Local briefs

VIA luncheon to discuss manufacturing Jack Stewart, president of the California Manufacturing & Technology Association will be the keynote speaker at the Valley Industrial Association's monthly meeting on Tuesday. The luncheon is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. and will takes place at the Hyatt Valencia, located at 24500 Town Center Drive. The association works to improve and enhance a strong business climate fore California's 30,000 manufacturing, processing and technology-based companies. Stewart will discuss top ...

Film office sets record for permits

When it comes to filming mainstream television shows and movies, Santa Clarita has turned into a mini-version of Hollywood.

Thousands may be eligible for assistance program

The Franchise Tax Board is sending forms to more than 600,000 Californians who may be eligible to receive payments from the state's Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program.

Noble Group buys Valencia Hyatt

Noble Investment Group, an Atlanta-based company, announced Tuesday that it has purchased the Hyatt Valencia.

Craft shop opens in Canyon Country

When Cyndi Garcia was 10 years old, she took an embroidery class with her mother, grandmother and great aunt in her hometown of Fontana.

Local briefs

Coffee shop campaign aids the troops The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which has two locations in Valencia, is currently holding its "Support from Home" campaign in stores until Aug. 31. Customers will be able to purchase a bag of coffee, a tin of tea and/or retail merchandise to donate to the troops. Shoppers will receive a 10 percent discount for the product, which will then be sent to U.S. troops serving overseas. The Coffee ...

CCU to open new branch in Valencia

To commemorate 75 years of service, California Credit Union will open a new branch in Valencia on July 10.

Young Entrepreneur summer program

Local residents between the ages of 14 and 27 years old who are thinking about starting their own business can enroll in the Young Entrepreneur summer program, set to begin in July. The four-week free course meets on Saturday mornings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and teaches youngsters and young adults about the skills and resources they need to start a business.

Lennar reports steep losses

Lennar Corporation, one of the nation's top home builders and partial owner of Newhall Land and Farming Co. in Valencia, reported a second quarter net loss of $120.9 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, on Thursday. The steep drop comes after the first quarter's net loss of $88.2 million.

The best-kept secret hair in Santa Clarita

To Rochelle Scott, putting on a wig means more than making a fashion statement. "Every wig lets me express the woman I am," she said.

Auto Club to host open house Saturday

The Automobile Club of Southern California's Santa Clarita office will host a winter vacation planning open house on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The open house will introduce travelers to vacation packages available through AAA Travel.

Jobless rate jumps up to 3.9% in SCV

The city of Santa Clarita's unemployment rate jumped half a percent to 3.9 percent for May and a city official believes the sluggish economy is to blame.

No sale for NTS parcel in Santa Clarita

CALABASAS, Calif. - National Technical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTSC) (NTS) announced today that it has been unable to sell its 118-acre parcel in Santa Clarita, Calif., on terms acceptable to the company. The parcel has been listed for sale since August 2007. "Despite vigorous efforts to sell the parcel to a developer, the continuing deterioration of the commercial real estate market has significantly impacted interest in undeveloped Santa Clarita property," NTS Chairman Dr. Jack Lin ...

Princess Cruises discussed at VIA luncheon

Its ships carry 1.3 million passengers a week to destinations on all seven continents. The entire fleet is comprised of 16 ships and its latest addition, Ruby Princess, will begin its tour in November. And while Princess Cruises has an international reputation and anchors at locations across the globe, the 40-year-old company has been calling Santa Clarita its home since 2001 where its corporate headquarters offers the local valley thousands of jobs and its employees ...

Business briefs

ADPROS to hold monthly meeting Friday The Advertising Professionals of North Los Angeles County (ADPROS) will meet Friday at noon for the monthly networking and business development luncheon at Salt Creek Grille, located at 24415 Town Center Drive in Valencia. Members eat free while the cost is $30 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Gary Jacobs at (661) 713-1087. JCI to host summer kick-off social Friday night The Santa Clarita Valley Jaycees will be hosting ...

Median household income fell 7.3 percent in recession

SBDC has a record year

The Santa Clarita-based Small Business Development Center had its most successful year to date in 2012, according to the business assistance center on Wednesday.

Enterprise Zone audit reveals no major flaws

An exhaustive five-day audit of Santa Clarita's Enterprise Zone resulted in the program being given a green light with regards to running of the program and credits granted.

Santa Clarita: SBDC Annual Report Highlights Clients' Small Business Success

SANTA CLARITA - In 2012, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by College of the Canyons experienced its most successful operational year to date, with SBDC assisted clients combining to start 53 new small businesses and create or retain 937 local jobs.

U.S. HealthWorks appoints new VP of sales

Jeanne Osterlund has been promoted to Vice President of Sales at Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks.

Kaiser Permanente expanding its practice

Kaiser Permanente first opened its doors to Santa Clarita residents in 1994. But in October 2012, the integrated managed care medical group purchased a second building in Valencia.

AAF 2013 ADDY Award Winners are announced

Several local companies won ADDY awards last week from the American Advertising Federation's Los Angeles North chapter.

Lean manufacturing to be discussed

Lean Manufacturing is the topic at the Valley Industry Association business luncheon on April 16.

Princess Cruises’ newest ship is floated out

Construction of Princess Cruises' newest ship, "Regal Princess," reached a milestone Friday when the cruise ship was floated out of its building dock at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

New name, focus for construction company

When 23-year-old Jim Coffey started Jimco Electrical Construction in 1988, he had little more than a pickup truck to work out of, a couple years of on-the-job training and a buzz of enthusiasm for electrical construction.

Retailer says buying habits have shifted

First opened in 1972, retailer Bouquet Auto Parts has been a part of the economic changes and trends in Santa Clarita for over 40 years, said its co-owner, Owen Powell.

Office vacancies fall

The economic snapshot report for December 2012 was released by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation – or SCVEDC – on March 21.

U.S. HealthWorks appoints Strickland national director

Scott Strickland has been appointed as National Director of Therapy Services for Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks.

Purchasing a home can be tricky these days

Editor's Note: This is the last of a two-part series on the local real estate market. Last Sunday's story focused on the homeowner, or seller. Today's story focuses on the buyer.

Men’s Wearhouse founder speaks at VIA B2B

"Compassion and forgiveness are just as important as accountability and hard work," said George Zimmer, founder and executive chairman of the Men's Wearhouse.