High Desert Business Journal July 2012

July/August 2012 PAgE 1

High Desert Business JournalT H E I N D E P E N D E N T B U S I N E S S A U T H O R I T Y O F T H E V I C T O R V A L L E Y

Vol. 3 No. 4 July/August 2012

See Fire engineS Continued on page 6

See City Continued on page 4

High Desert Business Journal 12277 Apple Valley Road, #384 Apple Valley, Ca 92308

Time-Dated Material – Do Not Delay

PResoRTeD sTANDARD

U.s. PosTAge PAiD

sANTA ANA, CA

Permit No. 113

The City of Victorville Turns 50!gala set to celebrate 50 years of incorporation.

New Fire Engines Benefit Businesses

Better iSO ratings mean lower business insurance costs.

Business Briefs ....................................................2Ross Perot Jr. Econ Update............................. 7Building Better Workforce ..............................8ADA Litigation ....................................................9Ron Wilson ...........................................................10Beyond Hollywood ...........................................11Residential Real Estate ....................................12Commercial Real Estate ..................................13

The City of Victorville is celebrat-ing 50 years of incorporation this September with a Formal Dinner

Celebration on September 21, 2012.“In fifty years, the City of Victorville

has changed a lot,” says a longtime resi-dent. “At night you could see 7th street as the only strip of lights at night, from just about anywhere.” At the time of incorpo-ration in 1962, 7th Street was the “main drag” for the Victor Valley region, offer-ing the most amenities and businesses for residents. The downtown seventh street area boasted a shopping center with JCPenney and local stores, The Green Spot motel and the only movie theater in town, El Rancho. Further south was Hartwicks grocery store and Victor Bowl,

yOuR COMMuNIty

In this IssueSocial Networking ............................................14Business Profiles ................................................16Judelson Dentistry ...........................................17Foodie Frenzy .....................................................19High Desert Opportunity ...............................20Arts & Culture Calendar .................................21Community Calendar ......................................22Business Calendar .............................................23

By HDBJ Staff

The $5.25 billion Panama Canal expansion is expected to have a measurable impact on the West Coast’s role in international trade

when it is completed in 2014. The project will make the canal wider and deeper, accommodating the huge freighters from See game

Continued on page 3

Asia that previously stopped by default on the North and South American West Coasts because they were too large to cross at the Panama Canal.

The North and South American West Coasts have enjoyed little competition, except amongst themselves, as the point of entry for the billions of dollars per year of imports from Asia. With the Panama

Canal now presenting an additional option for importers, this could well change.

Ocean vessels too large to pass through Panama have always stopped at the U.S.’s West Coast piers, offloading their cargo to be transported via rail and truck to cross the largely empty Midwest to reach the East Coast where 65% of the U.S. popu-lation resides. Come 2012, those vessels

Game ChangePanama Canal expansion brings with it new competition for California

will be able to instead bypass the West Coast, cross through the Panama Canal and head for ports on the Gulf and East Coast to offload their goods.

While it is cheaper to transport goods via water, and increasingly more expen-sive to move goods via rail, truck and

According to the AAPA, u.s. ports and waterways handle more than 2 billion tons of domestic and import/export cargo annually. By 2020, the total volume of cargo shipped by water is expected to be double that of 2001 volumes. Much of total domestic production of basic commodities and finished products is shipped by water, including apples, wastepaper, corn, lumber, iron ore, steel, scrap steel, potatoes, phosphate, plastics, film, machinery, and modular homes.

By HDBJ StaffTwo new fire engines arrived in Apple

Valley this month. What many don’t realize is that this directly benefits businesses by keeping their insurance costs down.

“It is very critical that we maintain a fleet capable of providing what is called fire flow,” explains Apple Valley Fire Captain, Art Bishop. “That’s how many minutes you can put on a large scale fire.” Bishop points out that fire flow is of importance to busi-nesses for several reasons. Public safety is of

offering locally famous Broasted Chicken. Toward Palmdale Road was a popular A&W Root Beer Drive In, a drive-in movie theater and the Green Tree Inn and golf course.

Nowadays several main commerce areas of Victorville support local business and retail, including Hesperia Road, Bear Valley Road, Palmdale Road, Civic Center, Roy Rogers and Freeway frontage.

HistoryHistory of the Victor Valley by Leo

Lyman describes the Victor Valley as long a crossroads of travel and trade, with several important trails including the Old

PAgE 2 July/August 2012

PuBlishErPaisley Taylor

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PeoPle

• Logan Olds, The General Manager of the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, (VVWRA) has been named the Youth Council Chair of the Workforce Investment Board (WIB), adding to his responsibilities on the regional governing body that he has been a part of for more than two years.

BusInesses

• Signature Barbering and Training Videos will soon open at Suite 3 at 15433 West Sand Street, in Victorville. Walt Wehrmann of Coldwell Banker Commercial represented the tenant and landlord.

• National Fitness Health Club, Fitness 19 will be bringing their first location to the High Desert area. Coldwell Banker Commercial’s Retail Specialist, Colleen Butcher, coordinated the 12 year lease of 10,215 square feet at the Shops at Bear Valley.

• Dr. Scroggins opens dental office at 13605 Bear Valley Road in Victorville. Retail Specialist at Coldwell Banker Commercial, Colleen Butcher, facilitated the lease at the Shops at Bear Valley.

• Galeno Healthcare will be opening a ±2,500 SF General Practice Medical Clinic at the corner of Bear Valley Rd and Cottonwood Ave in Victorville. Rob Kurth of Kursch Group facilitated the transaction.

• Goodwill Industries leased ±12,000 SF at the corner of Bear Valley Rd and Hesperia Rd in Victorville, offering retail sales and a donations drop-off center. Rob Kurth of Kursch Group facilitated the transaction.

• Rancho Physical Therapy leased a ±6,746 SF commercial/medical space at the Foxborough Business Park on Industrial Blvd in Victorville. Rancho Physical Therapy recently constructed their interior improvements to include a large in-ground pool to provide aquatic therapy. Rob Kurth of Kursch Group facilitated the transaction.

• Woods of the Forest leased ±9,450 SF industrial building at 16224 Koala Rd in the Adelanto Industrial Park. Ryan Travis of Kursch Group facilitated the transaction.

• Tortuga Pizza & Subs will be open-ing in the Cardena’s Shopping Center at 15555 Main St Unit D6, Hesperia. Kursch Group’s Ryan Travis facilitated the transaction.

• Dr. Ali Tehrani Plastic Surgery leased

BuSINESS BRIEFS

Vol. 3 No. 4July/August 2012

12277 Apple Valley rd. , #384Apple Valley , Ca 92308

a ±1,250 SF medical space at 18064 Wika Rd Unit 103 in Apple Valley. James Langley of Kursch Group facili-tated the transaction.

• St. Bernardine Care Providers leased ±3,000 SF medical office at 18064 Wika Rd Unit 201 in Apple Valley. James Langley of Kursch Group facilitated the transaction.

• St. Mary Medical Center is expand-ing the Wound Care Unit to ±4,850 SF at 16077 Kamana Rd Suites A & B in Apple Valley. James Langley of Kursch Group represented St. Mary and CPI Capital represented the owner.

CommerCIal and IndustrIal

• Coldwell Banker Commercial’s REO Specialist, Josh Rey, recently coordi-nated the sale in 14 days of a Victorville industrial building for $240,000, locat-ed on Village Drive. Josh represented the bank-owned property and the buyer. The nearly 5,000 square foot building was in excellent, turn-key condition.

• 15475 Seneca in Victorville sold to investors facilitated by Janette and Walt Wehrmann of Coldwell Banker Commercial representing both the seller and buyer in the transaction.

• Coldwell Banker Commercial’s Retail Specialist, Colleen Butcher, recently coordinated the sale of a ±10,692 square foot shopping center on Hesperia Road in Hesperia. The bank owned shopping center sold to a local invest-ment group for $750,000. The newly constructed center offers nine units, each approximately 972 square feet.

multIfamIly

• Coldwell Banker Commercial’s Multifamily Division, Mehdi Mostaedi and Bob Basen, recently sold a 10-unit, Apple Valley apartment complex in a mere 30 days for $285,000. The 10-unit apartment complex consisted of two 5-unit buildings. Mostaedi and Basen represented the seller and the out-of-the-area investor.

• 10 unit bank owned apartment com-plex in Hesperia sold in 1 day with a 10 day escrow for $180,000. Coldwell Banker Commercial’s REO Specialist Josh Rey represented the bank and the buyer.

• Bank owned apartments in Apple Valley on Carlisle sold for $245,000 to an investor represented by Coldwell Banker Commercial’s Multi-Family

specialists Mehdi Mostaedi and Bob Basen. Century 21 Fairway represented the seller.

• Bank owned apartments located at 444 W Oak in San Bernardino sold for $130,000, seller represented by Josh Rey, REO Specialist at Coldwell Banker Commercial.

land

• Multi-family 0.07 acres of land sold in Victorville on Tern Road by Coldwell Banker Commercial’s Mehdi Mostaedi and Bob Basen. Seller was represented by Shear Realty.

• 11 acres of multi-family land on Muscatel in Hesperia sold to an invest-ment trust represented by Mehdi Mostaedi and Bob Basen, Coldwell Banker Commercial Multi-Family team, working with Korek Land representing the seller.

• 18.69 acres of industrial land sold for $350,000 in Adelanto by listing agent Mehdi Mostaedi, Land Specialist at Coldwell Banker Commercial.

• 80 acres in Newberry Springs on Fremont Road was sold for $180,000 to an individual for agricultural use by Coldwell Banker Commercial’s Ranch and Agriculture Specialist, Jack Hightower.

mIxer news

• Coldwell Banker Commercial hosted a very successful all-chamber mixer on April 26th unveiling the expansion of an additional 2,350 square feet, Coldwell Banker Commercial revealed the new, upgraded office which now spans 5,261 square feet.

• Lee and Associates’ mixer raised $800 for local Rotary clubs, who are spear-heading a food drive to replenish food pantries that are in need of new inven-tory.

VVwra award

For the second year in a row, a nation-wide award that even includes nominees from Canada was again awarded to the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority recognizing excellence in finan-cial reporting. The report was judged by an impartial panel and met the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure”

See BuSineSS BrieFS Continued on page 18

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air, there is also the time factor to con-sider. It is faster to move goods across the U.S. via train and truck than by water. Transferring to rail in Los Angeles takes only 17 days. Ocean-only transportation from China to New York takes 26 days.

It is expected that commodities, which are more price sensitive than time sensi-tive, will be most likely to be transported to the East Coast via water, while more time sensitive cargo such as electron-ics, will likely still head for West Coast ports and be transported East via rail and truck. But how exactly that will work out remains to be seen.

Keith Metzler, Victorville Assistant City Manager says, “A lot of people are watching and waiting to see what takes shape. These larger ships that are being built can carry larger volumes of containers and it’s creating a different economy for coming to Los Angeles and Long Beach. The alternative is becom-ing Savannah, other Gulf ports, and the Eastern Seaboard. At a local level it’s

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pretty significant. People are watching to see if growth will continue or flatten out.”

The dollars are significant. Directly or indirectly, the logistics and transporta-tion associated with moving cargo creates many direct and indirect jobs. According to the Port of Los Angeles website, the port of LA alone creates 900,000 jobs throughout the region, 1.2 million jobs throughout California, and 3.6 million jobs throughout the U.S.

Some of those jobs could shift to other states. Some of those jobs could sim-ply be eliminated, lowering the costs of importing goods.

East Coast and Gulf Coast ports have their eye on the prize, and have been competing for scarce government dollars to upgrade their terminals in anticipation of the super freighters, dredging deeper, longer lanes and improving their transmo-dal systems.

In turn, Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together comprise the largest port in the U.S., handle 40% of the country’s Asian imports, and make the fifth busi-est port in the world according to a Fitch Ratings report, have been upgrading their ports, transmodal systems, customer service and amenities in order to remain competitive in what will be a new game.

The Port of Los Angeles’ powerful infrastructure of truck routes, rail lines, bridges, freeways and warehouses is sig-nificant, and can provide levels of service that inexperienced and less connected ports cannot. The Port of Long Beach

the Port of los Angeles’ powerful infrastructure of truck routes, rail lines, bridges, freeways and warehouses is significant, and can provide levels of service that inexperienced and less connected ports cannot.

Ocean vessels have always stopped at the U.S.’s West Coast piers, offloading their cargo to be transported via rail and truck to cross the largely empty Midwest to reach the East Coast where 65% of the u.s. population resides. Come 2012, those vessels will be able to instead bypass the West Coast, cross through the Panama Canal and head for ports on the Gulf and East Coast to offload their goods.

was named the best seaport in North America by Cargonews Asia at the 2012 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards in Shanghai, making it the 15th time in the past 17 years to be recognized as the best on the continent by importers, exporters, logistics and supply chain professionals.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are counting on their unique advantages to keep their clients coming to the West Coast.

However speculation that 25% and up to 35% of the cargo traffic could be re-routed, has organizations such as The Jobs 1st Alliance, fearing the ports could lose as many as 100,000 jobs, including dock-workers, truckers and rail workers.

Anything that impacts the California economy will in turn impact the High Desert, so any economic outcome will be felt in a general sense, however Metzler says the High Desert’s logistics, at least pertaining to SCLA, largely support local logistics. “We’ve been working with BNSF rail on their domestic needs, so we may not feel it here,” he says in regards to jobs.

In any case, the change is expected to be slow, given that only one Eastern port, in Norfolk Virginia, will certainly be able to handle the “Post-Panamax” ships by 2014. Other ports have projects underway, and New York, New Jersey and Miami will follow as they increase draft depths, raise bridges and widen tunnels to accom-modate new sized ships and increased ground transportation.

It will be up to importers and supply

chain managers to determine where the cargo goes, and up to California to com-pete in a new game.

The Panama CanalThe maximum size ship that can go

through the Panama Canal is called the “Panamax”. The largest vessels that can cross at the Panama Canal now carry just 4,400 to 5,000 containers, one third as much as can be carried on the larger, more modern vessels coming from Asia. Once construction is complete, the canal will be able to accommodate 12,600 container vessels – some of the largest vessels around. The toll to cross the canal is about $375,000, however can go up or down based on demand. It is expected

the toll will rise upon completion of the expansion.

Exports and BackhaulDue to the trade imbalance, with Asian

countries importing more than the US exports, many shipping containers go back to Asia empty. Dr. Pepper Snapple in Victorville is one High Desert company that exports to Asia via the Los Angeles/ Long Beach ports, helping with the back-haul of containers. Says Metzler, “Even though we don’t put a dent in the trade imbalance, we are contributing to the export numbers. They container the prod-uct right there at the Dr. Pepper Snapple plant and truck them to the ports.” n


Spanish Trail, serving virtually interna-tional purposes. “Native Americans from homelands distant… travelled through with surprising frequency. The mission-aries, fur trappers, horse thieves, slave traders, emigrants and others comprise an amazingly diverse set of peoples and sto-ries related to the region.”

In the early 1900’s Victorville became a key distribution center for the area’s silver, granite and limestone mines. Outgoing rail took ore, granite and lime-stone. Incoming rail brought timbers, groceries, explosives, livestock feed and mining equipment. To this day, limestone and granite quarries make the cement the most important industry to the city.

As a natural path of travel, Route 66 was established in 1926, passing through Victorville via Seventh Street and D Street. Construction of the I15 diverted through-traffic from seventh street in the late fifties, eventually leading to its demise.

In 1943, George Air Force Base was completed, employing about 6000 civil-ians and military personnel. The base was closed in 1989 by the government and deactivated in 1992. The former military base was annexed into the City of Victorville in 1993. Now called the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) it is a keystone for transportation and industrial growth in the region.

• CityContinued from page 1

Victorville d street, 1960’s

Photo courtesy of Mohahve historical society / Victor Valley College library

Population per City of Victorville1962 8,100

2011 107,688

Square Miles per city of Victorville1962 9.7 2011 74.16

Top EmployersSouthern California Logistics Airport 2,000The Mall of Victor Valley 1100Victor Valley High School District 1000Desert Valley Hosptial/Medical Group 950Victor Elementary School District 948Verizon 900Federal Correction Complex VV 844Victor Valley College 830Victor Valley Community College 570City of Victorville 366


Mrs. Wm. Boynton (right) from yucca loma ranch, 1930.

Victorville 7th street, 1960’s

The City of Victorville has approxi-mately 6435 acres zoned for commercial use, with nearly 75% available for devel-opment. There is in excess of 5400 acres zoned for light and heavy industrial use, with nearly 90% vacant and available.

Gala Sponsorships And Commemorative Tiles

The City of Victorville is offering spon-sorships for their 50 year celebration Gala on September 21, 2012, which will bring the residents, business community and elected officials past and present together to celebrate Victorville’s 50 years of incorporation. The gala will be held at the

Hilton Garden Inn in Victorville, where they will debut the City of Victorville’s historical film.

Tickets and sponsorships packages are available now. Sponsorships include historic, enscribed granite tiles and bricks to be installed at the Victorville Legacy Courtyard at Civic Center. Groundbreaking for the courtyard is scheduled for September of 2013, and will include a sculptural installment and other community amenities. To purchase tickets, sponsorships, or to commemorate your business, organization, loved ones or yourself with tiles, contact Monica Petersen at [email protected] or (760) 955-1681. n

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course the primary concern. But many busi-nesses don’t realize their insurance rates are tied to their local fire departments’ capacity to serve the public.

Bishop explains, “Fire departments are graded by ISO. That’s “Insurance Service Office” which is a private company that rates fire departments. Currently we are a 4. If we don’t maintain our ability to provide fire flow, our ISO rating will go up, and the insurance premiums that businesses people pay will go up as well. So there is a direct correlation between maintaining equipment and fire flow, and what they pay in fire insurance fees.”

The two brand new pumpers, or fire engines, were built by Wisconsin company Seagrave, one of the country’s oldest manu-facturers of engines. “These engines are custom built to meet the needs of the Apple Valley Fire Department,” Bishop says. “Engines are built based on the needs of the community, whether they are servicing mountains, slab, or desert like us.”

Bishop says the engines are replacing two that were supposed to be delivered on 9/11. “On 9/11, we got a call from Seagrave, ask-ing us to give up our engines to New York City. We did, but the life term for an engine in New York City is much shorter. Our engines weren’t good for what they needed and ultimately we got them back.” Those engines are now being retired.

The engines will be strategically deployed. “One is going in to a critical part of the Apple Valley area – Desert Knolls, around St. Mary Hospital, one of our high-est Life Safety Hazards,” Bishop explains. “The other one is going to Station 331, as protection for our Walmart DC. That is the largest Assessed Value Hazard.” Bishop comments on the 1.3 million square foot distribution center, “What I’ve seen is that when these large DC’s burn down, they rarely get rebuilt. So we are protecting the asset, and jobs for 1100.” n

• Fire EnginesContinued from page 1

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Apple Valley Fire department’s two new, custom built Maurader ii Pumper chassis with Cummins 425 hP isl Motor, Waterous CMu 1500 gPM pump, Alli-son 3000 EVs transmission, a 500 gl water tank and rigid stainless steel subassembly that surrounds and protects driver, captain and crew. the engines were manufactured by seagrave, in Wisconsin. Currently they are being further customized at the station with radio and other equipment.

Art Bishop, Fire Chief of the Apple Valley Fire department, will retire in July after 33 years in service. in addition to his service to the community, Bishop was instrumental in getting the world class facility, Victor Valley College regional Public safety training Center in Apple Valley, financed and built in 2012.

sid hultquist will serve as the new Fire Chief of the Apple Valley Fire department. hultquist has served as a division Chief for the san Bernardino County Fire department in Victorville, and the Emergency services and training in san Bernardino (CErt).

Photos courtesy of the Apple Valley Fire


NAIOP Mid-Year Market Review Perot Jr. sees bright future for U.S.

Inland Empire’s Commercial Real Estate Development Association, NAIOP, held their annual Mid-Year Market Review May 30th in Ontario,

California. The professionally run and well attended event included a panel of industrial market leaders from Johnson Capital, CBRE, Colliers International, Lee & Associates, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Grubb & Ellis.

Keynote speaker Ross Perot Jr. of Hillwood addressed attendees which included commercial real estate profes-sionals, investors and developers from the Inland Empire and Southern California.

Perot gave an overview of the U.S. mar-ket to other world markets including China, India and Europe, illustrating why he felt the US was still the best market to invest in for both today, and in the long term.

ChinaPerot believes the Chinese economy

will continue to grow, but not at the cur-rent rates, due to their export model, and inability to harness the full potential of their people under a pure communist system.

“There are certainly opportunities in China,” stated Perot, “but the Chinese are going to have a difficult time with their economy, a difficult time with their poli-tics, and if you look at the political transi-tion they are going to have to go through, China’s going to have to move from a pure communist party model into more of a democracy model.”

“The economic roadblock of the export model of the Chinese economy is going to be in question,” he said. “If they don’t start to generate control over consumption, they won’t be able to keep these growth rates.”

Perot believes that over time the US and China will understand each other more due in part to the trend for Chinese lead-

ers to send their children to school in the US. “Vice President Xi’s daughter is at Harvard,” stated Perot, “Their children will go back understanding our nation, under-standing our democracy. I believe you will see a loosening up of the Chinese com-munist party. They’ll have to bring more freedom into the system if they’re going to survive long term.”

IndiaPerot identified bureaucracy as the main

challenge for India’s growth. “India is a pure democracy, but the bureaucracy is so strong in India, it stifles their economic growth. Until you see some sort of reform to that bureaucracy, I believe it’s going to be hard to get India where it should be, even though the Indian economy is a real economy.”

EuropeIn looking at Europe, Perot stated,

“They’re not really fixing their problems, they’re not really facing up to what they need to do, and every six months you’re going to hear about another European cri-sis.” In comparing the world options, Perot said about the U.S., “When you see China slowing down, India slowing down, the Europeans going back into a recession, we are the place to invest. We are the safe har-bor. And if you look at the U.S. overall, we are in a very unique position in the world.”

United StatesPerot lists the U.S. defense system as a

core asset for the nation, being the best in the world and garnering power and influ-ence around the globe. He also sees the nation’s demographics as a strength, with the U.S. poised to grow to well over 400 million over the next fifty to sixty years. Perot compares that to the slowing growth

rates in China, Japan and Europe. Energy is also key to consider for the

U.S. “We’ve had a huge energy revolution in the U.S.,” said Perot. “Natural gas that will last us well over a hundred years, and we have a huge amount of unconventional oil being found in the United States.” With energy sources in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Perot believes energy indepen-dence is attainable. “We have a wonderful energy story.”

Perot then talked about California, and the great ideas coming out of Silicon Valley. “There’s not another place like this in the

Mr. Perot is Chairman of Hillwood, which he founded in 1988. Hillwood is ranked among the top ten real estate devel-opers in the United States and is recognized for its high-profile projects and public-private ventures. Hillwood Energy has natu-ral gas and oil interests in the United States, Iraq and Russia.

world,” said Perot, putting great value on American innovation and enterprise. “We need strong leaders to help us with the right policy,” he said, and believes that with the right policy and political programs, the U.S. could get back to where it was in 05 and 06, where the biggest problem in the U.S. was being out of labor.

Perot points out that the U.S. has the largest economy in the world at $15 tril-lion. “The U.S. is still the biggest economy in the world, the most vibrant economy in the world, and I’m optimistic about our future.” n


Government programs such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) can make it extremely affordable for students interested in manufacturing to take advan-tage of specialized training programs. Administered by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board, hun-dreds of thousands of dollars are available to under-skilled individuals to train for these new career pathways. WIA sourced funds can also help pay for customized cur-riculum development and delivery in part-nership with local business partners.

California will receive approximately $454 million from the Federal government this year to provide services for adults, laid-off workers and youth. Services can benefit job seekers, laid off workers, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, and persons with dis-abilities. Services can benefit job seekers with the development of on-the-job and customized training opportunities. For more information on services, go to www.edd.ca.gov. n

You can reach the author at 760-245-4271 x.2147.

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By James JohnsonCommunity/Contract Education ManagerVictor Valley College

has a shortage of trained workers to fill some jobs – especially in new or rapidly expanding industries.

Wal-Mart Distribution, United Furniture Industries, and Vulcan Materials have brought in hundreds of manufacturing and logistics jobs, adding to a robust and diverse manufacturing and technical base in the Victor Valley. Existing companies in aerospace, solar and consumer products represent many of the most sought after industry sectors available.

In order to meet the challenge of pro-viding a workforce for these companies, educational institutions are formulating very specific plans to train the workforce. Customized training programs through local high schools, community colleges, post-secondary and government agencies are beginning to bridge the gap.

“Contract education” is the process by which a local community college con-tracts with a public or private entity in order to provide customized training pro-grams and produce an employable work-force with a specific skill set.

Victor Valley College (VVC) is working closely with United Furniture Industries to formulate a specific manufacturing training program for their industry, and is in the beginning stages of working with another local manufacturer, Scott-Turbon Mixer, to discuss custom curriculum development.

The VVC Aviation program consistently places mechanics at Pacific Aerospace Resources and Technologies (PART), Leading Edge and Southern California Aviation located at Southern California Logistics Airport and serves as a pipeline

for providing highly skilled professionals to High Tech Etch and General Atomics as well.

Vocational Education programs at local high schools are also reinvigorating stu-dent’s interest in manufacturing. Apple Valley High School has ramped up its machining program to meet the needs of local business partners.

Government programs such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) can also make it extremely affordable for students interested in manufacturing to take advantage of specialized train-ing programs. Administered by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board, hundreds of thousands of dollars are available to under-skilled individuals to train for these new career pathways. Furthermore, WIA sourced funds can help pay for customized curriculum develop-ment in partnership with local business partners.

The real question is whether or not we can develop a workforce that can fill these high-paying jobs. The answer is simple and straightforward: yes. When education and business form a solid team, economic growth is nearly guaranteed through a skilled workforce.

Vocational education programs at local high schools are also reinvigorating student’s interest in manufacturing. apple Valley High School has ramped up its machining program to meet the needs of local business partners.


In 1990, the Federal Government passed the “Americans with Disabilities Act”, requiring among other things, specifi-cally regulated accessibility to build-

ings and facilities. Most everyone would agree this is good legislation, and most busi-ness owners have the intention to comply with the law.

However, in recent past, there have been over a dozen attempts to stop ADA frivo-lous legal action in California. Nationwide, California files approximately 40% of all national ADA lawsuits. This is remarkable because only 12% of the nation’s disabled reside in California.

There is one distinct reason why “drive-by” ADA lawsuits have become so rampant and vexatious in California as opposed to the rest of the country. While adopting California’s own version of the ADA, the state legislature allowed for private enforce-ment and penalties.

By mIChael BandasPresident and Operations Manager, Alison Service Co.

Is Help for Abusive California ADA Litigation Really Here?

That is where our problems started.Small businesses are ripe to be taken

advantage of. It is estimated that only 2% of businesses are fully compliant with California ADA standards. Most of these businesses are very small, sometimes fam-ily operated.

It is often the case that when a business receives a demand letter from a lawyer claiming to represent a victim, it can be in reality, a blanket letter sent to many busi-nesses in a complex or area that had never had an actual complaint.

These letters generally include an ulti-matum: “Pay us now or pay us more in court later!” Usually a payoff of $4,000 is offered initially since that is the maximum penalty amount per plaintiff visit according to SB 1608.

It finally took a couple of shots across the bow from our very own US Senator Diane Feinstein (D-California) to finally threaten our state legislature into doing something or she would introduce federal legislation. Her recommendation is to allow up to 90 days to correct the infractions.

There have also been attempts to stop “vexatious litigation” by crooked lawyers. Attorneys can face possible disbarment if it is determined they are filing unusually high numbers of these types of suits.

Most business owners wish to remain compliant with ADA regulations. There is a program in which a business owner can hire a firm to evaluate their expo-sure to potential ADA lawsuits. C.A.Sp. (Certified Access Specialist) will provide a business with a report and course of action to make corrections and become compliant within a timeline.

The cost is around $2,400 just for the

report. Upon signing up, the business owner will have protection from these drive-by law-suits, but only if making progress on reported corrections. Most city building departments will have or have knowledge of how to reach a CASp individual.

If you find yourself facing one of these lawsuits, fortunately there are more and more associations that may be willing to help (i.e. California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, ADA abuse.com, National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)).

The writing is on the wall…. All California businesses must become compli-ant. All business owners want a safe and accessible environment for everyone who visits their establishment, especially those with special needs. Over time, facilities will be much more compliant simply through attrition, as all construction since 1990 must

meet ADA standards.In the meantime, upgrades and compli-

ance may cost a lot of money for some, maybe not as much for others.

As a business owner, you should feel proud to be proactive in starting the process to meet the requirements of ADA compli-ance. There was a day not too long ago where there were no curb ramps or chirping walk signs, pull bars, handicap toilets, kick panels for doors, handicap parking, aisle clearance for wheelchairs, public transporta-tion and on, and on, and on… n

If you would like Alison Service Company to help implement the ADA standards visit www.adasigncompliance.com or www.alisonserviceco.com.


pensity for commercial space to be vacant. I drove one eight mile stretch from the bank I worked at to Interstate 10. I am a numbers guy and as I drove I counted 54 empty retail spaces in Ascension Parish. That was in March of this year, just days before I relo-cated to the High Desert. I’m sure I missed some, but you must agree that 54 is a large number in such a short drive.

The road to recovery anywhere in the country will continue to be slow as predicted in numerous economic reports. The burden of debt and the tendency to spend money at all levels of government will continue to cre-ate a challenge. This will be exasperated by the political battles which seem to stimulate uncertainty rather than the economy. n

Reach Ron Wilson at Sterling Commons, 760-245-3300 or [email protected]

By ronald l. wIlsonDirector of Community Relations with Sterling Commons

Local Economic Facts & TrendsCalifornia Perspective after Relocation

The Publisher of High Desert Business Journal has requested I provide a local economic fact and trend report to each edition of this

informative and respected publication. I am honored and quite thrilled to do so.

I understand that the Publisher was inter-ested in me making this contribution as she knows I was a banker for 38 years, 27 of which I served as a high level executive to include Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

Future reports will be more analytical rela-tive to number crunching and deciphering information garnered regarding local eco-nomic facts and trends. However, this first contribution I’m making is based primarily on personal observation of the economic difference I can attest to between Louisiana, where I lived and worked the past five years, and California, where I returned at the pleading of my five children and five grand-children who live in the High Desert. I am ecstatic to be here to interact with them and serve them.

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I was in Ascension Parish, Louisiana from 2007 until the present. They use the term “Parish” there rather than County. Ascension Parish was known for “affordable housing.” However, I’ve seen many 2,000 square foot homes in the High Desert which are far more affordable than they were in Ascension Parish. A new home of 2,000 square feet in the Parish sells in the $250,000 range, and that’s for an upscale home of great quality with an abundance of amenities.

The price of gas ran $0.70 to $0.80 less per gallon in Louisiana than in the High Desert the entire time I lived there. I am informed that California additives and taxes helped contribute to the difference. While many gro-ceries are similar in price, meat and eggs are also more expensive here.

The price of utilities reflects a shocking difference between Ascension Parish and the High Desert. Again, my personal experience serves as a terrific illustration of what I’m referring to. When I left here in 2007 my last full month for electricity with two air condi-tioning units set at 78 degrees was $864.00 and my HIGHEST bill the entire time I lived in the South for three air conditioning units set at 71 degrees was $277.00. Each home was two stories and identical in square foot-age at 4,000 square feet. Most homes and businesses are very cool and comfortable despite the high humidity in the South as they can afford to set the thermostat low.

The local economy in both areas benefits from superior schools. In Ascension Parish the schools had such a good reputation that this fact helped keep prices at a decent level, as they dropped three percent in the five years I lived there. Think about that com-pared to the fifty-plus percent decline that we’ve witnessed here in the High Desert. Values in Ascension Parish are predicted to rise a meager one percent each year over the

next five years, but at least an increase is pro-jected. The area has very little short sale and foreclosure activity.

The lack of short sale and foreclosure activity in Ascension Parish is a reflection of two factors. The schools drive the popularity of living there and unemployment is less than eight percent.

Both communities benefit from the oppor-tunity to develop local jobs in light manufac-turing, as regulations are less onerous than in larger metropolitan areas. Additionally, local municipality attitudes and requirements encourage relocation of such businesses to the area.

Ascension Parish has far less retail activity than we have available in the High Desert. They have very few new car dealers due to their proximity to Baton Rouge, on the Ascension Parish border, where virtually every new car manufacturer you can think of has a dealership.

One notable common bond between the High Desert and Ascension Parish is the pro-


By mIke nutter, CorsISU Insurance Services, ARMAC Agency Sales ManagerAccount Executive

Beyond Hollywood: Real Life Kidnap and Ransom

“I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ran-som, I can tell you I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills that I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now that will be the end of it. But if you don’t; I will look for you; I will find you; and I will kill you.

Arguably one of the best lines of any action-thriller in history, Bryan Mills, played by actor, Liam Neeson, remained true to his word as he sought retribution for the kidnap of his daughter, Kimmy, in the action-packed movie, Taken. As a highly skilled CIA field operative, Neeson’s char-acter was certainly not someone to take lightly, as members of the Albania Mafia would learn full well as they were system-atically picked off, one by one throughout the course of the movie.

One could argue the benefits of a rela-tionship with a character like Bryan Mills; an individual with a “very particular set of skills”; skills necessary to thwart the machinations of underground organizations the world over, hell-bent on the prospect of reaping the potential profits from kidnap, ransom and extortion. While Hollywood does a fantastic job bringing a very real subject to life, they seldom portray the more likely result of good versus evil. Unfortunately, the bad guys often prevail in real life, despite the best efforts of private investigators and law enforcement.

As kidnap, detention and extortion events become more of a reality for companies operating in both foreign and domestic markets; the need for expertise in pro-tecting those assets becomes critical. Businesses that conduct even a small share of business on foreign soil are susceptible, as are businesses which rely on trade secrets vital to the continued success of an organization or companies that use com-

puters to acquire or maintain the personal data of its customers.

Companies that frequently send employ-ees overseas and even those with incidental exposure are closely examining the risks and threats that are applicable to operat-ing abroad and many are choosing to add kidnap and ransom coverage to their insur-ance portfolio as a viable method of risk transfer.

According to research conducted by London based insurance underwriters, Lloyds of London, more than 30,000 hos-tile events occur each year with over 70 percent of those events being resolved by ransom payments. In addition to ransom payments, fees for negotiators, attorneys, public relations professionals, forensic analysts and security guards can nearly bankrupt even the flushest of companies. Reward money, interest on loans and exten-sive medical costs add to the potential cost of a kidnap & ransom scenario.

In The NewsDespite the media coverage of such

events, the Wall Street Journal reported that as much as 90 percent of kidnappings are not publicly reported; a number that continues to rise annually. In fact, the Wall Street Journal lost one of their own, reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002; the result of kidnap and murder while working as the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, based in Mumbai, India. On assignment in Pakistan to investigate a story related to Al-Qaeda, sadly, Pearl was kidnapped and subsequently beheaded by his captors.

In an unrelated article featured in the May 28 edition of the Valley Morning Star, a Harlingen, TX newspaper, a South Texas woman claims her husband was the victim of a March 30 kidnapping at the hands of the Zetas drug cartel by three gunmen who stormed into their home, targeting the wom-an’s husband, a proprietor of a landscaping firm. The woman went on to explain that the assailants were extremely professional and well organized, further emphasizing the high level of sophistication attained by some of the more well known criminal organizations.

Intelligence DataAccording to security and intelligence

data experts, ASI Group, the most common location for kidnap and ransom incidents come from areas in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Egypt, Israel and Yemen as well as sub-Saharan African countries such as Nigeria. Each of these countries currently possesses a level 5 secu-rity threat measurement (very high) due to their extremely volatile criminal activity.

A recent Reuters report listed Somalia and Mexico as experiencing an upward trend in

Safe Tips for the Business TravelerBelow are some points to consider when traveling abroad…

1. Research the country to which you intend to travel for travel advisories and potential issues. Information can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

2. Understand the culture and what is and is not acceptable behavior.

3. Retain contact information for the near-est U.S. Embassy/Military Base.

4. Bring at least two copies of your pass-port and other identifying items in the event you lose your passport, etc. Carry your documents in a separate location

on your body to avoid pick pockets.5. Do not share with strangers, where you

are staying. Travel with a rubber door stop to further secure your hotel room door while you sleep.

6. Ensure that all employees understand the potential dangers of traveling abroad and at all times, remaining alert to anything out of the ordinary.

As suggested by James E. Woolen, President of Nationwide Guard Services, Inc. located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

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kidnapping, suggesting that Somali pirates hijacking merchant ships in the Indian Ocean frequently take more foreigners hos-tage in a single month than all other kidnap-pers in the world combined. Afghanistan and Pakistan also made the list with 1-2 kidnappings of foreigners each month.

Coverage TrendThe push for K&R insurance is on the

rise as businesses attempt to manage risk on a global level. Insurance programs have become more and more comprehensive over the last few years as the demand for coverage has escalated due to domestic and national security events that warrant a closer look at the risk management efforts of even smaller businesses, such as contrac-tors serving the international and war-torn markets as well as academic institutions such as private and public universities, high school and middle schools.

Covered events are typically Kidnap: An actual or alleged kidnapping of an

insured person for ransom; Extortion: Threat to insured person(s) for demand of ransom, including threats against the insured person, property, trade secrets and computer data; Products Extortion: Threat to insured’s products for a demand of ran-som; Detention: Holding under duress of an insured; and Hijack: Any aircraft, motor vehicle, train, or waterborne vessel on which the insured person is traveling. These polices afford coverage to directors & offi-cers and employees of the insured as well as family members and the person negotiating and delivering the ransom in addition to all applicable expenses.

Countering an event such as kidnap, extortion or unlawful detention should not be approached in a haphazard fashion, as the result of a botched process could result in a substantial financial loss or worse.In the absence of one Bryan Mills, consider kidnap and ransom coverage and leave the “looking, finding and ….” to the experts. n


Housing Market Heating Up For the Summer

Data shows increase in sales, home prices.

Just in time for the warm summer months, we track new optimism as the national and local hous-ing markets swing back into gear. According to the National

Association of Realtors (NAR), home sales are up 10% since last year in the U.S. Home prices have followed suit, with NAR reporting a 10.1% increase in prices over last year. Pending sales in the U.S. has been trending upward as well, with a 14.4% increase from a year ago. While the housing market is not out of the woods, two main components of healthy growth, low inventory and reduced foreclosures, are on the mend.

As widely reported, the biggest strain on housing over the past four years has been the influx of inventory and distressed

homes driving prices down. Recent trends show a significant reduction of inventory both nationally and in the Victor Valley. NAR recently reported national inven-tory is down 20.6% from last year, with distressed homes down 9%. The Victor Valley has seen this trend as well, with housing inventory at its lowest point in over 10 years, with only 780 homes cur-rently on the market.

With average sales of approximately 600 homes per month in the Victor Valley, the current homes available account for only 1.3 months of inventory in the market. NAR economists state a healthy market includes six months of inventory. The cur-rent demand is in stark contrast to October 2008, which saw 4,300 homes on the mar-ket, totaling over 500% more than the cur-rent inventory. The strong demand in the High Desert has translated into increased home prices, multiple offers and a very competitive market overall.

Another bright spot with the housing market is the drop in the number of fore-closures. RealtyTrac, Inc. reports that national foreclosures are down 18% from a year ago. The Victor Valley has seen a sharp drop in foreclosures the past three months, with banks releasing fewer homes each week. The short sale market is now being embraced by the banking community as a viable and more profitable alternative to foreclosure. On average, banks receive 21% more on a short sale than a foreclo-sure. In the first quarter of 2012, short sales were up 25% hitting a three year high

according to RealtyTrac, Inc. As banks continue to pursue short sales over foreclo-sure, they are now becoming more proac-tive in offering moving allowance, which is similar to the cash for keys incentive for a foreclosure.

In the coming months, the Victor Valley housing market is expected to stabilize further with an increase in short sale approvals by banks and high demand for existing inventory. These factors will con-tinue to push housing prices up, which has

increased 4.2% since last year in the Victor Valley. In fact, the past month has not only seen temperatures rise in the High Desert, so has housing prices by an increase of 1.03%, which translates to a 12.36% increase adjusted for annual growth. n

Chris Lamoreaux of HomeSource Lamor-eaux Residential Group can be reached at (760) 684-8100.

With average sales of approximately 600 homes per month in the Victor Valley, the current homes available account for only 1.3 months of inventory

in the market.

By ChrIs lamoreauxExecutive Vice PresidentHomeSource Lamoreaux Residential Group

Introduce Your Business to the High Desert Community in the High Desert Business Journal

For Advertising Information Call (760) 403-2136


Commemorative Route 66 Edition Coming out soon!

High DesertLifestyLe Magazine

By Jason lamoreauxBroker/PresidentColdwell Banker Commercial - Real Estate Solutions

ICSC: Retail Warms UpAdvanced bookings and increased transactions indicate retailers are on the way.

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 2012 RECon Retail Convention experi-enced a noticeable change in the

retail climate, with a renewed enthusiasm between retailers and property owners not seen since the downturn in the retail indus-try five years ago.

The largest commercial real estate retail convention of its kind, retailers, developers and real estate professionals from around the country attend, showcasing services and goods while focusing on deal mak-ing and bringing new retail options to the United States including the High Desert.

With over 30,000 attendees, ICSC’s RECon 2012 attracted real estate develop-ers and brokers, restaurants, hotels, retail-ers and more, from around the nation.

Since the decline of the commercial real estate economy in 2007, the climate at RECon the years that followed had been poorly attended and pessimistic at best. However, with talk of economic recovery,

along with the steady increase in consumer confidence, this year’s retail convention had a positive mood and illustrated a return in the retail market with deals being com-pleted onsite at the convention.

Our associates experienced one of the busiest conventions in years while working with developers and national retail compa-nies, along with local High Desert officials from The Town of Apple Valley, The Cities of Adelanto, Barstow and Hesperia, as well as the County of San Bernardino to bring residents new services and goods.

In 2012, Commercial real estate con-tinued to see improvement with positive gains in Q1. Total commercial transactions in the High Desert for Q1 of 2012 were

$37,311,790 compared to $16,405,782 for Q1 of 2011, representing a 127% increase year over year for the same period.

We are experiencing an increase in all commercial sectors including land, retail, industrial, office and multi-family properties. With the upward trends in commercial real estate, retailers are seriously interested in doing business in the growing High Desert communities.

With increased interest in retail shopping centers, national retailers booked meetings with High Desert brokers months in advance. Our own retail team experienced back to back appointments at this year’s retail con-vention and the most notable difference was

the execution of new transactions. Offering an abundance of class A shop-

ping centers, changing demographics and a growing community, the High Desert is becoming a much more desirable location to conduct business. The recent announce-ment of the Victorville Macy’s and expan-sion of jcpenney are likely playing a major role in retailers’ rising interest in the Victor Valley. It is apparent that the success at this year’s retail convention is an excellent fore-shadowing of the economic recovery. The High Desert can look forward to retailers expanding into the Victor Valley, bringing businesses that are brand new to the area. n

The headlines over the past 12 months have captured both the positive and negative sentiment of the recovery and in some cases in the same news cycle. However, many of the key indicators over the past few months point to a positive swing in the economy, which was clear at RECon.

Thompson Reuters/University of Michigan recently reported consumer confidence reached a four year high in April at 77.8%. Unemployment in San Bernardino County continues to decrease from the peak in July of 2010 at 14.8% to 11.7% in April of 2012. Cities in the High Desert, includ-ing Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia and Victorville, have also experienced a steady decrease in unemployment over the past 12 months.

Bringing new businesses to the area, the relationships fostered at RECon this year will also contribute to the addition of new jobs for Victor Valley residents. The City of Hesperia’s Enterprise Zone appealed to both national and local retailers, offering tax incentives for new businesses.

With prime shopping centers in the area such as The Plaza on Main, interest from national retailers was at an all-time high. Q1 for the retail sector has exhibited a major turn around since the previous year, with more transactions actually taking place. A successful Q1 and an activity-filled RECon illustrate real signs of recovery for High Desert with the added benefit to local residents of additional jobs and more retail options in the future.

Look For

To advertise with High Desert Business Journal or Magazine, call 760-403-2136


include Yammer, SocialCast, and Jive. Open Source Social Network Software includes Liferay and Elgg. These soft-ware packages allow a company to build on-premise social network solutions. SocialCast is currently offering, up to 50 users free on their social network. The website is http://www.socialcast.com. n

Contributor Micheal Der is the owner of Advanced Micro Technologies a Net-work/Systems Integration company that provides IT consulting services to small, medium and large enterprise businesses. For questions or comments you can email him at [email protected]

under age 50 are using social networks.So how do you use social media with-

out the risk? Enterprise, or private social network systems help business meet social media compliance issues.

Enterprise social networking allows companies to control their social network. Administrative capabilities provide the ability to manage usage and access, and monitor compliance with company policies and industry regulations.

Companies can keep employees con-nected to a wealth of knowledge, ideas, and resources; let everyone in the organi-zation create and share profiles that iden-tify their role, expertise, and interests; and makes it easier to collaborate.

Hosted enterprise social networks

Enterprise Social NetworkingMaintain compliance with private social networking solutions.

When people think of social networking they think of facebook. But facebook is not always a good solution

for social networking within a business. What do I mean? I will explain.

Facebook is great for outbound market-ing, like connecting with customers. But facebook has a long history of privacy issues, which means you can incur risks in the business.

Social Media Risk A business may be exposed to compli-

ance risk if employees are setting their profile content on LinkedIn or facebook; “favoriting” or “liking” third-party posts; allowing LinkedIn recommendations to be displayed; communicating via status updates, tweets, or facebook/LinkedIn mail without tagging, retaining and post review-ing the content; or using social networks without a governance policy in place.

Social Media Policy FINRA issued guidance on blogs and

social networking sites in Regulatory Notice 10-06 determining that electronic communication regulations extend to social media sites such as blogs and social net-working sites. Firms must adopt and define reasonably designed policies and proce-dures to protect investors.

Even so, there are good reasons to use social networking in business for com-munications, sales and customer service. According to IT Business Edge, 79 percent of Fortune 500 companies use facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to communicate with customers. 73 percent of financial pro-fessionals have a profile or social media account. 85 percent of financial advisors

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Enterprise social networks are different than public social networks. SourcE: AltimEtEr Group

PublIC sOCIAl NetwORk eNteRPRIse sOCIAl NetwORk

People Profile Who you are, where you went to school, interestsSimilar to public networks, but also lists work-related associations and expertise (teams, projects, skills)

Object Profiles Places and brands also have identifies and activity streams

Business objects (client accounts, documents) have activity streams associated with them.

Updates and Activity Streams Created by the person. Can also include chats, video, group messaging and event planning.

Similar, created by people interacting with each other, as well as business objects and enterprise systems.

Notifications People can completely control from whom they get updates

Some update may be required because of work associations, update from the CEO

Relationships Two-way relationships, as well as one-way follow/subscribe, always controlled by the person

Similar, but relationships may be predetermined because of work associations (departments, team, project, location).

Permissions and PrivacyThe nature of relationships dictate permission, so greater care must be taken to make sure that private information stays within the right circles.

All can be seen by employer: hence privacy becomes less of an issue. Permissions become a greater concern in terms of who has permission to see what information.

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Patel & AssociatesDigging Dirt and Digging it.

More Local News From The High Desert

PATEL & ASSOCIATES

INC.

SINCE 1991

Geotechnical Exploration . Preliminary Soils Reports Compaction Reports . Percolation Reports

Environmental Reports . Construction Testing Material Testing . Laboratory Testing

Air Permitting and Compliance

Guess who just sold. That’s right - The Foremost Health Care campus. The founder Leonard Crites has retired and the new owners have taken over as of May. With the new owners come lotsa new ideas and changes for the progres-sive seniors of today.

This beautiful 14 acre campus touts 67 senior apartments and a full service assisted living 56k square ft. main building. With field trips, barbeques, daily activities and amazing a park like setting, the new FOREMOST SENIOR CAMPUS is proving to be an icon formally only available down the hill.

“We are shaping this campus into a first class facility with every possible amenity for today’s seniors” said Liz Hudson Colon, the company’s adminis-trator. “We believe in promoting an independent life style with just the right amount of daily assistance to enhance our residents experience here.”

We make it a point to get to know each residents family and invite them every community event we sponsor. The end result is amazing when we see people actually improve physically and mentally. Most families wait a little longer than they should to place a loved one. Clearly the reasons for this are varied and many and we have all experienced this to some degree. However one they are placed in a nurturing and stimulating environment the results can be wonderful.

We have also upgraded the senior studio and one bedroom apartments with an array of value added amenities. Imagine a senior apt with daily food service and housekeeping available. The apartment guests are included in our weekly local shopping excursions, and main building activities creating a family like atmosphere for all. Foremost has a consulting dietitian on staff for any special-ized diet needs.

As we grow in the High Desert, the seniors’ needs for services are growing too. We need to be aware of the ever changing market, and studies in the health care industry. In this evolving industry will come new technologies and infor-mation about the things that have haunted us in the past like Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Once misunderstood, we are now gaining ground on these debilitat-ing conditions. Now with the new studies we are able to control and in some cases diminish some of the symptoms that have previously eluded us. This new information allows us to personalize and map out a care plan to insure the maximum benefits with the primary focus on ability now disability.

The future of health care is here today and Foremost Senior Campus is lean-ing into the cutting edge of that future and all it has to offer. n

Geotechnical and materi-als testing firm Patel & Associates, is the only firm of its kind in the High

Desert. Testing soils, asphalt and cement prior to construction, they work with architects, structural engineers and construction teams on large commercial projects.

In business for over twenty years, they have a high level of expertise when it comes to testing in the local area. “Regions vary – some places are very high in clay. Some are very sandy. We understand the desert and what testing is necessary for construction projects here,” stated John Longoria, EIT, Sr. Associate Engineer at Patel. Longoria has worked at Patel for 16 years, alongside his brother Leroy who is a Senior Technician.

Much of the lab work is done onsite, including the main soils and concrete tests. The work is overseen by Jafaar Ahmed PhD, managing engi-neer. Stephan Longoria, RCE, John Longoria’s son has joined the team as a PE and Civil Engineer. Both graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, where Stephan, also a West Point graduate, is now pur-suing his Masters.

John Longoria explains their job in layman’s terms. “We go out to the area

where a building will be constructed. We excavate. We dig trenches, test the soil, and determine how compact the soil needs to be for construction. We go out and test while the site is being com-pacted to make sure they are meeting the standards.”

A current project takes them out to Baker where the well-known “Alien Jerky” proprietor is adding a hotel – shaped like a flying saucer. Another project involves concrete testing for a new structure for Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company. Longoria explains the process. “We take cement from the truck, pour it into molds, let it dry, cure it in water for 7-28 days and then break it on the press.” So what happens if the cement fails? “They do a lot of jack-hammering, and then they replace it,” says Longoria.

Manjita Patel owns and operates the businesses in the wake of her husband’s passing. Handling the office work and operations, the company works much the same as it has for the last two decades. Patel volunteers at the Krishna Valley Temple several times a week and takes business courses. “We’ve all been here together for a long time,” she says. “Everybody is still here.” n

Patel & Associates was founded in 1991 by ramesh Patel, and is now run by Manjita Patel.


High Tech Dentistry with Dr. Judelson

Arriving in the U.S. in 1980, a dentist of four years with his young family in tow, Dr. Brian Judelson left his home in South

Africa to start a life in America. Settling in San Diego for nearly thirty years, Judelson raised his family, practiced his profession and retired after a successful career. Or so he thought. When the ravages of the reces-sion took their toll, like many, Judelson found would have to continue working.

“I had sold my primary office,” says Judelson, “and didn’t own anything. When I decided not to retire and I had to buy, the High Desert represented the best oppor-tunity I found.” Judelson purchased Vista Dental, a successful practice that had been serving the High Desert for many years.

But instead of coming in as a dentist, Judelson came in to manage the business, leaving the practice of dentistry to the younger dentists. “I believe dentistry is the property of young eyes and young hands,” he says. After a moment he adds, “And young spines.”

Judelson attended UCLA for further training during his career, and stays up to date along with the rest of his licensed

staff by way of conferences and continu-ing education. Having been in the field for 40 years, his expertise is invaluable. “I have the experience to help my team with diagnosis and treatment planning,” says Judelson. “I’ve been exposed to a lot of different scenarios, and can help them make certain decisions.”

Judelson also keeps his practice up to date and invests regularly in the latest technology. “You need to keep moving with the times,” Judelson says about the ever-advancing field of dentistry. “Digital is where everything is going. The materials get better, the equipment gets better. You have to always make that capital invest-ment to keep up with the trends and offer the best standard of care.”

A capital investment of $30,000 was required to bring in the cutting edge equipment by Cadent iTero, which uses laser and optical scanning to make digital impressions for crowns. Judelson explains, “Instead of having to bite into something for 4 minutes, the impression is taken digitally and sent via the internet directly to the lab where they make the crown with the digital information.”

Another $3000 brought in Trimera’s Identafi 3000, a handheld device about the size of an electric toothbrush that uses three wavelengths of light to screen for cancer. The system helps to pick up oral cancer earlier than a simple visual inspec-tion. Though cancer screenings have been important in the past for high risk groups like heavy smokers and older adults, Judelson says that now 50% of oral can-cers are found in young people who have been exposed to the HPV virus. Because of the high mortality rate for late-detection oral cancers, the American Cancer Society recommends annual screenings for anyone over the age of 17.

Digital X-rays are another major invest-ment Judelson has made in the practice. $35,000 brought in the PANOREX tech-nology that exposes patients to about 1/10th of the radiation of traditional X-rays. Though the technology has been around for about 10 years, many practices have not invested in the machinery. In addition to detecting cavities, the machine can also create a single picture of the entire mouth including a complete set of teeth and surrounding bones. Not only is this

better than having to piece together several small X-rays, but it is also good for evalu-ating wisdom teeth and bone lesions.

The equipment is helpful as they do a lot of wisdom teeth extractions in their office. “Dr. Tran is an exodontal specialist and has been in practice for ten years doing all the oral surgeries in the office, includ-ing wisdom teeth and difficult extractions,” says Judelson.

And it’s not just the equipment. Judelson is an advocate of using the highest quality, and most modern materi-als. “We do mostly nonmetal-containing restoration, including tooth color, fillings and crowns. Zirconium crowns are just

Having been in the field for 40 years, Dr. Judelson’s expertise is invaluable. “i have the experience to help

my team with diagnosis and treatment planning, i’ve been exposed to a lot of different scenarios,

and can help them make certain decisions.”

coming into their own now.” The ben-efit is that many people have allergies to metal and that many patients do not want amalgam, which contains mercury, used in their mouths. And of course, there are the aesthetics. Zirconium crowns reflects light in the same way as a natural tooth. “Zirconium crowns are beautiful and pret-tier,” says Judelson.

Judelson’s staff includes dentists, hyg-enists, and office staff that have been with the business for many years. “We have a lot of familiar faces here,” Judelson says about his team. “People have been com-ing here for years, and know our staff by name.” n

dr. Judelson’s dental staff has many familiar faces. terri Polehonki, Joyce More, shelley Matthews, Elvia Mariana and Mical Martin have been with the practice for anywhere from three to eighteen years.

(l-r) dr. robert rohmer, dr. Brian Judelson, dr. Mervyn Moya


choice for businesses, it’s the smart choice too.”

The Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority has worked extensively to reach out to the busi-ness community and multi-family dwellings to educate them about the effects of this law and the require-ments it contains. Many California businesses currently have a recycling program in place. These organizations are already in compliance with the new law.

This new law requires multi-family dwellings with five or more units as well as businesses and public entities with more than four cubic yards of waste to either self-haul or have their recyclables picked up by their local hauler.

Most local haulers offer a recycling pick-up option to their customers. Businesses and owners of multi-family dwellings are tasked with contact-ing their local waste company or city recycling coordinator to find out what their options are. Tenants of multi-family dwellings will also need to find out from their property manager what options are available to them and what items they can and should recycle.

If you would like more information about the new law, or need contact information for your waste company or city recycling coordinator please visit www.commercialrecycling.org or call (760) 694-9027.

Town of Apple Valley water-wise practices lead by example

This spring, the Town of Apple Valley removed 3,843 square feet of grass at the golf course and replaced it with desert landscaping. In addition to receiving a $1,921 grant from Mojave Water Agency for the turf removal it will also save more than 100,000 gallons of water per year according to Parks and Recreation Manager Ralph Wright.

Additionally, the Town has saved 17 million gallons of water over last year’s volumes by adjusting the irrigation sched-ule on the golf course to provide less water for the outlying areas of rough and deep rough. While reducing the overall amount of water used, this has allowed increased irrigation of the fairways, tee boxes and putting greens to provide optimum playing conditions.

The Town also expects to reduce water usage at Lenny Brewster Sports Center. Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company staff recently evaluated the park’s system and recommended a controller that would be able to detect wind velocity and levels of water in the turf to more efficiently deliver water to the park.

For more information about how you can conserve water or other Green Apple Valley programs, click on “Water Conservation” on the left-hand side of the page atwww.GreenAppleValley.org or call Joseph Moon at (760) 240-7000 x7521.

The doors of wisdom are never shuT- Ben franklin

California’s New Commercial Recycling Law goes into effect July 1, 2012

There’s no better time to start recycling!

To find out how this new law effects your business, please visit commercialrecycling.org,

or call 760-694-9027.

Recycle and take pride in making a difference!

Commercialrecycling.org is your complete local guide to California’s

new commercial recycling law.

BuSINESS BRIEFSto clearly communicate its financial

story, according to a statement from the Association.

“Our team has really raised the standard in financial transparency and continue to go the extra mile to ensure responsible financial reporting,” said Logan Olds, General Manager of VVWRA.

Interstate 15: La Mesa & Nisqualli Road Interchange, Victorville

SANBAG. The City of Victorville and Caltrans are constructing a new inter-change on Interstate 15 in Victorville, CA between Bear Valley Road and Palmdale

Road (State Route 18) to improve both residential and business access, as well as overall operation of the free-way. Connecting La Mesa Road on the west and Nisqualli Road on the east will provide much-needed relief to the heav-ily traveled interchanges in the area and improve local circulation in the city of Victorville.

Ranchero underpass Construction Photos

In an effort to allow residents of Hesperia to monitor the progress of the Ranchero Road Underpass Project, two on-site streaming cameras have been provided to display updated photos of the bridge excavation on the west half of the railroad tracks. Photos update every ten minutes and can be viewed in a daily time-lapsed slideshow. Or more information contact 760.947.1202 or to to http://www.cityof-hesperia.us/index.aspx?NID=844. 2012 Inland Empire Annual Survey

SANBAG has helped sponsor an annual survey about transportation and quality of

life issues in San Bernardino County for the past 15 years. CSU, San Bernardino - Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis has issued the 2012 edition. www.SANBAG.ca.gov

Predator Hangar Unveiled at SCLAThe Air National Guard’s 163rd

Reconnaissance Wing (RW) unveiled its new $5 million hangar at Southern California Logistics Airport. The Air National Guard will conduct its MQ-1 Predator operations in the state-of-the-art hangar specially designed for unmanned aerial systems.

The $5 million state-of-the-art hangar was specifically designed for unmanned aerial systems and will be used to con-duct MQ-1 Predator missions training the Air Force’s remotely piloted aircraft crews. The hangar will support the 163rd’s Formal Training Unit – a group tasked with training the US Air Force’s remotely piloted aircraft crews.

Previously, the Air National Guard’s Predator operations were located at a temporary facility at Southern California Logistics Airport. With the new hangar, the 163rd RW’s Predator mission will be able to expand its operations more permanently in Victorville.

California Launches New Commercial Recycling Law

Business owners are required by law to recycle after July 1st, which marks the launch of a new commercial recycling law that few businesses and residents in California are aware of.

The passage of AB 341 means the majority of businesses and multi-family dwellings in California will be required to begin recycling July 1st, 2012. This Mandatory Commercial Recycling law will apply to business-es, public entities and multi-family dwellings such as apartment complex-es and mobile home parks.

AB 341, authored by Assembly member Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), will contribute to California’s state-wide recycling ambitions by setting a new statewide goal. Currently, all cit-ies and counties are required to meet the statewide goal of 50% diversion set in 1989. AB 341 sets a goal of 75% recycling by January 2020.

“Unfortunately, many business own-ers are unaware of this new law that goes into effect July 1,” stated John Davis, Executive Director, Mojave Desert JPA. “Mojave Desert Mountain Recycling Authority is working to educate the business community about these recent changes in state law so they are not caught off guard July 1st. We know that business owners and owners of multi-family dwellings work hard to comply with new laws and, in fact, many of them already are compliant with the law. This is because recycling is not only the right


Foodie FrenzyWinning Food Network Channel Gourmet Trucks coming to Victorville

The Taste of 66 Food Truck & Wine Festival will showcase winning food trucks from the famed program, The Great Food Truck Race on the Food

Network Channel at the International Route 66 Festival in Victorville this August.

While sophisticated and trendy gourmet food trucks roam L.A. and attract devoted followers by way of Social Media, or congregate at popular food truck festivals all up and down the state, San Bernardino County has been lagging behind on the trend.

The County of San Bernardino recently changed their rules effective July 1, allow-ing trucks in a more limited capacity than in Los Angeles, and local cities and towns are working to determine the specific regu-lations and policies. In the meantime, our area can get a taste of the best food along Route 66 at the International Route 66 Festival in Victorville, this August.

Over 60 food trucks will be provided by IE Gourmet Food Trucks, the only hot food truck approved commissary in the Inland Empire. The company provides the oppor-tunity for food businesses to utilize their trucks, by providing full service vehicles and amenities including marketing and venues. The trucks include electrical and water connections, parking, wash station, unlimited ice, preventative maintenance, roadside assistance, full sized commercial prep kitchen, and storage.

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Home BeautifulJason and Chris Lamoreaux of HomeSource and their team of HomeSource

Realtors are excited to be giving back to the community in a fun 1st Annual Home Makeover event, showcasing local companies coming together to award one lucky local resident the home makeover of their dreams.

Semi-finalists have been selected at random each Friday for the past few months, and the winner selected from among them. The final winner was drawn on July 2nd, and announced on radio and in the Daily Press.

The winner will receive remodeling services worth up to $18,500, with time and materials donated by participating sponsors including ServPro of Victorville/Adelanto/Victor Valley, Sparkle Carpet Care & Cleaning, Decorating Den Interiors, Carpet Club Intricate Tile & Design and Christopher Homes. Media sponsors include High Desert Lifestyles Magazine, El Dorado Broadcasters and the Daily Press.

“It’s always exciting to bring new life to a home,” says Interior Designer and General Contractor Donald Tatera, of Decorating Den Interiors. “Your house is still the biggest investment you make. Let’s turn that house into your personal home.”

Curious to see how the makeover goes? Look for beautiful before and after photos in the Fall edition of High Desert Lifestyles Magazine. n

suite 106 Cupcakery: Food Network Champions and two time winners of Cupcake Wars.

grill em All: 2010 Food Network Great Good Truck Race winners; look for amazing burgers.

the slummin’ gourmet: “Fancy without the schmancy.” Walnut shrimp tacos, lobster corn dogs, and other classy fare.

waffles de leige: Belgian liege waffle topped with nutella, caramel sauce, ice cream, fruit. Mmmm.

Rolling sushi: From Orange County: Freshest ingredients and healthy cuisine.

Munchee5: Off the hook burgers, sliders, red velvet funnel cake.

Look for these exciting, gourmet food trucks at Victorville’s International Route 66 Festival:


Diverse Workforce

BusinessfrienDly

cities

AfforDABle Housing

luncH WitH A sHArk!Real estate mogul, entrepreneur, author and ABC’s reality TV Shark Tank investor/shark

Barbara corcoran will serve as the Keynote Speaker.

MAjor logistics & trAnsportAtion

corriDor

october 18, 2012

Opportunityi s k n o c k i n g

Experience why the High Desert is one of

the fastest growing economic regions!

one of tHe nAtion’s

fAstest groWing

AreAs!

For EvEnt tickEts • Exhibit spacE • sponsorships www.HighDesertopportunity.com

760-245-7600

Investor Shark and Real Estate Mogul Barbara Corcoran to Speak at HDO

Local Rotary Clubs Host Rotary Group Study Exchange

Professionals from Chile

The premier annual High Desert Opportunity event, showcasing the High Desert region to “out of the area” business owners, commercial real estate brokers, developers and site locators, has secured Barbara Corcoran as the keynote speaker for 2012.

Corcoran is a real estate mogul, entrepreneur, author and reality TV Shark Tank investor/shark. In an unlikely start to her successful career, Corcoran started out as a straight “D” student in high school, and had gone through twenty jobs by the age of 23. Her next endeavor made her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. Taking a $1,000 loan, she parlayed it into a five-billion-dollar company, and the largest real estate business in New York City, The Corcoran Group.

Selling The Corcoran Group for $66 million in 2001, Corcoran is now a weekly real estate contributor on NBC’s Today Show, an author, speaker, and an investor/shark on ABC’s reality hit Shark Tank. Her invaluable knowledge of the real estate industry, front-line experience building a five-billion-dollar empire and can-do atti-tude will bring a refreshing and energetic keynote address to attendees at the 2012 High Desert Opportunity.

High Desert Opportunity is in its 31st year, and this year’s event showcases an expo hall, HD Theater morning program, and luncheon with Corcoran as the key-note speaker. High Desert Opportunity also features an exhibit hall of over 80 local and regional organizations, and the opportunity to meet and speak directly with representatives from city and county governmental agencies, financial institutions, community organizations, utilities, real estate and other key High Desert influenc-ers.

This annual event will be held on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, CA.

For more information, to become a sponsor or to purchase tickets for High Desert Opportunity, please call 760-245-7600 or visit the website: www.highdesertopportunity.com. n

Barbara Corcoran, high desert opportunity’s 2012 Keynote speaker, is the author of use What you’ve got and shark tales. she is an investor/shark on ABC’s reality hit shark tank, and is a weekly real estate contributor for nBC’s todAy show. tickets to hdo are on sale now at www.highdesertopportunity.com.Corcoran’s current speaking engagements include the Wall street Journal: Business Forum in new york City; inc. Magazine: the 500 Conference in Washington dC; and Business Weekly in taipei, taiwan. don’t miss this amazing opportunity to hear from a world business leader at high desert opportunity. Find out more about Barbara Corcoran at www.BarbaraCorcoran.com.

By Gretchen Losi

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a cultural and vocational exchange opportu-nity for professionals between 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries.

For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institu-tions, observe how their voca-tions are practiced abroad, develop per-sonal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in vocational visits, club pre-sentations, formal visits and social events, time at the district conference, cultural and site tours, and free time with host families.

For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area pro-vide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

The High Desert Business Journal and High Desert Magazine were proud to be a part of this year’s Rotary GSE, hosting a vocational tour for Francisca Menendez Olivieri from Chile, whose interests include journalism and non-profit work.

Our first stop was to meet with Darryl Evey, Executive Director of Family Assistance Program, an agency that pro-vides shelter, counseling and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and their

children. Evey toured Olivieri through the 24 bed facility and talked about their vari-ous programs that serve the community.

After lunch with the Victorville Rotary Club, Public Relations Specialist Emily Berg Abbott of St. Mary Medical Center allowed us a look at all the ways our High Desert community has helped to fund important programs and equipment for the hospital.

The following day, Olivieri and four other GSE guests at the Apple Valley Rotary luncheon gave presentations on their hometowns, careers and families. Olivieri shared a presentation on her home town of Valparaiso, Chile and the work she does at her town’s orphanage.

A potluck dinner, hosted at the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce and includ-ing the Apple Valley and Victorville Rotary Clubs gave Rotary members and the Chilean professional group time to mingle and network. n

gsE professionals from Chile address the Victorville rotary club.


2-day workshop covers fundamentals of drawing, painting or design. All sup-plies included. $46 Ages 9 – 14Alicia Dannelley 760.524.7139Town Hall Recreation Center14955 Dale Evans ParkwayApple Valley, CA 92307

Intro to Watercolor PaIntIng classes July 14th10:00 am - 12:30 pmProfessional artist Yvgenia Watts will walk you through the basics of painting in water color. Weekly class. $135 for 6 weeks.Town Hall Recreation Center14955 Dale Evans ParkwayApple Valley, CA 92308760.240.7880

IntermedIate Watercolor PaIntIng classes July 14th1:00 pm – 4:00 pmFor students 18 and up, who have com-pleted Intro to Watercolor or have pre-vious experience in watercolor paint-ing. Weekly class. $135 for 6 weeks Town Hall Recreation Center14955 Dale Evans ParkwayApple Valley, CA 92308760.240.7880

the WIzard of ozJuly 14 – July 22By Rancho Cucamonga Community Theater (RCCT) for youth, teens and adults.Follow the yellow brick road and get swept away to the “merry old land of Oz.”Lewis Family Playhouse

JItneYBy August WilsonDirected by Ron OJ ParsonThrough July 15thSeventh in a series of ten plays by August Wilson. It’s 1977 and the City of Pittsburgh is eager to gentrify the Hill District neighborhood. Described by the New York Times as “vibrant…velvety smooth”. Pasadena Playhouse39 S. El Molino AvenuePasadena, CA 91101626. 356.7529

Into the WoodsPresented by Creative Arts Theaterwww.creativeartstheater.comJuly 6th -15th Friday shows 7:30 pmSaturday shows 2:30 pm and 7:30 pmSunday shows 2:30 pmFor tickets call 760.963.3236High Desert Center for the Arts15615 8th Street Corner of 8th and “C” streetsHistoric Old Town Victorville

summer art WorkshoPIntermediate Drawing/Painting www.applevalley.orgJuly 11th, 1-4 pm

Victoria Gardenswww.LewisFamilyPlayhouse.comBox Office 909.477.275212505 Cultural Center DriveRancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

the snoWlIne PlaYers’ Vocal Sensation 2012 Singing CompetitionAudition: Saturday, July 28th at 12:00 pm Final Competition: Saturday, August 4th at 5:00 pm

Open to any soloist ages 15 and up. Winner will walk away with $500 in cash, and the title of Vocal Sensation 2012.Wrightwood Community Building1275 State Hwy. 2Wrightwood, CA760.868.4966 Cheryl Buckle

summer art WorkshoPJuly 25th- 26th1:00 pm – 4:00 pmEach 2-day workshop will cover the fundamentals of drawing, painting or design. All supplies are included. Town Hall Recreation Center14955 Dale Evans ParkwayApple Valley, CA 92307Register online at www.applevalley.org or contact Alicia Dannelley 760.524.7139.

rabbIt holeAugust 10 - August 19By Black Box Productions.Rabbit Hole is a vivid, hopeful, hon-est and unexpectedly witty portrait of a family searching for what remains possible in the most impossible of all situations. Studio Theater, Lewis Fam-ily PlayhouseVictoria Gardenswww.LewisFamilyPlayhouse.comBox Office 909.477.275212505 Cultural Center DriveRancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

Pasadena PlaYhouse 2012-2013 seasonBeginning September 2012The season will include the rescheduled world premiere of Sleepless in Seattle – The Musical, the world premiere of the Broadway-bound comedy under My Skin, Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel, Noël Coward’s comedy Fallen Angels and a surprise production to be announced.In a partnership with Lythgoe Family Productions, a special presentation of A Snow White Christmas will be of-fered for the holiday season.

Subscriptions available now. The five show series ranges from $99 – $375.Tickets for the holiday engagement of A Snow White Christmas are available as a special add-on to a season sub-scription. 626-356-7529 or www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

Arts & Culture PAge


CAlendAr eventsOFHdBJ

July 13thMovie starts at duskMovies in the Park: Beetlejuice Sit back, relax and enjoy a movie under the stars. Come one hour early, bring blankets, chairs. FREE Horseman’s Center24320 Highway 18Apple Valley, CA 92307760.240.7880

July 14th Cancer Awareness night Mavs vs. stockton PortsRaise awareness for cancer with local cancer awareness and cancer research organizations. Event starts at 5:00 and the game begins at 7:00 pm. with fire-works display after game. Mavericks Stadium12000 Stadium Way, A delanto, CA 92301For more information call 760.246.6287

July 21st 5:00 am - 12:00 pmMavericks Music, Mud and Crazy obstacle 5kBring the family for a fun day. Food, Music, Mud Run, and Mini Mud Run for the kids. Individual $40.00. Team of Three $85.00. Mini Mud Run $15.00. Register online. www.MavericksMudRun.comMaverick Stadium12000 Stadium RoadAdelanto, CA

July 27th 7:30 am - 11:00 amthe desert Communities unit-ed Way Campaign Kick-off Support your local United Way and en-joy a day of golf at Scandia. Golf teams of four may sign up for $80.Scandia Family Fun Center12627 Mariposa RoadVictorville, CA 92395760.242.5370

August 3rd 6:00 pm – 8:00 pmFirst Fridays Wine and designJoin Decorating Den’s Interior Designer at their design studio for interactive presentations on interior design topics. 13455 Malakai Road. Ste B

Apple Valley, CA 92307August 4th 10:00 am – 5:00 pmspecial Events Fair featuring Weddings & QuinceanerasBridal fashions will be provided by David’s Bridal & The Men’s Wearhouse. $3.00 at the door or free if pre-registered on-line at www.hdweddingsite.com. Pre-registration enters attendees in drawings. Sponsored by HD Weddings and Events.Marriott Courtyard 9619 Mariposa Rd., Hesperia, CA. 92345 760.985.7698

August 4th, August 11th6:00 pm - 9:00 pmVictorville speedwayPro Racing, Midgets racing, Sprints rac-ing, Youth racing, Sidecars racing and Pee Wee racing. Adults: $10 Youth/12 and under $5. Family Pack: $25/2 adults, 2 youth.www.vvspeedwaybikes.comSan Bernardino County Fairgrounds14800 Seventh St, Victorville310.309.9418

August 10th and 11thinternational route 66 FestivalAll DayFood and Wine Festival, Classic Cars, Poker Run and more.Go to www.Route66Festival2012.com

August 11th 8:00 am to 1:00 pmrockin’ Flea MarketEnjoy a free day of live music and get great deals on new and used antique and unique items from more than 50 vendors. Lions Park Outer Hwy 18 NApple Valley, CA, 92307www.AppleValleyEvents.org

August 18th7:00 am – 4:00 pm18th Annual Mountain Classic Car show 7:00 am – 11:00 am Pancake BreakfastWrightwood Community Center10:00 am – 4:00 pm Car show, showcas-ing pre-1973 American rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and trucks. Ven-dors, live music, poker walk, header

contest and more. FREEwww.WrightwoodChamber.orgWrightwood, CA

August 18th 6:00 pmsummer Concert “My Music the 60s”My Music 60s Concert featuring Ron Dante, the voice of the Archies; the Cufflinks; the Detergents with hits Sugar Sugar; and more. $20 cash, children under 12 free. Meadow Park Swim Beach Stage Park StreetBig Bear Lake, CA 92315909.271.0681

August 25th 9:00 am – 12:00 pmApple Valley Mud FestMud Fest features fun, competition, bragging rights and the chance to get dirtier than mom ever allowed! Mud volleyball, Mud Tug-o-war, Bobbing for Pigs and more. Teams must register in advance by August 14th. $40/team, Grades 6 - High School.Horseman’s Center24320 Highway 18Apple Valley, CA 92307760.240.7880

August 25th 7:30 amrockin’ the desert Mud run 5k Mud Run including obstacle course, wall climb, fitness stations & more. Food & Drinks, Vendors, Booths and Beer Garden. Proceeds to benefit the Victor Valley College Foundation & Sunset Hills Children’s Foundation.Horseman’s Center24320 Highway 18Apple Valley, CA 92307760.240.7880

July 21st, July 28th, August 11th, August 18th, August 25th Movies in the ParkMovies begin at dusk. Happy Feet 2, Cars 2, Secretariat, The Smurfs, People’s Choice. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions available for purchase. FREE.www.hesperiaparks.comHesperia Civic Plaza Park15833 Smoke Tree St., Hesperia760.244.7518 x123

Home of the greatest Hits of All time!

August 14th, August 21st, August 28th, september 4th hesperia Zoo twilight tour tuesdaysTours begin at 6:30 pm and end at 8:00 pm. Watch the animals come ALIVE with their special toys and treats. If you are one of the lucky guests to answer an animal trivia question, you may get to feed a wild animal! $12.00 adults, $8.00 kids. www.thehesperiazoo.com19038 Willow StreetHesperia, CA 92345 760.948.9430

sunset Concert series6:00 pm – 9:00 pmLive entertainment, beer garden, food and vendors every Thursday. FREE.Bring your own blanket or chair for lawn seating.

July 12th Phat Cat Swinger - SwingJuly 19th Four Shadows Fall - Positive AlternativeJuly 26th The Gypsy Dolls - Pop/VarietyAugust 2nd The Silverados - CountryAugust 9th Cold Duck - Oldies/R&BCivic Center Park14955 Dale Evans ParkwayApple Valley, CA 92307760.240.7880

Concerts in the Park 6:00 pm – 9:00 pmBring blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions available for purchase. FREE.July 13th The Roaries – Oldies but GoodiesJuly 27th Blue Henry’s – Classic RockAugust 10th Working Poets – Rock & CountryAugust 24th Mike Sullivan – Original & Easy ListeningHesperia Civic Plaza Park15833 Smoke Tree StreetHesperia, CA 92345760.244.7518, x123


August 15th 10:00 am – 12:00 pmWebinar: intermediate statisticsBusiness Excellence Training Program for small businesses by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board. Register for the free Webinar at www.business1-eorg.eventbrite.com

August 18th6:00 pm – 10:00 pmA night at the CopaEnjoy the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Food, auction, music and fun.Spirit River Center, Apple Valley, CA

760.242.2763

August 24th6:00 pm – 8:00 pmEmployment skills - teen Workshop Learn how to fill out a job application and prepare for a job interview. Guest speaker will be R.O.P. Recruitment Specialist, Belen Colon. FREE for ages 13 - 17Town Hall Recreation Center14955 Dale Evans ParkwayApple Valley, CA

August 30th 6:00 pmWomen for Women networkingProfessional women can come communicate about their business while meeting others with similar goals and professional needs.

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to have your event added to our Calendar, please email [email protected]

July 12th3:00 pm – 6:00 pmBusiness showcase ExpoVictorville Chamber’s local businesses showcase.www.vvchamber.comHilton Garden Inn, Conference Center12603 Mariposa RoadVictorville, CA

Lisa De La Cruz 760.245.6506

July 18th5:00 pm – 7:00 pmhow to start your small BusinessWorkshop covering topics such as Being an Entrepreneur, Business Planning, Licens-ing and Permits. Hosted by Inland Empire SBDC. Hesperia Branch Library, Library Conference Room9650 7th AvenueHesperia, CA

Kristen Gerke 760.951.1592

July 18th 10:00 am – 12:00 pmWebinar: Basic statistics Business Excellence Training Program for small businesses by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board. Register for the free Webinar at www.business1-eorg.eventbrite.com

July 26th6:00 pmWomen for Women networkingProfessional women can come communicate about their business while meeting others with similar goals and professional needs. Hosted by Capstone Consulting Group and GI & Assoc. Grumpy Golfer14144 Green Tree Blvd. #BVictorville, CA

Linda Jacobson 760.243.2551

August 6th 5:00 – 7:00 pmFirst Mondays - FrEE local networking for the Victor Valley. hosted by relylocal.com.Location varies. [email protected] or [email protected]

August 8th9:00 am - 3:30 pmFederal & state Basic Payroll tax seminarInland Empire Small Business Development Center is offering FREE business training, in conjunction with one-on-one business consulting. 15490 Civic Drive, Suite 102Victorville, CA Register online at www.iesmallbusiness.com

Hosted by Capstone Consulting Group and GI & Assoc. Grumpy Golfer, 14144 Green Tree Blvd. #B

Linda Jacobson 760.243.2551

FrEE human resources hotlineSan Bernardino County Workforce Invest-ment Board partnering with the California Employees Association.Hotline: 1.800.339.5333 www.csb-win.org

september 3rd 5:00 – 7:00 pmFirst Mondays - FrEE local net-working for the Victor Valley. hosted by relylocal.com.Location varies. [email protected] or [email protected]

sAVE thE dAtE!high desert opportunity

october 18th 7:30 am – 11:30 amregistration, Continental Breakfast, Exhibit hall12:00 pm – 1:50 pmLuncheon with Keynote Speaker Barbara Corcoran 1:50 pm – 3:00 pmExhibit Hall, Dessert ReceptionSan Bernardino County Fairgrounds14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 92395www.HighDesertOpportunity.com

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High Desert Business Journal July 2012

Documents

business calendar

u t h o r i t y o f

business briefs

business profiles

city of victorville

south american west

panama canal expansion

s west coast piers