Conference: The Ventura County Economic Development Association will host its 37th annual Business Outlook Conference, “The 21st Century Express: Building a Competitive Edge Through Innovation and Excellence,” on Oct. 19 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza. Speakers include Peter Leyden, director of the New Politics Institute; Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund and former secretary of business, transportation and housing; and Mike Hernick, associate director of external business development for Procter and Gamble. Topics include how technology and other advances can impact business, how to foster innovation and excellence in the workplace, and how to open the mind’s eye for success. For more information call (805) 388-3457 or go to www.vceda.org. Awards: Commission Junction, a division of ValueClick Inc., announced the winners of the 2007 Horizon Awards at it annual client conference. Shoebuy and publisher Mr. Rebates received the Horizon Award for People for their commitment to pay-for-performance marketing. Advertiser HP Home & Home Office Store and publisher Liquid Apogee Designs received the Horizon Award for Greatness. The Horizon Award for Innovation was given to advertiser midPhase Services and publisher move Marketing for their support to Commission Junction. MNP Enterprises received the Horizon Award for Global Vision for strategy and initiatives best reflecting the global potential of affiliate marketing. Tournament: The Amanda Vorhies Foundation will be hosting a charity golf tournament to be held at the Moorpark Country Club on Sept. 25. Registration will start promptly at 9:30 a.m., with a shotgun scramble to follow at 11:00 a.m. Range balls, a goodie bag, a cart, a BBQ lunch and dinner, and auction and games are included in the cost to golf. Prices start at $225 for a single golfer, or sign up with a foursome to receive a discount. For more information, visit www.amandavoorhiesfounda tion.com. Awards Luncheon: The 11th Annual Simi Valley Police Department Awards Luncheon will honor the men and women both in and out of uniform of the Simi Valley Police Department. Simi Valley has been consistently rated one of, if not the safest city of its size in the country; thanks to the efforts of officers, community members and Police Department volunteers. A safe city means good business, so the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the event, to be held Wednesday, September 19 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The luncheon is set to start promptly at 11:00 a.m. and reservations are strongly recommended due to the popularity of the event. Table sponsorship opportunities are available for $500 and tickets are priced at $35 per person. For more information, contact Jessica McCormick at [email protected]. Festival: The 22nd annual Palmdale Fall Festival will be held Oct. 13-14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marie Kerr Park, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd. in Palmdale. There will be eight stages of entertainment featuring performers from around the world. On the main grounds, Illumination will showcase the talents of local singers, dancers and performers with special lighting and effects, costumes and props. Patrons will also enjoy music, dance and performing entertainment by Pete Knight High School Marching Band, Fantastic Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute), Nuns for Fun, Alturas (world music), Kids of Rock Theater, L.A. Salsa Kids, Lost Knights, Mariachi Divas, Hollywood Hi-Tones and more. A special children’s area, Target’s Magical Experience for Children, will include live entertainment, children’s rides, a free pumpkin decorating contest sponsored by Clear Channel Radio, a pizza-eating contest sponsored by Round Table Pizza, interactive activities and more. The Aerospace Expo will feature displays from The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. There will be an Enchanted Fairy Garden sponsored by Robertson’s Palmdale Honda. Strolling entertainment, such as the Dragon Knights stilt walkers, Walking Tree Man, Chiffon Aerial Artists and Little Rollo will be featured daily. Rounding out the festival will be The Living Garden, the High Desert Medical Group’s Health, Beauty & Fitness Expo, The Farmers Market and an arts and crafts village. Information: (661) 267-5611 or www.palmdalefallfest.com. Award: The City of Palmdale has received the League of California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the public safety category for its Identity Theft Community Education Program. The formal presentation will take place at the City Council meeting Oct. 3, 7 p.m., at 38300 Sierra Highway, Suite B. The Helen Putnam Award for Excellence recognizes outstanding programs that promote community engagement and partnerships that deliver high quality service to the community. In 2004 the City of Palmdale implemented its Identity Theft Community Education Program, a three-pronged approach that targets the business sector, consumers and law enforcement by providing them current vital training in the area of identity theft. For the business sector a merchant fraud program was developed. To help educate consumers a free series of six fraud presentations was developed with goals of giving consumers all the tools, resources and information needed to reduce their chances of becoming a victim, as well as educating them on how the criminals are obtaining and using their information, and the proper steps to take if they do become a victim of fraud. The third part of the program was to provide law enforcement with quality, up-to-date education for patrol and investigative personnel. An Identity Theft Summit was developed for attendance by law enforcement only. Information: (661) 267-5181. Accreditation: Based on an unannounced survey performed by The Joint Commission Sept. 10-13, Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) has achieved full accreditation, meaning Antelope Valley Hospital has demonstrated compliance with national standards for patient safety and quality of care. “We view this survey process as part of our efforts and commitment to providing the highest standard of care for our patients,” explained Edward Mirzabegian, AVH Chief Executive Officer. “We use this opportunity to have key processes validated and welcome recommendations for improvement. Obtaining The Joint Commission accreditation is an important step toward achieving and maintaining excellence.” “All of our staff from the nurses and doctors, to environmental services and administrative staff participated in the survey. They were asked questions on policy and had to demonstrate hospital and patient safety procedures,” explained Radha Krishnan, M.D., AVH Medical Director of Quality Management and Clinical Safety. “We are very proud of what we accomplished as a team that is focused on providing the best quality of care for our patients.” Panel: The Santa Clarita City Council is encouraging residents to apply for one of five positions available on the Financial Accountability and Audit Panel for the city’s Open Space Preservation District. The City Council will be selecting residents from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, education and interest areas. This will help to insure that a broad spectrum of thoughts, ideas and recommendations are brought forth. Each City Council member will nominate one candidate. The five-member Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel will review and approve the annual work program to ensure land acquisition priorities are being followed. It will also review and ensure that Preservation District funds are spent properly. Applications must be submitted, along with three letters of recommendation, to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m., Oct. 26. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and maintain their principle residence in the City of Santa Clarita during their term of office. Additionally, no panel member shall have a conflict of interest as provided by the Political Reform Act and the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission. To obtain an application, visit the City Clerk’s Office on the third floor of City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. Applications may also be downloaded online at www.santa-clarita.com.
