State Controller John Chiang Addressed California’s Financial Future at Special PBI Luncheon Discussion @ Cal State LA

RELEASE

Monday, May 25, 2009
For Immediate Release PBI Contact – Jacqueline Ruiz, 323.343.3770
Media Contact – Edward Headington, 818.720.7181
Website – http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/

State’s Top Fiscal Officer spoke on “California’s Financial Future: Getting Beyond Gridlock”

LOS ANGELES, CA — For nearly three decades, the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles (PBI) has focused on state and community issues and been a standard bearer for the legacy of its namesake. Last Thursday, as part of its California Agenda series, the PBI focused on the Golden State’s financial future featuring the Honorable John Chiang.

“With the Special Election this past Tuesday, we could not ask for a timelier topic and speaker,” said PBI Executive Director Jaime Regalado. “No one is sure what is going to happen next but the proposed cuts will be severe and affect many of California’s working families. I thank the Controller for his comments today and commend him for his leadership on the budget deficit.”

State Controller John Chiang delivered his remarks in the Golden Eagle Conference Center at California State University Drive, Los Angeles in front of an audience of many different community stakeholders: Cal State LA faculty, students and administration, representatives from Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Edison, Wells Fargo and Speaker Karen Bass’s office, neighborhood council leaders, and many more.

“[Governor] Pat Brown created a California that had all of our eyes set a little higher so that we saw a bigger and brighter horizon,” said Controller John Chiang. “There is a huge whiplash effect [with unemployment going up] when you have a downturn in the economy—and that’s what we’re experiencing. Then there is national and global economic phenomenon happening. . . . We can’t continue to roll these debts and deficits on a year-to-year basis because—truthfully—this is your life. The California budget impacts our lives—it’s our education, our healthcare, our infrastructure, our jobs. This ought to be personal for you. It’s important that you elevate your participation … to help the elected and appointed leaders make the right decisions because that’s how you rebuild the California economy and rebuild a system that truly meets our greatest aspirations.”

Footage of the Controller’s remarks available here: Video 1; Video 2; Video 3; and Video 4

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The Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs, a presidentially chartered institute at California State University, Los Angeles, is a non-partisan public policy center dedicated to sustaining vision and legacy of former California Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown through convening public policy forums, engaging multi sector stakeholders and diverse communities, and conducting timely policy research and community driven initiatives. For more information, go to http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/.

The California Agenda is a component of the PBI’s Public Policy Education Program and is hosted this year by Southern California Edison and Wells Fargo. It was created to educate and engage leaders and individuals across the sectors on significant state, regional and local public policy issues.

Save the Date – Next Green Salon on 6/17 @ Port of LA

ADVISORY

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
For Immediate Release

BREATHE LA Contact – Julia Robinson Shimizu
323.935.8050x233, jrobinsonshimizu@breathela.org

Green Salon Series Contact – Edward Headington
818.720.7181, Edward@HeadingtonMedia.com

6/17 Green Salon on Greening the Ports 2: Measuring the Costs and Benefits of the Ports’ Environmental Initiatives in the Slowed Economy

The Green Salon Series was launched last year at the Port of LA

Los Angeles, CA — BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) has held two salons in its celebrated Green Salon Series and have four more scheduled. Sponsored by Union Bank of California, the series returns next month at the Port of LA for a special discussion on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Please join BREATHE LA and others for this free and open “green” forum.

WHO – BREATHE LA, residents, consumers, elected and appointed officials, businesses, the public policy analysts, and other community stakeholders

Emcee – Ray Gonzales, BREATHE LA Board Member and former Channel 5 KTLA host

Welcome – Honorable Janice Hahn*, Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 15

Moderator – Molly Peterson*, KPCC Reporter

Panelists – Representatives from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and the Business Community

Responders – Representatives from Neighborhood Councils, Advocacy Groups, Elected Officials and/or the Environmental Justice Community

WHAT – Green Salon on “Greening the Ports 2: Measuring the Costs and Benefits of the Ports’ Environmental Initiatives in the Slowed Economy”

WHEN – Wednesday, June 17, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

WHERE – Port of Los Angeles Board Room @ 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro, CA 90731; Limited lot spaces available as well as metered street parking

FYI – All of the BREATHE LA Green Salons are free and open to the public. Coffee and a light breakfast are served. For more information, contact Edward Headington at Edward@HeadingtonMedia.com or (818) 720-7181. Space is limited so please R.S.V.P. today at http://www.breathela.org/events/greening-ports-2-return-ports-la-long-beach.

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BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is a non-profit, public benefit organization dedicated to clean air and healthy lungs in Los Angeles County. BREATHE LA first established in 1903 to fight then-epidemic Tuberculosis is now part of BREATHE California, a statewide organization http://www.breathela.org/.

The BREATHE LA Green Salon Series, now in its second year of operation, engages all stakeholders around clean air, the environment and healthy living. An elected official delivers the welcome for each salon and a local journalist serves as moderator for panels of “green” experts. Sponsored by Union Bank of California, there will be six salons in 2009 (February 18th, April 15th, June 17th, August 20th, September 16th and November 19th).

51st Annual Southern California Journalism Awards to be Held on Sunday, June 14th

Serving Southern California since 1913, the Los Angeles Press Club is the only Southern California journalism group that speaks for all journalists working for daily and weekly newspapers, radio & TV, magazines, documentary films and online.

RELEASE

Monday, May 18, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact(s):
Diana Ljungaeus, Executive Director, 323.669.8081, diana@lapressclub.org
Edward Headington, Publicist, 818.720.7181, edward@lapressclub.org

Top Honors to go out to Robyn Dixon, Rick Orlov and Arianna Huffington

Hollywood, CA. Author and Huffington Post editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington; Daily News city hall reporter Rick Orlov and Los Angeles Times foreign correspondent Robyn Dixon will receive the Los Angeles Press Club's highest honors at the 51st Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on Sunday, June 14. Former Press Club Executive Director, Alex Ben Block, will again be serving as the “Voice of God.”

They will be among hundreds taking part in the Southland's oldest and most distinguished journalism gala at the Sheraton Universal hotel in Universal City. In longstanding tradition, the presentation will be full of surprises, including an appearance by comedienne Paula Poundstone.

Huffington will receive the President's Award, for having charted a new online path for journalism, and comedian Bill Maher will give the brilliant and outspoken Huffington a special introduction.

Orlov, still breaking stories after three decades on the City Hall beat for the Los Angeles Daily News, will receive the Joseph M. Quinn Award for lifetime achievement. He will be introduced by Linda Breakstone, herself a veteran television and newspaper political reporter.

Dixon, who is based in South Africa for the Los Angeles Times, will be named to the Daniel Pearl Award for courage in recognition of her selflessness in pursuing difficult, often dangerous stories over the years around the world. The award will be presented by Judea Pearl, father of the late Wall Street Journal reporter killed by Pakistani extremists.

"This is one of the most impressive lineups for the Southern California Journalism awards yet, and we're pulling it off in a year of unprecedented difficulties for the industry and the nation," says Press Club President Chris Woodyard, a reporter for USA TODAY. "The awards are proof that quality journalism still matters and deserves recognition."

Awards presenters will include NBC4 anchor Ana Garcia, Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Joe Morgenstern, ABC7 entertainment reporter George Pennacchio, and "Ask a Mexican" columnist Gustavo Arellano. Tickets are still available at http://www.lapressclub.org/.

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The Los Angeles Press Club stands as an organization devoted to improving the spirit of journalism and journalists, raising the industry’s standards, strengthening its integrity and improving its reputation all for the benefit of the community at large. Serving the Southland since 1913, it is the only Southern California journalism group that speaks for all journalists working for daily and weekly newspapers, radio & TV, magazines, documentary films and online. For more information, go to http://www.lapressclub.org/.

PR Newswire, co-sponsor for all Los Angeles Press Club events, is the global leader in news and information distribution services for professional communicators. For more information, go to http://www.prnewswire.com/.

Headington Media Group is a boutique communications firm dedicated to promoting public affairs in Southern California, specializing in image management, branding, messaging and public relations. For more information, go to http://www.headingtonmedia.com/ and/or visit http://www.headingtonmediacenter.org/.

Footage from GOOD Magazine Event with Be the Change's Alan Khazei

PBI 28th Annual Awards Dinner Slideshow

Select shots from the dinner held on April 30, 2009

America’s Top Political Satirist, Will Durst, to Emcee Coro Crystal Eagle Awards Gala on May 21st

ADVISORY

Tuesday, May 5, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Edward Headington
E-mail: EHeadington@Coro.org
Phone: 818.720.7181

The 2009 Crystal Eagle Award honorees include: Kaiser Permanente, Maria Contreras-Sweet, Steve Soboroff, Hon. Rick Tuttle, and Council Member Dennis Zine

LOS ANGELES, CA. The Coro Southern California Crystal Eagle Awards gala is an occasion to meet the Coro Alumni Network and celebrate leaders in the public affairs arena. The awards are symbolized by a Crystal Eagle and presented to those who exemplify excellence in effective leadership and dynamic community involvement. This year's honorees were selected to represent leadership from all sectors of society.

WHO – The Coro Southern California Community/Network

· Emcee: America’s Top Political Satirist, Will Durst

· Honorees:

o Kaiser Permanente – Highest ranked HMO in California; Promotes public policy for healthy communities and preventative care
o Maria Contreras-Sweet – Founder and Chair, Promerica Bank Steve Soboroff – Chair and CEO, Playa Vista; Chair, Weingart Foundation
o Hon. Rick Tuttle – Four-term LA City Controller; Retired UCLA Associate Dean of Students and Student Affairs; Broad-based Community Activist; Coro Recruiting Legend
o Hon. Dennis P. Zine – Los Angeles City Council Member, Third District; LAPD Reserve Police Officer

WHAT – Coro Southern California Crystal Eagle Awards Gala

WHEN – Thursday, May 21, 2009; Reception @ 5:30 p.m.; Dinner @ 7 p.m.

WHERE – Biltmore Hotel @ 506 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (Valet parking available on-site or self-parking at Pershing Square [enter off of Olive Street])

WHY – Celebrate Southern California’s Crystal Eagle Leaders; See old friends and meet the Coro Community/Network; Support the Coro mission of serving the leadership development needs of Los Angeles, California and our nation.

FYI – For more information on sponsorships and ads, click here. To make a general donation to Coro Southern California, click here. For more information about the gala, contact it’s Director of Advancement, Jessica Lall, at jlall@coro.org with any questions.

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Coro Southern California and its six affiliated centers nationwide shape resilient civic leaders for effective roles in public affairs. Coro graduates are teachers, investment bankers, union leaders, corporate directors, activists, lawyers, journalists, and elected officials, among other professions. No matter where they work or what job titles they hold, they have learned how to challenge themselves and others to be more ethical and effective leaders. Coro runs programs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Cleveland. For more information, go to http://www.corola.org/.

Hon. John Chiang to Address California’s Financial Future at Pat Brown Institute Luncheon Discussion

ADVISORY

The State Controller will speak at California State University, Los Angeles on “California’s Financial Future: Getting Beyond Gridlock”

LOS ANGELES, CA — For nearly three decades, the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles (PBI) has focused on state and community issues and been a standard bearer for the legacy of its namesake. Later this month, the PBI will focus on the Golden State’s financial future with one of its top financial experts.

WHO – State Controller John Chiang

WHAT – PBI California Agenda discussion on “California’s Financial Future: Getting Beyond Gridlock”

WHEN – Thursday, May 21, 2009; 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE – California State University, Los Angeles in the Golden Eagle Conference Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor @ 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032

WHY – California’s fiscal crisis is far from over and experts predict could get worse depending on the Special Election this month. Hear from one of the state’s top financial experts on what may happen next for all Californians.

FYI – Parking available on campus at Parking Structure C or Lot 5 (Cost is $2 for two hours—cash only) located on Paseo Rancho Castilla. This is a free event open to the public. Please R.S.V.P. at http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/register/244/. Please contact Edward Headington at Edward@HeadingtonMedia.com or 818.720.7181 for all media requests.

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The Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs, a presidentially chartered institute at California State University, Los Angeles, is a non-partisan public policy center dedicated to sustaining vision and legacy of former California Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown through convening public policy forums, engaging multi sector stakeholders and diverse communities, and conducting timely policy research and community driven initiatives. For more information, go to http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/.

The California Agenda is a component of the PBI’s Public Policy Education Program and is hosted this year by Southern California Edison and Wells Fargo. It was created to educate and engage leaders and individuals across the sectors on significant state, regional and local public policy issues.