “TheHouseisnotgoingtotakeupandvoteonwhatevertheSenatepasses,”hesaidpriortothevote.“We’redoingtodoourownbill,throughregularorder.” “... For any legislation, including a conference report, to pass the House, it’s going tohave tobeabill thathas the supportof amajorityof our (Republican)members,” Boehner said.
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Raising the Alarm on Fire Perils
Record levels of parched vegetation, along with a long-running drought andpredictions of hot, dry weather ahead have prompted fire officials to issue anunusuallysharpwarningaboutthisyear’sfireseason:
It’sonafastandfuriouspace—andmayholddangersunlikeanythingwe’veseenbefore. LosAngelesCountyFireChiefDarylOsby,appearingwithotherfireofficials thisweek,saidindicationsaddupto“probablythemostvolatilefireseasonthat’sprojectedbased on our 100-year history.” Osby said in an interview that recent fires in Ventura County and in northernLosAngelesCounty have already provided a dramaticwakeup call that ismirroredstatewide,where500earlyseasonfireshavetakenplacesofarthisyear. Becausethecountyhasn’texperiencedawildlandfireonthemassivescaleoftheStationFiresince2009,Osbysaid,there’splentyofhighlyflammabledeadbrushoutthere—insomeareas,100years’worth.What’smore,withrainfalltotalsrunningwellbelownormal,measurementsby thecountyfiredepartment’sForestryDivisionshowthat the amount of moisture in live brush has already fallen to critically dry levels, months ahead of schedule. The SantaClarita area hit the critical threshold of 60% “live fuelmoisture” inMay—meaningthatthebrushissodryitwillburn,ineffect,likeadeadplant.TherestofthecountyisexpectedtocrossthatdangerousthresholdbythefirstofJuly,agoodtwomonths ahead of schedule. “Sixty percent in the middle of May—that’s unheard of,” said Frank Vidales, acting chief of the Forestry Division. Those conditions, coming in the midst of a three-year drought, are disrupting traditionalfirepatternsandthrowingacurvetoeventhemostexperiencedfirefighters. Theheighteneddangersofavolatilefireseasonalsorequiremorepublicvigilance.Thatmeansclearingbrusharoundhousesandotherstructures,gettingfamiliarwiththefiredepartment’sReady!Set!Go!program,andbeingawarethat94%ofwildfiresaresetbypeople,sometimesintentionallybutmoreofteninadvertentlywithsparksfromlawnmowers,weedwhackers,powertoolsorevenwelding. Finally, if a fire evacuation order is issued, residents should be ready to heedit—fast—regardlessofwhetherthey’vetougheditoutandstayedputthroughsimilarsituations in years gone by. “Psychologically,becausethey’veexperienceditinthepast,theymightsay,‘Well,welivedthroughthisbefore;wecandoitagain.’Butit’sreallyimportantforourcitizenstorealizethatthisisnotatypicalfireseason,”Osbysaid.“You’renotgoingtohaveyourtypicalfirebehavior.It’sgoingtobeveryvolatileandwhenweaskthemtoevacuate,theyneedtoevacuateearly…Becauseyourpropertycanbereplaced.Yourlifecan’t.”
-ZevYaroslavsky,Supervisor,3rdDistrict
Even veteran firefighters were stunned by how the recent Powerhouse Fire behaved. Photo/Time
CityWatchWhere Oversight has Failed,
Snowden’s Leaks have Opened Up a Vital Public Debate on
Our Rights and PrivacyBy Valerie Plame Wilson and Joe Wilson
Let’sbeabsolutelyclearabout thenewsthat theNSAcollectsmassiveamountsofinformationonUScitizens–fromemails, totelephonecalls, tovideos,underthePrismprogramandotherFisacourtorders:thisstoryhasnothingtodowithEd-
wardSnowden. AsinterestingashisflighttoHongKongmightbe,thepole-dancinggirlfriend,andinterviewsfromundisclosedlocations,hisfateisjustasideshowtotheessentialissuesofnationalsecurityversusconstitutionalguaranteesofprivacy,whichhisdisclosureshavesurfaced in sharp relief. Snowdenwillbehuntedrelentlesslyand,whenfinally found,withglee,broughtback to the US in handcuffs and severely punished. (If Private BradleyManning’sobscene conditions while incarcerated are any indication, it won’t be pleasant forSnowdeneither,evenwhileawaitingtrial.) SnowdenhasalreadybeentheobjectofscornandderisionfromtheWashingtonestablishment and mainstream media, but, once again, the focus is misplaced on the transientlyshinyobject.Therelevantissueshouldbe:whatexactlyistheUSgovernmentdoing in the people’s name to “keep us safe” from terrorists? Prism and other NSA data-mining programs might indeed be very effective in huntingandcapturingactual terrorists,butwedon’thaveenough informationasasocietytomakethatdecision.DespitelaudableeffortsledbySenatorsRonWydenandMarkUdall tobringthis to thepublic’sattentionthatwerecontinually thwartedbytheadministrationbecauseeverythingabout thisprogramwasdeemed“too secret”,Congress could not even exercise its oversight responsibilities. The intelligence community and their friends on the Hill do not have a right to interpret our rights absent such a discussion. TheshockandsurprisethatSnowdenexposedthesesecretsishardtounderstandwhenover1.4millionAmericanshold“topsecret”securityclearances.Whenthatmanyhaveaccesstosensitiveinformation,isitreallysodifficulttoenvisionaleak?
* * *
We are now dealing with a vast intelligence-industrial complex that is largelyunaccountabletoitscitizens.Thisalarming,uncheckedgrowthoftheintelligencesectorand the increasingly heavy reliance on subcontractors to carry out core intelligence tasks – now estimated to account for approximately 60%of the intelligence budget–haveintensifiedsincethe9/11attacksandwhatwas,arguably,ourregrettableover-reaction to them. TherootsofthistrendgobackatleastasfarastheReaganera,whenthepoliticalrightbecameobsessedwithlimitinggovernmentanddenigratingthosewhoworkedforthepublicsector.Itbeganawaveofprivatization–becauseeverythingwasheldtobemore“cost-efficient”whendonebytheprivatesector–andthatonlydeepenedwiththepoliticalpolarizationfollowingtheelectionof2000. Asitturnsout,thepromisesofcheaper,moreefficientserviceswerehollow,butinertia carried the day. Today, the intelligence sector is so immense that no one person can manage, or evencomprehend,itsreach.Whenanoperationinthefieldgoessouth,whowouldweprefertotryandcorrectthedamage:agovernmentemployeewhoseloyaltybelongstohiscountry(despiteamodestsalary),orthesubcontractorwhowantstoensurethathismuch fatter paycheck keeps coming? Early polls of Americans about their privacy concerns that the government might be collecting metadata from phone calls and emails indicates that there is little alarm; there appears to be, in fact, an acceptance of or resignation to these practices. To date, there is no proof that the government has used this information to pursue andharassUScitizensbasedontheirpoliticalviews.TherearenoJEdgarHoover-like“enemylists”…yet.Butitisnotsodifficulttoenvisionascenariowhereanyofushasalink,viaafriendofafriend,tosomeoneontheterroristwatchlist.Whatthen?Youmayhavenoideawhothispersonis,butasupercomputerinFortMeade(or,soon,attheUtahDataCenternearSaltLakeCity)willhavemadethisconnection.Andthenyoucouldhavesomeexplainingtodotoanover-zealousprosecutor.
* * *
On this spying business, officials from Director of National Intelligence JamesClappertoself-importantsenatorsare,ineffect,tellingAmericansnottoworry:it’snotthatbigadeal,and“trustus”becausethey’rekeepingUScitizenssafe. This position must be turned on its head and opened up to a genuine discussion aboutthenecessary,dynamictensionbetweensecurityandprivacy.Asitnowstands,theseprogramsareripeforabuseunlessweestablishgroundrulesandbarriersbetweenauthentic national security interests and potential political chicanery. TheironyofformerVice-PresidentDickCheneywringinghishandsoverthereleaseof classified information ishard towatch.CheneycallsSnowdena traitor.Snowdenmaynotbeahero,butthefactisthatweowehimadebtofgratitudeforfinallybringingthis question into the public square for the robust discussion it deserves.
(ValeriePlameWilsonisaformerCIAoperationsofficerandtheauthorofamemoir,FairGame:MyLife as aSpy,MyBetrayal by theWhiteHouse. Joe Wilson served as aUnitedStatesdiplomatandpoliticaladvisorinAfricaandIraq.Heistheauthorofamemoir,ThePoliticsofTruth,andtheCEOofaconsultingfirm,JCWilsonInternationalVentures.ThisperspectivewaspostedmostrecentlyatCommonDreams.org)
Congressman Brad Sherman on Los Angeles
Helicopter NoiseByBradSherman
“It is time to free Angelenos from the oppression of noisy, invasive helicopter flightscarriedonwithnoregard for thewell-beingofhomeownersandothersundertheflightpath.”
“The FAA Report on Los Angeles Helicopter Noise rejects the idea of mandatory standards being implementeddue to safety concerns,whiledeclaring that voluntary standards are abetter alternative. This is absurd. If helicopter pilots operating at a particular altitude comply withvoluntarystandards,theirsafetywillnotbeimpairediftheyareatthesamealtitudedueto mandatory standards. At a minimum, voluntarystandardsshouldbemandatory,withawaiveroffinesforunusualsituationsaffectingsafety. “Thereisnoreasonwhyhelicoptersshouldbeallowedtobuzzaroundhomesofcelebrities,flyneartheHollywoodSignandotherprominentlandmarkswithoutrespecttotheaffectedresidentialareas.It’stimefortheFAAtodothejobgivenittoitbycurrentlaw–imposingreasonable standards on helicopter operations. “InFebruary,CongressmanSchiff,Waxman,andIintroducedlegislationthatwilltriggerimmediate action by the FAA. It is called the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Actof2013.Ourproposalclearlyexemptspublicsafety,lawenforcement,ormilitaryhelicopteractivities.Thereisnoreasonthathelicopteroperationsdesignedforsight-seersandpaparazzicannot be subject to strict regulations.
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Pet AwarenessEmergencies
I fyouareapetowner,theCountyofLosAngelesDepartmentofPublicHealthwantsyoutokeepyourpetsinmindwhendevelopingyourfamily’semergencyplan.
The new Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Projectemphasizesgettingtoknowyourneighborssoyoucanplanwiththemandbeready for emergencies. Research from recent disasters has shown communities that know eachother and prepare together survive better during emergencies and recover more quicklyafterward. Here is a checklist to ensure your pet or pets are emergency ready, along withyourfamily. -Gettoknowyourneighborsandletthemknowyouhavepets. -LicenseandregisteryourdogorcatwithL.A.County.Youcanchoosetosupplementthiswithmicrochipregistration.Ifyourpetgetsseparatedfromyouinanemergency,reunificationismorelikelyifyourpetisregistered. -Incaseofanyemergency,designatewhoinyourfamilyisresponsiblefor pets. - Have a crate, cage or other container to safely evacuate your pet if necessary. Yourhouseholdemergencykitshouldincludethefollowingessentialitemsforyourpet: - A three-day supply of pet food. -Agallonofwaterperdayperpetstoredinclearplasticcontainers. - A seven-day supply of necessary pet medications - Health, immunization and identity records for your pet stored in awaterproofportablecontainer. Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets. - Current photos of your pets in case they get lost. -Sturdyleashesorharnessestoensurethatyouranimalsdon’trunaway. Prior to an emergency, determine the location and make a list of facilities, veterinarians,oralternateresidencesthatcouldshelteryourpet.Include24-hourphone numbers. Bringpetsinsideassoonasyoureceivesevereweatherwarningstoavoidseparation. If possible, crate smaller animals prior to the event to ensure your pet iscontainedandremainswithfamilymembers. If you have no choice but to leave your dog or cat behind in your home, do notcratethepet;leavefoodandwaterandreturnhomeassoonaspossible. Markyourhomewithidentifyingstickerssofirstrespondersknowpetsarepresent in the home.
L.A. ObservedVillaraigosa Always
Wanted L.A. to be About Him - and It Wasn’t
ByMarkLacter
Asthemayor’sundistinguishedtwotermsinofficedrewtoaclose,I’mstruckbythenumber of commentators (several ofwhom Iknowand respect) choosingto let bygones be bygones - to give the guy a pass, more or less, in spite of inept
management,minimalaccomplishment,andafratboypersona.Onewriterdescribedthemayor’sperformanceas“good”butnot“great.”AnothersaidhewassorrytoseeVillaraigosa go, calling him “interesting” and “pretty damn entertaining.” In some ways,Icanappreciatethelightertouch.Theoutgoingmayor,afterall,isyesterday’snews (it’s hard to see howhe becomes competitive in a race for governor or anyhigheroffice).Yet,wearetalkingabouteightcrucialyearsinthelifeofagreatcity.Attentionmustbepaid.AntonioVillaraigosacametoCityHallwitha“shootforthefences”mentalityand leaveswithwaytoomanywhiffs.Morethanthat,he leaveshavingwastedalotofvaluabletime. Ultimately, the mayor could never match his own ambitions with L.A.’scomplicatedrealities.Hestartedoutin2005withanoverreachingagenda,thenmostlyignoredthefast-approachingfinancialmeltdown(althoughsodidtheCouncil),theninsistedthatthecity’sfiscalhousewasinorder,thenfiguredoutthatitwasn’t,theninitiatedwilly-nilly budget cuts and funding transfers that left city government ahollowed-outmess,thenbungledeffortsatfull-scalerestructuring,andthen,inthemidstofafracturedrecovery,insistedthatL.A.wasbackinfull-growthmode,despiteconsiderable evidence to the contrary. Butnevermindallthat.AntonioVillraigosa’sbiggestfailingisthathealwaysassumeditwouldbeabouthim.Hisfinalmonthsinofficewereespeciallyignominious- did he really need to take a last-minute trip to China or appropriate a city festival as hisownfarewellpartyormakesurethatanunfinishedportionofanLAXterminalnamedafterhimwouldbeunveiledbeforeheleftoffice?Duringaraftofexitinterviews,he insincerely pooh-poohed any thoughts about legacy even though it’s no doubt been hisprimarylifefocus.Whenhecouldn’tgetcontroloftheschools,heswitchedgearstotransportation.WhenhisL.A.spotlightwasn’tquitebrightenough,hesoughtthenationalstagebybecomingpresidentoftheU.S.ConferenceofMayors.Andallthetimetherewasthetravel,thepartying,thefinedining,thefront-rowseats-littleofwhichhadtheleastrelevancetofixingastrugglingcity.NowondertheObamapeoplemadeitclearthathewouldn’tbeconsideredforaCabinetpost-aboutthelastthingtheyneededwasamiddleweightwannabeewithanoutsizedego.
* * *
Forgetthenonsenseabouthowweshouldbeabletoacceptthepersonalflawsofourelectedofficials.Leadershipatanylevelisaboutjudgmentandintegrity,andyoucan’tfinesseyourwayaroundthat.Crazyasitmightsound,thereare60-year-oldpeopleinthisworldwhomanagetoworkhard,accomplishagreatdeal,andstillsteerclearofattractiveTVreporters.Whentheyparty,it’susuallyrightaftertheirchildren’ssoccergame.Villaraigosaneverfiguredthatoneout-hiswell-chronicledmeanderingsalwaysstruckmeassad,andposingwithCharlieSheeninthatinfamousphotodowninMexicowasoneofthedumbestthingsI’veeverseenfromapolitician(kidswouldcallsuchgallivanting“gross”).AndforalltheHollywoodhobnobbing,healwaysseemedslightlyuncomfortablewhenitactuallycametimetospeakinginpublic. A little too stiff and thoroughly incapable of impromptu riffs. Severalweeksago, theWeeklyrananot-so-flatteringpieceabout thestateofthemayor’sfinancesandwhathemightdoafterleavingoffice.Thestoryincludedawonderful-but-unattributedanecdoteabouthowhebuttonholedBillO’ReillyatanOscarpartyandaskedforhishelpingettingajobatFox.Ifoundthepieceprettyinteresting; others thought it frothy. Sowhataboutthatlegacyhewassofixatedon?Well,L.A.hasalonghistoryofdisreputablecharacterswhoheld theofficeofmayor,andVillaraigosa iscertainlynot on that list of scoundrels. He can claim a modest number of accomplishments (reviving LAX, bolstering environmental policy, promoting trade and tourism),thoughontoomanyissuesheeithersidesteppedortookthewrongcoursealtogether.Butwhat’sconspiredagainsthimmostofall-morethantheeconomy,morethanpolitics-wasabreathtakinglackofhumility.Someoneshouldhavetoldhimitwasallrighttoacknowledgehisfoibles,tolaughathimselfonceinawhile.Peoplelikehumility-itshowsthatyouhaveahealthyviewoflife,amaturity.Itshowsthatyoucanbeamensch.Instead,healwaysmadeitAntonioagainsttheworld-andguesswhowon?
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From the Right
Oh, Yeah, the Economy
ByLarryElder
The recent Obama administration scandals shift the spotlight from theeconomy.Yettherecoveryremainsdepressinglysluggish,withthelaborforceparticipationrateata34-yearlowasmillionsofable-bodied,able-
mindedAmericanssimplystoppedlookingforwork. WithPresidentObamainthefifthyearofhispresidency,letusexaminetheeffectofthestimulusprogram,taxhikes,Obamacareandadditionalregulationon the economy. It isn’t pretty. FortherichestAmericans,theirnetworthhasfullyrecovered.Forthenon-rich, the recovery tells a very different story. At the start of “recovery” in 2009, themeannetworthofthelower93percentofhouseholdswas$139,896.Bythecloseof2011—thelatestyearavailable—ithadfallen4percent,to$133,817.Food stamp usage sets new records. So far this fiscal year, over 22 millionhouseholds have received food stamps, up from less than 15million in 2009.Whilethestockmarkethasrecovered,mostAmericanshavenot.Thebiggestinvestment for most Americans is their home and the equity in average home remains28percentbelowits2006peak. Howdoesthisrecoverycomparetootherpost-WorldWarIIrecoveries? AnAssociatedPressarticlesaid:“SinceWorldWarII,10U.S.recessionshavebeenfollowedbyarecoverythatlastedatleastthreeyears.AnAssociatedPressanalysisshowsthatbyjustaboutanymeasure,theonethatbeganinJune2009is theweakest. ...Economic growthhasneverbeenweakerinapostwarrecovery.Consumerspendinghasneverbeensoslack.Onlyoncehasjobgrowthbeenslower.Morethaninanyotherpost-WorldWar II recovery,peoplewhohavejobs are hurting:Their paychecks have fallenbehind inflation.” According to Wall StreetJournaleconomistStephenMoore,“We’vehadtheworst, by far—not by a little bit, by far—theworstrecoveryfromarecessionsincetheGreatDepression.” BeforePresidentObamaenteredoffice,thenationaldebtstoodatabout$9.9trillion.Itisnowestimatedat$17.4for2013.ObamaaddedmoredebtinhisfirsttermthanPresidentGeorgeW.Bushdidintwoterms.Andtowhatend?
* * * What about Obamacare, marketed aswaytoprovidetheuninsuredwithhealthcarecoverage—allwhile“bendingthecostcurve”down? During last year’s presidential campaign, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said, “Everybody will have lower rates.” Butaccording to independent analysts, those purchasing insurance through an individual plan—thewayabout10percentofAmericanscurrentlyget their insurance—will likely seesubstantial rate hikes. The state of California recently released estimates showing increasesfrom64to146percent. Obamacare also applies to full-timeworkersanddefinesthemasworking30hoursor more. So many employers are simply reducing hours of employees to get under than threshold. Reuters found that half of theWalmarts theyrecently surveyed have hired only temporary employees. One Walmart manager in Alaskasays:“EverybodywhocomesthroughthedoorI hire as a temporary associate. It’s a company direction at the present time.” What about the Obama tax hike on the“rich”? The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco just released a report that called Obama’s tax hikes a “drag” on the economy:“Surprisingly, despite all the attention federal spending cuts and sequestration have received, our calculations suggest they are not the main contributors to this projected drag. The excess fiscaldragonthehorizoncomesalmostentirelyfrom rising taxes.” Bottomline:Thepoliciesofthistax,spendand regulate administration have produced an anemic recovery. Compared to five yearsago, 8 million more people are no longer in the workforce today. Twenty-three millionare underemployed, meaning people are working fewer hours than they would like orhave accepted a job for which they are over-qualified. Theonesilverliningisthis:Obama’sleft-wingcollectivismisgettingafullairing—andit is not working. Obama has inadvertentlytaught — or in some cases re-taught — one of themost important laws of economics:Thereain’t no such thing as a free lunch. Not even in a rock-star administration. - Creators.com
County to Start ChildWelfare Commission
T he Board of Supervisions voted 3-2 in support of creating a blue ribbon commission to protect children in the county.
Reacting to a string of child deaths in caseswhere socialworkers failed toremove children from dangerous environments, Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas andMichaelAntonovichcalledforthenewcommission,oneinalongseriesofgroupsdesigned to fix the Department of Children and Family Services.
“Onceagain,DCFSisunderscrutinyforallegedmismanagementoffosterfamilyagency contracts and for the recent death of Gabriel F. (age 8), who was allegedlytorturedandabusedbyhismotherandherboyfriend.InGabrielF.’scase,thereappearto have been repeated reports of abuse and neglect preceding his death,” read the motion by Ridley-Thomas and Antonovich.
Gabriel Fernandez’ mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez and her boyfriend, IsauroAguirre,havebeenchargedwithmurderintheboy’sdeath.Aguirreallegedlybeattheboy,whowashospitalizedMay22withBBpellets embedded inhis lungsandgroin, acracked skull, broken ribs, burns, bruises and twomissing teeth.The 8-year-old diedtwo days later. Hismother stood by during the assault and did nothing, according toprosecutors and police.
The tragedy refocused attention on DCFS, as the Los Angeles Times reported that the county had conducted six different investigations into the boy’swelfare before hisdeath.
But Supervisor Don Knabe, citing “countless commissions, groups, panels and advisory boards,”saidthecountyhadmorethanenoughinformationonhowtosolveproblemsinthechildwelfaresystemandjustneededtimetoimplementsolutions.
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With small class sizes, creative teachers, and events like Colonial Day,
CHA brings learning to life.
CHA emphasizes character education
though community service and core values.
CHA students are encouraged to learn, grow, and discover. Everyone has a chance to be a star.
Visit www.chaschool.org to learn more or call 818-998-4037 to schedule a tour
One Day at Chatsworth Hills Academy
9:00 a.m. Nathan Wrote With a Quill Pen
4:00 p.m.Jonathan & Rachel Took Center Stage
11:30 a.m. Paris Helped Feed a Family
Preschool–8th Grade21523 Rinaldi St.,
Chatsworth
CityWatch
DWP Ratepayers Ripped Off!ByJackHumphreville
R atepayersoftheDepartmentofWaterandPowerarebeingrippedoffforover$1billion* a year by our Elected Elite and their cronies that occupy the barnyard knownasCityHall.Butsnaggingalmost25%ofourhardearnedmoneythatwe
send toDWPeveryothermonthdoesnotappear to satisfy theappetiteof theSpringStreet beast. As Our Former Mayor was doing his victory tour around town, he touted theenvironmentalbenefits and increased safety associatedwith the conversionof 141,089streetlightstolightemittingdiodes.However,hefailedtomentionthatthis$57millionLEDprogramwasfundedinlargepartbyeightyearloansfromDWP. Ofcourse, theRatepayersshouldbethankfulthattheCitydidnotforceDWPtobuythestreetlights,payfortheirupkeep,and,atthesametime,providefreepower,asisessentiallythecasewiththeCity’sfirehydrants. OnJune19,theDWP’spoliticallyappointedBoardofCommissionersonceagainraidedthewalletsoftheRatepayersbyapprovinga$3.2millioncontributiontoElysianReservoir and Park Enhancement Fund. This amount does not include an additional $12.5 million that was extorted outoftheDWPbythepliantBoardofCommissionersaspartofthepoliticallymandatedappeasement process. TheBoardofCommissionersalsoapprovedanotherdealwithRecreationandParkswhereDWPwouldspendamaximumof$15millionoverthenextfiveyearstofundwaterefficiencyimprovementsintheCity’sparks.Whilewaterconservationisrightuptherewithapplepieandmotherhood,DWPshouldnotberequiredtofundtheseimprovementsinamannerthatisnotavailabletoallDWPcustomers. This Board of Commissioners also gave the go ahead to fund the construction of the$43millionLaKretzInnovationCampuslocatedinthe“CleanTechCorridor”thatborderstheLosAngelesRiverinLA’sdowntownArtsDistrict.Thisfacility,amajorityofwhichisbeingfundedbyDWP,willdemonstrateDWP’s“commitmenttorenewableenergy, energy efficiency, and water conservation” by “housing a synergistic mix ofcleantech tenants,” creating an “ecosystem that supports innovation, deployment, and commercializationofcleantechnologies.”
* * * ButwhendidDWPdecidetoenterthehighlyriskyventurecapitalbusiness? The big spenders on the Board of Commissioners also decided to ignore the advice of the Ratepayers Advocate to suspend the current solar energy Feed In Tariff program, eventhoughthetotalexcesscostassociatedwiththisoverlygenerousprogramrelativetootherrenewableswillslamRatepayerswithanadditional$250millioninrateincreasesover the next 20 years. Since January, the Board of Commissioners, the Mayor, and the City Council have saddledtheRatepayerswithanother$1billionburdenassociatedwiththeeliminationof coalat theNavajoGeneratingStationand the IntermountainPowerPlantand theunanticipatedincreaseinpurchasedwaterfromtheMetropolitanWaterDistrictcausedby excessive environmental mandates and low snowfall in the OwensValley and theEastern Sierras. This billion does not even include the costs associated with the Feed In Tariffboondoggle, the street lights, Recreation and Parks, and the risky venture capital investment. MayorEricGarcettiandthenewlyconstitutedCityCouncilneedtorealizethattheRatepayers are at a breaking point as rates are projected to double over the next ten years. TheytrulybelievetheyarebeingscrewedbytheCityHallkleptocracywhichcontinuestopicktheirpocketswhileCityemployeesarelivinghighoffthehog. Ratepayersarenotafraidtoexpresstheiropinions,especiallyattheballotboxwheretheyrejectedbothWendyGreuelandPropositionA,thepermanenthalfcentincreaseinour sales tax. Eric,youhavebeenwarned.(*Theover$1billionripoffconsistsofthe$250milliontransferfee/taxfromthePowerSystemtoCity’sGeneralFund;the$300millionfromthe10%CityUtilityTax;the$250million IBEW Labor Premium (not including the impact of restrictive work rules); petprojectssuchasGriffithandElysianParksandtheSilverLakeReservoir;andthedumpingofsurplusCityemployees(andtheirunfundedpensionliabilities)onDWP.)
“Excellence in Public Service” Leadership
Development ProgramEarlierthismonth,myofficewasproudtolaunchourinaugural“ExcellenceinPublic
Service”LeadershipDevelopmentProgram!Eightlocalhighschoolstudentswereselectedtoparticipateinthisinterdisciplinary
programteachingstudentshowtosolvereal-worldcommunityproblemsbyintegratingfieldstudyandacademicresearchwhileleveragingtechnologytodeveloppublicpolicysolutions. Students will also learn how to navigate the network of public agencies,facilitate collaborative coalition building, and master interpersonal skills to succeed in theworkplace. The students visited the Wilkinson Multipurpose Senior Citizen Center inNorthridgeandlearnedaboutthewidevarietyofprogramsandservicesprovidedatthe senior center.ExecutiveDirectorMarianneYbarra shared the various academicsubjectssuchassociologyandsocialwork,thestudentscanstudyincollegeifthey’reinterestedinservingthegrowingagingpopulationinourcommunity.ThestudentsalsoanalyzedcensusdemographicdatatoillustratethechangingpopulationineachofthezipcodeswithinCD12tohelpthembetterunderstandthechallengesfacingtheseniorcommunity and identify solutions. Throughoutthesummer,thestudentswillbeexposedtovariouscareeropportunitieswithin theCityofLosAngelesandpartnerorganizationsandbeprovidedwithreal-worldexperienceintersectingthepublicsector,businessandthenonprofitcommunity. For more information about the program, contact Semee Park at [email protected]
-MitchellEnglander,Councilmember,TwelfthDistrict
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A Asapastor,I’vehadmanypeopleaskmewhythereissomuchsufferingintheworld.Itseemsthatonanygivenday,wecanperusethenewsandhearaboutone senseless tragedy after another—school shootings, natural disasters that
devastate entire cities, political corruption, crime, and death. These trials occur on a personallevelaswell.Perhapsrightnowyouaregrapplingwithadivorce,badnewsfrom a doctor, or losing something or someone important to you. I don’t mean to sound morbid; these are simply regular occurrences in life that happen to everyday people. Trials and tragedies care not about a person’s color, culture, gender, age, class,orculture.Weallaresusceptibletodifferentkindsoftroubleinourlifetime.
So what do we do in the event that we encounter inevitable hardships?Wheneveraperson issittingacross frommewithtearyeyes,abrokenheart,anddeepquestions,I’mkeenlyawarethatsufferingisnoteasytoexplain.IencouragethatpersonnottoaskGod,“Whyisthishappeningtome?”butinstead,“HowcanIrespondinawaythatishonoringtoYou,Lord?”Onewaywecanadoptthiskindofresponse is to look to man in the Bible named Job—one of the greatest survivors of tragedytheworldhaseverseen.
TheBiblesaysinJob1:1,“Thismanwasblamelessandupright;hefearedGodandshunnedevil.”Jobwasaverywealthymanwhohadsevensonsandthreedaughters,thousandsoflivestock,andnumerousservants.Oneday,SataninsiststhatJobfearsGodonlybecausetheLordhasprotectedhimandblessedtheworkofhishands.Thedevilsaysboldly,“ButnowstretchoutYourhandandstrikeeverythinghehas,andhewillsurelycurseYoutoYourface”(Job1:11).ThenGodsaidtoSatan,“Verywell,then,everythinghehasisinyourpower,butonthemanhimselfdonotlayafinger.”
Suddenly, Job is catapulted into a season of great testing. He lost his fortune, family,physicalfitness,andfameinonefellswoop.Buthedidnotlosehisfaith.LookatJob’sresponse:“‘NakedIcamefrommymother’swomb,andnakedIwilldepart.TheLordgaveandtheLordhastakenaway;maythenameoftheLordbepraised.’Inallthis,JobdidnotsinbychargingGodwithwrongdoing”(Job1:21-22).
Isn’tthatamazing?Joblosteverythingheloved,andwhatdidhedo?Hepraised the name of the Lord and didn’t blame God for his circumstances. I’veheardpeoplecurseGodafterthey’vesnubbedtheirtoe!ButevenwhenJob’sownwifetoldhim,“Areyoustillmaintainingyourintegrity?CurseGodanddie!”afterhewas afflictedwith painful sores, Job replied, “Shallwe accept good fromGod
Pastor Dudley C. Rutherford - Shepherd of the Hills
HOW DO WeReSPOND tO tRIALS
AND tRAgeDy?By
andnot trouble?”And evenwhenhisbest friends accused him of sin, Job maintained his innocence. However,this conversation between Job andhis pals spanned more than thirty chapters and Job’s resolve finallywhittlesdown.HebeginstothinkGoddoesn’tcareabouthim.
Then, God answers Job. From chapters thirty eight to forty one, the LordrespondstoJob’squestionof“Why,God?”withquestionsofHisown—seventyquestions,tobeexact!GodasksJobaseriesofrhetoricalquestionsabouttheuniverseHecreated.(With all our current knowledge and technology,we still don’t know the answers tosomeofthesequestionstoday!)AndattheendofGod’sastoundinginterrogation,Jobisrepentant.Hereplies,“SurelyIspokeofthingsIdidnotunderstand,thingstoowonderfulformetoknow.”
JobacknowledgedthatGodhasaplanthatcannotbethwarted(Job42:2).HewassorryforthinkingtheLorddidnotcareabouthim.WelearnfromJob’sstorythatbeinggooddoesnotalwaysexceptusfromevil,buttrialscantestandmatureusandstrengthenour faith.AndwhileyouandImaynotalwaysunderstandGod’splanorhumansuffering, there isaGodwho lovesusandrespondswhenwecryout toHimin humility and reverence. Because thiswas Job’s response,God gave him a doubleblessing.Job42:12says,“TheLordblessedthelatterpartofJob’slifemorethantheformerpart.”Godblessedhimwith sevenmore sons, threebeautifuldaughters, andthousandsmorelivestock.“Afterthis,Joblivedahundredandfortyyears;hesawhischildren and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full ofyears”(Job42:16-17).Whatanawesomestoryoffaiththroughtrialsandtragedy!
Edited by Angie Merrill
DudleyRutherford is theauthorofGodHasanAppforThat(www.Godhasanapp.com)andtheseniorpastorofthe10,000-memberShepherdoftheHillsChurchinPorterRanch (LosAngeles), California. Service times at Shepherd are Saturdays at 5:00 and6:30pmandSundaysat8:30,10:00,and11:30am.YoucanfindDudleyonlineatwww.DudleyRutherford.comoronTwitter@pastordudley.
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From the Left
Political Stopsand Starts
BySusanEstrich
JunewasamonthofmajorpoliticalmovesinWashington. ThemostobviouslypoliticalwastheSenate’spassageof“landmark”immigrationreform. It is landmark, no question of that. But no one gives it any chance of
becoming law,which raises thequestion ofwhy its passage reallymatters, exceptpolitically. Theansweristhatwhenitcomestoimmigrationreform,it’sallpolitics. The Senate is passing major immigration reform because the Republicans got hammered among Hispanic voters in the last election, and the Republicans can’t affordtoturntheirbacksondemographics.TheHousewon’tpassit,becausenotallRepublicansseethingsthatway,whichiswhytheRepublicanPartyisintrouble.Orcivilwar. SowhathappensisthatRepublicansintheSenatewho(thinkthey)aretryingtosave the party end up calling even greater attention to the fact that theirs is a party thatneedssaving.Whosaidpoliticswaseasy? Thebestpoliticswerearoundthecorner,attheSupremeCourt.Ifyoutakethecourt’stwogaymarriagecasesandputthemtogether,youhaveasimplerule:Leaveittothestates.Ifastatewantstorecognizesame-sexmarriages,thefederalgovernmentwillrespectit.Ifastatedoesn’twanttodefenditslaw,we’renotgoingtosaveit. Now, speaking as a law professor, I can tell you that neither of these casespurportedtodecidehowthegaymarriageissueshouldberesolvedinthiscountry,much lesswhat theresult shouldbe.Theruling in theDOMAcasedidn’trequirethe kind of elevated scrutiny applied in cases of race or gender. The states having decided, federalism aswell as equality concerns allowed the court to strike downDOMAwithoutreachingadecisionontheconstitutionalityofconflictingstatelaws.Andthe5-4splitonthestandingissueintheProp8casewas,ideologicallyspeaking,a mish-mosh.
* * *
But if you put the two together, it is in many ways the perfectWashingtoncompromiseonanissueastowhichtherereallyis,onthemerits,notmuchofamiddle:Youtendtobeforgaymarriageoragainstit.Theolddayswhenpeoplewouldplaywordgamesbysaying,well,theywereforcivilunionbutnotcivilmarriage?Thosefolks are all for gay marriage these days. For or against. But the Supreme Court created the perfect middle ground. You want gaymarriage?Vote for it.Youdon’twant it?Vote against it, or pass a constitutionalamendmentthatyou’rewillingtodefend.NomoreactsofCongress.Congressisoutof the gay marriage business. Asforthestates,therewillbechallenges.Andsomeappealscourtsomewheremay hold, one of these days, that a ban on same-sex marriage is itself unconstitutional. Thenthecourtmayfacetheissue.Butbetweennowandthen,theactionisoutofthecourtsandoutofWashington;stateswillreachdifferentconclusions;I’llhaveananswerwhencynicsaskwhypoliticsmatter,becausetheywill;andtheSupremeCourt justices can have much calmer vacations. In the short run, of course, many proponents of gay marriage are disappointed thatthecourtdidnotreachthemeritsoftheCaliforniacase,whichwouldnothavebeen the same as the merits in a state that never granted and then revoked the right to marry in any event. But civil rights litigation often proceeds best in steps, which is what the lateThurgoodMarshallsobrilliantlyunderstood.Andthiswasabigone.Ifbythetimethecourtseestheissueagainthereare40statesthatrecognizegaymarriage,itwillbethatmucheasiertotakethefinalstep. - Creators.com
CityWatchArmenian Political Power:
the Lion Awakensin Los Angeles
ByHaroutHarrySemerdjian
greater Los Angeles has been a mecca for Armenian immigration for more than one hundred years, as early as the Turkish massacres of Armenians in 1895-96 andtheArmenianGenocideof1915.Inthelastfourdecades,thecityhasattractedan
increasinglylargenumberofimmigrantsfromtheMiddleEastaswellasfromtheformerSovietRepublic ofArmenia,which gained its independence after the fall of the SovietUnionin1991. This complex yet vibrant community of “Hayastanci” - Armenians from Armenia proper – have been notably absent from politics and public service, albeit for understandable reasons. Emigrating from the harsh politics and government policies of a Communist regime, they learned not to rely on government for even to their most basic needs. Their presence in theU.S. has focused on rebuilding their lives and consolidatingtheirpresencethroughdiligenceandhardwork.Embracingtheirfreedomsintheirnewlyadoptedhomeland,politicsbecameabaggageofthepast.Untillatelastyear,thatis.WhenoneoftheirowndecidedtorunforpublicofficeinEastHollywood,theshowofunityandforce became unprecedented for this community. WhenSamKbushyan,aformerBoardMemberoftheEastHollywoodNeighborhoodCouncil and Executive Director of the IC Foundation, decided to run for LA City Council District13,heregisteredthousandsofArmeniansintheDistrictwithinseveralmonths.
* * * PerhapsevenKbushyandidnotrealizethefar-reachingimplicationsofhispersonalinitiative, which became a powerful drive not only for voter registration but also forcommunityempowermentanddemocracy-building. Even though Kbushyan lost in the primary election, he came in an impressive 3rd place tothesurpriseofresidentsandCityHallpower-brokersalike.KbushyansoonendorsedlocalcandidateMitchO’FarrellovernewcomerJohnChoi,andhisloyalArmeniansupportershelpedsecureMitchO’Farrell’svictoryonMay21.Aboutaquarteroftheapproximately20,000votersintheelectionwereArmenians,mostlyregisteredbySamKbushyan. The impactofHollywood’s immigrantArmeniancommunityonCouncilDistrict13is quickly becoming a benchmark for other parts of Los Angeles, particularly in the San FernandoValley,wherelargecommunitiesofArmeniansreside.Formany,thehalfamillion-strongArmeniancommunityinthegreaterLAarearepresentsanelectoralgoldminewhichcouldswaymanylocalelections. The 100thAnniversary of theArmenian Genocide is fast approaching, along withnumerousimportantlocal,stateandnationalelections.Thenewlyempoweredpopulationofimmigrants from Armenia may hold the key to the success of the highly regarded Armenian lobbyintheUnitedStates,includingtheirabilitytofurtherinfluenceCongressaswellasthePresidentoncriticalissuessuchastheofficialrecognitionoftheArmenianGenocideandapeacefulandjustsolutiontotheNagorno-Karabakhconflictgroundedintheprincipleofself-determination for its native Armenian population. Alreadyconsideredbymanytobethesecondmost influentialethniclobbyaftertheJewishlobbyinWashingtonD.C.,ArmenianprominenceatthenationallevelhasseriouspotentialtogrowconsideringtheirnewsuccessesinCalifornia–thenation’smostpopulousandmostpowerfulstate. Thiswillserveasatestofthecommunity’smaturityandfortitudeduringthissignificanttime in the history of this ancient nation. (HaroutHarrySemerdjianisaPhDCandidateat theUniversityofOxford.HeholdsadvancedM.A.degreesfromtheFletcherSchoolofLawandDiplomacyatTuftsUniversityand theUniversity ofCalifornia, LosAngeles.He is also aCouncilMember of theEastHollywoodNeighborhoodCouncil.)
metro.net
More Travel Options from Metro and Metrolink
metro.net
Ready to skip the hassle of tra;c and parking? Metrolink trains now meet Metro’s Orange Line in Chatsworth, so you have more options than ever before for travel between Ventura County, the West Valley and Downtown LA.
> Metrolink has 22 trains daily between Ventura County and Downtown LA. In the mornings and af ternoons, special Metro Orange Line shuttles connect with trains at Chatsworth Station, making it easy to reach spots like Warner Center and Balboa Park.
> Metro has six other bus lines with recently improved schedules to meet peak hour trains at the station and o=er service that reaches areas throughout the Valley, including lines 158,166, 167, 244, 245, 364. Enjoy frequent service to Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van Nuys and other neighborhoods.
Check out your Metro and Metrolink travel options at metro.net and metrolinktrains.com.
13-2197_ad_m_metrolink_connections_VV.indd 1 6/10/13 11:00 AM
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Four Loko BeverageCleveland High School
Students Fight“Blackout in a Can”
By Haeeun Blessing Jee, Valley Voice Reporter
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.
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PI ANO 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
(Continued from page 1)
How to HandleParking Lot AccidentsBy Ron Rauschenberger, State Farm Agent
Often, parking lots at malls and supermarkets are packed, increasing the pos-sibility of a fender bender. If you hit, scrape or otherwise damage a parked car—or if you’re the victim of such an accident—don’t panic. Here are some
steps you can take: IF YOU’RE THE DRIVER
Own up. Don’t drive away—if another customer or a surveillance camera spots you, you could be punished for a hit-and-run. Track down the other car’s owner. Head into the store and speak to someone at the customer service desk. Describe the car to the employee, and have him or her announce it over the store’s loudspeaker. Leaveanote.Ifyou’reunabletofindtheotherdriver,jotdownbasicinformation—yourname,phonenumber and a brief explanation of the accident—and place it in a secure spot on the car. Write down the license plate number and take a photo of the damage if you have a camera with you. Call the police. Depending on how extensive the damage is, you may want to involve the police. They’ll documenttheaccidentandtheycanhelpyoufindtheothercar’sowner. IF YOU’RE THE VICTIM Contact your State Farm® agent. Let him or her know what happened as soon as possible. Your agent will help you determine the next steps. Record evidence. Take pictures of the damage with your phone or a camera, if you have one on hand. Takethoroughnotes.Iftheotherdriverisstillaround,jotdownhisorhername,address,phonenumber,driver’s license number and insurance company. Gather as much information as possible. Get backup. Ask others in the parking lot if they witnessed anything. Also head back into the store and findoutiftheyhavesecuritycamerafootageyoucancheck. IF YOU’RE THE WITNESS Provide assistance. If the offending driver is gone, help the other driver document the damage. Give the driver your contact information, in case his or her insurance agent or the police need to contact you for further comment.
New Metrolink StationTransportation officials broke groundon aMetrolink station atBobHopeAirport inBurbank thatwill
eventually provide easier access for riders of the Antelope Valley Line. Metrolink has a station at the airport on its Ventura County Line, and a Regional Intermodal
Transportation Center is being built by the airport to accommodate a bus transfer and rental car facilities. “WiththisnewBobHopeAirportMetrolinkstation,residentsoftheSantaClarita,AntelopeandNorthSanFernandovalleyswillhavesafe,convenientandeconomicalMetrolinkrailservicetothenationalairtravelandlocal employment opportunities available at and around this regional airport,” according to county Supervisors Mike Antonovich, chairman of the Metro Board of Directors. “Connecting our airports to our rail system is a top priorityfortheregionandwillincreasemobilityandprovidefaster,moreseamlesstransitoptionsforresidentsthroughout Southern California.” Metroiscontributing$3.7millionofMeasureRtransportationsalestaxfundstotheproject.TheBurbank-Glendale-PasadenaAirportAuthoritycontributed$1.75milliontowardthestationatHollywoodWayandSanFernando Road. AfreeshuttlewillbeofferedfromthenewBobHopeAirport-HollywoodWayStationtotheairport.TheairportalsohasafreeshuttletothedowntownBurbankMetrolinkstationandMetro’sNorthHollywoodstation,whichprovidesaccesstotheMetroRedandOrangelines. Thenewstationisexpectedtobecompletedbyearly2015.
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E MAIL: [email protected]
4th of July Spectacular Shepherd of theHillsChurch is proud to present theirAnnual 15th Fourth of JulySpectacular at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi Street in Porter Ranch. Doors openat4:30p.m.Atthisfree,family-friendlyeventtheywelcometheentirecommunitytocelebrateourgreatnation.Enjoythedayandbesurenottomissthe21-minutefireworksfinalejustaftersundown.Withover60,000peopleinattendancelastyear,theyarehopingfor 2013 to be their best year yet! FREE ample parking all around the event. Formoreinformation, visit www.theshepherd.orgorcall(818)831-9333.
PALS Golf On Monday, July 8, the LAPD Devonshire PALS will celebrate their 34th GrandGolfInvitationalatPorterValleyCountryClub,19216SingingHillsDriveinNorthridge.Thissell-outeventwillfeature“hole-in-one”prizestoinspireallthegolfers’talents,alongwith“closesttothepinchallenge”towinmoreprizes.Forsponsorship,golfer,anddinnerinformation,contactSallyBarnes,GolfCommitteeChair,[email protected].
Bingo Fundraiser ThepublicisinvitedtoafundraiseronWednesday,July10th,from6:15pm-9:00pm.TheChatsworthFUN-raisersarehavinga benefit toraisemoneyforTheAmericanRedCrossDisasterReliefFundtobeheldatStrawHatPizza(intheRalph’sparkinglot)locatedat21515DevonshireSt.inChatsworth.Aportionoftheproceedswillbedonatedtohelpthedisastervictims.Anotherportionoftheproceedswillbegivenawayascashprizes.Let’smeetfordinnerat6:15p.m.andstartplayingBingoby7:15p.m.Calltoreserveyourseats:818-882-6437.
Used Book Sale TheFriendsoftheNorthridgeLibraryareholdingaUsedBookSale.Manyboxesofusedbookshavebeenaddedtothebooksalecollection.ThesalewillbeheldintheMeetingRoomat theNorthridgeBranchLibraryonSaturday,July13,10:00am–4:00pm.Thelibraryislocatedat9051DarbyAvenue.Formoreinformationcall(818)886-3640.
Bunco Night ThepublicisinvitedonWednesday,July17th,from6:15pm-9:00pmforafuneveningplayingBunco.TheChatsworthFUN-raiserswillbeplayingatSanSaiJapaneseGrill(nexttoApplebee’s),locatedatthecornerofWinnetka&Prairie,9243WinnetkaAve,Chatsworth.The entry fee is $10perperson toplay. Let’smeet fordinner at 6:15 and start playingBUNCOby7:15!Calltoreserveyourseats:818-882-6437.
Movies Under the Stars CouncilmemberEnglander isproudtopresentMoviesUndertheStars.Thesummermovie series kicks off on July 20, 7:00 pm, with “Monsters, Inc.” at the Porter RanchCommunitySchoollocatedat12450MasonAvenue.Admissionisfreeandpopcornandfacepaintingwillalsobeavailableatnocharge.JoinCouncilmemberEnglanderforagreatnightoffamilyfun!Formoreinformation,call(818)882-1212.
LOCAL EventsWest End Art Walk
Shops at West End Chatsworth in collaboration with the ChatsworthFineArtsCouncilpresent the2ndAnnualWestEndArtWalk,Friday, July26andFriday,August30,5:30pm-9:00pmat21800DevonshireStreet.Theartwalkwill feature a showcase of galleries, artists, restaurants, shops andsmall businesses located in theHistoricWest End ofChatsworth. Formoreinformationpleasecontact(818)[email protected].
SonWest Roundup OurRedeemerLutheranChurchat8520WinnetkaAve.inWinnetkawillholdtheirAnnualVacationBibleSchoolduringtheweekofJuly29ththroughAugust2ndfrom9:00amtoNoon.Allchildrenuptoandincluding6thgradeareinvitedtocomeandmeetCurlyWolfandthecitizensofBuzzard’sBreathwheretheywilllearnnewsongs,Biblelessons,playgames,enjoysnacks,makecraftsandmeetguests!Around225childrenfromthelocalcommunityattendeachyearandeverythingisFREE!Thisyeartherewillbealinedancingclassofferedforchildren3rdthrough6thgradefrom12:30pmto1:30pmfora$12fee.Bringasacklunch-firstcome,firstservebasissoenrollearlyasclasssizeis limited.TheVBSClosing celebrationwill be onFriday,August 2nd from11:30amto12:30amandthechildrenwillperformthesongsthey’velearned,Checkoutourwebsiteatwww.our-redeemer.orgorcall(818)341-3460formoreinformation or to register.
Grief Camp for Kids CampErin,LA’sonlygriefcampforkids,willtakeplaceAugust23-25atCampBloomfieldinMalibu.It’sfreeforkidsandteensages6to17whohavehadafamilymemberorfrienddiewithinthepastthreeyears.Thecamp,whichishostedbyOURHOUSEGriefSupportCenter,combinestraditional,high-energycampactivitieswithgriefsupportandeducation.Formoreinformationor to register, visit http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/services/services_camperin/.
Farmers & Charmers Square Dance The Farmers and Charmers Square Dance club is having their annual open enrollment for beginning Square Dance on Sunday, Sept. 8 thru the end of Sep. from6:30till9pmattheWilkinsonCenter,8956VanaldenAve.inNorthridge.Come to one of our three open enrollment classes for FREE and see if it’s for you.Checkoutourwebsiteatwww.farmersandcharmers.comorhttp://www.meetup.com/Learn-to-Square-Dance-in-Nothridge/ or call Terry andTammyParksat818-996-0974forfurtherinformation.
Re:Code L.A.: Revising the City’s Outdated Zoning Code
AsamemberofthePlanningLandUseandManagementCommittee,IamhappytoannouncetheLosAngelesCityPlanningDepartmentisembarkingononeoftheCity’slargestplanninginitiativestodate:“re:codeLA,”acomprehensiverevisionoftheCity’soutdatedzoningcode.Firstadoptedin1946,thecurrentCodehasgrown
fromasimple,84-pagepamphlettoa600pluspagebookthatinadequatelyrealizesa21stCenturyvisionofabetterLos Angeles for all residents.
Overthenextfiveyears,thecitywillcreatea: -DynamicWeb-BasedZoningCode—ClearandpredictableCodethatbettermeetstheCity’scurrentand
future needs, and that also provides an interactive on-line experience - Guide to Zoning— Quick reference, easy-to-read guide to the new Code’s land use and development
regulations - Unified Downtown Development Code — New zoning tools customized for the heart of Los Angeles,
Downtown ThenewZoningCodewillmoreeffectivelyimplementthegoalsandobjectivesoftheGeneralPlanandthe
City’s35CommunityPlans.Additionallyitwillofferawidervarietyofzoningoptionsthatprotectandenhanceourcommunities,andreflect thediversityofLosAngelesandalloweachneighborhoodtomaintainadistinctsenseofplace.
Iencourageyoutogetinvolvedinthisprocessbyattendingfuturepublicmeetings,workshopsandhearingsand making your voice heard.
- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember,TwelfthDistrict
Porter Ranch Community SchoolStreet Parking Resolved
I ampleasedtoannouncethatconstructionworkisnowunderwaytoprovidelegalstreetparkingonMasonAvenueand Sesnon Boulevard near the Porter Ranch Community School.
Theschoolyearbeganwithstudentsandparentsdelightedwiththeirnewhomeschool,butfrustratedwiththelackofparking.Iintroducedamotion,whichwasapprovedunanimously,toprovidesomeimmediatereliefbyremovingthebicyclelaneontheeastsideofMasonAvenueandreplacingitwithstreetparking.Thistemporarymeasureworkedintheinterim,butwenowhaveapermanentsolutionunderwaythatrepresentsasafeandcollaborativeresolution.
ParkingwillbeallowedoneastsideofMasonAvenueandonthesouthsideSesnonBoulevardduringbusyschoolhours,butnotduringeveningsorweekends.ThelandscapedmediansonMasonAvenuewillbemodifiedtoprovideadditionalpavementwidth,allowingforparkingandthebikelanestobere-installedandopentothepublicthis summer.
Thiseffortwasspearheadedbymyoffice,butrequiredthepartneringofLADOT,BOE,LAUSDandPorterRanchDevelopmentCompany.ThankyoutoLAUSDandPorterRanchDevelopmentCompanyforthemonumentalendeavorandthefinancialcommitmenttocontinuingtoimprovethePorterRanchcommunity.
--Mitchell Englander, Councilmember,TwelfthDistrict
July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 11
Mission Hills11333 N Sepulveda Blvd Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 365-9531Urgent Care Available Here
Northridge 18460 Roscoe Blvd
Northridge, CA 91325 (818) 734-3600
Porter Ranch Plaza19950 Rinaldi St
Porter Ranch, CA 91326(818) 403-2400
Facey patients are well-connected.You can use FaceyConnect online services to schedule appointments, view lab results, request medication refills and more whenever or wherever you happen to be. All you need is a computer and internet access. You can sign up for FaceyConnect by speaking with a receptionist at any Facey office. You can learn more online at www.faceyconnect.com or by asking us the next time you visit.
Join Facey Medical Group at any time.
More services close to home means more time you can spend at home.
We put the multi in multispecialty.We could all use less time in the car and more time to enjoy life. That’s why Facey offices have doctors who practice in over 20 fields. Add to that our strong relationships with your neighborhood hospitals, and you have one of the most convenient options for care around. Visit www.facey.com/more to discover all we have to offer your family.
Facey isn’t an insurance company. We’re the doctors who accept most of the HMO or PPO insurance plans that you may have to help cover the cost of your care. Visit our website at www.facey.com/insurance for a list of the companies we currently contract with or call us at (818) 837-5726
Porter Ranch SpecialtiesDermatologyEar, Nose & ThroatFamily Medicine Internal MedicineOrthopedic SurgeryPediatricsPodiatryRheumatologyUrology
Mission Hills SpecialtiesBehavioral HealthDermatologyEar, Nose & ThroatEndocrinologyGastroenterologyFamily MedicineInternal MedicineNephrologyNeurologyObstetrics & GynecologyOncology & Hematology OphthalmologyOptometry Pediatric Medicine Physical Therapy Podiatry PulmonologyRheumatologySurgery
Northridge SpecialtiesEndocrinologyFamily Medicine Internal MedicineObstetrics & GynecologyPediatrics
www.facey.com/more
July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 12
Hurry In! Sale
Ends Monday,
July 22nd,
at 9pm!
#1 IN CALIFORNIA,#1 IN AMERICA,
16 LOCATIONSTO SERVE
YOU!
TREYLAN SMOKE90" SOFA
5 Piece Living RoomIncludes Sofa, Loveseat,Cocktail Table & 2 End Tables
$74999
$234999
YVETTE STEEL84" SOFA
5 Piece Living RoomIncludes Sofa, Loveseat,Cocktail Table & 2 End Tables
$79999
$209999
AND SAVE AN ADDITIONAL...
20 % OFFSTOREWIDE‡
AND SAVE AN ADDITIONAL...
20 % OFFSTOREWIDE‡
**Only one 50% coupon may be applied to a 5 piece living room, 5 piece dining room or 6 piece bedroom (or greater). Retail price of comforter set selected, lamps selected or rugs selected may not exceed 25% of the 5 piece living room, 5 piece dining room or 6 piece bedroom it is being used with. Limit one coupon per purchase.
PLUS, CHOOSE 50% OFF COUPONS
PLUS, CHOOSE 50% OFF COUPONS
PLUS, CHOOSE ANY OF THE COUPONS BELOW!NO INTEREST FOR 36 MONTHS* No Down Payment or Minimum Purchase Required for this Promotion. On Purchases with your Ashley
Furniture HomeStore credit card made between 07/09/2013 to 07/22/2013. Equal Monthly Payments Required for 36 months.
MONTHSSTOREWIDE PLUS
NO INTEREST*,NO DOWN PAYMENT &NO MINIMUM PURCHASE20 OFF
%‡ 36‡
50 OFF%ALL ACCESSORIES
With Purchase of Any 14pc Package or Any 5pc Living Room, 5pc Dining Room or 6pc Bedroom (or greater).
See Sales Associate for Complete Details.
50 OFF%MATCHING CHAIRS & OTTOMAN
OR MATCHING RECLINERSWith Purchase of Any 5pc Living Room (or greater).
Cannot be Used with Purchase of 14pc Package.See Sales Associate for Complete Details.
50 OFF%YOUR 2ND MATCHING
NIGHTSTANDWith Purchase of Any 6pc Bedroom (or greater).Cannot be Used with Purchase of 14pc Package.
See Sales Associate for Complete Details.
50 OFF%COMFORTER SETS
With Purchase of Any 6pc Bedroom (or greater).Cannot be Used with Purchase of 14pc Package.
See Sales Associate for Complete Details.
50 OFF%With Purchase of Any 5pc Living Room or 6pc Bedroom
(or greater). Cannot be Used with Purchase of14pc Package. See Sales Associate for Complete Details.
50 OFF%EXTRA 2 SIDE CHAIRS
With Purchase of Any 5pc Dining Room (or greater).Cannot be Used with Purchase of 14pc Package.
See Sales Associate for Complete Details.
**
**
**
**
**
**
ALL LAMPS
* Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and equal monthly payments are required equal to 2.778% for 36 Months of initial promo purchase amount until promo is paid in full. The equal monthly payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher tan the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. 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. 5 pc living room incudes sofa, loveseat, cocktail table and 2 end tables. 5 pc dining room includes table and 4 chairs. 6 pc bedroom includes headboard, footboard, rails, dresser, mirror and nightstand. Discount offers exclude Tempur-Pedic®, Stearns & Foster®, Sealy Optimum™ and Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid™ mattress sets, floor models or clearance items, sales tax, furniture protection plans, warranty, delivery or service charge. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Stoneledge Furniture LLC. and Rockledge 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, Clearance pricing and 14 Piece Package pricing which are not available with any further discounts, promotions, or financing specials. Purchases must be made by 2pm for next day delivery. Next day delivery service is available for all in-stock purchases except clearance and accessories. †DURABLEND upholstery products feature a seating area made up of a combination of Polyurethane and/or PVC, Polycotton, and at least 17% Leather Shavings with a skillfully matched combination of Polycotton and Polyurethane and/or PVC everywhere else. 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. Available only at participating locations. HomeStores are independently owned and operated. ©2013 Ashley HomeStores,Ltd. Promotional Start Date July 9, 2013. Expires July 22, 2013.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday-Sunday 10am-9pmvisit us online @ www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com #1 Name In Furniture
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 00000000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000 000000000000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 000000000000 “Se Habla Español”
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
949.461.0829
PALM DESERTDesert Gateway Plaza
34740 Monterey Ave Palm Desert, CA 92211
760.202.3052
W. LOS ANGELESIn Helm’s Bakery Building
8850 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034
310.836.1433
PALMDALEAcross from the AV Mall39626 10th Street West
Palmdale, CA 93551661.225.9410
VICTORVILLENorth of Victor Valley Mall
12704 Amargosa Road Victorville, CA 92392
760-261-5386
HAWTHORNEEast of 405, Rosecrans exit
14600 Ocean Gate Ave Hawthorne, CA, 90250
310-349-2083
OXNARDLocated in the Market Place at
Oxnard Shopping Center1721 E Ventura BlvdOxnard, CA 93036
805.981.0284
WEST COVINALocated in the
Eastland Shopping Center2753 E Eastland Ctr Dr #2078
West Covina, CA 91791626.938.1480
MONTCLAIRLocated South
of Montclair Plaza5055 S Montclair Plaza Ln.
Montclair, CA 91763909.625.4420
NOW OPEN!
COLTONNext to our Factory
855 Ashley Way Colton, CA 92324
909.433.5303