Honorary Woodland Hills Mayor Michael Miller Passes Away
Michael Miller, Rest In Peace
I don’t believe I ever met Michael, but by all accounts he was a valuable member of our community and will surely be missed.
The San Fernando Valley Business Journal writes:
Insurance agent and honorary mayor of Woodland Hills Michael Miller died after suffering a heart attack. He was 62.Miller was a familiar face in the west San Fernando Valley from his involvement in not for profit and charitable groups.
Miller opened his State Farm insurance agency in 1981. He served as president of the Fernando Award Foundation, the vice president of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council in addition to his seven terms as the honorary mayor of Woodland Hills.
Miller was named a “Small Businessperson of the Year” by the California Assembly in 2002 and honored by State Farm that same year with the “Circle of Excellence” Award. He was also one of State Farm’s Select Agents with the “Legion of Honor.”
Miller is survived by his wife Jennifer; daughter Montana; and son Chandler.
Services take place Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernardine’s Church, 24410 Calvert St. A reception follows at the Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills.
The Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce writes on their Facebook page:
Michael Miller’s Biography and Background
With over three decades of service in high-profile leadership roles in his community and his industry, Michael Miller is renowned for his strength of character, integrity and for his commanding presence. Standing tall in both stature and in the classic values of goodwill and service to others, Michael’s ceaseless energy and efforts to improve those organizations in which he serves continues to set new heights of achievement for what one can achieve with a positive attitude and lots of hard work.
As the Honorary Mayor of Woodland Hills and owner of a State Farm Insurance Agency, Michael has received numerous accolades from both his industry and the community. In 2002 he received the Joseph Staller Memorial Award for outstanding excellence in the community of Woodland Hills. Michael was also honored in 2002 with the “Small Business Person of the Year” award in the California State Assembly-sponsored event with the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley acknowledging the area’s top leadership. Professionally, State Farm Insurance Companies honored Michael for the “Circle of Excellence” Award in 2002 in addition to being one of State Farm’s Select Agents with the “Legion of Honor.”
Besides serving in his seventh term as Woodland Hills’s Honorary Mayor, Michael serves as president of the Fernando Award Foundation, as vice president of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council, as a community advisory board member for the Encino-Tarzana Hospital, and mentors at Pacific Lodge Boys Home. His other credits include chairing the Woodland Hills Family Festival, acting as chairman of the 4th of July Celebration at Pierce College, and he is a past president of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce. After over 20 years of ongoing work to improve his community, this Vietnam War veteran has finally made his mark overcoming numerous challenges in life through his grace of character and perseverance to overcome obstacles.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Michael served in the Vietnam War where he emerged with both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for acts of courage. Michael earned the Bronze Star when, after his weapon jammed, he engaged with the enemy in hand to hand combat, helping to save his company. Three months later while “walking point” ahead of his company, he was shot during a sudden ambush. Although his leg was shattered, he returned to the States making full recovery despite doctor’s predictions that he would never walk again. Through seven operations and a year spent in a V.A. Hospital, Michael learned how to face and overcome all odds through a positive “can do” attitude, an iron will to survive, and an unyielding gratitude for life.
Following his recovery, Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, then an MBA in accounting from Arizona State University. In addition to completing the curriculum, Michael began his career in community service by getting involved with the Red Cross, the United Way, the Young Republicans Club, and Big Brothers of America who named him “Outstanding Big Brother of the Year.” A few years later, while serving as controller for State Farm Insurance’s Westlake Village office in California, Michael was again acknowledged when he was elected to the prestigious group, “Outstanding Young Men of America.”
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Sampling The $1 Oatmeal (Fresh Banana) Wednesday At Jamba Juice
As previously blogged, Jamba Juice is doing special promotional pricing of $1 on its oatmeal every Wednesday through the end of the month. So, last Wednesday I got up much, much too early to grab some oatmeal at JJ’s 6441 Canoga Avenue location before work. It was delicious! I’ll be back!
Popularity: 2%
Grand Opening! Panini Cafe In Woodland Hills Now Open For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Panini Cafe Woodland Hills, CA
I’m happy to inform you that as of yesterday, Panini Cafe in Woodland Hills is now open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As you might remember, Panini Cafe replaces Pomodoro Cucina Italiana, which closed in December.
I stopped in tonight and was surprised to see how busy the place was. I was able to have a great conversation with the very friendly and helpful Panini Cafe manager, Israel. He informed me that they opened on Thursday, though they had originally intended to open on February 1st. The renovation construction, which looks awesome by the way, took a little bit longer than expected, and they are still working out a few kinks here or there. However, you could barely tell as the place seemed to be functioning on all cylinders.
Panini Cafe is open 363 days a day (they only close on the 4th of July and on Christmas). Best of all they open at 8am seven days a week and serve breakfast until 11:30am on week days, and 3pm on weekends. Israel says they have been pretty busy – especially during lunch hours – even though they didn’t really do any promotion of their opening. He explains that many regular visitors to other locations of the chain, which has its nearest locations in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, live in Woodland Hills and he hopes they’ll become regulars at the new location.
Israel also points out that the restaurants gets fresh produce and meats (many of which are organic and locally sourced) delivered six days a week. They also get fresh bread delivered daily from iI Fornaio (good stuff). Most vegetables are chopped and prepared as you order them to assure freshness. It’s a pretty nice place, and I’m hoping to drop by in the next day or two to enjoy the food. Here is the menu in PDF format.
Panini Cafe Specials
Panini Cafe Woodland Hills is located at 21600 Victory Blvd and their phone number is (818) 992-3330.
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Meet The Cast Of The Vampire Diaries At Westfield Topanga Plaza Saturday Feb 13th
Meet them at Hot Topic. Why is that not surprising?
My good friend at ClattoVerata.com writes:
Moody-tween fashion retailer Hot Topic will be hosting a meet-and-greet with “The Vampire Diaries’ stars Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder. The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Hot Topic outlet located inside the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park, CA beginning at 4 p.m.
The autograph signing portion of the show is sold out, but a Q&A session will be open to the public. Rock outfit A Fine Frenzy will also be performing at the event.
For more info, call Hot Topic at 818-348-8440.
“The Vampire Diaries” is writer-producer Kevin Williamson’s (Scream, “Dawson’s Creek”) adaptation of L.J. Smith’s popular novel series of the same name for the CW television network. The show follows high-schooler Elena Gilbert as she’s courted by two vampire brothers.
This presents a slight inconvenience for me because I wanted to go over to Hot Topic to pick up a new Hello Kitty backpack. I guess I’ll just stay home and catch up on my leg shaving and suicide note writing.
See the offcial Westfield Topanga Plaza press release here.
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Your Date Skates Free At Pre-Valentine’s Day Skate Night At Woodland Hills Ice
February 11th Pre-Valentine's Day Event
Whether you’re in love or just trying to make love, a great way to start might be taking your date to Woodland Hills Ice’s pre-Valentine’s day event tomorrow night. It starts at 8pm and continues on until 12:30am. The best part is that your date skates free. Please contact them at (818) 854-4151 fore more details.
Popularity: 1%
Is a Zoning Battle Brewing Over Pawn Shop Variance At Ventura & Don Pio?
My spider sense tingled today when I received this e-mail message:
Important Woodland Hills NC Board Meeting Wednesday Feb. 10, 2010
Please pardon this intrusion.
As citizens of Woodland Hills a matter regarding zoning of a pawnshop on Ventura Boulevard will be of interest to you. Come and be heard and/or email me at jockbaird@aol.com.
As candidates for and members of The Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council Board
I’m asking you to attend Wednesday’s Neighborhood Council meeting at Woodland Hills Academy (formerly Parkman Junior High School) across De Soto from Kaiser Hospital, 20800 Burbank Boulevard from 6:30 – 9:00.
This is an extremely important meeting for you and the NC. A zoning variation regarding a pawn shop’s proposed move on Ventura Boulevard will be discussed. This is an item of great importance to the citizens of Woodland Hills.
Thank you!
Jim Anderson
Area 2 Co-ordinator
Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council
Then, later in the afternoon I drove by the former location of “Anzhlika Bridal” at 21840 Ventura Blvd and observed a few public notices in the window. Upon examing the notices, I realized that this was the undoubtedly “pawn shop” location in question.
To anyone who is observant, it is readily evident that this now abandoned storefront’s entryway often serves as a lounging spot for various vagrants and degenerates. I have personally witnessed drunken and/or crystal meth fueled arguments between these folks at this very spot.
I’ll have to hear what the Neighborhood Council’s general position is on the pawn shop situation, but I personally don’t think have the place there would be all minuses. Having it empty isn’t great either. I’m amazed that with the advent of eBay that pawn shops still exist. But, perhaps drug addicts looking for a quick fix aren’t Power Sellers and/or have difficulty getting PayPal accounts.
Popularity: 2%
Hills of Woodland Gets Quoted On Front Page Of LA.Curbed.com – Thanks!
LA.Curbed.com Homepage Feb 9, 2010
Wow, first LA.Eater.com picked up my story about The Stand introducing breakfast, and now LA.Curbed.com featured by story about nefarious LAPD putting out the word about door-to-door salesmen. Sweet! Thanks Curbed!
Here’s a permalink to the Curbed post.
Popularity: 2%
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