One of three public art projects to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the North Hollywood Redevelopment Project, the NoHo Gateway Arch is now a permanent fixture at Lankershim and Huston. Los Angeles-based artist Peter Shire designed the NoHo Gateway to celebrate the area’s history of providing ‘behind the scenes’ support to the entertainment Industry. The Gateway depicts characters busily building sets, operating cameras and designing costumes. The support structure is painted a vibrant yellow, with the artwork contrasting in a range of reds, oranges and stainless steel. The word “NoHo” in the center will be illuminated at night. City Councilman Tom LaBonge said the work of art will give identity and character to the neighborhood. “This Peter Shire installation is a special project because it celebrates North Hollywood’s contribution to the entertainment industry, so the design relates to the neighborhood.” Conejo Valley Agoura Hills Audio: The City of Agoura Hills proclaimed July 1 as “DTS 7.1 Day” in honor of sound technology company DTS Inc. California State Assemblywoman Julia Brownley offered her well wishes to the company and sent a Certificate of Recognition for DTS’ “dedication to delivering unparalleled sound quality to audiences around the world” and honoring DTS’ “stimulus for job creation for over 18 years.” Actor/Comedian Fred Willard will star in a series of online videos for DTS during the month of July in celebration of DTS 7.1 Day. Thousand Oaks Office: Mustang Marketing opened a new office in the San Francisco Bay area to expand its geographical scope of its advertising and communication services. Danny Bracco will run the copywriting and public relations operations and work under the staff in the Thousand Oaks headquarters. This state-spanning telecommute model allows further growth for Mustang Marketing in the marketing and public relations industry. “Opening a Bay Area office has been an incredibly exciting venture,” says Scott Harris, president and founder of Mustang. “Danny’s helping us to further extend our geographical scope, reaching business we may not have had access to before.” Ventura County Camarillo Research: National Coatings Corp. opened its Center for Technical Innovation for research and development of the next generation of coatings used in construction applications. The center is a major step forward in the company’s commitment toward providing the best roof coating technology and supporting the fight against climate change, officials said. “We are very excited to finally have this research facility available to us so we can immediately start reaching new innovative goals and providing our lab technicians with the space they need to conduct their research,” says Matt Kolb, President of National Coatings Corporation. Antelope Valley Lancaster Growing: Simulations Plus Inc. has been named to the ninth annual Fortune Small Business list of 100 fastest growing small private companies. This is the first appearance on the list for the Lancaster-based developer of modeling software used in the pharmaceutical industry. The company ranked 53rd. The list is based on revenue growth and stock performance over the past three years by companies with revenues below $200 million and a stock price above $1. “This was unexpected and a pleasant surprise to be included in this prestigious list,” Simulations Plus Chairman and CEO Walt Woltosz said. San Fernando Valley Burbank Honor: Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios President Ed Catmull will receive the Georges Melies Award from the Visual Effects Society at its annual awards show in February. The Melies Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the art and/or science of the visual effects industry by the way of artistry and invention for groundbreaking work. As a co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Catumull helped redefine the field of animation. Catmull also served as vice president of the Computer Division of Lucasfilm Ltd. where he managed development in the areas of computer graphics, video editing, video games and digital audio. “Ed has become one of the giants of our industry by pioneering new ways to tell animated stories in a successful studio environment,” said society Executive Director Eric Roth. “He has been at the forefront of ensuring that while the animation should always be as eye-popping as possible, the story itself always has to be first class as well.” The VES Awards take place Feb. 28 in Los Angeles. Search: iMajestic has been awarded a “Qualified Company” from Google. Google Qualified companies must maintain a particular threshold of clientele based on their geographical location and a specific threshold expenditure of overall advertising dollars for all campaigns falling within their scope of pay per click management. iMajestic outdoes their competition by offering solutions that ensure results. Innovating an effective and proven method for engaging in online marketing, one that drives results as well as business to their paying customers, iMajestic has set a new standard in what Internet marketing providers should hope to accomplish for those who entrust them with their pay per click campaign and marketing efforts. Books: The popular video game franchise Spectrobes will not appear in book form in a series of junior sci-fi novels. Spectrobes is Disney Interactive Studios’ original monster battle video game franchise. The Spectrobes books feature original stories with characters from the video game and introduce never- previously-revealed exclusive tales. The first book “Spectrobes: First Contact” is available now with subsequent titles following in August and November. “The Spectrobes video game franchise has been incredibly successful with the handheld releases the past two years and the anticipation of the first Wii game, Spectrobes: Origins, this fall,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “As an original video game property, Spectrobes is expanding to excite audiences in new ways. The four junior novels are the perfect initial step in growing the Spectrobes franchise.” Canoga Park Online: The Free Speech Coalition redesigned its website as part of a rebranding campaign to expand its reach beyond just its members in the adult entertainment industry. The new design, done in association with NakedSword, features streamlined navigation, sections for breaking news, legal information, an event schedule and coalition information. Future updates of the site will include online payment options, video and, possibly, live streaming coverage of FSC educational seminars and special events, industry publication XBIZ reported. “If we are going to represent an industry that is as tech-savvy as the adult entertainment industry, then we need a solid web presence,” coalition Executive Director Diane Duke was quoted by XBIZ. “I couldn’t be happier with the way the first phase of our web creation has evolved. The folks at NakedSword have our undying gratitude for their generosity creativity, and patience.” Glendale Cop Shop: The Glendale Galleria is building a new 3,000-square-foot substation for the Glendale Police Department’s Downtown Policing Unit. The substation will be located on the bridge outside the second level entrance to the mall nearest JC Penney and the food court. The location serves not only the Galleria but the portion of the city’s downtown central business district bordered by the Glendale (2), Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) Freeways. The substation features an expansive work area for its officers and a modern video monitoring system within its detention facility. It also will accommodate the future growth of the Downtown Policing Unit as it continues to meet the demands of a vibrant downtown residential, commercial and entertainment district. Italian: The Americana at Brand recently expanded its assortment of food offerings with Trattoria Amici, an Italian restaurant that opened at the Carusso mixed-used development in Glendale. Trattoria Amici owner Tancredi De Luca also operates Amici Brentwood, which opened in 2004. The addition of Trattoria Amici brings The Americana at Brand’s restaurant collection to 20 dining options, which Caruso Affiliated hopes will add to the mall’s appeal as a popular dining destination. The new restaurant will feature traditional and contemporary Italian dishes prepared by Executive Chef Piero Topputo. Sale: After 100 years of family ownership, Virgil’s Hardware Home Center was purchased by Chatsworth-based Lumber City Corp, owner of Do-It Center hardware stores. Former owners Tony Maniscalchi and Kaylen Maniscalchi-Spooner, made the sale effective July 9, and turned the store over to Lumber City Corp. owner Jess Ruf. The business will continue to operate under the name Virgil’s Hardware, supplying general hardware, home improvement and outdoor products. “While the opportunity to sell was a couple of years ahead of plans, I believe the opportunity to turn this enterprise over to Jess and his staff will place the company in the hands of an excellent operator with a long-term track record of success in our industry,” said Maniscalchi, a third generation Glendale citizen. Woodland Hills Marketing: Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. hired Kahn Media to assist with its public relations and promote the company’s high-end motor oils, gear oils and additives. Kahn will work with Red Line management on strategic planning initiatives, and the development and implementation of a dynamic social media marketing campaign to elevate brand visibility, increase sales, and promote the company’s top products. Kahn Media will also promote Red Line’s motorsports initiatives, including drag racing, sports car road racing and more. Car: Mission Hills Hamer Toyota Scion is the newest sponsor of the San Fernando Valley Hybrid Alliance’s entry in the multimillion dollar Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. The dealership delivered a Scion xB to Pierce College where students in a summer auto technology program will prepare the vehicle for modification with an alternative energy powertrain. The X PRIZE is an international competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles to offer more consumer choices. Studio City Songs: DaBet Music Services signed an agreement to provide publishing services for singer/songwriter Benjamin for his new song “If You’re Fly.” The agreement includes an option for future songs written and produced by Benjamin, and financial terms were not disclosed. Benjamin wrote and recorded the song for his EP “Whatever ” released in April. The singer is an example of the type of independent artist DaBet can work with to maximize his income potential, whether that be in dance clubs, live stage, film and television, or commercial advertising, said Angela Rose White, president and founder of DaBet Music Services. Van Nuys Cheap: Coupon exchanges, raffles and personal financial advice will all be a part of the Frugal Festival taking place on July 26 at Woodley Park. The festival celebrated the launching of BargainBabeLa.com, a website that helps people save money in their neighborhood using Google maps. The free festival takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Visitors can exchange unwanted coupons for ones they can use, get free personal finance advice, share their best frugal tip for a chance to win a Frugal Fe$tival T-shirt, and enter a free raffle to win two $25 gift certificates to Goldstar.com, two $20 Gelsons gift cards, copies of 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook, and a one-hour financial consultation. One person will also win a $100 cash prize. North Hills Sales: Galpin Motors owner Bert Boeckmann has begun offering a cash incentive for car buyers who trade in their existing vehicle for a more fuel efficient one. The program is similar to the “Cash for Clunker” program now before Congress and expected to become law by the end of July. More than 2,000 cars on the Galpin lot qualify for the government program.
