AIADA's 2006 Dealer of the Year Award Goes to Cheri Fleming of Valencia Acura

National Award Highlights Philanthropy, Community Involvement and Commitment to Excellence

Cheri Fleming, here with Newsweek Publisher Pat Haggerty, was recently awarded the title of Dealer of the Year by AIADA

The American International Auto Dealers Association's (AIADA) 2006 Dealer of the Year award was presented to Cheri Fleming in recognition for her exceptional passion for community involvement and commitment to excellence. She was honored by Patrick Haggerty, publisher of Newsweek, at AIADA's Dealer of the Year awards ceremony at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.

What helped make this award exceptional is that Cheri Fleming was not a veteran of the auto industry, but rather a new dealer civically and politically involved in every way imaginable. Cheri not only sells Acuras, but has donated $2.5 million in community organizations and also has an investment of $100,000 to help build a cardiac-cath lab and new Emergency Room at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

"I am so proud to be a car dealer," said an astonished, but honored, Fleming. "Being a car dealer affords me the opportunity to be involved in so many wonderful causes, and to truly make a difference in our community."

Cheri's caring and commitment show in her involvement. She is vice president at-large and a director for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation, governor-elect for the Soroptimist International Camino Real Region as well as a member and past-president of the Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley; vice president of special events and a director for the Child and Family Center Foundation; director for The Roar Foundation advisory board; chair-elect and a director for the American Cancer Society Unit Council and Los Angeles Regional Unit Council; vice president of the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center Advisory Board; co-chair of the Boys & Girls Club Auction (2004-2006); and chair of the Arthritis Foundation Walk.

Cheri's donations have contributed positively towards various community organizations, including: United Way, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, The Cowboy Music & Poetry Festival, The Master's College, Hart High School, Valencia High School, Saugus High School, Canyon High School and other local schools. In recognition of her work with local area schools, she has been named a PTA Partner by the Santa Clarita Valley School District for the past three years.

In October, the annual Crawford-Fleming Golf Invitational benefiting the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center was held. A record-breaking donation of $113,000 was made from this event. In April, Cheri chaired the Santa Clarita Arthritis Walk benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. Cheri's efforts raised approximately $60,000 for this organization.

Valencia Acura is an Acura dealership located in Santa Clarita. Its "Dealership/Friendship" approach has helped elevate the standard of auto dealer excellence, enhance the buying experience for over 10,000 customers and improve the quality of life in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Doc Magi Productions, Inc. Changes Name

Hypnosis Services Now Available from Magi Institute of Hypnosis

Doc Magi Productions, Inc., now Magi Institute of Hypnosis, provides hypnosis services to clients who want to stop smoking, lose weight, reduce pain or stress, boost confidence and more. Information on the company can be found by visiting www.docmagi.com or calling 286-2179.

Small Business Development Center Now taking Clients

July Courses Starting Soon

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted by College of the Canyons, is now serving potential and existing small business clients in the Santa Clarita Valley. The center is housed in the Chamber of Commerce building located at 28460 Avenue Stanford, Suite 100.

The SBDC strives to provide quality and innovative services which play a vital role in creating, sustaining and expanding successful small business. The SBDC accomplishes this mission by providing workshops, seminars and one-on-one counseling sessions. Workshops are geared toward people who would like to start a business but don't know where to begin and people with existing small businesses that are in need of services to help business growth. Seminars and counseling services are available at both the Chamber of Commerce and College of the Canyons.

Following is a list of seminars and workshops available through the SBDC in the month of July.

Basic: Start and Manage a Business, held at COC - X8
July 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
July 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

How to Be a Leader Not a Manager, held at SCV Chamber of Commerce
July 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Access to Capital, held at SCV Chamber of Commerce
July 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
July 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

How to Develop a Business Plan, held at COC - X8
July 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Basic: SBA Funding, held at COC - X8
July 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Time Management for Business Owners, held at COC - X8
July 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More information on the SBDC can contact Sheri Foreman or Kathleen Savery at 294-9375, visit www.canyonsecondev.org or e-mail cocsbdc@canyons.edu.