The Bizz

BLM to conduct environmental review on proposed wind farm

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:13:07 -0800

The Bureau of Land Management has published a Notice of Intent to conduct an environmental review on the impacts of the proposed Daggett Ridge Wind Farm Wind Generation Project. AES Wind Generation has applied to the BLM for a right-of-way on public lands to construct a 82.5-megawatt wind-generation power plant on 1,957 acres, of which 1,577 acres would be on land managed by the BLM and 380 acres would be on land owned by AES Wind Generation. The project site is southeast of Barstow and southwest of Daggett. Information: (951) 697-5233; www.ca.blm.gov/barstow

Pomona resident recognized for accomplishments in sales

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:12:47 -0800

Pomona resident Dawn Abasta has been recognized among jewelry company Lia Sophia's "Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers" for her sales accomplishments. Abasta has earned the acknowledgment in her first 15 weeks by attaining certain sales levels and by recruiting new Lia Sophia advisers. Information: www.liasophia.com/dawn4jewels

Medicare, Medicaid open enrollment ends Dec. 31

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:12:25 -0800

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced that people with Medicare and their family members can begin to review their 2010 coverage options through Medicare's new online tools. Beneficiaries will find several enhancements on the Medicare Health Options Compare and Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov

Beneficiaries will be able to make changes to their health and drug coverage from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.

Three CGU supporters get Drucker leadership awards

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:11:53 -0800

The Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management and the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University have presented Drucker Centennial Leadership Awards to: John Bachmann, chairman of the Drucker-Ito School Board of Visitors, member of the Drucker Institute Board of Advisors and a CGU trustee; Bob Buford, chairman of the Drucker Institute Board of Advisors; and Masatoshi Ito, the Drucker-Ito School's most significant supporter. All three were recognized at a dinner this month.

Yucaipa chamber to hold annual awards, installation banquet

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:11:12 -0800

The Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual officer installation and awards banquet Dec. 4 at The Orchard by Partners Pantry, 38490 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen. The event will start with cocktails and a silent auction from 6 to 7 p.m. Dinner and the program begin at 7 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Cost: $45 per person; $80 per couple Information: (909) 790-1841.

New Mini dealership opens in Ontario Auto Center

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:10:38 -0800

Savage BMW owner Peter Savage has announced the opening of his newest dealership, Mini of Ontario in the Ontario Auto Center. It occupies what used to be Savage BMW's used-car building, according to a company news release. Mini of Ontario will be a separate entity from Savage BMW, the release states. Mini of Ontario is one of the first of a round of new dealerships being opened in the U.S. by Mini. Information: (909) 390-7888; www.miniofontario.com

Essex Realty to manage portfolio including Riverside retail center

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:10:00 -0800

Essex Realty Management was recently awarded a property management assignment for a diversified portfolio of office, industrial and retail properties totaling 700,000 square feet, including Canyon Springs Marketplace and other office holdings in Riverside. TDA Investment Group, the adviser for the properties, contracted with Essex Realty Management. Linda Webber, principal and executive vice president of Essex Realty Management, will be overseeing the portfolio from an executive level.

State board reminds Californians of holiday tax responsibilities

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:09:22 -0800

The state Board of Equalization recently released information reminding Californians that sales of many seasonal items, such as Christmas trees and firewood, are taxable. In addition, purchases of many holiday items, such as holiday cards and books, are taxable even when purchased from an out-of-state seller, according to the news release. "Consumers are reminded that use tax is due on purchases they make from out-of-state retailers online -- even if the retailer does not charge California tax," the release states. If you plan to sell any of these items this holiday season, you should register with the BOE and obtain a seller's permit. Generally, there is no sales tax exemption for charities, nonprofits, and civic organizations, according to the release. Those planning to sell only during the holiday season should apply for a temporary seller's permit. Information: (800) 400-7115; www.boe.ca.gov

Rancho Cucamonga office building sells for $1.06 million

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:08:54 -0800

Beacon Property Management Inc. has purchased the office building at 8247 White Oak Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, for $1.06 million from Capital Holdings Inc., according to costar.com. The buyer plans to occupy the property.

San Bernardino packaging maker acquired by Mid Oaks Investments

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:07:01 -0800

Privately held Mid Oaks Investments LLC has acquired San Bernardino-based C&M Fine Pack Inc. Mid Oaks will integrate C&M Fine Pack with its current disposable food-service products manufacturers, Dispozo Products and Wilkinson Industries, which will have combined revenues in excess of $300 million. The company will serve the restaurant, grocery, food processing and institutional markets such as schools, health care and commissaries, according to a news release. C&M Fine Pack manufactures disposable food packaging for North American restaurant, food service, food processors and retail industries. Information: www.cmfinepack.com

Drucker Institute releases 'Drucker Now' iPhone App

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:05:33 -0800

The Drucker Institute and the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University have announced the release of "Drucker Now," a new iPhone App available for free download from the iTunes store. Designed by Apptango, "Drucker Now" includes: Drucker Apps, a twice-monthly release of usable insights on work and life that ties Peter Drucker's writings to the hottest issues of today, all supplemented with original video and audio interviews The Drucker School of Management's iTunes U channel, which offers cutting-edge lectures by school faculty along with gems from the Drucker Archives The Drucker Institute's Twitter feed Videos from the Drucker Institute's YouTube channel "The Drucker Difference" column in BusinessWeek online, written by Drucker Institute Executive Director Rick Wartzman.

Federal review of SCAG's planning process to include public session

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:04:27 -0800

The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration will begin conducting a review of Southern California's transportation planning process the week after Thanksgiving. To provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the transportation planning process carried out by the Southern California Association of Governments and its partners, there will be a public listening session at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at SCAG's main office in Los Angeles. Videoconferencing connection will be available at SCAG's San Bernardino County office in the Santa Fe Depot, 1170 W. Third St., Suite 140, San Bernardino. It will also be available at the Riverside County office, 3403 10th St., Suite 805, Riverside. Oral and written comments may be presented at the meeting. Written comments can also be sent via e-mail to cert.review@fhwa.dot.gov or by regular mail. Public comments will be accepted through Dec. 15. Information: (213) 202-3953.

SoCal Gas Co. earns top customer satisfaction ranking

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:03:53 -0800

Southern California Gas Co. has earned the top customer satisfaction ranking among natural gas utilities in the West and has the highest score among all utilities nationwide, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. The study is based on a random survey of U.S. residential natural gas utility customers. "To be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for customer satisfaction is a tribute to the outstanding commitment of our employees to meet our customers' needs every day," Debra L. Reed, president and CEO of Southern California Gas Co., said in a news release. The J.D. Power and Associates study ranks 75 of the nation's largest natural gas utilities, and this year interviewed more than 54,000 customers. According to the news release, the scores are based on six factors: billing and payment; price; corporate citizenship; communications; customer service; and field service.

Group presents annual review of commercial real estate industry

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:03:16 -0800

The Inland Empire chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties held a "Virtual Bus Tour" on Nov. 11 at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The event is NAIOP's annual review of the local commercial real estate industry. According to a news release, NAIOP reported at the event that 6.9 percent of the 27.4 million square feet of Southern California office inventory is located in the Inland Empire. Southern California vacancy rates for office space were reported at 23.5 percent with an asking average lease rate of $2.07 per square foot. The Inland Empire accounts for 22.7 percent of the Southern California industrial market, only second to the Los Angeles market, according to the report. NAIOP also reported that leasing activity in Southern California is slightly up this year with year-to-date figures at $15.3 million. Figures on the retail sector of the Inland Empire include total inventory of 106 million square feet with 608 total centers. According to NAIOP, the overall retail market vacancy rate is 11 percent and overall asking rate is $2.14 per square foot. "The presentation by NAIOP highlighted Victorville as one of California's fastest growing cities and that Victorville affords opportunity to new and expanding businesses," according to the report. Also mentioned was Victorville's Southern California Logistics Airport development. The Kosmont Cos.-Rose Institute's Cost of Doing Business Surveys named Apple Valley one of the least costly cities for doing business.

Loveridge elected president of National League of Cities

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:40 -0800

Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge recently was elected president of the National League of Cities during the 2009 Congress of Cities and Exposition. He will serve a one-year term leading the board of directors in shaping the group's priorities and directing the organization's advocacy, research and membership activities, according to a news release. Loveridge also is a past president of the League of California Cities.