Like the stock market, which has seen pockets of strength related to certain industries, the quiet in the real estate market has been broken by certain sectors that are experiencing growth despite the economic maelstrom. One of those pockets is health care. Meridian Health Care Management Inc., a company that provides administrative services to hospitals [...]

With the nation in a financial crisis and broadbased economic downturn, this is surely a uniquely challenging environment for local business owners and managers. But it is not the first time many of them have lived through tough economic conditions. We checked in with some of these businesspeople to get their views on what has [...]

The current state of the banking and financial industry is not a pretty picture. financial institutions and consumers alike are in a period of survival of the fittest. Banking industry veterans claim the recession is the worst they’ve seen, and few believe a significant turnaround is likely until 2010. The effects can be seen in [...]

When Valley chambers of commerce started to set up shop in the early 20th century they were enormously helpful, providing new accountants, doctors and merchants with built-in customers these days they’re a mix of social groups, community volunteers and political activists, and two dozen of them are struggling to remain relevant to local businesses. It’s [...]

When television writer Brenda Lily goes to the supermarket these days, she steers away from the steaks and lobster. “I still remember those lean years when things were tough and you had to save every penny,” said Lily, referring to the Writers Guild of America strike in 1988 and choosing now to remain thrifty. “I’m [...]

Experts are bracing for a rash of small business bankruptcy filings as the effects of the Sept. 11 disaster reverberate through the economy. In the San Fernando Valley, companies supplying airlines and those connected with tourism have already begun to feel the economic aftereffects of terrorism. But many say the problems are likely to extend [...]

Question: When I left my previous company, I rolled my $400,000 401(k) into a Merrill Lynch IRA with the broker who represented the 401(k) plan. He wants me to put the money with one or more money managers who would charge a 2 percent fee, and he has given me information on six available money [...]

SPECIAL REPORT: SAVING VALLEY BUSINESSES More than just miles separate the southeastern corner of Washington State from Simi Valley. That’s just fine with Rob Whitmore. The city of Colfax, where Whitmore relocated his manufacturing business Medical Micro Machining, can be found at the intersection of two state highways. A native to the area, Whitmore has [...]

For health care organizations and labor unions, the past several weeks have been contentious, with strikes and lawsuits adding fuel to the fire. In mid-April, tensions between the California Nurses Association (CNA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) reached a fever pitch when the former filed a restraining order against the latter, accusing the [...]

The Valley-area’s 2007 chambers of commerce have spent the first quarter of the year prepping for a daunting variety of installation ceremonies. On Feb. 24, the Encino Chamber of Commerce hosted its ceremony under the theme “An Evening of Comedy,” which featured a silent auction, 2007 board installation and comedy routines from performers Fred Willard [...]

A year ago, the U.S. Census Bureau considered eliminating all its County Census Divisions, a new designation of sub-category that measured the Valley region separately from L.A. County. After much hubbub nationwide the vast majority of that from the Valley and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) the Census Bureau reconsidered in February and thus the [...]

Roy and Patricia Disney have been supporters of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center for years. Now they’ve stepped up to lend support once again, donating $10 million to help build what is perhaps the most comprehensive cancer center in the San Fernando Valley. “I was one of the first patients as a kid, having fallen [...]