WESTERN NEWS (567)
California, Arizona and Nevada
Autobody News Western print edition is mailed to 8,500 body shops monthly
The Santa Clara chapter of the California Autobody Association will meet at 6 p.m. on May 22 at Three Flames Restaurant in San Jose, CA.
Guest speaker is Mike Anderson with Collision Advice who will present "The State of the Collision Industry in 2013."
Anderson is the former owner of WagonWork Collision Centers of Alexandria, VA. he is an accredited automotive manager (AAM). Mike is the past director of the ASA Collision Operations Division and has served on the ASA Collision Operations committee. He has also served on the board of directors for WMABA and the VA Automotive Legislative Committee, and has been a member of CIC, SCRS, CAPA and the National Auto Body Council.
Free Trade Show and Training
Advanced Vehicle Technology Repairs
June 26, 2-9 p.m.
Sheraton of Cerritos
For all the info, please click here:
SEMA Hails Proposal to Save OHV Area at Twentynine Palms
Written by staffThe Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has endorsed a proposal by Rep. Paul Cook that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) base at Twentynine Palms, CA. Under the compromise, the Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley Off-Highway (OHV) Recreation Area for up to 42 days a year for training exercises but the OHV area would be otherwise preserved in perpetuity.
Employees at a Victorville, CA, body shop knew just what to do when a car fire disrupted business as usual in mid April. Workers grabbed fire extinguishers to snuff out a vehicle fire before firefighters arrived, according to San Bernardino County Fire Department officials.
The call came in to Fire Dispatch at 12:29 p.m. of a car on fire at Sonshine Auto Body on Jasmine Street in Victorville, officials said.
California Court of Appeal Upholds Commissioner's Authority
Written by staffOn April 26, 2013, the California Court of Appeal upheld a Los Angeles Superior Court ruling that dismissed Mercury Insurance Company's lawsuit challenging the insurance commissioner's authority.
"I am pleased that the Court of Appeal recognized that Mercury's lawsuit lacked merit and must be dismissed," said Commissioner Dave Jones. "The Court of Appeal clearly affirmed the insurance commissioner's exclusive authority to adjudicate disputes between the Department of Insurance and insurers in an administrative forum and that insurance companies such as Mercury must wait until I render a final decision before seeking judicial intervention."
CAA San Diego Hosts "Emergency" Meeting May 22 Regarding Flat-Rate Wage Plan
Written by staffThe San Diego chapter of the California Autobody Association will host an "emergency" meeting for members only on May 22 at the Hilton on Harbor Island.
In March, the California Court of Appeals in Los Angeles affirmed a 2011 trial court decision that changed the face of the flat-rate compensation forever. An appeal to the California Supreme Court is expected, but shops paying employees on a flat-rate system must make changes now to protect themselves.
Owners and managers only are invited to this meeting.
Guest speaker is Cory King, partner with Fine, Boggs & Perkins LLP, who will present a 90-minute seminar called "Flat-Rate Wage Plan Solution."
King and his firm serve as labor and employment counsel for the California Autobody Association, as well as the California New Car Dealers Association. He will explain how we ended up in this situation, but more importantly, provide a number of proposed solutions for shops to consider. No shop can afford to miss this seminar.
Attendees should arrived by 6:30. Meeting and dinner will start at 7 p.m. Cost for members is $40. Cost to join CAA is $499. For membership questions, contact Cindy Shillito, southern California representative, at (714) 944-4028.
30th Annual CAA Santa Clara Golf Tournament to Benefit Operation Comfort
Written by staffThe Santa Clara chapter of the California Autobody Association will hold its 30th annual golf tournament on June 19 at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, CA. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Operation Comfort, a non-profit founded to put wounded war veterans back to work by teaching automotive repair skills.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. Format is best ball scramble with a shotgun start. Event fees are $225 per player and include green fees, GPS Cart, range balls, box lunch and banquet dinner. Tournament hole events include hole-in-one for a car, longest drive and closest to the pin. Cost for dinner-only attendees is $60.
For questions, call Tabias Padilla at 408-406-7903 or Rudy Solorio at 408-876-3050.
Vallejo Body Shop Gets Barkitectural for Homeless Dogs & Cats
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
A Vallejo, CA, body shop does a lot of charity work every year, helping people in the East Bay with re-furbished cars through the Benevolence Program and also participating in other giveaways and fundraisers.
This year, Regal Collision Repair backed up its bark to help local homeless cats and dogs by entering a cat tower/car in the 10th annual Barkitecture Gala and Auction held at Sonoma County Fairgrounds on April 5 to raise money for the Humane Society of the North Bay (HSNB). The theme this year was “There’s No Place Like a Home,” featuring a Wizard of Oz motif, complete with a Yellow Brick Road, tin man, cowardly lion, the wizard himself and more than a few Dorothy’s.
Two Northern California CAA Chapters’ Substantive Meetings
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
If you’ve ever attended or hosted any I-CAR classes in northern California, you probably know the name Kurt Money. Literally hundreds of body shop techs, estimators, managers, painters and associated personnel have yelled “Show Me the Money!” more than once, because Kurt Money helps collision professionals by offering his extensive knowledge in classes that are both thorough and easy to understand.
An I-CAR instructor and a collision tech at Larkfield Body & Paint in Santa Rosa, CA, Money was on hand when the California Autobody Association’s East Bay (EB-CAA) chapter hosted its March meeting in Pleasant Hill, CA.
Industry Continues its Support of Linda Holcomb
Written by Melanie AndersonAs Linda Holcomb, President of the Glendale/Foothill/Pasadena California Autobody Association chapter, fights her battle with breast cancer, industry members continue to rally behind one of the first female pioneers in the business.
Holcomb recently underwent a minor surgery, followed by her third round of chemotherapy treatment. In addition, her treatment will include surgery, radiation and breast re-construction, followed by a year of herception therapy and five years of hormone treatment.
“You have your ups and downs,” said Holcomb. “That’s part of this program.” She said the support and well wishes she’s getting from the industry really means so much to her. “This is truly what keeps me in very high spirits and what will get me through this.” Holcomb has about 10 more months of treatment.
Valley-Ventura CAA Presents ‘Got a Good Lawyer?’ May 29
Written by staffThe Valley-Ventura chapter of the California Autobody Association will present “Got a Good Lawyer?” on May 29. Body shop managers and owners are invited to hear featured guest speaker Cory King, parter of the San Diego firm of Fine, Boggs & Perkins. His employment law practice focuses on both the prevention side of employment claims, as well as litigating all types of employment matters. King will give an update on the recent case law regarding wage and hour compliance. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to Cindy Shillito, southern California CAA representative, at (714) 944-4028.
