Happy Holidays From OCBC!
OCBC wishes you and your family a happy and safe holiday! Enjoy the last E-news Indicator for 2008 -- We'll see you next year!
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Orange County is Ready to Work!
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) gave a press conference Friday to let the new administration know they are "Ready to Work" and have projects ready to go upon receipt of federal economic stimulus funding. Local officials, government, business and labor joined together to encourage federal officials to send that funding to Orange County ASAP. OCBC's Lucy Dunn among others, including Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby and Marnie O'Brien Primmer of Mobility 21, spoke to help Orange County get its fare share, get people back to work and help stimulate the economy.
OCTA currently has ready-to-go transportation projects that will result in nearly 56,000 new jobs for Orange County . The Orange County Transportation Authority has a proven track record of delivering cost-effective transportation projects that create jobs and stimulate the economy," said Art Leahy, CEO of OCTA. "While enhancing our transportation system, we are actively protecting the environment."
Click here to add your comments and learn more about OCTA's "Ready to Work" program and learn how OCTA transportation projects will create nearly 56,000 jobs.
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U.S. Commerce Department Rejects Planned SR 241 Road Alignment
The failure of the Department of Commerce to support the completion of SR 241 as planned, after 20 years of review, is a blow to millions of Southern Californians, the quality of life in the region and the local economy.
OCBC will continue to advocate for an alternative route to the heavily congested 5 freeway that does not take out homes or businesses and completes the 241 toll road.
For the latest updates on the 241 and its future, visit www.thetollroads.com or contact Kris Murray at OCBC.
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OCBC Makes Voice Heard at Public Utilities Commission Hearing
A major victory for OCBC as Lucy Dunn testified before a packed house at last weeks California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hearing to help support the final approval for San Diego Gas & Electric's Sunrise Powerlink electric-transmission line. Sunrise Powerlink was unanimously endorsed by OCBC as a critical component to its infrastructure initiative for reliable energy for South Orange County.
In a 4-1 vote, the CPUC identified the Sunrise Powerlink as the key solution to ensuring the region’s electric reliability and for providing access to a new market of potentially rich renewable energy supplies being developed east of San Diego in the Imperial Valley.
The permitting process for the Sunrise Powerlink project was the most comprehensive ever completed for a power line in California history.
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OCBC Members Making a Difference
Help fellow OCBC members and the Orange County Professional Firefighters to aide children and their families this holiday season. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Orange County Firefighter's Spark of Love Toy Collection campaign, which officially began November 22nd and will run through December 24th. All Orange County fire stations and CVS Drug Stores will serve as drop-off sites for new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment. Gift cards will also be accepted at these locations.
The Spark of Love Campaign also joins together with the U.S. Marine Corps -- Toys for Tots, OC Social Services -- Operation Santa Claus and St. Vincent de Paul -- Holiday Charities, who have combined their efforts as the 2008 Orange County Toy Collaborative. Together these programs distribute approximately 300,000 toys annually to Orange County children and their families who may otherwise go without during the holiday season.
For more information, call 714-573-6200.
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The Gift of Giving and the Tax Benefits Received!
The holiday season leave your wallet a bit lighter? You can get a little money back from Uncle Sam by donating gently used clothing and other unwanted items to Goodwill of Orange County for an end-of-year tax write-off.
By cleaning your closets and garages, you get more than a tax deduction. Goodwill uses the revenue from your donations for its education and career services for people with disabilities and disadvantages such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience. Your local Goodwill channels 91 cents of every dollar spent back into its services.
Donors interested in claiming tax deductions should keep itemized lists of their donations. Goodwill provides receipts to donors at its drop-off sites, and attendants can validate itemized lists when they are presented. For general guidelines and a list of attended donation sites, visit Goodwill of Orange County's site at http://www.ocgoodwill.org.
To find the Goodwill attended donation center near you, visit www.ocgoodwill.org, or call (800) 4-GOODWILL.
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Need Holiday Gifts? New Business Technology?
OCBC and Toshiba Direct Can Help!
OCBC members now receive Toshiba's employee discounts on industry-leading computer and consumer electronics products. Visit www.store.toshiba.com/ocbc-aff or call 1.800.405.3704 and reference Program ID: PAOB to receive your discount!
From new laptops for the office to GPS systems for the holidays, save on all Toshiba electronics with Toshiba Direct. OCBC and Toshiba Direct recently launched a new custom website just for OCBC members where you can find all the latest in portable PC technology for home and office, as well as televisions, office electronics and other consumer products from one of the world's leading technology companies.
Contact OCBC Director of Communications Matt Prince for questions.
OCBC gives special thanks to Chris Harrington, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Manager for Toshiba and OCBC's Vice Chair of Workforce Development, for bringing this opportunity to the Business Council and its membership.
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USC's Pete Carroll to Quarterback OCBC's Annual Dinner!
OCBC 2009 Annual Dinner
"Compete to Succeed"
featuring
USC Football Head Coach and
Two-Time National Champion,
Pete Carroll
February 10, 2009
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
With the changing year and ever changing economic state, OCBC's theme: Compete to Succeed highlights the importance of always thinking, always planning and always competing.
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'Tis the Season...
If you missed the Orange County Business Council, Orange County Division -- League of California Cities and the Building Industry Association of Orange County holiday reception you missed out!
Over 300 of Orange County's business leaders, legislators and public officials joined in the holiday spirit last week to make the OCBC Annual Holiday Reception the place to be.
Special thanks to the Hyatt Regency Irvine for their gracious hosting.
We can't wait til next year!
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