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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

AROUND THE VALLEYS

SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley Awards: Dee Dee Cavanaugh, vice president and regional manager for First California Bank, was named as Business Person of the Year by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. Simi Valley Hospital was named as Business of the Year. Other awards presented included the Ambassador of the Year Award to Trudi Friedman, Chair’s Award to Pat Abruzzese, Rising Star Award to Thomas Herdering and recognition of 20-year members. The Rev. Frank Witman received the Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of community involvement and commitment to numerous causes. Witman is the former chaplain for the Simi Valley Police Department. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Chatsworth Honor: Chaminade College Preparatory is the first Catholic school to be selected as one of 20 model schools for 2009 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. The chosen schools will share their best practices at the Model Schools Conference June 28-July 1 in Atlanta. Each year, the conference attracts thousands of educators, who come to learn about exemplary elementary, middle, high schools and career and technical education programs. Model schools are selected annually based on high student achievement in all subgroups. Case studies prepared by the International Center on Chaminade College Preparatory and the other model schools serve as a resource for educators and policymakers. The process of identifying and analyzing schools is part of a joint initiative of the Successful Practices Network, International Center and the Council of Chief State School Officers, with financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Encino VES: The Visual Effects Society hosted its 7th annual awards on Feb. 21 to recognize visual and special effects in feature films, television, commercials and video games. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” won four awards, including Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Motion Picture and Best Single Effect of the Year; “The Dark Knight” won three awards; and “Wall-E” from Disney/Pixar won in the three animation categories for which it was nominated. The awards ceremony included the first ever award to visual effects in a student film which was given to Sandy Widyanata and Courtney Wise for the transformation sequence in the Australian film “Plastic.” Producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall received the society’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Phil Tippet received the Georges Melies Award for pioneering work in visual effects. Glendale Stocks: DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ on Feb. 26. In February, the Glendale-based entertainment company switched from the New York Stock Exchange to The NASDAQ Global Select Market. The switch gives stockholders access to the most advanced trading platform and the most cost-effective services available in the market today, a company official said. “The NASDAQ and its listed companies represent many qualities with which DreamWorks Animation has long been associated, including industry-leading technology, innovation and creativity,” said Rich Sullivan, head of investor relations for DreamWorks Animation. Northridge Citi: The student union of California State University, Northridge, has received $10,000 from the Citi Foundation to host seminars geared towards financial planning after graduation. The seminars will consist of six workshops that will encourage and teach students how to prepare for financial responsibility after graduation. Featured throughout the workshops will be financial advisors and motivational speakers. The funds donated by Citi Foundation will be used to help develop the Financial Series at CSUN. Spanning the academic year, close to 1,500 students are anticipated to be served through this program. “Together with Citi Foundation we hope to positively influence students’ behavior, teaching them to reflect on their spending habits and truly recognize the value of saving and investing,” said Debra Hammond, executive director of the union. Mike: Three members of California State University, Northridge’s Department of Journalism have been awarded a Golden Mike by the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California (RTNA). Media production specialist Lincoln Harrison, assistant professor James Hill and graduating senior Natalia Zelaya won for their television news series “AIDS in Tijuana.” “AIDS in Tijuana” won “Best Hard News Series Reporting” in Division B. Harrison served as the series’ photographer and editor, Hill was the producer and reporter and Zelaya was the associate producer. The three-part series aired on KCET’s Life & Times Nov. 27 -29, 2007. The series also won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association and was nominated for a Los Angeles-area Emmy. Woodland Hills Filming: Hollywood Locations selected one of the Warner Center Tower buildings to film HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Filming took place over two days in February in the lobby and courtyard of the building. Starring Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has been on the air since 2000. Learning: Outside the Box for Babies began its first class in January focusing on brain development and multi-sensory learning in babies as young as eight weeks. The program includes brain-stimulating activities such as sensory stimulation, explanation of activities and benefits, social interaction, attachment and bonding. “I feel strongly that the learning and stimulation babies receive today will create a pattern of healthy stimulation and brain function for future growth and development,” said Out of the Box owner and founder Octavia Lindlahr. Above all else, the program provides for parents to spend quality time laughing and playing, hence, teaching and learning, reading cues, and communicating in the baby’s innate and instinctual language. Outside the Box for Babies is located at 22011 Avenue San Luis, Unit A. Anniversary: Century Bankcard Services, an independent card processing firm that serves online, home-based and storefront businesses, is celebrating eight years in business. “Card processing is a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s very competitive and we are fortunate enough to have loyal clients who remain with us long term. Our model is unique in that unlike most processors, we have no hidden fees,” said Century head Bob Israel. Located at 6355 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills, Century’s territory includes all of Southern California and various states throughout the U.S. of Israel. CONEJO VALLEY Agoura Hills Workshop: The Agoura Hills Department of Community Services is hosting its first public “Community Recreation Workshop” March 4, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The workshop is being held to discuss the preparation for the new recreation and senior center. Topics to be discussed include which programs should be placed in the new center, which types of facilities are of most importance and the effectiveness of existing recreation programs. All ages are welcome. Information: (818) 597-7361. Thousand Oaks Dedication: California Lutheran University had a dedication Feb. 21 for the Ron and Sue Poulson Tennis Center, located on Mountclef Boulevard north of Olsen Road in Thousand Oaks. The $750,000 center includes six new lighted courts featuring Plexipave brand professional surfacing, purple courts and green out-of-bounds areas. The center replaces the old tennis courts on Faculty Street, which were demolished to make way for the Swenson Center for Academic Excellence. The center is named in honor of longtime CLU supporters Ron and Sue Poulson of Thousand Oaks. The Poulsons founded a general contracting company called Poulson Associates Inc. in Agoura Hills. With his extensive experience in the building trade, Ron Poulson has been instrumental in the planning and construction of many campus facilities. Books: California Lutheran University will host its annual series of book reviews for the community from March through May from 4 to 5 p.m. on select Thursdays in Lundring Events Center. At each “Books and Brew” gathering, a CLU professor or special guest will review a noteworthy book, answer questions and lead an open discussion. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. The first event ,”Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive”, will be reviewed by the author, Martine Ehrenclou. The book outlines how to advocate for hospitalized loved ones in order to prevent medical error, medication mistakes and the spread of infectious diseases. The public is invited to attend. Lundring Events Center is at Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. CLU’s English Department, College of Arts and Sciences and Academic Affairs are sponsoring the free program. Information: Jim Bond at jabond@cal lutheran.edu or (805) 493-3244. Seminar: Attorney Cheri Kurman presents the “Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning” seminar March 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Senior Concerns, 401 Hodencamp Road, in Thousand Oaks. “So many families put off preparing an estate plan until the last minute or never prepare one at all. Without an estate plan, remaining family members are left with the challenge of sorting through the affairs of a loved one, which is often stressful and can lead to family bickering,” said Kurman, a partner with the law office of Norman Dowler LLP. Kurman is a certified specialist in estate planning probate and trust law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The seminar will cover the trusts, wills, health care directives, power of attorney and conservatorships. Information: (805) 497-0189, (805) 654-0911 or [email protected]. SANTA CLARITA VALLEY Newhall Signs: State Route 14 freeway exit signs for San Fernando Road will be changed to “Newhall Avenue,” completing the street name transition that began in 2005 with the adoption of the Downtown Newhall General Plan. The renamed freeway signs replace the last remaining segments of San Fernando Road street names. Community members voted to change the San Fernando Road street names to Newhall Avenue in 2007. Now the exit signs on the State Route 14 freeway will reflect that change, decreasing confusion for motorists exiting on San Fernando Road, which leads to Newhall Avenue. Santa Clarita Honor: College of the Canyons has been named to the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its community service-learning courses and programs. COC created the service-learning program in order to integrate meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to teach civic responsibility, strengthen communities and enrich the learning experience of students. Last semester, the college’s service-learning projects included the participation of nearly 40 faculty members from various disciplines, 80 non-profit community-based organizations and more than 350 students. Projects included a collaboration among the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services Tutoring and Mentoring Project, in which COC students established a mentor relationship with children ages seven to 17 in foster care. Another service-learning project was the Santa Clarita Valley free, drive-thru flu clinic, in which nursing and EMT students gained experience working with patients and dispensing flu vaccinations. Valencia Jaycees: The Santa Clarita Valley Junior Chamber International (SCV Jaycees) hosted its annual Awards and Installation Dinner Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Valencia. During the dinner, the group reflected on its accomplishments from 2008 and the opportunities 2009 has to offer. The program featured Rep. Buck McKeon, County of Los Angeles Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Sen. George Runner and SCV Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Larry Mankin. Awards were given out in many categories, including Board Member of the Year, Manager of the Year, Community Impact Project of the Year and New Jaycee of the Year. ANTELOPE VALLEY Lancaster Knees: Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) recently provided a free lecture about Knee and Hip Replacement. “Low impact exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are great ways to prevent knee and hip injuries,” says orthopedic specialist Mehul Taylor, M.D., on staff at AVH. “If you have already developed knee or hip arthritis, there are both non-operative and operative treatment options available.” During the lecture, Taylor discussed knee and hip arthritis and replacement surgery and what to expect after surgery. “Orthopedics is one of the focused specialties at AV Hospital. By recruiting new physicians with this type of specialized training, we are building a center of excellence in orthopedics right here in the Antelope Valley,” stated Ed Mirzabegian, AVH CEO. “Now our local residents can receive the latest in orthopedic techniques and care available without traveling to Los Angeles.”

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