Looking Back to Move Forward

I ask the same question every year at this time: "How did it get to be December 1". And every year I do the same thing that every magazine, radio and TV program does - I look back. What did we do this year? Did we move forward? Did any of the things get done that seemed so important to do?

 
In December of 2009, it appeared that the financial-forecast tea leaves were unsettled, education experts were disagreeing, health care debates were taking over the newscasts. Reading articles or interviews does not satisfy my craving for knowledge. I want to see, hear and observe in real time. When a tough question is asked how does the speaker respond? What seems to interest the audience most? What did I learn that I didn't know before? So on the to-do list went people who were in the middle of the fray.
 
The list was daunting: Janet Yellen, Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve and President of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; Philip Angelides, Chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission; Douglas Elmendorf, Director of the Congressional Budget Office; Wendy Gruel, Controller of the City of Los Angeles. They all spoke. Did Town Hall give the community an opportunity to hear and know - first hand and in real time? Check. What about the health care debate and what are we to do about our education system? Did you hear Dr. Benjamin Chu, SoCal Region President, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals or our Health Cafe Reform briefing; or were our education briefings or discussions on 21st Century Veterans more important to you?
 
Your interest might have been piqued by thoughts on the state of journalism from Jim Lehrer or possibly you were engaged by the charm and candor of Condoleezza Rice and Constance Rice? On the other hand - you might just have had the best time with Town Hall's members-only events like a curator-led tour of Mummies of the World or a tour of the new Police Headquarters (including an impromptu visit with Chief Beck in his office). Check.
 
It's December 1 again. The last 11 months? Check, check, check. The new year has a new list: education, collegiate athletics, more on the economy - and more things for members. We have served this city with pride for 74 years and have lasted this long because we are just like our fellow Angelenos - we want to know, we want to learn and we want to be part of the conversation that shapes our lives. Happy holidays to you and yours - and join us - not only to keep the conversations going, but to be an active participant in your city, your region, your life.
 
Jon P. Goodman, PhD
President