Our March Mixer held at Dr. Music Center was great, we are so privileged to have such wonderful access to the world of music in our community. Derek Reymer and his staff were the perfect hosts. Those in attendance enjoyed the music of Leanne Powers and Harry Smallenburg’s Jazz Ensemble, “Out Too Late”. Old members once again had the opportunity to meet more new members and the networking was very exciting. Our long time dedicated bartender Bob Cota was back enjoying his return and of course we were all glad to see him again. A special thank you to our host Derek, to those that brought a raffle gift and to those that purchased raffle tickets. As always your support to your Chamber is greatly appreciated.

City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo joined us a little late at the March Chamber meeting and we were glad he did, coming directly from the airport arriving from Sacramento. However, he did send Cecilia Estolano, Special Assistant and Supervising Attorney in the Real Estate and Economic Development Department who spoke to us on his behalf. The main topic was the major deficit in the city budget and business city taxes in which we learned that a few years ago $4 ml. was spent for a tax reform study. When nothing came of it, it appears that two out of three businesses moved “across the street” to nearby communities - in other words - out of the city. Our City Attorney would like very much to lower the tax or do away with it altogether. It is a mute point right now, but he hopes to revisit it soon. We are encouraged to write or call our council members and Mayor Hahn. There is power in the people, hopefully we can rid this city tax from our business community, helping to relieve one of the many tax burdens. Right now business owners pay $5.61 on each $1000.00 of gross receipts. Also 20% of $50,000 from money earned out of the city of L.A. if the amount is higher than $50,000. In 2003 a tax exemption was put into place for new businesses with gross receipts of $500,000. They are exempt for a two year period. Additionally small businesses with less than $5000 in total annual gross receipts are exempt from tax. For more information regarding the Los Angeles City Tax structure log onto http://www.lacity.org/finance. And, Oh! don’t forget to let our city officials know how you feel.

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Growing with Ghosts

Right in our own back yard, The Center for the Arts has a fantastic, if not odd, production performing throughout the month of April. “Growing With Ghosts” is quite a moving production inspired by Blanche A. Gardiner, who was the first librarian when the doors opened in 1915. For those of you that don’t know, the Center for the Arts is housed in an historic building that was formally the Eagle Rock Library. The production takes us from birth to the after life on a walk-through set with some great original song and dance numbers. Writer, director and choreographer Ken Roht does a fabulous job and Kudos to the Center’s Director Jenny Krusoe for bringing this venue to Eagle Rock. Tickets are a mere $15.00, however reservations are a must - only 50 per performance and I am told they are pretty much selling out for the two performances a night running at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. RSVP call the center at 323 226-1230.

Meet some New Members

Alex Sanseviei, Information Technology Consultant, owns Eagle Rock Tech Support which was founded with a basic guiding principle. The principle being, to eliminate finger pointing between hardware and software support, between consultants and manufacturers, also between retailers and service and to give Eagle Rock businesses everything they need to function in a secure computer network, including on - going support and service from someone who has the success and the reliability of the systems they configure. Alex can be reached at 323 255-6495 or www.eaglerocktechsupport.com

Jonar and Jed Rodrigo work out of their home on Stratford Road where they make and sell delicious funnel cake. They can be reached at “The Funnel Cake Spot” by calling 323 258-2778 or e-mail at thefunnelcakespot@yahoo.com

Donna Robey-Sullivan, Executive Director has signed up the non-profit organization “ The Rock”

[Reach Our Community Kids] for membership. ROCK is a faith based 501[c] 3 organization, founded in 1998, to respond to a desperate need for low-cost youth programs in the Northeast Los Angeles area. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of our young people.

Other new members are Irene Daniel, Virginia & Antonio Tapia - Michelle’s Bridal & Formals, and Tim Bragg - Ron Bragg Realty. We are waiting on further information to share with you.

A very warm welcome to each new member, we encourage you to enjoy the Eagle Rock Community and participate in chamber and community events. We encourage our membership to give our new members a welcome call and to do business with each other when ever possible. Let’s keep the business revenue local

FYI

Prayers &Thoughts

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Al Wirth who underwent an unexpected triple by-pass this month. Al & Diann Wirth are previous owners of PIP Printing on Eagle Rock Boulevard and long time members and supporters of the ERCC.

Toros Pottery

You are invited to help celebrate the third anniversary of Toros Pottery in Eagle Rock. From 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 1^st. Works will be featured by Toros Studio members Barry Pett, Brian Fowler, Efren Perez, Hearther Lamkins, Jesse Crawford, Jessica Yarger, Matt Gollnick, Michelle Sadeh, Tommy Tucker, and Jennifer Kuroki. Children’s art work will also be displayed along with hand made jewelry by Renee Dominique, Tai Carson and Susan Carson. Be sure and stop by, meet host and owner Toros Tngrian and join in the festivities of art, music and refreshments.

Street Lamps

By Kaye Beckham

As most of us know our Colorado Boulevard street lamps are being replaced, and have been since last fall - the private company that was contracted by the city is scheduled

to be completed this spring. However, is anyone as confused as I am? I was under the impression that Eagle Rock was getting “historic” street lamps, it seems to me that the charming green historic street lamps are being removed for a sleek modern street lamp with a longer overhang onto the street. Do you think these tall shiny silver poles are from an historic art deco period? What is our small “hometown” community to do?

Northeast Community Crime Report for the period of February 8 through March 6, 2004

LAST REPORTING PERIOD

ABUSE 37 (new cat)

AUTO THEFT 103 - 131

Total violent crime 113. Property crimes total 351. Total arrests this period 477. Please continue to take extra precautions when securing your automobile, business and your home. Also remember that these crime stats are for all of the Northeast area, however, Eagle Rock has been hit with some business burglaries and a substantial amount of auto thefts.

The Chamber, along with the NELAPD Community Advisor Board will be hosting a Business Watch/Community Crime Prevention meeting April 20^th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Christian Assembly Church. Meet New Captain Morris Smith, Senior Lead Officer Joe Galindo and Detectives from the burglary unit. This is a MUST ATTEND MEETING for all those who live and work in this community, who don’t want to become a victim, and want to keep crime at bay. Please be sure to mark your calendar and plan on attending. Now more than ever we need to work together to keep our community safe.

Business owners please note, if you haven’t already, think of our community children and become a “Safe House ” for them. Please call the Community Relations Office at Northeast 213 485 -2548. Quite a few of our local businesses already display the

placard in their window, however, the more we have the safer our children are and we become a community united and committed to our children’s safety. A “Safe House” when you display the placard lets our children know they have a place to run to if accosted or harassed in any way. It is easy to do. What are you waiting for?????

Remember to call the front desk at Northeast 213 485- 2563 if you are not sure of a situation and 911 in a true emergency. General questions try the City access number for all non-emergencies, 311, you can have your questions answered 24/7 by a “City Ambassador.”

BUSINESS NOTES

HOW TO PROFIT FROM YOUR LOSSES:

Did the faltering economy deal a blow to your investment portfolio? If so, the tax laws may provide some relief to cushion your losses. Here are some strategies you should consider to turn losses to your advantage:

Use losses against ordinary income. You can use capital losses from the sale of securities and other investments to offset not only capital gains but also up to $3,000 of ordinary income, such as a salary and /or interest income. Capital losses in excess of the $3,000 limit can be carried forward and used in future years. You can’t take a tax loss for a mere decline in assets value—you must actually sell it.

CONVERT YOUR IRAS NOW:

If you have traditional IRAs, consider converting them to Roth IRAs so that all future earnings can become tax free. The price of conversion is paying tax on the accounts now, but with values depressed this may be the best time act

GIFT GIVING:

If gifts are part of your estate-planning to reduce your holdings on a tax free basis, now may be a great time to give securities and other property to your children, grandchildren and others. Your annual gift tax exclusion of $11.000 ($22,000 if you are married), the amount you can transfer without any gift tax, will go farther. If the gifted shares later increase in value it will accrue to the recipient and won’t be part be part of your estate.

NEED ANOTHER?

With interest rates at historical lows, many Americans are buying houses or refinancing loans. Maybe you’re taking advantage of the new expensing reductions and taking out a loan to purchase inventory or equipment for your business. Either way, you’ll need a copy of last year’s federal tax returns. If you can’t find your original, the IRS will send you a copy for free. Find the request form on line http.//www.irs.gov/pub/irs-fill/4506.

Employers can now offer their employees something truly wild to do on their days off. The Los Angeles Zoo has developed the “Card of the Wild Club” to guarantee an exotic rejuvenating outing for your personnel at discount prices. Visitors to the zoo bearing the Card of the Wild will be entitled to discounted admission for themselves and up to five guests.

A day at the L.A. Zoo is an enriching, educational and entertaining experience for all ages. The zoo houses more than 1200 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, along with all the wild animals one would expect at the zoo, such as lions, tigers, giraffes, bears, monkeys and so much more. Special events for children such as Boo at the Zoo and Reindeer Romp. Card holders can visit the souvenir gift shops and eat at the indoor, outdoor dining areas which offer an array of food items.

The zoo is pleased to offer employers the Wild Club cards absolutely FREE. To request enrollment information please call 323 644-4200, push #4 for P.R. Marketing, then follow the prompt to #2 - Card of the Wild. Or you can call 323 644-4277. Once your enrollment information is received you will be sent your requested number of discount cards and a Card of the Wild poster for display within 4-6 weeks.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Griffith Park and is open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. every day except December 25^th. Parking is free

UNIVERSAL BANK

Universal Bank, located at 2575 Colorado Boulevard, celebrated their 50^th Anniversary on March 22 where CEO/President Frank Chang announced that “they are very proud to serve in the Eagle Rock community”. Branch Manager Shirley Pascal announced that as of April 15^th the Plaza Branch will have been consolidated with the Colorado Branch. They will be fully staffed to make our banking visit efficient and pleasant. Universal Banks emphasis is on providing personalized banking services such as that received at a small hometown bank. They open their doors and invite us to come on in!!! They ask; does your bank have a “Drive up” teller window? Universal Bank has one! They also boast many different products to fit our banking needs. Free checking, savings, CD’s, and home loans. Stop in and see what they are all about. If there are any questions please feel free to call Shirley at 323 254-2251, she will be more than happy to answer them.

Universal Bank has been a long time Chamber member and has always supported the Chamber’s efforts. This year they will be sponsoring a summer concert and hosting a mixer. The Chamber whole heartily thanks Universal Bank for their continued support and congratulates them on their 50 years of banking.