AROUND THE VALLEYS

When Barry Schoenbrun formed the Synagogue Softball league almost 15 years ago, all he wanted to do was play the game. But then new teams began to join quicker than Schoenbrun anticipated – starting with five, then eight, then 10. Currently there are 36 teams, all associated with Jewish temples in the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of Los Angeles whose players are business owners and professionals. The makeup of the membership led to another unanticipated result of the league in that it became not just about the softball but also the networking opportunities. The players get a chance to meet with people they might not have otherwise met. There have also been instances of college friends reuniting after decades of separation. “I have done eight or nine deals directly from people I met in the league,” said Schoenbrun, who works in commercial real estate. The origin of Synagogue Softball was from a conversation with another member of Temple Judea in Tarzana. Schoenbrun, who played high school and some college baseball, learned that the temple had a softball team but all it did was practice and not play against other teams. Schoenbrun took it upon himself to contact other temples about forming teams, and the league was off. When reserving fields at a Woodland Hills park and asked for the name of his league, he came up with Synagogue Softball right on the spot. The league is one of the largest independent softball groups in Southern California, playing a modified fast-pitch version of the game in a season that lasts from February through the end of June. The league raises money for charities and every year puts on an event at the Jewish Home for the Aging. Among the players are doctors, real estate agents, the owner of Canter’s Deli, with attorneys being the largest category. “The camaraderie is unique,” Schoenbrun said. Doug Gellerman, who plays on the team from Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, sells national advertising seen in movie theaters so his chances of gaining new clients is limited. But at the same time, those who own or work in local businesses have benefitted from the networking opportunities, Gellerman said. “I have seen it among my team quite a bit,” Gellerman added. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Coverage: AT&T activated two new 3G cell sites in Granada Hills and Pacoima. The new sites are part of the telecommunication company’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation, extend its 3G wireless network and build a broadband network. “Our goal is pretty simple: we want you to have an extraordinary experience when you make a call, check e-mail, download a song or video, or surf the Internet on your AT&T device,” said Denita Willoughby, Vice President, AT&T External Affairs, Greater Los Angeles. “As part of the Greater Los Angeles community, we’re always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced coverage and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way to accomplish this.” Valley Glen Sports: The Los Angeles Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its new class on June 26. This is the fourth year the hall of fame has recognized standout athletes, coaches and teams from Valley College. This year’s inductees include pioneering coach Ace Hunt, who led the football team to conference and state championships in 1955; the 1984 men’s gymnastics team; the 1988-89 women’s basketball team, which made it to the championship finals; baseball pitcher Jim Benedict, who later played in the Kansas City Royals organizations; distance runner Jim Estes; and basketball player Jack Hirsch. The induction ceremony takes place at Monarch Hall on the Valley College campus. For tickets or more information contact (818) 947-2618. Sherman Oaks On the Go: GoTV Networks received two Mobile Merit Awards for contributions to the mobile media industry. The Mobile Media in Entertainment Award recognizes the company that provides technology to enable mobile entertainment; and the Mobile App for Android, awarded for the best Android-based application available. “These awards are another milestone in GoTV’s history of innovation and accomplishment as a leader in mobile entertainment,” said company CEO Thomas Ellsworth. The bi-annual awards are presented to outstanding companies, individuals and technologies from each sector within the mobile arena for work of the greatest likely impact on the market. Encino Soothe: InterQuantum has been named as the agency of record to advertise the Epiphany Massager, a specially shaped handheld massager allowing users to reach any point on the body. InterQuantum will direct the launch of the product through both direct response channels and retail. InterQuantum partnered with other divisions of the Inter/Media Group of Companies to produce television spots featuring former KTLA-TV newsman Rick Chambers as the spokesperson. The direct marketing campaign will be followed by making the Epiphany Massager available in major retail chains. Burbank Connect: Television station ABC7 will make free WiFi available at the Bob Hope Airport starting this month. Passengers with laptop computers or PDAs equipped with wireless network cards will be able to access the free connection from within the terminal. The deal between Bob Hope Airport and ABC7, the West Coast flagship station of the ABC network, was brokered by Alliance Airport Advertising, the agent for advertising, branding, digital media displays and sponsorship activities on the airport premises. “We were very pleased to be able to bring the Bob Hope Airport and ABC7 together and to build on that association with this free Wi-Fi opportunity,” said Alliance President Shauna Forsythe. “It will help connect passengers to their businesses and friends quickly and conveniently when they are at the Airport, while providing ABC7 an additional way to be in touch with the local community.” Studio City Gala: The Valley Economic Alliance will recognize voiceover artist Nancy Cartwright, the Eisner Foundation, construction firm Bernards and local college foundations at its 13th annual Valley of the Stars Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony. The event takes place June 26 at the CBS Studio Center. Television personality and radio announcer Wink Martindale serves as master of ceremonies. Cartwright, an Emmy Award-winning actress, is being honored in the field of arts and entertainment. She is a resident of Northridge, the Honorary Mayor of the North San Fernando Valley, and co-founder of Happy House, a non-profit currently helping hundreds of youths in a unique character-building program that strives to build better families. Bernards is the “Valley of the Stars” business honoree. A few of their notable local projects include the Burbank High School renovation, the Calabasas Civic Center and Library, Americana at Brand, and California State University, Northridge Park housing. The Eisner Foundation receives the “Valley of the Stars” humanitarian award. The foundation has been funding innovative and effective non-profit organizations that improve and enrich the lives of underserved children in Southern California. The education award will be presented to the five public college foundations in the San Fernando Valley – California State University, Northridge Foundation, Glendale College Foundation, LA Mission College Foundation, LA Valley College Foundation, and Pierce College Foundation. Woodland Hills Tiny: The navigation systems division of Northrop Grumman will continue working on a miniature navigation grade gyro for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The company has been working on the mini gyro since October 2005 and was awarded the latest development contract based on past performance, including the successful completion of design, fabrication, and testing of the device, which has met or exceeded the performance goals of each phase. The technology could be used in any application requiring small size and low power precision navigation, including personal and unmanned vehicle navigation in GPS-denied or GPS-challenged locations. “A miniature gyro that provides precision navigation is an important development for protecting our warfighters by ensuring that they have the accurate positioning information they need at all times, even if GPS is unavailable,” said Charles Volk, vice president and chief technology officer of Northrop Grumman’s Navigation Systems Division. ANTELOPE VALLEY Lancaster Connection: The Arbor Lofts in downtown Lancaster was recognized with an award from the American Institute of Architects. The Lofts are a 21-unit affordable housing development for artists that are the first completed urban infill project of the city’s downtown specific plan. The award was given in the Creating Community Connection category. “Multiple uses of the outdoor gallery and storefront spaces provide many opportunities for the community to participate in this project,” noted the AIA award jury. “Also, in terms of height of ceilings and other proportions, the different scales of the project make it quite unique and attractive.” Palmdale Communicate: Senior Systems Technology Inc. has been chosen as the contract manufacturer for TiaLinx Inc. Privately-held Senior Systems will make ultra-sensitive and lightweight imaging products for use by TiaLinx in military and commercial applications. Senior Systems was chosen as contract manufacturer selected due to its state-of-the-art production facility, military as well as medical manufacturing capabilities, TixLinx officials said. “Senior Systems has an extensive manufacturing track record and has received numerous awards for its performance excellence by major prime contractors to the defense community,” said company CEO and President Tim Morrissey. CONEJO VALLEY Thousand Oaks Children: “Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard,” published by Corwin, was named a 2009 Book of the Year by ForeWord magazine. The book explains to parents and educators about cyberbullying, how to protect children, and what to do when cyberbullying occurs. Authors Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin are experts in cyberbullying and the online behaviors of adolescents. In all, 201 winners across 60 categories were announced during a ceremony on May 26 at BookExpo America in New York City. The winning books represent the best independently published books from 2009. “Being an independent press allows Corwin to publish leading-edge books like Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard—books that combine practical information and timely research for education professionals and adults who care about children,” says Leigh Peake, president of Corwin. “This book is a prime example of what can happen when a publisher works with the best authors to publish their best work.”