123RD ANNUAL INAUGURAL DINNER
Join Gov. Jerry Brown and more than 1,400 business and civic leaders for the annual Inaugural Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26. The Inaugural Dinner will include the installation of the 2012 Chair of the Board Karen Hathaway, LAACO, Ltd./Los Angeles Athletic Club, and the recognition of extraordinary leadership with the Civic Medal of Honor to Harold M. Williams; the Distinguished Business Leader award to Dr. Benjamin Chu, president of Kaiser Permanente; and the Corporate Leadership award to Wells Fargo. Register now or contact Michelle Attebery, 213.580.7585.

Chamber-supported rail line wins Federal Transit Administration approval
The Federal Transit Administration recently issued a Record of Decision for the Crenshaw/LAX transit corridor, a $1.72 billion transit line along Crenshaw Boulevard, running from the Green Line near Los Angeles International Airport to the Expo Line near Jefferson Boulevard. This final approval allows Metro to acquire property, purchase rail cars and move utilities to build the light rail. It also declares Metro's environmental impact report for the project officially in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and makes the project eligible for federal funding. This project is one of 12 Measure R projects included in the Chamber-supported America Fast Forward program. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Make a difference: apply for Leadership L.A. 2012
The Leadership L.A. fellowship has been helping L.A.'s up-and-coming leaders expand their influence, develop their careers and gain insight into their community since 1987. It is for individuals who are becoming increasingly active in community leadership roles and need to understand the issues shaping the City and County. The early application deadline is Jan. 18. Apply today or please forward this opportunity to associates in your organization. Contact April Tam, 213.580.7526.

Join a new or existing Chamber Council in 2012
Thank you for joining us at our council meetings in 2011. We hope that you will continue to join us in 2012 as we embark on another productive and informing year. Our Public Policy Councils include: Education & Workforce Development; Energy, Water & Environmental Sustainabilty; Government & Fiscal Affairs; Health Care; Transportation & Goods Movement; and Land Use, Housing & Construction. Our Program Councils include Emerging Commerce; Global Initiatives and Small Business. Sign up today or contact Shannon Cooper, 213.580.7565.

Chamber member recycles blinds and hosting a drive for donations JT Blinds, Inc. has introduced EZ Choice, a recycling program for window coverings that would normally be thrown away. The PVC strip plays an important role in the vertical blind product, however many are unaware that this is an item that can be recycled as opposed to being thrown away and further filling our landfills with chemicals. From the recycled materials, the company produces an affordable and attractive product. JT Blinds also donates blinds in good condition to Habitat for Humanity. A window coverings drive will be held on Feb. 18, and all are encouraged to come by the store and give any old or unwanted blinds. Read more. Click here to submit your member good news.