160 L.A. BUSINESSES AND 1,500 VETERANS AND MILITARY SPOUSES TOOK PART IN JOB FAIR.
On Sunday, the L.A. Area Chamber joined the U.S. Chamber, ServiceNation: MissionServe and a number of other organizations to host the nation's largest job fair for veterans at Sony Pictures Studios. More than 160 area companies and 1,500 veterans and military spouses took part. The job fair gave businesses with jobs available a unique opportunity to connect with veterans and military spouses. In addition, attendees received a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who made the event the last stop of their U.S. tour.  View photo gallery. Contact Maria Nieto, 213.580.7599.

Highspeed Rail Task Force holds first meeting
The Chamber’s High Speed Rail Task Force convened its first meeting this past Tuesday to strategize on how the Southern California business community can advocate for the next stage of the project to come to our region. Participants heard from California High Speed Rail Authority Board member Curt Pringle on the project’s current status, why the Central Valley was chosen for the first phase and the timeline going forward. The project could create hundreds of thousands of jobs, while improving the environment and the movement of goods and services. “I’m on the side that this is an economic powerhouse,” stated Pringle. See the presentation or to get involved, contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber testifies on Once Through Cooling
On Tuesday, the Chamber testified at the City Council Energy and Environment Committee in support of the Department of Water and Power’s (DWP) implementation schedule for Once Through Cooling (OTC) phase out. Last May, the State Water Resources Board mandated that OTC be eliminated by 2020, which would cost the DWP $2.2 billion, amounting to a 6 percent rate increase for ratepayers. The Department has proposed an alternate plan eliminating OTC by 2035, which would allow for the use of the most up to date environmentally friendly cooling technologies, while also maintaining system reliability and not further burdening businesses and residents. The Chamber will testify in front of the full City Council on Friday and will be represented in Sacramento on July 19 when the State Water Resources Board considers DWP’s amendment. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

L.A. on cutting-edge of health care research and technology; soaring costs still a challenge
The Leadership L.A. 2011 Fellows experienced health care in Los Angeles on July 8, discussing what national health care reform means for L.A. County, and the challenges and opportunities with providing quality services in the region. “Health is the only industry I know of where the better we get at providing care, the more money we need to spend. Technology adds costs,” said Jim Lott of the Hospital Association of Southern California. Looking at health care institutions first-hand and meeting with inspirational, innovative leaders in the health care field, Fellows visited Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Saban Research Institute and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. Read more on Twitter. Contact April Tam, 213.580.7524.

Patina Catering crafts royal menu This past weekend, Patina Catering had the honor of catering BAFTA’s Inaugural ‘Brits to Watch’ event.  At the event, which including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and 280 A-list guests including Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks, Barbara Streisand, Jennifer Lopez, Jack Black and Anna Kournikova, Patina wowed the crowds with a menu that blended British tradition with a touch of California flare. Contact Nichole Van Allen, 213.814.3051. Annual Microsoft Day of Giving benefits Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Los Angeles and Magic Johnson Foundation This past Sunday, in advance of its Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft sponsored its annual Day of Giving. The day is an opportunity for Microsoft and its partners from around the world to work together in a different way – by contributing to a local community by donating their time.  This year’s event was a street fair in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and the Magic Johnson Foundation. Members of the Microsoft Partner Network from each region worked together to host fair events, organize games, set up booths and staff activities like Build-A-Backpack. All proceeds generated from the Street Fair will be divided evenly between the two charities. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.