AROUND THE VALLEYS

ANTELOPE VALLEY Lancaster Training: Marco and Sandra Johnson will speak about the evolution of their Antelope Valley Medical College at the Antelope Valley Business Outlook Conference on Feb. 19. The college recently changed its name to the University of Antelope Valley after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Education and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to offer Associates, Bachelors and Masters degrees. Marco Johnson started the school in 1997 as a response to learning that residents he knew did not have basic first aid skills. The school later added non-medical classes to its curriculum. The business outlook conference takes place at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Palmdale Booths: Businesses and not-for-profit organizations can submit applications for vendor space at the Thursday Night on the Square events in July and August. The summer gatherings give exposure to businesses, artisans, commercial vendors and organizations to the attendees. “The majority of the vendors, as well as the city and its residents have certainly benefited from this,” Palmdale’s Recreation Supervisor Annie Pagliaro said. Eight Thursday Night on the Square events are scheduled between July 1 and Aug. 19 at Poncitlán Square. Applications and agreements are available online at http://www.cityofpalmdale.org/departments/parks/tnots/. Inn: The Embassy Suites hotel opened in Palmdale on Feb. 1. The hotel includes king and double suites, a fitness center and pool, and the Fourteen Restaurant and Lounge. Embassy Suites Palmdale is managed by Sun Development & Management Company of Indianapolis and is the first of three Embassy Suites hotels to open in 2010. “We are proud to bring the outstanding Embassy Suites hospitality to Palmdale and look forward to continuing our expansion of the brand in 2010 and beyond,” said Chris Mayer, president for Sun Development & Management Corp. “With such a strong base of loyal consumers and brand recognition, we are confident that the Embassy Suites brand will thrive in Palmdale.” CONEJO VALLEY Agoura Hills Catch: Broadman Fine Arts is offering limited edition prints of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees with Warner Bros. Looney Tunes characters commemorating Brees passing the 5,000-yard passing threshold. Sale of the prints titled “Catch Dat Brees” benefit the Brees Dream Foundation. The idea for the print came from Vicki Austin, owner of the Broadman gallery. Brees is the first NFL player to be featured in a Warner Bros. sports limited edition print. He is depicted completing a pass to Bugs Bunny while Daffy Duck has just finished turning the 50-yard line into the “5000” yard line. The Brees Dream Foundation provides care, education and opportunities for children. Thousand Oaks Eats: Stonefire Grill will open its new location in the Evergreen Plaza in Thousand Oaks in April. The restaurant chain specializes in such favorites as mesquite grilled tri-tip, barbecue and lemon-garlic chicken, baby-back ribs. Architectural firm Heathcote & Associates is transforming the site formerly occupied by Marie Callender’s. The West End Design Group of Encino will complete the indoor and patio design touches. “We’re delighted to launch our newest restaurant in Thousand Oaks, a location that holds a special place in my heart as I live there,” said Mary Harrigan, co-founder of Stonefire Grill with her sister Maureen. “We’re hoping that residents and visitors to the area welcome us as warmly as they have in the other communities we serve.” SANTA CLARITA VALLEY Santa Clarita Progress: The Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Clarita awarded grants of $5,000 each to 20 small businesses in the Newhall Redevelopment Project Area. The grants are part of a larger plan created by the city to provide financial assistance to small business owners to make improvements, and encourage growth and sustainability in the redevelopment project area. Businesses applying for the grants received assistance from the Small Business Development Center. Assist: The Small Business Development Center at College of the Canyons will expand its business consulting and training services in the Antelope Valley with the help of a $10,000 donation form Wells Fargo Bank. The services will help grow the local economy by assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners. The center also received $10,000 in matching federal funds for the program providing business start-up and expansion assistance; training entrepreneurs about forming a business plan; guidance on how to obtain financing; and advice about increasing sales for existing businesses. The SBDC will provide the training advisors and consultants with Wells Fargo and the Antelope Valley Board of Trade offering meeting space. “This partnership – which brings together the resources of the nation’s number one small business lender and Los Angeles county’s top-performing team of SBDC business advisors – will help hundreds of Antelope Valley’s small business owners receive the assistance they need to meet the challenge’s of today’s business environment,” said center Director Steve Tannehill. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Glendale Donations: Miss America Caressa Cameron will serve as spokesperson for IHOP’s National Pancake Day. The restaurant chain will give away millions of pancakes on Feb. 23 and asks in return for diners to donate to Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities. IHOP is seeking to raise $1.75 million for children’s hospital programs on National Pancake Day. It is part of an overall effort to raise $5 million over five years. “Five million dollars over five years is an impressive fundraising feat, and I look forward to working closely with IHOP and Children’s Miracle Network to turn this goal into a reality,” Cameron said. Calabasas Leadership: City leader James Bozajian receives the Bill Van Gieson “Spirit of Calabasas” Award from the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 25. Bozajian is being honored for his devotion to the people of Calabasas, knowledge of the needs and interests of the many constituent groups in the region and his engagement in the operations of the city, according to chamber President and CEO Carol Washburn. Bozajian is a three-term city council member and two-time mayor. As an elected official, Bozajian helped create the Historic Preservation Ordinance and Commission; and supported an open space and public lands preservation ordinance. Burbank School: C. Edward Spiegel received the Woodbury University School of Business Alumnus of the Year Award on Feb.11. Spiegel is a 1960 Woodbury graduate who has been a practicing CPA for more than 25 years. He was a partner in the firm of Levin, Cooper, Spiegel & Co. and currently services as owner and president of entertainment industry payroll and software provider Cast & Crew Entertainment Services. “Ed’s professional and personal accomplishments demonstrate the spirit of Woodbury’s mission and set an example for others,” said Woodbury President Kenneth R. Nielsen. The alumnus award recognizes an individual who has set a high standard in their chosen profession. – Compiled by Mark R. Madler