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Briefcase - June 2006

Business shorts from around the state

STUDIO OPENS
Javier Contreras has opened Angan LLC, an animation studio, in Phoenix. Contreras has worked on movies such as the 2002 feature, Spider-Man. Angan plans to do work for several industries, including the broadcast, private industry, new media, gaming and the biomedical field. Located a production facility on 25th Avenue near Dunlap Avenue, the firm’s services include production of 2D and 3D animation, concept creation/story boarding, character design, and paint and rendering services. For more, visit www.anganstudios.com.

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
The Valley of the Sun United Way has launched a new marketing campaign that features community leaders providing testimonials attesting to the effectiveness of the organization.The campaign is called Results That Matter.

As a unique way to unveil the campaign, Valley of the Sun United Way is placing larger-than-life images of the featured "stars" outside their office on Osborn and 16th Street in Phoenix.

"We are excited about this campaign because it is a very targeted effort to encourage this key group of stakeholders to think about our organization differently," said Paul J. Luna, president of Valley of the Sun United Way.

The campaign was developed by Valley of the Sun United Way, Santy Advertising Agency and Randy Murray Productions. Testimonials feature US Airways CEO Doug Parker, Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow, Lewis and Roca Chairman José Cárdenas, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Rufus Glasper and CEO of Maricopa Integrated Health System Betsey Bayless.

The campaign begins in May and will run through early 2007. Advertising placement includes radio, cable, outdoor billboards, airport signage, newspapers and magazines. To view the advertisements, visit www.vsuw.org/leaders.

4SIGHT GROWS

4Sight Technologies, headquartered in Scottsdale since 1997, has emerged as a leading provider of high-end software solutions to major corporations, says its president.

"Our company provides scheduling and optimization solutions to some of the largest, well-known and well-respected companies in their respective industries," said Hernan Clarke, president of 4Sight Technologies. "From defense and aerospace jet manufacturer Boeing to shipping giant Federal Express, we aim to produce results quickly and efficiently. "

Clarke, from Venezuela, says the company has offices in Madrid, Spain. 4Sight Technologies offers four separate software solutions for strategic business planning, resource utilization optimization, forecasting and constraint-driven scheduling: PMPro, MCPHPro, MXSPro and CheckPlan. For more, visit www.4sighttech.com or call (480)922-6482.

ROCKY POINT POINTE
Phoenix-based Canusa Homes has announced plans to develop a master-planned condominium and housing communities in Las Conchas, Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco), Mexico called The Pointe de las Conchas.

"Rocky Point is a booming beachside escape for residents of neighboring states, and there is an increasing demand for residents along the beach," says Dan Baxter, Canusa president, and vice president of development for the Pointe project.

The 24.2-acre land will contain five condo towers and 30 custom homes with views of the Sea of Cortez. Construction is scheduled to begin June 2006, with the first models opening in fall 2006. Pre-sales began in May. For more, visit www.thepointemex.com or call 1-800-699-7263.

PHOENIX HAILS ANNIVERSARY WITH SIS CITY
The relationship has lasted 30 years, and to commemorate three decades of goodwill, the City of Phoenix and a delegation from its sister city Hermosillo, Sonora celebrated in May.

Hermosillo’s Mayor Maria Dolores Del Rio brought a 50-member Delegation from Hermosillo to Phoenix to take part in cultural performances, a business luncheon, a sporting event and social activities.

Hermosillo is Phoenix’s oldest sister city, and this partnership has resulted in numerous commercial, municipal, cultural, athletic, educational and artistic exchanges, say city officials.

Phoenix’s other sister cities include Calgary, Canada; Catania, Italy; Chengdu, China; Ennis, Ireland; Grenoble, France; Hermosillo, Mexico;Himeji, Japan; Prague, Czech Republic;Ramat-Gan, Israel; and Taipei, Taiwan.

For more, visit www.phoenixsistercities.org or call (602) 534-3751.

PC SALSAS WAY TO GOLD
The Phoenix College Latin Dance Club recently competed in the Desert Dance Challenge in Las Vegas. They brought home three gold medals. Phoenix College was one of only three community colleges participating in the competition, so students competed against students attending four-year institutions ranging from ASU to Stanford.

Members of the Phoenix College Latin Dance Club include: Hector Cantaya, Angelica Ingram, Graciela Javregu, Steve Gaona, Shayna Andrews, George Gomez, Joe Eto, Renee Basnett, Maria Montiel, Myrna Puzon, James Langley, Joe Medina, Vidal Rivas, Laura Smith, Rafael Tolentino, and Hugo Villagrana. Jana Moore is coach and advisor for Latin Dance Club, and Dianne Geddis is faculty advisor for Latin Dance Club. For more, call (602) 285-7842.

LOCAL BUSINESS HONORED
Phoenix-based DriveTime recently received the San Bernadino County Education Medal of Honor in recognition of its contributions to public education in school districts throughout the country through the SchoolTime program.

SchoolTime schools have diverse demographics, a large percentage of ESL students and 80 percent or more of students qualify for free lunch. DriveTime currently partners with 17 schools across the country, including Lincoln Elementary in Mesa and the Gateway School in Phoenix.

CUBAN COOKING CLASS
Indulge and learn the spicy side of Cuban cooking with the cooking class "World Flavors: Hot Havana Nights," scheduled at 6:30 p.m., June 29, at Sur la Table, 7122 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale.

Chef Gary Murphy will lead this hands-on experience and help you create a menu of spicy black bean soup, brined pork loin with plantains, Spanish rice, jicama slaw and dulce de leche made with poundcake.

Cost is $65. For information or to register, visit www.surlatable.com or call (480) 998-0118.