VALLEY INSIDER

Valencia Acura has a new canine greeter named Turbo Earl Fleming. The 14-week-old Shih Tzu comes to the dealership each morning with Cheri Fleming, who co-owns the business with husband Don Fleming. She also gives a ride to Test Drive “Tessi” Fleming, an Imperial Shih Tzu on staff. “We have owned this dealership 22 years, and we have had canine greeters ever since we bought this store,” Cheri Fleming said. She believes the dogs calm people during the car-buying experience. “Going into a car dealership, some people equate it to getting a root canal. We have a softer approach.” The dogs also provide fun for employees on the sales floor, Fleming added. … “People want to be entertained.” That’s how Allen Edwards’ explains why he sings nightclub-style gigs when he’s not running Allen Edwards Salon, a boutique hairdressing shop he co-owns in Woodland Hills. Allen often sings with Ingrid Jensen, who works at a salon in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles . The duo perform at the Malibu Farmer’s Market on Sundays and Monty’s Steakhouse in Woodland Hills on Thursday nights. “We sang there a couple Thursdays ago to a full bar with people dancing,” Edwards told Valley Insider. “We have this Tony Bennett-Lady Gaga act with songs from the ’40s, ’50s and some ’60s.” Edwards, who has owned eight different salons during his career, played trombone in high school and considered becoming a professional musician. His current operation at 5353 Topanga Canyon Blvd. opened three months ago with only seven chairs. The salon features classes for other hairdressers and parties for clients – with Edwards providing musical entertainment. Publisher Charles Crumpley and Staff Reporter Mark R. Madler contributed to Valley Insider, which is compiled by Editor Joel Russell. Send submissions to [email protected].