AROUND THE VALLEYS

News and notes from around the greater San Fernando Valley area Business owners from the San Fernando Valley were among the graduates of the first class from a program sponsored by Goldman Sachs providing education, access to capital and networking opportunities for small businesses. The ceremony took place Jan. 6 at Los Angeles City College, one of the partners in the 10,000 Small Business Program along with the Valley Economic Development Center, Long Beach City College, and Babson College. Kristin Dietz, co-owner of Flip’s Wesco Tire and Wheel Center in Van Nuys, spoke as the representative for the 24 students who attended classes at L.A. City College. Dietz and her brother Shawn Smith took over the family business after their father, Flip Smith, died in June 2008. When she learned about the Goldman Sachs program last year she jumped at the chance to participate. One of the biggest assets she got out of the program was the time spent with other business owners facing similar challenges she did, Dietz said. “I think all of us see small business, especially our small businesses, as more than just a business,” Dietz said. “To me, Flip’s is a legacy, a carrying on of a dream and doing something honorable with our lives.” Goldman Sachs launched the program in June as a way to bring access to capital, support services and business and management education to small business owners. The VEDC was the first community development financial institution to receive a portion of the $20 million the firm made available as lending capital. As chief financial officer for Goldman Sachs, David Finiar told the audience of more than 100 people that he often looked at business plans and did so with trepidation. That wasn’t the case with the 10,000 Small Businesses Program, Finiar said. “I knew it was a home run,” Finiar added. “It made sense to put human potential front and center.” For Mike Robinson, the program was like a “mini MBA.” Robinson is president of Permit Place in Sherman Oaks, a consulting firm for navigating new businesses through the permitting process in Los Angeles and other cities. Growth of the Permit Place, however, had stagnated for two years and he applied to the program to get things moving. While Robinson had scattered pieces of a growth plan, the Saturday classes gave the tools to put them into context, line them up and execute the plan, Robinson said. The reinforcement and support from L.A. City College was important in giving the students access to offices and computer equipment. “We were considered students of the college,” Robinson said. – Mark R. Madler VENTURA COUNTY Simi Valley Fit: The Oakridge Athletic Club will host a re-grand opening on Jan. 24 to mark its completion of renovations. Upgrading the facility, which has been in Simi Valley since 1979, began in April and were completed in December. The re-grand opening will include tours of the club, restaurant tastings, raffles, product displays, a membership drive, and a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Simi Valley of funds raised through the 10 visits for 10 dollars promotion. “We are excited about the changes that have been made to the facility,” said general manager Nathan Cook. “And, the feedback from our members regarding the renovations has been extremely positive. We’re especially proud that we used all local contractors to perform the work.” Music: You Rock Guitar/You Rock Digital was an exhibitor at the 2011 International CES taking place in Las Vegas. You Rock Digital develops and manufactures digital guitars for the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games, and for music students and teachers. This month, the company relocated to Simi Valley from Irvine. SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Digital: Celebrity High magazine included an augmented reality cover for its January issue. Using a mobile application for the iPhone 4, readers can hold the phone up to the cover to view video content of R&B singer Ray J explaining about augmented reality and other mobile interactive experiences. The mobile app was designed and created by junaio. “I think it’s important that we expose young people to cutting edge technology so they can become excited about it and embrace it,” said Celebrity High CEO Nick Cannon. “Our magazine is all about educating, entertaining and empowering youth.” Burbank Birthday: Lockheed Federal Credit Union celebrated the 100th birthday of long-time members Inez Harries and her identical twin sister, Venice Shaw. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the sisters as the second oldest female identical twins in the world. The 100-themed party on Jan. 15 included a cake from Porto’s Bakery, a drawing for a $100 bill for credit union members in attendance, and a presentation to Harries of a gift of $100 deposit each month into her account for the entire year. “We are honored to have served Mrs. Harries as a member of Lockheed Federal Credit Union for many years, and excited to host the twins’ birthday,” President and CEO Dave Styler said. “I’m told that the chance of twins both celebrating their 100th birthday is one in 700 million, and so we are delighted to be part of this extraordinary milestone.” North Hills Sales: Galpin Ford retained its title as the world’s largest volume Ford dealer in the world with sales of more than 5,000 vehicles in 2010. A renewed interest in Ford products contributed to the high sales at the North Hills dealership, as did its customer service, business partners and vendors. Still, for dealership President Bert Boeckmann it all came back to the cars. “With the new products Ford brought to market these past few months, we’ve seen a significant shift in consumer interest,” Boeckmann said. “In fact we saw a number of customers leaving luxury and import brands in favor of a new Ford.” Retaining the title in 2010 was easier for Galpin than in 2009 when it edged out its closest competitor by only 12 cars. This time, Galpin sold 459 more vehicles than second place finisher, Woodhouse Ford, near Omaha, Neb. Galpin set it self apart from other dealers by selling more Mustangs, Edges and Rangers than any other and being the top seller for the country in every month of 2010. Galpin was also the only California dealership that ranked in the top 20 high volume Ford distributors. Van Nuys Riders: Metro will conduct a public hearing Feb. 2 on proposed changes to bus service in the San Fernando Valley. The changes would take affect starting June 26 or later. Metro has proposed modifications or eliminations on 10 lines serving the Burbank, Glendale and east Valley areas. The hearing takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Marvin Braude Constituent Center, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys. Encino Extend: Eric Roth will remain executive director for the Visual Effects Society for an additional two years until December 2013. Under Roth’s direction the society, which represents visual effects artists worldwide, has doubled its membership and created sections in Vancouver, London and Sydney. The vote of confidence from the VES board will let him continue representing members of the film, television, gaming and entertainment community, Roth said. “In today’s entertainment world, visual effects is at the center of the universe and VES represents the best of the best in the visual effects craft,” Roth said. Sherman Oaks Singer: Infinite Communications has created a media-rich website for singer and Grammy Award winner James Ingram. The site gives Ingram a dynamic web presence, allows fans to purchase tickets, stay informed on tour dates, and listen and purchase Ingram’s albums released over the past 25 years. “James Ingram has a strong following but his old website was static and didn’t excite online visitors, said Parham Nabatian, chief marketing officer for Infinite Communications. “By integrating media players and Facebook updates as well as easily updating the latest news on the website, we are able to keep the content fresh and exciting.” Woodland Hills Care: Referral agency Rent-A-Grandma has begun offering its services in the Los Angeles area. The agency’s grandmas can serve as nannies, household maintenance staff, estate management staff, and in specialized services. Rent-A-Grandma screens and background checks each applicant. The company plans to have a nationwide roll out of it services. SANTA CLARITA VALLEY Valencia Communicate: The Valley Industry Association introduced its new website that offers innovative features and benefit opportunities for its members. The site includes a member-only portal, quick access to the association’s social media sites, and strategic news and blog entries. The site was designed by Status Not Quo, a Santa Clarita web design and programming firm. The new site does carryover the Member Directory, listing all VIA member businesses with full contact information and web links. CONEJO VALLEY Agoura Hills Look: Video game publisher THQ Inc. unveiled a new corporate logo that emphasizes the change, innovation and creative growth at the company. The new logo will begin appearing on THQ products beginning in February. The unveiling took place at the New York Gamers Event. The video game industry is going through an unprecedented period of innovation exemplified by rich storylines, introduction of new technologies, and expansion into social and mobile gaming, said THQ President and CEO Brian Farrell. “THQ is proving its commitment to deliver the best experience to gamers through internally developed original intellectual properties, creative partnerships, and new talent acquisitions in order to solidify its position as a flagship publisher of extraordinary interactive entertainment,” Farrell said. ANTELOPE VALLEY Palmdale Practices: The City of Palmdale Department of Public Works received accreditation from the American Public Works Association, the first department from Los Angeles County to do so. Accreditation from the APWA recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices by meeting or exceeding standards of performance in areas such as solid waste management, street/sewer repair and maintenance, engineering, building maintenance, storm water drainage. Public works professionals from Arizona, Washington and British Columbia visited Palmdale in December for a review of the department. “I am very proud of the public works staff for their persistence and drive in achieving this APWA Accreditation,” said Palmdale Public Works Director Mike Mischel. “All of the public works departmental staff and other city staff helped achieve this important and prestigious award.”