Hope you're staying dry! The last several days here in SoCal have been absolutely crazy! What better time than to snuggle down, grab some coffee...and read this week's NoHo Strong newsletter!

 A Word...Or Two...Or Three...
by Dorothy Stringer, CEO

HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN...AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN...

Batten down the hatches! Last summer, when we were all really concerned about the drought, and we were all praying that this winter would bring some rain... did we ever think that THIS would happen?

Here's an example,,,

At Van Nuys airport, the amount of rain measured since January 1st, up to January 12th is just about 5 inches...just in twelve days mind you. Monthly normal is a little over two inches...we have more than doubled that in a little less than two weeks! And we have the rest of the month to go!

North of us, in Sacramento, mandatory evacuations were in order as the Sacramento River reached its banks and was overflowing. Flood watches and warnings have been issued time and time again with each storm, up north and right here in So Cal.

Are you prepared for, what is sure to be a continued rainy winter?

Here are some tips...

• Heed all instructions from emergency responders and emergency alert notifications.
• Drive cautiously and slow down – Many roadways will be wet and slippery.
• Do not attempt to cross flooded areas and never enter moving water.
• As little as 6 inches of water can knock over and carry away an adult and 18-24 inches of water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks. “Turn around, don’t drown!”

• Residents living in recent burn areas should monitor the Los Angeles County Public Works Mud and Debris Flow Forecast.
• Visit the County’s Emergency Response Page to stay up to date regarding any evacuations, road closures or media releases during active storms.
• The National Weather Service (NWS) issues weather advisories and watches when the weather forecast indicates there is a potential for hazardous conditions. View the latest NWS Hazard Summary for current watches, advisories, and warnings.
• Monitor social media and local news media for relevant and important updates. For useful information, please monitor the Ready Los Angeles County Twitter.

For more information visit the Ready LA County website at https://ready.lacounty.gov/rain/

Above all else, use common sense to stay safe during this unprecedented time. When the weather reports state "life threatening," they mean it. Don't ignore them because you're late for work or you love kicking up the puddles with your four wheeler!

Let's continue to stay grateful for the rain by keeping ourselves and each other out of harm's way.

On behalf of the Universal City/North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce...

Dorothy Stringer,
CEO

WE TINGLE WHEN WE MINGLE!!

Happy Hour Power is less than a couple weeks away! We hope you're tingling too!

We DO need to make a retraction...last week, we announced our special sponsor and guest speaker as "Path OF Peace"...It's actually "Path TO Peace.'" Please make a note and Miss Lauren Trotter, our wonderful guest speaker...we're sorry for the error.

Now...Lauren is bringing knowledge and experience to our mixer and wants to educate YOU in the major problem of sex trafficking! It's happening in YOUR neighborhood...young girls and boys are being enticed and grabbed more often than you think. For example, 1 in 5 youth 14-18 in Los Angeles County will experience being exposed to sex trafficking. So...if you don't think this is an important topic...you're wrong.

Please join us at Pit Fire Pizza on Wednesday, January 25th, starting at 6 PM...but...DON'T FORGET!!! Our monthly ALL DAY fundraiser is also happening on January 25th!! Whatever you order, 15% of your order total comes back to our Chamber! SO...please spread the word and order for lunch...come for the mixer!!

The education you receive at this mixer may save YOUR young person!

A MESSAGE FROM LA DOT!

The City of Los Angeles is collecting feedback to identify community needs for mobility and public realm investments along the Ventura corridor. We want to gauge community support for policy goals such as access for all, safer streets, improved air quality, climate resilience, and public health. The goal is to develop a list of mobility and right-of-way investments that is consistent with community-defined needs and advance policy goals. Share your thoughts for a chance to win a $20 raffle prize! http://tinyurl.com/venturaSP

For more information, visit the City Planning Ventura-Cahuenga Specific Plan Amendment Home Page or check out the Ventura-Cahuenga Specific Plan Amendment Fact Sheet & FAQ

DO YOU KNOW AN INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN THAT NEEDS SOME ATTENTION?

The United Chambers of Commerce are holding their 9th Annual Inspirational Woman's Luncheon on May 11th. Do you know an inspirational, strong, amazing woman that you would like to nominate? Nominations are open through March 10th by noon.

Please call United Chambers at (818) 981-4491 to nominate someone or for more information.

NEED SOME ASSISTANCE?

We all were taken aback when the news was announced last week that our gas bills were going to double...a hundred dollar gas bill was now going to be $200 PLUS!!

Below, you will find information on the "Gas Assistance Fund...plus information on why our bills are going up so drastically, tips on how to save money and how to tap into the fund if you're eligible.

SoCal Gas Triples Contribution to GAS Assistance Fund to Help Customers Impacted by Historically High Natural Gas Prices

Company encourages customers to take advantage of conservation tips and programs to help reduce their bills

LOS ANGELES – January 6, 2023 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced a $1 million contribution to the Gas Assistance Fund, a program that helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bills. Customers will be facing bills that could be double or higher compared to last year’s winter bills.

The high bills are a result of historically high natural gas prices in the western United States. SoCalGas doesn’t set the price for natural gas. Instead, natural gas prices are determined by national and regional markets. SoCalGas buys natural gas in those markets on behalf of residential and small business customers, and the cost of buying that gas is billed to those customers with no markup, meaning SoCalGas does not profit from gas commodity prices going up.

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), a number of factors are contributing to higher natural gas commodity prices. 

• Widespread, below-normal temperatures on much of the West Coast, including Washington and Oregon;
• High natural gas demand for heating by customers in areas with below normal temperatures;
• Reduced natural gas supplies to the West Coast from Canada and the Rocky Mountains;
• Reduced interstate pipeline capacity to the West Coast because of pipeline maintenance activities in West Texas; and
• Low natural gas storage levels on the West Coast.

A detailed report about these market conditions can be found here: https://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/weekly/.

The Gas Assistance Fund is a joint effort between SoCalGas and United Way of Greater Los Angeles, working with non-profit organizations throughout our service territory, to help income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bill with a one-time grant of up to $100 per household. Full guidelines for qualification can be found at https://www.socalgas.com/gaf.

“We know that these higher prices have a real impact on our customers,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Gillian Wright. “But we want them to know that there is help. We have valuable information on how to conserve energy, programs to assist with managing your energy usage and an unprecedented contribution to our Gas Assistance Fund, which will help our most vulnerable customers pay their bills.”

To help customers manage energy usage and possibly save on bills, SoCalGas recommends the following tips:

• Lowering your thermostat three to five degrees – if health permits – can save up to 10 percent on heating costs.
• Installing proper caulking and weather-stripping can save roughly 10 to 15 percent on heating and cooling bills.
• Washing clothes in cold water to save up to 10 percent on water heating costs.
• Considering turning down the temperature on your water heater.
• Limiting use of non-essential natural gas appliances such as spas and fireplaces.

SoCalGas’ free Ways to Save tool may also help customers find ways to save on natural gas bills, with a personalized savings plan that offers a household energy analysis, customized energy-efficiency recommendations, bill comparisons and energy usage comparisons. Ways to Save can be found at www.socalgas.com/waystosave.

Customers can also sign up for weekly Bill Tracker Alerts?to monitor gas consumption, take steps to reduce usage, and avoid bill surprises. Alerts are sent through email or text and include a bill-to-date and projected next bill amount to help manage energy bills as easily as possible. Eligible customers may also sign up for a Level Pay Plan (LPP), which averages their annual natural gas use and costs over 12 months.

SoCalGas also encourages individuals who are experiencing hardship to explore the many bill payment or assistance programs options it offers or to call 1-800-427-2200. Customers may be eligible for one of many assistance programs including:

• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Eligible participants can save 20 percent on their natural gas bill. Socalgas.com/CARE
• Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP): Eligible customers can save energy and money through professional home improvements at no cost. Socalgas.com/Improvements
• Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): Eligible customers can apply to have their past due balance forgiven. Learn more at www.socalgas.com/forgiveness.

For more information on tips, programs and ways to save, visit https://newsroom.socalgas.com/stories/a-note-to-our-customers-high-bills-may-come-as-a-shock-in-january-but-we-have-some-tips-and.

A SPECIAL THANKFUL THURSDAY

If you've been watching all the weather reports on these big monster storms over the last two weeks, you know that first responders have paid a BIG role in saving folks, taking care of victims, and just being the overall heroes they are. If we have been remiss in not saying "thank you" lately...for all that you do PLUS braving these storms...THANK YOU!!!

DON'T FORGET!!!

The Universal City/ North Hollywood Chamber AND The Toluca Lake Chamber proudly present...

A Night at The Comedy Chateau on THU FEB 2!!

This networking mixer includes 1 drink, appetizers and a free comedy show. The event is sponsored by both of our Chambers and should be a whole lot of fun.

Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Doors open at 6pm. Announcements start at 7pm. Comedy show starts at 8pm. RSVP online at www.TolucaLakeChamber.com

The Comedy Chateau is located at 4615 Lankershim Blvd,,,right here in NoHo!

Any questions? Contact us at 818-508-5155...

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY!

Go shake hands with an officer on the beat...stop in at your local police station...do what you can today to say "thank you" to someone in law enforcement! They certainly deserve it, not just today...but every day!!

BYE…

Well...what did ya think? A lot of information today... but a lot of information to tell you!

According to the weather reports, there is another storm headed our way this weekend. The ground is already saturated; won't take much for mudslides and floods to occur, so...please be careful!

We'll see you next week...hopefully, it will be drier!