WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Cassidy Turley, a leading commercial real estate services provider in the U.S., reports today that U.S. businesses continued to slowly fill up vacant office space in the third quarter of 2013, and limited new construction has vacancy rates falling in 70% of the country. U.S. office markets absorbed 12.8 million square feet [...]

OAKHURST – The Southgate Brewing Company in Oakhurst is holding a release party to help show off a new beer that helps mark the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Yosemite Grant. The 1864 Ale, produced by brewmaster Rick Bouke, is an Oktoberfest style beer that will be available throughout the fall. Bouke said [...]

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Opportunities to create enduring client relationships present themselves on a daily basis in the form of “basic” communications. Things like emails, meetings, presentations, proposals and follow up. These basic initiatives can build credibility, trust, referrals and revenue. It’s true whether your contacts are prospects or clients.  Whether your company is a start-up [...]

FRESNO – Former San Francisco 49er and successful entrepreneur Ronnie Lott will be the keynote speaker at the 8th Annual Central Valley Venture Forum (CVVF), 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tues. Oct. 29 at the Save Mart Center. Dr. Jeffrey Michael, director of the Business Forecasting Center at the University of Pacific, will serve as [...]

FRESNO – Longtime Fresno State supporter Dr. Peter G. Mehas passed away this past Friday in a Fresno hospital. A native of Fresno, Dr. Mehas received his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno in 1962, his master’s degree from UCLA in 1967, and his doctorate in education from the University of Southern California in [...]

SEATTLE, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage, today issued its Fastest Markets Report for August 2013. Home-selling speeds fell for the fourth month in a row. In August, 27.9 percent of homes went under contract in less than two weeks, down from 29 percent in July and 33.7 percent in April. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130926/SF87062-INFO) As [...]

MADERA – The beauty of agriculture will once again be on display as the Madera County Arts Council once again celebrates Ag with the Arts. “2013 marks our 20th year highlighting the agricultural heritage of Central California through the works of California artists,” said Dr. Diane Rich with the council. Numerous works of art depicting [...]

FRESNO – The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State partnered with Fresno Chaffee Zoo and other Central Valley organizations to create a new zoo exhibit, Valley Farm. The Valley Farm ribbon cutting ceremony is 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo (894 W. Belmont Ave). The former Small Wonders [...]

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – For the ‘Rich Kids of Instagram’ and Sofia Coppola’s ’Bling Ring,’ affluence is all about the external trappings of conspicuous wealth. However, the newest global study out today from McCann Truth Central reveals that in fact, the primary indicators of affluence are more subtle and harder for brands and individuals to detect. “Ultimately, [...]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) today released a new study on pricing trends for implantable medical devices that shows average prices have declined significantly for major categories of implantable medical devices from 2007 through 2011. “These average pricing declines reflect the intensely competitive marketplace for medical technology and underscore the tremendous [...]

CHOWCHILLA – The Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla will be celebrating National Fossil Day on Oct. 19 with numerous hands-on activities and exhibits meant to engage kids and their parents. National Fossil Day was created four years ago by The National Park Service and the American Geosciences Institute to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, [...]

NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – As the economy continued to stabilize in 2012, wine consumption increased for the 19th straight year.  Overturned blue laws, relaxed restrictions on direct shipments, and customers trading up to more premium-priced wines all led to the industry’s success last year.  According to The Beverage Information Group’s recently released 2013 Wine Handbook, the wine industry [...]

OAKHURST – Oakhurst Community Park will be filled with scores of booths offering everything from collectibles to local wine samplings and more at the 21st annual Oakhurst Fall Festival, taking place Oct. 12 and 13. The festival, formerly known as the Wine and Chocolate Festival, has grown to encompass so much more than those two, [...]

FRESNO – After a year as a volunteer for Susan G. Komen Central Valley, Kim Kaiser has accepted the top leadership role in the local nonprofit. In her position as board president, Kaiser wants to extend Susan G. Komen Central Valley’s footprint, and increase their presence in surrounding areas.  She said that required substantial fundraising [...]

DALLAS, September 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – HomeVestors, also known as the “We Buy Ugly Houses®”company, and Local Market Monitor , the national real estate forecaster, today released a ranking of U.S. markets for the third quarter of 2013 that projects that investing in single family homes as rental properties remains a good bet, even as home prices continue [...]

CENTRAL VALLEY – To improve patients’ engagement in their health, Adventist Health / Central Valley Network has launched an online patient portal, called MyAdventistHealth, for patients to easily access their health records and manage their health. Through MyAdventistHealth, all patients can enjoy quick access to their lab results, use a link to the online bill [...]

FRESNO – Kevin Meikle, a 24-year City of Fresno employee and long-time leader in the City’s Airports Department, has been named the City of Fresno’s director of aviation. Meikle, 55, has been serving as interim director of aviation since 2012.  Meikle has worked in the Airports Department since 2002, serving as assistant director of aviation from [...]

FRESNO – The Big Fresno Fair has announced the recipients of the 2013 Big Fresno Fair Community Champions Awards, which were established in 2008 to formally recognize individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary passion for the betterment of Fresno County. The 2012 award-winners represent the following four categories: Volunteer, Humanitarian, Educator and Special Award. The [...]

CLOVIS – Fewer than 2,000 tickets have been sold for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.  This year’s house will be located in the De Young CountryCourt community in Clovis. Individuals who reserve tickets by Friday, September 20th will also be eligible to win the Early Bird prize, gas for a year, valued at $3,000, courtesy [...]

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) moved down slightly in August. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending. “While the Index fell in August, it continues to indicate that overall conditions are positive for consumer spending,” said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte’s senior U.S. economist.  “Americans may [...]