STAND UP FOR OUR CITY'S FUTURE AT ACCESS L.A. CITY HALL. The key to L.A.'s economic future is building a stronger partnership between City Hall and local business; and in order to do that, we need your voice! Join the Chamber and business leaders from throughout Los Angeles on Oct. 27, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. as they converge on City Hall for a half-day of special sessions about issues vital to the City. Featured speakers include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and City Council President Eric Garcetti. Topics include job creation, fixing the budget deficit and lowering L.A.'s business tax. Register now.and read the Advocacy Agenda. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7570.

Chamber hosts U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pascual for economic and political briefing
Carlos Pascual, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, joined the Chamber and local business leaders for an economic and political briefing. Ambassador Pascual highlighted Mexico's record-high international reserves, as well as an increased competitiveness due to its desire to break through as one of the emerging economies. "One of the important things for both countries is to see how we can work together on security issues so that our economies can keep creating jobs … and so that security, and not insecurity defines our economic reality." Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569.

Success! L.A. secures key Federal investment in mass transit 30/10 project
The U.S. government approved a $546 million loan for the Crenshaw light-rail project – an 8.5-mile line from Exposition and Crenshaw boulevards to the Green Line station at Aviation Boulevard near LAX. The loan will cover more than a third of the planning and construction costs for the project, now estimated to cost $1.4 billion. The money will create about 5,000 jobs and free up funds for other projects. The Chamber advocated for this loan. Contact Sam Garrison, 213.580.7568.

Chamber committee discusses L.A.'s role
as a leader in green technology
The Energy, Water & Environment Committee hosted the Clean and Green Tech Panel on Friday. Environmental business leaders led discussion on Los Angeles’ position as a leader in green technology, water resource strategy, clean energy innovation and how local businesses can better support and invest in sustainability. “This City can lead the nation in what we do right with our natural resources,” stated Diana Schulz, CEO of Cyber-Rain. “L.A. has all the assets to make it happen.” Mike Flynn, co-founder of Opportunity Green, urged businesses to communicate their support of sustainable technology to elected officials. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Southern Californians come together with Filipino-American community
Southern California Leadership Network's Global Connections program on Oct. 19 featured guests from the Southern California Filipino-American community, with a traditional Filipino dinner and a conversation moderated by Cris Liban, Metro and Filipino-American Service Group, Inc. (LSC '10). Consul General Mary Jo Aragon discussed business incentives that the new Philippine president will be pursuing with Americans, including public-private partnerships in the form of mining, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development. Gilbert Vasquez, CPA, Vasquez & Company, LLP, who has worked with the Filipino-American community in Southern California for decades, emphasized that we are "beginning to see a real surge in Filipino success" through more magazines, media and civil society organizations that will contribute to the region as a whole. Contact Kevin Cottrell, 213.580.7577.

Join in on the walk to end homelessness
There are 12,000 chronically homeless people in Los Angeles. But, homelessness is a solvable problem. Last year, the Chamber partnered with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles to form the Business Leaders Task Force on Ending Homelessness. On Wednesday, Task Force Co-Chair Jerry Neuman, Sheppard Mullin Ricter & Hampton LLP, met with the Chamber's Land Use, Construction and Housing Committee to present the Task Force's strategic plan on ending homelessness in Los Angeles. Neuman also shared how everyone in the community can take part in ending homelessness. On Nov. 13, at 9 a.m., join the United Way of Greater Los Angeles at Exposition Park for Homewalk 2010 -- the walk to end homelessness. Over the past three years, this 5K event has raised more than $1.3 million and mobilized 13,000 walker from all over L.A. County to raise awareness of this critical issue. Click here for more information or to register.

Los Angeles Universal Preschool hosts Dream Big Online Auction Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) is hosting the Dream Big Online Auction Oct. 18-29 to raise funds and awareness about the importance of a preschool education to every child's future. Click here for more information or to start bidding. Proceeds will benefit high-quality early childhood education in L.A. County. Auction items range from an Apple iPad and Lakers Tickets to luxury vacations and one-of-a-kind experiences. Contact Ayda Safaei. American Airlines expands service in Los Angeles American Airlines and American Eagle recently announced plans to add 10 new destinations from Los Angeles International Airport -- one international and nine domestic -- beginning April 5, 2011. This expansion is an increase in departures of 28 percent and will result in 33 additional round trips. American estimates that its expanded service will add approximately $600 million in local economic impact each year, increasing its total annual economic impact in Los Angeles to approximately $6 billion. Read more. Want your good news featured here? Click here to learn more.