BRIEFCASE CITYWALK TO ADD RED BALLS ON FIRE.

Byline: - From staff and wire reports

UNIVERSAL CITY - Red Balls on Fire will roll into Universal CityWalk on Friday, bringing independent style to the entertainment shopping district.

The punk threads retailer, which specializes in exotic prints and leather attire, boasts a celebrity clientele ranging from Michael Jackson to Kiss at its Melrose location. The store will be open seven days a week, until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Boeing's GPS IIF gets Air Force OK

SEAL BEACH - Boeing Space and Communications announced Wednesday it received approval from the U.S. Air Force to move forward with space vehicle production for the Global Positioning Satellite IIF Modernization program.

``The Boeing GPS IIF is the next step in enhancing the capabilities to support the national infrastructure for homeland security and national defense, and it will improve the system's capabilities for all GPS users,'' said Mike Rizzo, director of navigation systems for Seal Beach-based BS&C.

The added capabilities include a new signal for civilian users and critical, secure Operational M-codes for the military, Rizzo said.

In addition, GPS IIF is compatible with the U.S. Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle and will provide 20 percent more on-orbit life than previous GPS spacecraft, according to Rizzo.

The Air Force chose the Boeing Delta IV to launch 21 of its 28 EELV payloads in October 1998.

Consumer data shows spending

WASHINGTON - Consumers spent more freely in February and provided a modest boost for the nation's retailers.

Though the 0.3 percent rise in sales reported Wednesday by the Commerce Department wasn't as big as many economists had anticipated, the advance still was the largest in four months. And, the increase came after shoppers sharply cut back spending on cars in January, contributing to a 0.3 percent drop in overall retail sales that month.

The fact that consumers didn't close their pocketbooks and wallets in February and instead spent solidly - though not lavishly - on big-ticket items, including cars, furniture and appliances, was considered encouraging.

Man joins Guess? as vice president

Guess? Inc. announced Wednesday the appointment of Paul Melancon as vice president and corporate controller, effective immediately.

A veteran corporate finance and business operations executive, Melancon most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Hyper Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Corp. of America.

Prior to his three years in that post, Melancon, 46, spent nine years at Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Melancon began his career as a certified public accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP in 1978.

Los Angeles-based Guess? designs, markets, distributes and licenses collections of apparel, accessories and related consumer products.

SunAmerica taps newest executive

SunAmerica Inc., a member of American International Group Inc., announced Wednesday that John E. Pluhowski has been named vice president of corporate communications for the financial services company.

Pluhowski will be responsible for managing a wide range of advertising and communications activities, including public and media relations, employee communications, and community affairs.

Pluhowski, 47, most recently served as vice president-corporate communications at American General Corp., where he was responsible for advertising, public and media relations, shareholder publications and employee communications.

American General Corp. was acquired by AIG in August 2000.

Toyota recalling 1996-'98 4Runners

WASHINGTON - Toyota is recalling 273,743 4Runner sport utility vehicles because of a handling problem.

The vehicles can be difficult to control if they are overloaded and the driver makes a hard turn, Toyota spokesman John Hanson said. He said the problem was discovered during vehicle testing and that company officials are not aware of any difficulties on the road.

The recall, announced Wednesday by federal auto-safety regulators, covers the 1996-1998 model years. Hanson said the problem affects only the two-wheel-drive models but that Toyota also is recalling the four- wheel-drive versions to avoid confusion.

Owners will be notified by mail, and dealers will replace the rear springs and other parts of the rear suspension free of charge.

Two separate recalls are for the Land Rover Discovery II.