October 2010 Archives

Get your resumes and most impressive outfits ready for takeoff.

Nearly 100 employers looking to recruit for 2,000 positions plan to fill L.A./Ontario International Airport on Thursday for the Inland Empire West End Job Fair.

The fair, in its second year, is a collaboration between the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County and cities in the western part of the Inland Empire.

"By putting it all together, we're able to bring in a larger number of businesses, which in turn will help their residents get employed," said Nick DeMartz, the county's WIB business- services supervisor.

Employers from the financial services, logistics, medical and security sectors, among others, will be in attendance. About 2,500 job seekers participated in the first fair, but more are expected for this year's event, DeMartz said.

A free event, the job fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the airport's Old Terminal 1 Building. For more information and to see a list of employers, visit www.RCRDA.us/JobFair.

PBS station KVCR in San Bernardino on Friday at 7 p.m. will air "Tricks of the Trade", a documentary that shows how con men psychologically manipulate their victims out of their savings.

The film provides key insights on how to avoid becoming a con man's next victim and features profiles of convicted con men, fraud victims, academic experts and securities regulators. You can view a short trailer here: http://www.saveandinvest.org/55Plus/Fraud/P118960.

The film, which aims to empower viewers with simple steps to protect themselves from financial ruin, was developed as part of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation's Outsmarting Investment Fraud Program.

According to KVCR, last year consumers reported losing more than $1.7 billion in fraudulent investment schemes. As the nation prepares for a wave of retiring baby boomers, the station warns that con artists are looking for ways to crack into boomers' 401(k) nest eggs.

---

EDC reports strong port traffic, but sluggish home sales

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. this week reported that the ports at Long Beach and Los Angeles saw a "remarkable increase" of 25.6 percent in the total number of containers handled.

Activity at the ports is an important measure of health in the Inland Empire, since many businesses, particularly logistics, derive business from that activity.

On-location filming in L.A. County was also up 11 percent as of September, the group reported. Much of that strength was because of an increase in campaign ads.

It was a mixed bag, though.

Sales of existing homes fell sharply in the third quarter, with about 440,000 transactions. New home permits were up slightly for the year at 40,000 new permits.

---

Miller honored by small business advocates as entrepreneur

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council has designated Rep. Gary Miller, R-Brea, as a Champion of the Entrepreneur for his outstanding score on the "Small Business Scorecard for the 111th Congress," which is the highest scorecard ranking.

The SBE Council's scorecard is based on votes that impact small business and entrepreneurship.

Miller said he will keep working to lower taxes, increase access to health care and reduce "government intrusion."

bizz@inlandnewspapers.com

Select Redbox locations in the San Bernardino area now feature video games in addition to DVD new releases. San Bernardino is one of several test areas for Redbox, which is trying to gauge consumer interest in video game rentals.

Consumers can rent video games for $2 per night plus tax, including games from Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Games available include "Halo: Reach," "NBA 2K11," "New Carnival Games" and "Dead Rising 2".

Residents can visit www.redbox.com/games to view an updated list of games offered at a nearby Redbox. Consumers can rent games at locations throughout the San Bernardino area.

---

San Bernardino offers solar installation training

The San Bernardino Community College District and San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board will conduct a free, 64-hour solar installation training from Monday to Nov. 24 in San Bernardino. The training is made possible through a grant.

Following the basic photovoltaic training, participants will be prepared to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Entry-Level Certification exam.

Classes take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Deanna Trussell at 909-382-4066 or dtrussel@sbccd.cc.ca.us.

---

Home ownership forum includes free services

A community outreach event, "Your Home, Your Rights," planned for Saturday in San Bernardino, will include free one-on-one legal advice and counseling on foreclosures, fair housing and predatory lending issues, including advice to tenants who have been foreclosed on.

The Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire, Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, the Department of Housing Development and community nonprofits and services are hosting the event.

The forum takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1390 N. D St. in San Bernardino. For more information, call 909-884-6891.

bizz@inlandnewspapers.com