State Secretary Bjoern Boehning, Head of the Berlin Senate Chancellery, visited LA to promote business and film relations and to deepen the partnership between the two sister cities. e Hwas accompanied by Esther Keller who is in charge of sister cities affairs in North America, South America and the Caribbeans. A great gathering with an interesting mix of guests with Deputy Consul General Stefan Biedermann, Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Annette Rupp/Friends of Villa Aurora Berlin as well as representatives from film, business and culture.

On Friday before the Oscars, the Los Angeles-Berlin Sister City Committee hosted an event in honor of Secretary of State Bjoern Boehning, Head of the Chancellery of the Berlin Senate. He was accompanied by Esther Keller who is in charge of Sister City Affairs in North and South America and the Caribbeans.

The event took place at the home of President Rosemarie Reisch with more than 90 guests attending among them German Deputy Consul General Stefan Biedermann, Councilmember Tom LaBonge who will be termed out in 4 months, Annette Rupp, Director of Friends of Villa Aurora Berlin, Burkhard Kieker, CEO with Kirsten Schmidt of visitBerlin, Sabine Engelbrecht, airberlin as well as representatives from business and film.

The purpose of State Secretary Boehning's visit was to deepen the sister city partnership and to promote film and business relations between the two cities. The film "Grand Hotel Budapest" received numerous Oscar nominations in different categories and was filmed 90% in and around Berlin. Mr. Boehning is also chairing the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Board.

Everyone enjoyed the wonderful cocktail buffet and listened with keen interest to the latest information and news the State Secretary provided. Serge Kasimoff at the piano, Tom LaBonge's presentation of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender..." and Frank Mottek's telephone greetings from the CBS Studios contributed to the relaxed atmosphere. Everyone mingled and a great exchange between Angelenos and our Berlin friends took place.

In addition to greeting our Berlin visitors, the purpose of this event was also to convey to our sponsors, members and friends the importance of our sister city relationship.

The evening was a great success and lasted well into the night.