AROUND THE VALLEYS

The Method Fest Independent Film Festival celebrates its 10th year this month, a length of time that is surprising even to its executive director, Don Franken. Funding a not-for-profit arts event is never easy, said Franken, and staffing often comes from volunteers. But a core group has come together over the past decade to put on a discovery festival celebrating acting skills and creating relationship building between filmmakers, performers, agents, managers and distributors. “That is something that we are proud of,” Franken said. In that 10-year period, about 100 films screened at the festival have gone on to theatrical or home entertainment release. Some performers saw their careers helped when their work was screened there. Actress Ali Larter (“Heroes”) appeared in a film shown at Method Fest in 2005 and this year returns as a lead in “Crazy.” Actor Henry Barrial won an award in the festival’s first year and this month premieres his feature film “True Love.” “We see careers rising fast and it’s very exciting,” Franken said. The festival runs from March 27 through April 3 with screenings and other events taking place at two locations in Calabasas: the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s Wasserman Campus, and the Carlson Family Theatre at Viewpoint School. Multiple world premieres, screenings of films previously shown at festivals in Sundance and Toronto, special events honoring the top 10 films and performances, and a montage of top moments from previous Method Fests are on the schedule. Previous festivals took place in Pasadena and Burbank before moving to Calabasas in 2005. While films are the core, socializing among the filmmakers is never far behind, with events taking place following most screenings. While Calabasas restaurants and businesses welcome a majority of these events, others will be taking place outside the city, at venues such as Chapter 8 in Agoura Hills and The Rack in Woodland Hills, giving the festival a regional flare. “Creating a sense of community is essential because by doing that relationships are developed and business happens,” Franken said. For more information on the festival go to www.methodfest.com SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Calabasas Hills Anniversary: To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the Cheesecake Factory Inc. rang the NASDAQ Stock Market opening bell on March 5. The first Cheesecake Factory restaurant began serving on Feb. 25, 1978, in Beverly Hills. The company also made a presentation at the Bear Stearns 14th annual Retail, Restaurants & Consumer Conference March 6 in New York City. Chatsworth Bank: First Federal Bank of California announced the opening of its newest banking office in Chatsworth. Located at 20505 Devonshire Blvd., the branch is full-service, providing a full range of both consumer and commercial banking products and services. With over 25 years of banking experience, Phyllis M. Barber, branch manager and Chatsworth resident, head the office team. Encino Mammoth: AvatarLabs created an online game using scenes from “10,000 B.C.” as part of a marketing campaign for the new Warner Bros. film. “Master Hunter” immerses the player in the mammoth hunt from the film, with video content from the effects-heavy hunt sequence. An embeddable widget allows players to keep track of their score and those of their friends. The widget can be placed on individual social networking pages and allows a network of players to compete. San Fernando Safety: Precision Dynamics Corp. has offered $13,000 in free wristband products in a program promoting innovating hospital patient safety. The “Partner in Patient Safety Campaign” will accept submissions on safety success stories through Aug. 4. Winners will be announced in November with their stories posted at the Precision Dynamics website and in Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare magazine. The top winner receives $10,000 in Precision Dynamics wristband products, with three additional honorees receive $1,000 each in products. Precision is focused on systematic changes and using automated technologies to prevent medical errors, said its President and CEO Gary Hutchinson. “Our campaign is geared toward recognizing these hospitals, and helping other facilities learn from them to better maximize safety and improve patient outcomes,” Hutchinson said. Studio City Music: The Alan Ett Creative Group entered into a deal to become the virtual music department for 44 Blue Productions Inc. The two companies will co-publish commissioned works from the AECG and these tracks become the property of music data base owned by 44 Blue. The relationship gives 44 Blue access to high quality music from professionals and the opportunity to create multiple revenue streams from a production segment that had been only an expense item previously. “Music is a critical component of all our shows and I’m thrilled to work with one of the most respected composers in the business,” said Rasha Drachkovitch, co-owner of 44 Blue. “Alan’s experience in this area puts 44 Blue Productions on the forefront of the music publishing industry.” Universal City Health: The County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health in collaboration with the Charles R. Drew Physician Assistant Alumni Association hosted the sixth annual African American Mental Health Conference Feb. 28 at the Universal City Hilton. The conference featured famed academic Cornel West and Fuller Seminary Dean and Associate Professor of Psychology Winston E. Gooden. Presentations were made on homelessness, youth and the elderly. Valley Glen Honor: The Los Angeles Unified School District announced that Grant High School in Valley Glen is the California winner of a $10,000 legacy award from the Association from the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) for its outstanding educational achievements. Grant High School was recognized with an Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award for its Serenity Garden created by the Wildlife Conservation Program, which provides leadership opportunities for all students by encouraging a solid teamwork ethic focused on a shared goal. The program provides gardening opportunities for elderly neighborhood residents and fosters positive development in relationships among students, parents, teachers and community members. Woodland Hills Sports: Time Warner Cable has made available Spanish-language network ESPN Deportes in its digital cable service for Los Angeles. The 24-hour channel is expected to reach 1 million digital customers through Time Warner Cable’s Variety Tier. The inclusion of the channel coincides with the network’s exclusive telecast of the 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying tournament. “With this launch, more Hispanic sports fans throughout the region can enjoy quality, exclusive games and sports coverage for the first time,” said TWC region President Stephen Pagano. ANTELOPE VALLEY Lancaster Flyer: To help provide travelers with a convenient, reliable and inexpensive alternative to commuting to LAX, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich unveiled the Palmdale Flyer, a new express bus service, at the Antelope Valley Board of Trade Outlook Conference Feb. 29 at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Fashioned after the successful LAX FlyAway service administered by Los Angeles World Airports, the Palmdale Flyer will connect Palmdale Airport with the Via Princessa Metrolink Station at 19201 Via Princessa in Santa Clarita, and the Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal at 7610 Woodley Ave. United Airlines currently connects PMD to San Francisco International Airport, an international hub, on twice daily flights. SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley Recognition: Simi Valley Ford recently recognized receptionist Norma Smith for her 20 years of work at the dealership. “Norma is one of our most dedicated employees. She gives 100 percent to the company and never says no when asked to help out wherever needed,” said Larry Hibbler, president of Simi Valley. “Our customers love Norma.” In turn, Smith said that she loves the dealership’s customers. “I have made many friends here and when people see me around town they recognize me from Simi Valley Ford. That makes me feel good.” CONEJO VALLEY Thousand Oaks CrossTalk: Public affairs program “CrossTalk,” an interview-based show addressing issues, from health to literature to politics, has returned to the airwaves. It has won several awards from the Radio Television News Association of Southern California, the Los Angeles Press Club and other organizations for shows on topics ranging from the execution of Crips gang co-founder Stanley “Tookie” Williams to the future of Social Security. “With the state budget shortfall, a contentious presidential election and pressing local issues like transportation and educational achievement, it’s an important time for the local community to have a voice,” host Jim Rondeau said. A community service of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, KCLU broadcasts to 70,000 listeners on 88.3 FM in Ventura County, 102.3 FM in Santa Barbara County and online at http://www.kclu.org.