University Park Family - University Park Family2024-03-29T07:48:35Zhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/forum/categories/university-park-family/listForCategory?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe USC Small Business Diversity Office supports local Small Business, Big Planstag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2012-02-07:2780035:Topic:328852012-02-07T00:06:12.492ZRhonda Thorntonhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/RhondaThornton
<h2>Small Business, Big Plans<img alt="Small Business, Big Plans" src="http://uscnews.usc.edu/assets_c/2012/02/Rad%20at%20work2-thumb-167xauto-45939.jpg"></img></h2>
<div id="article-sidebar"><ul class="article-image">
<li class="caption"><strong>Carmen Rad has more room to run her custom printing business these days.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p class="dateline">By Alan House on February 2, 2012 8:46 AM</p>
<p>Carmen Rad started her business, CRA Custom Banner, out of her home in 1993. By 2009, her banner printing enterprise had grown enough for her move into a 25,000-square-feet building not far from the…</p>
<h2>Small Business, Big Plans<img alt="Small Business, Big Plans" src="http://uscnews.usc.edu/assets_c/2012/02/Rad%20at%20work2-thumb-167xauto-45939.jpg"/></h2>
<div id="article-sidebar"><ul class="article-image">
<li class="caption"><strong>Carmen Rad has more room to run her custom printing business these days.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p class="dateline">By Alan House on February 2, 2012 8:46 AM</p>
<p>Carmen Rad started her business, CRA Custom Banner, out of her home in 1993. By 2009, her banner printing enterprise had grown enough for her move into a 25,000-square-feet building not far from the University Park campus.</p>
<p>Rad attributes part of her company’s success to the USC local vendor program.</p>
<p>“The program is a true advocate for small business,” Rad said. “I would not have had the opportunity to work with USC had this program not existed.”</p>
<p>The university spent a record $21 million with local businesses in 2011 - an increase of $7 million over the previous year.</p>
<p>“USC is anchored in the communities surrounding our campuses, and it’s important for us to support the small businesses that exist here,” said Rhonda Thornton, director of Supplier Diversity Services for the USC Small Business Diversity Office, who ensures that enterprises owned by minorities, women or veterans get their share of USC’s purchasing pie.</p>
<p>The university has a goal of spending 15 percent of its expenditures with diverse suppliers, and it has been able to reach 10 percent of those purchases over the last several years __-- even during the economic downturn, Thornton said.</p>
<p>The businesses generally are located within 26 ZIP codes near the University Park, Health Sciences, Marina del Rey and Alhambra campuses. The enterprises provide USC with products and services as diverse as the supplier base itself, including computers, travel services, banners, event management, office furniture and flowers.</p>
<p>“Our local vendor program creates a [jobs] foundation for our neighbors, internships for our students and a better community for everyone,” Thornton said.</p>
<p>In addition to the economic benefit of direct spending on products and services, the program also offers opportunities for development, such as monthly seminars on business literacy led by financial institutions.</p>
<p>“The seminars focus on financial compliance and economic growth and have proven to be very popular with our vendors,” Thornton said. “We want to be sure that they have all the tools they need to sustain growth and to increase their business with USC, as well as other purchasers.”</p>
<p>The university’s small business office also conducts “How to Do Business With USC” sessions in partnership with the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC.</p>
<p>Because awareness of local businesses and their products or services is a key factor in the success of the vendor program, the small business office sponsors a business diversity expo and vendor fair every 18 months on the University Park campus. More than 60 local businesses share their wares with 500 people from various USC business units, departments and schools - the staff and faculty responsible for purchasing items for their areas.</p>
<p>Last year the office partnered with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau to host a group of tour operators from China. It was another way for Thornton to generate additional business for local vendors.</p>
<p>“It’s important for us to continue to shop locally but to think globally,” she said.</p> Exposition, Normandie, Western, Crenshaw closure through October in South LAtag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-09-17:2780035:Topic:86092010-09-17T16:52:43.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
Overnight lane closures at several intersections along Exposition Boulevard on Normandie Avenue, Western Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard.<br></br><br></br>• Normandie Avenue at Exposition Boulevard – September 20 through October 1, 2010<br></br>• Western Avenue at Exposition Boulevard – October 4 through October 15, 2010<br></br>• Crenshaw Boulevard at Exposition Boulevard – October 18 through October 29, 2010<br></br> <br></br> Exposition Boulevard will remain open to through traffic during all construction…
Overnight lane closures at several intersections along Exposition Boulevard on Normandie Avenue, Western Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard.<br/><br/>• Normandie Avenue at Exposition Boulevard – September 20 through October 1, 2010<br/>• Western Avenue at Exposition Boulevard – October 4 through October 15, 2010<br/>• Crenshaw Boulevard at Exposition Boulevard – October 18 through October 29, 2010<br/> <br/> Exposition Boulevard will remain open to through traffic during all construction activities.<br/><br/>Via Government/Community Relations Manager<br/>Exposition Construction Authority<br/> USC Friends and Neighbors Day looking for students to do good this Saturdaytag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-08-19:2780035:Topic:83882010-08-19T20:21:06.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
Do some good in your neighborhood this Saturday by volunteering for Friends and Neighbors Day.<br></br><br></br><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's this</span> <strong>Saturday August 21st. Register and <a href="%20%20http://sait.usc.edu/volunteerdb/Projects.aspx">pick your opportunity</a>!<br></br><br></br></strong>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Friends and Neighbors Service Days are one of USC most popular programs. The…</p>
Do some good in your neighborhood this Saturday by volunteering for Friends and Neighbors Day.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's this</span> <strong>Saturday August 21st. Register and <a href="%20%20http://sait.usc.edu/volunteerdb/Projects.aspx">pick your opportunity</a>!<br/><br/></strong>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Friends and Neighbors Service Days are one of USC most popular programs. The <a href="http://sait.usc.edu/volunteer/get-involved/friends-neighbors-service-days.aspx">USC Volunteer Center</a> has put thousands of students at work in their community. And not just their home for the next four years, but a place that will be part of them for the rest of their lives. <br/></p>
<br/>Last year, nearly nearly 900 students, faculty, staff, and alumni helped over 40 organizations in much needed projects. <br/><br/>
<p>Tyipical project categories include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Beautification</li>
<li>Community Gardening</li>
<li>Friendly Visiting</li>
<li>Hunger & Homelessness</li>
<li>Youth & Literacy</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Friends and Neighbors Service Days take place every <a href="http://sait.usc.edu/volunteerdb/Projects.aspx">August</a>, November, January, and February of every academic year. <br/></strong></p>
<br/> Neighborhood council meeting on Thursday - Note new locationtag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-08-03:2780035:Topic:83292010-08-03T17:41:34.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
The North Area Neighborhood Development Council is meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday August 5th at the<br />
MLK Park Recreation Center, 39th and Western.<br/>
<br />
<br/>
NOTE NEW LOCATION!<br/>
<br/>
Refreshments will be served.<br/>Board meetings are always the first Thursday of the month - the public is encouraged to attent!<br/>
The North Area Neighborhood Development Council is meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday August 5th at the<br />
MLK Park Recreation Center, 39th and Western.<br/>
<br />
<br/>
NOTE NEW LOCATION!<br/>
<br/>
Refreshments will be served.<br/>Board meetings are always the first Thursday of the month - the public is encouraged to attent!<br/> Championship Los Angeles Lakers Celebrate with South L.A. Parade Monday; Closes Figueroa and ends before Coliseumtag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-06-18:2780035:Topic:80172010-06-18T23:03:04.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
<div id="content-page"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310753285?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" style="float: left; width: 315px; height: 306px;" width="721"></img> A public parade to salute the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers will take place Monday, June 21. <br></br><br></br> <br></br><p>The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Staples Center and heads south on Figueroa Street for two miles to Jefferson Boulevard. Because of Expo Light Rail Construction, Fig is closed at Expo, and that's where the parade stops.…</p>
<p><br></br></p>
<p></p>
</div>
<div id="content-page"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310753285?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt="" style="float: left; width: 315px; height: 306px;"/>A public parade to salute the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers will take place Monday, June 21. <br/><br/> <br/>
<p>The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Staples Center and heads south on Figueroa Street for two miles to Jefferson Boulevard. Because of Expo Light Rail Construction, Fig is closed at Expo, and that's where the parade stops.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<p><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/06/lakers-parade-will-complicate-monday-morning-commute.html">Figueroa Street will be closed</a> from approximately 5 a.m. until 1 p.m. During the parade, the players will stand atop a flat-bed float. LATIMES.com reports that Spero Dedes, the Lakers radio play-by-play announcer, will interview players aboard the float, with the talks broadcast to fans by<br/>
loudspeakers.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<p>Last year 80,000 people gathered in the Coliseum and estimates of <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/los-angeles-lakers-basketball-team">150,000 lined</a></p>
<p><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/los-angeles-lakers-basketball-team">the parade route last year.</a></p>
<br/>Ride your bike or take a bus to the parade!!!
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<br />
The <a href="http://www.metro.net/around/rail/blue-line/">Metro</a> <a href="http://www.metro.net/around/rail/blue-line/">Blue Line light rail</a> exit at Pico or Grand or exit at 7th Street/Metro Center station on the <a href="http://www.metro.net/around/rail/red-line/">Red</a> and <a href="http://www.metro.net/around/rail/purple-line/">Purple subway lines.</a><br/><br/><p>Rong-Gong Lin II reports the following streets are expected closed, some at midnight Sunday: Figueroa Street between Olympic Boulevard to the north and Jefferson Boulevard on the south, Chick Hearn Court between Figueroa and Cherry streets,<br/>
Cherry Street between Olympic and Pico boulevards, Flower Street<br/>
between Washington and Jefferson boulevards, and Jefferson Boulevard<br/>
between Figueroa and Hoover streets, and all intersections along the<br/>
parade route.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<p>To sign-up for up-to-the-minute parade information, text LAWINS to 888777, a service of the <a href="http://trafficinfo.lacity.org/">Los Angeles Department of Transportation.</a></p>
<br/> For more about the impact at USC, visit <a href="http://uscnews.usc.edu/university/lakers_parade_to_close_figueroa_monday.html">http://uscnews.usc.edu/university/lakers_parade_to_close_figueroa_monday.html</a> or visit <a href="http://www.usc.edu/parking">http://www.usc.edu/parking</a><a href="http://www.usc.edu/parking"><img width="540" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310753902?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt="" style="float: right; width: 270px; height: 323px;"/></a><a href="http://www.usc.edu/parking"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310754117?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt="" style="float: left; width: 303px; height: 277px;"/></a>
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</div> Expo Blvd. and Figueroa closed June 16 to June 25tag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-06-10:2780035:Topic:79602010-06-10T23:35:24.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
Expo Rail officials report a full closure of the intersection at Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street beginning Wednesday, June 16, 2010 through Friday, June 25, 2010. <br/> <br/>· Northbound traffic on Figueroa Street will be detoured at Martin Luther King Boulevard<br/>· Southbound traffic on Figueroa Street will be detoured at Jefferson Avenue<br/>· Exposition Boulevard off ramp from the 110 will be closed<br/><br/>Thanks to USC Transportation for the update!<br/>
Expo Rail officials report a full closure of the intersection at Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street beginning Wednesday, June 16, 2010 through Friday, June 25, 2010. <br/> <br/>· Northbound traffic on Figueroa Street will be detoured at Martin Luther King Boulevard<br/>· Southbound traffic on Figueroa Street will be detoured at Jefferson Avenue<br/>· Exposition Boulevard off ramp from the 110 will be closed<br/><br/>Thanks to USC Transportation for the update!<br/> City releases report on future USC development in University Park neighborhood; public hearing June 16tag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-06-01:2780035:Topic:77212010-06-01T23:07:08.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
The USC development would create create <a href="http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/newsroom/news_release.php?id=724">the largest project in South LA</a> – 12,600 jobs and a $5 Billion impact.<br></br><br></br>The proposed project is located <a href="http://www.usc.edu/about/specificplan/">on land
already owned by USC</a> and would provide more than 5,000 new beds for student<br />
housing. There would be a<br />
full-service grocery store, drugstore, restaurants and cinema that<br />
would serve the community near USC as well…
The USC development would create create <a href="http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/newsroom/news_release.php?id=724">the largest project in South LA</a> – 12,600 jobs and a $5 Billion impact.<br/><br/>The proposed project is located <a href="http://www.usc.edu/about/specificplan/">on land
already owned by USC</a> and would provide more than 5,000 new beds for student<br />
housing. There would be a<br />
full-service grocery store, drugstore, restaurants and cinema that<br />
would serve the community near USC as well as USC students and faculty.<br />
<br/><br/>The project
which has been in development for four years, contains mixed-use housing, retail,<br />
academic and entertainment complex next to USC's University Park<br />
campus. The projected $3.8 million in tax<br />
increment to the Community Redevelopment Agency through year 2030 would<br />
make this the single largest addition of incremental tax revenue in<br />
South Los Angeles.<br />
<br/><br/>The report is available online at the Department of City Planning's Web
site, <a href="http://The%20proposed%20project%20is%20located%20on%20land%20already%20owned%20by%20USC%20and%20would%20provide%20more%20than%205,000%20new%20beds%20for%20student%20housing.%20There%20would%20be%20a%20full-service%20grocery%20store,%20drugstore,%20restaurants%20and%20cinema%20that%20would%20serve%20the%20community%20near%20USC%20as%20well%20as%20USC%20students%20and%20faculty.%20">cityplanning.lacity.org</a> (click on "Environmental" and then "Draft<br />
Environmental Impact Reports").<br/><br/>"This project was developed to
provide USC with badly needed additional student housing, provide new<br />
academic space, and to create a vibrant retail space that will serve<br />
both our surrounding community and our academic community," according to Tom Sayles, USC vice president for government<br />
and community relations. "It will create thousands of new jobs, both during construction<br />
and once the facilities are operational, and provide Los Angeles <br/>City
and County with some $5 billion in economic impact over the course of<br />
the project."<br />
<br/><br/>The city's draft Environmental Impact Report
includes assessments of impacts in aesthetics, air quality, biological<br />
resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and solid<br />
waste, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning issues,<br />
noise, traffic and parking, employment, population and housing, public<br />
services and recreation resources.<br />
<br/><br/>Final comments are due by July 12. There is a public
forum on the document the evening of Wednesday, June 16, 2010, from 6<br />
p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Expo Center, Senior Ballroom, 3980 S. Menlo<br />
Avenue. <br/><br/>The
report is available at:<br/><br/>Department of City Planning, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 750<br/><br/>Central Library, 630 W. 5th St. <br/><br/>Exposition Park, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional
Branch Library, 3900 S. Western Ave.<br/><br/>Junipero Serra Branch Library, 4607 S. Main St.<br/><br/>Vermont Square Branch Library, 1201 W. 48th St.<br/><br/>Jefferson Branch Library, 2211 West Jefferson
Blvd.<br/><br/>USC Community House, corner of Hoover and 28th.<br/><br/>USC Community
Computing Center located in the University Village.<br/><br/><p style="text-align: left;"><img style="width: 362px; height: 343px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2310753471?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt=""/></p>
<br/> USC Farmers Market on University Ave. open all summer longtag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-05-26:2780035:Topic:76712010-05-26T19:42:46.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
The USC Farmers Market will be <a href="http://blogs.uscannenberg.org/neontommy/2010/05/the-farmers-market-on-universi.html">open every Tuesday from 11 a.m</a>. to 7 p.m. the sidewalk on University Avenue<br></br>
from 28th Street to Jefferson Blvd., reports Phenia Hovsepyan of Neon Tommy. <br></br><br></br>The popular lunch destination for USC students is trying to develop a University Park neighborhood clientele that will sustain it…
The USC Farmers Market will be <a href="http://blogs.uscannenberg.org/neontommy/2010/05/the-farmers-market-on-universi.html">open every Tuesday from 11 a.m</a>. to 7 p.m. the sidewalk on University Avenue<br/>
from 28th Street to Jefferson Blvd., reports Phenia Hovsepyan of Neon Tommy. <br/><br/>The popular lunch destination for USC students is trying to develop a University Park neighborhood clientele that will sustain it <a href="http://www.universityparkfamily.com/forum/topics/usc-farmers-market-every">during the slower summer.</a><br/><br/>It's one of a number of farmers <a href="http://www.universityparkfamily.com/profiles/blogs/cornucopia-of-culture-and">markets in the University Park/ Expo Park neighborhoods</a> that provide residents with fresh produce, healthy alternatives as well as music and fun.<br/> Lance Armstrong, AmGen and Traffic come to University and Expo Parktag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-05-20:2780035:Topic:76442010-05-20T18:16:44.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
From USC Transportation:<br></br><br></br><br></br>This Saturday, May 22, 2010, the Amgen Tour of California will take place through the streets of downtown Los Angeles. The race begins at 11 a.m. and should conclude by<br></br>5 p.m. The event will attract approximately 250,000 spectators, which will create significant traffic delays in the area.<br></br> <br></br>The following is a list of street closures:<br></br> <br></br>Exposition Blvd. between Figueroa St. and Vermont Ave.<br></br>All of Menlo Ave.<br></br>All of Coliseum…
From USC Transportation:<br/><br/><br/>This Saturday, May 22, 2010, the Amgen Tour of California will take place through the streets of downtown Los Angeles. The race begins at 11 a.m. and should conclude by<br/>5 p.m. The event will attract approximately 250,000 spectators, which will create significant traffic delays in the area.<br/> <br/>The following is a list of street closures:<br/> <br/>Exposition Blvd. between Figueroa St. and Vermont Ave.<br/>All of Menlo Ave.<br/>All of Coliseum Way<br/> <br/> <br/>Additionally, Figueroa St. will be reduced to one lane between Olympic Blvd. and Exposition Blvd. As a result, only southbound traffic on Figueroa St. will be able to access Gate 3. Northbound traffic on Figueroa St. will not be allowed to make a left turn into Gate 3. <br/> <br/>We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and continued support.<br/> <br/><br/> West Adams and USC's heritage on display; high schools tour area on lookout for Jewish rootstag:www.universityparkfamily.com,2010-05-13:2780035:Topic:76062010-05-13T20:55:13.000ZUniversity Park Familyhttp://www.universityparkfamily.com/profile/Eddie
<p>All you have to do is talk to people to uncover the living archaeology of cultural anthroplogy in University Park. On a trip to the Adams/<a href="http://www.universityparkfamily.com/profiles/blogs/cornucopia-of-culture-and">Vermont Farmers Market</a> earlier this year I found out that St. Agnes was the first stop for Korean immigrants in the '70s, Belizeans in the '80s and Guatemalens today - and most of them still live or play in the area.</p>
<p><br></br></p>
<p>But go back a little further…</p>
<p>All you have to do is talk to people to uncover the living archaeology of cultural anthroplogy in University Park. On a trip to the Adams/<a href="http://www.universityparkfamily.com/profiles/blogs/cornucopia-of-culture-and">Vermont Farmers Market</a> earlier this year I found out that St. Agnes was the first stop for Korean immigrants in the '70s, Belizeans in the '80s and Guatemalens today - and most of them still live or play in the area.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<p>But go back a little further and the area was home a <a href="http://www.jewishjournal.com/circuit/article/biking_jewish_la_20100427/">large Jewish population</a>. Some boys from YULA yeshiva high school rode their bikes on a 25-mile bike tour with their teacher, Rabbi Eliyahu Stewart</p>
<br/>Jewish Journal reporter Danielle Berris said the boys saw the original locations of many current institutions that have since moved west, such as Beth Jacob Congregation and Sinai
Temple, as well as former mikvehs and the Breed Street Shul.<br/><br/>They took a great photo of what was the former Agudas Achim synagogue in West Adams and is <a href="http://www.jewishjournal.com/circuit/article/biking_jewish_la_20100427/">now the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church</a>.<br/>