News and notes from around the greater San Fernando Valley area Having found success in his native Australia with a health supplement company and real estate investing, Bass Gabrielle is now trying his luck in Hollywood. While Gabrielle did not come to the U.S. intent on being an actor, he thought appearing in television and films would be the best way to introduce himself to American audiences. “The Bottom Line” is a reality program to air on a cable channel this fall that showcases Gabrielle’s entrepreneurial skills as well as getting into film acting. “It is an inspirational story,” said Gabrielle. In the San Fernando Valley, Gabrielle made two short films that he expects to get shown at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. “Live No More” is described as an apocalyptic thriller in which Gabrielle’s character, Terence, battles demons bent on killing off the human race. “4 Bullet Cop Out” takes place in a single room as Gabrielle portrays an over-the-top detective willing to frame an innocent man. “I really enjoyed getting into character and getting into the mind of this sinister cop,” Gabrielle said. A visitor to the Los Angeles area since 2001, Gabrielle moved to the city in July. His educational background is in international business and marketing. After the health supplements company and real investments, Gabrielle branched out into the exercise market with the “Superman Workout” program The film and television work is yet another way for Gabrielle to diversify his business career. He keeps a hands-on role with the entertainment ventures through Bass Productions. “I want to control my own business affairs,” Gabrielle said. “I am a businessman before I am anything else.” – Mark R. Madler SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Burbank Tech: Testronic Labs announced the achievement of two important milestones this month: the testing of its 5,500th Blu-ray disc SKU and the testing of its 75th 3D SKU. Both accomplishments represent an industry record for the company. “We are very proud of the accomplishments that these milestones represent,” said Seth Hallen, CEO of Testronic Labs. “From the first title Testronic tested, through the ones being tested today, we have been extremely focused on pushing the caliber of our technology and our work forward. We have a proven track record of pioneering advanced technologies to further our clients’ needs, mastering them, and then driving them throughout the industry.” Sets: Warner Bros. Studios will begin offering its VIP Tour on Saturdays beginning March 26. The tour takes guests on a nearly 2 ½ hour journey around the studio complex, including the tallest sound stage in North America, backlot sets, Picture Car Museum, and the Warner Bros. Museum. “We are very excited to be expanding our operating hours to the weekend,” said Danny Kahn, Executive Director of the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour Department. “Over the past several years, the tour has become a very popular attraction in Southern California, and our weekend hours will allow us to broaden availability to accommodate our guests’ schedules.” The Saturday tours will go through Aug. 27. Eco: “The Burbank Green Alliance will host the premier of “The Economics of Happiness” on March 31 at Woodbury University. The documentary is about the worldwide movement for economic localization and drives home the idea of supporting local businesses and communities to preserve the economy. A discussion will follow the screening on topics such as responsible investing, sustainable communities, and complementary currencies. A $10 donation is suggested. Woodbury University is located at 7500 N. Glenoakd Blvd. War: In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of The American Civil War, on July 21 the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership together with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group host four days of special events at the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia. The events are expected to attract dignitaries, celebrities, historians, and an estimated 30,000 spectators. The weekend will also include a screening of “Gods and Generals: Extended Directors Cut” being released by Warner Bros. Film director Ronald Maxwell will introduce the film and lead a panel discussion that includes the film’s stars and historical advisers. Woodland Hills Inclusion: Northrop Grumman Corp. was named to DiversityInc’s annual list of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. Northrop was ranked No. 37 on the list and was honored at a dinner March 2 in Washington, D.C. Making the list is a considerable accomplishment, said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president of Corporate Responsibility. “However, all of us at Northrop Grumman recognize that being a top-performing company means a continuing commitment to improving and strengthening our culture of diversity and inclusion,” Evers-Manly said. DiversityInc. makes its selection based on questionnaires filled out by companies with 1,000 employees or more. Some of the areas looked at include CEO commitment, human capital, internal and external communications and supplier diversity. North Hollywood Limo: Limousine Connection was recently awarded the Best Website ribbon at the 2011 Limousine & Chartered Transportation International Show in Las Vegas. “This is a very important Award in the new e-commerce world, which proves we are on the right track with our advertising and marketing,” said Chris Hundley, owner of Limousine Connection.” Limousine Connection recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary in the chauffeured transportation business. Granada Hills Honor: The North Los Angeles chapter of the American Advertising Federation will host their 6th annual ADDY Awards competition on March 20. The awards recognize advertising campaigns in print, electronic and online media by companies from the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys. In 2010, there were 16 companies receiving awards. The Best of Show winner and Gold ADDY Award winners move on to compete in the regional competition against entries from throughout Southern California and Las Vegas. Winners at that level advance to the national competition. The awards presentation takes place at The Odyssey. Calabasas Train: ValleyCrest Landscape Companies was recognized by a national trade publication for its workforce training and development program. ValleyCrest was ranked No. 118 in Training magazine’s list of top programs. This was the first year that ValleyCrest participated in the list. “Our employees have always appreciated our commitment to training and it’s nice to know others outside our company are recognizing that commitment as well,” said Mark Lenahan, Director of Training & Development. The magazine ranks the programs on total training budget; percentage of payroll; number of training hours per employee program; goals, evaluation, measurement, and workplace surveys; hours of training per employee annually; and detailed formal programs. ANTELOPE VALLEY Lancaster Poppy: The City of Lancaster is currently accepting applications for vendors for the 20th Annual California Poppy Festival. Businesses looking to meet potential new customers through the commercial vendor area at the festival will have a great venue to market their business while being exposed to thousands of prospective customers. For only $600, business owners will receive a 10×10 booth in a prime location at the event. The Poppy Festival takes place April 16 and 17 at Lancaster City Park. Improve: The City of Lancaster will receive nearly $1.3 million in federal funding for three roadway projects. The money comes from the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The city will use the money, plus its contribution of $144,600, to upgrade signage, striping and pavement markings at various rural intersections; install solar-powered LED stop signs near Lancaster schools; and convert the existing traffic signal at Avenue L & Challenger Way into a roundabout. SANTA CLARITA VALLEY Valencia Grapes: The Meet the Winemakers series hosted by Vino 100 will present a visit from Toolbox Wine Co. in Napa Valley on March 25. Toolbox co-founder Katie Hamilton Shaffer will be on hand for the in-story wine tasting and will make available new releases. Toolbox began releasing its wines in July 2010 and donates a portion of proceeds to Habitat for Humanity. Vino 100 is located at 28112 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia, in the HighRidge Crossing Center at Copper Hill Drive.