April 2009 Archives

   Stirling Capital Investments recently announced that it has secured a 6,322-square-foot lease with Fastenal Company at Southern California Logistics Centre, a 2,500-acre commercial and industrial complex in Victorville.  According to the news release, Fastenal, a fastener distributor, will commence its lease June 1.  Fastenal's new operations will be located at 18499 Phantom Street, Suite 6, in the newly constructed Global Access Business Centre.

   Fastenal joins existing tenants including Prego Inc., PTL Electric, Stoody Industrial and Welding Supplies, Walmart, World of Leisure and America West Aero Systems.  A number of major corporations are already located at Southern California Logistics Centre and in Victorville including Newell Rubbermaid, Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc., General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, FedEx, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., M&M/Mars, ConAgra Foods and Nutro Products Inc.  Information: www.globalaccessvictorville.com

   The Upland Chamber of Commerce will hold a casino night for its April mixer.  The event will take place from 5 - 7 p.m. April 16 at the new College Park Apartments, 250-M College Park Drive, Upland.  Information: (909) 204-4465, or online at www.uplandchamber.org

   Animator Charles Robello will talk about how he balances his career and fatherhood in a noon presentation April 18 at the Art Institute of California -- Inland Empire.  Robello, who works with the Los Angeles animation studio Rhythm & Hues, most recently did character animation for Disney's "Bolt."  The free presentation is open to the public.  Reservations are required.  Information: Santosh Oommen, (909) 915-2100, or (800) 353-0812.

   The Inland Green Expo is coming to the Ontario Convention Center May 1 - 3.  Nonprofits, government agencies and area businesses will be on hand May 1 - 3 to offer residents strategies on conserving energy, living more efficiently and cleaning up the environment.

   The event's sponsors are seeking speakers to address topics related to sustainable living and green technology.  Interested parties are asked to contact Sharon Pound at (909) 483-8569 or Victoria Vidana at (909) 483-9398.

   Booth space also is still available.  Information: Susan Stern, (909) 483-9390.

   The following local residents have become independent consultants with Tastefully Simple Inc.:  Sarah Chennault of Diamond Bar, simplysarah09@gmail.com

   Donna Mongrain of Rancho Cucamonga; simplydonnam@earthlink.net

   Joy Stoeffler of Riverside; simplystoeffler@aol.com

   Information: Online at www.tastefullysimple.com

   State Compensation Insurance Fund and the California Highway Patrol have partnered to offer a free, interactive fleet-safety workshop for employers who manage drivers and vehicle fleets as part of their operation.  Registration and complimentary breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. April 21 at State Fund's San Bernardino office, 375 W. Hospitality Lane.

   The workshop ends at noon. The event is free and open to the public, and early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.  Topics for discussion will be safe-driving strategies, vehicle regulations and enforcements, and essential aspects of an effective fleet safety program. In addition, interactive portions will enable attendees to create individualized fleet safety programs.  Information: George Leebolt, (909) 384-4742; or online at www.scif.com

   The Apartment Association Greater Inland Empire, an organization that advocates for an ethical rental housing industry, has announced the local winners of the nationwide maintenance competition, Maintenance Mania, which was held March 25.  Benny Fernandez, Tony Rivera, and Paul Dominguez of the Housing Authority of San Bernardino took first, second, and third place, respectively, on March 25 at the Scheu Family YMCA of Upland.

   Benny Fernandez now has a chance to represent Region 10, which is comprised of California and Hawaii, at the Maintenance Mania National Championship on June 27 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.  Information: (909) 948-0784, ext. 14; or online at www.aagie.com

   The local chapter of Investing In Real Estate Clubs will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the at Johnny Carino's Italian Grill, 3801 Grand Ave. , Chino.  The topics of this month's dinner will cover short sales and equity accrual.  The meeting is free, but participants are asked to purchase their own dinners.  Information: (877) 285-8669, or online at www.weeklyclubs.com

   With the April 10 deadline right around the corner, the state is reminding property owners that there are several ways to pay the second installment of their property taxes from home. Property taxes can be paid online at www.mytaxcollector.com, by mailing a check or money order postmarked on or before the April 10 deadline, or by phone at (909) 387-8308.

   In addition, if taxpayers have lost their bill or would like another copy, they can now go online to review and print a new tax bill. Bilingual services are available for Spanish-speaking homeowners through the phone payment system and Web site at www.colecciondeimpuestos.com

   The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Inland Empire Committee recently appointed David Neault as vice chair. ULI is a worldwide nonprofit organization that promotes best practices in land-use policy.
   In this voluntary position, Neault will lead the committee in setting goals, creating quality educational programs, addressing key land-use issues, and energizing ULI membership in the Inland Empire.
   Neault is a three-year member of ULI. His goal as vice chair will be to build subcommittees around key issues that will change the way the industry looks at land-use planning and real estate development. He hopes to investigate each issue using ULI resources and local thought leaders to create professional panels or white papers to help the committee provide leadership to the industry.

   Stater Bros. Supermarkets, Coca-Cola, and California State Parks are launching Reforest California, a campaign to raise funds for reforestation and fire prevention in California State Parks hit hard by wildfires over the past six years. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park near San Diego and Chino Hills State Park in San Bernardino County will be the primary recipients of the campaign's goal to add 1 million native trees.

   To supplement the campaign's reforestation efforts, a fire-prevention education program will be implemented in five state parks: Cuyamaca Rancho, Chino Hills, Silverwood Lake, Mount San Jacinto and Palomar Mountain State Parks.  Shoppers at Stater Bros. supermarkets will have the opportunity to make a $1 tax-deductible donation to reforestation efforts at checkout or online at www.reforestcalifornia.com

   The campaign will run from April 8 through May 19.

   The Southern California Association of Governments will hold its 44th annual General Assembly on May 7 - 8 at the La Quinta Resort in Coachella Valley.  The annual meeting of elected officials, government agencies and their representatives from throughout Southern California, is billed as an "opportunity for attendees to meet and conduct business on important regional issues, while networking with leaders in the region and celebrating SCAG's accomplishments of the past year," according to a news release.

   The schedule includes a legislative reception, and policy discussions, including the unveiling of the SB 375 Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) Concept Plan, presentations of SCAG-generated profiles to each member city, and keynote speakers.

   Information: Online at www.scag.ca.gov/ga09/;<QA0>

   Hotel reservations available at www.laquintaresort.com

   The local chapter of the American Advertising Federation will hold a luncheon workshop on the topic of "How to Survive As A Freelancer" on Thursday at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Riverside.  According to a news release, the workshop is for freelancers who work in marketing, advertising, photography, Web design, graphic design and public relations.

   Three panelists will lead the discussion: Hank Blank, principal of Hank Blank Inc., will lead the discussion on business development; Peter Quill, chief strategy officer of Motor Creative Marketing will discuss how freelancers should work and coordinate with agencies; and Theresa Mesa, president of Mesa Design House, will discuss taxes and record keeping for freelancers.

   Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and will end at 1:30 p.m.  Cost: If pre-registered, $5 for AAF and student members and $10 for nonmembers; registration at the door is an additional $5.  Information: (909) 921-1062, or online at www.aaf-inlandempire.com

   The Career Development Center at Cal State San Bernardino held the 2009 Career Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at the school's Coussoulis Arena.  The free event is open to the public.  Attendees are encouraged to dress for interviews and bring multiple copies of their resumes.  Information: (909) 537-5250, or online at career.csusb.edu

   The Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University has announced a call for applications for the 2009 Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation.  The first-place prize is $100,000, thanks to a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation.  The second-place award is $7,500, and the third-place prize is $5,000.  The award application is now available on the school's Web site, www.druckerinstitute.com 

   The submission deadline is July 1. Information: Via e-mail at award@druckerinstitute.com

   Community Action Partnership of Riverside County, in partnership with Riverside Public Utilities, presents a Green Energy Symposium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main St., Riverside.  Featured speakers include Assemblyman Manuel Perez and keynote speaker Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs.  There is no charge to attend, and lunch is being provided by the utilities agency.  Other topics on the symposium agenda include the Palm Desert Initiative, Renewable Energy and the city of Riverside's Green Action Plan. Ali Sahabi will be honored at the luncheon for his efforts on behalf of the Green Valley Initiative.  Information: (951) 955-4900, or via e-mail to Linda Romano, liromano@capriverside.org

   Pomona Valley Workshop, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to serving adults with disabilities with locations in Montclair and Pomona, has announced that EXCEED, a division of Valley Resource Center, awarded the Gladys Davies Lifetime Achievement Award to PVW's executive director, Karen Jones.  The award was presented to Jones by Rich Williams from the state Department of Developmental Services at EXCEED's 30th annual awards celebration on March 21.  Jones has spent more than 20 years working with PVW, which began providing services for adults with developmental disabilities in 1966.  The organization focuses on vocational training, employment preparation, job placement and support, senior citizen specialties, community access and integration opportunities.

   The Art Institute of California -- Inland Empire held its first graduation ceremony March 27. Twenty-six students received their degrees at the ceremony.  "This is a big night for our graduates and their families and friends," the school's founding president, Byron Chung, said in a news release.  "But it is something I have dreamed about for four years."

   The school opened in January of 2006, although some of the bachelor's degree recipients got head starts by attending other schools in the state within The Art Institutes system.
Chung is now president of The Art Institute of California -- San Francisco.  "They have worked hard at The Art Institute of California -- Inland Empire for three years," Emam El-Hout, the current president, said in the release. "Today is very special for them, and for us."

   Information: Richard Green, (909) 915-2100; or online at www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire

   The Chino Valley Chamber's 22nd annual golf tournament is scheduled for May 4 at Western Hills Country Club, 1800 Carbon Canyon Road, Chino Hills.  Individual golfers are welcome, and the tournament is open to the public. Sponsorships still are available as well.  Information: (909) 627-6177; or online at www.chinovalleychamber.com

   Thanks to an agreement with the city to help reuse and restore another historic building in downtown Redlands, Romano's Restaurant, 330 Orange St., will open to the public April 13.  The Redlands Redevelopment Agency entered into an agreement with Gary Romano and Les Richter in August through the agency's Commercial Rehabilitation Program, according to a news release.  The agency agreed to purchase the building's facade with the provision that the monies would be used for the renovation of the historic structure.  The improvements had to meet the city's historic-building design quality standards.  Information: (909) 335-4755.

   Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville has been named one of the nation's 100 top hospitals by Thomson Reuters.  The winning hospitals were announced in the March 30 edition of Modern Healthcare magazine.  According to a news release, the award recognizes hospitals that "have achieved excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, patient satisfaction, financial performance, and operational efficiency."  This is the fourth time Desert Valley Hospital has been recognized with this honor in the past six years.

   Information: www.100tophospitals.com

   The impacts of the nation's economic stimulus plan and newly enacted state and federal tax-credit programs on the regional housing market and economy will be the topic of the Building Industry Association Baldy View Chapter's next membership meeting.  The event, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the DoubleTree Hotel, 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, will feature guest speakers Richard Hedrick of Countrywide Home Loans and former state Sen. James L. Brulte, R-Rancho Cucamonga, now of California Strategies.  Cost: $40 for members; $50 for nonmembers.  Reservations are required by Tuesday, April 7.  Information: (909) 945-1884 or at www.biabuild.com

   Foreclosure rates in the San Bernardino-Riverside-Ontario area increased in February over the same period last year, according to First American CoreLogic.  According to the firm's most recent data, the rate of foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans was 3.3 percent for February, an increase of 0.3 percentage points compared with February 2008.

   Foreclosure activity in the San Bernardino-Riverside-Ontario area was 1.6 percent higher than the national foreclosure rate, 1.7 percent for February.  Mortgage delinquency rates also increased for the month of February, by 3.9 percentage points.  According to the report, 12.7 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent compared with 8.8 percent for the same period last year.  Information: www.realquest.com

   Black Angus Steakhouse has announced that an affiliate of private equity firm Versa Capital Management Inc. has completed its acquisition of Black Angus' assets from ARG Enterprises Inc. and its affiliates.  Black Angus operates casual dining restaurants in seven Western states, including locations in Chino, Montclair and San Bernardino.  "Thanks to our restructuring during bankruptcy, and our new ownership, Black Angus Steakhouse is poised to be a strong, successful company for the long term," President and CEO Meredith Taylor said in a news release.

   Starting Tuesday, April 7, Black Angus restaurants will roll out a new dinner menu.  A new lunch menu will follow on April 28.  Information: www.blackangus.com

   Cal State San Bernardino's Inland Empire Women's Business Center will offer a workshop aimed at teaching businesses how to increase their client base using online social networks. The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. April 13 at the center's office, 202 E. Airport Drive, Suite 155, San Bernardino. Cost: $20 if pre-registered online; $25 at the door.
Information: Carla Ulloa, (909) 890-1242, or www.iewbc.org

   The U.S. Forest Service in March launched Forest Aid, a partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest Association and L.A.-based TreePeople to plant 32,000 seedlings and help restore the San Bernardino National Forest.  Forest Aid was created in response to the 2007 and 2003 tragic wildfires where 185,000 acres burned in the San Bernardino National Forest.  For volunteer, leadership and sponsor opportunities, or to learn how to join Forest Aid, contact (909) 382-2780, info@forestaid.net or www.forestaid.net

   Cal State San Bernardino's Inland Empire Women's Business Center will hold a workshop on franchise business ownership on April 6.  "Careers in Franchise Ownership -- A Roadmap to Success" aims to teach how to gain a better understanding of the franchise industry and the options available, according to a news release.  The workshop will take place 9 - 11 a.m. at the center's office, 202 E. Airport Drive, Suite 155, San Bernardino.  Cost: $15 if registering online; $20 at the door.  Information: (909) 890-1242, or online at www.iewbc.org

   Andrew Crockett, president of JPMorgan Chase International and a member of the Executive Committee of JPMorgan Chase & Co, will present a lecture on "The World Crisis in Banking:  The Failure of Past Banking Regulation and Suggestions for Future Regulatory Reform" at 4:15 p.m. April 14.  The lecture will take place in Pomona College's Rose Hills Theatre in the Smith Campus Center, 170 E. Sixth St., Claremont.  There will be a question-and-answer session after the lecture.  Information: (909) 621-8881, or e-mail chincarinil@hotmail.com

   California Corporations Commissioner Preston DuFauchard has announced a settlement agreement with Wachovia Securities LLC and Wachovia Capital Markets LLC, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to return more than $4.7 billion to investors in the state, according to a news release. The agreement will settle an investigation alleging Wachovia and Citigroup misrepresented auction rate securities to investors as safe, cash-equivalent products, even though the products faced increasing liquidity risk, the release says.

   Under the settlement with Wachovia, the brokerage has agreed to offer to repurchase securities in the amount of $1.5 billion.  Offers have already been made to individual investors, and repurchase offers for institutional customers will be completed no later than June 30, according to the release.

   Under the settlement with Citigroup, the brokerage has made repurchase offers of $3.2 billion in auction rate securities from California eligible customers.  For institutional investors, Citigroup will continue to work with issuers, customers and regulators to attempt to provide liquidity solutions by Dec. 31, according to the release.

   Information:  For Wachovia, customers may call (866) 283-7943; for Citigroup, customers may call (866) 720-4802.

   Ontario-based HMC Architects is contributing more than $100,000 in cash as well as professional services over the next two years to the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) at UC San Diego.  According to a news release, "The gift will expand the institute's multidisciplinary research into human responses to the built environment."  Information: Online at www.hmcarchitects.com

   Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, has been chosen to be part of the advisory board of the school of business at the American Heritage University in San Bernardino.  According to a news release, "Tony Ogiamien, president of American Heritage University, chose Dameron because of his experience in business and his expertise in business and communications."  Dameron also is president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Westside Action Group, among other community involvements.  Dameron is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona.

   National Association of Women in Construction's Inland Valley Chapter No. 140 will hold its general meeting at 5:30 p.m. April 9 at Antonino's Ristorante Italiano, 8045 Vineyard Ave. No. 1, Rancho Cucamonga.  Cost: $30.  The program will be "Black Belt Business Tactics: 10 Tips to Recession Proof Your Construction Business" presented by Denise Turner, with Color Turners.  Reservation deadline is April 8.  Information: (909) 982-7911, or (951) 202-4484.

   The Urban Land Institute's Inland Empire Committee recently appointed David Neault as vice chairman.  In this voluntary position, Neault will "lead the committee in setting goals, creating quality educational programs, addressing key land-use issues, and energizing ULI membership in the Inland Empire," according to a news release.  Neault is a three-year member of ULI, and is president and founder of David Neault Associates Inc., a landscape architecture, land planning and golf course architecture firm based in Temecula. Information: Online at www.uli.org

   Rancho Cucamonga will hold "Business Appreciation Week" May 11 - 15, culminating in "Business Appreciation Night" on May 15 at the Epicenter as the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes take on the Lancaster JetHawks.  Discount tickets are available to city businesses for $3.50 through the city's redevelopment agency.  Information: (909) 477-2700, ext. 2059.

   The Inland Empire Women's Business Center at Cal State San Bernardino will hold a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday to help people who are considering launching or who already operate their own businesses.  The workshop will be at 202 E. Airport Drive, Suite 155, in San Bernardino.  Cost: $15 if pre-registered online; $20 at the door.  Information: (909) 890-1242, or online at www.iewbc.org

   BP West Coast Products sold an Arco am/pm service station in Ontario for $4.25 million through an auction sale, according to costar.com.  The gas station, at 2195 S. Haven Ave., totals 2,900 square feet and sits on 1.7 acres at the northeast corner of South Haven Avenue and East Philadelphia Street.  Dave Shand of  NRC Realty Advisors represented the seller.  The buyer used in-house representation.

   Richard W. Wright, 80, a member of the board of directors for Temecula Valley Bancorp Inc. and its principal subsidiary, Temecula Valley Bank, has tendered his resignation for health reasons.  The resignation was effective March 25.  Wright had served on the board of the bank since 1996, and on the board of the parent company since 2002.  Information: www.temvalbank.com

   The Inland Empire North office of Lee & Associates will be the leasing office of a new eco-friendly, 6,400-square-foot building at 307 Barstow Road, Barstow, according to a news release.  Senior Vice President Ron Barbieri will be the lead leasing agent on the project.  The plans for the building, the first "green" office building to come to the city, have been approved.  The building will be located in Barstow's Enterprise Zone and will be eligible to receive tax credits for business equipment, as well as employer tax savings for all new employees.  The project is being designed in conjunction with Southern California Edison's Savings by Design program.  Information:  Ron Barbieri, (760) 241-5211.

   Primary Provider Management Co. has purchased the 16,155-square-foot office building at 1906 S. Commercenter East, San Bernardino, for $1.1 million, according to costar.com.  The two-story office building was built in 1978 at the southwest corner of Commercenter East and East Airport Drive. No brokers were involved.

   Emrise Corp., a Rancho Cucamonga manufacturer of defense and aerospace electronic devices and communications equipment, has sold the assets of the Digitran Switch Division of its subsidiary Emrise Electronics Corp., and all the capital stock of XCEL Japan Ltd., which acts as a sales office for the division, to Weymouth, Mass.-based Electro Switch Corp. for up to $12 million in an all-cash transaction.  At closing, which occurred March 20, Electro Switch paid $11.5 million in cash.  The terms of the sale also provide for an earn-out in the amount of $500,000, payable in cash, based on achieving certain revenue targets of the divested businesses during the nine months following the closing of the transaction.

   Redlands' State of the City event will feature a business expo, highlighting local businesses offering sustainable and energy-efficient products and services.  The April 16 event will be at the Orton Center at the University of Redlands, 1200 E. Colton Ave. Mayor Jon Harrison will address the topic of "Sustainability During Difficult Times."  The expo begins at 5 p.m., with the mayor's address following at 7:15.

   Admission to the event will be free, but seating is limited.  There are still openings for businesses that want to participate in the expo.  Cost: $50 for a 10-foot space with a 6-foot dressed table and chairs and access to an audience estimated at more than 200.

   Information:  (909) 798-7511.