News and notes from around the greater San Fernando Valley area SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CANOGA PARK REOPEN: After being closed for 10 months, The Salvation Army’s Family Thrift Store in Canoga Park reopened on Jan. 19, bringing to the San Fernando Valley the first comprehensive disaster readiness and response center, which is at the same location. Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield, first responders and community representatives were in attendance to commemorate the opening of the facility which will stockpile supplies for disaster readiness, provide a venue for disaster preparedness and house an emergency communications center. Blumenfield addressed the crowd on the importance of being prepared in the case of an emergency. “The reopening of the Salvation Army makes us stronger than ever right here in Canoga Park,” Blumenfield said. “This facility will help ensure that people are equipped and trained to help their neighbors and reduce the power of the next disaster to befall us.” VAN NUYS HOSPITAL: Valley Presbyterian Hospital became the first hospital to implant a new heart device that provides what its manufacturer calls painless pacing or life-saving shock therapy to stop fast or irregular heartbeats that can lead to sudden cardiac death. The device, the DF4 High-Voltage Connector System, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is made by Medtronic. Dr. James Ong, a cardiologist, performed the procedure to implant the device in a 75-year-old man on Jan. 23. The procedure was a success, and the patient has since been released, the hospital said. Sudden cardiac death kills more people each year than lung cancer, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined, according to the hospital. Similar implantable defibrillators have saved an estimated 70,000 lives since they were introduced, the hospital added. Hospital CEO Gus Valdespino said Valley Presbyterian is committed to building an advanced cardiology program in the San Fernando Valley. LA CANADA RETAIL: Craig Levra, CEO of La Cañada-based sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet Inc. was elected to serve on the National Retail Federation’s Board of Directors. Levra was one of five newly-elected board members which include Tim Belk of Belk Inc., David Jaffe of Ascena Retail Group Inc., David Ratner of Dave’s Soda and Pet City and Laura Sen of BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. The new Board of Directors will serve a three-year term for the association, which represents retailers of all shapes and sizes in both the United States and 45 other countries. In a prepared statement, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said the board’s newest additions will further position NRF as the leader on issues affecting retailers. “The collective level of experience and professionalism these new board members bring to the table will complement the stellar list of executives who have been representing NRF’s members, our community and our industry,” Shay said. SANTA CLARITA ADVERTISING: Power Media Group Inc., a Santa Clarita-based advertising and public relations agency, has signed on to manage the Hispanic marketing campaign of Liana’s Coleccion, a Los Angeles jewelry catalog. The catalog provides a business opportunity for entrepreneurs to sell jewelry and other items. Power Media, which specializes in creating all-inclusive Spanish language campaigns for high-profile clients, has secured Hispanic actress and singer Laura Flores as the catalog’s spokesperson for 2012. The media campaign will include TV, radio, print and social media, with Flores as the focal point. Flores is a well-known entertainer in the Hispanic community, particularly in Mexico. Patricia Gracia, spokesperson for Power Media Group, in a prepared statement. “This campaign will help the company effectively reach out to a very important market.” VENTURA COUNTY THOUSAND OAKS PURCHASE: Amgen Inc. has agreed to purchase a Maryland-based biotech company that develops cancer drugs for $1.16 billion, while also reporting rising revenue, but declining income for the fourth quarter in 2011. The purchase is an effort to beef up the company’s oncology business. The Thousand Oaks biotech giant reported $3.97 billion in revenue during the fourth quarter, a 3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2010. Net income fell 8.6 percent to $934 million in the fourth quarter, or $1.08 per share. Profit was hurt by one-time charges, the company said on Jan. 6, including expenses related to acquisitions and stock options. Accounting for those charges, Amgen said it earned $1.04 billion, or $1.21 per share. “We exited 2011 with good momentum and the outlook for 2012 is even stronger,” retiring CEO Kevin Sharer said in a statement. “Our acquisition of Micromet…further builds our innovative oncology therapeutics pipeline and capabilities.” With the acquisition of Micromet, announced on Jan. 26, Amgen gains a drug in clinical development for treating leukemia as well as for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The purchase was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors and is expected to close in the first quarter, the two companies said. Amgen’s earnings beat analysts’ expectations for revenue and just missed it for earnings per share. Analysts polled by Yahoo! Finance expected fourth-quarter revenue of $3.91 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $1.22. Amgen’s stock remained unchanged in after-hours trading. The stock closed down 1.63 percent at $68.08 on Jan. 26.
AROUND THE VALLEYS – February 6, 2012
