June 1st 2023

“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.” L. M. Montgomery

June is Pride Month!!!

A Word...Or Two...Or Three...by dstringer, CEO

"What's The Thing About Ribbons...And Cutting Them?"

Part of one of the exciting things that happen for a Chamber member are all the wonderful events that occur...especially the ones that are set up just for that member.

Of all those events, the one that is most exciting for a new member is the "Ribbon Cutting" event.

So, what is a Ribbon cutting ceremony? What does it represent?

The purpose of a ribbon-cutting ceremony is to mark a new beginning, usually in business. It's a symbolic way to announce to the world that your company has worked hard on something, and would like to celebrate a milestone or project's completion.

One thing that you'll always notice at a "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony" are the big scissors.

The concept of using giant scissors has been around for decades and gotten more and more common over the years. By the 1950s big scissors had actually gotten quite ridiculously large!

Today, giant ceremonial scissors are the standard for ribbon cuttings, and even though the scissors commonly used now don’t get nearly as big as they used to be...hey...they are still pretty captivating. Our very own 25 and 30 inch long scissors are examples of today’s standard. In the present day, ceremonial scissors make a fashion statement; they look great in pictures and have media appeal. Videos of this event make for good social media content, and with the right connections, you may even get some TV air time. Over the decades, it has become very common to use a big and extravagant ceremonial scissors. This indicates the importance of the ceremony –to mark the first giant leap of a new undertaking.

By the way, speaking of Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies and the scissors that go with it, we are celebrating our FIRST Ribbon Cutting Ceremony since the pandemic and all that rain! It is scheduled for Thursday June 8th at 2 PM. I've included a flier with all of the information you'd need to attend...this way, you can see for yourself just how special these ceremonies are - oh...and it is FREE!

Hope to see y'all there on June 8th!!!

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

Dorothy Stringer

CEO

WHISKEY A GO-GO!

Our friends and Chamber members at Gelsons have a great offer for you if you and/or your friends are fine whiskey connoisseurs...Information can be found below and in the included flier. Enjoy!!

RSVP and pre-pay for the tasting kits for further instructions and information. The cost of the kit is $109.99. The kit includes the following:

- Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (375 ml.)

- Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (375 ml.)

- Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (375 ml.)

- Bitters

- Maraschino Cherries

- La Perruche Pure Cane Sugar Cubes

- Fresh Orange

Paired with: Gelson's Gourmet Cheese & Accompaniments Plate (serves 2):

- Bellwether Farms Fresh Sheep's Milk Cheese

- President Comté

- Rembrandt Gouda

- Jasper Hill Farm Vault No. 5 Cheddar

- Beehive Pour Me a Slice cheese

- Gelson's Uncured Boneless Carver Smoked Ham

- Served with: Anna's Ginger Snap cookies, Villars Milk Chocolate, Sweet Dried Orange Slices, Dried Apricots, Jumbo Almonds, and Fresh Grapes 

Last Day to RSVP is 6/4

Non-Refundable Ticket

RSVP Link: gelsons.com/whiskey.

A MEGA EVENT!!

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS AND COMMUNITY AWARE RESIDENTS!!
This is the perfect event for you to attend! Here's your chance to meet and greet with all kinds of folks from all the other Chambers, organizations, VIPs and business owners from the valley and beyond! Contact our Chamber and we'll get you all signesd up and ready to attend! You can email us at [email protected] or phone us at 818-508-5155. Don't delay...final sign up is by June 22nd 2023.

Hope we see you there!

WE MIXED IT UP!!

Yes we did!
Well, first of all, our CEO Dorothy, started her morning representing our UCNH Chamber at Concorde Career College. This was her seventh year semi annually presenting her speech on Domestic Violence to the students. She feels it's so important to present information on surviving Domestic Violence and explaining all the different kinds of Domestic Violence they could experience in their lives.

THEN..."game on" as we "mixed and mingled" at our monthly mixer and Chamber fundraiser, hosted by Pit Fire Pizza. Our sponsor ad guest speaker was long time friend Steve Rydell from True Summit Promotional Products. He showed us the BEST in items to help in marketing our businesses.

PLUS, we had plenty of good food and LOTS of great raffle prizes donated by Staples Office Supply and Marilynn Bradbury from Ramsey Schilling Real Estate.

Not to mention Steve himself generously donated some prizes as well!

This month, we're making way for the "Mega Mixer" on June 29th, but we'll be back with our own mixer on July 26th. Our special guest speaker will be candidate for District 2 council seat, JP Bird. Stay tuned for details!

A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY!!

Los Angeles Public Library
announces a
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) #44-034

FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) is seeking qualified individuals or agencies to provide information technology (IT) professional services on an as-needed and as-requested basis. The Library’s IT Section provides technology support for the LAPL and Library patrons, including systems development and cyber security; infrastructure and network administration and maintenance; hardware and software purchases, installation and maintenance; communications, data storage and recovery; and electronic access to Library resources. LAPL requires the ability to contract for short-term projects with companies for professional, expert and technical services and support to upgrade, replace or maintain various parts of its infrastructure and network. LAPL’s IT Section will manage the system and oversee the projects and the selected contractors, who will provide expertise on specific projects on an as-needed and as requested basis. Please review the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to learn more about this opportunity, the bidding process and other requirements. To register, visit Registration on Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement (RAMP), at [www.RAMPLA.org] (http://www.rampla.org/)

Proposals are Due

Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Highly Recommended Pre-Proposal Conference:
Wednesday, June 14 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

SAFETY ALERT!!!
WHAT IS "JUGGING?''

Have you heard of jugging?

You might know what it is, but may not have heard the term by which it goes.

Simply put, jugging is theft. The jugglers can work in teams or work alone. They identify a potential victim withdrawing money from an ATM, or watch for people coming out of a bank with bank bags or cash envelopes. The jugglers will then follow the victim – sometimes to multiple locations – to look for the right time and place to steal the money.

Jugging cases have risen recently, according to law enforcement officials.

Use these tips to avoid becoming a victim of jugging:

- Be on the lookout for individuals backed into parking spaces who do not exit their vehicle to conduct business.

- If you’re in the bank and you feel like someone is watching you, advise the bank’s employees so they can contact authorities or assist you in getting to your vehicle.

- Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t be distracted. This will make you look like an easy target.

- Be vigilant when using ATMs, as jugglers typically target individuals using ATMs. Also, exercise caution when leaving the ATM or bank.

- Be vigilant when arriving and departing. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t leave your car or the building if you observe suspicious vehicles parked in or around the parking lot.

- Conceal your money before you leave the bank.

- Don’t openly carry bank bags, envelopes or coin boxes.

- Watch for people following you.

- Don’t leave a bank bag (hidden or not) in your car unattended.

- Make banking the last stop of your errands.

If you believe you’re being followed after leaving a bank or an ATM, call 911 and drive to a public area or, better yet, a police station.

SO COOL!!!
Be a part of a wonderful "Thank You" celebration event coming up on July 1st for our first responders! Contact Renee Lamour, event chair at 818-477-8615 for more information or if you'd like to sponsor!