Every three decades or so since Fulkerson Hardware’s founding in 1912, the Somis store has passed from father to son, a tradition that will end with Bob Fulkerson who, at 54, says he is far from ready to retire. “When a lot of people retire, they buy a hardware store, so technically I’ve been retired 30 years,” Fulkerson joked. For the full story visit www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/25/hardware-store-stays-in-the-family/

A round-table gathering of seven business and economic leaders from Los Angeles County and the region gathered n Pasadena to address concerns about the economy, energy prices and the recent closure of 33 IndyMac banks throughout California. The forum was organized by Rep. Adam Schiff, who said its impetus was grounded in a recent telephone town hall meeting that he held in which “80[%] to 90% of the questions that were raised had to do with the economy.” For the full story visit www.burbankleader.com/articles/2008/08/23/politics/gnp-pollandscape22.txt

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Nplate, a drug Amgen developed to produce platelets in those with low amounts of the substance in their blood. Although the FDA approved the drug, Amgen plans to study Nplate’s long-term efficacy and safety for the next three years. In addition, the Thousand Oaks company will launch Network of Experts Understanding and Supporting Nplate and Patients, a multi-faceted program designed to provide comprehensive access, support and education for patients, their caregivers and healthcare providers, according to the company. The network is part of the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy developed by Amgen in partnership with the FDA to assure safe use of Nplate while minimizing risk, Amgen explained. Through the program, eligible patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to afford insurance co-payments may receive reimbursement support and other assistance from Amgen.

North American Scientific Inc. has six months to regain compliance or else face delisting from The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Chatsworth-based company was notified Aug. 20 that it failed to meet the requirement of having its common share price close above $1 for a 30 day period. Throughout the past year, North American, which makes radiation therapy devices, has gone in and out of compliance with NASDAQ’s marketplace rules on multiple occasions. North American has until Feb. 17 to regain compliance and can appeal a move to de-list its common stock to a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel.

WASHINGTON — Boeing Co. is considering bailing out of the politically-charged bidding for a $35 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force, if it does not receive an additional four months by the Pentagon to put together a competitive offer. The aerospace manufacturer said Friday it also weighing filing a protest on the final bids request — expected to be released early next week — which could even further delay an award by the Defense Department. No final decision will be made until Boeing has a chance to review the final bids request, said Daniel Beck, a Boeing spokesman Friday. For the full story visit www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boeing23-2008aug23,0,2431603.story

MOJAVE – The East Kern Airport District Tuesday approved a lease in the Mojave Air and Space Port’s industrial park for a landscaping bark business. Bandini and Sons Inc. will lease approximately 67,000 square feet of land in the southwestern area of the airport to store and transfer landscaping bark. The lease, with a monthly rate of $1,675 plus a 5% security fee, is for five years, with three renewal options of five years each. For the full story visit www.avpress.com/n/22/0822_s7.hts

WASHINGTON , Consumers worried about salad safety may soon be able to buy fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce zapped with just enough radiation to kill E. coli and a few other germs. The Food and Drug Administration today will issue a regulation allowing spinach and lettuce sellers to take that extra step, a long-awaited move amid increasing outbreaks from raw produce. For the full story visit www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/22/irradiation-of-leafy-produce-okd/

Image Entertainment Inc. has made feature films, television episodes and specialty programs available through iTunes. By making its content available for rent or sale through digital downloads, Chatsworth-based Image can reach more viewers than distribution through retail outlets. Among the catalogue titles available through the iTunes store are films “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” and “Suburban Girl;” episodes of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “I Spy;” IMAX specials like “Amazon;” and music videos.

NEW YORK (AP) _ A private business group’s measure of the economy’s health showed the largest drop in one year as stocks fell, new building permits declined and unemployment rose. The New York-based Conference Board’s said Thursday its monthly forecast of future economic activity fell 0.7 percent in July, far more than the consensus estimate of a 0.2 percent decline by Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR. For the full story visit www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/ats-ap-economic-indicatorsaug21,1,3348460.story

A Westlake Village health club opened by Tae Bo mastermind Billy Blanks last year will close at the end of the month. The main reason for the closure is “family circumstances,” said Danny Lupold, Blanks’ business adviser. For the full story visit www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/21/blanks-to-close-his-gym-in-area/